Pure Word Ministries

10/26/2024

Reflections

Oct 26
Love One Another

This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. (Jn. 15:12)

What is the AGAPE love of God? It is an unconditional commitment to God’s highest for the one loved, regardless of cost to them, or to us. It is fully Christ centered – a desire and commitment for others -- which is equal to God’s desire and commitment for them.

It is not possible to love another person with the agape love of God unless I am growing to realize the love of God for me personally. The love of God is solely from out of God to us -- and then through us to others. Love is a FRUIT of the Spirit of God. It is the result of personally abiding in Christ, the True Vine. Only if we personally receive His love can we love Him, and then, love others.

We are not the source of the love of God. At the root, it is not emotional. It is not theological. It is not merely outward. Rather, the root of AGAPE is within the life of Christ in us – realized and received.

There is something that happens once a person comes into a realization of Jesus Christ: They are set free by love. Thus, they want the same for everyone else. Because they know that they have been freely given by grace a priceless relationship with God, they are able to freely, and without strings attached, desire this for others.

Jesus said we were to love others AS He has loved us. That is impossible if we try to call upon the resources of natural life. No. It is possible only if it is the outcome of His life and love IN US – free to flow through us unto others.

- Pastor David DePra

03/31/2024

He is Risen!

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

08/18/2023

The "Wretched Man"

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 7:24)

This is not Paul's description of himself only before his conversion. No. Actually, Paul began to discover this Truth after his conversion – he could not discover it without Christ in him -- and it continued to be true about himself after his conversion -- and is a description of each one of us in Christ. If we go on with the Lord, we are going to more and more discover the wretchedness that is in our, “body of death.” But this will be all the more reason why our faith will not be in ourselves, but in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Jesus Christ is IN US. And He is the Truth. Thus, the more we come to know Him, the more we will see just how UNTRUE to God we really are in ourselves. But rather than bring us into condemnation over ourselves, the Truth of Christ will set us free. The Truth about Christ will show us the absolutely futility of putting any faith in this, "wretched man" that we are in ourselves. But you will note that Paul did not lament over himself -- rather, he rejoiced in Christ.

Paul was able to say, "O wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from the body of this death?" But then three verses later he says, "There is therefore NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." How could he say both? Because of a verse in between. He gives the answer: "Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ." Christ in us IS our deliverance -- deliverance isn't just a THING He did for us -- Christ in us IS our present deliverance from the body of this death. He IS our life.

- Pastor David DePra

08/06/2023

07/03/2023

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Gal 1:6-10)

You will note that the false gospel Paul repudiates, and to which he attaches a very serious warning, is not a gospel that promotes immorality. It is not a gospel that denies that Jesus is God, or one that suggests Christians should not obey God. No. The false gospel of Galatians is one that preaches law-keeping and supposed obedience front and center. And yet it is a false gospel because of what it makes those things mean – it makes them be the means by which we are saved, keep saved, and continue in right standing with God. This false gospel is, in fact, a denial of the Truth, and of the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Today many preach LICENSE in the church. That is heresy. But just as bad, many continue to preach LEGALISM. *They threaten people with punishment for failure, and offer them rewards for obedience – and claim to speak for God.* Others present the false gospel of Galatia in the form of nice, religious principles – and yet attach the SAME kind of threat, although perhaps in less obvious form. But all of it is HERESY. It is the gospel of UNBELIEF, for it substitutes for the gospel of grace for which Paul continually strove, and for which Jesus died.

- Pastor David DePra

06/29/2023

Listen to the end… amazing testimony!

Little Richard talks rock & roll, overcoming addiction and more.(From "Late Night," air date: 5/4/82) Subscribe to Let...

06/12/2023

https://youtu.be/4U0gYVnQnwA

Sunday School: Jun 11 2023Although There Are Many Teachers and Preachers That Have Their Own List of Faults and Infractions That "Prove" One "Is Not, Has Nev...

05/18/2023

https://youtu.be/OOPz2WDSN0U

Come fellowship with Pure Word Ministries as we discuss "What does it mean to be Born Again?" Being Born Again literally means to be "born from above". Jesus...

05/18/2023

https://youtu.be/goUuZd-zwfc

Jesus gave 2 commandments: Love God (with all your heart mind and soul), and Love your Neighbor as Yourself. These commandments are not burdensome, and in ...