The only path to freedom is one walked without the chains of ignorance binding you. We are not to be unequally yolked with unbelievers. That does not mean we shouldn’t marry people that don’t know Christ, as some have said. What it means is we should not allow the religious law, which produces death, and those who use the bible to condemn instead of uplift, to YOLK us, (shackle us, bind us, make us a slave to their man made laws and traditions)…
The religious leaders of the world have hurt so many, it is time to embrace love, forgiveness, and see these men and women for what they are. Remember, even they have their purpose, so we must not condemn them for their ignorance. God has blinded and hardened those so that his glory and power will be made known.
God makes everything beautiful in ITS time, and he has a purpose for them, and they too will come to the knowledge of the truth. (see my article: the prodigal)… So Love Them, But Don’t Be Dragged Down By Them, Let God Drag You And Be Happy He IS!
In any event, enjoy “AWAKE”
JACOB'S LADDER 
“Jacob Israel” writes:
“Thank God I am not immature in my faith, I might have actually allowed some of the things you said to worry me (inspire fear, guilt, shame) – God doesn’t give us these spirits, but he gives us the power of peace and a sound mind…”
Fear
“And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall in wisdom think of His doing” (Psalms 64:9 MKJV).
“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you of whom you shall fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you, fear Him” (Luke 12:4-5 MKJV).
“And hearing these words, Ananias fell down and expired. And great fear came on all those who heard these things” (Acts 5:5 MKJV).
“Then at once she fell down at his feet and expired. And the younger ones found her dead, and, carrying her out, buried her beside her husband. And great fear came on all the church and on as many as heard these things” (Acts 5:10-11 MKJV).
“And the man in whom the evil spirit resided leaped on them, and overcoming them he was strong against them, so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks who lived at Ephesus, and fear fell on all of them, and the Name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (Acts 19:16-17 MKJV).
“Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be high-minded, but fear” (Romans 11:20 MKJV).
“For the grief according to God works repentance to salvation, not to be regretted, but the grief of the world works out death. For behold this same thing (you being grieved according to God); how much it worked out earnestness in you; but also defense; but also indignation; but also fear; but also desire; but also zeal; but also vengeance! In everything you approved yourselves to be clear in the matter” (2 Corinthians 7:10-11 MKJV).
“For if I have boasted anything about you to him, I was not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting as to Titus became truth. And his tender feelings are more abundant toward you, remembering the obedience of you all, as you received him [a man] with fear and trembling” (2 Corinthians 7:14-15 MKJV).
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, cultivate your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12 MKJV).
“Those who sin, rebuke before all, so that the rest also may fear” (1 Timothy 5:20 MKJV).
Guilt
“I will go; I will return to My place until they confess their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will seek Me diligently” (Hosea 5:15 MKJV).
Shame
“Be righteously awake, and sin not; for some have ignorance of God. I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:34 MKJV).
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9-10 KJV).
Back to me: So, there is a place for all these things – fear, guilt, and shame. They point the way, leading us to Christ. If we acknowledge (confess) the reality of our guilt and shame, this brings us to receiving the fear of God, which leads to salvation.
“And to man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom! And to depart from evil is understanding!” (Job 28:28 MKJV)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all practicing them have good understanding; His praise stands forever” (Psalms 111:10 MKJV).
The fear of God forms the spirit of power and love and a sound mind, which spirit “Jacob Israel” claims to have, but he doesn’t, and he can’t, because he rejects that which brings one into salvation.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7 MKJV).
“Therefore the showers have been withheld, and there has been no latter rain; and you had a harlot’s forehead, you refused to be ashamed” (Jeremiah 3:3 MKJV).
Sara,
Instead of replying to you here. Early this morning I took the oppurtunity to share my response as an essay. Because I think there is much we can all learn from what has been stated. Peace to you and yours, Jacob
Jacob, Victor Hafichuk here,
How did we come by receiving an invitation to your blog anyway? I am also curious as to how you got your name. What is the name you were given by your parents when you were born?
I am replying for Paul for the moment (not that he won’t reply, but he is very busy) and I reply because I have some questions to ask (as you can see) and things to say.
Questions:
How do you know you are a child of God, as you claim? If you are “on a journey to find the truth… to find my God,” then how can you be a child of God? My son is not on a journey to find his father because he is born of me and lives with me, so he knows both who I am and where I am. So with those born again, which is the only way one can be a child of God:
“For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba, Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:15-16 MKJV).
“But as many as received Him, He gave to them authority to become the children of God, to those who believe on His name, who were born, not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but were born of God” (John 1:12-13 MKJV).
When born of THE Truth, one searches no more. When Jesus Christ revealed Himself to me and gave me His Spirit by a new birth, my search was ended and my walk in the truth began. So is it with all those born from above, true Jews circumcised in the heart.
You say you pray, “God teach me the truth, open my eyes, lead me in your ways.” If your eyes are not open, which you confess now, then how can you lead others (you say you “help to encourage and lead others in this life.”) Is this not, in your own inadvertent words, a case of the blind leading the blind, assuming anyone is following? Reasonably, it can’t be otherwise, if we are to be honest about it.
What is the difference between compassion and love? And are you speaking characteristics the world has when it loves its own? If you are not a child of God, you have no recourse but to speak of the “virtues” of the flesh, which counts for little in the Kingdom of God, because spiritually, they are no virtue at all; quite the contrary – they oppose the better. “Flesh and blood does not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Paul’s marriage was one forbidden by the Law of God and by God Himself. I was sent to speak to him in the quandary he was in because of a marriage God did not put together or sanction. You really don’t know what you are talking about, yet you say, “Trust me.” You speak against God.
Very true words, you speak when you say: “You and I believe very differently, so one of us is an unbeliever.” You have never known the Lord, yet you try to talk like you know so much. You need to repent of your pride and self-confidence. In your ignorance you do not influence anyone properly in God’s sight. These things we know because we are one with Him. You raise your voice against heaven, Jacob.
You accuse Paul, in effect, of administering unrighteous fear. You are wrong. Then you say, “God does not give us the spirit (thoughts) of fear, but peace, love, and a sound mind.” Are you not familiar with the words, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, for also, ‘Our God is a consuming fire'” (Hebrews 12:28-29 MKJV)?
Are you not familiar with these: “For if God did not spare the natural branches, fear lest He also may not spare you either! Behold then the kindness, and the severity of God; on those having fallen, severity; but on you, kindness, if you continue in the kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:21-22 MKJV)?
Are you not familiar with God’s dealings with Ananias and Sapphira, or with Israel forty years after Jesus left the earth as a physical man? Jacob, you are presumptuous, proud, and foolish. You know nothing, yet you think to know something.
How can you, not being born from above, understand these things? If not of a new nature with a new heart, then old things are not passed away – you are still in your fear, and that is why you aren’t listening. Your mouth is wide open and your ears shut because you still have the corrupt heart of the flesh, understanding nothing, Jacob, nothing at all of the things of God.
We would not say you and your wife shouldn’t be married. It is highly likely that just as you don’t believe, neither does your wife believe. This we gather by your own testimony. Therefore, you are not in the same dimension of discipline and responsibility before God. Not that we are saying God did bring you together either; we don’t know. We only know the two cases to be dissimilar. Your carnal reasonings don’t count.
Not having the Spirit of God, what do you know about the meaning of the Scriptures? They are plain to those who are born of the Author of them. They speak of real believers not marrying unbelievers. It has little to do with doctrine or church membership. You don’t know what you are talking about.
Furthermore, if you were to permit the Scriptures to interpret their own meaning, what can you say about those that support in truth and principle what we say concerning marriage, like those in Ezra and Nehemiah? What was the lesson of Noah’s day when the sons of God took daughters of men in marriage to their detriment? What was God trying to tell the Israelites when commanding them to refrain from marrying heathen wives? What happened to Solomon who disobeyed that command?
We see that you “spiritualize” everything, casting away the practical as well as the spiritual truth as it applies in all dimensions; you do these things, as does your acquaintance, Joseph Clark, who is deceived and full of folly and contradiction.
Tear down your website, put on sackcloth and ashes, and consider that we are here in His Name by His will to speak the truth to you. You have stumbled on the Stone, yet pretend to be the great representative of the Stone. But your pride and presumption will compel you to scorn us, won’t they? Yes, they will, but by the grace of God, Who alone can change a man’s wicked heart.
You grandly finalize your ignorance in saying, “…and to be honest with you Paul, it is ignorance to believe ‘you shouldn’t literally marry someone who doesn’t believe what you believe— OTHERWISE CHRIST WOULD HAVE NEVER MARRIED US!)”
Marriage in and with the Lord means He has cleansed His bride and made her white and without blemish (she is prepared before marriage):
“And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband” (Revelation 21:2 MKJV).
You have never been born again, so how can you claim to be married to the Lord? When I saw your spirit in your video, I saw an angry, self-righteous, critical man who now thought he would have his big day in the sun. You have nothing, Jacob, nothing at all in the Lord. These are impossible words for you to hear and you will despise them, treating them as dung when they are gold.
Are these angry words? Yes, perhaps they are, but not without good cause. You are altogether out of line and soon you will know it. Yet, with a right reaction and attitude, these words can be the best you have ever heard.
If you were to read our material, you would find that we too have renounced and do denounce man’s works and religion. But the difference between you and us is that we do so by revelation, from a firm, positive and godly foundation constructed in Jesus Christ by His hand, while you do it from a negative position, from darkness, in the spirit and very works of men you condemn, ironically. Your source of inspiration, if one can call it that, is indoctrination or demonic influence. You have no revelation from God, not being His.
But you are not entirely clear as to whom you are talking about when you say, “OTHERWISE CHRIST WOULD HAVE NEVER MARRIED US!”
“Us,” meaning you to the Lord and the Lord to you, or are you speaking of you and your wife? If the latter, I have already explained how your marriage may not be a problem in God’s sight, because it is highly likely that neither you nor your wife is a believer.
On the other hand, you might be assuming that just because two people got married, therefore Christ married them, which is not the case. Read Diabolical Doctrine, All marriages are of God.
“Jacob Israel”? I don’t think so. You have yet to begin the spiritual journey in Christ, the Way. You are in utter darkness you think to be light. You have taken an upper seat at a banquet and now must be asked to go lower, and so should you do promptly.
Victor
http://www.ThePathofTruth.com
Hey Victor,
Thanks so much for your comment, I appreciate it. It is the best way for others to see what is truth and what is lies, what is love and freedom and what is hate, bias and condemnation. This is why I delete anyone’s comments at all, in fact I love them. As for how Paul came to my blog, that you would have to ask him, I don’t send out invites, I just write and people find me, surprising numbers of people find me, but truly they are only finding themselves, as I am finding myself in them, we are all one after all… Victor, not really much to say to you my man, my blog isn’t going anywhere, but fear, guilt, shame, hate, and arrogance is. When the light is shined on it, people can see it for what it is. Victor I hope you find some peace my man, and have a better day, because obviously you weren’t in a good place when you wrote this comment. Watch my last video, I am about to post it right now, I’m sure you’ll find some more things to try and YOKE me with. But those that come here, I believe come here with an open mind, I pray you do the same. You are my brother after all. And boy oh boy you can write. Thank God I am not immature in my faith, I might have actually allowed some of the things you said to worry me (inspire fear, guilt, shame) – God doesn’t give us these spirits, but he gives us the power of peace and a sound mind, and a teacher is patient, kind, doesn’t seek to strive, is long suffering, LOVE DRAWS A MULTITUDE TO REPENTANCE VICTOR. Try it on next time, you get more fly’s with honey then vinegar. Much love to you, your older brother, Jacob 🙂
-marriage is not a yoke,it is a bonding-ye twain shall be one flesh…..a yoke is a harnessed relationship(law)marriage is a union of love-matured through and by grace-blessings
Jacob, you write: “We are not to be unequally yolked with unbelievers. That does not mean we shouldn’t marry people that don’t know Christ, as some have said.”
What could be possibly be more of an unequal yoke than marrying an unbeliever, where the “two become one flesh”? You are very wrong; please read my testimony and wake up indeed!
http://thepathoftruth.com/testimonies/paul.htm
Paul Cohen
http://www.ThePathofTruth.com
Paul,
One might say that a person who doesn’t believe God will have ALL mankind to be saved is an unbeliever. One might say, that those who say “things aren’t lawful” is an unbeliever, as we saw Paul knew all things were lawful, but not everything expedient… Now, a Yolk is something that shackles people, drags them down and holds them back, CONTROLS THEM. I guarantee that someone who marries someone who doesn’t go to Church, is going to be held back, dragged down, or put under control. But one might say, the one who claims to be the believer would CONSTANTLY be trying to get their wife/husband to become what they are, saying you have to do this and that (putting a yolk on them). Remember the Religious leaders of Jesus’ day scoured the earth to find followers and made them twice the child of hell (ignorant suffering)… My wife never went to Church but shows more of the love of God than anyone I have ever met. Now after years of marriage, my wife knows more than most I have ever met. Don’t blame a failed marriage on the fact that someone did not go to your particular church, or believe what you believe, accept that the marriage failed, take responsibilty for the parts you played and move on. An unbeliever is one who thinks one must do this or do that to be saved, as opposed to knowing God is Soveriegn and in control of all things. So for anyone to say, don’t marry someone who is not a “christian” is an unbeliever. There was sex before there marriage, and there was marriage before people knew the word Christ. Thanks for the comment my man. I really appreciate it. It always gives me a chance to consider others views. Don’t let religion put you under a law of don’t do this, and you have to do that… That is heavy burden to carry.
Hi Jacob,
One might say a lot of things, but what matters is what is true and real. Speculation and hypotheticals amount to less than nothing, being beside the point and misleading.
God is about reality, and one cannot escape reality. That is why God warns believers not to join themselves in intimate relationships with unbelievers. Being unequally yoked leads to death and destruction, as my own experience and testimony shows. I was alive and thankful to know Jesus Christ was God, but because I sinned (fornication) and became unequally yoked in marriage to an unbeliever, I ended up in death and hell. God sent a man half way around the world to deliver me. How can you so callously and casually dismiss these things?
It was, after all, for this same reason, the mixing of believers with unbelievers in unholy marriages and alliances, that God destroyed the world in the days of Noah:
Genesis 6:2-7 KJV
(2) That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
(3) And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
(4) There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
(5) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
(6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
(7) And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.
The blame here is with the believer, the sons of God, and not with the unbeliever, although all have sinned.
Jacob, you need to avail yourself of what is on our site, because you are assuming many untrue things about what we preach in Christ, in gross ignorance of the truth. I am not saying that as in insult, but as the true assessment of your present state. Ignorance is not bliss, though it may seem that way for a while.
The prohibition against ungodly mixture is not the burdensome law of man, but the emancipating Law of God. Those who exhibit no use for the Law of God, as you do, have no use for God, so I don’t see how you can pursue this further, until something changes for you.
While you may not call yourself a “Universalist,” or believe the doctrine of ultimate reconciliation of all things (which we do and preach), you share the same error of many who call themselves by this doctrine. For more on your specific error, read http://thepathoftruth.com/falsehoodexposed/universalism/deadlyerroruniversalists.htm
Paul
http://www.ThePathofTruth.com
Paul,
My man, there is nothing callous about my replies or what I write. In fact, I try to season everything I write with compassion and love. I understand you believe a certain way and that is fine. We must all remember God’s ways are above ours and leave ourselves open to the oppurtunity to learn and grow. Which is why I pray without fail, “God teach me the truth, open my eyes, lead me in your ways.” My deepest desire is to know God, and I know God gives us the desires of our heart. Now I want to set you straight here, I am not a “universalist” I am not anything but a child of God on a journey to find the Truth, the Kingdom of Heaven, to find my God and help to encourage and lead others in this life. I do have faith that ultimately God is in control, and he will use the circumstances in everyone’s life to lead them to the Truth, to salvation, as it is written “every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.” Either that is true, or we have to throw that out, with the hundreds of other passages that say the same. A man will reap what he has sown, but not more than what he has sown, and in his reaping he will learn. I am sorry if you had a bad marriage (I am assuming you did) but trust me when I say, your failed marriage is a symbol, as was mine. And had nothing at all to do with your ex wife’s unbelief. You and I believe very differently, so one of us is an unbeliever. Your words could inspire fear and control “You must do this and that or else”, My words, I pray, do not. God does not give us the spirit (thoughts) of fear, but peace, love, and a sound mind. I will tell you truthfully, if I were to listen to what you just wrote to me, then I would have never met my wife, who I love more than my own life, if I were to listen to you I would be lost and scared, I would be yolked by a man made belief and tradition, as opposed to trusting that God is in control of all things, even who we marry and why.
But Paul, let me show you plainly, that the scripture is NOT talking about literally marrying someone who doesn’t subscribe to ‘your” beliefs… but is in fact, speaking of not falling victim to false beliefs and idolatry… Here is the scripture plainly.
14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(This is speaking of YOU and YOUR UNDERSTANDING. It talks about believing the TRUTH versus LIES)
15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
(when you understand the TRUTH, you understand the TRUTH has nothing to do with LIES.)
16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(Here is the big GIVEAWAY, what agreement does the TEMPLE (OUR HEART) of God with IDOLS… This scripture is speaking of you commiting IDOLATRY by believing what UNBELIEVERS teach. It has NOTHING to do with physically marrying someone who doesn’t go to your particular church)
17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you
(This is why we are charged to COME OUT OF THIS RELIGIOUS SYSTEM, do not take part of the lies of this world, don’t be YOLKED (dragged down) by people’s ignorance- and to be honest with you Paul, it is ignorance to believe “you shouldn’t literally marry someone who doesn’t believe what you believe— OTHERWISE CHRIST WOULD HAVE NEVER MARRIED US!)
Peace my man, hope this explains what I was stating a bit better.
Praise God for this insightful NEEDED TRUTH. As I have heard said many time, “oh the TRUTH has set me free”, yet I have discovered being led of the HOLY Spirit that is is the TRUTH you KNOW that sets you free!
its time,blessings Jacob