James Russell, Elder:
Dear Brethren and Co-workers;
God's called are warned in 1 Corinthians 10:, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he
fall"(1 Cor 10:12). Paul tells Timothy, "some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1). The seducing spirits and doctrines of devils are lies of Satan which deceive
people. There are many other verses in God's word warning us against Satan's lie, that you can't fall from God's
calling. But again, who are people going to believe, God or Satan?
This lie of Satan is designed to lure people into complacency so they will be lukewarm and not hot. But God's
word says, "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from
grace" (Galatians 5:4). [I encourage you to read part 1 on the study of "grace." on page ?????]
The first lie ever told was by Satan. God told Adam and Eve "of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you
shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:17). Later Satan lied to Eve and
deceived her by saying, "You shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:4).
Jesus, in addressing the Jews who would later put Him to death, said concerning Satan in John 8:44, "You
are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning,
and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own
resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." Those who sought to kill Christ possessed the nature of the devil and
his desires (lusts) were theirs. They exhibited in their confrontations, that they were without truth, and that they loved
falsehood and lies.
The Apostle Paul was inspired to tell the Corinthians, I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by
his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ; For such are false apostles,
deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms
himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers
of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:3, 13-15).
Satan has invaded every facet of our society and has made great inroads to destroying the very country which
was founded upon a strong belief in our Lord Jesus, the Christ and God the Father. Unfortunately, many Christians
believe that the answers to our countries woes are electing "conservatives" to the seats in our government. The
answer for a return of morality is not found in the ways of man but in man humbling themselves to God through
obedience to all He commands. In Col. 3:17 we are told, "And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Psalms 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose
God is the LORD." Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."
Our government is full of liars. How can you possibly believe anything they tell you? I'm not just talking
about the Obama White House, I'm talking about government in general. What a bunch of liars. How can people
act the way that they do? Don't they have a functioning conscience? Isn't there anything in them that makes them feel
queasy when someone catches them "lying." The co-conspiring, lying media permits, and often to many
times, helps, them in getting away with their deceitful lies.
Today we are governed by people who no longer appear to have a functioning conscience. Lying is one thing,
but not being bothered by lying is something worse ... far worse. Let's face it: those who are supposed to protect the
"public trust" are liars. Is it possible to get elected today without lying? Can an honest man remain honest once he
enters into government? At what point are we no longer obligated to follow the edicts of liars?
Televangelist are also liars. They pick and choose which "truths" they will speak. This is why the church has
lost its power. Jesus told us, " ... for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.
Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice" (John 18:37). But the pulpits have become "politically correct."
They will not speak about that which Christ came to destroy, the evil of sin. "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.
God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer. "Therefore to
him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin ... " (James 4:17)
America is in the mess we're in because "the salt has lost His savor." If the church will not call out sin, how
can we expect our government to be honest? If the church permits dishonesty, why are we surprised when the
government practices it?
The world has become "the salt of the church." We have permitted the world to determine what Christians
can say, what Christians can support and what Christians can oppose. How can America be saved? I don't know if
it can. But the only chance we have is for the church to once again speak the Truth, live the Truth, and fight for the
Truth. "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth"(John 17:17).
How can we complain about politicians saying only what the people want to hear, when the pulpits are doing
the very same thing?
Our government is a runaway train. The church used to be the tracks upon which the engine ran. The tracks
are crooked and the train is careening off the tracks and over the cliff.
Bottom line? Satan is determined to go to war with God. But the resurrection of Jesus the Christ took away
any grasp Satan thought he had over man. But individually, we continue to go to battle with Satan every day. We
need to develop the ability to see through the deceptive appearance of all the devil's lies!
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither
tempteth He any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James
1:13-14). "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not
suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may
be able to bear it" (1 Cor 10:13). These verses should bring us great comfort in knowing we can overcome the
"greatest" liar the world will ever know.
Church of God, In Truth
P.O. Box: 1120
Kimberling City: MO 65686
Tel: 417-338-0033
Fax: 417-338-0031
E-Mail: cogit@flash.net
James Russell, Elder Pete Fleming, Elder
Tel: 417-338- 0033 Tel: 830-885-5502
E-Mail: cogit@flash.net E-Mail: pmf06@gvte.com
Spanish
Philippines Martin
Martinez, Deacon
Romeo Samudio,
Rep
Tel: 787-786-5856
Tel: 096-8536-4415
E-Mail: marty@ucint.com E-Mail: romesamudio@yahoo.com