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To Hold Down (κατέχω)

To hold down (κατέχω) conveys the act of preventing, hindering, or holding onto something or someone.

In the parable of the land owner who planted a vineyard and leased it out so that he could go to a far away country, the vinedressers sought to hold down his son’s inheritance by killing him (Matthew 21:38). By slaying the heir, they perceived that they would be able to prevent the owner from taking what was rightfully his.

While talking about the Kingdom of the Heavens and how the message is impacting those hearing it, Jesus speaks the parable of the sower and the seeds. Unlike the message of salvation today, which holds an inherent ability to save a person (Romans 1:16), the good news of the Kingdom of the Heavens could be snatched out of the heart of those who heard it. However, those who heard the word with a proper and good heart, prevented the loss of the message in their heart, resulting in bearing fruit (Luke 8:15). Therefore, their lives were impacted by the message of the Messiah because they believed God.

A quality of the wrath of God is manifested today against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold down the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). The wicked do not succeed because they evade justice, but rather, because God gives them over to uncleanness and the strong desires of their hearts due to their rejection of the truth. As a result, their minds become depraved, calling good evil while being filled with all forms of unrighteousness, thus bringing upon themselves the fullness of judgment (Romans 1:32).

When we were in the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our […]

To Hold Down (κατέχω)Luther Walker2024-11-21T05:57:43-08:00

Mental (κάμνω) and Physical (ἐκλύω) Weariness

Mental weariness (κάμνω) is an exhaustion of the soul that impacts the mind. It can result from continual struggles, long, arduous journeys, or the accusing of the conscience for wronging another person.

James writes of the vow of faith by those who are mentally weary. In the early Church, the Elders (Pastors) would assist those who were physically sick (ἀσθενέω), praying over them and anointing them with oil, which was used for relief from sickness. However, for those who are having a mental issue, it is the vow of faith that will provide calmness. This vow is to correct a wrong done, which is causing a negative impact on the mind because of the weariness of the soul.

And the vow of faith will save the mentally ill and the Lord will raise him up and if he has done a sin, it will be forgiven him – James 5:15.

A physical weariness (ἐκλύω) can cause a person to lose heart. During His earthly ministry, Jesus fed a large crowd that had come out to hear Him speak on the Kingdom of the Heavens. He has compassion on them because they were exhausted from their journey, Matthew 9:36. A person who sows should not exhaust their strength, for in due time, he will reap from his work, Galatians 6:9. Sowing righteousness will take more time to reap than sowing to the flesh, which seeks instant gratification. Patience in doing good and taking time to rest is essential so we do not grow weary in overcoming what is wrong with good. As sons of God, He corrects us when we do wrong. We are not to become physically exhausted by this child-training, for the Lord rebukes those […]

Mental (κάμνω) and Physical (ἐκλύω) WearinessLuther Walker2024-04-04T13:48:14-07:00

Pious (ὁσιότητι)

Often translated as holy, it actually is expressing holiness in action. Holiness means to be separated, where being pious happens as we separate ourselves unto God in actions. This naturally results in the rejection in our lives of the things of the flesh, the world, and Satan because they are contrary to who we are in Christ.

As an apostle, Paul determined that men should worship in every place, lifting up pious hands. Hands that work out the holiness we have in Christ (1 Timothy 2:8 – Therefore, I determine while worshiping all men in every place lift up pious hands apart from wrath and dispute). He is not saying lift up your hands during a worship service or in Church while praying. He is saying that our hands are to work out the holiness that we have in Christ while we are giving God credit for Who He is and what He has done (worship).

One of the requirements of a Bishop (Pastor or Elder) is to be pious (Titus 1:8 but fond of strangers, fond of good, a saved frame of mind, just, pious, self-controlled). As one who is responsible for an assembly, there are specific Scriptural requirements to hold the position of a Pastor. These men are not to be self-willed, addicted to wine, fond of money gained through false means (tithing), but hospitable, fond of goodness, having a saved frame of mind, while holding fast the doctrine of the word of faith, which will result in a lifestyle that shows forth their separation unto God. Being pious is accompanied by righteousness and blamelessness (1 Thessalonians 2:10 You and God are my witnesses as pious and just and blameless we became…), as these are […]

Pious (ὁσιότητι)Luther Walker2023-11-25T08:02:56-08:00

The Crowns of the Saints Crown of Evangelism

When we speak the truth and spread the message of reconciliation it is showing that we are victorious in Christ. Standing up and speaking the truth is not always easy, especially among those who claim to be Christians but base their salvation n on a different gospel, which is not a gospel at all. The message we bring is clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 believe that Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead for salvation. Not accepting Him into your heart, being remorseful for sins, asking for forgiveness of sins, making Him the Lord of your life, praying the sinners pray. No, all we need to do is believe.

The Crowns of the Saints Crown of EvangelismLuther Walker2023-11-27T11:05:01-08:00

Preparing Paul to Preach the Gospel

Paul’s Time in the Wilderness

Paul spent three years in the Arabian desert after the Damascus road experience being training by Christ to present the gospel to the Gentiles. He then returns to Damascus where he proclaim Jesus is the Son of God.

Acts 9:1-17

^9.1 And Saul yet breathing a threat and murder unto the disciples of the Lord, after going to the high priest, ^9.2 asked from him a letter unto Damascus towards the synagogues so that if perhaps he found some of the way being both men and women, after binding them, he should lead them to Jerusalem. ^9.3 And in the journey, he came near to Damascus and suddenly shining around him a light from the heaven. ^9.4 And after falling upon the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” ^9.5 And he said, “Who are you sir?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you persecute.” ^9.6 But you stand and enter into the city and I will speak with you, what it is necessary for you to do. ^9.7 And the men, the ones journeying with him stood speechless, on the one hand hearing a sound, on the other hand not watching anyone. ^9.8 And Saul rose up from the ground, after opening his eyes he saw no one, And while they led him by the hand they entered into Damascus. ^9.9And he was three days without seeing and he did not eat nor drink. ^9.10 And there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Look […]

Preparing Paul to Preach the GospelLuther Walker2019-01-01T10:24:41-08:00

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