You Might Be A Reprobate

 

The term "reprobate" in both Hebrew and Greek describes something that is rejected, cast away, not approved, refused. Reprobate describes something that "does not prove itself as it ought", and as "not standing the test". The word was especially used regarding metals and coins that did not prove themselves up to grade. Jer. 6:30 says:

"Reprobate silver shall men call them because the LORD hath rejected them."

These of God's people, who were rejected by Him, are further described as "grievous revolters, walking with slanders: brass and iron; they are all corrupters." (v. 28). God's people, who were supposed to be silver, turned out to be brass and iron when tested, and were therefore rejected.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul tells believers in the Church to "Examine (test, prove, scrutinize) yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves...except ye be reprobates...do nothing against the truth, but for the truth."  2 Cor. 13:5, 8

The truth is the Word of God. How many in the Church have rejected God's Word as truth, and have accepted the words and ways of the world instead? A Church that was called to be the salt of purification, and the light of truth has become - something else.

Paul describes reprobates as those who seemingly have a form of Godliness, but their words and actions deny the power of God (2 Tim. 3:5). They are described as men who resist the truth, having corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith (v. 8). Because they resist truth, and have become reprobate, they are despisers of those who are good, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, without natural affection (v. 3-5), never able to come to the knowledge of truth (v. 7). Paul says that these reprobates seek to lead away others. This is confirmed also by the Hebrew letters of the word for "reprobate":

מָאַס

The Hebrew word for "reprobate" is ma as. The Hebrew letters of the word are mem, aleph, and samek. The pictographic meaning of these letters is "the source or beginning flow of power that causes a slow twisting or turning aside (like a plant propped to turn or lean a certain way).

Paul warns that this reprobate condition is even more prevalent in the last days (2 Tim. 3:1). Perhaps this is because the testing and proving of one's faith and faithfulness are at the most intense level during these days.

In Titus1:16, Paul gives a further description of reprobates:

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

Paul says that reprobates teach falsely for the sake of money (v. 11). They teach untruths and commandments of men that turn (see Hebrew letters above) from the truth (v. 14). Their mind and conscience is defiled (v. 15).

The Church today, which is supposed to bring truth, light, and life from God's Word to those who are perishing, is instead, more and more frequently, bringing the darkness and death of compromise, worldly ways, and the politically correct commandments of men, in order to please men, and prosper.

Paul warned that as men deliberately turned away from the knowledge of God that had been revealed to them, their hearts and imaginations would be darkened:

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."  Rom. 1:20

Ultimately, Paul said, God would give them up:

"Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause, God gave them up unto vile affections...women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise, also the men...And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient."   Rom. 1:24-28 (excerpt)

As these chose to become reprobate, their souls and bodies were turned, and they became, even to the depths of their nature and being:

"... filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful;"

                                                                                               Rom. 1:29-31

Can there be a more accurate description of the condition of our society today, both in and out of the Church? Is the reason we who believe don't speak the delivering truth about the darkness, torment and captivity of sin, really because we don't want to "exclude" and offend? Or is it that we no longer believe that God has the power to heal and deliver, and set the heartache of captive souls free? Then we are reprobate. Is the reason we do not speak the name of Jesus in public really because we want to respect others' beliefs? Or is it because we no longer believe that the name of Jesus has the power to save? Then we are reprobate. Is the reason that we are silent on the true nature of the abomination of abortion, and its terrible spiritual toll on those involved with it, because we really believe it is a "private matter"? Or is it because we do not believe the Word of God about the shedding of innocent blood (Deut. 19:10, 21:9, Ps. 106:38, Prov. 6:16-17)? Then we are reprobate. When we teach the acceptance of sin in our churches, is it really because we are expressing the "love of God"? Or is it because we want to please men, have larger numbers, exploit the skills and talents of those in sin, and ultimately prosper? Then we are reprobate.
Paul begs the Church:

"I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (spiritual worship). And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and that ye my prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

                                                                                              Rom. 12:1-2

We are to continually renew our minds in the truth of God's Word, not in the lies of the spirit and "wisdom" of this world. We are to offer continually to Him our spiritual worship and sacrifice of self, not the worship of self, self-will and imaginations, that we may be proven to be those who fulfill the will of God, which is everything good, everything acceptable to Him, and everything which is perfect in Him.

 

 

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The Coming Resurretion and the Living Resurrected

 

These are perilous times for many Christians across the world. Many are persecuted, some even to death. On the other hand, many Christians are filled with the desires for the things of the world. They enjoy their comfort, prosperity, and status, and would not want to risk losing those things. However, all Christians should treasure the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the hope and promise of resurrection for ourselves. Whether we are prospering or suffering, we all need to have a deeper and more intimate understanding of His resurrection.

Jesus taught us that even as His Father raises and quickens (restore to life, to cause to live) the dead, so the Son is also able to enliven those whom He chooses (Jn. 5:21). The Son will raise the dead by the sound of His voice:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him who sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life...The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live...the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good (by His leading and righteousness), unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."   Jn. 5:24-29 excerpt

Those raised by the voice of Jesus will be judged by Him, because He is the Son of man, as well as being the Son of God. His Father has entrusted this justice and judgment to Him.

 

The prophet Ezekiel experienced a profound vision of resurrection in a vast valley full of dry bones. Ezekiel was also called "the son of man" by God, as Jesus was, and this resurrection also occurred by the sound of his voice:

"Again He said unto me, "Prophesy unto these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD...behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army."   Ez. 37:4-5, 10

The dry bones heard the voice of the prophet, the son of man, who prophesied the word of the LORD God to them, and they were once again joined together, covered with sinew and flesh. They lived, breathed and stood again. It was the time of resurrection. This is the Valley of Decision of the prophet Joel, and the hour of harvest, in which the earth will be reaped (Rev. 14:15-16). These events of which the prophets spoke are about to come to pass upon the earth.

As we all wonder at this great resurrection authority and power of the Father, and the Son, the apostle Paul tells us that we are to seek becoming the living resurrected. We are to reach for this as something to be incorporated into our spiritual lives now. How are we to become the living resurrected? Well, before something is resurrected, even as the living resurrected, it has to "die".

 



 

Our bodies and lives are to be presented before God as living sacrifices, not conformable to this world, but transformed. This is the only way to live by the will of God, and become the living resurrected  (Rom. 12:1-2). Paul teaches further:

"...I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ...that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable (receive the same form as, to bring to the same form not found elsewhere, fashioned like) unto His death.    Phil. 3:8, 10

Our communion with Christ must include a communion with His sufferings, and death-death to the image and likeness of this world, death to the things of this world, death to our own will and flesh. If we conform to His likeness, we also must conform to His sufferings, His death, and even then, with great joy, His resurrection, while we still live.

This is not the time for a comfortable, satisfied church, but rather a church who hears His voice, His call to a living resurrection, and is pressing toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
If you would like to know Jesus like this, and know the power of His resurrection, to have fellowship with Him in all ways, you can seek Him, and receive Him through simple, sincere prayer:
"Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive me of my sins, and become Lord of my life. I turn away from the sins and cares of this world, even my own flesh, and I turn to You, as my Savior, the true and living God. I believe that You died for me, that You rose again from the dead, and that You are coming again as our LORD and King. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and teach me and lead me in Your righteousness. By Your Spirit, give me the power and strength to live and walk in Your ways. Thank You for hearing my prayer, and receiving me. I pray this in Your name, Amen."
If you have prayed this and received Jesus, let us know! God bless you.

 

 

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