Free Life Blog

How Sanctification Works

If You Know Him. Then, He Is Working On You.

There has been a debate since the days of the Apostle Paul, regarding salvation by faith versus works.

I’ll give you a hint. It’s neither. It’s Grace. Both Faith and Works rely on human power in some way

But, I want to talk about sanctification, and I’m going to use an analogy to do it.

Sanctification comes after salvation.

We get saved by hearing God calling us, and turning to Him (Repent) and confessing Jesus as Lord.

Let me break it down.

Everyone who is saved was called. That is grace. We realize that God is real and he is there for us and wants to save us. We believe what He has told us in our heart. That is faith. We turn to Him and ask Him to save us, confessing that Jesus is our Lord. That is faith and works. (Romans 10:9-10, James 2:26)

Salvation and sanctification are kind of like getting a job.

You need a job so you fill out an application. The human owner decides whether he needs you and if you can make him money.

But, God wants you. He made a way for you, before you even knew you needed one. He doesn’t care about your background or skills or college or attitude. He just wants you to come.

So if you want Him, you are hired. God trains you and gives you everything you need to serve HIM. He is the boss. Remember this.

So, now comes sanctification. Which is where God works in our lives to change us. A lot of changes occur when we first get saved. But, there are things that we need to work on our whole life.

Let’s continue with the analogy.

So, let’s say you show up late to work.(sin)

A human boss warns you and threatens to fire you. (Punish you and throw you in hell)

But. God is not like that. He forgives you and looks into your life to see what’s up. He might change your mind. Or make some adjustments to your circumstances so you can be on time, without a rush or hurting yourself or others. He works to correct us or solve our problem, or set us free from some bondage. he does not cast us away.

That’s how it works. God works in us and with us to fix us.He saved us already, now He continues to work. That is sanctification. The Holy Spirit helps us to grow, if we are willing to listen.

Too many people believe their heavenly father is like the boss or their earthly father. He is not.

God is not a slave driver. He doesn’t need to be. When He speaks something, he knows for a fact that it will happen. There is no doubt.

Sometimes sanctification leads to correction or brokenness. When we get saved we are basically giving ourselves to God, because we need Him and He knows whats best. So, we have given Him permission to work on us as He sees fit. (Prov. 3:11-12)

In our lives we often find that we have gone the wrong way or that we have become entangled with some problem. Perhaps a hurtful lifestyle or addiction.

In order to grow us and help us, God must sometimes take drastic measures to set us free from bondage. We might be at what we call rock bottom and lose everything and everybody. We might become broken. It’s terrible and painful, but He is there with us to protect us.

Like a refiner’s fire.He controls the heat to melt the precious metal and remove the dross or crud. All of this works to make us of greater use by Him. (Malachi. 3:1-3)

We often find ourselves broken by this process of correction or setting us free.

This brokenness leads to meekness.

People think meekness is weakness. It’s not.

Brokenness is like a powerful horse being broken by his master. He does not lose his power, but he becomes usable. This is meekness.

This is sanctification.

This is why some folks have their lives torn apart after they get saved. God is setting them free. He has saved them, now He is working to remove things that are bad for them.

The temptation at this point is to fight what is happening, or run away. But, that only makes things worse.

Remember Jonah.

God spoke to Jonah and Jonah refused. He ran away. All kinds of bad stuff started happening to Jonah; storms and even getting swallowed by a fish, till he was broken and accepted God’s will.

Prison or a hospital bed could be your fish.

Turn to God. Read His Word. Listen to the Holy Spirit.

When you turned to God and asked Him to save you, He promised He would. Sanctification is a part of that. We never really know how bad we are and how much God must remove from us. We sometimes, need a lot of pruning in order to bear fruit for the Kingdom.

Remember, God is with you. You have turned to Him and He is there, no matter what you are facing.

Remember ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)

Everything that happens in our life can be used by God to grow us and serve Him. The key is to turn to Him in everything. Suffer in Him. Do not run from Him.

Not everything bad that happens is caused by God. We have an enemy. We live in a fallen world. We also do things to cause problems for ourselves. But, EVERYTHING can work for our good, when we turn to Him and give it to Him.

I have had terrible things happen in my life. Most of it was my fault. Most of it was because I listened to the enemy.

But, I love those terrible things because God used them to set me free.

Would I change it?

I wish I had not been so foolish. But, it all drew me closer to God, and made my life better. So, I would not change it for the world.

When we know Him, He becomes more valuable than this world, this life, family, or anything we can think of.

That is how sanctification works.

It works to build the relationship. If you really know Him.

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photos by the author

More From Chris.

Trusting God

He is faithful God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.—1 Cor. 1:9 How is trust built? With anyone, whether it’s parents or friends or enemies or government or neighbors, trust is built or destroyed by relationship, and experience. It is the same with God.…

by . February 22, 2026

The Great Falling Away

It will happen in these last days “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (The Day of The Lord) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”— 2 Thess. 2:3 (2 Thess 2:1-15) It seems that this event…

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Give And It Shall Be Given Unto You

Have You Tested God? “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”—Luke 6: 38 First, I wanna say that this verse and all…

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Steal, Kill And Destroy

Satan Works to Destroy Us

Jesus said that the thief or Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy. What does this mean? (John 10:9-10, John 8:43-44)

Well the very first thing. Is our soul. The enemy does everything in his power to keep people from salvation. He fights to keep people from hearing the call. From knowing God. From having a relationship with Him. ( Matt. Chapter 13, verses 4, 19)

But, once God has broken through into our lives and we have heard Him, believed Him and accepted Him. He saves us.

Even after salvation, the enemy still attacks us. He still seeks to steal, kill and destroy.

He gets us to waste our money on things that won’t bless others, or survive the fire.

He gets us to focus on things that don’t matter, stealing our time and our life, and our finances.

He gets us to see only this world, instead of storing up treasures for the next.

Because where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matt 6:19-21)

Overcome evil with good. Turn everything over to God. Surrender it all and use all of it for His glory. That redeems our waste. That turns uselessness into value. (Romans 12:21)

That enemy seeks to destroy our health, and to murder us. He gets us to worry about the belly. What we shall eat and what we shall wear. He gets us addicted to this life, and the filth of it. Feeding us garbage to make us sick, to destroy our health and make us doubt God. Our sickness from the garbage of this world, gets us to focus on our bodies, instead of the things of the Spirit. (Matthew 6:24-34, )

We eat like kings, and gain all the diseases that come with it. And the enemy uses it to turn our minds from the things that matter.

He sends us to early graves, because we seek the things of the flesh.

All things are lawful, but not all things bring us closer to God. (1 Cor. 6:10, 10:23)

Our spirit matters more than the body, but the body can be used to distract us from the spirit. We need to try to prevent that. Like a soldier shoring up a weak position. Our health, both spiritual and physical matters.

That enemy wants to destroy our service to God, and others. He distracts us into things that doesn’t matter. He does things to make us look evil to others. He throws monkeywrenches into our work, and leads us to do things that cause people to not listen to us, when we preach the Gospel or share truth.

He destroys our families. Our lives. Our hopes and dreams. He gets us to blame God and run from Him. Which allows more destruction, death and loss.

Like a lion going around seeking whom he may devour, he makes a loud roar. And the fear, causes the weak, young, foolish, and sick to run. And the lion can find you away from the shepherd. (1 Peter 5:8)

The enemy destroys us by getting us to leave the presence of the shepherd.

He makes us feel that God is mad at us. That God is hurting us. That God is deceiving us or tricking us. He tells us that we are too far gone. That we have lost our salvation, or given it away. (Gen. Chapter 3)

He does everything in his power to keep us from our only savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord Almighty. (Matthew Chapter 13)

The Parable of the Sower shows that the enemy tries to steal the Word from our heart, while trouble and temptations come to draw us into the distractions of this life and get us to ignore God or hate God. These troubles cause us to fear, and doubt and forget. (Matt. Chapter 13)

The soil of the heart can only become good when we turn to God, get saved and let Him work in our lives. Even then we have attacks of the enemy. The heart never fully turns good. It is deceitful and wicked. Do not trust it. Trust God. (Jer. 17:7-12)

The answer for everything is to turn to God. Confess to Him. Grow in Him. Trust Him.

No matter what it is. Turn to God, and let Him work. Have faith that he loves you. Have faith that He is working, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:6)

Turn to God. Always.

Our protection stands in God. When we get saved we are in Christ.

But, the question must be. If trouble comes, where do you turn? A person who knows God and trusts God and has put everything in God turns to Him. We trust His promises in His Word. We trust the relationship He has shown us that we have with Him.

A person who never really knew God or never really accepted Him does not turn to Him.

People do not lose their salvation. They never had it.

Of course we question things. That is the enemy putting doubt into our hearts. That is a temptation.

But, what do we do with it?

Do we reject Satan and turn to God? Or do we reject God, who is our only Hope?

God wants us to seek Him and question Him in these times. It helps build the relationship. He shows us His love and power and we grow in Faith. Even Jesus in the Garden had questions and concerns. (Matt. 26:36-46)

A person who really knows God, turns to God. This is abiding. (John 14:6, John Chapter 15)

Some believers, will act as though we should not concern ourselves with the enemy. But, that is the exact opposite of what the Word teaches.

We have an enemy. We are at war. We need to understand his devices and wage war. Our protection lies in Christ, not our own works. But, we are called to serve in this war. (2 Cor, 2:10-11)

We are called to abide in Him. We are called to endure. (2 Tim. 2:3, Matt. 24:13)

We endure and abide by knowing Him and trusting Him. By turning to Him always, confessing to Him, and building that relationship.

Not by works. But, by His Grace in Him.

Tough times are coming. The Flood is coming.

Is your faith in Him built on the Rock of Christ?

Or is it built on the shifting sands of your own efforts, and worldly things? (Matt. 7:24-29)

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photos by the author

More From Chris

He Is Real

He rewards those who seek him. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall…

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Why Do We Study Prophecy?

So, we know the seasons. The Bible is 30% prophecy, as some have stated. But, when you consider that the whole thing is about Jesus Christ, and that all the stories and pictures speak of Him, His First Coming and Second Coming, I think its more like 100%. God has called all believers to be…

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Faith And Works

God works to build the Kingdom through us. James 2:14-26 In this passage. The apostle James, speaks of works being an aspect of our faith. It ends with the famous phrase “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” In the verses James shows that God commanded…

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I Never Knew

What I Was Missing

I never knew,
the hole I had,
till I found you.

A memory,
from childhood,
of your joy.

Running the fields
Splashing the creeks
Chasing the cats.

And the quiet times;
when you just sit
next to my soul.

Smarter than they say,
sweet little guy.
So full of life.

My funny buddy,
loving hims a treat;
while scratching his back.

When I get home
He comes running
So happy I’m there.

He brings his toy,
For a game of fetch
And tug of war.

He’s so much more
Than just a dog.
He’s my little friend.

I’d protect him,
Like he’d protect me.
That special guy.

My buddy Gus.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

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What Is Free Will?

Why Does It Matter?

Free Will is about God. Not necessarily humans.

It starts with God. It starts with His character.

We know from the Bible that God is Love. (1 John 4:8)

It’s who He is. We cannot really comprehend that.

We can only say, what we have been allowed to know and what we can glean from the pictures given to us in creation, and what God has revealed to us through His Word and other means. (Romans 1:19-20, Psalm 19:1, Gen. 15:1, John 1:1)

Our reality that we see with our senses, is probably so vastly different from the reality outside of this world and our understanding, that we cannot comprehend it. (1 Cor. 2:9)

The things that exist in Paradise, Heaven, Eternity, or the Spiritual Realm outside of what we see is beyond our ability to imagine.

It’s the same with God. (Isa 55:8-9)

But, we know He is Love, because He tells us in His Word. He is Just, He is Righteous. He is Truth. He is Mercy and Kindness. He is Holy. He is Wise. None of His aspects over rule any other part. He is perfect.

These aspects of His character are part of our understanding of Free Will.

Since, these are aspects of God’s character, these aspects are woven into creation, and into His reasons for creating.

God needed nothing. He’s God. But, He decided to create.

We do not really know why.

So, here we travel into speculation, because we really cannot prove it. But, it’s my belief that He created because of Love and His other attributes.

How can you say, “I Am Love.” If there’s nothing to love? How can you say “I Am Love” if everything is perfect and easily loved. How can you say, “I Am Merciful”. Unless there’s something to give mercy to?

So, I believe God creates because of His attributes. A challenge to Himself. I can’t prove it. But there it is.

The Bible says that God created everything “Good” (Gen. Chapter 1).

That means that everything was good, and without evil. There was nothing bad in His creation. But, we can see that if He said “Good” then evil existed somewhere. But not in His creation at this time. I believe evil is a by product of Good. Like exhaust or bodily waste, and was contained somewhere else at creation.

Ok, so God creates humans. He has already created animals and angels it seems.

He gave everything, Free will. Why? Because of Love. Because of His attributes.

If He created humans, angels and animals. Then forced them to love Him, their love would not be true. It would be fake. Like a robot. They had to be given Free Will in order to choose to love God, or not.

Angels also have free will. That’s why Satan and others were able to Fall. They could not have fallen if they did not have free will. It’s the same with Humans.

So, in order to have free will, there must be a choice. No choice. No free will.

So, God placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden.

Adam and Eve had the free will to choose to eat of it or not. (Genesis Chapters 1 through 3)

The choice to trust God and love Him. Or not.

Adam chose to eat. He was not deceived. He knew what He was doing and made the choice and evil entered the world. He became corrupted and died spiritually. (1 Tim. 2:14)

Since Adam had dominion over the world. Everything under him suffered as well. (Romans 8:22)

Death, Sin and Satan took over this world. Humans gained a corrupted nature, which made us totally depraved. This is why we sin. This is why we cannot get right, without God. We are filled with evil mentally, spiritually, and physically. (Romans Chapter 1, Romans chapter 5, Romans Chapter 7)

We still have free will, even on our fallen state. We can choose to turn to God, for salvation through Jesus Christ or we can choose to reject Him.

It’s the same choice we had in the Garden. Choose God and Good. Or choose evil.

Choose God.

Why do I write this?

Well, because I feel led to. I cannot tolerate the “Because I said so” mentality. I must find out why. I must understand why things are the way they are. Just because some preacher tells me something, doesn’t mean I should just believe it. And I don’t expect you to either. The Bereans didn’t. (Acts 17:10-12)

I don’t believe that God expects it. God is Truth. He is not afraid for us to search out the deep things of God and reality. Because if we know Him. We will find Him everywhere. “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” (Psalm 139:8)

James says that if we ask God for wisdom He will give it. (James 1:5)

The Holy Spirit will teach us, and guide us into all truth. (John 16:13)

We cannot know everything of God. The scriptures teach that. But we can understand enough to have firm faith.

In these last days of deception we need to dig deeper. The false beliefs and doctrines that will come from every quarter will be so difficult to stand against, we will need answers.

If we do not have answers then Satan will be happy to provide them.

Trust God. Trust Jesus Christ.

The Truth can stand up to scrutiny. That doesn’t mean it will be believed. But, it will still stand.

You will not prove God wrong. You will not prove Truth wrong. If you do, then it’s either not true, or your understanding is flawed, or the preacher you’re listening to is wrong.

Seek God. Dig deeper.

Choose Him.

You do not need to understand everything. Let Him show you, and then you will trust Him more.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

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Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

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Prison Church

I was in an isolation cell;
when I realized God put me there.
He sat me down to speak.
He shook me awake.

I began to live again.
Everything was ok, again.
I felt Him there, again.
I knew who I was, again.

I went to those prison churches.
Those gatherings of criminals, like me.
Those broken, hurting men like me.
Those sons, husbands, and fathers, like me.
Those guys whose only hope is God.
Like me.

No one was better than anyone.
We were all known sinners.
We were all doing time.
We were all bad apples.

There were no bosses.
There were no judges.
There were no cops.
There were no prying eyes.
There were no holier than thous.

There were only failures.
Like me.
Caged, desperate men;
Like me.
Voices raised to God.
Like mine;
all clapping in time.

I have never been welcome in church.
Your pity is not love in church.
I am never good enough in church.
I am a failure in church.
I am a felon in church.

But, in that prison church;
I was me.
In that prison church;
I was free.
In that prison church;
I smiled.
In that prison church;
I lived a while.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

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Building Faith

You can grow in faith

The Bible says “.For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.—(Eph.2:8-10)

Now let’s rightly divide this verse. (2 Tim. 2:15)

First, we are saved by Grace. Period. It is a gift from God, which we need to turn to Him to accept. We just need to ask. Just call on His name. Just confess Him as Lord. (Acts 2:21, Romans 10:9-10)

We do this through faith, not by works.

When we get saved God will work in us and through us to do the works he desires.

Now, the focus of this writing is Faith.

We are not saved by faith. We are saved by Grace.

See, faith can fall into a works based category.

People will say, “You don’t have enough faith.”

Even Jesus said, “Where is your faith?” ( Luke 8:25)

Understand that faith is a medium. It is a bridge. It’s like a phone line.

You can put faith in a rock. But that rock can’t save you.

You can call 911. But, if the phone line is cut. No one is coming.

Understand?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

We do not see something, but we still believe and trust it because we have evidence. In God’s case, that evidence has been given to us.

This is faith, and faith in something.

We have faith the sun will rise. We have faith that our job will be there in the morning. We have faith that the chair we sit in will hold us.

We have no proof. It doesn’t have to happen. But we trust and believe anyway.

This is natural faith.

All humans have a measure of faith. How could we believe if we didn’t? (Romans 12:3)

But, not all people have faith in God, or Jesus Christ as Lord. (2 Thess.3:2)

Faith can be grown and strengthened.

We have faith our phone will work. That faith has grown over years of experiencing its working. If our phone never worked we would not trust it.

It’s the same with God.

Our faith grows, because we have seen Him move.

The more we see Him move, the more our faith grows. It grows till we KNOW…He is real and a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

The first thing is that you need to be saved. You need to hear His call, and turn to Him. Asking Him to save you and confessing Jesus as your Lord. (If you’re reading this, then this is God calling you.)

You must be saved. You must be born again. That makes you a clean vessel for the Holy Spirit to come and inhabit. Ask Him to fill you. (John 3:1-8, Romans 10:9-10, Luke 11:11-13, Rom, 8::28)

Now once you are saved, the little bit of natural faith you have can be made new and strengthened in the Lord as He sanctifies you, and you walk with Him.

Once you’re saved the Holy Spirit can take that little spark and build on it.

See?

You must believe, before anything can happen.

So, let’s look at ways faith builds.

The Word of God.

The Bible says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God..” (Romans 10:17)

That means that we get saved and grow our faith in God, Jesus and spiritual things by hearing preaching that comes from the Word, and by reading the Word, or getting the Word in other ways.

BUT…

And this is most important. You must believe or be willing to believe. You must desire to know God. This comes by hearing the call and turning to Him. If you refuse to believe, nothing can happen. Unless God just hits you, like He did Paul. (Acts)

Years ago I heard a preacher preaching some things I didn’t agree with.

I set out to prove the him wrong. But, what I found was that I could not PROVE, it wrong.

What the Bible said was just as plausible as anything else. It was not crazy.

So I prayed and talked with God, and said, “I will believe Your Word. I don’t care how crazy people think I am. I will believe your Word. Not what the world says.”

See?

You must believe it. You must trust IT and the God who speaks it.

Like James said, “not being hearers only…”(James 1:22)

We put our faith in the Lord and His promises. Our faith grows as we trust His Word, and act on it.

This is why faith itself has an aspect of effort, or works.

We are saved by grace. But, faith is a bridge that connects us to God. This bridge is built by God and maintained by God. But, we also can and need to work and maintain it.

We are called to abide. (John 15:4)

You cannot abide without faith. (Heb. 11:6)

So we listen to preachers preaching the real Word. We read the Word. But, we can also quote the Word to ourselves.

We quote God’s promises to ourselves, and we trust it. Then, we see God move and fulfill His promise and our faith grows stronger.

Memorize God’s promises. Believe them. Trust them. Say them out loud to yourself, and your faith will be emboldened.

Let’s say you are facing trouble at work. Speak out loud to yourself “No weapon formed against me shall prosper…: (Isa. 54:17) Trust it. Believe it. Stand on it. Then, see God move as you trust Him. It might not be what you think, or want, but watch and see. Speak it in Jesus’ name.

Let’s say trouble is coming, Speak out loud to yourself “The Word says! The Lord is faithful, He shall establish me, and keep me from evil. I believe it! I stand on it! Begone Satan in Jesus Name!”(2 Thess. 3:3)

Faith comes by hearing. You hear the truth of God’s Word, when you quote verses out loud.

See?

“Taste and see that the Lord is good…”(Psalm 34:8)

We put a little faith in Him and His promises, and we see Him move. Then our faith grows, and we draw closer to Him.

You cannot see glorious things if you are not first willing to believe that glorious things are possible. Then, when you see it, your belief in glorious things grows, and your doubts get weaker.

If they won’t believe the little things. They cannot see the big things. (Luke 16:10-12)

We trust God’s Word. His promises. And God proves it to us. Then our faith grows.

You must also realize that Jesus Christ is the Living Word. So when you trust and believe in the Word. You are in essence trusting Jesus.

But, do not make the Bible an idol. Trust the Lord, He is the Word.

Giving

Giving is a means by which our faith can grow.

God’s Word gives us many promises regarding giving. (Luke 6:38, Mal 3:10)

It is almost like an exact exchange. You can literally see these promises being fulfilled.

The Word says to give to The Lord and to help people, and God will give back.

I have trusted this and obeyed, and literally watched as it all came back to me by the end of the day, and the blessings continued beyond that.

This is not “Prosperity Gospel” as some claim. These are promises of God. It is not a get rich quick scheme.We obey and see Him move, and our faith grows.

“Give and it shall be given unto you…” is a promise, and when you believe and obey, you will see it return and your faith will grow.

Fear Not.

The Lord commands us over and over to “fear not” (Isa 41:10)

His Word is full of promises to protect us.

When we trust Him, we see His protection. We see Him move. We feel encouraged. And our faith grows.

God does not expect us to have blind faith. He proves it over time.

This is abiding. This is the relationship.

When we trust Him, and believe Him.

This is how you fill your lamp with the oil of faith.

Because you see Him move and it embolden you to trust Him more. And you let your lamp shine, because you no longer fear. Lamps without oil are useless, and are removed. (Matthew 25:1-13,)

But, what about all those people in the world without Bibles, in China, North Korea and Islamic countries?

Well, if they are saved, then they have the Holy Spirit, the same as any other believer. That Spirit teaches them, the same as any believer. They move in love with faith, and God brings it back and proves it.

They trust God, through the trials of life and persecution, and He proves He is there. They trust His presence.

They pray and He moves.

Just like us.

Everything I am saying here is very important. But even more so as we see that His return grows closer.

We want to make sure we are abiding. We want to make sure we have faith. We want to make sure we have oil in our lamps and are saved, clothed in His righteousness ready for the feast.

(Matt. 25:1-13, Matt. 22:11-14)

There are Christians, who have never known Christ. They have never put their faith in Him. They have no oil. They have no garment washed in the Blood.

When the time comes, they will be led astray and join the Apostate church. They will beat the men servants and maidservants with persecution, helping the Anti-Christ.( Matt.24:48-5, Rev. 13:7-8)

They are not saved. They never were. They are false brethren, false teachers and prophets.

Grace was offered, but they put their faith in themselves, and their works. They never really believed.

Therefore, they never knew Him. (Matthew 7:23)

Trust God. Let Him grow you and fill you. Strengthen your faith.

He will. Just ask.

—–

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

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The God Who Answers

He is there and will answer. We live our lives in this world, where we seem to have no control. Where we look every where for answers. Everything seems hard and we have sorrow, working our selves to death. We seek answers from gods, idols and wisemen. We seek answers from deep within ourselves. We…

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The Princes Of This World

Who really rules? Let’s talk about some conspiracy and spiritual truth for a moment. Because you must understand that there is only ONE conspiracy. And that’s the spiritual battle behind the scenes, that we all can see parts of, and have a feeling about, but cannot completely prove. The people who rule this world are…

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Overcoming Anxiety And Fear

It is a demon. Cast it out. Jesus said, “Fear Not” (Matt. 10:31) He said it many times. Actually, it’s a theme throughout scripture. Fear at its most basic level, is a lack of trust in God and His promises. That is a harsh saying, especially when we are dealing with anxiety. Because, often times…

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Beating Her

Hard Life Poetry by Chris Bunton

I was working at my desk in the morning.
When I heard some banging and pounding,
from below me.

The neighbors were fighting again.
But, this was different.
This was screaming.

It was the sound of punching through flesh.
The sound of slapping skin
That sound of hands raised in defense,
while a fist plows through to break a nose.

Pounding, pounding, slap, slap,
screaming,
and a little girl crying.

“I’ll kill her!”

“No! Please! Run!”

The crashing of furniture.
The tired breathing of the finally
worn down.

“Give me my phone!”

“If you call the cops I’ll kill her!”

Slap, Slap, Slam, Break

“Run to the neighbors!”

“Get back in the bedroom!”

Screaming, fighting, dragging.

“Run!”

I call.

Telephone ringing. Buzz, Buzz, Buzz
A never ending buzz.
“911”

Why these women pick these guys who lie,
cheat, beat, ruin them, and don’t provide
I cannot imagine.

It’s a circle of pain,
which little girls and boys live.

Over and over,
generation after generation.

Drinking, cheating, lying, beating, doping,
and destroying.

It never ends,
even when someone dies,
or ends up in the joint.

It just shifts to a new place,
a new face,
beat to a pulp,
another stage to play out the dance.

And the cops come,
and write down the story,
to use in court.

And they lie.
And they cry.
While the little girl,
sings a song.

Taken to jail,
to be free soon.

To be forgiven,
and return,
to get her high,
and make her ride,
to beat her again,
soon.

“911”

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

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Photos by Pexels, changes by poet.

That Butterfly Life

I’ll Fly Away

This miserable world,
Where loved ones lie.

Where the innocent suffers,
And the good ones die.

Where hunger hurts,
And the body aches.

Where sadness prevails,
And fear takes control.

We crawl through this plane,
Like a worm on a leaf.

Consuming more and more,
And wasting away.

Till we sleep in darkness,
A worthless death.

To awake one-day,
Changed to new life.

Free to fly and float,
From beauty to beauty

On wings of love
With God in the wind.

Consuming blessings,
In eternal bliss.

Our former selves,
Never missed.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

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The Door

One Day The Door Will be Shut

Jesus said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”—-John 10:9.

What does this mean?

Well it means that Jesus Christ and Him alone is the only way to enter into heaven. It means that once saved we receive freedom and blessing in Christ.

Let me explain.

Because of the fall of Adam, humans have become wicked. We have a corrupted nature which causes us to do terrible things. We cannot stop. We cannot get right. We don’t really even understand how bad we are. We are slaves to Sin and Satan.

So, God Himself came in the flesh. In the form of Jesus Christ to die and cleanse us of Sin. Then, rose from the dead for our Justification.

If we turn to Him, and ask Him He will save us, and wash us in His blood. It’s a sacrifice for us. Because without the spilling of blood, there is no remission of sins. (Heb. 9:22, Matt. 26:28)

But why?

Because we cannot enter heaven without being cleansed. Sin cannot be allowed to enter heaven, or else eternity would be as bad as this world is. Sin and our corrupted nature is like a plague, a spiritual virus or radiation. It kills us. It totally corrupts us and spreads. It is not just our actions, but it is something in us that makes us wicked.

Imagine that we are in a world where nuclear weapons went off and we must be decontaminated from radiation before we enter through the shelter door.

Jesus Christ is the door of that shelter.

He is the Blood of the Lamb on the Door. (Exodus Chapters 11 -12)

He is the Ark to save us from the destruction to come.

God offers complete Grace to anyone who turns to Him.

But, there’s a time limit. There’s a point in history when the end shall come, and that time is near.

Jesus said, “and this Gospel of the kingdom must first be preached in all the world, for a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come.” —Matthew 24:14.

There is a point where the Gospel ends. When God has turned from Savior, to Judge and King. A point when grace turns to judgement.

Jesus said, that His return will be as the days of Noah and Lot. (Luke 17.)

In both stories we see a door. (Gen. 6:16, Gen. 7:9-16, Gen 19:10-11)

In the story of Noah, God closes the door of the Ark, and no one else is getting in. Then, the Flood came.

In the story of Lot, The angels shut the door of the house, and the people outside were struck blind and could not find the door.

Jesus is the door.

In both cases the people behind the door are saved. They are protected through the destruction.

So, what does this all mean?

Well, it means that there will come a point when the chance to get on the Ark, will end.

There will come a point when the Gospel will end, and no one will get saved any more.

A point when anyone not saved will not be able to find the door. They will be blind to it.

That point will come when all nations have had the chance to hear. We do not know when or how or exactly what this means.

Then, Jesus will return and we who are saved, will be taken up to meet Him in the clouds. (1 Cor. 15:50-53, Matt. 24: 30-42)

Then comes Wrath.

I imagine that the ending of the Gospel, and His return will correspond with the final persecution of the church, and the great falling away.

I do not believe in the pre-trib rapture. In both stories, God’s people are made safe, just before the wrath. Just before the final stroke.

And no. The seven year tribulation is not God’s wrath. God’s wrath is poured out in one day. The Day of the Lord.

In the story of Lot and Noah. It didn’t take seven years to Flood the Earth. It did not take seven years for the fire to fall and destroy Sodom.

God’s Wrath is utter destruction poured out in one day, and then eternal hell and the Lake of Fire. Jesus promises us tribulation. But not wrath. (John 16:33, 1 Thess. 5:9)

Once the door is shut. There shall be time no more. That’s the end. Now comes wrath.

I suspect that when the Anti-Christ overcomes the saints, that will be the end of the restraining power and the end of the Gospel. (Rev. 13:7, 2 Thess. Chapter 2)

Paul says, “How shall they hear lest someone tells them.” (Romans 10:13-17)

The Holy Spirit in us, saves people and convicts them. But, if there’s no preachers, and no truth in the age of deception. If we are overcome, then the restraining power of the Holy Spirit and His Truth is gone.

The door will be shut.

The time draws near.

We need to turn to the Lord, and serve Him.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

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Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

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It’s important to know. Death on its most basic level means separation. It is not an end, as some suppose. The Bible teaches that we are triune, like God. We are made in His image. We have a body, a soul and a spirit. When God created everything He created it good. Evil was contained…

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Always more. More, More, More. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”— Heb.…

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Do Not Be Like Them

Do We Follow Evil Authority?

There’s a Christian concept that I have struggled with over the years.

It is the idea that believers are supposed to bow down to Authority. No matter how evil it is.

The concept comes from this verse,

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”—Romans 13:1-7

The idea being that God is all powerful, so He can choose who He wants to lead and has chosen this evil leader. So we as Christians must follow the leader. We must pay what we owe in taxes. We give them respect.

We continue to do good, because even an evil ruler would have a hard time punishing someone who is doing good.

The bottom line is that we are actually serving God, and answer to Him, not the evil ruler.

That’s the basic concept.

This doctrine has led to Christians following evil dictators, Nazis, and Communists and other wicked rulers. It has led to Christians allowing the most vile and evil things to occur, and even seem to endorse them. It has led to Christians supporting laws that are evil, such as slavery and genocide. All perfectly legal at the time. Even today Christians support laws that destroy peoples lives. All because it’s “The Law”.

This concept has led to Pastors, who betray church members and send them off to death camps. Right now, in countries like China, Pastors will report members who preach the true Gospel.

It has led to churches where Jesus Christ is only viewed as a good teacher, not as Lord. Because the leaders are snitches and the congregation is too afraid to speak out. They cannot get a license to be a church if they do not support the state sanctioned version of the church. This sort of thing is coming world wide.

According to the scriptures, there will be a last days persecution.

After or during the the time when the four horsemen are galloping around, Christians world wide will be blamed and killed. The Anti-Christ will rise up and make war with the Saints and kill them. (Revelation 6:1-11, Revelation 13:7, Daniel 7:25)

Terrible things have happened in history and will happen again.

So, it behooves a believer to understand some things about this doctrine.

You cannot base a doctrine on one verse, or one segment. But you must base doctrine on the entirety of scripture. Being led by the Holy Spirit to make wise loving decisions on things.

It’s my belief that God created the concept of authority. It’s from God. But, authority is supposed to rule with love and wisdom. Since it’s from God.

God gives them the chance to do good and succeed, but they fail to various degrees. Government is full of humans, and they sin. They fail, they get it it wrong. They have free will. They choose to do evil, despite the fact that God gave them power so they could do good. It proves that humans are fallen, and even when we have the power to do good, we choose to do evil. Evil rulers prove that we need God to rule. Whether it’s our own lives or the lives of others.

Realize, that oftentimes a people will get the leaders they deserve. You cannot get a good leader from an evil people. Because the leaders come from the people. Ever since the day the child was born, they have been influenced by the culture. They are tainted. It takes a great person (or God in them, or with them.) to overcome the culture and to do good despite the evil. Remember that evil becomes good and good becomes evil, in a fallen culture.

As believers we are in this world and are called to serve God in it. No matter how evil a ruler is, we are called to serve God, in love.

We can gain great spiritual blessings in persecutions from evil. Jesus said we are blessed. (Matt. 5:11-12)

But, how do we live under wicked rulers?

One of the verses I stand on is …… “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”—(Matthew 23:1-3)

When you are faced with evil rulers, we are called to obey them, but not to be evil like them. That means we reject the evil. We reject the lies and false. But, still obey their authority.

What does this mean? How does it work?

Well, you need to be Spirit led, and refuse to do anything that is evil. Even suffering punishment because of it.

This applies to all levels of authority.

History shows us that persecution actually comes from the people around us. Even our own Pastors and brethren. As stated before, the churches throughout history have been full of people who will snitch on you and have you killed.

Scriptures show that there are false brethren. (2 Cor. 11:23-28, Gal. 2:1-5)

People who claim to know Christ but do not.

Our churches are full of them. Persecution helps to weed them out. It’s hard to claim to know Jesus when they kill you for it. So false brethren, twist your church to where you can still be a part of it, but not really serve Christ. It’s happening more and more. A place of entertainment and good moral teaching… Like the state supported churches in China, while the real believers are underground and persecuted.

There will be false teachers. False prophets and preachers or pastors.

We are warned of this, in these last days.

Jesus said to beware the false teachings of the Pharisees.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were the leaders. Understand that nobody listens to the weird guy in the basement. False teaching and false doctrine comes from people in authority. …( Matthew 16:6-12)

He said, “By their fruits ye shall know them…”—(Matthew 7:15-20)

What fruits? What false teachings?

False teachings has two aspects. Either they are teaching a works based doctrine. Or reject the divinity of Christ. Or a mixture of both.

They teach good morals and the law. Or that Jesus Christ was just a good man, or teacher, or never really mention Him. They also reject the Holy Spirit or never speak of Him. Believers, have the Spirit, and are led by Him.

You are not saved by Works. Only Christ alone, and He is Lord. When we are saved we are filled with the Spirit and are changed by Him and led by Him.

The fruits, are the fruits of the Spirit…”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”—(Gal. 5:22-23)

Fruits are not sin. All humans sin. But, not all humans, have the Holy Spirit, who brings those fruits out in us.

If they aren’t serving in love, joy and peace, you might want to question their fruits.

How do they treat you and others? Do they love you? Do they show it? Have they driven good people from your church?

We are called to forgive, but not to support evil.

Paul says there is no fellowship with demons or Belial. No agreement with the sons of deception. (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

So, when a leader, or false brethren or pastor has worked to destroy your life, their fruits reveal them. When people are driven from the church do you believe “They didn’t really love Jesus?” or do you believe that maybe the leadership didn’t love them? Both are possible.

We might need to obey them, because they hold authority, but we are not supposed to be like them. We are not to partake of their false doctrines. We are not to have fellowship with them. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

If they have done us wrong. We should go to them if the Spirit leads. Then, take them to 2 or 3 others. Then before the church.–(Matt. 18:15-17)

Then if they don’t stop. Treat them as a heathen and publican.

Forgive them. Love them. Pray for them, but do not fellowship with them. Do not let them drag you into their evil.

We are not talking about sins. But, fruits. If you focus on sins, you will reject certain sins while ignoring others. You will drive out one sinner while accepting another. You will reject the person who got pregnant out of wedlock, while accepting the person so full of pride they cannot admit they are wrong. You will reject the divorced person, while loving the Gossip. You will reject the addict while loving the glutton, because they can cook great fried chicken. So focus on love, not sins. Love them, and help them to love you.

God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us into all truth. We have the Word, but the Spirit helps us to apply it in wisdom and love.

We are going to need to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit in these last days. As brother turns on brother and delivers them unto death. The deception will be so bad that only the Holy Spirit will be able to guide us through. Do you plan to obey the Anti-Christ because he is in authority? You best learn how to follow the Spirit today, or you will be full of confusion on that day.

The time draws near and believers need to draw closer to God. Our faith is grown the more we trust God. We need to make sure we have the oil of faith in our lamps.

He is coming. But, not when they tell you.

BIO: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photos by the Author.

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