Tag: Discernment
-
A Deal Sold on Greed – Genesis 34:20-23
Genesis 34:20–23And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us…
-
It Sounded Reasonable – Genesis 34:8-10
Genesis 34:8–10And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife. And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you;…
-
No Extra Help Needed – Genesis 33:15
Genesis 33:15And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me…… And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord. Esau makes one more generous offer. “Let me leave some of my men with you. Let me help you on the…
-
Softly on the Way – Genesis 33:13-14
Genesis 33:13-14And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as…
-
A Boundary Both Men Understood – Genesis 31:50-53
Genesis 31:50–53If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; This heap be witness, and…
-
When “The Lord Watch” Is Not Romantic – Genesis 31:48-49
Genesis 31:48-49And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. This is one of those verses people pull out of its setting and…
-
The Song and Dance of a Manipulator – Genesis 31:25-27
Genesis 31:25-27Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? Wherefore didst…
-
When God Wants to Move You – Genesis 31:2-3
Genesis 31:2-3And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. Jacob could see it on Laban’s face. Something had changed. The warmth was gone. The…
-
A Weariness That Reveals the Heart – Genesis 27:46
Genesis 27:46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me? Rebekah is worn down. That is the feel…
-
The Voice and the Word – Genesis 27:18-23
Genesis 27:18-23And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son? And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may…
-
I Know Not the Day – Genesis 27:2-4
Genesis 27:2-4And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death: Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison; And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me,…
-
When Isaac Thought the End Was Near – Genesis 27:1
Genesis 27:1And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I. We are coming now to a very human moment in Isaac’s life.…
-
The Bargaining Begins – Genesis 23:10-11
Genesis 23:10-11 And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying, Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give…
-
When the Cave Starts Talking – Genesis 19:31-36
Genesis 19:31-36And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth: Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.…
-
How Far It Can Go – Genesis 19:8
Genesis 19:8Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. This is where it drops off…
-
The Countermove After Victory – Genesis 14:17
Genesis 14:17And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. Abram is coming back from a great victory. The battle is over. Lot has been rescued. The goods…
-
Eyes Too Low – Genesis 13:10
Genesis 13:10 And Lot… … lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. There is a sharp contrast here between Abram…
-
When Violence Fills the Earth – Genesis 6:11-13
Genesis 6:11, 12, 13 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the…
-
From Jezebel to Babylon – Revelation 17:9
Revelation 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. The angel says this calls for wisdom. That means we are not to read this casually. We are to think carefully, because the Lord is not merely showing John a strange image. He is…
-
A Lamb Like Voice With a Dragon Behind It – Revelation 13:11
Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earthand he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Now John sees another beast. The first beast is the political ruler, the public face of world power, the man the nations will follow. But this second beast is…
-
The Danger of Living on a Name – Revelation 3:1
Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead. As you read these letters, you begin to notice that the descriptions of…
-
Keep It Simple – Revelation 2:29
Revelation 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. I believe Thyatira points to the Catholic Church because the very name carries the idea of continual sacrifice. That is significant when you think about the Catholic view of Communion. Traditionally, historically, and still today, the teaching of…
-
Hold Fast in a Corrupt Church – Revelation 2:23-25
Revelation 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. This is a severe word, and it is meant to be. Jesus is making it unmistakably…
-
Truth with Backbone – Revelation 2:2-3
Revelation 2:2-3 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liarsAnd hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not…
-
Compassion and Urgency – Jude 22-23
Jude 22-23 And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. After all the warnings about false teachers and drifting souls, Jude now asks the question that naturally follows: What do we do with people who have…
-
Nothing More, Nothing Less – Jude 17-19
Jude 17-19 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. After all of…
-
Big Words, Small Souls – Jude 14-16
Jude 14-16 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly…
-
Motion Without Life – Jude 13
Jude 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jude keeps piling image upon image, and each one cuts a little deeper. Now he says these false teachers are like raging waves of the sea. They have motion, noise, and…
-
Hidden Rocks and Empty Clouds – Jude 12
Jude 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds, trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Jude keeps turning the light brighter. He is still talking about those men who…
-
Background to Jude
There are some letters you read slowly because they are hard to understand. Then there are other letters you read slowly because every line lands with unusual force. Jude is that kind of letter. It is brief, direct, and packed tight with meaning. He writes only a few verses, yet nearly every one of them…
-
Open Doors, Wise Hearts – 3 John 8
3 John 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. John is wonderfully balanced. In the last letter he said, Do not receive those who deny the truth of Christ. Now in this letter he says, Receive faithful brothers, so that you may become fellowhelpers to the truth.…
-
Love Must Draw a Line – 2 John 9-11
2 John 9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:For he that…
-
The Fire That Warms or Burns – 1 John 4:7-8
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. After warning us about false spirits and deceptive voices, John now shifts the focus back to something central.…
-
Two Voices in the World – 1 John 4:5–6
1 John 4:5–6 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. John now draws a very simple line…
-
The Test of the Spirit – 1 John 4:2–3
1 John 4:2–3 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it…
-
Love That Knows the Difference – 1 John 4:1
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. John now moves into the theme of perfect love. In chapter 3 he has spoken of love in its purity and love in its practicality. Here in chapter…
-
The Spirit Bears Witness – 1 John 2:27
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. John is…
-
The Inner Witness – 1 John 2:20
1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. After warning about antichrists, false teachers, and people who drift away from the fellowship, John does something very pastoral here. He steadies the saints. He says, in effect, “Yes, deception is real. Yes, there are false voices. But…
-
Guard Your Footing – 2 Peter 3:17
2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. Peter closes with a warning full of love. He does not speak to strangers. He says, beloved. He is talking to people who know the…
-
Beautiful Poison – 2 Peter 2:17-19
2 Peter 2:17-19 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in…
-
Madness for Money – 2 Peter 2:12-16
2 Peter 2:12-16 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time.Spots they are and blemishes,…
-
Moving Past the Foundation — Hebrews 6:1–3
Hebrews 6:1–3 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.And this will we…
-
An Appetite That Grows — Hebrews 5:14
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Spiritual growth changes your appetite. At the beginning of the Christian life, a person often needs things kept simple. The basic truths of the faith…
-
When to Walk Away — Titus 3:10–11
Titus 3:10–11 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. Paul now gives Titus a piece of wisdom that many believers struggle to apply. There are moments when the most spiritual thing you can do is stop…
-
Known by Their Fruit — Titus 1:16
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Paul closes this section with a sober observation. There are people who say they know God, but their lives tell a different story. Their profession sounds right. Their language may even…
-
A Clean Heart Sees Clearly — Titus 1:15
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. Paul now moves from false teaching to the condition of the heart. He says that to the pure, all things are pure. That statement can easily be…
-
Stay With the Truth — Titus 1:14
Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Paul continues warning Titus about the dangers that were creeping into the churches on Crete. Some people were becoming fascinated with stories, speculations, and man made rules that sounded spiritual but actually pulled people away from the truth.…
-
Counterfeits in the Court — 2 Timothy 3:8
2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. Paul now reaches back into the story of Moses. When Moses stood before Pharaoh, he did not come with philosophy or clever arguments. He came with the authority of God.…
-
The Trap of Endless Learning — 2 Timothy 3:6–7
2 Timothy 3:6, 7 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Paul now describes how false spirituality spreads. It does not usually arrive loudly. It rarely…
-
The Appearance Without the Life — 2 Timothy 3:5
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Paul now arrives at something more dangerous than open sin. The behaviors he listed earlier are obvious. Pride. Self love. Pleasure. Anger. People can see those things. Even the world recognizes when something has gone wrong. But this…
-
The Ground That Does Not Move — 2 Timothy 2:19
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Paul has just warned Timothy about false teaching that spreads like a disease. But now he steadies the reader with something comforting.…
-
When Truth Is Eaten Away — 2 Timothy 2:17–18
2 Timothy 2:17–18 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Paul now names two men directly: Hymenaeus and Philetus. They were spreading an idea that sounded intelligent on the…
-
Noise That Leads Nowhere — 2 Timothy 2:16
2 Timothy 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. Paul gives Timothy a very practical warning. “Shun profane and vain babblings.” In other words, learn when to walk away from empty talk. Not every conversation is worth entering. Not every argument deserves your attention. Think about that for…
-
A Workman Not Ashamed — 2 Timothy 2:14–15
2 Timothy 2:14–15 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Paul gives Timothy two…
-
Guard the Treasure — 1 Timothy 6:20–21
1 Timothy 6:20, 21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. Paul closes his letter with a deeply personal appeal. Guard what has been entrusted to you. The…
-
When Religion Becomes a Ladder — 1 Timothy 6:3–5
1 Timothy 6:3–5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,Perverse disputings of men of corrupt…
-
What Time Eventually Reveals — 1 Timothy 5:24–25
1 Timothy 5:24, 25 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. Paul ends this section with a simple truth about life that experience proves over and over again. Time…
-
Slow Hands in Leadership — 1 Timothy 5:21–22
1 Timothy 5:21, 22 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. Paul suddenly raises the seriousness of the moment.…
-
A Season for Living — 1 Timothy 5:11–12
1 Timothy 5:11–12 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. Paul now gives Timothy a surprising instruction. Younger widows were not to be placed on the church’s official list of widows who were devoted to…
-
Gifts Meant to Be Received — 1 Timothy 4:3
1 Timothy 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. There is a kind of spirituality that feels tight in the chest. It is careful. Controlled. Serious about everything. It talks a lot about sacrifice. It…
-
When Faith Is Quietly Abandoned — 1 Timothy 4:1–2
1 Timothy 4:1–2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Paul shifts from structure to warning. He has talked about the message of the church. He…
-
The Law in Its Right Place — 1 Timothy 1:8
1 Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully. Paul does not dismiss the law. He does not belittle it. He does not say it failed. He says it is good. But then he adds something that matters just as much. “If a man use it lawfully.”…
-
Where It Is Supposed to Lead — 1 Timothy 1:5–7
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. Paul has just warned Timothy about people drifting into speculation and side trails. Then he slows everything down and says, in effect, here is the point. Love. That is where…
-
Stay With What Is Solid — 1 Timothy 1:3–4
1 Timothy 1:3–4 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Paul leaves Timothy in Ephesus with one…
-
Idle Hands and Sharp Beaks — 2 Thessalonians 3:11
2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Paul connects two things we often separate. Not working.And meddling. He does not say they were resting. He does not say they were recovering. He says they were working not at all, and…
-
Will Not, Not Cannot — 2 Thessalonians 3:10
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. That verse gets quoted with a certain tone sometimes. You can almost hear the gavel hit the bench. “If any would not work, neither should he eat.” But slow down. Paul…
-
Power Without Truth — 2 Thessalonians 2:9
2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, Paul is not vague here. The coming of the Wicked will be supernatural. Real power.Real manifestations.Real phenomena. But sourced in Satan. “Signs and lying wonders” does not mean fake tricks in the cheap sense.…
-
Do You Remember? – 2 Thessalonians 2:5
2 Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? Paul does not introduce a new doctrine here. He asks a question. “Do you remember?” These believers were rattled. Rumors were spreading. Letters were circulating claiming the Day of the Lord had already begun. Fear crept in.…
-
Do Not Be Shaken – 2 Thessalonians 2:1–2
2 Thessalonians 2:1–2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Paul…
-
Test It. Keep It. Walk Away. – 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22
1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.Abstain from all appearance of evil. Paul does not tell believers to swallow everything. He says, “Prove all things.” Test it. Examine it. Lay it against Scripture.Measure it by the character of Christ.Watch the fruit it produces. Christian maturity is not gullibility. It is…
-
Do Not Put It Out – 1 Thessalonians 5:19–20
1 Thessalonians 5:19–20 Quench not the Spirit.Despise not prophesyings. Two short warnings. “Quench not the Spirit.” That word quench is a fire word. It means to extinguish. To throw water on something that is burning. The Spirit’s work is often described like flame—alive, moving, warming, illuminating. You can’t manufacture fire. But you can smother it.…
-
Four Postures of Ministry – 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15
1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Paul gives four instructions—and if you look closely,…
-
Children of the Day – 1 Thessalonians 5:3–6
1 Thessalonians 5:3–6 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the…
-
Safe or Out – Colossians 3:15
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Paul says let the peace of God rule. The word carries the picture of an official at an athletic event. An umpire. One who makes the call. Safe. Out.…
-
Tears in a Joyful Letter – Philippians 3:17–18
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. Paul is bold here, but not arrogant. He says, follow me. Not because he is flawless. Not because he has arrived. But because he is walking in a certain direction. He invites them to…
-
Axes and Orchards – Philippians 1:11
Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Paul does not say we are filled with opinions.He does not say we are filled with arguments.He says we are filled with fruit. Fruit grows slowly.Fruit feeds others.Fruit brings glory to God. Now listen…
-
Love That Knows the Difference – Philippians 1:9–10
Philippians 1:9–10 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Paul encourages them. He affirms them. He thanks God for them. Then he stretches…
-
Fight the Right Enemy – Ephesians 6:12
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities… Paul pulls back the curtain. Your spouse is not the enemy.Your teenager is not the enemy.Your boss is not the enemy.Your political opponent is not the enemy. If you are wrestling against flesh and blood, you are fighting the wrong battle. We…
-
One Degree Off — and You Miss Grace – Galatians 5:8
God does not call you with grace and then perfect you with pressure. He does not rescue you through Christ and then hand you a rulebook to maintain your standing. The voice that adds burdens to the finished work of Jesus is not His.