Keep Christians Out of Christmas.

Today is Christmas day to millions of people. As for us, we do not partake of this event. There are countless of associations of this holiday with many pagan traditions. I can very easily write articles about how they are all related to paganism, and that Christians should have no part of these associations. But, I won't do that this year. We have many wonderful resources and information to find online. Just type "Christmas" and "Pagan" and you'll find much info out there!

This will be brief. I will just list a passage that is often debated.

"Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." Jeremiah 10:1-5


Whether our readers may protest that this may have anything to do with Christmas trees, the part of this passage that truly matters is this:

"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen"


"For the customs of the people are vain."

God just simply tells us not to follow after the rest of the world. The world observes this day, and that day and they have their own traditions. As Christians, we're to have no part with it. It is all vanity in the eyes of God. We're not of this world, and even that should be blatantly obvious to everyone else but unfortunately... you don't see that anymore.

Many Christians will argue and say that if we make this holiday about Christ, then it'll be okay to celebrate. If we think about it, does God want that? Does He want us to take something wicked, and then make it good, for His sake? Or does He ask us to be separate from the wicked thing altogether?

"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." 1 Cor 10:21


Many of us know that December 25th isn't Christ's birthday. He also never commanded us to celebrate His birthday, but to observe His death and its purpose. Could we just be trying to justify our decision in partaking with this holiday, by making it about Christ for our own selfish motives? I don't mean to sound harsh, but what other motive could it be, if it is not God's? We should evaluate ourselves.

Many will argue that God does not want to deprive us of joy. Well, God reminds us in the Bible that He doesn't want us to seek empty joy from the world, or joy from satisfying our own carnal desires. He wants us to find joy in HIM alone, and for that to be sufficient. True joy is only through Him.

Christmas is a day with the most dazzles, lights, glitter, and the most appealing things. Don't forget the nature of Lucifer. He draws us in and allures us by his brilliant appearance, and appears to us as an angel of light. It is in this day when we are brought to financial burdens, find ourselves in debt, and when we feed our fleshly desires the most. Wouldn't you agree that it is the opposite of what God seeks from us?

Behold the Lord, not the world. Come out and be separate.

Israel

The Bible speaks of Israel multiple times. Many Christians zealously support and side with Israel in their battles and conflicts. Yet, when God speaks of Israel, is it the nation Israel? What was physical were shadow of things to come for the Spiritual. Let us come together and uncover another mystery in the Word.

Israel was established when God named Jacob "Israel." Long since then, they have become a nation of Jews. Yet, a lot of things changed when Jesus Christ came and accomplished His work on earth. He established a new spiritual covenant with us and grafted in the Gentiles to the vine. What about Israel? Let us read the scriptures:

Being a Jew was no longer physical, but Spiritual. It is no longer of the flesh according to their birth, but of the heart inwardly (born in Christ).

^"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." Romans 2:28,29


The promise is no longer to those who are naturally born Israelites, but to those who are Spiritually born Israelites.


"Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. " Romans 9:6-8


Isaac represents the children of the promise because he was born from the free woman Sarah (grace). Ishmael represented the flesh and he was born from the bondwoman Hagar (law). The flesh (Ishmael) was cast out with the bondwoman because there can only be room for one: the children of the free to whom the promise was in effect.  ***READ GALATIANS 4:22-31 to learn more about this.***

^"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." Galatians 4:28

If we are IN Christ, then we are Abraham's seed and the children of the promise.

^"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:26-29


In order to be a part of this lineage of Abraham's seed, we must have faith. In whom shall we have faith? In Christ Jesus alone!


^"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Galatians 3:14

"Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." Galatians 3:6-9

Note: Notice above when God told Abraham, "In thee shall ALL NATIONS be blessed." This foretold of the Gentiles coming into the picture through faith. Why was it through Abraham? It was because he had faith in God, and he was not bound by the law and works. He was uncircumcised. Yet, he was called the friend of God for his faith, and God blessed him to be the father of faith.

We are now the adopted sons of God and heirs to the kingdom. We are no longer his servants through the law, but the sons of God through faith and Christ Jesus our Lord! Jesus took our place and died the condemned sinner's death for us, and we are now in His place as the sons of God and heirs to the kingdom.

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:4-7

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12, 13

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." 1 John 3:1



The flesh profits nothing. Being born a Jew or an Israelite will not save you. Being born again IN CHRIST shall save you.

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." Galatians 6:15

"And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." Matthew 3:9



Now the Gentiles have been given the promise through faith in Christ Jesus because Israel rejected their Messiah. We were once outsiders having no part of God, but now we have joined in the house of God through the blood of Christ. Now we are fellowcitizens, heirs to the kingdom and the adopted sons of God.


"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God." Ephesians 2:11-13,19

"For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob." Isaiah 14:1


Yet, let us not boast for the Gentiles were only grafted in the vine of Christ because of the Jews' unbelief. We are the wild branches that have been grafted in the olive tree. God can easily cut us off if we abide not in Him. God can also easily graft back in the natural branches (Israel) if they repent and seek Christ to be saved! (Rom 11:23)
 
"And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." Romans 11:17-25

Israel has been blinded and the law is their stumblingblock so that the times of the Gentiles may be fulfilled.

"What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." Romans 11:7-11



Yet if they shall turn to CHRIST, the veil shall be taken away!

"And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away." 2 Corinthians 3:13-16



The time shall come when the nation of Israel shall repent and turn to the Messiah.

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." Zechariah 12:10

But the times of the Gentile is now and Israel is being trampled on. We see it in the news everyday. Where is God's protection and grace upon them? God is allowing this to happen to Israel until they turn back to their Saviour again.

^"And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." Luke 21:24

Christ has longed for Jerusalem to return to Him but they have rejected Him, so He shall not return unto them until they come in HIS name.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." Luke 13:34-35



We see this passage explaining about how the Jews shall come to knock on God's door calling for Him but He will not open the door because He knew them not. They shall say to Him that Christ was one of them and walked amongst them, yet strangers from all nations shall enter the Kingdom and sup with Christ.

"When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last." Luke 13:25-30 (also in Matthew 8)

We see that Abraham is there which represents faith, Isaac is there that represents the children of the Promise, and Jacob as Israel, yet those without shall be cast outside. Those who were last (Gentiles) shall be first, and those who were first (Jews) shall be last.



Israel is now Spiritual and it is for those who are in Christ who have faith. We have been grafted in the vine alongside with Jacob, Abraham and Isaac. Whoever is not in Christ has been broken off as an abombinable branch and shall be burned. Those who were broken off can be grafted in again through Christ. (John 15)

The Jews need to repent and turn to Christ! Flee from thy empty works and religion, and turn to Christ to be grafted back into the olive tree. Do not support Judaism and the way of the Jews, but call unto them to repent and turn away from their old ways!

"I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." Revelation 2:9

"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." Revelation 3:9



The Jews persecuted the Christians and rejected the Gospel that was presented unto them:

^"And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles." Acts 18:5,6


The Jewish High Priests betrayed God when they crucified Christ and pledged their allegiance to the emperor.

"But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar." John 19:15



Jesus warned the Pharisees and High Priests that the Kingdom of God would be taken away from them:

^"Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." Matthew 21:43



We call out to the Jews reading this to turn to Christ, to repent and be saved! Let us join together as brethren in Christ to be one body, partakers of one Spirit, and to inherit the promise together.

"But he that is joined unto the Lord is one Spirit." 1 Corinthians 6:17

Those who are Jews that have converted to Christ are now Christians, after Christ, as the disciples were called as well. (Acts 11:26, 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16) They are our brethren.

But remember that as Christians, we cannot approve of or praise Jews caught in the snare of the law and that are in the synagogue of Satan, yet we must preach the truth unto those to come out and be saved.

Are You a Voice?

This blog is not just for us, but for all the voices in the wilderness out there. We never believed that God's truth was meant to be a one man show. We would like to hear what God has shared with you. If you are a voice and would like to have your article published on our blog, then please read the guidelines below.

1. We are Bible believing Christians who hold the Word in higher authority over man, tradition, doctrine and religion.

2. We quote from the King James Bible for the English translation.

3. Make sure that your article belongs to you or that you have permission to post someone else's article for copyright purposes.

4. Email us your article at avoiceinwilderness@gmail.com. 

(Note: We hold the right to approve or deny articles for submission.)

5. Your article will be signed as "A Voice in the Wilderness" for we believe God holds the credit for all His truth and that we should not take the glory for it.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you.

The Evidence of Our Faith

It is important to understand the true source of works. There is a fine line between works that stem from faith, and works for self gain. Firstly, we want to show that works alone cannot save us.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

Yet it proceeds onto the next verse saying,

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

When we are in Christ Jesus, we are ordained and sent unto good works so that we may serve him. It is not of ourselves! If we do works on our own, thinking we are to earn points, or move up some sort of ladder of merit, then it is empty works! It is vanity!

But because Jesus Christ lives and dwells within us, we have a change of heart and lifestyle. We will find a renewed sense within us to want to help others, to take chances, to spread the Gospel. Our works become evidences that He lives within us, and that we have faith.

Read James 2:14-26,

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

We read in James that faith alone profits nothing. Faith alone without any evidence of it by our works is dead. Many Christians believe in God, but so do the devils! What sets us apart from devils? It is our faith in action. It is our lifestyle. It is our fruit! The devils believe in God and know He is real, yet they live wickedly. There are Christians out there who believe in God, and their works and lifestyles are wicked!

We see the examples in the passage listed above that Abraham and Rahab had none to profit themselves from these works! Abraham was about to lose his favorite son, and how could that be a self gain? Rahab became a traitor to her own country when she decided to help hide the spies in her home. Works are to be selfless, not selfish!

Works that are for our own gain, our own recognition, our own merit and glory are vain and worthless! Yet, works that come from our heart of faith, are good works that are well pleasing unto God! It is good fruit sown on good ground in the true heart of a believer.  Let us not be Pharisees who do works after their own glory!

When God looks at your life, will He see good fruit? Will He see the fruits of the Spirit? Will He see love, compassion, long suffering, patience, peace, joy, charity? Or will He see selfishness, pride, greed, lusts, gluttony, anger, jealousy, vanity? (read Galatians 5:19-23)

Believing in God isn't the only thing that can get you home.

Paul encourages us to examine ourselves, to test ourselves and to find whether we are in the faith, or whether we are reprobate.

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Corinthians 13:5

We will see many Christians come and go, but who are the ones that are truly saved and living in Christ? Paul says that we shall know them by their fruits.

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matthew 7: 16-20

"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." Matthew 12:33

Let us examine ourselves. Do we bear good fruit? Read Matthew 13, the parable of the sower.

God is the sower that sows His Word like seeds all over,

The Wayside Believer: This believer did not understand the Word of God, and the enemy removes the Word from their heart.

The Stony Believer: This believer receives the Word with joy and lasts a short time. When times of persecution and tribulation comes, this believer is immediately offended and leaves.

The Thorny Believer: This believer receives the Word, but then is entangled in the world. The thorns of the world choke the Word out of this believer with it's lusts, riches and pleasures.

The Good Ground Believer: This believer receives the Word and understands it. This believer bears fruit, and then it increases many times over! This is the believer that God seeks, whom bears good fruits and God sends an increase. God's Word is manifest in their lives because the faith they received grew into trees that bore good fruits. Their faith is manifest by their fruits.

Let us always examine ourselves and let our hearts be like the good ground that receives His Word. Let our faith grow and bear many fruits in God's field. Let our works be manifest through our faith and show that Jesus Christ lives within us indeed!When the Son of Man appears from the sky with His Angels, let us rejoice knowing this,

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Matthew 16:27

For our works testify of the faith we have in Him.