B.R. Maul's Blog

Podcast 85 Blog Post

In the latest episode of our podcast, we delve into the profound journey of transitioning from simply knowing about Jesus to truly embodying His teachings and living a Christ-like life. This episode is not just about theological discussions but aims to inspire listeners to embrace a transformative path of faith that goes beyond mere church attendance or performing good deeds. Drawing on personal stories and the wisdom of biblical teachings, we explore the crucial distinction between claiming faith and living it authentically. This distinction is akin to practicing a profession rather than just holding a title. As listeners embark on this journey with me, they will discover the wonders of sanctification and the profound changes that walking with Jesus brings to one’s life.

One of the key topics discussed in this episode is the concept of being “born again,” a term that often confuses many believers. The episode emphasizes that true faith requires evidence in our daily lives, much like a professional’s practice reflects their expertise. The discussion is anchored in the teachings of John 3 and 1 John 2, highlighting that knowing about Jesus is not enough for salvation. True salvation comes from a genuine relationship with the Lord, evidenced by living according to His commandments and walking as He did. This journey is about more than avoiding negative behaviors; it’s about actively sharing the message of Jesus and fulfilling the Great Commission by making disciples. By prioritizing spiritual growth over worldly ambitions, believers can inspire others to see the benefits of a Christian life.

Another significant aspect of the episode is the exploration of sanctification—the process of becoming more like Jesus through prayer, scripture, and a genuine relationship with Him. The episode challenges listeners to examine how they spend their time, urging them to prioritize spiritual work over worldly gains. By living out their faith authentically and dedicating time to serving others, such as supporting widows and orphans, Christians can reflect the love and teachings of Jesus. The podcast encourages believers to stop merely talking about their faith and start embodying it in their everyday actions. This authentic living not only transforms the believer’s life but also inspires those around them, leading to a community rooted in love, hope, and joy.

The transformative power of following Jesus is another focal point of the episode. By embracing your spiritual journey, you will experience increased joy, reduced anxiety, and less depression. The podcast underscores that a growing hope and becoming a better person through Jesus Christ are among the many positive changes that faith can bring. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about living out the love of God in daily life. By keeping God’s word and living according to His teachings, believers can know that they are truly in Him, as the love of God is perfected in those who live out His commandments.

The episode also addresses common misconceptions about faith and salvation, challenging listeners to rethink their understanding of what it means to be a Christian. It emphasizes that simply attending church or having a familial connection to faith does not guarantee salvation. Instead, being born again and living out one’s faith in everyday actions are essential proofs of a genuine relationship with Jesus. This journey requires believers to walk as Jesus walked, embodying His teachings and love in all aspects of life.

As the episode concludes, it leaves listeners with a heartfelt promise of the positive changes that come from truly following Jesus Christ. The host looks forward to the next gathering, encouraging listeners to continue embracing the path of faith and transformation. By walking with Jesus and following His commands, believers can experience a life filled with joy, hope, and a profound sense of purpose. This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith and the profound impact it can have on both individual lives and the broader community.

Podcast 85 Transcript

This is a computer generated transcript of this podcast. This is NOT a typed transcript and it has not been edited. Expect grammatical and syntactical errors.

B.R.Maul: 0:29

Hello and welcome to Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World. It’s good to have you here with me. I am pastor and author BR Maul. Last week I was talking about the importance of having a relationship with the Lord and knowing him in your heart and not just in your mind. It’s something that has been weighing a lot on me lately, because I see so much of that happening.

B.R.Maul: 0:59

People who are living their lives believing that their eternity is based on the knowledge that they have about Jesus Christ, and these are people who attend church regularly. These are people who would consider themselves good citizens, doing the right thing. People who pay their taxes, they work, they show up on work on time, they do the job they’re supposed to do, they’re helpful, they volunteer, they’re pleasant people. These are people that are great to be around. Some are funny, some are trustworthy, but my concern is the growing number of people who are not born again and are considering that their salvation is based on that. They have always known Jesus. Talk to somebody and ask them about that. It’s quite amazing people who believe that they’re born into Christianity and I can speak from the very fact that when I was very young, I thought that because what I listened to on the news and watched on TV the things that people were doing, the evil that is out there, whether on the news and for real or fiction. That alone was enough to convince me that I was a good person and my family are good people, because they too were working hard. They wanted to be helpful to other people. Sure, they struggled who doesn’t? Everybody’s human? But overall good people. And that continues today. Now I thank the Lord that he opened my eyes years ago to this reality. It wasn’t easy for me to accept and to take in, that’s for sure. In fact, there was a time I fought it because I didn’t want to accept it, to look back at one’s childhood and realize that there was some important information in fact the most important information when it comes to one’s eternity and it was false. But for those who have been following my teachings on this podcast, you know that this is something that is very near and dear to me, that I can’t say enough of that. Just going to church doesn’t make somebody a Christian, and there’s other things. There’s those who go to church, yes, but also those who maybe they have a father or a mother, a grandparent, who is somebody who loves the Lord Jesus and growing up next to that person or near that person, you got the impression that that made you also a Christian. It kind of rubs off on you.

B.R.Maul: 3:47

I could go on and on the misconception that one is a child of God because they know who Jesus is. That’s not what makes a person a child of God. One must be born again, and Jesus mentions that in John 3, when Nicodemus comes to him at night and he wants to know Nicodemus as a Pharisee, a teacher of God’s Word. He wants to know, and that’s quite amazing, isn’t it? Because this is a man who should have known. He should have been able to instantly identify Jesus Christ as God incarnate. Now, based on scripture, I firmly believe that if he didn’t know at that time, he certainly did come to know that, but I won’t get into that. But we know at that time that he spent with Nicodemus, Jesus explained it quite clear in John 3, that one must be born again to be able to see the kingdom of God. So I’m going to assume the rest of this message that you understand what born again is, because I want to continue moving forward in this conversation that if one is indeed a child of God.

B.R.Maul: 5:08

There must be proof in our day-to-day living, because we can live a life. We can call ourselves whatever we want in our life, but if we don’t actually do what it is that we are saying we are, well, then what good is it? And we can apply that to anything, not just Christianity. Anybody can walk around and say they’re a brain surgeon. Well, if you say you are, but you’ve never gone to school to become a brain surgeon and you don’t go and work at a hospital, you’ve never done an operation, then it’d be kind of hard to claim the fact that you’re a brain surgeon if you’ve never in your life, ever done any brain surgery. Now that’s one example. We can go on and on. I could go around and say that I’m a comedian, that’s what I do for a living, a professional comedian. But if I’ve never had one show, if I’ve never done one stand-up routine in my life, well then am I really a comedian? These may be horrible examples, I don’t know, but the same applies to our relationship with Jesus Christ. You can claim to be someone’s husband or wife, but if you’ve never stood at the altar, if you’ve never said I do, if you don’t live together, you don’t know one another. You barely know someone’s name. You can’t identify what he or she does, but you keep walking around saying that you’re married to this person, are you? There needs to be evidence in your life, and I think most people would agree with me on that.

B.R.Maul: 6:49

I have taught the book of 1 John, but I do want to read from 1 John, chapter 2, starting in verse 3. Now, by this we know that we know him. That’s Jesus if we keep his commandments. He who says I know him and does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word truly, the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in him. That’s Jesus. He who says he abides in him ought himself also to walk just as he, Jesus, walked. That’s pretty straightforward.

B.R.Maul: 7:39

I believe John is making it very clear If you’re going to talk the talk, you must walk the walk. That’s how we’ve said it in modern times anyway. And he even says now, by this, we know that we know him if we keep his commandments In walking in his ways. Keeping his commandments is living like Jesus lived. He showed us how to live as his disciples. That’s why it’s so wonderful that we can go back and read the New Testament and see for ourselves how Jesus Christ walked. So believing in him, believing in the blood of Christ, accepting him as your Savior is only the beginning.

B.R.Maul: 8:30

Once we are born again, we must live like him. Not because we need to get into salvation by our works no, but really for two reasons that I see it. One, as John just says here, that way we know that we know him. Only a person who truly knows Jesus is going to live like him. But also for this other reason that we live like Jesus, that we do good works, that we do as he has commanded, is because of our appreciation. So that’s really twofold, one that we can prove to ourselves yes, I do love Jesus, because I want to know how Jesus lived, I want to hear what Jesus has to say. So, as you read the New Testament, as you continue to learn who Jesus is and you begin to walk like him and act like him, to follow in his commandments and his footsteps, such as loving the Lord, your God, with all your heart, mind and soul, and loving your neighbor as yourself. Fulfilling that not just in your mind, not just thinking about hey, this is a good idea, but living this way, how important that is beloved.

B.R.Maul: 9:52

Someone who claims to know Jesus and to love Jesus but shows no desire to know him, they don’t care if they make it to church or not. Again, does going to church help you get into heaven? Not at all. And unfortunately this is where the two extremes kind of crisscross, because there are many who do believe well, I’m going to church, so I must love Jesus. But this is where we have to know that we love him because we are keeping his commandments. He never commanded us to go to church. He has commanded us to love our God and to love one another.

B.R.Maul: 10:38

In verse 4, he who says I know him and does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. And perhaps what people are thinking is I know him intellectually. I can tell you what Christmas is all about. I can tell you what Easter is all about. These are people who sure they know him very well, in the sense as a person would know somebody they have studied in history, somebody they have read a lot about, and they can quote and say the person was born this day in this year. And this is where they were born and this is how they were raised. This is the kind of life that they lived.

B.R.Maul: 11:22

There’s historians that can repeat a lot of this information on a lot of historical people. And even today, in modern times, when it comes to famous people, there are people who know the background in these actors and actresses or their favorite sport figures, their favorite football players, basketball players, baseball players, race car drivers, you name it. There’s the sport out there and people can rattle off all kinds of information. So what if a person can rattle off information about Jesus To say that we know him but then we don’t do as he commands? Well, that makes us a liar. And going back to the famous people or historians to say that you know somebody, does that mean you know them intimately, that you know them personally? Think of your favorite actor or favorite sport, jock, and how much you know of that person. Does that give you the right to walk around and tell people that you know them as if you knew them personally? No, it doesn’t, and I’m sure you don’t do that.

B.R.Maul: 12:33

But whoever keeps his word truly, the love of God is perfected in him. Keeping God’s word Well beloved, what does that look like that is your life. One’s life needs to reflect that. You keep his word and, as John says, then truly the love of God is perfected in you, doesn’t make you perfect, that’s not what he’s saying, but it’s doesn’t make you perfect. That’s not what he’s saying, but it’s perfected in you because you are living it out. It’s not just something that you know. You don’t just spout out verses, but you’re living out what the verses say.

B.R.Maul: 13:14

We don’t lie because we know that that is wrong. We don’t cheat because we know that’s wrong. We don’t have affairs because we know that’s wrong. Cheat because we know that’s wrong. We don’t have affairs because we know that’s wrong. We don’t envy. We’re not greedy, because we know it’s wrong. We are kind to people because we know that’s right. We are generous because we know that is what Jesus wants us to do is to be generous with the resources he has given us our time, our talents, our treasure. We are forgiving. We don’t hold things against people, why? Because Jesus doesn’t hold anything against us when we approach Jesus.

B.R.Maul: 13:52

When you took him in as your Lord and Savior and said that’s it, lord, I’m following you, you accepted the price that he paid on the cross, which means that he owns you, which is a beautiful thing. So that’s why we are going to live every way we can. We are going to follow his way and not do things that is wrong and do the things that are right, and by this we know that we are in him, so you can know. One never needs to question am I born again? Am I heaven bound? Because it’s not based on our works, the works that we do. We do because we love our Lord and he is our savior and our Lord. And then verse 6, he who says he abides in him. So the person who says that he abides in Jesus ought himself also to walk as Jesus walked For baby Christians, for those who you haven’t been a Christian very long.

B.R.Maul: 14:58

Yes, there’s a lot of change that’s going to be happening. As you walk with your Lord and Savior, as you read his word and are praying to him, are taking the time to be with him. Yes, you will begin to be sanctified and look and act more like Jesus. But the reason this part is so important is because what our life looks like means so much, because it’s not just a matter of being kind, it’s not just a matter of not being mean, it’s not just behavioral, but where do you spend your time? Here’s a big one for you If you want to know how you’re walking with the Lord, if you’re born again and you want to do what he has told you to do. He has also given us a commission, every single one of us, everyone who is born again.

B.R.Maul: 15:58

The last thing that Jesus said before he ascended into heaven, where he sits today, he said go to all nations making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, son and Holy Spirit. That doesn’t mean for you to be a Christian. You must travel around the world, but what it does mean is that you are going to speak about who your Savior is to all nations, that’s to all people. Now, in modern times, this makes it even all the more easier because, with the world being so intermixed, especially in a country like America, which is a melting pot of nations, of people, you don’t have to go far at all right in your neighborhood. But anybody who is not born again is a people to go to. Young and old, male and female, rich and poor, educated, uneducated, sophisticated, simple. I think you get the picture. It doesn’t matter Anybody who does not know Jesus we are told to make a disciple out of Now.

B.R.Maul: 17:15

The good thing is, it doesn’t fall on our shoulders to convert people. The Holy Spirit does that and I’m very thankful for that, because then that would mean it would rely upon my ability to sell somebody on being a Christian. That’s not our responsibility, because you don’t need to sell somebody on being a Christian. What you need to do is to show people the benefit of being a Christian, because by our very love for other people, the light and salt that we are, through living the life, by obeying his commands, by knowing Jesus as John has said in this letter we show people that we are his children and the very fact that we don’t live lives that we are full of anxiety, we don’t live lives where we are hateful and greedy and people are quick to see wow, this is a person I can really trust. When this Christian says that they are going to be here, they show up. When they say they’re going to do something, they do it and they do it right. So it’s in our very livelihood that we reflect the fact that we are his children.

B.R.Maul: 18:33

So let me go even further, because what I see so much around me today is Christians, who I can’t tell the difference if they are an unbeliever or a Christian, until, of course, you may ask them do you believe in Jesus? Oh, yes, I believe in Jesus, but up until that point, there’s no way of identifying that. Because, going back to what John said, are we walking like him? Because he who says that he abides in Jesus ought himself also to walk just as Jesus walked. So if a person isn’t walking like that, they swear and cuss and it doesn’t bother them. And they can go and get drunk, and it doesn’t bother them at all. They can flirt even though they’re married, or they flirt with those who are married. They can lie. Their walk doesn’t reflect what they say. Their talk says I know Jesus, yeah, but their walk isn’t showing it, and this is what I’m seeing a lot of beloved.

B.R.Maul: 19:40

So if you’re a child of God, join me in challenging our brothers and sisters to live it, in challenging our brothers and sisters to live it. Stop talking about being a Christian and live it, walk it, walk the walk. Quit telling people that I go to church and so that’s what makes me a Christian. Join me in this challenge. Help those who don’t get it. Help those who think that well, yes, I’m going to follow Jesus, but I’m going to do that by still living the life I did before I was born again. We can’t do that. Please spare your time and then help others spare their time by not doing that. Live off of the misery of those of us who have tried it for decades.

B.R.Maul: 20:32

I wasted so much of my time saying that I’m following Jesus, even trying to behave myself and get to church more often and be more intentional at Christmas time and Easter time, but yet I was still living like the world. Now, even when my speech changed, the Lord took cussing from me quite quickly and I thank him for that, because ultimately it just hurt people around me and hurt myself. But he took cussing and cursing away from me. So that’s great, and there was things that he was working on and to this day he’s still. The sanctification process won’t end until I’m dead and I enter eternity. Then I’ll be glorified, amen.

B.R.Maul: 21:25

But what I have learned as well is what about the time that he has given us? Why isn’t that more important? If you’re a born-again believer in this challenge of awakening our brothers and sisters, look at how we are spending our time. Are we putting the majority of our time into our work here on earth, or are we putting the majority of our time in the work that we have for Jesus Christ? Not for making our life more better here by making more money and accumulating more comforts, but we are indeed working the Great Commission.

B.R.Maul: 22:06

We are telling others about Jesus, we are bringing people to church, we are pausing and praying with people. We are seeking out the widow and the orphan and spending time with them, giving them our time and our love, whatever that might look like. Maybe a child in your neighborhood who doesn’t have a mother or a father, and there’s that part that you can help be a friend to their parent and to that child. Or maybe a widow whose husband passed away years ago and this little old lady has been living just a few doors down from you, but you haven’t taken the time because you’re too busy. You got too much going on in your life.

B.R.Maul: 22:54

Well, this is where we need to check ourselves again, because, walking with him, knowing Jesus, do you remember when that young ruler came to Jesus? And this young ruler said teacher, I have done everything, everything that you have asked when it comes to the commands, I have done. And Jesus then said Well, okay, that’s great. Now sell everything you own and walk with me. And that rich young ruler went away, sad, because he was so wealthy he couldn’t do it. He was keeping the commands. He was very careful to try to fulfill all these commands, but he wasn’t willing to give Jesus his entire life. He wanted to keep the money. He wanted to still live like the world.

B.R.Maul: 23:46

And we can see that today, because there are many rich young rulers today, and no, not rulers as in like of a country or something like that, but successful entrepreneurs, people who have a lot of money, maybe their career, they make a lot of money, maybe their investments, whatever the reason that they have a lot of money, they would fall into the category of a rich ruler in ancient times and many of us are much more well-off than we think, especially for those of us in America. I know this podcast goes around the world and thank you, lord, for that. But look at yourself, beloved, wherever you’re at in this world, and thank you, lord, for that. But look at yourself, beloved, wherever you’re at in this world, and it’s easy to compare ourselves to our neighbor and think, yeah, but they have. Wow, look at their house, or look what they drive, or look at the connections they have, whatever it is, but then we fail to see what the Lord has given us, has blessed us with, and because we desire more, we decide I’m going to work more, I’m going to work and I’m going to make even more money. So I start another business or I get another job or I invest more money, whatever it may be, but then we spend a lot more time trying to make money and trying to gather things in this world, in this life, instead of walking like Jesus walked and made other people a priority, and that looks differently for everyone beloved.

B.R.Maul: 25:23

Maybe you’re the kind of person who can love people by giving money to them, or maybe you have a skill or talent. You’re a doctor, a nurse, somebody who can practice medicine, and you help those who are in need. Maybe you do go other places in the world, because there are many places who don’t have the medical attention. Maybe you’re an educator, and so you do take time and you teach, whatever other language it is, to others who need to know that language, and then see to it they get God’s word in that language. There you go. You’re loving other people. Yes, we all have jobs. Yes, we need to make money, but it’s so easy for that money to become the priority.

B.R.Maul: 26:14

So, while I’m thinking about it before I run out of time, retirement, for example. There’s nothing biblical about that. Retirement is our way of saying well, I want to make enough money. That way I can do what I want. And a Christian may say well, yes, when I have enough where I can retire, then I will go ahead and I will give back time and I’ll start going to church more, or I’ll start volunteering and helping those who are in need more in my community. Okay, but that isn’t the way it’s supposed to work.

B.R.Maul: 26:51

We don’t tell God I will do it when I’m good and ready. For those of you who have tried it, like I have, I’m sure you can testify that it doesn’t work that way. Does it? God will make it quite clear that that’s not the way he does things, because the other thing is we don’t even know if we’re going to be around tomorrow.

B.R.Maul: 27:13

James tells us in his writing in the book of James that we don’t know what tomorrow brings. So we don’t have the right to plan out our coming weeks, months and years and say this is what I’m going to do take it or leave it, no, and say this is what I’m going to do take it or leave it, no. James says what we are to do is to say, if God wills, and I’m going to be alive, I’ll do this and that Because then, every day, we go to our Lord and we pray to him. What will you have me do? This day, my heart goes out to everyone who is struggling with this ongoing battle that we have which is a spiritual battle, by the way Because every time that we try to do more for our Lord and Savior, this world comes down even harder and faster, trying to entice us to take us away from reading his word for volunteering or for stopping at the little old lady’s house we’ve been meaning to for years, whatever it may be.

B.R.Maul: 28:14

But before I leave you, I want to say this, and please think about this, because if you have too much going on in your life and you don’t have the time to read God’s Word and you don’t have the time to worship him and you don’t have the time to help others, then you’re not living for Christ, then you are not walking as he walked, and it’s time you change, work less or give up more things so you don’t have to work as much, but make that time. We all have that ability, because anything that’s so important to us, do we not make time for it? Even if it’s a certain event, a movie comes out that you really want to see, somehow people make time for that. A sporting event that a person wants to go and watch, they make time for that. When it’s things that please us, we’re quick to go ahead and make time for that.

B.R.Maul: 29:19

But I assure you, I promise you this and I hate making promises but I promise you that you walk with Jesus. But I promise you that you walk with Jesus. You follow his commands. You will begin to be joyous, you will begin to be less anxious, you will become less depressed, you will have a hope that grows in you. You will become a better person through Jesus Christ. That’s all I have for today. I look forward to next week.

And until next time,

God bless.

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“Heroes Inspire Hope” and “Mountainscape” by Humans Win

Podcast 84 Blog Post

In the latest episode of “Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World,” B.R.Maul takes listeners on a transformative journey beyond mere intellectual understanding of Jesus Christ. The episode, titled “Knowing Jesus: Beyond Intellectual Faith,” challenges listeners to delve deeper into their faith by emphasizing the necessity of forming a genuine, heartfelt relationship with Christ. B.R. Maul begins by highlighting the distinction between knowing about Jesus through historical or cultural exposure and truly knowing Him in your heart. He compares this difference to knowing historical figures versus forming a personal relationship, illustrating that intellectual knowledge alone is insufficient for salvation. The episode resonates with diverse audiences from regions such as Nepal and Saudi Arabia, stressing the universal need for a heartfelt connection with Jesus, the Son of God.

The episode explores key aspects of Christian faith, such as repentance and justification, underscoring their importance in the process of salvation. B.R.Maul emphasizes that repentance involves a genuine desire to turn away from sin, seeking forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and leading to being born again by the Holy Spirit. This transformation is not merely a ritual or an intellectual assent but a profound spiritual rebirth that sets believers on a path of sanctification. The discussion warns against relying solely on intellectual knowledge of Scripture, as this can lead to constructing a false image of God. Instead, personal engagement with the Bible and understanding through the Holy Spirit are highlighted as essential components of a true relationship with Christ.

B.R.Maul also addresses the importance of establishing a meaningful prayer routine, even amidst the chaos of daily life. By incorporating prayer into specific daily activities, such as before meals or at bedtime, listeners can cultivate a deeper connection with God. These small yet significant changes in routine are presented as ways to enrich one’s spiritual life and maintain focus on Jesus Christ. The episode encourages listeners to embrace the fleeting nature of life with spiritual intentionality, always seeking to grow closer to God and remain safe under His guidance.

Throughout the episode, B.R.Maul’s heartfelt message challenges listeners to reflect inwardly and assess the authenticity of their relationship with Jesus. He emphasizes that living God’s way requires more than blending in with the world or merely understanding God from a distance. Instead, it involves a commitment to truly know Jesus in one’s heart and live a life reflective of that faith. The episode concludes with an invitation to continue exploring these themes in future discussions, encouraging listeners to remain spiritually focused and actively engaged in their faith journey.

This episode of “Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World” serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of moving beyond intellectual faith to embrace a heartfelt journey with Jesus. By focusing on genuine relationships, repentance, justification, and daily spiritual practices, B.R. Maul offers listeners a roadmap for deepening their connection with Christ and finding spiritual depth in everyday life. As the world becomes increasingly complex and chaotic, this episode provides a beacon of hope and guidance for those seeking to live a life aligned with their faith and values.

Podcast 84 Transcript

This is a computer generated transcript of this podcast. This is NOT a typed transcript and it has not been edited. Expect grammatical and syntactical errors.

B.R.Maul: 0:29

Hello and good day. I am BR Maul and you are listening to Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World. I’m currently teaching in the book of Ephesians. However, I am taking a break from that so I can talk just more directly to you. There’s been a few things on my heart and this is one of them that I’d like to talk to you about.

B.R.Maul: 0:55

After all, the podcast Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World is a topic that most people don’t want to listen to. They don’t want to talk about that. It’s much easier to live a life pretending that we know God and blending in with the world around us. The average person doesn’t want to rock the boat. In other words, they don’t want to cause trouble, they don’t want to make people mad, they don’t want people to not like them, they don’t want to hurt people’s feelings, and some of that is okay. But for those of us who are following Jesus Christ and that is who it is that I follow it is Jesus Christ of Nazareth who is my Lord and my King, my Savior, and it is he who I owe an eternal debt to. Because of him, I am going to spend eternity in the presence of God.

B.R.Maul: 1:50

I noticed there’s quite a few listeners to this podcast over in countries like Nepal and Saudi Arabia and other countries that certainly are not Americanized. So I wanted to make sure that I clarify a few things as I continue teaching that this God is Yahweh, the one true living God. This is not the God of the Quran. This is not just another God of the Hindus. Jesus Christ is his son. It is God, the Father, that gave Jesus Christ up as a sacrifice, once and for all, for everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior.

B.R.Maul: 2:31

One thing to clarify for all you who are listening is that head knowledge of God is not enough to make it into heaven, and Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is not a prophet. He was not just a good man that lived a good life. In fact, that’s impossible, because Jesus declared that he is God numerous times. Makes it so he doesn’t qualify to be just a good man or, for that matter, a prophet of God, because, since he claimed to be God, he was either a liar, a psychotic or indeed the living God as a Christian.

B.R.Maul: 3:11

Quite obvious that he is, in fact, the living God. The Bible points to that in so many ways. So there’s no denying that Jesus Christ is God. We can deny it in our heart, but even the secular world cannot deny that a man named Jesus from Nazareth hung on a cross some 2,000 years ago, claiming to be the living God. And there’s proof upon proof that there were eyewitnesses that, after seeing him on the cross and then buried, saw him just days later walking about and over the course of well right now I’m trying to recall if it was 30 or 40 days, so I apologize for that, but either way, a significant amount of time that he walked the earth and hundreds of people witnessed that very fact.

B.R.Maul: 4:05

So for those who are wondering who Jesus is and are listening to this, he is the Son of God and for those who have known that in their mind, that this is common knowledge much in the United States, but so many other places as well, around the world, the name Jesus is known and known to be the Son of the Living God and a triune God Father, son and Holy Spirit that head knowledge is not enough. So that’s the other thing I want to talk about today, because my heart right now is breaking for the millions of people right now who know Jesus Christ as they would, somebody that they have studied in history as somebody that from generation to generation the name has been passed down, and of course those are many types of people, people from history. We can read about them, which means we have had knowledge of them, but unless we actually sat with them and talked to them and lived a life near them or alongside of them, we cannot know a person. We can know of people. We all know plenty about people the different presidents of the United States, the different kings and queens throughout history, various heroes and villains throughout history who made names for themselves, famous people today, whether in sports or in movies or in music industry, whatever it may be. All of these people you don’t know them in your heart. But we can really get to know them in our minds and we can get a feeling of knowing them in our minds.

B.R.Maul: 5:49

But please understand that reading about somebody does not make it so you know them. Nobody reads about somebody that they may be interested in as a spouse to have a family with and studies on them and reads more. Listen to other and studies on them and reads more. Listen to other people who talk about them and then, with that information only, without ever meeting them in person, marry them. That just doesn’t happen. Now, my ignorance shows, because when it comes to prearranged marriages, that’s something that I know very little about. So I’m not saying that there’s people who don’t marry somebody that they don’t know, but even with prearranged marriages, there seems still to be a time of courtship and so forth.

B.R.Maul: 6:35

But I won’t go down that rabbit hole because that’s not even a good comparison, because reading about somebody, especially somebody who isn’t even on this earth, that’s not walking this earth. Jesus is alive, he is in heaven, he is seated at the right hand of God, the Father, but he is not walking the earth. So, although he is a member of the Triune God, which means as a Godhead, he is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. He knows everything about you and me, but he’s not walking right next to us. In fact, it’s the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of all of God’s children. So why am I making a big deal about this? Knowing Jesus via just reading about or listening to sermons on Sunday, versus knowing him in your heart?

B.R.Maul: 7:26

The reason I’m making a big deal about this beloved is because this is the difference between heaven and hell when a person will spend their eternity is determined by their very relationship, or lack of relationship with their maker, specifically their maker’s son, Jesus Christ. And without getting too complicated, Jesus is God the Father, Jesus is the Holy Spirit and Jesus is the Son of God. That is the nature of a Triune God Three separate but equal, making one Godhead. We cannot comprehend that. But nowhere in God’s Word does he promise that he is going to explain everything to us, and I don’t doubt that. There’s no way that we could even comprehend it if he did lay it out for us. So I’ll leave it at that.

B.R.Maul: 8:21

But there was the Mosaic Age, the Age of the Old Testament at that. But there was the Mosaic Age, the age of the Old Testament. That is over with and done with. We are now in the Church Age. The Church Age is since Jesus began his ministry at the age of 30,. We are in the Church Age, god the Father. He is the one who decided that he is going to go from speaking to his people through prophets and instead will speak directly to his people through the Holy Spirit during the church age. Well, that brings us, then, to the point of well, how does that happen? There’s only one way that can happen, and that is being born again In John 3, Jesus Christ, when he speaks to Nicodemus, lays it out in great detail and he lets us know that all who read John 3, one must be born again to see the kingdom of God period again.

B.R.Maul: 9:20

To see the kingdom of God period, and Jesus has already stated as well that no one goes through the Father except through me. Jesus said so. Believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to God the Father, and that is the only way to be born again. When a person in their heart not in the head, and I’ll talk more about that in just a minute but in one’s heart, truly believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross, that he lived a perfect life and so, when he died on that cross and was sacrificed, that that blood of his was the perfect blood, the perfect lamb of God for the sacrifice, and that when you believe on his blood, his sacrifice for you, you are born again, and that is belief in one’s heart.

B.R.Maul: 10:02

In Romans 10, we are told that with the mouth one confesses the Lord Jesus and with the heart believes that God, the Father, raised him from the dead. That requires repentance. Repentance is not being sorry for what a person has done. You’re not sorry for the things you have done. You repent. You completely want to turn away from that lifestyle. A person wants to be freed from their sin, and so they repent and they turn to God and, once admitting that they are a sinner, that they need a savior, plead to God to forgive them of all their sins through the name of Jesus Christ. And then, just like that, justification happens. They are born again instantly. There’s nothing else that needs to be done. Don’t jump the gun and think of baptism, because that is not a requirement for salvation. Baptism is an open expression, one saying that I am born again, that I am saved. But justification happens instantly. And that happens because you are actually baptized by the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist even admitted that he baptized with water, but that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

B.R.Maul: 11:23

The baptism that we volunteer to go through is our open expression. It is our way of showing God in front of the world, maybe in front of many people, or maybe not. That’s not the important part. It is an outward expression. I truly believe that one reason Jesus has us do it is because of the inspiration that it brings when we witness somebody’s baptism.

B.R.Maul: 11:48

For those who are not baptized, there’s an extreme curiosity. And why is it that somebody is doing that? It seems so awkward, so out of place in the world to be dunked in water and brought back up in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and, for those who have been baptized, it brings us great joy to see others being baptized, becoming a brother or a sister. Yes, they may have been born again, days, weeks, even years earlier, but it’s their outward expression of saying hey, I am a child of God, Jesus Christ is my Savior. And they too, then, are even telling us, those who have been born again, that you know what I’m, your brethren, I am a brother or I am a sister in Christ. So more on this knowing knowledge-wise Jesus Christ versus in your heart.

B.R.Maul: 12:41

Again, the reason this is so important is because Satan has played his cards very well. He’s very cunning. He is the father of lies, so he is good at it, and he has fooled millions of people, is good at it, and he has fooled millions of people. For those who are caught up in Hinduism and Islam, whatever else it may be, he has them completely fooled. If that is you and you’re hearing this and you’re wondering who Jesus is, Jesus is the one that Satan does not want you to know, because you can know God in all kinds of forms.

B.R.Maul: 13:18

There are false gods all over the place, and even in Christianity itself. There, among the churches, are people who are not worshiping the same God. They are worshiping God that they have in their own mind, but they don’t read the Bible. Catholicism shame on the leaders in Catholicism. Shame on every single one of you who claim that a person needs to be learned to read God’s Word and to understand it. That is contradictory to what God says, because the Holy Spirit is what is needed. His interpretation, the Holy Spirit, is who teaches us God’s Word. No one else can do that for us.

B.R.Maul: 13:59

There are plenty of unbelievers who are in the seminaries right now. They are in their classroom, studying or whatever they’re doing. Maybe they’re getting ready to graduate even, and going on to be a pastor of a church or priest, whatever it is that they’re doing, but they don’t know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They know Scripture very well, they can quote it, but so what the Pharisees could do that? The Pharisees, they had to memorize the first five books. In fact, the reason the five books is because that’s pretty much all Judaism reads and teaches from Even Jews, who only get the first five books of the Bible, who do not know Jesus Christ and he is there, by the way, in the first five books. I don’t have time for that right now, but the point being is that there are so many other books of the Bible that blatantly point to Jesus, and especially in the New Testament right. So head knowledge isn’t enough.

B.R.Maul: 14:57

Many of the Pharisees are going to burn in hell for all eternity, and that breaks my heart. They had God’s word in front of them, but they had God constructed in their own mind the way they wanted him to be, and that’s a danger that every single soul must be very weary of. You have a short window of opportunity, must be very weary of. You have a short window of opportunity, and that’s in this lifetime. You may think that you have forever, it may feel like you have eternity, but no way. Our life in God’s word is compared to a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes away. That’s not long at all For those who have a lot of access to the knowledge of Jesus, such as in most of the United States, for starters, but plenty of other places around the world that have Bibles in every other household, a church, on every other street corner. Those individuals will have a higher standard held to them for accountability because they have many more opportunities to know who Jesus is.

B.R.Maul: 16:03

It’s very frustrating for a Christian like myself to have knowledge of the fact that there are many denominations who discourage their lay people to read God’s Word because they are afraid that they will misunderstand God. Maybe that is irony at its worst, because for those teachers false teachers, I’m going to say, to put to practice something as horrific as that, it is the false teachers themselves that either do not understand God’s word or, worse, are blatantly holding that knowledge back because God does not say that in any way. Think about this Jesus Christ, when he died, he died for that very reason to split the curtain that separated the holy of holies from everybody else. It was Jesus Christ, when he died on the cross, that God, the Father, when it was over, made it very clear. You come directly to me, my children. You no longer need a priest. In fact, his children become the royal priesthood. We, his children, are priests, which means we are the ones who pray directly to God. We are the ones who can intercede for an unbeliever. We are the ones to open up his word and point to other people where Jesus Christ is in the Bible. Jesus died for that very reason, so people would not have to sacrifice animals, that they would not have to follow the strict rituals that God put in place.

B.R.Maul: 18:52

It is the blood of Jesus that makes it possible for someone like me, who is considered a layman to intellects, to be able to drop to my knees and pray directly to God himself. I’m the one who brings my thanksgiving to God. I am the one who brings my hurts and needs and wants to my Heavenly Father. He speaks directly to me and he speaks directly to you. If you are a child of God, to be a child of God, you must be born again. Being born again means that, yes, you were born of the flesh. Everybody is To be a human. You’re born in the flesh. You are born once. That is the first time that you were born. Being born again, your spirit is awakened. The Holy Spirit reveals to you who God is, and that’s just the beginning of your journey. Beloved, that is only the very beginning, and I am sorry that I look back in time and believers have fallen short, and I too, the first part of my life, fell way short of understanding that that even loving Jesus doesn’t end right there. That is the beginning of a fantastic journey, but we are to live for him.

B.R.Maul: 20:12

Justification happens one and done when you are born again. Your sins he has justified you. Your sin debt is paid in full and immediately the Holy Spirit begins the sanctification process. And that sanctification process in short, beloved is God, the Father molding you into the image of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ. And that will continue until the day your body expires and your body returns to the earth, but your soul is in heaven. And the day will come when we will all be glorified. But during this process of sanctification, that’s not something that we do with our feet propped up and half asleep. No, it’s a relationship with God the Father. And now that we are serving his son and now that we are his children, we need to participate in this whole process of sanctification. And what does that look like? That’s when you open up his word and you read beloved.

B.R.Maul: 21:20

My heart just continues to break because so many Christians, those who are born again, they don’t get it. Have they not heard it enough? I don’t know, being brought up in a major denomination. I was misguided. I really honestly believed it was things that were done to me, being that my parents baptized me as a baby and then as a child, going through confirmation after passing my test and the pastor who I so respected confirmed me. That gave me a false assurance that I was a Christian. And so I get it.

B.R.Maul: 22:00

If you are in that category, I can understand that. I empathize because it’s very confusing and there’s a time period that when we discover the truth and as we are reading God’s word and the Holy Spirit reveals to us the truth, yes, there’s parts that are exciting, but there’s also a lot of parts that is very hurtful because it feels like we were deceived and we were deceived. And if you’re still in that category, you still are being deceived. It’s not necessarily from the flesh and blood because, remember, we are not up against flesh and blood. We are up against powers of darkness, of principalities, the ruler of this world, Satan and his demons. That’s who we are up against.

B.R.Maul: 22:49

And even though it is the pastors and priests who are baptizing babies, who are confirming people or who are taking confessions, whatever it might be, indulgences for the Catholic Church, you name it and it sounds pretty important. It sounds very official, but none of it is biblical. It is from Satan. He is the great deceiver and he is deceiving you if you are still caught up in a denomination that practices such things or if you have seen the light and you are at least free from that. But you still may hold that baggage, that desire, that comfort that we can get when we are a part of something. I didn’t understand it, but looking back, that’s what I felt a part of at my confirmation. It was like I was being accepted into the family. But that’s not how we’re accepted into God’s family.

B.R.Maul: 23:47

So next week I’m going to talk more about this. We’ll continue in this discussion, so I won’t be teaching the way I have taught in the past, at least for next week as well, because so much is going on in this world and I believe that even if I need to repeat myself in different ways over the coming weeks and emphasizing important points that many do not want to talk about, then so be it. I’m not afraid of criticism. I’m not afraid of what man wants to do to me or says about me. I fear my Lord and Savior. I fear God. I don’t want to do the wrong thing. I don’t want to misguide people for my own agenda.

B.R.Maul: 24:32

And let’s face it as we get closer to the day capital D, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we get closer to that time, deception is getting deeper and broader. In so many ways we are being deceived under the guise of science, under the guise of religion, under the guise of knowledge and education. It’s everywhere. The deception is everywhere, coming from sources that at one time we felt were safe. And if you’re not reading God’s word, if you are not in the Bible on a regular basis and truly, that’s every single day beloved.

B.R.Maul: 25:14

Sure, a person may miss a day here and there, but you certainly don’t miss a day when it comes to eating and feeding your body. So my question, then, is why miss a day feeding your soul? And we’ll talk more about that? Because you have time for this. You have time. And if you don’t have time, then you need to make time. You need to make time for that savior of yours, because he is giving you all of eternity. We all can give him the time, this little vapor that we have right now, that is here today and gone tomorrow. We can give it all to him. The other things you can do is continue to pray to him.

B.R.Maul: 25:57

If you’re not in the habit of praying, pick certain times. Traditionally, people pray before they eat every meal. I say a prayer, I thank him before I eat anything. Also, before you go to bed, when you get up in the morning. Those are two easy times to get in the habit of praying, and others have more creative ways, like before you check your email for the day, or before you call somebody, before you sit down to watch a show something that you do routinely, but then you pray, and that helps you get into the habit. But, more importantly, it helps to start to form that relationship with God, the Father. So we’ll talk more about this next week. So, beloved, god willing, I’ll talk to you next week. You stay safe, stay focused on God and specifically focus on Jesus Christ. He will see you through everything if you turn to him. He promises that all of his children he will take care of.

And until next time,

God bless.

Songs from Storyblock

“Heroes Inspire Hope” and “Mountainscape” by Humans Win

“The Rules of War” by Nick Battle

Podcast 83 Blog Post

In the latest episode of “Sons of Disobedience,” B.R.Maul explores the profound transformation that occurs when one moves from spiritual death to a life filled with grace through Christ. The discussion begins with an in-depth examination of Ephesians 2:1-3, highlighting the shift from living in sin to embracing a life in Christ. Maul emphasizes that this transformation is not a mere checklist of religious duties but a deep, sincere relationship with Jesus, transcending traditional doctrines and societal expectations. He challenges the conventional emphasis on baptism, arguing that the true transformative power lies in the blood of Christ and the grace that accompanies it.

The episode delves into the impact of media on our spiritual lives, suggesting that the content we consume can subtly shape our beliefs and relationships. Maul reflects on his own experiences, noting how media influenced his views and relationships. He warns against emulating celebrities or public figures, urging listeners to strive to be more like Jesus. This part of the discussion highlights the gradual process of sanctification, where spiritual growth and transformation occur over time, sometimes mercifully paced to avoid overwhelming believers.

Maul’s exploration of the process of being born again is particularly poignant. He stresses that a genuine relationship with Jesus requires more than rituals or good intentions. It involves a heartfelt confession and repentance, recognizing one’s innate sinful nature and the need for a Savior. This understanding leads to a transformative spiritual journey, marked by honest confession and repentance. The episode underscores the importance of seeking a heartfelt connection with Jesus, encouraging listeners to live a life truly transformed by love and grace.

The conversation also touches on the misconceptions surrounding being born again. Maul emphasizes that it’s not about performing certain rituals or adhering to traditional doctrines. Instead, it’s about embracing the grace of God and recognizing the need for a Savior. He urges listeners to question their own spiritual state, encouraging self-reflection and a sincere desire to be born again. This introspection is presented as a crucial step in one’s spiritual journey, offering a path to authentic spiritual growth and transformation.

Throughout the episode, Maul highlights the significance of living God’s way in an ungodly world. He encourages listeners to remain steadfast in their faith, despite the influences of the world around them. By staying focused on Christ and immersing themselves in His Word, believers can navigate their spiritual paths with authenticity and purpose. This steadfastness is portrayed as essential for maintaining a genuine connection with Jesus and experiencing the transformative power of grace.

The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to share the gift of grace with others. By being the light and salt of the earth, believers can impact those around them, spreading the message of love and grace. This call to action is presented as a natural extension of a life transformed by Christ, encouraging listeners to actively participate in their spiritual communities and support one another in their faith journeys.

In summary, this episode of “Sons of Disobedience” offers a rich exploration of the journey from spiritual death to life through Christ. By examining the impact of media, challenging traditional doctrines, and emphasizing a sincere relationship with Jesus, B.R.Maul provides listeners with valuable insights into living a life truly transformed by love and grace. This episode serves as a reminder of the power of grace and the importance of a genuine connection with Jesus, offering listeners guidance and encouragement on their spiritual journeys.

Podcast 83 Transcription

This is a computer generated transcript of this podcast. This is NOT a typed transcript and it has not been edited. Expect grammatical and syntactical errors.

B.R.Maul: 0:29

Hello and good day. I am BR Maul and you are listening to Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World. Currently I am teaching in the book of Ephesians. I’m in chapter 2. Today we’ll be covering 4, no, I’m sorry, only 3, verses 1 through 3. So good to have you here with me. I hope all is going well with your walk with the Lord.

B.R.Maul: 0:56

Our walk with the Lord is a relationship. It’s not something we just check off of a checklist, right. Oh, did this, did that? Okay, I’m good to go. But like any important relationships in our life, we take it seriously and we take it to heart. So let’s jump right on in A reminder that if you have any questions or comments about today’s teaching or any of my past teachings, you’re welcome to get a hold of me. My website is brmaul.com B-R-M-A-U-L dot com. Just go to the contact page. There you can put your email and what it is that you have for a question or comment and I’d be happy to get back to you.

B.R.Maul: 2:07

Ephesians 2.1, who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also, we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath just as the others. Heavenly Father, please guide my teaching this day and every day, so that it is only your teaching, and none of my own, that is taught from these lips. I also pray for those who are listening. Open their heart, father, break down any pride, any insecurities, any fears, anything that may be holding the one that you want to speak to right here and now holding back from listening with his or her heart, and I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen. So let me go back as I do. We’ll go verse by verse. One thing I do love about reading God’s word is every word is important, every punctuation mark. It is divine, perfectly pure.

B.R.Maul: 3:06

So when Paul writes in chapter 2, verse 1, and you he made alive Now, before we even go on to the next part of that sentence, who were dead in trespasses and sins, already look how powerful this is. And you Already look how powerful this is. And you, he that’s Jesus made alive. I mean everything about this is huge. It is pointing right at you as a born-again believer in Christ, you and God himself. Jesus Christ, he made you alive. It wasn’t anything that you did. It wasn’t anything special about you. You are special to God in so many ways. We all have our uniqueness, but none of us are that special where he would single us out, just for the sake of who we are, to make us alive.

B.R.Maul: 4:11

God, the Father, gives everybody, before we are born again, the ability to accept his son, Jesus Christ. He gives us that grace, and in this chapter we’ll be talking more about grace. Grace, and in this chapter we’ll be talking more about grace. It is only because of the grace of God that we are able to verbalize what it is we feel in our hearts the pain of being lost and then the ability to speak such words, admitting to the very fact that we are sinners and giving us, through his grace, the ability to believe in our heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, to believe in the very gospel of Jesus, his life, death, burial and resurrection, to be able to realize and understand and accept that we are sinners and that we need Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord of our life. So when Paul says and you, he’s pointing right at you, beloved, and you he made alive Through his power, he has made you alive. And who were you? Who were dead in trespasses and sins? This is where that born again comes into play For all denominations out there that continue to practice the false doctrine of remember your baptism and put such power in the baptism itself.

B.R.Maul: 5:40

Not emphasizing the blood of Christ does not do justice at all, is misleading, because we are all born dead in our trespasses and sins. Now, as little babies, we are unable to sin, but we are still dead spiritually as we are born through sin into this sinful world. There’s no getting around that. We can see that because we don’t ever have to teach a baby to be selfish, to think of itself. We don’t teach our little babies to only think of when they’re hungry and don’t worry about anybody else around them, no matter how disruptive you may be. We don’t have to teach them, as they get older, to take a toy or an object from somebody else’s hand and say mine, even if it isn’t mine, but because they want it. We don’t have to teach such things, and if we don’t change that by being born again, by the way, those things remain in us. We may learn to be polite, but we are dead in our trespasses and sins. It is only when we are born again that we become alive spiritually.

B.R.Maul: 6:58

So verse 2, in which you once walked according to the course of this world in which you once walked. According to the course of this world, when we are born, we are on a course. We are set on a course, a path of selfishness, of sins and trespasses, and we are stuck there. We are slave to our sin, we want nothing to do with God, we do not seek out God. And as we’re walking according to the course of this world, we are participating, being a part of the things of this world, the things that we desire to have in this world, the things that we desire to keep to ourselves, that desire for self-preservation, making sure that we live longer, that we live healthier, that we live happier. And we’ll do that to any extreme because that is our nature. The only thing we have to go by is our flesh, the things of this world. So, before a person is born again, they do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them and they are dead to things of the spiritual world and only physically alive.

B.R.Maul: 8:16

Continuing on, I’ll back up to the beginning of verse 2. In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit singular, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience. So now we expand even more. So now we expand even more. We bring in this power now that is beyond us, but of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, referring to Satan. Because Satan is the ruler of this world, he is the god, small g of this world and before you are born again, you are slave to him.

B.R.Maul: 9:12

I know that can be difficult to fathom, because we tend to think of somebody who is slave to Satan as somebody who worships Satan and of course it’s only because they want to worship Satan that they are under his control. So the people must only be those extremely evil beings that are out there the ones committing the most heinous crimes. Now, there’s a lot there that I said that isn’t accurate, right down to the very fact that it isn’t just those who commit the hyenas’ crimes, but every human heart has the capability of creating the most hyenas’ crimes and even if we don’t commit them, we think of them. Jesus tells us that, well, if we hate a brother, that is the same as murdering him. So it isn’t the mere act, carrying out the acts, that is evil the very fact that it is within the human heart that we are even thinking it and then playing with that idea.

B.R.Maul: 10:20

So if you’re not born again, beloved I don’t know any other kind way of saying it because it’s not nice at all but you are under the influence, you are under the power of Satan himself. And, as Paul wrote, who now and that was then and today, this very moment works in the sons of disobedient In? Now, that’s a little scary term. When we think about that, I don’t see that as meaning only those who are possessed by a demon, but it’s referring to the nature that is in us. So working in us is part of who we are.

B.R.Maul: 11:02

And so when we don’t have the Holy Spirit as our guide, because we are not born again, and even for those who are born again, when we backslide, when we look away from our Savior and our Lord and we look to the world, and we look to the world and we start turning to the world for our security, for our entertainment, for our feeling good about ourselves, whatever the reason is well, we begin to lose that connection. We have not our salvation. I’ve said it many times you cannot lose your salvation if you are indeed born again, but we can lose all of our blessings. So here he continues on, because the power I’m sorry, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, is that evil nature, is that influence by Satan and the demons himself. Without a doubt, there are people who are demon possessed, but that’s not what this is referring to, at least exclusively Verse 3, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature there’s that word nature children of wrath, just as the others. Who are the others, those who are not born again?

B.R.Maul: 12:34

It’s a stark reminder that even after we are born again, we don’t forget that we don’t dwell on who we were. It certainly doesn’t do any good to try to hold yourself accountable for things that you have done in the past once you’re born again. That in and of itself is sin, because Jesus died for that and by being born again you have come to the Lord and being your Lord, he has wiped away your sins. So we don’t have the right to hold ourselves accountable anymore. There’s nothing heroic, there’s nothing Christian-like, there’s nothing that makes a person better because they’re so aware of the sins of our past, and so we continuously hold ourselves accountable.

B.R.Maul: 13:19

We need to completely understand the forgiveness that we have received in Jesus Christ, but we no longer dwell on that, but to be able to remember not dwell, but remember who we were before. We were in Christ and Christ in us, that Satan had a huge influence upon us, that we were indeed slave to our sins. We could not not sin. We did not have the ability not to sin, we just went with the flow. Okay, here I go again. I have this desire. I must take care of it.

B.R.Maul: 13:58

So for us to be aware of that, that we too were once conducting ourselves in the lust of our flesh and fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. And that’s important because, end of the mind, those three words are quick to remind us that it isn’t just about, once again, the acts that we have committed, but the acts that we have thought of in our head. This is a good reason why it’s important, as Christians, to be very careful what you are watching on television movies, whatever it is, advertisements. What you’re listening to, what kind of music, what kind of podcasts, how you talk, how you speak to other people, and I’m not talking about an accent. I’m talking about whether or not you are swearing and cussing or whether you belittle people, whether you are wrathful. All of this stuff we have to be very careful about, because it isn’t just the very fact of things that we have committed by the flesh, but what we think about as well, and the things that you see and listen to, really influence who you are.

B.R.Maul: 16:13

There was a time when I was much younger that I didn’t want to buy into it. I wasn’t convinced that the movies that I watched, music that I listened to, had any effect on me. No way I am who I am. I listen to the music because I like the music. I watch the movies and the shows that I watched just because I liked it. But now I can look back and some of the movies that I watched being more violent, for example, or sexual and content, had a huge play in my personality, how I viewed other people and the music I listen to as well Music that I listen to today and at times there’s songs that I hear and I’m thinking, wow, I really either didn’t care at all about what the lyrics were saying, or I just completely misunderstood it, but some of those lyrics I’m thinking, or I just completely misunderstood it, but some of those lyrics I’m thinking that’s not good. That certainly had an impact on how I looked at my relationships with other people, what I thought about society, what I thought about myself, what I felt was important.

B.R.Maul: 17:28

I think over time people have gotten more savvy to that, more aware of the fact that what we listen to and what we watch has a very large influence on us. And I think that’s good because for those who step away from that, they’re using that knowledge to better themselves and, of course, for born-again believers, we have the power of God in us so we are able to shut that stuff off. But what I fear today is that, with that awareness, there seems to be an acceptance of the very fact that, yeah, I know what I watch and what I listen to influence who I am. So a person can look at certain kinds of people and think I want to be like them, I want to act like them. So a person can look at certain kinds of people and think I want to be like them, I want to act like them, so I’m going to watch movies and shows and listen to things that they listen to. So I’m influenced and I can behave like them, I can act like them, I can look like them. So there seems to be a growing acceptance of the fact that, sure, this stuff influences me, but that’s what I want to be.

B.R.Maul: 18:34

I hope you see, beloved, if you are born again, that for us that is wrong. We should desire to only be like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There should be no superstar or athlete or musician, whatever it might be that we want to be like Not at all. It should only be more like Jesus Christ. That is the whole idea of being sanctified. God could have decided all right, as soon as a person believes in my son Jesus, I am going to rapture them, I am going to take them home immediately and they will instantly be like my beloved son Jesus. But he doesn’t do that. He keeps us here and we are justified. So as soon as we are born again, our sins are justified, they are paid for. He no longer holds those against us.

B.R.Maul: 19:36

But when it comes to our very nature, all of that doesn’t happen at once. Some of it happens slower and over time. Other things quite quickly and over time other things quite quickly, no-transcript. But of course there were other habits, other things that I did, that didn’t just change overnight and some of that was, I believe, because of his mercy. He didn’t reveal to me like this is everything that you need to change. So you got one week you better change. He didn’t do that and I am thankful for that because I think that would have been overwhelming for me. So the last part of that, verse 3, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, so our actions and our thoughts and were by nature, children of wrath just as the others. So one wonderful word in there is were past tense. Thank you, lord. We were fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of our mind. If you are wrestling with that, if you are still steeped in sin that you are unable to overcome with the help of the Lord, well then question Just ask this question and don’t be insulted by it, but ask yourself am I born again? I say to do this out of love, because it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself.

B.R.Maul: 21:09

Many of us were brought up and we were told that, because we were baptized as a baby, that we are a child of God. It was that very act when the pastor or priest sprinkled water on our head as a little baby and our parent or guardian witnessed and spoke for us that, yes, I’ll be a child of God. Anybody who’s read their Bible know that that’s not true at all. That’s impossible, in fact, because we’re told in the book of Romans alone that one must confess with their mouth and believe in their heart, otherwise it doesn’t happen. Well, a baby cannot confess in their mouth or believe in their heart. They don’t have that ability. Before I go down too far in that rabbit hole, there’s that past tense were.

B.R.Maul: 21:56

But if you are not sure, if you are born again, maybe you’re thinking well, I thought I was born again. Maybe you said a prayer some time ago, or maybe somebody just said yes, if you do this or do that, or perhaps you were among the millions who have been taught indirectly that if you were baptized as a baby and if you continue to go to church, that if you were baptized as a baby and if you continue to go to church, and well, even if you can’t make it to church, if you are on your best behavior and you have good intentions and you’re, overall, a good person. You’re not the one in the headlines and you’re not committing those acts that you are thinking in your head. You just keep thinking them. Whatever it might be that you were taught but it was nothing about a relationship with the living God, with Jesus Christ, well then you may not be born again because you must confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus.

B.R.Maul: 22:52

Confessing the Lord Jesus means that you repent from the very heart that you are sincere about it. You regret the things that you repent from the very heart that you are sincere about it. You regret the things that you have done and you are fully aware that you need a Savior, that you are sinful by nature. There is nothing that you can do to change that. But you do know in your heart that Jesus lived a perfect life, he was sinless and that is why he is the perfect Lamb of God who was sacrificed. That is truth and you recognize that, because with the heart one believes unto salvation.

B.R.Maul: 23:33

Well then you’re born again and if you want to make sure, well, speak those words and just ask the Lord. Lord, I want to be your child, heavenly Father, I believe unto your Son Jesus Christ, and I am fully sorry and I repent of my sins and I turn to you and believe that your Son is my Lord and King, my Savior, and he is Lord of all my life. Now and then you’re born again. That’s not the prayer, it is through faith and we’ll get to that next week, but it is by the grace of God. He gives you that grace in this very moment that you are seeking him. He gives you the grace to be able to say that. He gives you the grace to understand that, to see that, and what a blessing that is.

B.R.Maul: 24:23

Because for all who are born again, we were by nature children of wrath, just as the others, the poor souls out there who do not know Jesus as their Savior, who are not born again. The other word in there, the past tense, were. That’s very nice, but nature and we see this in God’s Word the very nature, because who we are, our nature, is also in us, it is our DNA, it is our mechanics, it is our blood, is our DNA, it is our mechanics, it is our blood. However, it is that you understand it best. But we are born into a sinful world and by our very nature we are sinful. We don’t have to be taught to sin, that’s for sure. We know it. Once we are born again, we do have to be taught not to sin, and through the help of God, through the Holy Spirit, we can do that. Will you be sinless on this side of the grave? No, but you keep reading God’s word, you keep praying to him and you will sin less. And such a blessing because then you are no longer carrying that baggage with you of all the sins, sinning time and time again. Looking over your shoulder, did anybody see me? Does anybody truly know my thoughts? Can anybody see my inner self? How much of my nature can everybody else see? That’s not a great state of being, but for those who are the others, sadly, that is their being, that is their state.

B.R.Maul: 26:09

We have much going on in this world today. No doubt that the powers and principalities of this world, the darkness that surrounds us in this world, is working overtime. Can you feel it? Can you feel it’s like the winds have changed direction. There’s a sudden shift and over the last few years, darkness seems to work overtime. Few years. Darkness seems to work over time and the darkness becomes even darker. Evil is abounding. Evil is being rewarded for good and good is being rewarded with evil. Governments are completely upside down. So it’s quite amazing.

B.R.Maul: 26:54

It really is that at the same time, the power of God, it really is that at the same time the power of God, our very nature is no longer our own, but we are renewed, and it is through the Holy Spirit as we put on Christ shining. The light of Christ is all the more brilliant in this darkness and all the more needed. There is nothing greater that you can do, beloved, than to follow Jesus Christ, to be born again. And once you are born again, the great thing doesn’t stop. That is only the beginning. You have been given the gift of eternal life when you are born again. And what a great gift. Take a hold of that gift, embrace that gift, and I encourage you to spend the rest of your life, here and in the next age, in eternity, showing your appreciation to God himself for that gift. Until we are done in this age, share that gift with as many people as you can Be the light and the salt beloved of this earth, many people as you can Be the light and the salt beloved of this earth.

B.R.Maul: 28:03

Now, next week, when we get into verses 4 and beyond, we’ll talk more about God’s grace and where faith comes in, so very powerful things there. It is awesome how God has chosen to not just do everything for us and around us, but through us, as a believer, as a member of the body of Christ. He will work through you to do his work. We are his hands and feet. We are his mouths and ears as we listen to the world. He uses us. What a privilege it is to be a part of that, and I look forward to tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that. Until he calls me home or until he raptures the church.

B.R.Maul: 28:55

I just hope and pray he continues to work through me that I don’t get sidetracked with this world and take my eyes off of my Lord and Savior, because it’s easy to do. And so it’s that time that I remind my listeners, I remind my brothers and sisters in the faith, to stay in his word every day. Don’t let a day go by that you’re not reading his word beloved, because think of all the ways the world is getting into your mind, the things that you watch, the things that you listen to, all of that it’s a lot of racket. So I encourage you to open his word every day. You know what, even if it’s 10 minutes here in the morning, maybe 5, 10, 15 minutes during the day, and maybe another 10, 15 minutes before you go to bed, but take every chance you get and drink in your Savior and pray to him. Bring your prayers and supplication with thanksgiving before him. He’s listening to you, he loves to listen to you.

B.R.Maul: 29:59

Talk to him, and when I talk about staying focused on him, you can’t do it alone. We just can’t, because we need to come together with our brothers and sisters. This is how we exhort one another and we lift one another up. We can’t do it alone. So find brothers and sisters, truly born-again believers, who love the Lord Jesus and who are actively seeking him, and come together. I would encourage you at least once a week if you can do more, great, but everything we do in our life that is weekly is a big part of who we are and then worship him. So I thank you so much for joining me. I look forward to our next little visit. Until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, and may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, beloved, and give you peace. You beloved and give you peace.

And until next time,

God bless.

Songs from Storyblock

“Heroes Inspire Hope” and “Mountainscape” by Humans Win

Podcast 82 Blog Post

In today’s fast-paced and secular world, many Christians find it challenging to align their lives with divine intentions. My latest podcast episode, “Embracing Faith and Spiritual Community,” dives into the wisdom of Ephesians 1:15-23, encouraging believers to refocus on spiritual priorities over worldly pursuits. The discussion centers on embracing a life rich in faith and love for fellow believers, recognizing the temporary nature of worldly achievements, and understanding the eternal rewards that come from living in accordance with God’s purpose.

A key aspect of the episode is the exploration of the “body of Christ,” where we emphasize the difference between simply attending church and truly being born again. This distinction is crucial for believers to actively participate in their faith community, utilizing their spiritual gifts for communal growth. The conversation highlights the challenges posed by apostates and societal influences that dilute genuine Christian teachings, urging the church to support both backsliders and baby Christians. By embodying Christ’s teachings, believers can strengthen their spiritual journeys and foster a more profound connection with God.

In the first chapter, I delve into the essence of living God’s way in an ungodly world. Reflecting on Ephesians 1:15-23, the podcast underscores the importance of faith in Jesus and love for fellow believers. Many American Christians have gradually prioritized worldly success over spiritual devotion, a trend that requires a conscious shift in focus. By embracing the spirit of wisdom and revelation, believers can deepen their knowledge of God and align their lives with His calling. This spiritual enlightenment empowers individuals to recognize the temporary nature of earthly achievements and seek eternal rewards in heaven.

The episode continues by discussing the concept of the body of Christ, emphasizing the distinction between churchgoers and those who are truly born again. Active participation within the faith community is vital for discovering and using one’s spiritual gifts. The challenges posed by apostates and worldly values that dilute true Christian teachings are also addressed. The church’s role in supporting both backsliders and baby Christians is crucial for fostering growth and engagement. As we approach the end times, believers are called to embody Christ’s teachings and guide others in their spiritual journeys.

A key takeaway from the episode is the importance of nurturing our spiritual community to gain a deeper understanding and fulfillment in life. By actively participating in the body of Christ, believers can enhance their connection with God’s purpose for them. The conversation challenges listeners to utilize their spiritual gifts within the faith community, overcoming obstacles posed by societal influences. This active engagement is essential for navigating modern challenges with faith and embracing the eternal rewards that come with aligning one’s life with divine intentions.

Ultimately, the episode serves as a call to action for believers to embody Christ’s teachings in their lives. By supporting one another in their spiritual journeys, Christians can strengthen their faith and build a more vibrant spiritual community. The podcast encourages listeners to seek the spirit of wisdom and revelation, allowing them to deepen their understanding of God’s purpose and find eternal rewards over temporary achievements. As we navigate the challenges of a secular world, nurturing fellowship and embodying Christ’s teachings are vital for living a life that aligns with divine intentions.

Podcast 82 Transcription

This is a computer generated transcript of this podcast. This is NOT a typed transcript and it has not been edited. Expect grammatical and syntactical errors.

B.R.Maul: 0:29

Hello and good day to you. You are listening to Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World, and I am BR Maul. Thank you so much for joining me. It’s good to have you here for another teaching in God’s Word. We are currently in the book of Ephesians, we are in chapter 1, and I will be reading verses 15 to 23.

B.R.Maul: 0:55

In verses 13 and 14, Paul reminds us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, that the Holy Spirit of promise is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption, in other words, when Jesus Christ comes back to redeem us. Have a lot to cover, so I’ll jump right into it. Verse 15, therefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the working of his mighty power, which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Okay, as usual, I will back up and break this down verse by verse. So Paul says. Therefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints that’s verse 15, 16, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. So, after Paul hears of their faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, we are in a time that this becomes all the more prevalent in a life of a Christian.

B.R.Maul: 3:13

I can’t speak for the rest of the world, but I can speak for much of America in this case, because America Christians here over the decades have fallen for the ways of the world. We have set our eyes upon that which the world promises us Now. I love America. It is a wonderful nation.

B.R.Maul: 3:37

The Lord, without a doubt, blessed the United States in its birth, but over time what happened is even the Christians began to buy into the American dream and the American dream became something far less than a relationship with God as it became more engulfed in the things of this world having success in this world, the things of this world having success in this world. America is a place where that can be done and ultimately, I feel everybody in the world deserves that chance that with one’s own efforts, with sweat and perseverance, that one should be able to feed their family, make for a healthy home, maybe a business, or go on to education for a profession. And even though we’re seeing a lot of this fade away in America, I firmly believe there’s reasons for that beloved, because as Christians, god’s people, over the decades we have become less interested in loving the saints, our brothers and sisters in the faith, and we have become more preoccupied with loving ourself, so much so that we have even taken our eyes off of love of country, taking for granted the blood that has been spilled before us for our freedoms. And with that comes negligence as we focus on our own success, our own comforts, our own retirement, none of which is biblical. Paul says that, after hearing of their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love for all the saints, that he does not cease to give thanks for them, making mention of them in his prayers. The love of the saints, the love of our brothers and sisters in the faith. I am calling on all my brothers and sisters to drop the dreams of this world, whether you’re in America or not, to stop spending the time that God has given you here to do his work for his kingdom, and our rewards will be in heaven. Our rewards will be in eternity. We are to do the work now. Here is not the place, now is not the time to be building stuff up, because that is just in this world, and remember, this world in the end burns. This isn’t the world we’ll be even living in in eternity. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Verse 17,. Now, that’s lowercase s. That’s not the Holy Spirit.

B.R.Maul: 6:37

This letter is written to the saints, so these are born-again believers. To be a saint is to be a follower of Jesus. To be a follower of Jesus, one must be born again. Not my words, it’s the words of Jesus Christ himself, so the gift of the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. This is talking about knowing him, knowing what God says, knowing what our Lord wants us to do as saints, as his children In my teachings. That’s why I talk much about this, that reading God’s word each and every day is so important, for this very reason. This is how we grow in the knowledge of him, of our Lord, of our God.

B.R.Maul: 7:27

Verse 18, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, To actually have our eyes opened to the truth, to God’s word. As God’s children, as believers, it is important that we, of course, don’t know Jesus by knowledge only, but in our heart I have seen over the years that it is quite easy for someone to be born again, but then stop right there, as if that’s it. Now that you are born again, there’s nothing more to do, just live your life here and wait for death, and that way you can enter eternity. That certainly will happen if you’re born again, even if you do nothing after that. But that isn’t the way it is set up. Here we are being told that we need to know him, and to know him is to follow him and to do what it is he tells us to do to walk in the paths of righteousness, to follow his ways. I’m reading here that understanding kardia can also be translated heart, so this includes intellect, emotions and will.

B.R.Maul: 9:43

The heart is the channel through which God imparts the truth about his son. This is an understanding that unbelievers don’t have. It’s impossible. We must have the Holy Spirit in us to be able to have this understanding, and that is available to you as a born-again believer. The Holy Spirit dwells in you so that you have direct access to this knowledge, to this understanding. With that said, you must access it.

B.R.Maul: 10:14

In Proverbs, we’re told over and over that wisdom is something that you obtain, that you seek, that you look for, and that you will find it. If you seek it and then you make it a part of who you are, it goes into your heart, it goes into your very being, into your very existence. Until you start to talk like Jesus, you start to live like Jesus, like the very God who walked this earth for 33 years Continuing in verse 18, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints I really love in verse 18 when it says we are God’s inheritance. How special is that beloved? Think for just a couple of moments here, the very fact that God, who has created everything, wasn’t satisfied with just the stars and the moon and the sun, just the stars and the moon and the sun, all the beauty that we see on earth itself. He wasn’t satisfied with that. He refers to his saints, his children, as his inheritance. What a privilege, what an honor to be that Now.

B.R.Maul: 11:47

This, by the way, does away with the teachings that everybody is God’s children, because here Paul has been referring to the saints, and the saints are his inheritance. God wants everybody to be in his family. He wills that nobody be in hell. But God has designed love that it must be given to somebody. The love that we have, we get to choose. Do I want to give it, or maybe I should say keep it for myself and love myself and live for myself in this life, or am I going to love God? Am I going to love his son, Jesus Christ, giving my life to him here and now, being a servant of God, knowing that the treasures are in heaven, not here.

B.R.Maul: 12:41

There’s no promise that because you are born again, that you are following God, that you are going to be free from disease, that you’re going to be free from pain and misery? Perhaps loneliness that you’re going to be free from pain and misery? Perhaps loneliness that you’re going to be free from violence, as this world continues to hate Christians more and more? None of that. And since, on this side of eternity, the work needs to be done, there are people out there that still do not know who Jesus is. They don’t know the gospel message, and in the meantime, there have been many who have been deceived by giving false gospels, false doctrine. So we give up our treasure, our time and our talents, here and now, knowing that none of that belongs to us, that these are mere tools that we use to do the will of God. We, the saints, are God’s inheritance. That’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

B.R.Maul: 13:44

Verse 20, which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Well, there’s quite a bit in those two verses. He raised him. So God, the Father raised him, Jesus, from the dead and seated him, Jesus, at God the Father’s right hand in the heavenly places. Think about this that he didn’t raise Jesus spiritually, he raised him bodily from the dead. He overcame death and so Jesus is seated right now, at this very moment, at the right hand of God the Father, in his physical body. It’s his glorified body because he’s been raised from the dead, but it’s still a physical body. We know that because when Jesus appeared to the apostles after his resurrection, they could touch him, they could hug him, they could touch his wounds, that Jesus decided to keep the holes in his hands and the holes in his feet and the hole in the side where the spear had entered him, and I’m grateful for that because it will be a constant reminder in eternity what he has done for me. But it’s a physical body, so in bodily form, and that physical form is, far above all, principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Interesting thought Right now we are currently in the church age, this is the age that follows the cross, but it’s really interesting, I think, when we’re reminded also in that which is to come, the age which is to come, and then verses 22 and 23,.

B.R.Maul: 15:52

And he put all things under his feet. So God, the Father, put all things under the feet of Christ and gave him to be head. So gave Jesus to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him, who fills all in all. So now, during this time, when we’re still in this church age and we act as his body, the body of Christ. Now, the body of Christ isn’t everybody who attends church. Everybody who attends a church are considered church goers, but everybody who is born again is considered the body of Christ and that’s why we have brothers and sisters around the world Beloved.

B.R.Maul: 16:36

If you’re born again, you are part of a very large family and you have been given spiritual gifts, and those spiritual gifts you are to be using in the body of Christ. That’s why you have been given those gifts and I’ve learned that the way to discover those gifts is to participate in the body of Christ. Do stuff. You’re not going to learn what your gifts are in the body of Christ by just sitting there and reading books all day. You certainly need to read God’s word. But even that, now you know about the spiritual gifts and you know the will of God as you read his word Very important. But then you need to put that knowledge and that wisdom to practice and as you participate in the body of Christ, those gifts will be manifest, they’ll be revealed to you and to others. In fact, going to church and being with brothers and sisters is a great way for others to sometimes see what your gift is before you even know it. So if you’re not sure, if you’re thinking well, I just don’t know what the Lord wants me to do in the body of Christ. We’ll start asking other believers, because often we can see what other people bring to the body of Christ. Now think about that for a while.

B.R.Maul: 18:04

The body of Christ. What does that look like? Well, in part it’s when we gather at a church. That’s one way that can be difficult in days like we live in today, where deception is great. We are living in the day and age, as we get closer and closer to the day, the coming of the Lord, that evil is working overtime, and so there are many who are apostates, who are going to church, who are church goers. They’re not born again. They are not children of God, but they look like children of God. They act pretty close to the children of God, but they don’t have access to the Holy Spirit. But with such an abundance of apostates among those who are the body of Christ, it sometimes is difficult to see what a person is to do. One example that comes to mind, where the body of the church isn’t the same thing as the body of Christ, and the reason for that is because you have people who are apostates, who are not believers, who are not born again but they act like it, that are on the board of eldership, and some of them are leading the way in certain programs going on in the church. And there’s even the pastors themselves who are apostate, who are not born again, who are even reading God’s word and teaching God’s word. A scary thought, but that happens, and these days, unfortunately, it’s happening quite a bit.

B.R.Maul: 19:40

More and more churches are falling to the ways of the world. In order to please the world, to blend into the world Under the cowardice act them saying well, we need to bring people in so these who are sinning will accept them for who they are, for what they’re doing, just the way they are, so we can get them into the walls of the church. Well, in theory that would be nice, but unfortunately it’s not working at all, because that’s where it ends. They do things to entice those who are sinning to come into the church, but then they don’t do anything else about it. So now we have churches that are full of people who are not born again and who are not contributing to the body of Christ. I’ll be speaking more about that in coming weeks because, as we are so close, getting closer and closer to the end time, it is time for Christians, it is time for God’s children, god’s church, not man’s church, but God’s church, the body of Christ, to step up and help those who are apostate and also those fair-weather saints.

B.R.Maul: 20:51

Fair-weather saints are baby Christians, not newly born again. No, not newborn Christians, someone who’s recently has been born again into the family of God, so it’s got nothing to do with age. A newborn Christian can be 60 years old, but a baby Christian is somebody who was born again some time ago and are still where they’re at when they were first born. They’ve made no progress.

B.R.Maul: 21:19

The other fair-weather saint are backsliders, those who may be seasoned Christians but because of perhaps a major event in their life, such as the death of a loved one, a terminal illness, losing their way of life because perhaps losing a job or profession, a business, whatever it might be. It’s different for every backslider, and every Christian, by the way, is capable of backsliding. You don’t lose your salvation I don’t have time to get into that. You do not lose your salvation, beloved, if you are backsliding, but you are missing out on the blessings that your Heavenly Father wants you to have on this side of the grave, because he will not turn his back on you. If you are backsliding, you have turned your back on him.

B.R.Maul: 22:12

But fair-weather saints, they too, in the body of Christ, are the ones who are just not contributing. They’re born again. But as for baby Christians, they don’t know what to do, maybe because of lack of leadership, or they themselves. They were all gung-ho about it and then they didn’t see some major change they wanted, and so they’re just kind of hanging around. But backsliders and baby Christians with love and understanding, with their brothers and sisters in the faith, coming to them and guiding them, offering a hand and, for the baby Christians, a hand to walk them through what it is to be a Christian, getting them to read God’s Word, getting them to participate in small groups, getting them to participate in small groups, getting them to get to the church and to worship the Lord. This stuff isn’t things that we do to get into heaven. No, because as Christians we already understand that it is the blood of Christ that gets us into heaven. But as Christians, we are so thankful for the very fact that Jesus paid our sin debt that we don’t have that price anymore to pay. We are so grateful that we want to serve Jesus, we want to be a participant in the family of God, and so I encourage you this day.

B.R.Maul: 23:31

If you fall into that category of a baby Christian, somebody who was born again years ago, but yet you have not progressed in your walk. You are still, as Paul put it, still taking in just the milk of God’s Word. You are unable to eat and chew the meat of God’s Word. There are deep truths in there that every Christian needs to learn and apply to their life. As baby Christians. It’s time to get away from just. Jesus loves me. This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Jesus is love, love, love. Yes, he is love. Yes, Jesus loves you so and yes, the Bible does tell you so, but he’s also righteous and he has jobs for you to do, and those jobs mean giving up things of this life. So find yourself some seasoned Christians, those who have been walking with the Lord for some time, who are strong in their faith to walk alongside Proverbs I believe it’s in Proverbs 13,. He who walks with wise men shall be wise, yes, well then, walk with those Christians who are wise, who are deep into God’s word. It is a part of who they are.

B.R.Maul: 24:47

As for backsliders, beloved, if you are backsliding, bless your little heart for whatever hurt it is that you have. But it is time to get over that hurt. It is time to look to your heavenly father, look him in the eyes and actually let him know what it is that is ailing you, that is hurting you so much, and turn back. Walk with him, get back on the path of righteousness, get back on the path where he can bless your comings and goings in life. Leave whatever it is that has pulled you away from your heavenly father. Take the hand of a seasoned Christian, somebody who they themselves are currently. Their walk with the Lord is strong and they have the strength to help carry your burden with you because we are told to do that for one another, and a brother and a sister in the faith who understand this will be quick to help. They’ll want to glorify Jesus Christ by helping a hurting brother or sister.

B.R.Maul: 25:53

And if you don’t know Jesus Christ, if you are not born again, if you are not in the family of God, which means you are not part of the body of Christ but you would like to take this very moment and turn to God, and you do that by praying to him. There’s no magic prayer. It comes from the heart. We are told that with the mouth one confesses the Lord Jesus. So by merely confessing that he is your Lord and by confessing that you are a sinner, that you are broken, and knowing that in your heart, that Jesus lived that perfect life, that he was sinless, that he is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and claim him as your Savior and Lord, and know in your heart that God, the Father, raised him from the dead and you will be saved. Right now, just ask him and turn from your sin. Admit that you can’t do it on your own because you cannot, and once you have asked him into your heart. Well then, you’re born again and it’s important that you get in touch with brothers and sisters in the faith.

B.R.Maul: 27:05

Open God’s word and read it and don’t stop. Read it every day. You know it was about 20 years ago, now over 20 years. At this point I believe that the Lord convicted me and I have been reading his word ever since. But when I first started reading it was 10, 15 minutes some nights, because some of the stuff I read I didn’t get it. It was hard for me even praying on it. Now I look back and I can admit quite easily it’s because of my own distractions of this world. I had all these television shows I wanted to watch. I had all these other plans of mine of this world that was getting in the way. So at that time I was trying to fit in the walk with the Lord in my life. But hopefully you can save some time by this advice.

B.R.Maul: 27:56

When you are born again, it’s not your life anymore and be thankful for that. That’s a beautiful thing, because then you are redeemed. You will not have to pay that price in all eternity of death, because Jesus paid that price. But it does mean start throwing stuff away in this life. If you don’t have time to read God’s word every day, beloved, that means you got too much of yourself going on. Chuck it, make time. A person doesn’t need near as much money as you think to survive because the Lord will provide Pray to him every day.

B.R.Maul: 28:35

Get together with brothers and sisters in a small group, a small gathering or even one-on-one mentoring. If you are blessed to find a brother or sister in the faith who is willing to mentor you, to spend regular time with you, to walk with you, to help you get through the ins and outs of this life as a Christian, well, take it, take it, take it, take it. Now. I can’t mentor everybody who listens to this program. I sure wish I could. This is the best I can do is teach with this podcast. So I invite you to come back. Lord willing, I’ll be back again next week and I’ll just keep teaching. You’re welcome to get a hold of me on my website, brmaul, that’s B-R-M-A-U-L dot com. Click on contact if you have any questions, things that you’re struggling with or things that you don’t understand in God’s Word, or just something in your walk in life.

B.R.Maul: 29:39

If you don’t have a pastor who is a Bible believing Christian, an adopted son of God, that is well get a hold of me. The Lord has put it on my heart to help all those that I can, in any way that I can, and I’m grateful to do it. Beloved, I care for you. I love you very much, I really do so. Blessings to you and your loved ones. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, beloved, and bring you peace.

And until next time,

God bless.

Songs from Storyblock

“Heroes Inspire Hope” and “Mountainscape” by Humans Win

Podcast 81 Blog Post

In our latest podcast episode, we embark on an enlightening journey through the Book of Ephesians, uncovering the divine inheritance promised to believers. Ephesians offers profound insights into our spiritual heritage, inviting us to explore themes of faith, hope, and the assurance of salvation. We delve into the transformative power of recognizing Jesus as both Savior and Lord, and what it truly means to be a saint in modern times. The episode highlights the importance of understanding predestination and the spiritual blessings that await us through Christ, shedding light on a divine legacy that transcends time.

The Book of Ephesians begins with Paul’s greeting to the saints in Ephesus, a reminder that all believers in Jesus Christ are considered saints, not just those designated by tradition. This notion challenges us to embrace our identity as holy and beloved members of God’s family. As we explore the spiritual blessings bestowed upon us, we emphasize that our faith in Jesus grants us redemption and a spiritual inheritance. These concepts, though complex, are pivotal in shaping our understanding of salvation and the role of Jesus in our lives.

One of the episode’s focal points is the concept of predestination, which often evokes confusion and debate among believers. Predestination is presented as God’s decision to choose us through Jesus Christ, not based on our merit, but on His grace. This divine choice offers us a sense of security, affirming that our salvation is assured through faith and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. The episode provides clarity on this theological concept, encouraging listeners to trust in God’s sovereignty and embrace the comfort it brings.

As we delve deeper into Ephesians, we celebrate the grace and redemption offered through Jesus Christ. The mystery of God’s will, revealed through the gospel, underscores the eschatological themes of the rapture and the second coming of Christ. These events, discussed within the context of God’s divine plan, reinforce the unbreakable promise of salvation. By understanding these truths, believers can find hope and purpose intertwined with God’s ultimate design, knowing that their inheritance is secure.

In a world filled with distractions, the rhythm of daily worship and weekly gatherings becomes vital for spiritual growth. Immersing oneself in God’s word and engaging with a community of believers strengthens faith and fosters a life enriched by gratitude and reverence for the Almighty. This episode highlights the importance of expressing love and devotion to God through prayer, song, and acts of kindness, emphasizing that these practices fortify our spirits and keep us attuned to the divine.

In conclusion, our exploration of Ephesians invites listeners to embrace their spiritual heritage and recognize the profound grace and redemption available through Jesus Christ. By understanding predestination, the assurance of salvation, and the power of community, believers can navigate the challenges of modern life with faith, hope, and love. We encourage you to immerse yourself in this episode, allowing the timeless teachings of Ephesians to transform your understanding of your divine inheritance.

Podcast 81 Transcript

This is a computer generated transcript of this podcast. This is NOT a typed transcript and it has not been edited. Expect grammatical and syntactical errors.

B.R.Maul: 0:29

Hello and good day. I am BR Maul and you are listening to the podcast Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World. Here we read God’s Word and we talk about God’s Word. Here we read God’s Word and we talk about God’s Word how it applies to our life today. Because God’s Word is timeless, we don’t have to worry about whether the information that God has provided us pertains to us today, in modern times, because God’s words pertain to every time and since God himself surpasses time, it’s safe to say that his word surpasses time.

B.R.Maul: 1:11

We have much to read. I have 14 verses that I’m going to read and break down, and so I’m going to jump right into it. Again, thanks for joining me. This is the book of Ephesians. We’re starting a new book, chapter 1, verse 1.

B.R.Maul: 1:34

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus, grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace by which he made us accepted in the Beloved. In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches through his blood. The forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound towards us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in him. In him also, we have obtained an inheritance being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, that we who first trusted in Christ. 1 Peter 3, verses 1-10. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession to the praise of his glory.

B.R.Maul: 3:32

Here ends the reading. There’s a lot to unpack, isn’t there? So let’s go ahead and back it up. Paul starts out his epistle Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God. So he identifies who he is right away and also why he is who he is by the will of God. So an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus. So the saints, the saints, are all believers in Jesus Christ. In our times today, there’s been hundreds of years where the Catholic Church would like to lay claim to who they appoint to be a saint. But that’s not the case. That’s nowhere in God’s Word. So that is a man-made tradition, because it is very clear in the New Testament that saints are all those who believe in Jesus Christ.

B.R.Maul: 4:31

Verse 2, he says Grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. So peace from God, our Father. And isn’t that nice, our Father, to be able to call God Father is magnificent. And the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to point out the emphasis of Lord Jesus Christ. He didn’t just say and Jesus Christ. That word is very important because if Jesus is known to you as only Jesus and not your Lord, well, then do ask yourself if he is your Lord. Because if he’s your Lord, well then you have salvation, because that is you admitting that he owns your life. Why? Because he’s the one who paid for it. So he’s not just our Savior, he is our Lord.

B.R.Maul: 5:29

Verse 3, blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Now that’s a lot and I could spend a whole hour just unpacking that. Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ? You’re going to hear in Christ from Paul quite a bit. It is a reminder of who we are, that we are in Christ, where our blessings come from in Christ, where our blessings come from in Christ and why we have eternity in Christ. So that’s a lot of blessings in there. Because he says, not some. Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ? Verse 4, just as he chose us in him, so that’s he the Father. Just as God the Father chose us in him, that’s Jesus before the foundation of the world. That we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Verse 5, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, that’s himself, god, the Father according to the good pleasure of his will. Now, there’s a lot there. I really do wish I could spend more time and perhaps I will in another teaching about predestination.

B.R.Maul: 6:57

It is very misunderstood. I misunderstood it for the longest time. It was very hard for me to grasp it, even once it was explained to me and I finally the light bulb went on in my head. But it’s important that we understand that because it’s easily misunderstood. But just going through it, verse 4, just as he chose us in him, so as God, the Father, chose us in him. What we’re hearing here isn’t that you were chosen because you were special, or that I was chosen because I was special.

B.R.Maul: 7:44

Nowhere in predestination does it point to the fact that God went ahead and picked some people that he would choose throughout time and other people that he didn’t choose. What we’re being told here is the decision that God is choosing us through his son, Jesus. So all who would believe on Jesus, by Jesus in Jesus, is how we get to our heavenly father. That is how we get to spend eternity in heaven. That is how we become his children, god’s children. He made that decision before time itself, before the foundation of the world was even laid. Now, this brings me great, great comfort, because this is yet another verse that points to the very fact that our God is sovereign, which means nothing gets past him. All of this is planned out and beloved. I get it.

B.R.Maul: 8:44

I completely understand that it’s so easy to look around us in this world today and get the feeling that it is utter chaos, that there are many random things going on around us Because, after all, we’re only viewing things in the linear formation of time, so from point A to point B, that’s all we can see. We cannot see things as God sees it outside of time, so a lot of the choices does seem to be just sporadic. The choices that we make very well are sporadic because we don’t have the knowledge that God has, but he takes all of that in consideration and everything goes according to his plan. I know this is confusing, because this also doesn’t mean that we’re just mere puppets, that every decision that you make has already been made by God. That’s not at all what’s going on here, and hopefully you can see why.

B.R.Maul: 9:44

This is the reason I would love to be able to spend more time on predestination, because it is very complex in trying to wrap our minds around it, but our decisions haven’t been already made for us? Now that’s impossible. Why? Because God made free will. Now it doesn’t say free will in the Bible. It’s not worded that way. Some argue that that’s redundant to say free will because to have our own will, it would be free to make our own decisions. But either way, I use free will because it seems more people understand that as that it’s something that we have control over, although that is what will is our will.

B.R.Maul: 10:29

That is one of the parts that is made in the image of our God that he gave us that ability to accept him or reject him. This is so important because God understands that true love must be a decision and love needs more than one. Now, god doesn’t need us because God is a Triune God Father, son, holy Spirit so he isn’t one single stand-alone God. He is three in one. Again, something we can’t wrap our minds around. But bear with me because, with that said, creating us in his image, he gives us this beautiful gift to love. But that’s something that we need to decide. Are we going to keep that love and we just want to love ourselves, or are we going to give that love to God and love him. So when Paul writes, just as he, god the Father, chose us in him, Jesus, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, so it is through Jesus that, once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, that we should be holy and without blame before God the Father in love. That’s what he decided. He didn’t choose each of us separately yes, you, no, not you. You over here to the yes group, you over here to the no group. No. The decision that he made here was the very fact that it was through his son that we would become holy and without blame in the eyes of God the Father.

B.R.Maul: 12:10

Verse 5,. Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, so it is God’s will that he predestined us to become adopted, adopted as sons by Jesus Christ to God the Father. Do you understand that? That predestination is the decision God made that I am going to make these people who believe on my son, Jesus Christ adopted children. Now it says adopted sons Just a quick side note, because I have much to cover here. Yes, but adopted sons. The reason he uses adopted sons and not children is because in ancient times, when it comes to being a son, especially the firstborn son would receive more of the inheritance, and sons in ancient time received more than the daughters. That’s just the way it was and I won’t expand on any more than just that. That’s just the way it was and I won’t expand on any more than just that. But that’s why, in reference to that, so whether you’re a male or a female, you have the status of an adopted son. So again, I understand some of this is confusing, but let’s move along.

B.R.Maul: 13:26

Verse 6, to the praise of the glory of his grace, oh, his beautiful grace. That’s God, the Father’s grace by which he made us accepted in the beloved, and that’s capital B, so beloved, that would be Jesus Christ. He made us accepted in Jesus Christ. I told you we’d have a lot of in Jesus Christ, because it is in him that we have these bestowed blessings upon us and it is only through Jesus that we have eternal life, that our sins are forgiven. Verse 7, in him we have redemption through his blood. So that’s Jesus. In Jesus we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, so that we are redeemed through the blood of Jesus and that redemption forgives us of sins, according to the riches of his grace which he made to abound towards us in all wisdom and prudence Verse 9,.

B.R.Maul: 14:30

Verse 9, having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself. Having made known to us the mystery of his will, this mystery is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ, god the Father, going through the blood of his son, Jesus Christ, to save all those who would, in time, believe unto his son. That’s the mystery of his will. Again, his sovereignty should bring us great comfort because he reveals this mystery to us. Because he reveals this mystery to us, this message, when he sent his son Jesus Christ, Jesus walked the earth. He had three and a half years of ministry and he revealed that to us. And his life, his death, his burial and resurrection is that great and wonderful, beautiful mystery that not only did Jesus teach about, but he lived it and showed us. And then, to this day, we pass that gospel message on to the rest of the world, so they too can know the mystery of God’s will.

B.R.Maul: 15:44

Verse 10,. In the dispensation of the fullness of the times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, in him. This is something that has not been completely revealed to us. The dispensation of the fullness of the times refers to the time when God’s plan will be fully revealed, at the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is at that point that everyone will recognize that Jesus Christ is Lord, lord of all. Every knee will bend, every head will bow and, whether the soul of each person wants to or not, it will be confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord. That is the dispensation of the fullness of the times. The fullness of the times, that’s a reminder that time in and of itself is limited. The fullness of the times For something to be full, it needs to have a limit, otherwise there’s no way of being full. God created time and he did it for his goodwill. He did it for his master plan and this is all part of that plan.

B.R.Maul: 18:14

And where we live in the church age, we are at this point in time waiting for the rapture. Jesus will appear in the sky. He will not come down fully to earth. Then the church, so all of his saints that are alive, will be raptured up in heaven and we will be gone and there will be no one left on earth that is born again at that time. Anyways, now, from that time, it seems to be that the tribulation period will begin, where there will be seven years of the tribulation. During that time there will be people who are born again, or I should say will become born again. I have no doubt that the rapture itself will cause some people, that very hour, to be born again, but unfortunately for those souls, they will still have to live through the tribulation period or until their death, because it won’t be over until the tribulation period is done.

B.R.Maul: 19:15

Then the second coming of Jesus Christ. He will reign for 1,000 years until the tribulation period is done. Then the second coming of Jesus Christ. He will reign for 1,000 years. At that point in time, the fullness of time, time itself will end. Verse 11,.

B.R.Maul: 19:27

In him also, we have obtained an inheritance. Isn’t that something Going on being predestined? According to the purpose of him, who works all things according to the counsel of his will, that he who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of his glory? Indeed, we need to be thankful for all that that he predestined. He came up with this plan long ago according to his purpose, who works all things according to the counsel of his will. This is all God’s will that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of his glory. Brothers and sisters, such a blessing this is to have this inheritance bestowed upon us. Such a blessing this is to have this inheritance bestowed upon us for nothing that we have done, but for the very sake that God himself chose each of us, that he loved us and so he came and got us. We didn’t run and try to find him. In fact, just the opposite. By our very sinful nature we run from God, but it is through his grace, through his predestined purpose, that he came and obtained us.

B.R.Maul: 20:37

Verse 12, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of his glory. That brings such great glory to God. To love his Son brings him such great glory. Verse 13, in him you also trusted. That’s Jesus, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Who is the guarantee this is verse 14, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory. Amen and amen. I love these verses Because in him you also trusted. So the very fact beloved that you trusted in Jesus Christ and you did that.

B.R.Maul: 21:29

It says, after you heard the word of truth Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. We don’t just wake up one morning and decide, yeah, you know what I’m going to trust God, nope, but it’s after you heard the word of truth. Remember that, because as a Christian, you need to continue to be in his word, because it is in his word that he continues to sanctify. You. Think about this for a moment. It is through the fact that you heard the word of truth that you heard the word of God, that you trusted in Jesus Christ. And by hearing the word of God you were justified. So when you were born again, instantly you were justified. So when you were born again, instantly, you were justified. So for that very reason, you should never stop hearing God’s word.

B.R.Maul: 22:17

And in today’s time, since in ancient times there were many more who didn’t read, because either they didn’t know how to read or there wasn’t enough of God’s word for everybody to have their own copy, like there is today, so they had to hear God’s word. Today you have the privilege of also reading God’s word anytime you want. You don’t have to wait and go to the synagogue and hear whichever part they’re reading, like they did in ancient times. It is through that process that you are sanctified. How much beloved do you want to be like Jesus? Hopefully, you want to be exactly like him, and although we cannot obtain that, at least on this side of eternity, because then we will be in his image as we are glorified in eternity. But that isn’t now. We are in the process of being sanctified. So the more you want to be sanctified, the more you read God’s word, the more you listen to God’s word, and that is the gospel of your salvation.

B.R.Maul: 23:17

He goes on to say in whom, also having believed? So once you believed in Jesus, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. And that is one of my favorite verses the very fact that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. This here goes to show that you cannot lose your salvation. It is impossible. If indeed you have trusted in Jesus and you believe in your heart that he is who he said, he is the Son of God, then you are sealed with the Holy Spirit. And it says you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Isn’t that something? It’s not. You will be sealed. You were sealed. It’s a done deal.

B.R.Maul: 24:07

You may have days you don’t feel close to God. You may have days that you yourself truly doubt your salvation. Sin will have that effect on us. We will feel horrible and like we failed our Heavenly Father. But there is no sin that you can commit that overpowers God, that will suddenly break that seal of promise. Do you realize that that would mean that you can sin so bad that you can make God break his promise? It’s ludicrous to think that.

B.R.Maul: 24:41

And yet we have doctrines today. We have churches, we have entire denominations that teach that that you can be baptized when you’re a little tiny baby but at the same time you can lose your salvation, and those that also teach that, even if you’re not baptized as a little baby and you’re baptized later in life, that you can still lose your salvation. Please understand this, beloved. That is false doctrine. It’s evil, false doctrine. The reason it is so evil is because it is the main way, and probably really the only way, that churches can guarantee that you will come back week after week, afraid of losing your salvation, and that’s not the reason we go to church, not at all.

B.R.Maul: 25:30

And verse 14, who is the guarantee of our inheritance? That’s the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our inheritance. Until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory, god’s glory. This also solidifies the fact that there’s no reversing what God has done, because the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. So, until the redemption, in other words, until Jesus comes back for his church, okay, the redemption of the purchased possession, redemption of the purchase possession. Okay, who made the purchase? Jesus made the purchase. What possession? You, if you’re born again, you are the possession. Does that make sense? Because let me read that part again you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. So that is the promise. Who is the guarantee of our inheritance? Until the redemption, when Jesus comes, of the purchased possession. So, when Jesus comes for the possession that he purchased he used his blood to purchase all who believe on him. He comes back for us. So, until Jesus comes back for us, the Holy Spirit seals us. We’re his children, no matter what happens. And amen, amen, amen to that. I am so thankful for that and that is the reason. Verse 13 and verse 14, those two verses are two of my favorite verses in God’s Word. It completely highlights God’s sovereignty, it highlights his love for us, it highlights his grace for us.

B.R.Maul: 27:27

Now, before I close, there’s something a little more I want to say about predestination, because being chosen seems to imply that, well, we were chosen for a reason and we want to put that reason upon our self-beloved. But that’s not true. It’s not like being chosen by other people for something, like being chosen by other people for something. I remember in elementary school, either on the playground or during physical education time or gym class, that sometimes the teacher would choose two students to make teams and then they would start choosing who they wanted on their team. And of course, you know we all get excited and choose me, choose me. And we’re waving our hands, jumping up and down and come on, come on me, me, me. And once your name was said, or they pointed the finger at you, wow, that feeling of I’m accepted, I’m chosen. And during those times, yes, without a doubt, humanly, we were chosen for reasons that served the purpose of either that game, depending on who was choosing, or you were just chosen because one of your friends really liked you and even though they thought well, not very good at sports, but I want my friend to be on my team for just the fact that maybe you were one of the cute kids that they just love to have next to you.

B.R.Maul: 28:48

I don’t know, but there are many reasons why people choose. That isn’t the reason, and that is certainly not at all what God used. God used his son as the measuring stick, how to measure who would be chosen, and not how well we can be like Jesus, but the very fact that we love him, that we accept him and that we believe on him, that he is our truth. That’s the measurement right there. And once a person is born again, once a person says those words that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and in their heart they believe it, well, that’s when God, by your name, calls you to his team, to his family. So nothing that we ourselves did, but who we believe in, who we put our trust in.

B.R.Maul: 29:39

There are many Christians or people who believe they are Christian I’m not saying one way or the other that do buy into the fact that predestination means that everyone was predestined ahead of time to either go to heaven or go to hell. That’s not God in the Bible. If you do believe that? Well, please get a hold of me. I have a website, brmaul.com. Go to contact and fill out that information and let me know, tell me, say this is what I believe and tell me why, and I’ll be happy to send you information in God’s word that explains that, so you can look straight into God’s eyes and ask him. It’s not what BR Maul is saying. No, it’s what God is saying. It’s whatever the Bible says.

B.R.Maul: 30:33

Beloved is what I teach. It’s not at all my teaching. I want to do whatever God says to do. I don’t have to agree with it, I don’t even have to like it, but I do need to believe it and obey it. Now, as God’s words go. I love God’s word. It brings me such security and guidance in what I need to do day to day. But to get upset or mad at God thinking that he has chosen people to go to hell and others to go to heaven, whether those who he predestined to hell don’t want to, they want to go to heaven or those he predestined to go to heaven, they don’t want to, they don’t want to live in his presence how ridiculous would that be. But with that said, I know I covered quite a bit of ground today, 14 verses. But we are in the book of Ephesians now we’re still in chapter 1, and in the next teaching we’ll continue in chapter 1, starting with verse 15.

B.R.Maul: 31:34

You’re welcome to get a hold of me, ask me questions about God’s Word. Something you disagree about? Well, let me know, let’s talk about that, let’s see what God says so we can grow together on that. I’d be happy to assist in any way I can Remember to stay in His Word beloved each and every day. The world is constantly sending you messages, whether it’s TV, radio, books, video games, advertisements, music. The world is very loud and has its own message or messages, its own agenda, its own narrative.

B.R.Maul: 32:12

And so if you’re not in God’s word daily, well then you’re only letting the world influence you and you’re not allowing your heavenly father to sanctify you and strengthen you and build you up against this world. Come together with your brothers and sisters as often as possible. At least once a week would be the best. That’s how you grow. Everything we do weekly is a part of who we are. Pray to your Heavenly Father daily and, of course, worship Him, love Him, Lift your hands to Him, sing to Him, pray to Him, worship Him by being kind to others, by singing to him, whatever it might be, but worship him. He is so deserving of our worship and our love.

And until next time,

God bless.

Songs from Storyblock

“Heroes Inspire Hope” and “Mountainscape” by Humans Win

Podcast 80 Blog Post

In an age where chaos seems to reign, the podcast episode “Defending Truth in an Age of Deception” offers listeners a guiding light. This episode invites believers to deepen their faith and understanding amidst the complexities of modern spiritual warfare. With Satan’s relentless efforts to undermine faith, this episode underscores the urgency of standing firm as the light and salt of the earth. Believers are reminded of their pivotal role in combating evil through agape love and spreading the gospel. As the potential imminence of the rapture looms, vigilance and active faith are paramount.

Living a God-glorifying life requires courage and transformation through the Holy Spirit. The podcast challenges Christians to resist conformity to worldly standards, embracing spiritual growth and utilizing their unique gifts to uplift the body of Christ. The episode highlights the critical role of church leaders in adhering to scripture and discerning truth amidst societal deception. In a world where misinformation is rampant, grounding one’s life in scripture is portrayed as essential.

The episode begins by addressing the spiritual warfare that believers face in an increasingly ungodly world. Satan’s tireless efforts to hold onto power are discussed, emphasizing the need for believers to remain steadfast. With the Holy Spirit guiding them, Christians are encouraged to spread the gospel and suppress evil through selfless love. The potential imminence of the rapture is explored, urging listeners to live a life led by the Holy Spirit in anticipation of Christ’s return. This chapter sets the tone for the episode, underscoring the importance of faith and vigilance.

As the discussion progresses, the focus shifts to living a God-glorifying life in a resistant world. Believers are called to resist the urge to conform to worldly standards, instead embracing transformation through the Holy Spirit. The episode celebrates the courageous efforts of Christians who risk their lives to spread the gospel and support those in need. Emphasizing the importance of spiritual nourishment, listeners are encouraged to utilize their spiritual gifts to uplift the body of Christ. Aligning one’s life with God’s purpose becomes a central theme, with a call to serve others selflessly.

In a world filled with misinformation, discerning truth becomes a vital aspect of faith. The episode explores the role of church leaders in adhering to scripture and safeguarding against societal deception. Grounding one’s life in scripture is portrayed as essential for discerning truth in a world of false narratives. The teachings of Jesus in Matthew 24:3-5 serve as a reminder of the importance of knowledge of His word. The episode highlights the dangers of deception and the need for critical thinking, using the false narrative of evolution as an example.

Throughout the episode, the importance of divine wisdom is emphasized. Believers are encouraged to continuously engage with the Bible, fortifying themselves with God’s wisdom. The podcast presents a compelling case for the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers through personal and global challenges. By remaining steadfast in faith and embracing God’s purpose, Christians can navigate the complexities of modern life with hope and love. The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to stand firm in their faith and become the light and salt of the earth.

In summary, “Defending Truth in an Age of Deception” offers a comprehensive exploration of living a purposeful, God-glorifying life in an ungodly world. By delving into spiritual warfare, the importance of divine wisdom, and the role of church leaders, the episode provides listeners with the tools to navigate modern challenges with faith and resilience. As believers anticipate Christ’s return, the podcast encourages a life led by the Holy Spirit, grounded in scripture, and filled with hope and love.

Podcast 80 Transcript

This is a computer generated transcript of this podcast. This is NOT a typed transcript and it has not been edited. Expect grammatical and syntactical errors.

B.R.Maul: 0:29

Hello and good day. I am BR Maul and you are listening to Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World. Here we talk about how we, as Christians born-again believers, follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Seems like it would be obvious, right, but as obvious as it is, there are many reasons why Christians are thrown off track, not in just modern times. It has been ever since Christ himself walked the earth and hung on the cross and was willing to pay the sin debt of all who believe unto him. People have been explaining away miracles, have been coming up with excuses not to believe in Jesus Christ, and that’s because Satan himself, the god small g of this world, is doing everything possible to hold on to what power he has left. Look around you, beloved, and there is violence everywhere. This world is upside down. There’s no denying it. Well, let me correct myself it. Well, let me correct myself. There is denying it, and that, to me, in and of itself, is proof of the spiritual warfare going on today, because the world is upside down and there are people who are in fact, denying the very evil that’s going on. It’s not to say it’s just the unbelievers, those who are not Christians, who are denying it. I know Christians personally that still are unwilling to accept that the evil continues to abound. The time is falling shorter and shorter with every passing day, because the day is getting closer to the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Before that happens, the church will be raptured.

B.R.Maul: 2:28

Now, this lesson today is not about the rapture, but I do need to talk just a little bit about it so we have an understanding. There are different schools of thought when it comes to the tribulation. There are those who believe that we are already in the tribulation, that this is already hell on earth, and so this must be what the revelation talks about. That, I believe, is false. There is too much scripture that points to the very fact that the tribulation is a seven-year period. It’s not exaggerated, it’s seven years, and prior to that seven years, the church is raptured, and it seems to be. That is what begins the Tribulation.

B.R.Maul: 3:16

Just think about this. Right now, the Holy Spirit is indwelling all of the children of God. So for all of us who are born again, we’re following Jesus. The Holy Spirit has sealed us for the day of salvation. We are being led by the Holy Spirit and the more a Christian, a born-again believer, in prayer and supplication and reading God’s Word pays attention to what the Holy Spirit directs that person to do, the more in tune we are and the more we’re able to respond to the Holy Spirit’s cues. Well, what does that mean? It means that right now, however many children of God are currently alive and walking the earth and I’m sure it’s safe to say it’s in the millions it is through us, his children, that God is suppressing the evil of this world.

B.R.Maul: 4:14

I don’t believe it is solely through us, because his power alone is what dictates what the devil can and cannot do, and the devil’s minions, the demons, what they can and cannot do. It is all to the glory of God. It will satisfy his ultimate purpose, but he is using his children. It is his children with the Holy Spirit that have the capability of loving other people with agape love, a love that is selfless, 100%, there’s nothing attached to it. Now, in our own abilities, we can’t love people that way. We can love people on different levels of love I’ve talked about this before but not agape love, not the spiritual love that God himself is. So, with this love that we have for one another and the love that we have for the lost, those who do not know Jesus.

B.R.Maul: 5:16

God works through us in fighting evil. It is the righteous person who hates the wickedness, who hates evil. So we do what we can to fight back. Of course, that looks different in many, many ways. Some fight back politically, some fight back militarily, some spiritually. Whatever it might be, we are all used in different ways.

B.R.Maul: 5:44

The ultimate weapon, of course, is God’s word and spreading the gospel message. So, if you take away all of those the Holy Spirit possesses and that’s a good thing A person wants to be possessed by the Holy Spirit and that only comes by not only after being born again, but allowing the Holy Spirit to possess one, a person forfeiting their life and giving their all to God. And there are those who are light and salt of the earth that bring great hope because they continuously speak the gospel message, they continuously allow God to be his hands and feet, doing the work of justice, doing the work of love and kindness, doing the work of helping the widow and the orphan and the stranger. But when the day comes and Jesus calls for the church and the Holy Spirit raptures that church from the earth and into heaven and the tribulation begins. There is no more righteousness. Those who the Holy Spirit possessed, people who actually can pray and can love, people with agape love, are gone. And what I meant by pray, that is, the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man, avails much, man, of course, being mankind, so man and woman, people who pray with fervor, people who pray with effect all gone, every single one. Gone and listen carefully, beloved, because that can happen at any moment. There is nothing in the scriptures now that tell us we’re still waiting for this to happen. No, there’s nothing else that we’re waiting to happen. The rapture could happen any moment, and this is more what I’m going to address in this teaching.

B.R.Maul: 7:44

Last week I wrapped up with the book of 1 John and I expect to start teaching in the book of Ephesians, probably next week, but I wanted to take this time right now because, with all the things that are happening around the world today, there’s so much and, yes, the world is upside down Now. Interestingly enough, doesn’t it seem like that? Every generation says that, and, of course, you can easily pawn that off as well. Yes, every generation thinks that things are getting worse. Have you ever thought that? Perhaps there’s a reason for that? Those who have been around the longest are the ones looking back going. It’s getting worse. I believe it, and the reason I believe it is because we’re told in the Bible that things will continue to get worse. We are to expect this. This is no surprise to God. Jesus gave us the heads up multiple times, and it is for this reason that we need to prepare.

B.R.Maul: 8:48

If you are one who is not born again and you’re listening to this message, well then this is a divine act. I truly believe that the Holy Spirit is using this message to speak to you. It’s time to get over any questions that you may have that you’re seeking to be answered before you follow Jesus. It’s time to get over anything of the pride or insecurity that is preventing you from opening your heart and giving your life to the Lord Jesus because, yes, at any moment the rapture can happen. And for the rest, who are listening, who are born again, my dear brothers and sisters in the faith, you’re the ones I’m addressing directly, because the hour is now, we are out of time and I’m not predicting that the rapture is going to happen at any given time, other than the fact that we know it’s going to happen.

B.R.Maul: 9:46

But what I’m saying is for the millions of Christians around the world who fall into the category of fair weather Christian, somebody who stands up when things are going well, when the weather is nice and they’re okay with worshiping the Lord. But, beloved, if you fall into the category that suddenly the storm comes and spiritually you hide, perhaps you feel afraid or ashamed, whatever emotion it may be, but then you stop proclaiming Jesus. And I’m not saying just verbally, stop proclaiming Jesus, but proclaiming Jesus in your life, in your day-to-day living. It is time for Christians to stand up. It is time for Christians to do what God has told us to do to be light and salt of this earth. We must shine, we must give people hope, we must get the name of Jesus out there. And the only way we can do this, beloved, we must be in God’s word daily, not for the sake of our salvation, no, because that would be based on works. If you’re born again, you are already sealed. You are a child of God, you are heaven bound and there’s no way of breaking that because you have sinned again. It doesn’t work that way. So I’m not advocating that there’s any way that you’re going to earn your salvation by reading God’s word every day. What I am saying is this is how we strengthen our faith. God speaks to us through his Holy Scripture, and it’s the Holy Spirit that gives the children of God understanding.

B.R.Maul: 11:32

The biggest mistake that we can make as a child of God, walking around this forsaken world that wants nothing to do with the maker, is to try to fit in, to try to live lives that match the world. We are to be transformed by the Holy Spirit and not allow the world to conform us to its ways. We’re already born into that, so I understand it’s tough, isn’t it? We all have different levels of struggling with certain sins of this world, things that have enticed us, but we’re not here for anything else but glorifying God. There’s nothing else that we need to do. I know there’s many things that we want to do, but there’s nothing else that we need to do. We are here to glorify our Maker. When we accept that Jesus Christ as our Lord and our Savior with our lips, when we confessed it with our heart, when we believed it, the Holy Spirit entered us, sealed us, and we are children of God. We owe it to our God, and God will be glorified, with or without your help.

B.R.Maul: 12:43

So it’s time, beloved Christians around the world, for those who have not acted upon this to look to those who have, because there are God’s children out there who are indeed doing what our Lord and Savior has commanded, who are indeed doing what our Lord and Savior has commanded. They are putting their life in the reaches of death in areas of the world where Christians are being stabbed, shot, mutilated, beheaded, tortured, but they’re out there. They are there sharing the gospel message, knowing that any day could be their last. There are those Christians who are out there in parts of the world who are fighting famine, who are fighting pestilence, all in the name of Jesus, to glorify his name, to let others know, who don’t know who he is, that they do have a savior. And even though that their physical needs, where they’re at, is scarce, these people are bringing food for their bellies but, more importantly, they’re bringing food for their souls.

B.R.Maul: 13:54

There are saints, god’s children, around the world who are giving up opportunities left and right to make what the world would consider a great living, a comfortable living, and they’re doing it so they can reach out and love other people. They are loving the orphans, the widows and the stranger, and they’re not making money or they’re making very little money, but the Lord continues to provide for their needs. So there are brothers and sisters of ours that are out there that are doing the work. They are working hard in order to get people the gospel message, to get those people the understanding of who Jesus is, so they have the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ. So my message to those is simply keep it up, keep fighting the good fight beloved for those who have already given their life to Jesus.

B.R.Maul: 14:55

And I’m not saying being born again, no, no, no, because being born again isn’t giving our life to Jesus. Being born again is Jesus giving us life spiritually. What I’m saying is, as a Christian, once you’re born again, you need to make the decision that, lord, my life is now your life. You purchased it. What will you have me do? I am your servant and then do it. Please don’t misunderstand me.

B.R.Maul: 15:25

This is not a pitch for everyone to go out and start their own church, their own mission, because I understand that we must use the spiritual gifts that God has given us. There’s all kinds of spiritual gifts, but those spiritual gifts are meant to lift up the body of Christ. Who’s the body of Christ? God’s children. So whatever spiritual gifts that the Lord has bestowed upon you is to be used to support one another, not for us to make money. Not that it won’t. Some people have the spiritual gift of being able to make money. Not that it won’t Some people have the spiritual gift of being able to make money. And you might think, well, wow, I want that spiritual gift. But those who have that spiritual gift, it’s also in their hearts to make the money for God. They’re the ones who go out of their way. They know how to raise funds, they’re the ones who put together these fundraisers.

B.R.Maul: 16:23

But whatever your spiritual gift is, if you’re not involved, get involved, beloved. If you don’t have a church, a group gathering that comes together and worships the Lord, that learns about the Lord, that grow together, that pray for one another to help each other be healed, that grow together, that pray for one another to help each other be healed, well, find one. I caution you don’t be quick to find any church because in today’s world, as it continues to unravel, to fall apart, many churches are not Bible-believing churches. They’re a really nice, friendly club. So please don’t get involved with those.

B.R.Maul: 17:02

You want to make sure that the church leadership abide by God’s terms, not their own and not the congregations, not society around them. How can you see these? These are men who are leading churches and groups, who often are the ones that many others don’t like because they are offensive, because they don’t make them feel good about who they are. And it’s not that these pastors and elders and deacons and leaders are mean, but they stick to what God says, even though they know many people don’t want to hear it. Now, before I completely run out of time, it’s important to me to always use God’s word in reference to what I’m saying.

B.R.Maul: 17:47

Jesus makes it very clear that we must have knowledge of his word or, as things continue to get worse and worse, you’re going to get lost. In Matthew, chapter 24, verse 3, verses 3, 4, and 5, it reads Now, as he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately saying Tell us when will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? And Jesus answered and said to them Take heed that no one deceives you Verse five for many will come in my name saying I am the Christ and will deceive many. So, verse four take heed that no one deceives you. Of all things that Jesus started with. He starts with don’t be, don’t be deceived.

B.R.Maul: 18:47

And just in the last few years alone, with the great powers at hand controlling the internet now, the companies that have the power to hide information or to bring information to the top when it comes to keywords being searched. They’re the ones who control the algorithms at what will be found and what will not be found for information. These are people who control and they’re the ones who say what misinformation is, which is anything that is against their narrative, their agenda. So it’s not even the real truth. It’s their own truth, their own narrative that they want to make sure that we all buy into. So the deception is huge. It is beyond anything that we are able to fathom.

B.R.Maul: 19:36

We are being lied to on the news, we are being lied to through even programming, movies and TV shows, agendas that are set up that are deceiving billions of people, and it is only those who are the elect. The elect are God’s chosen, the Jewish nation, and there is God’s children, the church. There’s two different types of elect. The elect I’m referring to right now is God’s children, because even the Jewish nation right now is being deceived, but God’s children are the only ones right now that, as we stay in God’s word, he gives us the ability to see this fakeness, the false narratives that continue to grow, how misleading it is to grow, how misleading it is. People are falling for what we would think would be common sense, that a person wouldn’t fall for it.

B.R.Maul: 20:36

But the deception is so great, the lying is so massive that when you have leaders and politicians saying, yeah, this is what’s going on, whatever that is, I’m not going to get into specifics for lack of time and then the media, the mass media, go along with it. And when you try to search something on the internet and it turns out that you can’t find the actual truth, it’s the narrative that they keep spinning. Yes, if you don’t have God’s word, you’re so easily deceived, and Jesus said let no one deceive you. That’s how important it is beloved Now when it comes to God’s wisdom. And when it comes to wisdom, there is only God’s wisdom. There’s knowledge in this world, but all wisdom comes from God. There’s plenty of knowledge, because God’s creation is so massive that there’s a ton of knowledge.

B.R.Maul: 22:41

But, of course, over the centuries, we as people have had plenty of time to come up with even our fake knowledge. So such things as evolution. Well, there’s something right there that is spiritual warfare, because right now there is so much evidence that common sense says evolution is absolutely impossible. There’s nothing. There’s nothing that supports evolution. And from time to time, when evolutionists come up with some lie to post it and try to make it look like they’re actually discovering something new, well, creationists, they turn around and they can prove that it’s false. But yet let’s take a look at this.

B.R.Maul: 23:22

In America, the false narrative of evolution is being jammed down our children’s minds. They’re not even allowed to question anymore. We used to teach our children to think and to ask questions. Now they’re trying to tell our children don’t ask questions, you don’t have that right. Here’s the truth and just accept it. So wisdom beloved we can only get from God. If you don’t have a Bible, get a Bible and start reading it and don’t stop In Proverbs 1, and this is wisdom personified, because I have called and you refused.

B.R.Maul: 24:02

That’s wisdom. I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, so hated all of wisdom’s counsel and would have none of my rebuke. I also will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm and your destruction comes like a whirlwind. When distress and anguish come upon you, then they will call on me. And again, this is wisdom.

B.R.Maul: 24:37

So the people who are not seeking God’s word, wisdom is saying they’re people who are ignoring God’s wisdom, want nothing to do with God’s word. Suddenly, when calamity strikes and it will, it’s not if it’s when wisdom says I will not answer, they will seek me diligently but they will not find me. That should be very concerning for anybody who is not reading God’s word, because when disaster happens, whether it’s national disaster, worldly disaster or individual disaster you lose a loved one. The rest of the world isn’t affected, but your life is upended. You’re not reading God’s word and suddenly you cry out God, why are you doing this? The wisdom isn’t there. You don’t have that wisdom, so you don’t have access to wisdom. And so that’s why, in this personification, wisdom saying you can look for me, but you’re not going to find me A person after they lose a loved one isn’t going to just open God’s word right away and find the answer.

B.R.Maul: 25:46

It must be a part of who you are, so to be born again, to be a follower of God. You have the Holy Spirit in you and the Holy Spirit is the only way that our brains can get that understanding. It is through reading God’s word that we gain understanding and wisdom. Now, as I get close to the end of this message here today, let me go back to another proverb, proverb 2, the beginning of this. What I like about this is there are many action words in here. There are verbs that are pointing to the very fact, beloved, that you have a lot of work to do. You can’t just sit and, by osmosis, wake up some morning and suddenly have the understanding of God, to suddenly have the fear of God in you where you appreciate him reverently.

B.R.Maul: 26:40

Proverbs 2, starting in verse 1, king Solomon writes my son, if you receive my words and treasure my commands within you, you catch that if you receive to receive something, you must actually accept it and treasure my commands within you. When we treasure something we hold it dear to us, so that you incline your ear to wisdom. There’s a little verb right there incline You’re leaning into, you really want to hear it and apply your heart to understanding. There’s apply, if we’re going to apply something that takes effort, right, yes, if you cry out for discernment and lift up your voice for understanding. If you seek her as silver and search for her, as for hidden treasures, all of those you catch, all of that, seek her, search for her, lift up your voice, cry out. This is all things that we do Verse 5, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God, the key word there is. Then, at that point, you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

B.R.Maul: 27:57

Being born again isn’t enough. It’s enough to be saved, it’s enough to be heaven-bound. But that’s the beginning of a journey, beloved. It is not the end of a journey. As a child of God, get into his word, study it, meditate on it, pray to the Lord, talk to other believers, continue to grow with one another, worship the Lord, thank him, and as you meditate on his word night and day, you will grow. He will strengthen you, he will guide you, he will keep you, you will be protected. He will be your strength and your shield. It’s not a question, it’s a for sure.

B.R.Maul: 28:42

Every once in a while I do need these times where I can just kind of rant and rage maybe Polite way of saying it, but this is very near and dear to me. I spent so much of my life in my earlier years doing nothing for God. I did it all for myself. I was so selfish, I was so self-centered and I was so miserable. And even though the world around me continues to fall apart, the evil just continues to abound.

B.R.Maul: 29:15

I have peace. I have such a great peace from God. Yes, there’s things that I hear that worry me, concern me, but it’s not ongoing. I quickly turn to my Savior and I bring it to Him. I lay that stuff at His feet and he comforts me. He gives me such wonderful peace and beloved.

B.R.Maul: 29:40

If you don’t have that, I want you to have that peace, and you can through Jesus Christ. So if you’re not born again, just pray a simple prayer, ask him and let him know something as simple as Heavenly Father, I know I’m a sinner, I’m broken and I need your son. Please help me. And if you mean it in your heart, even if you can’t come up with the words, if you’re struggling, that you think to get the right words, but in your heart you just need Jesus, there you go and then we just learn. When we mess up, we repent and turn right back to our Savior and just keep on going, but this world needs you. If you are born again whether you just became born again or you’ve been born again for decades the world needs you beloved. There are so many out there that are lost. The harvest is so plentiful but there are so few to go and bring in that harvest.

B.R.Maul: 30:43

If you have any questions, anything that I can do to assist you, to help you get started, or answer any questions you may have, whatever it is, I’ll do the best that I can. You can go to my website, brmaul.com, click on contact and email me. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. You can also message me. In all the directories, the listings that I have of my podcast, there should be a message me button. Just click on that and send me your message. Now, that’s a one-way message, so you will have to include a way for me to get back to you if that’s what you want, but otherwise you can also send prayer requests that way and I’ll just pray for you. Well, I look forward to seeing you again. It’s a little play on words, so join me again next week. God willing, it’ll be the same time.

And until next time,

God bless.

Songs from Storyblock

“Heroes Inspire Hope” and “Mountainscape” by Humans Win

“Calm Relaxing Piano” by Danail Draganov

Podcast 79 Blog Post

In the latest episode of my podcast, I delve into the complexities of faith, sin, and divine guidance, inspired by the powerful teachings found in 1 John 5:14-21. This passage is a profound reminder of the confidence believers can hold when approaching God, assured that their prayers are heard when aligned with His will. Understanding and aligning with God’s will is paramount, as it sets the foundation for effective prayer and a fruitful spiritual life. The episode begins by addressing the topic of sin leading to death, which is often confused with the unforgivable sin. This nuanced distinction is crucial for believers to grasp, as it informs their spiritual responsibilities, especially the call to support one another through prayer.

Through the lens of biblical stories, such as those of Moses, Ananias and Sapphira, and the Corinthians, we explore the serious implications of misrepresenting God. These narratives are sobering reminders of the physical consequences of certain sins, highlighting the importance of faithfully representing God in our actions and words. The episode emphasizes that while perfection isn’t attainable in our earthly journey, striving for holiness remains a vital pursuit for believers. By examining these stories, we learn valuable lessons in obedience and reverence, essential traits for anyone seeking to honor God amidst the challenges of today’s world.

Another significant aspect discussed in this episode is the danger of being deceived by misleading doctrines. Personal experiences and encounters with false teachings underscore the necessity of having a deep, personal understanding of God’s Word. This understanding acts as a safeguard against deception, ensuring that believers are not swayed by incomplete or false teachings. The importance of reading Scripture and engaging with it personally is stressed, encouraging listeners to deepen their relationship with God through His Word.

Prayer emerges as a powerful tool for spiritual growth and support. The episode highlights the believer’s responsibility to intercede for others, particularly those caught in sins that do not lead to death. This intercessory prayer is a vital expression of spiritual support and love within the Christian community. The power of prayer is not only in seeking personal guidance and support but also in lifting others up and helping them find their way back to a path of righteousness.

Furthermore, the episode touches on the influence of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers through their spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit’s role is vital in helping believers discern God’s will, overcome temptations, and strive towards holiness. This divine guidance is an invaluable asset for navigating the complexities of faith in a world that often presents misleading and contradictory messages.

In conclusion, this episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between prayer, sin, and spiritual growth. By understanding the teachings of 1 John 5:14-21 and the lessons from biblical stories, listeners are equipped to enrich their faith journey. The emphasis on prayer, vigilance against deception, and striving for holiness provides a robust framework for living a life that truly honors God. Join us in this enlightening exploration to strengthen your faith and deepen your relationship with God amidst the challenges of today’s world.

Podcast 79 Transcript

This is a computer generated transcript of this podcast. This is NOT a typed transcript and it has not been edited. Expect grammatical and syntactical errors.

B.R.Maul: 0:29

Hello and good day. This is BR Maul and you are listening to Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World, a podcast that we, of course, speak about following God’s way and not the world’s way In this world that wants nothing to do with our Lord Savior, Jesus Christ, his followers, those of us who are born again in God’s family. Well, we want to do everything we can to follow the Lord, to live according to God’s way. We are currently in the book of 1 John, and we are going to end that today because we are in 1 John, chapter 5, and we’ll be going from verses 14 to 21. And that brings us to the end of the chapter and end of the book of 1 John. It’s a pretty amazing ending here to the book of 1 John. He truly brings up a topic that is seldom spoke about in churches, especially churches today, because this is a topic that is very uncomfortable for most people.

B.R.Maul: 1:37

After I read the verses then I’ll go back and break it down. So this is a big one. We have a lot to read, so I’m going to just jump right into it. Verse 14. Now, this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us and if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him. If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask and he will give him life. For those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death, death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin and there is sin not leading to death, verse 18. We know that whoever is born of God does not sin, but he who has been born of God keeps himself and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one, and we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding that we may know him, who is true, and we are in him, who is true in his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols, amen. Here ends the reading and this ends the book of 1 John.

B.R.Maul: 3:23

Topic at hand here, which is seldom brought up in churches, is the very fact that there is sin leading to death Kind of confusing. This is not the same thing as the unforgivable sin. Heavenly Father, I pray for your guidance. Help my words that escape my lips be only of your wanting and your doing, and not my own. Open the hearts of those who are listening, lord. Help them to overcome any insecurities or any pride, anything that may be getting in their way, lord, of hearing the message that you want them to hear, and I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen. So verse 14, john says Now, this is the confidence that we have in him, so, god, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. So, according to his will.

B.R.Maul: 4:24

This is often a place that gets a huge misunderstanding, and the reason for that is because of many churches that are teaching only part of the truth, such as Jesus loves you just the way you are. Now, why is this a problem? Because, as they continue to preach on this, that Jesus is love, love, love, we’re all children of God, that God loves everybody. Well, it gives the false teaching and belief that eventually everybody goes to heaven, and we know from God’s word that is not true at all. We do know that, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth unto him shall not perish and have everlasting life. So, yes, he loves the world. He wants every single person to go to heaven. It is the will of God that everybody would have everlasting life, that nobody would go to hell and have eternal death. But in the whole scheme of things, god is giving each one of us, every single soul, the choice to either live eternally with him or without him. And even though many people have been deceived those who have been deceived and I’ve taught about this many a times it is ultimately by choice, not that a person’s choosing to be deceived, because I myself, growing up in a Lutheran background, was taught that my infant baptism saved me, that I was good to go unless I lost my salvation.

B.R.Maul: 6:11

I won’t get into that because I have many other teachings. But we can’t lose our salvation. There’s nothing in God’s Word that points to that. I have talked and spoke to many people who do believe in that and nobody can point me to a passage that proves that. And there are many passages that support the fact that we cannot lose our salvation. But, with that said, that was false doctrine. But at the same time whether it was because of apathy, I was just being lazy, or I didn’t really care, or my pride whatever kept me from it. I still just adopted that, even when the Lord at times sent people in my life, or even messages, perhaps songs that I heard lyrics in the songs that pointed the other direction, and there was something about that that. There was something I knew that just wasn’t quite right. There was something I knew that just wasn’t quite right, but it took somebody to confront me and basically tell me that my baptism as a little baby didn’t do anything for me and I got very angry about it. But I was choosing up until that point to be deceived. So people are being deceived, but there’s also by choice, not doing anything about it.

B.R.Maul: 7:23

For anybody who has been listening to my teachings now for the last few years, they certainly understand the very fact that we need to read God’s Word ourself, that we need to arm ourself with God’s Word and not just rely on anybody. I don’t want anybody just to listen to my teachings and my teachings alone. You should be reading God’s word for yourself. You should be meeting with other brothers and sisters, talking about it. Go to people who the Lord has called to teach his word. That that’s what they do. They have a passion for learning it and teaching it to other people. That’s great, but don’t just follow one person’s teachings. That’s very dangerous.

B.R.Maul: 8:07

When John says now, this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us, that right away eliminates people who are not God’s children and there are many people who are not following the Lord. They are not born again. They may consider themselves Christian or they just assume they’re going to heaven and that they’re God’s children. And when they do pray which isn’t all that often, but when they do God doesn’t answer and of course, they just get mad about it and they think, well, forget it then. Well, that’s because they’re not in his will. His will is that everybody would believe in Jesus Christ, everybody would believe in the blood of Christ, that he died for them on the cross. He wants everybody to know and understand that we are all sinners and that we all fall short of the glory of God. That we have to have a Savior that’s his will. Fall short of the glory of God, that we have to have a Savior. That’s his will. So right away, that eliminates the majority of people walking this earth.

B.R.Maul: 9:14

There is something about 8 billion people right now and of those about 5.5 billion, they’re not even Christian at all. They are Hindu, Muslim, whatever it might be. On and on that we can go, but they’re not Christian. They are not in God’s will. Their prayers are not being answered. God’s always willing to answer the prayer about his son, but up until then he’s not going to answer prayers for his non-children. But now, for those who are born again, we still have to be in his will. We can’t just walk around living life however we want, making decisions however we want, without even consulting him and then even doing things or saying things that we know, according to his word, he doesn’t want us to be doing. He’s not going to bless that. He’s not going to answer those prayers. Why? Because they’re not in his will. But when we, he hears us Verse 15, and if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him. So consider it done. We ask according to his will and we can consider it that we already have those petitions that we have asked of him, he will give us what we need. It’ll be his way in his time, but when you ask in his will, it’s a done deal.

B.R.Maul: 10:39

Verse 16. If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask and he will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that, all right. So this is one that is easy to not understand. It seems to sometimes contradict a few things in the Bible, but none of it does. He is not talking about spiritual death. We cannot lose our salvation. That is impossible. However, remember, we have the physical death and God has been known to snuff out the life of his children who are doing something that they should not do. Now, this sin isn’t just any kind of sin, because, well, we still all sin. Saints still sin, his children still sin, but for starters, we are given the ability to overcome that sin. But that’s still not what he’s talking about. So let me read that one more time. If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask and he will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death, for those who are already born again, and you see a brother sinning because this is referring to that. So somebody who is already born again is referring to that. So somebody who is already born again, we can pray for that person who is caught up in a sin and to intercede for that brother or sister. But John makes it clear there is sin leading to death and he says I do not say that he should pray about that. In other words, there’s nothing that we can do for that brother or sister who has committed a sin that’s leading to death.

B.R.Maul: 12:36

So what are some examples of those? There’s one in the New Testament. Actually, there’s two in the New Testament. One of them that I’m aware of is in 1 Corinthians, chapter 11, go to verse 30. Paul is talking to the church of Corinth because there are those who, when instituting the Lord’s Supper, are being drunk and they’re just having a good time with it. Paul responds Sleep is what is used to describe a born-again believer who is dead. The reason they describe it that way is because a born-again believer now has life eternal and so they are not really dead. Their body is dead and our bodies will shut down is dead and our bodies will shut down, and that’s that. But then, absent from the body, is present with the Lord. The soul is in heaven until the second coming, where the body and souls, for those who have been separated, will meet these people. The reason that some of them are dying is because they’re sinning sins that are leading to death.

B.R.Maul: 13:54

Let’s look at another one, another one in the New Testament, the book of Acts, chapter 5, Ananias and Sapphira. For those who don’t know that story, a brief introduction is Ananias and Sapphira, a husband and wife. They are born again and they go. They sell their land and at this point in time, the disciples, the followers of Christ, at this point, are all coming together, selling their possessions so that everybody who is following the Lord, their needs, are met, and so they’re living under one purse. Ananias and Sapphira, they sell land and they are deceitful. When they go to Peter, they tell him a fake amount and Peter even states you had no reason to do that. It was your money, it was your land. You could have announced whatever amount and given accordingly, but they lied about it First. It was Ananias who went in first and fell dead right away after lying. His wife comes in not long after and agrees yep, this is the price, and she too drops dead. Did they lose their salvation? No, nope, they did not. But they committed a sin that led them to death physically. God took them out. So there’s one more, and then we can maybe see together what these three have in common.

B.R.Maul: 15:26

The other one we need to go to the Old Testament. This is all the way in the book of Numbers, chapter 20. But this is Moses and Aaron, and at this point, you know, Moses, he’s been getting a little short with the children of Israel. They’ve been whining a lot, they’ve been frustrated, and of course, he is the one leading them. He too is getting frustrated. Well, they’re thirsty and they’re complaining that, oh, they’re going to die and everything else. And so here is what Scripture says, verse 7,.

B.R.Maul: 15:56

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying Take the rod. You and your brother Aaron, gather the congregation together, speak to the rock before their eyes and it will yield its water. Thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock and give drink to the congregation and their animals. So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him. So so far, so good. Moses takes the rod, just as God said to do. And verse 10,. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock and he said Hear, now, you rebels, must we bring water for you out of this rock? Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod and water came out abundantly and the congregation and their animals drank. Moses out of anger out of spite, anger out of spite. Instead of speaking to the rock, he went ahead and wrapped it hard twice and the water came out. Now listen to God’s response verse 12. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron.

B.R.Maul: 17:06

God says Because you did not believe me, to hallow me in the eyes of the children of. So what happened there? Well, Moses committed a sin that brought him to death. Now, in this case, Moses didn’t drop dead. In the last two that we just read, these people were dropping dead. So God gave Moses a little more time because he was going to work, through Moses as the leader, to get the people to the promised land. And in that meantime, Moses several times, I believe it was petitioned to the Lord to forgive him, until God finally said I’m done talking about it. Moses, you sinned against me. You did not make me look holy in front of my people with your fit of rage. That is not what I told you to do. And so, no, you are not entering the promised land. And we know that Moses did not enter the promised land. He was able to see it and that was as close as he got, and then the Lord had told him when his life was up, and Moses went up and died at that point.

B.R.Maul: 18:21

So those are three areas, now that we are aware of those sinning that led to death. Was there a particular sin? No, we can’t identify what we know, and there are others in the Bible as well that it seems that their life was taken because of a certain sin, but there is no particular sin that seems to be the one that leads to physical death of a believer. Moses, that was just flat out his temper. He was angry and he did not hallow the Lord. He was angry and he did not hallow the Lord.

B.R.Maul: 18:57

Ananias and Sapphira they just flat out lied, cheated God out of money, which they didn’t have to do at all, but they were very de be conducting the Lord’s Supper. They were not acting like children of God. So in all three of those we do see a theme going here and that is well, you’re not representing God, you are misrepresenting God. So it seems like even the fact that some of them in Corinth were getting drunk I don’t really think it was because they were drunk. I think it was because when they were getting drunk, when they were coming together to worship the Lord as newbie Christians and they were supposed to be remembering Jesus. That’s why we do communion. We don’t do it so we can just have a good time and eat and drink, and that’s what they were doing. Same thing with Ananias and Sapphira.

B.R.Maul: 20:04

Okay, there’s Christians that lie all the time. I’m not advocating for it, I’m not saying it’s a good thing, but people aren’t dropping dead just because they lie as a Christian. But in this case they were representing the Holy Spirit. People were coming together giving their money and manna or not manna, mammon to the apostles so everyone’s needs could be met, and they were deceiving their brothers and sisters, which in turn, is deceiving God and the Holy Spirit. So misrepresenting that’s what seems to be.

B.R.Maul: 20:40

If we get to the point where we are supposed to be doing something for the Lord and our sin before the eyes of others make the Lord look bad. Apparently it isn’t beyond the Lord to say that’s it, you’re done, I’m going to take you home. But that doesn’t mean somebody loses their salvation, not at all, beloved. Verse 17,. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. So there are obviously sins that we do, that we repent of, that, we are sorry for doing. But it doesn’t misrepresent, it’s not perhaps leading somebody astray from the Lord. We’re not misrepresenting Jesus. But we still might lie or we might do something that we do regret. That is a sin and we repent of it. Because Moses, he asked for forgiveness and of course he was forgiven, but he still was laid down to die and was not able to enter the promised land. And the others, well, they weren’t given that chance. Their lives were just taken from them.

B.R.Maul: 22:57

Verse 18, let’s be clear on this not sin, but he who has been born of God keeps himself and the wicked one does not touch him. Let’s be clear on this. I think there are unfortunately there are religions out there that play that, as we should be able to get to a point in our walk here, on this side of eternity, where we are sinless, as I have taught many times before, on this side of the grave, we will never be sinless. However, with the help of the Holy Spirit that is residing in us, a Christian who is reading the Word, walking actively with the Lord, should indeed, as that walk continues on in time, sin less. So what he is talking about here is that the very part of us that is born again, our spiritual side remember the spirit and the flesh beloved are constantly fighting. They’re constantly battling. It is our spiritual side that does not sin, that wants to do the right thing. The righteous thing is thirsting after God is thirsting after God is thirsting to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. But it is the flesh that we fight against. So it’s that part of us that is born of God that does not sin. But our flesh continues to fight and we do slip up from time to time, and that’s why even saints need to drop to their knee, repent when we sin and move on. But he who has been born of God keeps himself keeping. That is protecting ourself. Don’t expect beloved to.

B.R.Maul: 24:41

If you’re watching movies, listening to music that you have when before you were born again, that temptation is going to suddenly just leave you because you’re born again. Not at all, as I tell my own kids you are the one, you’re the last line of defense for yourself. You get to protect yourself what you watch, because you are going to become in part what you listen to and what you watch, who you hang around, how you talk, all of that. So if we’re letting in all kinds of worldly things and we’re watching movies that are not good at all, that is promoting sin. Well, it’s going to fuel our flesh that all the more is going to want to sin. So the spiritual side of us, well, that’s born of God, does not sin. But he who has been born of God keeps himself. So protect yourself, beloved, and the wicked one does not touch him. And myself I believe that this is a passage, a verse here and the wicked one does not touch him. That would be the devil or a demon. That a born-again believer cannot be possessed by a demon or Satan himself, because we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and so he can’t do that Now, not to say we can’t be influenced, and especially if we’re giving our enemy a foothold by watching movies that promote sin, listening to music that promotes sin and all kinds of stuff, well then we are going to run into more and more problems.

B.R.Maul: 26:29

Verse 19,. We know that we are of God and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. Now, this is interesting words here, the verbiage under the sway of the wicked one. It almost paints the picture of the wicked one cradling people and lulling them to sleep. Hmm, that certainly fits in our world today. There are many religions that don’t believe that the devil exists. But here John is saying we know that we are of God and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. We see it as we walk with the Lord, as God’s word opens our eyes and the truth sets us free and we see what really is going on around us. We can see that for ourselves. We can see people who are lulled to sleep. They are comfortable with their lifestyle, they are comfortable with their religion.

B.R.Maul: 27:37

And while I’m thinking about it, following God and being a follower of Jesus Christ is not a religion. We don’t have a religion. Christianity, beloved, is not a religion. All right, Lutheranism is a religion, Catholicism is a religion, and I could go on and on. Those are religions. Now, many of those religions. There are born-again believers who are following Jesus. But we don’t follow a religion. We follow a person and that’s why I use terminology like children of God, born-again believers, brothers and sisters in Christ, because it’s not a religion. Because it’s not a religion, and in this case, when it comes to the wicked one that is swaying the world, he is convincing them that they are happy doing their traditions, they’re just good to go, Leave them be. People will say Don’t tell me about, I’m not born again, because I was baptized as an infant. I sure am. Don’t tell me that serving God every Sunday isn’t getting me into heaven, because I’m doing the right thing. And on and on we could go. It’s all misleading, it’s all unfortunate, and my heart goes out to all who are in that position.

B.R.Maul: 28:58

Verse 20, and we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding that we may know him, who is true and we are in. There’s that relationship right there, being in him. We are in him, he is in us. We are a family, we dwell together, we are one. And John says we are a family, we dwell together, we are one. And John says this is the true God and eternal life. To be a son or daughter of God, a child of God, you don’t need to join a religion. You can’t join a religion to go to heaven. It’s not good people that go to heaven, it’s saved people go to heaven. It’s not good people that go to heaven, it’s saved people go to heaven. Don’t forget that. And he ends his book 1 John with this last sentence no-transcript. That’s a good way to end that.

B.R.Maul: 30:07

After talking about what it is to actually love God, to love your brothers and sisters and what love is about, in the book of 1 John he reminds us keep yourselves from idols. Now there are those of you who do live in countries where, yes, you are around religions that have multiple gods, and so they actually have physical idols, little gods posted all over the place. There are also many who don’t live around people who worship many gods and have false idols made up by wood, stone or silver or gold. But idols are in other forms, such as televisions, computers, smartphones, gambling, alcohol, going to that liquor store every weekend. Even food can be an idol. For those who live in countries where we have an abundance of food at our disposal, it is easy for people to worship food. They just need to have their meals. And I’m not saying need, as if they’re going to physically die. I’m saying need because that’s what entertains them, that’s what they look forward to. They can’t wait till dinner each night, they can’t wait for going out to eat and it’s a routine. Well, that becomes an idol.

B.R.Maul: 31:41

Anything, anything beloved, that gets in your way of worshiping God. If you are not reading his word, if you’re not praying to him, if you’re not meeting with brothers and sisters on a regular basis, if you’re not worshiping God those four areas that I teach on a regular basis, that I remind us all to do, if you’re not doing those things because you are too busy dining, getting together with parties or drinking, whatever it is, going out to the movies, anything that you do that takes the place of your Lord. God is an idol. You can break from that. You can be free from that If you’re born again, beloved, just pray to our Heavenly Father. He is always quick to forgive. His mercy is bountiful, so you only need to ask for forgiveness.

B.R.Maul: 32:33

Repent and repenting is turning away from the sin. So it’s not just saying sorry, please forgive me, and then go back to it, repenting. Is you really want to stop doing it? Pray to him about it and he will help you. If you’re not a child of God, well then, pray and ask him into your life now, before it’s too late, before your time here on this side of eternity expires. And then it is too late Because without asking Jesus into your life, without asking Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of your life, if you die you go to hell and I want that for nobody.

B.R.Maul: 33:20

So a simple prayer. There is no magic in the prayer. It comes from the heart, as simple as Lord. I know I’m a sinner. Please forgive me. I need your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, show me what I need to do. I am your child. Amen. There’s nothing special. But if you say it from the heart, that is what he knows. He does not weigh our words, he doesn’t even weigh our actions. The Lord weighs the heart. Well, this is it for today. Again, thank you for joining me and come back next week.

And until next time,

God bless.

Songs from Storyblock

“Heroes Inspire Hope” and “Mountainscape” by Humans Win

Podcast 78 Blog Post

Is believing Jesus is the Son of God the cornerstone of eternal life? This is the profound question explored in the latest episode of “Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World” with B.R.Maul. In this episode, B.R.Maul delves into the book of 1 John, specifically chapter 5, verses 6-13, to uncover the significance of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God. This truth, he argues, sets Christianity apart from other religions. The episode discusses the importance of the Holy Spirit’s testimony in affirming this truth and delves into the triune nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—providing comfort and clarity about our faith in Jesus as the sole path to eternal life.

Accepting Jesus goes beyond mere intellectual agreement; it requires heartfelt faith that brings eternal life. The episode addresses common misconceptions, emphasizing that neither lineage nor a general belief in God is sufficient for salvation. True faith must be rooted in Jesus Christ. This message is particularly significant for Jewish listeners, underscoring the New Testament’s assertion that faith in Jesus is necessary for eternal life. Through this discussion, B.R.Maul provides guidance on how to strengthen one’s walk with Christ amidst a challenging, often rejecting world.

The episode is divided into several key chapters. The first chapter, titled “Living God’s Way,” focuses on how Christians can live faithfully in a world that often rejects Jesus Christ and His followers. B.R.Maul emphasizes the significance of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, a truth that sets Christianity apart from other religions that may acknowledge Jesus only as a prophet or wise man. The importance of the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Jesus is underscored, assuring listeners of the truth and reliability of Scripture. The episode also explores the triune nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and how this unity bears witness both in heaven and on earth. Through this lesson, B.R.Maul aims to provide comfort and clarity about the certainty of our faith in Jesus Christ as the sole path to eternal life.

In the second chapter, “Believing in the Son of God,” the essential Christian belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the cornerstone of eternal life is discussed. B.R.Maul explores the significance of believing in Jesus, emphasizing that those who accept Him have eternal life, while those who do not are spiritually dead despite being physically alive. The conversation highlights that true faith is not merely intellectual but must be heartfelt, addressing the misconception that lineage or general belief in God is sufficient for salvation. The urgency of accepting Jesus is also discussed, extending this message to Jewish listeners and underscoring that faith in Jesus is necessary for eternal life.

In conclusion, the latest episode of “Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World” with B.R.Maul provides a profound exploration of the significance of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God. Through a study of 1 John 5:6-13, B.R.Maul emphasizes the importance of true, heartfelt faith in Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of eternal life. The episode addresses common misconceptions, highlights the Holy Spirit’s testimony, and delves into the triune nature of God. By providing comfort and clarity about our faith in Jesus, B.R.Maul aims to strengthen listeners’ walk with Christ amidst a challenging world.

Podcast 78 Transcript

This is a computer generated transcript of this podcast. This is NOT a typed transcript and it has not been edited. Expect grammatical and syntactical errors.

B.R.Maul: 0:29

Hello and good day. This is BR Maul and you are listening to Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World, and I’m so glad that you have joined me here. We are talking about how Christians are to function, are to live in a world that rejects our Savior and rejects us because we follow our Savior and we obey our Savior. So this is a good place to come to. We learn what God has to say, and so we follow what God tells us to do and not what the world tells us to do. We are getting close to finishing the book of 1 John. Today we are in chapter 5, and we’ll be going through verses 6 through 13. And John is going to be talking about the certainty of God’s witness, and in the reading today, you’ll notice that the Son is mentioned many times, the Son being, of course, Jesus Christ, the second member of the triune, god, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

B.R.Maul: 1:40

In today’s world, most people don’t have a problem talking about God. The Muslims, they talk about God, Hindus, they talk about many gods and, of course, many other religions that talk about God. But following Jesus is not a religion. It is the truth. Jesus is the only way to heaven. There is no other way to heaven. There is no other way to heaven. Jesus makes it very clear that no one gets through the Father except through him, the Father being the Fatherhead of the Triune God. But all religions out there just see Jesus. If they even recognize Jesus, they will see him or label him as a prophet or a good man or a wise person, whatever it might be, but they reject him as the Son of God. But today in the reading, you’ll notice that the label Son S-O-N is used eight times in just these few verses and the reference to Jesus ten times One as Jesus Christ, another as the Word and eight times as the Son. So that tells us the importance, because the Holy Spirit, the true author of the Bible, the Holy Spirit, wanted it to be very clear to us that it is the Son whom we have certainty in, who our faith is in and who is the Savior and none other. So with that we’ll get on with the reading. I will read straight through the scriptures and then, when I’m done, we’ll back up and we’ll unpack it verse by verse.

B.R.Maul: 3:27

1, john, chapter 5, verse 6. This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit. And these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth the Spirit, the water and the blood. And these three agree as one.

B.R.Maul: 4:08

Verse 9,. And this is the testimony that God has given us eternal life and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

B.R.Maul: 5:11

Here ends the reading. Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless this Bible lesson. Open the hearts of all who are listening, lord. Help them to feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit, feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit, feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit. May those who do not know Jesus as their Savior respond to the Holy Spirit. And for those who are brothers and sisters in the faith, may we all learn from this lesson, lord, and I pray through the power of the name of Jesus Christ, amen. All right, so I’ll go ahead and back up.

B.R.Maul: 5:49

Let’s take a look then, going right to verse 6.

B.R.Maul: 5:53

This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ.

B.R.Maul: 5:58

Rather interesting. So Jesus Christ came by water and blood. What does that mean? Well, let’s read a little more. Not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. Verse 7, for there are three that bear witness in heaven the Father, the Word and it’s really interesting that John is referring to Jesus as the Word here and the Holy Spirit. So there’s our triune God right there the Father, the Son, or, in this case, the Word, one of the same, and the Holy Spirit. And, as he says, these three are one, and they are. They are three separate, yet one God. Now, it’s interesting here because, if we read the next verse, and there are three that bear witness on earth the Spirit, that’s capital S, so that’s the Holy Spirit, the water and the blood, and these three agree as one. Now, the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is witness to Jesus Christ.

B.R.Maul: 7:11

We can look at John, the Gospel of John, chapter 15, and verse 26,. Jesus is speaking, but when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify of me. It is the Holy Spirit, then, that has testified of Jesus Christ. It is not the mere witness of men, those who have written the Holy Scriptures. These are inspired and testified by the Holy Spirit, so we can take the Scripture and know that it’s directly from God, that there is no error whatsoever in it, that it is flawless and that every word matters, because the Holy Spirit is the one who is testifying of Jesus Christ. That should bring great comfort to those who are reading God’s word and who question well, how true is this? How accurate is this information? Well, it is directly from God. It doesn’t get any more accurate than that.

B.R.Maul: 8:22

Now I don’t want to go down a rabbit hole that I could forever get lost in, but there is so much evidence that the world has collected, so not even born-again believers, not even just those of us who are following Jesus Christ. But over the centuries, much historical findings have proven the Bible right over and over again. There hasn’t been one document that has been presented that proves Scripture wrong. And why is that? Because it was written by God himself. The Holy Spirit testified. Heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit. And I find it really interesting because this witness is of Jesus Christ, and notice that Jesus Christ, referred to here as the Word, is still witness to himself. It’s remarkable, truly is remarkable.

B.R.Maul: 9:37

But talking about the witnesses on earth, the Spirit connects us to the Holy Father and to Jesus, and so the Spirit descended to earth, and that’s why the Spirit is named as both a witness in heaven and a witness on earth, because to this day the Spirit possesses the body of those of us who are born again, and so the Spirit bears witness. But the other two it says the water and the blood, these are the other two witnesses that John talks about. That is witness on earth. The water refers to the baptism of Jesus, when John the Baptist baptized Jesus, and God, the Father, speaks and is witness to who Jesus Christ is. So, if you’re following along, you could turn to Matthew, chapter 3, the book of Matthew, chapter 3, starting in verse 13.

B.R.Maul: 10:38

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, the Jordan River, to John at the Jordan, the Jordan River, to be baptized by him, and John tried to prevent him, saying I need to be baptized by you and you are coming to me. But Jesus answered and said to him Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed him. Verse 16. When he, Jesus, had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water and behold, the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven saying this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Okay, so that is the baptism of Jesus. And at that time, that is witness to who Jesus is, the Son of God. And then there’s the blood. Well, the blood is the blood of Jesus. That represents the gospel, the life, the death, the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

B.R.Maul: 11:57

And there were many who bore witness to that At one point, over 500 witnesses in just one account. Those are the three witnesses on earth. But ultimately and it’s great that we have all of that, but ultimately, even just having God himself say it would be enough let’s take a look at verse 9. John writes If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater, for this is the witness of God, which he has testified of his Son. So God has testified of his Son and we have the Father, son and Holy Spirit. So there’s three witnesses right there and we really wouldn’t need anything else Because, as John said, okay, we receive the witness of men.

B.R.Maul: 12:47

We’ll believe somebody who comes up to us and tells us some news. I’m generalizing. So if somebody comes to your house and knocks on the door, gets your attention and says I have information. There’s people coming down the sidewalk, they’re walking down your street and they’re looking for you and they seem really mean, you may want to hide. Well, that person or people are witnessing the fact that here’s what they saw and here’s what they heard. People who are looking for you and they look or sound or both very mean and because of the way they are behaving, this person or people are suggesting that you hide. There’s a good chance that you’ll take their witness for that. I know that’s not the greatest example. There are many examples of people who come to your home or call you on the phone, email you, text you, whatever it might be news, articles, events that are going on their own opinions and we listen to them constantly. Of course we need to filter them out and we want to look and find out what the truth is. Hopefully you’re doing that. But the point being is, as John points out, we are quick to receive the witness of men, so how much greater is the witness of God? We don’t need to question our God. He is righteousness, so he is truthful.

B.R.Maul: 14:18

Before going on to verse 10, I want to point out that in these verses 9 through 13, this is where we have eight times that Jesus is referenced to the Son of God, and this is very significant. We’ll talk about this just a little bit more. But in verse 9, for this is the witness of God, which he has testified of his son. So that’s one right there. Verse 10, he who believes in the son of God has the witness in himself.

B.R.Maul: 14:51

He who does not believe God has made him a liar because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of his son. There’s two more references to God’s son. So those of us who believe in the son of God has that witness in him. We have that testimony of who he is, without a doubt. We know. We know Jesus is real. We know the son of God is real. He is flesh and blood and he has holes in his hand from the spikes when they nailed him to the cross, and on his feet. But we don’t question that, we just know it because we believe it, and the Holy Spirit testifies that to us. So he who does not believe God has made him God a liar because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of his Son. This is why someone cannot be a Christian and claim that Jesus is anything other than the Son of God. Impossible.

B.R.Maul: 15:55

That is one of the requirements of being a Christian is knowing in the person’s heart believing in the heart, not the head that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, verse 11,. And this is the testimony that God has given us eternal life and this life is in his Son. It is through Jesus Christ that we receive the salvation, we receive eternal life. We avoid being thrown into hell, that being born again. There’s that second time being born. So that is spiritually. That is our life eternal. Spiritually, that is our life eternal. And it is brought to us, as one believes in the name of Jesus Christ, that he did indeed die on the cross, he was crucified, was bodily resurrected and, to this very day the sound of my voice. As you are listening to this message. Jesus Christ is at the right hand of God, the Father in the third heaven. It’s powerful, very powerful.

B.R.Maul: 18:08

And obviously another reference to his son, verse 12, he who has the son has life. That’s that eternal life, not our physical life. If you’re listening to this, yes, you have physical life, but you do not have eternal life, and this is the life that scripture is talking about here. So he who has the son has life. In other words, you’re born again. He who does not have the son of God that just two more references right there to the son and the son of God. He who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

B.R.Maul: 18:47

It can’t get any simpler than that. There’s no trick to it. Beloved, you are either born again or you’re not born again. There is no in-between, there’s no being a Christian, but you are not born again. There’s nothing like that. There’s not a neutral place, there’s not a third position that a person can take that you’re not against Christ but you’re not for Christ. You’re just playing neutral and there’s no such thing. You’re either born again or you’re not. You either have the Son of God and have life, or you do not have the Son of God and you do not have life. You have physical life, but for those who have physical life but do not have eternal life, literally are the walking dead. And I say literally because, yes, there’s a bunch of fictitious movies out there, people who die and then their bodies are resurrected, and you know we call that the walking dead. But that is fiction. I’m talking about the real walking dead, those who their heart is pumping blood that the Lord has given them, their lungs are breathing in air and exhaling, they are eating, they are talking, they are thinking, they are walking, they are sleeping, working, playing, but they do not have eternal life because they do not have Jesus Christ. And if they die as they are, they don’t have eternal life, so they are considered dead.

B.R.Maul: 20:23

I do hope that if this is you and you are listening to this message and you have not been born again, that you take this very moment, don’t hesitate, don’t take another second. You don’t need to learn everything in God’s Word. You don’t need to learn anything at all in God’s Word. You just have to believe that you do need a Savior. And this goes, then, as well for Jewish people, those Jews. If you are Jewish, or if you know somebody who is a Jew, get them this message, because for all of the Jews out there, you need to know that you are not heaven-bound because you are the seed of Abraham.

B.R.Maul: 21:06

Jesus has made it very clear please read the New Testament. I understand that in Judaism that you are not allowed to read the New Testament, you’re not even allowed to read much of the Old Testament, but it is all there. If you read the entire Bible, you will see firsthand that it is not the bloodline that determines somebody’s place in eternity. Their salvation it is who they have faith in, and on this side of the cross it is only having faith in the Son of God. That’s why, in this passage, it is so important that the sun is mentioned eight different times.

B.R.Maul: 21:49

Believing in God isn’t enough. If believing in God was enough, well then there are other religions that would be okay. But that’s not the case, and I am weary of saying that because I don’t mean that it’s the same God. I guess I better have a little disclaimer here that just worshiping God doesn’t mean you are worshiping the true God, Yahweh, the God of the Bible. The Bible is God’s word. It’s not man’s word. All other writings are of man.

B.R.Maul: 22:24

So all these other false prophets out there that have started all these other religions? They’re false because that is their own information. They’re adding to God’s word. The scriptures is God’s word. God himself makes it very clear these are words that I have written. Do not take from them, do not add to them, because the penalty is great.

B.R.Maul: 22:49

So I encourage my Jewish friends, anybody who hears this message and if you are not a Jew or you’re a Jew, let me say this that it is Jesus, and Jesus only that you need to believe in. Decided to do. He decided to send his only begotten son that whosoever shall believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Because we are all sinful, it says. We all fall short. None of us are able to work our way into heaven. God’s commands, the law of God in the Old Testament, was never designed to save you. It was only designed to show how broken you are. We can see that and know on our own accord. We can’t live up to it. We cannot meet that. It is impossible, because Jesus even made it clear and that’s why, for all my Jewish friends, you need to read all the Bible. Jesus, he is a Jew. It is your Jewish rabbi that I believe in.

B.R.Maul: 24:03

That Christians, born-again believers, believe in Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and history proves that he was here. Secular history, the Romans, and even the Jews, the Pharisees and Sadducees of that time the information that they themselves left us to read and to discover for ourselves. So he’s not made up. You can’t ignore the name of Jesus Christ. So he’s not made up. You can’t ignore the name of Jesus Christ. He is either who he says he is the Son of God, or he’s a maniac, or he’s a blasphemous liar. And there’s a lot of false doctrine out there that point to one or the other of those latter.

B.R.Maul: 24:47

But, as John points out in Scripture, here there’s witness of the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in heaven, and the Spirit, the water and the blood right here on earth. There’s physical evidence that Jesus walked to earth, that his flesh and blood was here and that he was killed on the cross and that days later he rose from the dead. There are witnesses upon witnesses that he was dead and three days later was seen, and it’s not like he stuck around for a day or two. If I remember correctly, I believe it was either 30 or 40 days that he was here upon his resurrection. It was after he left. The Holy Spirit then came and testified to Jesus.

B.R.Maul: 25:35

So, my Jewish friends, it is so important that it’s the Son of God. It is believing in the Son of God himself that will give you everlasting life. Your Jewish rabbi, Jesus Christ. He’s magnificent and that Jewish rabbi has changed my life tremendously and he has changed many lives around me that I see. He has changed the lives of millions and millions of people and I encourage you that, if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and if you know in your heart beloved, if you know that you’re broken, you know that you have been trying so hard to make life work.

B.R.Maul: 26:20

You have been trying to do everything that the world has told you to do. You have tried success. You have tried relationships, you have tried doing everything else to make you happy. Maybe you have poured your happiness into a marriage. Well, that can be very unhealthy, because anything else outside of Jesus that we put our faith in, that we put our trust in, will always fail us. No matter how wonderful our spouse is, no matter how great our family is, no matter how big our wealth is. It doesn’t matter, no matter how healthy you are, without Jesus you have nothing. Because your time here is running short. Our lives here are but a vapor. You have little time and if you are listening to this right now, you are given yet another opportunity.

B.R.Maul: 27:13

So take it and pray this with me. There’s no magic in the prayer, so don’t worry about the words. It is what’s in your heart, because God weighs the heart. He does not weigh our words, he does not weigh our actions. He weighs our heart. So pray this. Beloved Heavenly Father, I know that I am broken. I know that I am sinful and I know that I am hell-bound because I need a Savior. And I know in my heart that you gave your son for me. He hung on that cross after living a sinless life, and you sacrificed him so his blood would pay for my sin debt. He paid the price for me that I could never pay, and I believe in him that Jesus is now my Savior. And, lord God, my life is yours. Please help me to understand your word, because I will start reading it today. Grant me wisdom and understanding and tell me, lord, what you will have me to do to help others know who Jesus is, and I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen, amen. If you prayed that and in your heart you believe it, welcome to God’s family. Welcome, beloved. You are now a brother or sister in the faith.

B.R.Maul: 29:02

The last part of this is verse 13. John says these things I have written to you who believe in his name of the Son of God, who believe in his name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. He ends that with the Son of God yet again. John wrote this because back in that day, much like modern times, even today, there were those, and today there are those who question if people are indeed children of God. But we can read these scriptures, beloved, we can know John says that we have eternal life. It’s not a question For anybody who has prayed with me just moments ago. For all of us who have at one point in our past prayed, repented of our sins, knowing that we are sinners, and turning to the Holy Father, god, accepting his Son, recognizing that blood that has washed our sins away, are born again, and so it is through his blood that we are guaranteed heaven. It’s got nothing to do with our actions and I am so thankful for that, because if it was to do with anything that I needed to do, I would fail over and over again, and so would you. Well, I am out of time for today. With all that is going on over in the promised land, around the world and for those of you I know there’s a lot of my listeners in Syria, in India and other places You’re a lot closer to that action. The Holy Spirit is stirring up nations over there. People are coming to know Jesus Christ by the groves and I pray you are one of them.

B.R.Maul: 30:58

Open that Bible. You keep in touch, beloved, with God every day, because the world wants to take you from him. You can never be taken your salvation, no, but they can take you away. So you are not focused on the Lord, whether it’s through success or whether it’s through famine, but either way, the world will do everything it can to take your sight off of God. Open his word, Read God’s word every single day, as much as you possibly can. Pray to him, speak to him every day, morning, noon and night. Come together with brothers and sisters. Read God’s word together, grow and learn God’s word together, pray for one another so you may be healed as you continue this Christian journey together, so you’re not alone, and worship him. Love God, sing to him, pray to him and just enjoy the creation that he has given you until you are either called home or that he raptures his church, and that time beloved is getting closer and closer.

And until next time,

God bless.

Songs from Storyblock

“Heroes Inspire Hope” and “Mountainscape” by Humans Win

“Dark” by Tom Goldstein

Podcast 77 Blog Post

Welcome to the latest episode of Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World. In this episode, host B.R.Maul explores the profound topic of agape love and its transformative power. Drawing from the book of 1 John, Maul unpacks the differences between worldly love and divine love, highlighting the importance of faith and obedience in overcoming life’s challenges and navigating spiritual warfare with confidence and peace.

The episode begins by emphasizing the significance of love as the pillar of Christianity, supported by the foundation of Christ’s blood. Maul explains that agape love is not based on emotions or self-interest, but rather a conscious choice empowered by the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that love is not just a feeling, but a decision to love others as God loves us. Maul also delves into the concept of discipleship, stressing the importance of active learning and following Jesus in a world that is increasingly ungodly.

Maul then explores the relationship between love, faith, and obedience. He clarifies that keeping God’s commandments is not about earning salvation through works, but about naturally embodying the principles of the Ten Commandments through love and the Holy Spirit. By following God’s rules, we are able to lift the burdens of worldly desires and guilt, leading to a more peaceful life. Maul highlights the empowering truth that through faith, we have already achieved victory over the world. He encourages listeners to have faith in Jesus, who has already overcome the world, and to live victoriously despite life’s challenges.

Throughout the episode, Maul emphasizes the importance of discipleship and the ongoing transformation that occurs when we align our lives with God’s Word. He encourages listeners to continue reading the Bible and seeking a deeper understanding of God’s love and commandments. Maul also discusses the importance of communication and support within the podcast community, offering ways for listeners to reach out and engage with him.

In conclusion, this episode of Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World offers a powerful exploration of agape love, faith, and obedience. Maul’s teachings provide practical insights and guidance for navigating the challenges of life while remaining faithful to God’s commandments. By embracing the transformative power of agape love and living out God’s Word, listeners can experience joy, peace, and victory over the world. Tune in to this enlightening episode to strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of love in a Christian context.

Podcast 77 Transcript

This is a computer generated transcript of this podcast. This is NOT a typed transcript and it has not been edited. Expect grammatical and syntactical errors.

B.R.Maul: 0:28

Hello and good day. I am BR Maul and this is Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World. Thank you so much for joining me. We are currently in the book of 1 John. We are starting chapter 5. Today We’ll be covering verses 1 through 5.

B.R.Maul: 0:48

John has been talking a lot about love and I know for a lot of guys, well, sometimes that can seem like a boring topic, but that is because we’re usually thinking of the world’s kind of love. We’re usually thinking of the world’s kind of love, the kind of love that, as long as you give to me, I’ll give to you, and a love that’s all about feelings, which, of course, us guys when it comes to feelings, well, that can be more of a challenge. But the good news about the love of God, the agape love, is that it’s not about feelings. In fact, contrary to that, it is about choices. We choose to love people with agape love and that should bring a refreshing thought to all men, because we don’t rely on our emotions, to all men, because we don’t rely on our emotions With the love of the world, we rely on emotions, but not the love of God. So this type of love it’s a whole different topic and of course this isn’t just for men, but as a man, that is something that I can relate to and I understand. So I brought it up.

B.R.Maul: 2:05

But the reason John talks extensively about love in the book of John is because love is the pillar of Christianity. We can view the blood of Christ as the foundation. So without the foundation, there’s well, there’s nothing. You can’t put a building, you can’t put a strong structure on just regular ground. You need a strong foundation to keep it in place, and that’s the blood of Christ, because we’re not even able to love without the blood of Christ, because we must be born again, which means having the Spirit dwelling in us, and the only reason we can do that is from the grace of God. And as we believe on Christ and the blood that he shed for us, well then we are given that ability to love, that ability to make that choice, to love others and to love God, for that matter. So the blood of Christ is the foundation of Christianity, but love is the pillar, it’s what holds everything else up. Once we have the foundation, well, you need that strong pillar, and that’s what love is.

B.R.Maul: 3:19

We know that because we are told as born-again believers that we must love the Lord, our God, with all of our heart, with all of our soul and with all of our might or strength, and then we must also love our neighbor as ourself. So there you have it. Love, that is the pillar. So, brothers and sisters in the faith, without love we have nothing, because we even have to question whether or not we are born again Without the blood of Christ. Well, we already know we’re incapable of loving, at least God’s way of loving. Yes, we can love people on the surface level. We can love people passionately, romantically, and we can even dedicate some of our self to that. But that’s all built from emotions and that kind of love is always self-centered. The worldly love we will offer that as long as we get something in return for it. But with agape love, it’s a choice and we receive that ability as soon as we receive the Holy Spirit. So that’s why John talks so extensively on love, and in this podcast, that’s what I focus on. I focus on what we need to do as Christians in this world, in this world that doesn’t have the love of God. In fact, this world hates God, and it’s becoming more and more evident with every passing week, month and year as we get closer to the day, the second coming. As usual, I’ll go ahead and read the scripture, then I’ll back up and I’ll break it down.

B.R.Maul: 5:10

1 John 5, verse 1. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves him, who begot, also loves him, who is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world? But he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

B.R.Maul: 5:58

So we focus, brothers and sisters, on what it is to be disciples, not just believers, but disciples of Jesus Christ. Isn’t that what Jesus told us to do before he ascended? The last thing he said before he left earth is to go out to all nations and make disciples. And a disciple is somebody who learns, and that’s intentionally. A disciple is somebody who is eager to learn, who goes out of his or her way to learn and to grow in whatever it is they’re being taught. So, in this case, disciples of Jesus. So we are disciples of God’s Word, we are learning God’s Word because that is how he continues to speak directly to us today.

B.R.Maul: 6:51

And so in this podcast, I am starting to turn direction just a little bit to focus more on that discipleship. I understand I’ve been teaching to that point, but I want to reiterate the importance of discipleship. I understand I’ve been teaching to that point, but I want to reiterate the importance of discipleship Because, as we are disciples, we must also grow in our walk and then disciple others. That’s how Jesus chose to do this. He wants us to spread the gospel. He could have done it many other ways, but this is what he chose to do. He wants us to spread the gospel. He could have done it many other ways, but this is what he chose to do. So we have a responsibility, do we not? As his disciples, is to obey him, and that can be challenging. The reason it can be challenging is because, yes, even born-again believers, we are tempted with the world around us.

B.R.Maul: 7:42

There is so much going on, so much to be entertained with. Especially with technology, we can move around the world faster, we can get place to place more comfortably, quicker and because of that there’s more to see, more people to meet, more different foods to eat, different sites, to see different things, to do all kinds of it. We have no problem whatsoever filling up our time that the Lord has given us. We can fill it with all kinds of things to do, and those things in and of themselves well, many of them, there are plenty that are wicked and evil. But trying different foods and traveling and doing this and that and entertainment and having fun in and of itself is not bad. But the problem is it easily overcomes the time with our Lord and when that happens, beloved, then it becomes an idol. Now, that entertainment, what we used to just enjoy some time. But now we have to do it and we are willing to give up the time of reading God’s Word, we’re willing to give up time meeting with brothers and sisters, and well, we certainly don’t want to pray to God too much, because then that makes us remember Him. So it’s easy to give that up. We can write that off, as, oh, the Lord understands, but as his disciples we have that obligation.

B.R.Maul: 9:12

We need to keep learning, all right, so let’s back up and break down these verses. So, in verse 1, whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves him, who begot, also loves him, who is begotten of him. Last week, looking into 1 John, chapter 4, at the end of that chapter, john was telling us that proof is in the pudding. We must love one another, we must love other children of God, or we don’t love him. And now we’re learning that whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.

B.R.Maul: 9:55

Born of God, born of God, is born of the Spirit. Born of the Spirit is being born again. Right, that happens one time. We’re not born again over and over and over. That happens once when a person believes on the blood of Jesus Christ and in their heart, knows that he was resurrected from the dead by the Holy Father in heaven. Well then, we know that you are born again, you are born of God, and everyone who loves him, that’s loves Jesus, who begot also loves him, who is begotten of him, and that would be our brothers and sisters. To be begot is to be born of, and so we love those who are born again as well. So all of our brothers and sisters in the faith.

B.R.Maul: 10:48

All of this goes hand in hand, right, there’s no gaps in there. We don’t just love God and we don’t just love God when it’s convenient or when we feel like it. If we’re born again and as we read his word, he gives us the understanding, the wisdom and the knowledge to know and to change the very fact that love is a choice and we learn to love God every day, all the time. And as you continue to walk and grow and your faith becomes stronger, well, we learn also that applies to our brothers and sisters in the faith that we must choose to love them Doesn’t mean you have to like them I joke about it sometimes, but that is so true.

B.R.Maul: 11:36

We don’t all get along Doesn’t mean we fight. We certainly are not supposed to be doing that. But we’re not going to enjoy everything that the next person enjoys just because we’re family. It doesn’t happen with our families of blood, right, so why would it happen in our spiritual family? But the difference is agape love. We still love them, and I know love is not always easy, especially when somebody that we do love is being very difficult to deal with.

B.R.Maul: 12:08

And that can be even harder to understand when we’re talking about our spiritual family being in the body of Christ and that body of Christ we can look at in different views. There is the ultimate body of Christ. That’s every single believer around the world who is alive is in the body of Christ, because God uses the body of Christ to do his work. That’s how he has chosen. To get the gospel message out, the body of Christ. To get the gospel message out the body of Christ, individual believers. But then we have our church homes.

B.R.Maul: 12:48

When we come together and we worship, hopefully you are participating in a church every Sunday and that you’re worshiping God together, you’re singing and you’re being joyous together, because even when we worship God, that’s a choice, that’s agape love. You might not be in the mood to worship God, but you know it’s the right thing to do. So you get to church and you worship and for anybody who’s done that long enough, we learn that. Wow, you know what I feel way better when I do that. God doesn’t need it, we need it. But even though love can be challenging at times, with Jesus it’s so much easier and we’re actually able to do it. So look to Jesus when you are with brothers and sisters and you need that help around somebody who the two of you just may be opposite in so many ways that sometimes you just rub each other the wrong way. You don’t have to like each other, but you do need to love one another. That goes both ways.

B.R.Maul: 13:53

So verse two by this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments. That can sound like our own works, like we’re working to get in right Into heaven Because we keep his commandments, it says. But John isn’t talking about that. He’s not talking about doing good works to get into heaven, but we keep his commandments. Now, those commandments, I certainly believe, entails the Ten Commandments.

B.R.Maul: 14:25

But, like I said earlier, Jesus made it simple and said you know what, if you love God and if you love one another, you’re fulfilling the law, because you’re not going to murder somebody, you’re not going to envy them, you’re going to be happy for them by loving. We are keeping his commandments and other such precepts, such as having joy and peace and kindness and goodness and patience. Those are results of having the Holy Spirit in us. They don’t come automatically, but we keep those as well and that’s how we love God. Simple, isn’t it? He doesn’t make it difficult to love him and it says this is how we know that we love the children of God, in other words our brothers and sisters in the faith, because we want to follow God’s way, we want to walk the path of righteousness, we are following Jesus, and verse 3 expands a little bit more.

B.R.Maul: 15:42

So I don’t think John is saying that they’re burdensome in the sense that they’re hard to do. I mean, they can be a challenge at times, but they’re not a burden. But more importantly it’s by following his commandments it takes the burden of this world, this life, off of us. And think about that. When we’re not living a life where we covet other people’s property or other people’s relationships, we don’t carry that guilt with us. When we don’t lie and cheat, we don’t feel bad about ourselves, and when we don’t murder and hurt people, we’re not living fearful of others, we’re not looking over our shoulder wondering if somebody’s coming back to take revenge upon us. So by keeping his commandments, life is not burdensome. And, with the help of the Holy Spirit, not only is doing them not burdensome but desirable. We want to do that Because the more that you live a wholesome life, a good life, the more a person looks back and realizes I can’t believe, I used to act this way, or I used to talk that way and I used to do this, or I used to do that, because even your anxieties melt away.

B.R.Maul: 17:03

I use the example at times about parenting and when you have little children. For those who have had little children, you know a little child can get pretty upset when he or she doesn’t get what they want. But see, mom and dad know what’s best for them, and so they may want to eat a whole bunch of candy, but mom and dad have their rules. Nope, you can only have three pieces. And that little child might be like, well, I want more. But they don’t understand that by eating more they’re going to get a stomachache, that it’s not going to help them and that in the long run, if a person keeps eating a whole bunch of candy every day, then of course our health starts to decline and all that fun stuff which you can never explain to a young child, because not only do they not understand, but they don’t care. But that’s where following rules, and in this case God’s commandments, come in and they make life easier for us All.

B.R.Maul: 19:12

Right, verse 4, For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith. Come the world, our faith. Now it’s interesting because John says for whatever is born of God overcomes the world, not whoever. Now I looked that word up and in the Greek it actually encompasses everything. So what? And whoever is born of God overcomes the world? In this case, well, what is it that overcomes the world? Well, we’re told, and this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith. So faith is what overcomes the world. Also, note that John says and this is the victory that has overcome the world, it’s done, not will, that has overcome the world. It’s done, not will, but has overcome the world.

B.R.Maul: 20:10

Now there’s another place that we heard this, something similar, and that is in John, in chapter 16, verse 33,. Jesus is speaking. He says these things I have spoken to you that in me you may have peace, and we certainly will. In the world you will have tribulation. That’s a promise With Christ. We have peace In the world, we have tribulation. But then Jesus says be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, isn’t that great? He doesn’t say I will be overcoming the world, but I have, I have overcome the world. And so we can look at this. Now, back at 1 John 5, verse 4, and we’re told that the victory this is the victory that has overcome the world. Our faith, so, since Jesus has already overcome the world, our faith in him continues on. It carries that through. Think about that.

B.R.Maul: 21:22

We live a life and we often feel like we are the victims, that have been defeated and that the world is winning. I’m guilty of that. I feel that so often in life, but in moments like this, when I’m teaching the Word of God or reading the Word of God, discussing the Word of God with brothers or sisters, or meditating on the Word of God, well, that pulls me out of that feeling of being defeated, because I’m not defeated. It’s a war that we’re fighting Spiritual warfare, definitely, but it’s a war that we have already won, and Christ said it I have overcome the world. It’s done.

B.R.Maul: 22:10

We just need to go through the motions. We need just to do what we were told to do and have faith in Jesus while doing it. Now, of course, we all have jobs, careers, businesses, whatever it might be, families that we’re taking care of. All of that is part of making ends meet, being with one another, living, putting food on the table, and God continues to give us the means to do that, but a reminder that we are not here to focus on just the means. We are here to focus on why we are here, and that is to make sure that everyone else that we can reach out to hears the gospel message, that they too get to make an educated decision.

B.R.Maul: 22:57

Am I going to follow Jesus? Who is this Jesus? We are to go out to all nations, all people, in other words, but all nations, all people, and that is our job. While we are here, we are to do God’s work. Have you thought about that? Have you thought about what God is telling you to do, beloved? Because once you are born again, listen very carefully, learn to listen to what the Lord is telling you. If there’s somebody he wants you to talk to, or maybe there’s an organization he wants you to give money to, to support, or maybe it’s to volunteer for that organization or get a job at that organization and help them, for whatever reason that God has in store, it’s tough to listen to. It really is. It’s hard to hear someone say you know, you’re not here just to make money, you’re not here to get as much as you can in this world. The reason that’s difficult is because most of us are brought up that way, because the world is so loud, and the more you learn of God’s way, not only is it loud, it’s obnoxious, very annoying because it screams out everything false, but that’s because Satan is still the king, the ruler, the small g God of this world, and so the world’s message will continue to be the opposite of what God is telling us to do.

B.R.Maul: 24:29

Verse 5,. Who is he who overcomes the world? But he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. There’s that belief again, and of course, that belief is in Jesus. That’s how we overcome the world. And overcoming the world doesn’t mean that we’re always going to be financially successful. No, that’s not overcoming the world. Overcoming the world is not falling for the temptations of spending the majority of our time making money, making a living, as some say.

B.R.Maul: 25:04

Overcoming the world is loving your neighbor, even when that neighbor is somebody that you don’t like at all, but taking the time to show them love and, if they are a brother or a sister in the Lord, to love them for no other reason than they are your brother or sister. Overcoming the world is giving our time to others. It’s so easy to want to keep all that time to ourself. It’s very tempting. Overcoming the world is using our skills to better the world around us. And how do we better the world? Well, we make it. Look to Jesus, using our skills to help those in need, to glorify God. Not to make ourself look good, but to make our Lord and Savior glorified. So people look to him and they see the goodness that you are doing, because you are keeping God’s commandments and you are loving your brothers and sisters in the faith and you are reaching out to those who God tells you to reach out to.

B.R.Maul: 26:07

Ultimately, it comes down to discipleship. Once you are born again, you just open up that Bible and you keep on reading beloved, do not stop. You will be changed, god’s Word, the Bible will transform you. If you believe in Jesus Christ and you’re reading God’s Word. The Bible will transform you. If you believe in Jesus Christ and you’re reading God’s Word, it’s impossible not to be transformed because it’s the power of God, the Holy Spirit, dwelling in you. God sanctifies you. I mean not only are you justified, which means your sins, your debt, is paid for, but he is sanctifying you. That is an ongoing process and you will continue to change. You will look back. Sometimes those changes are more evident and within a week, wow, you can feel a big change. Other times you can look back and see that, well, things that months ago you used to do you don’t do anymore Because that stuff was of the world, and now you’re living for the spirit. You’re living for God, not for the flesh.

B.R.Maul: 27:13

And when it comes to resources, I’m here for you. You can go to my website, brmaul.com. You can click on contact. Put your email there and your question or comment. Get a hold of me. I’m here for you.

B.R.Maul: 27:30

Or if you are listening off of a podcast directory, on many of the podcasts, the directories that I am in, there is a tab or a little button. It says message me. Click on that and that will text me a message, not using your phone number, it uses an anonymous number and that is a one-way communication. All right, it’s like sending me a letter. I can read it, but I can’t do anything. I can respond if you leave me an email, but other than that, otherwise I can’t respond. But I’m here for you and I want to help you. And if you can support this ministry, I ask you to do that as well, even $5 or $10 a month is a huge, huge help for me to pay the bills, to make sure that this message continues to stay out there and to get out there. Please share this with all your friends and family.

And until next time,

God bless.

Songs from Storyblock

“Heroes Inspire Hope” and “Mountainscape” by Humans Win

Podcast 76 Blog Post

Understanding the intricate relationship between love, judgment, and the Christian life can be transformative. In my latest podcast episode titled “From Judgment to Love: A Christian’s Journey,” I delve into the teachings of 1 John 4:17-21. This scripture is rich with insights that equip believers to stand boldly on the day of judgment and reflect God’s love through their deeds.

In the first chapter, “Living God’s Way,” we explore how love is perfected in us, granting us the boldness to face judgment. I differentiate between the judgment seat of Christ for believers and the white throne of judgment for non-believers. Our deeds, whether done for self-glory or God’s glory, will be tested by fire. Those actions that withstand this test are treasures stored in heaven, highlighting the necessity of prioritizing heavenly treasures over earthly comforts.

Understanding judgment through divine love means recognizing that love is not just a command but a divine reflection of our relationship with God. In this episode, we emphasize that genuine love for God manifests in our actions towards others. This reflection is crucial as it underscores our faith and commitment to God’s teachings.

In the second chapter, “The Command to Love Others,” I dissect the essence of genuine love as depicted in the Bible. Often, personal biases can distort our image of God, leading to justifications for hatred or indifference. John’s message is clear: true love for God is inseparable from our love for others. If we claim to love God but harbor hate, we are deceiving ourselves. This chapter challenges misconceptions and encourages listeners to exhibit love through acts of service, sacrifice, and genuine investment in the lives of fellow believers.

Loving others, as discussed in the podcast, is more than a command; it is a call to action. By putting the needs of others first and sharing our lives within our faith community, we can truly live out God’s command to love our neighbors and fortify our faith. This episode provides practical ways to exhibit this love, emphasizing that acts of service and sacrifice are integral to fulfilling God’s command.

Reflecting on the judgment seat of Christ, we learn that our deeds will be tested by fire. Only those done for God’s glory will endure. This understanding calls us to examine our actions and ensure they align with God’s will. By prioritizing heavenly treasures over earthly comforts, we prepare ourselves for the day of judgment, standing boldly with the assurance that our love for God is reflected in our deeds.

The episode also highlights the importance of confronting personal biases that may distort our image of God. Misconceptions can lead to justifications for hatred or indifference, which contradict biblical teachings. John’s message is a powerful reminder that true love for God is inseparable from our love for others. If we harbor hate, we deceive ourselves and fail to live out God’s command.

In practical terms, living out God’s command to love others involves acts of service, sacrifice, and genuine investment in the lives of fellow believers. This can mean giving our time, financial support, or simply being present in the lives of others. By prioritizing the needs of others and sharing our lives within our faith community, we strengthen our faith and fulfill God’s command to love our neighbors.

In conclusion, this episode of the podcast provides a comprehensive understanding of love, judgment, and the Christian life as taught in 1 John 4:17-21. It challenges listeners to examine their actions and ensure they align with God’s will, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing heavenly treasures over earthly comforts. By reflecting God’s love through our deeds, we prepare ourselves for the day of judgment and live out God’s command to love others. Join me in this heartfelt discussion designed to inspire and challenge your walk with Christ.

Podcast 76 Transcript

This is a computer generated transcript of this podcast. This is NOT a typed transcript and it has not been edited. Expect grammatical and syntactical errors.

B.R.Maul: 0:29

Hello and good day. I am BR Maul and this is Living God’s Way in an Ungodly World. It’s good to have you here with me. Thank you so much for joining. I do hope that all is going well for you and your loved ones for joining. I do hope that all is going well for you and your loved ones. We are here to learn more of God’s Word and to discuss the importance of living God’s way and not just reading about God in the Bible.

B.R.Maul: 0:57

We are still in 1 John and today we will end chapter 4. We’ll be going through verses 17 through 21. As usual, I’ll go ahead and read the scripture first and then we’ll stop and go back and we’ll break it down. Verse 17. Love has been perfected among us in this. That we may have boldness in the day of judgment Because, as he is, so are we in this. That we may have boldness in the day of judgment because, as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love has not been made perfect in love. We love him because he first loved us. If someone says I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from him seen, and this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God must love his brother also. Heavenly Father, I pray you open the hearts of those who are listening, lord. Help them to confront any pride, any insecurities, anything else, lord, that may be holding them back to being able to just accept your words and respond to the Holy Spirit. And protect my lips, lord, that nothing I utter is for my own gain, but only for the sake of teaching your word. I come to you and pray to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen, all right, beloved. So we will back up to verse 17, as has been the case for the last couple of months as we have been going through the book of 1 John. If you are only tuning in now, you can back up and eventually you will find that I have covered 1 John from the very beginning, verse by verse. And if you go back even further, I’ve done that with the book of James. So far as well.

B.R.Maul: 3:08

As usual, you are welcome to contact me. There are several ways of doing that. If you are listening at a podcast in a directory like Spotify or Apple or other directories for podcasts, I have a message me tab. Go ahead and click on that. It’s a one-way, not a two-way conversation, so you can let me know how I’m doing. Or you can ask me questions. I am unable to respond to those. So if you do want a response, just make sure you leave me your email. Otherwise, you can go to my website that’s brmaul.com and just click on contact and fill that out. Pretty short, just basically your email and your questions. Send that in to me and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

B.R.Maul: 4:02

So let’s go ahead and dive right into this. So John tells us in verse 17, love has been perfected among us in this that we may have boldness in the day of judgment. So there’s that day of judgment. We know that there is that day coming. We’re told that in many places in the Bible. Now, for born-again believers, the judgment seat of Christ. That is where we will stand before our Savior, who has paid our sin debt and has making it so, so we do not have to go through the wrath of God because he has paid that. However, before our beloved Savior, we will indeed stand as all of our deeds over our lifetime passes through the fire, and that which is burned up like straw and hay, those are all works that we have done for our self, whether it is flat-out selfish works that we have done, or not even necessarily selfish, but it wasn’t for the kingdom. But then those that remain, those that can withstand the fire like gold and silver, those are acts that we have done for our treasures in heaven witnessing to people about Jesus, helping people out, being kind, giving our money, giving our talent, giving our time to help people in whatever way we can, to glorify him, not to glorify ourselves. That kind of stuff will pass through the fire, and what remains, apparently that’s going to be our treasure in heaven.

B.R.Maul: 5:42

And what treasure in heaven looks like beloved? I really don’t know. That’s all I can say, though, is that it’s going to be amazing. I don’t doubt that at all. But what about the other day of judgment? You might be thinking what? There’s two? Yes, because the judgment seat of Christ that is reserved only for his people, his children. But at the end of time itself, when all is said and done. Well, then there’s the white throne of judgment, those who have not accepted Jesus Christ. They must pay for their own sins themselves, and that’s when they will be cast into the eternal lake of fire, into hell.

B.R.Maul: 6:25

Now John is saying that we may have boldness in the day of judgment. Well, why is that? Well, the second part of verse 17, he says because, as he is Christ, how Christ is, so are we in this world. We’re not here to make the best of everything. This isn’t our home. We are sojourners, we are passing through and hopefully you are building your treasures in heaven, beloved.

B.R.Maul: 6:51

And what does that mean? What does that look like? Well, it means that we are going to give up things on this side of the grave things of this world that may give us some comfort, such as our reputations, because Jesus made it clear there will be plenty of people who hate you because they already hated him. They don’t like the gospel message and they hate Jesus, and so they hate those who follow him. And, of course, we’ll give up money to help other people. We’re not going to keep it all for ourself.

B.R.Maul: 7:21

I’m not advocating that you give everything away. We’re not going to keep it all for ourself. I’m not advocating that you give everything away. There’s nothing honorable about that if it’s for the wrong reasons. But we’re told we do not store our goods up in barns and then build bigger barns and keep storing more and more Because we can’t take it with us, so we don’t have to worry about the day of judgment. There is absolutely nothing for a born-again believer to worry about. Not at all, Because we have Jesus Christ as our advocate. He’s already paid our sin debt. That Bill is done and over with, and so we can rest peacefully, knowing that here and now is the absolute worst it gets for those who are following Jesus, who are born again. Unfortunately, that’s not the same for those who are not following Jesus, who are stuck in other religions, who are stuck in their own traditions, and they are putting everything they have into that, but they’re not loving Jesus. And many, by the way, do know who Jesus is, but they’re not loving Jesus and many, by the way, do know who Jesus is. Many, many billions of people know of Jesus and of those billions, well, there’s, without a doubt, millions and millions of those who know a lot about Jesus, especially in countries like the United States that I’m in, where there’s so much access to the Bible. We have no excuse. We have churches on every other block in our towns and our cities. It’s no secret, in fact, the United States is founded on the Christian principles, on so much of God’s Word.

B.R.Maul: 10:08

In verse 18, john says there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. Some interpretations say punishment, but he who fears has not been made perfect in love. All right, let’s talk about fear for a few minutes. So, first of all, there is no fear in love. If there is fear in love, then it’s not agape love. It’s not the kind of love that John is talking about here. It’s not the kind of love that God has given us through his Holy Spirit.

B.R.Maul: 10:44

If there’s fear in love, well then this would be the cheap love, or at least cheaper, worldly love, love that has selfishness attached to it. Whether receiving it or giving it, there’s always some motivation behind the love that we give. That’s worldly, and that’s why there is fear that’s mixed up in this kind of love, the fear of losing that person that you love so much and you’ve told them that you love them more than anyone else, but for whatever reason, as time goes on, or it seems like he or she is losing interest, or there’s others in the picture that could take that person away, and there’s jealousy involved, all kinds of things can happen. And then there’s that fear of losing that loved one. Well, in the love of Christ, there is no fear, absolutely no fear in agape love, because John says perfect love casts out fear. You catch that Perfect love casts out fear Because fear involves torment.

B.R.Maul: 11:59

Agape love there’s no strings attached to that, and you can feel it right To my brothers and sisters in the faith, when you do something out of pure kindness, for the sake of the fact that you know Jesus loves you. So whether you give of your time, treasures or talent, there’s no strings attached. You’re not expecting anything in return, and that feels good. Loving others that way, well, it’s the same love that we have received from our Savior. How many times do we mess things up? And yet he forgives us. He loves us so much. And for the many out there in this world that they don’t have somebody who just truly loves them, my heart goes out to you. But know this that Jesus Christ, he loves you, he loves you unconditionally, and if you are waiting to become a better person before you go to Jesus, well then you’re taking the wrong direction, because he loves you so much. Jesus wants you to come to him just the way you are. How different that is right From the love of this world when I was younger and dating.

B.R.Maul: 13:12

What does a person do? Clean themselves up, make sure I look my best, make sure I act my best. I want to try to get things in my life nice and straight, nice and clear. That way I give a good impression. But Jesus, no, not for him. He says come as you are, bring your brokenness to me. There’s nothing to fear at all.

B.R.Maul: 13:36

And John even says but he who fears has not been made perfect in love. That doesn’t mean that, agape, love makes us perfect. We’re not going to be able to hit perfection Again. That will be in our glorified state, once we are made anew and we no longer are living in these sin-infested bodies and minds of ours. So we’re not perfect, but living out that life gives us the perfect life. He who fears has not been made perfect in love. When you have that love, when you are loving Jesus and you’re letting Jesus love you, you’re walking with him and you’re reading his word, you’re praying to him, that fear goes away. There’s nothing to fear. What is there to fear? Don’t have to fear about starving to death, because God makes it clear, I will take care of you. Jesus even said to his disciples fear not God. The Father will give us food. God, the Father, will make sure we have clothes on our back. Not just because you said, yeah, sure, I’ll follow Jesus. No, because you love him and you’re doing everything you can to follow in his ways and by doing that, that’s what makes you perfect. Not that you don’t mess up, but he takes care of us, and not just basic necessities.

B.R.Maul: 14:59

But we also don’t need to fear our enemies. We don’t have to fear death. If God is for us, who can be against us? And we don’t have to fear those who can destroy the body but cannot destroy the soul. And who can destroy the soul? Any people that you know of? No, no one can do that. Oh, what about the demons? No, they can’t. Oh, Satan, he must be able to right. Nope, only one, only our Heavenly Father. Think about that.

B.R.Maul: 15:34

For those who fear death because they fear the unknown, they fear because they have no idea what happens after they die, and I can’t think of how horrible it is to be in a position where the very thought of death is horrifying, fearing Every time a person gets sick or every time they’re afraid of the dark, every time something happens that they could lose their life and they don’t know what’s going to happen upon their death. That’s horrifying, but we don’t have to. Children of God, do not have to. There’s nothing for us to fear because, absent from the body, is present with the Lord. If an enemy gets a hold of me and kills me, all right, that’s all that person did is killed my body. I’m in heaven. I think of all those Hindus, Muslims, atheists, even the millions who are in cults that use the name Jesus. They even call themselves Christians, but they’re not. They go to church and they worship their tradition. My heart goes out to all of these people because they don’t know Christ.

B.R.Maul: 16:48

Verse 19,. We love him because he first loved us. We’re not able to love on our own. Not the agape love Once a person is born again. We get this precious gift through the Holy Spirit, being able to love others unconditionally and to love our Lord in return. It certainly doesn’t happen overnight. We’re so used to loving selfishly. There’s some growing pains in that, but the ability is there and it’s amazing. It is amazing to love others unconditionally. This agape love, that’s how we’re light and salt. But we weren’t able to love him. In fact, he loved us when we were still yet his enemy. Think about that, and that truly is amazing of how much he loves us. Verse 20.

B.R.Maul: 17:42

If someone says I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? I sometimes think that, well, perhaps it’s because it’s easy to love a God that we have made in our mind. So if someone is saying that I love God and he hates his brother, well, john makes it clear he’s a liar, so he truly does not love God, his brother. Well, john makes it clear he’s a liar, so he truly does not love God. But for those who are convinced they are loving God but yet they can still have hate towards other people, well, I suggest then, perhaps, just because you are loving your own God, you have your own picture of who God is. You have made this God in your mind who really does accept the fact that you harbor hate towards other people and somehow this God of yours is okay with that because you’re special and it’s okay that you hate because life has been so hard on you After all, look at all the things that has happened to you in your life and so your God is okay with that.

B.R.Maul: 18:50

You can go to church and you just have communion and you do what you need to do, and if you stick to your traditions at church, they certainly make you more comfortable. And certainly at holiday times, do all your traditions, keep things as familiar as you can, and you’ll be okay. Well then, you’re worshiping your own God. That’s not the God of the Bible, because our God says if you do not love your brethren, if you do not love other people, well then you don’t love me, because God is saying I am love.

B.R.Maul: 19:25

Now, what does love look like? Beloved? Before we get to the last verse here, what does that look like? It looks like taking time to serve your brothers and sisters in Christ, even when you don’t want to, when you would rather sit at home and do something else. But you’re aware of a need and you can serve that need. Maybe it’s as simple as just spending time with that person or people. Well, that’s loving them. That’s putting them above your own priorities, your own comfort.

B.R.Maul: 19:58

Loving those who are in need, those who are in financial need that’s common and putting aside things that we may want. So instead that money goes to helping others, whether it’s the need for food and shelter or the need to hear God’s word. When you support this ministry, you are being a part of that, because people are hearing this and from around the world, and that costs money. This and from around the world, and that costs money. So there’s all kinds of way to love other people, but it means sacrificing. That’s when you know you’re loving other people, when we are sacrificing, when giving money to the point of it even hurts a little because, oh man, I could really use that, but you know you’re doing the right thing. Maybe it’s the time that you give. That hurts Because, oh boy, that would just be nice to do your own thing, but you know that there’s a need out there, and so instead you’re going to love them, you are going to go and spend time with them, you are going to go help them, whatever it is that you’re doing.

B.R.Maul: 21:07

I would even say we’re loving one another when we meet weekly with our brothers and sisters in the faith. Have you thought of that? And I mean giving yourself, not just showing up? I hope you’re not among those who just show up to church or just show up to a small group, you know, just to appease people. I mean really. Then forget it, just don’t do it, because, remember, god knows your heart, god knows who’s sincere, but when you go, because you want to invest in the lives of your brothers and sisters, your spiritual family, because even Jesus said who’s my family? Well, my family, he said, are those around right now when he was teaching, and that’s our family too. We have our family that we have blood connection to right, parents, siblings, extended family, yeah, and they’re important.

B.R.Maul: 22:00

But for those who are caught up in a family, who want nothing to do with Jesus, it doesn’t mean that you give up your walk with Jesus. No, not at all. Find those who love the Lord, who are born-again believers like yourself, and get with them, invest in them, walk with them and together you open God’s Word and you read God’s Word. Together you open up, you share your hurts, you share your successes with one another and you hold each other up. That’s loving, that’s a sacrifice People need to give of their time, of their talent, of their treasure, all of that coming together. And the more you give, the more you love your brothers and sisters, the more that, even as a small group or a church, and you start taking that love out to the community and are doing it out of love. Whatever doing, it is how you can serve other people, whatever that might be.

B.R.Maul: 23:04

We can back up to chapter 2, verse 28. And John says and now, little children abide in him that when he appears you catch that when he appears, not if when that’s Jesus he’s talking about that we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Well, and why is that? Well, we’re not ashamed because we’re loving each other and we are loving others. We are trying to get the word of God out to the world, to our communities, but we are also sacrificing the time that Jesus has given us. We ourselves, as born-again believers, we don’t have our own time because, well, our life is no longer our life.

B.R.Maul: 23:50

When you were born again, you committed to that. You had to admit that you were a sinner, that you are a sinner. You came to that reality and you forfeit your life to him. You are his slave. Now, even Paul said hey, that’s great, being a bondservant to Jesus. That’s awesome. What else is there to serve in this world? Nothing, there’s nothing worth it. Who else is there to serve in this world? Compared to Jesus, no one. And since we need him to be able to love others, to truly love others in that agape love, not our selfish love, we need to be born again.

B.R.Maul: 24:37

Well, the last verse in chapter 4 reads and this commandment we have from him that he who loves God must love his brother also. That he who loves God must love his brother also. Now there’s some key words there for us that we better be mindful of, in verse 21. And this commandment, it’s a command and it says we have from him. Our Lord and Savior has commanded us. This is not an option. If you are following Jesus Christ, you must do this. He who loves God must love his brother also. Brother being family, that’s your spiritual family and this is the sacrificial love. Now we are to love even our enemies, yes, but we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, above and beyond those who are unbelievers. We must take care of one another.

B.R.Maul: 25:44

Why am I such an advocate of coming together weekly with brothers and sisters in the faith. Because what family meets every two, three, four weeks and what family just meets at a church for an hour with everybody? Small groups are so important, beloved, because even at church, where we go to worship and there’s classes there, I’m sure, depending on the size church that you’re at, and there’s classes there, I’m sure, depending on the size church that you’re at they’re teaching. So you’re learning God’s Word. That’s great. But coming together in a small group and you really get to know one another and then truly loving one another, helping each other out every chance you get, not trying to get ahead of other people, but instead we put them above us and every chance we get we help them and being a part of the body of Christ. How we help one another, well, some of that depends on our spiritual gifts, and that’s a whole other teaching. But every born-again believer has a spiritual gift and those spiritual gifts are to be used to serve your family. That’s amazing that our Heavenly Father gives us these special skills to better the body of Christ and to glorify our God. Isn’t that great. If you’re a born-again believer and you’re feeling alone, well, that means you need to come together with other born-again believers.

B.R.Maul: 27:13

I just use meeting weekly because everything we do weekly truly becomes a part of who we are. Anything important in your life? Most things are done weekly. It becomes habitual, it just becomes part of your day-to-day living, and that is what I mean by it becomes a part of just who you are. You’re so used to doing it. But if you want to meet more than once a week, more power to you. You’ll just get to know each other and grow with each other, all the more so.

B.R.Maul: 27:45

One more time that verse 21, john reminds us, and this commandment we have from him, our Lord and Savior, that he who loves God must love his brother also. No exceptions. There’s no exceptions at all. I’m here for you, beloved. I love you very much. I hope and pray that you are indeed connected with the Lord. If there’s anything I can do, if there’s resources you’re lacking, there’s questions that you have, whatever I can do to help out. Well, as I’ve said, you can get a hold of me at my website, brmaul.com. Click on contact and email me and we’ll start communicating. So keep reading his word, keep praying to him, do that daily. Click on Contact and email me and we’ll start communicating. So keep reading his word, keep praying to him, do that daily.

B.R.Maul: 28:35

Get together with your brothers and sisters, whether it’s one or two, 10, 12. But get together with a small group, do it weekly and see how you guys grow with one another. And if you are fortunate to have a Bible-teaching and preaching church, please be mindful, beloved. We live in a day and age where the deception is deep and even many that look like they are church on the outside. They’re picking and choosing what part of God’s Word that they will listen to and in the meantime they are trying to fit into the world. They are trying to make people happy and feel good, and I want you to make sure that you test those spirits. Don’t get caught up in that. But if you’re fortunate enough to have a church body that comes together, they just love Jesus and the leadership teaches from God’s Word directly. Well then, get involved.

And until next time,

God bless.

Songs from Storyblock

“Heroes Inspire Hope” and “Mountainscape” by Humans Win

“Mischievous Days” by New Library Sounds