Can Ryker's Words Be Trusted?

Can you trust my words? First and foremost, I have not asked anyone to trust me. If you are just trusting my words and assimilating them into your life without comparing them against Scripture, to put it bluntly....you are wrong. If you are trusting anybody; your pastor, your favorite author, or especially even yourself, you are wrong. If you are really being honest with yourself then ask yourself this: are you trusting Jesus or are you just trusting the church you grew up in? The fact is, you do not know what you do not know! If you have never seen another viewpoint, other than the one you currently hold, you have shut yourself off from trusting Jesus. You might be trusting your church to be right on matters about your life, which may cost you everything…and which costs them nothing.

Please do not just trust me. You will often hear me say during lessons that “I am held responsible for every word I speak. However, you are held responsible for every word you hear. First, you must make sure I am right. Secondly if I am right, then you are held accountable for what you do with the word you just heard.”

Those who come here know when something is just my funky opinion, because that is what I call it. Do you know the difference between a matter of fact and a matter of opinion? Its important that you do. Because many Bible teachers teach the way evolutionists do. Teaching what they believe as if it were a matter of fact. If you are not paying attention you will get drawn in and may very well find yourself on the wrong side of scripture. (Click on Title or "Read More" in border to view the rest.)

I frequently have challenged my own children to not just trust me. I have exposed them to many different lines of thought. I am just not intimidated by scrutiny. Because I have always scrutinized myself. And as a result, I have changed my thinking many, many times. I have come a long ways from the church I grew up in...simply because I applied the tests to them that they taught me and they fell short of God's Word. So I had to choose. My church? Or the Word of God?

So, tell me what you believe, Ryker:

How do I differ from Contemporary Religious Tradition? Rather than giving you a statement of faith (as most churches will, while tactfully leaving out the doctrines they hold to that are controversial), I will come right out and just tell you where I differ. Then judge for yourself. Is that fair enough? I challenge everyone to do the same. If you want my generic statement of faith, it is also available at this site. Let's be honest though, haven't you wished just once someone would just answer your question...how are you different from all the other Christian churches? So, I will proudly be the first to declare.

I believe:

That ALL Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. What does that mean to me? That unless it is clearly metaphorical, it is literal. That all of it applies to me and may be used by me for my edification. That no matter where it is found in scripture; it is just as relevant today as the day it was written. There are not some parts written for the nation of Israel, and some for me, for we are all children of the Promise who believe in the promised Messiah. I believe that the Law has not gone away, it has just been fulfilled for me. Therefore, at the Great White Throne Judgment, Jesus will be measured against its requirements. If He is found perfect by its standard, then eternal life is mine entirely by grace. It also means that I do not talk myself out of any of the promises in the Word, nor its power in my life and in this world. I do not go looking for reasons not to believe, but I go as one looking for a precious pearl; seeking reasons to believe.

That Dispensationalism is nothing more than a man made concept with absolutely no basis in scripture. And that its sole purpose is to separate me from my rightful inheritance under the blood and body of my saviour. There are no dispensations in the Bible. There is simply faith in the prophesied Messiah, and Faith in the Historical Messiah. I believe that in the absence of Jesus, there is only Justice. That after Jesus came there was grace. That's it. One pivotal moment in human history that changed everything. No dispensations. Period. And that's a fact....its not my funky opinion. If I am wrong....show me.

That God is a Good God, and as such does not kill, maim, or abuse His children. And if I being evil know how to treat my children well, who would dare suppose that I am a better father than God Himself? I know that it is the devil that is the destroyer and not God. And all the bad that is going on in this world, is because God put us in charge of it for a time. And we have failed miserably with our charge. We think we are passive observers in the greatest drama that ever existed and so the devil goes on stealing, killing, and destroying because there is no one with enough guts to say enough is enough and step up to his responsibility to stop the devil in his tracks. I, for one, refuse to be counted among those that could have done something, but instead chose to be as a grasshopper in the devil's eyes. I say that in Christ, I am “Well able“.

That God cannot be blamed for our stupidity. And since I don't need His help or the devils to mess up my own life (or other people's too), who are we to say that the bad things people do are somehow God's fault? And if the destroyer can do nothing but destroy...how is it that we blame God for the devil's business?

That God has delegated His authority on this earth to His Children, along with its accompanying responsibilities. And that at the Judgment Seat of Christ, the records will be opened and it will be measured out what we have done with that which He gave us to steward over during our race on this earth.

That God always says what He means, and means what He says.

That God cannot lie.

That God cannot not break, nor excuse Himself from His promises.

That God cannot not change His mind about His Word.

That He has not inserted fine print in His promises so He won't have to keep His Word.

That we don't have to cajole or beg God to answer our prayers, especially pertaining to those things He has already promised His children.

That our purpose in this life, is to be MORE than conquerors and not to just learn how to cope with suffering and then die well.

That God heals ALL diseases and injuries of those who will receive it.

That God reveals Himself to those who seek Him with all their heart, mind, and soul.

That God speaks to those of His children who are listening.

That every man is free to worship God as his spirit, conscious, and the Word of God dictates. And that just because one man thinks silent reverence is enough, it does not give him the right to judge a man who lifts his hands to the Lord. Nor that man to judge another who dances before the Lord.

That the Holy Spirit can and will instruct us on matters of Scripture if we are humble enough to receive it, understanding that the Holy Spirit is the final authority on matters of the Spirit, and not man, no matter how educated on such matters one may suppose himself to be. “There is a God, and I am not Him”, is the beginning of wisdom.

The scriptures give us the means to test the spirits, prophets, pastors, teachers, and even the Messiah Himself, if they be from God or elsewhere. What are those standards? It is, “Who do you say Jesus is?” On this basis, all Christians will most likely agree, at least up to the point where my faith in Jesus says that Jesus did much MORE than many of my brothers and sisters may be willing to accept. I will say that Jesus made all things new. My challenger will say that it was all about the Blood. But, I will say that it was also about His Body broken for me. My challenger will say that He only purchased eternal salvation. I will say that Jesus also manifests His life in my mortal body. My challenger will say that “In this life we will have troubles.”... and I will finnish the scripture by saying, “but be of good cheer, for I (Jesus) have overcome the World!” I will also say, that when Jesus said, “It its Finished !!!”, He meant it.

Everything that proceeds from their mouths must stand the test of accuracy with Scriptures. However; one man's opinions about Scripture is not the basis for judging another man's opinions. You see, Jesus was executed by the religious leaders of the day based upon the fact that He was in contradiction with their understanding of the Scriptures, not on the Scriptures themselves; which clearly identified Jesus Christ as the Messiah they awaited. Yet, they awaited for their idea of the Messiah that they desired for themselves.

In the same way, so many of us kill the prophets, teachers, pastors, and even our Messiah on the basis of what we think about God's Word, and not on God's Word itself. It is quite clear that there are not many churches where Jesus would be welcome these days. Our convictions so often are defined not by what God's Word says but by what we are comfortable with.

So, the Biblical Test on its own cannot be trusted. Not because God's Word cannot stand the test, but because, we simply cannot trust ourselves to be right about anything in scripture except where it is black and white. Such as: “there is no other Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 To teach our doctrines as the precepts of God is always very problematic and dangerous. Our understanding of God's Word is not absolute, only God's Word is. To give our words about God's Word more authority than God's Word itself, is just Arrogance gone to Bad Seed. Agreed? Therefore there needs to be another test to accompany it....

The Scriptures teach us that He will be known by His fruit. As Jesus said, “If you will not believe what I say, believe what I do.” Here are the facts. Despite Jesus appearing to blaspheme (claim to be God) and thus radically contradicting the Word of God, there was one thing that should have made them reconsider their understanding.

Since the beginning of time, no man had done the things that Jesus did... things only God could do. Picture the man born blind. Now under examination they ask him who he thinks Jesus is. He responds, that all he knows for sure was that he was born blind and now he sees...then directing it back to them, he asked, "who do you think He is?" Every time I read that passage I get goosebumps. Imagine them plotting to kill Lazarus because He was raised from the dead. What were they thinking?!! Many Pharisees did believe. The others said however, that Jesus did what He did by the power of the devil. He pointed out, first of all, how absurd and stupid that statement was. Like I told the guys the other day, that would be like the Muslims saying that the only reason our Marines are being successful is because the Taliban are helping them. Its just as stupid to suppose that satan would cast out satan, as it would be for the Taliban to cast out the Taliban. Then He went on to caution them, that they were walking on dangerous ground, giving credit for the work of the Holy Spirit to the devil (or anyone for that matter). It is a sin that will not be forgiven.

I was raised in a church that taught that people who do things like Jesus, the disciples, and I, (along with others); are from the devil. They say that such wonders would only be done by the devil. And on what basis? Because they have decided that God does not do wonders anymore. By judging in this manner, my church was in agreement with the Pharisees to execute their Messiah. I will say this, that they are right when no miracles are being done in their church, but to demand that no miracles be done in ANY church is beyond their authority. If miracles make them uncomfortable, they don't have to put up with them! That is their choice.

On the other hand, I rather enjoy miracles. But I will never force my belief on anyone. However, in return, I expect them to not force their UNbelief on me. I would enjoy engaging a sincere party regarding the biblical basis for their lack of belief, but that's another story. Ask me, I will tell you where they get it and take you there myself, if you like.

If anyone listens to me, it's not because there is anything special about me...because there is nothing special about me. . It's because common sense itself knows the difference between Good News and Bad News. You will know the Gospel when you hear it. For it can only bear good fruit. What did you expect to find when you went out seeking John the Baptist? Christians in so many mainline churches accuse God of all kinds of things. If I treated my children the way they claim God does His; the state would move in take them away from me and throw me in prison. Imagine my wife telling my children not to question my abusing them, because "daddy moves in mysterious ways." Please excuse me, that's just horrible, and it is certainly NOT good news. I would not want to be a Christian either, if that's the best I could expect from your “loving” god.

So, here is the test that they should have applied and which you should, as well. The test of Fruit. You show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Let's compare the Holy Spirit's fruit in me - and the Holy Spirit's fruit in my challengers. And then ask a simple question… "which fruit is good fruit and which is bad?

That which Jesus did, proved that He was who He claimed to be. The fruit in our life, is meant to prove or to disprove what we say. As a good tree does not bear bad fruit nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Here is where the problem is in comparing one man's belief with another man's unbelief. A challenger will say that you cannot expect anything from God, and that all the bad things that happen to you are God's Work. They will admit to faith in what God can do, but not to faith in what God WILL do for us.

I, on the other hand, choose to apply my faith to what God WILL do. Since the demons also believe in what God “can” do, which is the greater faith? In what God can do, or in what He will do? So, all my challengers have to expect is the same thing they always expect. Nothing. The fruit of no expectations, is no fruit.

Here is the thing. If God's will actually was unknowable...then its true He would be as capricious as Allah. In the absence of certainty about where we stand in Christ, we by default have aligned ourselves with the world. As such our lives are defined by Fate and not Faith. By Faith in God's Word, I know exactly what to expect. If one does not know what to expect, then that person can only adopt a "whatever will be will be" position. If it’s my time to go...what can I possibly do about it? Fate is for people unfamiliar with God's Word and whose faith is not even as big as a mustard seed. You can have fate...I will take faith everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.

I must prove that my expectations are answered according to God's Promises, because I choose to believe that God is a Good God, and that it is the “Devil who comes to steal, kill and destroy“ (John 10:10); not God. I believe that God cannot lie. I believe God cannot break His promises. I believe that God does not change His Mind about His Word. Therefore despite how hard it is to dismiss that which my eyes see and choose to believe what God's Word says, I choose to do so. One would have to compare apples with oranges in order to compare my Faith with another man's lack of faith. The only standard then that can apply, is, does God's Word prove true in my life because I choose to believe, receive, and walk in it?

Can I be trusted? No, because I am just a man. I can make mistakes and I can be wrong. And since it is your eternal soul and your personal relationship with your savior, it behooves you not to trust me. On the other hand, have I ever asked you to trust me? I always provoke you to check me out, for I know what you will find if we are reading from the same Bible.

It should not surprise anyone that God is not the least bit intimidated by anyone who refuses to believe. And He does not feel the least inclined to reveal Himself to anyone who is a scoffer. He only reveals Himself to those who approach Him on His terms. God does not have to prove anything to anyone except them that have come on their knees. Only those who seek His face will hear His voice.

Ryker R. Kern