Filed under: Tid-Bits | Tags: Corrupted, flesh, Moral character, Moral depravity, Moral perfection, Phycial depravity
The command to “cease to do evil” (Isa. 1:16), and to “sin no more” (Jn. 8:11), implies that all sin is volitional. It implies that sin is not some involuntary substance dwelling inside of you which you cannot get rid of. Therefore, you don’t need a new body or a new substance to be free from sin.
You can have a pure and perfect heart or be morally perfect in this life, even while you have a fallen and corrupted body or are physically imperfect. This is evident since the Bible described certain men as being perfect in heart in this life, even while existing in their corrupted, depraved, or fallen flesh (1 Kin. 6:61; 11:4; 15:3; 15:14; 20:3; 1 Chron. 12:38; 28:9; 29:9; 29:19; 15:17; 16:9; 19:9; 25:2; Job 1:1, 8; Ps. 102:1; Isa. 38:3). “And the Lord said unto Satan, hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (Job 1:8). “And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight” (Isa. 38:3).
Clearly, you can be morally perfect, or completely obedient to God, even while you’re physically depraved. Your heart can be right with God, in obeying all the moral knowledge that you have, even while your body does not sustain perfect health. Though your flesh is corruptible (just as Jesus’ was, but without sin), your moral character does not have to be. Your will can obey all the moral knowledge of your mind, thus creating a perfect moral character, even while your body or flesh is fallen and depraved, or even while you are physically imperfect.
The distinction between the moral and the physical must be kept in our minds. We must differentiate between moral depravity (Rom. 3:23), and physical depravity (1 Cor. 15:22-23). And we must distinguish between moral perfection (1 Kin. 8:61; Php. 3:15), and physical perfection (1 Cor. 15:42; Php. 3:11-12).
More later…
Filed under: Tid-Bits | Tags: flesh, Free, Moral, Moral perfection, Perfection, Physical, Resurrection, sin
Some suppose Romans chapter seven to be a description of the Christian life, as opposed to a description of an unconverted state. But we know Paul is not referring to his own converted state because he already said that Christians have been made “free from sin” (Rom. 6:18, 22). The man in Romans seven was not “free from sin” and, therefore, he was not a Christian.
Paul also said that, “There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1). Yet the man in Romans chapter seven was under condemnation and therefore needed to be saved by Jesus (Rom. 7:24-25).
And Paul said that, “to be carnally minded is death” (Rom. 8:6). But the man in Romans chapter seven said, “I am carnal, sold under sin” (Rom. 7:14). Therefore, the man in Romans chapter seven did not have eternal life.
And finally, Paul said that as a converted man he lived with a good and pure conscience that was void of offense (Acts 23:1; Acts 24:16; 2 Tim. 1:3). The man described in Romans chapter seven is deeply disturbed by his conscience (Rom. 7:16). Therefore, the description given in Romans chapter seven was not of the converted life of the Apostle Paul. It is a narration describing what happens when an unconverted sinner’s mind encounters the law of God and is convicted by it.
Paul did say, “…not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect” (Php. 3:12). When Paul said he had not yet attained perfection, he was talking about being free from physical corruption and attaining physical perfection. This is obvious since He said in the verse right before, “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Php. 3:11). The context of verse eleven gives clarity to the meaning of verse twelve. Paul was saying that he had not yet attained physical perfection because he had not yet attained a glorified body.
Paul was not saying that he was sinful and had not yet been made free from sin, since Paul already said that Christians have been made “free from sin” (Rom. 6:18, 22), and that he had a “conscience void of offense” (Acts 24:16; see also Acts 23:1; 2 Tim. 1:3). Paul was certainly not saying that moral perfection is unattainable in this life, as many misunderstand him to be saying, since only two verses down he said, “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded” (Php. 3:15).
Clearly, Paul was writing about two different types of perfection. One type of perfection Paul said he had attained and one type of perfection which he said he had not yet attained. Paul was making a clear distinction between physical perfection and moral perfection and stated that the former is only attainable in the next life while the latter is attainable in this life. Moral perfection is attainable in this life while we are still in our flesh, since our flesh is not sinful in and of itself, and our flesh does not necessitate our choices, but we are free to live after it or to choose not to (Matt. 16:24; Rom. 8:13; 1 Cor. 9:27).
More later…
Filed under: Tid-Bits
The god of Calvinism says that, “God is seen as the great and mighty King who has appointed the course of nature and who directs the course of history even down to its minutest details.”
The god of Calvinism says, “He also perfectly controls all the depraved and impious affections of the wicked, and turns them as He pleases.”
The god of Calvinism says, “When we get the larger view we see that even the sinful acts of men have their place in the divine plan.”
So the god of Calvinism is actually an EVIL god! The next time you read about the most cruel and vilest crimes committed such as the rape of children, putting a baby in a microwave, doctors botching up abortions and tossing the babies to die in a trash can, murderers chopping people and eating them, when a woman is forced at gunpoint to remove her clothes, then repeatedly and brutally raped and then shot in the back of the head, when a drunk runs over and kills a child; no matter what you read, THE CRIMINALS HAD NO CHOICE! Why? Because the god of Calvinism had control of every thought, impulse, and feeling, for the evil god of Calvinism is one who “perfectly controls all the depraved and impious affections of the wicked, and turns them as He pleases.”
The god of Calvinism is Satanic!
More later…
Filed under: Tid-Bits
The bible says that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 5:1) A lot of people think peace is just a mellow, calm feeling. It’s more than that. One can be in the midst of life threatening situations and scared and still be at peace. I remember when I was held up at gunpoint. I was very scared and at the same time at peace. I didn’t freak out. At peace means to be in right standing with God the Father. This kind of peace is internal and does not depend on external circumstances. Those who have no peace are the enemies of God.
Filed under: General | Tags: Death, Encouragement, Hurtful, Life, Prodigal Son, Sheep, Venom, Words
Paul says, “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips.” (Romans 3:10)
Whoever said, “Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me,” must have never been involved in interpersonal relationships.
The tongue in itself is not sinful. The tongue holds no moral quality, but yet, how it is used can bring life or death. It can tear down or build up. It can deceive, slander and discourage. What comes from the tongue and lip is the venom of asps. That is a venomous snake! This venom, when it starts to work its way in the body, brings about pain, sleepiness, heaviness and eventually physical death.
Have you been injected with the venom of asps? It may come from parents, siblings, spouse, co-workers, strangers, friends, your children and your neighbors.
The thing about being injected with this venom is that it brings about a quick death, on the other hand, words that are spoken in haste and in self-righteous pride kills one slowly because they are remembered in the heart and mind of the offended. Instead of timely words bringing comfort, encouragement and peace, it sows discord, discouragement, division, bitterness and falsehood.
All Christians at one time or another are going to face misfortune, calamity, or distress. Jesus didn’t say our life will always be joyful and bliss, but will be filled with many difficulties as well.
Did you know that one of those difficulties will come simply because you choose to live a godly life? Jesus said that those who live godly will be persecuted.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for there is the kingdom of heaven.”
In this case one will be persecuted just because they are living a godly life!
Paul repeats this in the book of Timothy,
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim. 3:12)
Those who live in an ungodly home or working with ungodly co-workers or live among their ungodly neighbors, somebody is going to make some kind of derogatory statement about our faith or how we live. Some might make comments, in fun of course, and with others sometimes more serious. Some family members will be outright angry with you; whether it is spouse or children, because you have set a standard that you will live and abide by.
The enemy is working very hard to distract us, and puts forth great effort of trying to get us to turn away from our God. I have experienced this at times and even recently. Sometimes I feel like throwing in the towel, but something inside me shouts “NO!” So what do I do? To be honest, I have a good cry. Not silently weeping, I’m talking audibly crying like a baby when it hits me hard in those very trying times as my heart earnestly seeks to hear a special word from God.
The Bible says the tongue is a very powerful thing and has much to say about that little instrument. There are about eight descriptions of the tongue in the Scriptures. Five of them are very destructive and three are good. The five descriptions of the tongue used in a destructive way are:
- A razor (Ps. 52:2)
- Poison (James 3:8)
- Sword (Ps. 64:3)
- Deadly Arrow (Jer. 9:8)
The three good descriptions are:
- Choice Silver (Prov. 10:20)
- Health or healing (Prov. 12:18)
- Tree of life (Prov. 15:4)
I had made mentioned of how “sheep bite.” Someone responded that true sheep don’t bite. It’s the wolves who bite. After I thought about it for a while, I have come to realize that person is correct. I can understand hateful words from the unsaved, but what about people who supposedly call themselves Christians? True sheep will not attack, criticize, and ostracize those facing trials in life. This is not a way to share burdens or to weep with those who weep.
Satan is going to hit us hard at times. He wants to numb us in our walk and he’ll use anyone he can, including so-called Christians. They want to inject us with their poisonous venom to make us weak and fill us with doubts. He throws accusations and condemnation at us through his servants in hopes of getting us to give up.
But the Lord knows how to touch His own through His own. I have had a few emails sent to me with encouraging words and one in particular who is going through the same trial. There was also one email where the person said, “I believe we can comfort others because God comforts us. If you can imagine yourself two years from now, comforted and healed, meeting a woman who is going through what you are going through now, and you helping her in a heart-felt way, from experience, that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to relate to her on a deep level.”
And then I received an email from a woman who inspired me to write this. She could not express her grief that she shares with me, a mom, a royal daughter to royal daughter of our mighty King. This woman expressed that she just feels numb when she thinks about my heartbreak.
It’s very hard for a parent to watch their offspring make the wrong decisions in life; taking the road of irresponsibility and getting involved with all kinds of immorality and surrounded by people who don’t really care. It brings us a little closer to God in understanding His heart and how His heart must ache when His children walk away from Him. At the same time we must make our own choices as well. We must continue to live our lives to honor God even though others do not see the need, even within our own family. The parable that Jesus tells of the father of the prodigal son is very close to my heart.
There are times we have to let our offspring go and let it be a matter of sink or swim. Either they will come to their senses or they will die from their riotous living. But like the father of the prodigal son, he must have had thoughts go through his mind that pass through ours as well like, I wonder what my son or daughter is doing now? Is she/he in trouble? Who is she/he with at this moment? What are they doing? Not only that, you think back on the times when they were younger and so innocent and you were the most important person in their life, relying on you for guidance and daily needs. You remember those times they snuggled in your arms and were safe. Then the troubling questions enter and you ask yourself if you could have done things differently. Did I do the right thing? Where did I go wrong? But now they have reached that point in life where they must decide how they are going to live, and we must let go. Like the father, we will shed the tears and just have to wait; the outcome may be joyous or we might have to face tragedy.
However, I feel sorry for those who cannot understand another’s pain; people who come into your life with unkind and thoughtless words, even from people you don’t know on a personal level. People who think they have the solutions to all life’s problems, and make accusations that are not true.
Jesus says, “But I say to you that every idle word, whatever men may speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.”
Speaking words of encouragement is like choice silver, health, and a tree of life. Words of encouragement are refreshing to the soul and help give us strength to continue. All of us must watch our words, even when restoring someone who may be overtaken in sin. We can speak the truth, but we can also speak it in love. It doesn’t say to restore another with accusations and rudeness, but in meekness. One may use Jesus as an example to excuse their rough words on others, but Jesus was harsh on the Pharisees, not everybody is a Pharisee.
All of us are going to face trials in life, and many of us are in it now, but what a shame when we cannot bear our hearts out to one another in fear of the venom attack of the snakes out there who claim to be Christians.
Someone wrote something this morning which said,
“God has a special way of taking you through hard times and difficult seasons, and then bringing back to you, even in a greater way, the things that you thought you lost forever. Encourage one another, even more so as we see the Day quickly approaching.”
Things are not getting better in the world today. The days are drawing to a close. We never know who we may touch with our words and how it will affect them. Will we bring life or will we bring death? Will we cause others to doubt? Will our words make them stumble? Will our words cause them to lose faith? Will they be words of healing and reconciliation?
Yes, we will have our moments of joy and celebration along with our times of trials and testing.
Some may see this as a trifle matter, but God has a lot to say about the tongue. It will not be until one has been injected with its venom at their time of trial and testing that they will not find it a trivial matter.
Just knowing that someone stands with us in prayer can be enough to not let go of the anchor of our soul. Barnes says of Hebrews 6:19,
“Hope accomplishes for the soul the same thing which an anchor does for a ship. It makes it fast and secure. An anchor preserves a ship when the waves beat and the wind blows, and as long as the anchor holds, so long the ship is safe, and the mariner apprehends no danger. So with the soul of the Christian. In the tempests and trials of life, his mind is calm as long as his hope of heaven is firm. If that gives way, he feels that all is lost.”
Always hang onto the anchor in spite of what people will say to try and destroy our hope, because ultimately God is at work in our lives.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
More later….
Filed under: General | Tags: Abide in Christ, Believes, Commandments, Doctrine, Holy Spirit, Law of Christ, Obedience, Righteousness, sin, Unbelief
Paul said, “Bear one another’s burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:2)
What is the law of Christ? The law of Christ is the body of commands and teachings He taught to His disciples and they in turn were to teach every new disciple. (Matt. 28:20)
Paul equated Christ’s law to God’s law. (1 Cor. 9:21)
“To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.”
Paul told the Christians in Galatia to carry each other’s burdens, and in doing so they would fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:2)
Paul also said such things as “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. 3:16)
What is the word of Christ?
It has to do with everything Jesus taught and commanded! I have heard people try to get away with what Jesus taught by claiming it belongs to another dispensation in the future; that what Christ taught cannot be applied doctrinally to the Christians in the Church Age.
The word “doctrine” simply means “teaching or instruction.” It is not some mystical word that is hard to grasp. Whatever Jesus taught applied to the apostles, to those at that time, and to us! If one does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, he does not have God.
2 John 1:9 says,
“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”
As one author has well stated,
“It seems strange that men should forbid Jesus the privilege of teaching, during His earthly ministry, and great principles governing man’s relation to God – not only during the few remaining days of His brief earthly ministry, but throughout the age to follow, for which He was even then preparing His disciples. It seems even stranger that men who so easily reject much of our Lord’s later teaching as ‘not applicable to the present dispensation’ do not hesitate to accept much of His earliest teaching (to Nicodemus, for example) as being fully applicable to the present age. (One friend, in conversation with the author, even denied that our Lord’s words in John 15 have any bearing on the question of our relation to Christ today, since they were spoken ‘before Calvary’ – a few hours! What delicate, fragile hairs skilled ‘rightly dividers’ can sometimes neatly split with one swift, sure stroke of their hermeneutical broadaxe!)
It is true that Jesus made reference to certain legal and ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic economy which are not applicable today. But it is also true that He enunciated cardinal principles governing man’s spiritual relation to God which are as valid today as the moment of utterance. One of these principles, according to His teaching in the Parable of the Law of Forgiveness, is that true repentance toward God is inseparably associated with our attitude toward our fellow men and cannot exist apart from a charitable, forgiving spirit toward others.
Such true repentance, like sincere faith and the faithful retention of the saving word of the Gospel, is necessary, not merely for a fleeting moment at the occasion of one’s conversion, but continually and habitually, as an essential condition of forgiveness and salvation. ‘So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you,’ warned Jesus, ‘if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.’ It is possible, warned Jesus, that Peter and others who have known the forgiving grace of God might forfeit that forgiveness. The forgiving grace of God cannot dwell in bitter, unforgiving hearts. He who refuses to forgive his brother has no real sense of need for the forgiveness of God and no just claim on His gracious forgiveness. ‘Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.’”
What does Jesus expect from us?
Jesus expects us to obey Him. He was not suggesting it, nor did He say it was for another dispensation. Jesus said true believers are those who obey Him. Jesus said if you love Him, keep His commandments (John 14:15).
We are to abide in the doctrine of Christ. When we abide in the doctrine of Christ, we are fulfilling the law of Christ and it shows that we have both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9)
God’s will is expressed in the Law of Christ.
The law of Christ is anything Jesus taught in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and is considered the will of the Father. (Matt. 12:50)
Jesus said whoever hears these sayings (of Jesus), and DOES THEM, is likened to a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matt. 7:24)
The teachings of Jesus come from the Father.
Jesus said His teaching were not His own, but came from the Father. (John 7:16-17) Everything Jesus taught and commanded came from God. (John 8:28; John 12:49-50; John 14:10; John 14:24; John 14:31) Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly. Everything Jesus did was the will of God.
Jesus said to His disciples, “Teach them to obey all that I commanded you. By teaching others to obey all that Jesus commanded, is teaching the will of God.
The law of Christ is a law of the heart and mind.
When one starts talking about how we should obey Jesus, immediately the cry is, “You are teaching a works salvation!” Nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible never says one can earn his salvation, but what the Bible does say iS to WORK OUT your own salvation (Php. 2:12). You can’t work out what you don’t have! On the other hand, all they teach is that one can’t help but sin every single day in thought, word, and deed. Throughout both Testaments God wants people to forsake wickedness. Jesus told people to “go and sin no more,” and Paul said, “Awake to righteouness and sin not!” But on every side we are attacked by Satan’s followers who say you can keep sinning and never die (the same lie from the Garden). Just listen to this clip ”Today’s Gospel” of what is being taught out there, and hear how God’s word refutes them!
The secret to living a holy life, free from the bondage of sin, is LOVE. The purity of your actions is not only from the mind, but from the heart. What is in your heart will fill your mind as well. Jesus called the teachers of the law and Pharisees hypocrites. They were beautiful on the outside, but inside were full of dead men’s bones. People, from the outside, can appear as righteous but inside are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matt. 23:28) It is from out of the heart that proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, blasphemies (Matt. 15:19). Jesus is not looking just for external actions to be pure, but his desire is for us to be pure in heart and mind as well.
Will the Holy Spirit be given to those who do not obey Jesus - who claim to continually sin everyday in thought, word, and deed?
Jesus said the Holy Spirit will only be given to those who obey Him.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” (John 14:15-16)
This is corroborated by Peter.
And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:32)
John tells us,
“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (1 John 3:24)
The Holy Spirit whom God has given abides in those who keep the commandments of Jesus! For those who claim to sin everyday in thought, word, and deed cannot have the Holy Spirit, for they do not obey God. They even write off what Jesus said as for another dispensation and therefore it doesn’t apply to them doctrinally! Why? Because it will knock down the wall of a false teaching called Unconditional Eternal Security! When you listen to all these false teachers, and get rid of all the fluff in their sermons, it all boils down to one thing…..you can keep on sinning and you won’t die! It’s the same lie the Serpent told Eve in the Garden.
The Bible is clear that if you don’t obey and abide in the doctrine of Christ, you do not belong to Christ, nor do you have the Holy Spirit. (2 John 1:9; Rom. 8:9)
Jesus said whoever obeys His commands, he is the one who loves Him. And He who loves Jesus loves the Father. Again, if anyone loves Jesus, he will obey His teachings. (John 14:21; John 14:23)
The reverse side is true just as well. Jesus said those who do not love him do not keep His words. (John 14:24)
Jesus’ love is conditional as long as we continue to obey.
Jesus’ love is NOT unconditional. Note the condition in the words of Jesus,
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. (John 15:10)
Being friends with Jesus is also conditioned upon our obedience.
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14)
If we hold to the teachings of Christ, we are the real disciples of His.
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
We are assured by Jesus we will never see death if we keep His word.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” (John 8:51)
It is obedience to the teachings (keeping His word) that causes the blessings. Just as blessings were promised for obedience to the law of Moses, so are the blessings promised to us based on our obedience to Christ.
One cannot have salvation without repentance followed with obedience.
The Scripture says,
“And having been perfected, He (Jesus) became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” (Heb. 5:9)
It doesn’t say salvation is given to those who sin every day in thought, word, and deed. God does not want people to sin. He tells people to forsake their sins and follow Him. Jesus commanded that all men to repent, but modern man will tell you repentance is not part of the Gospel. It’s a lie. God wants repentance preached (Luke 5:32; Luke 24:47; Acts 20:21, etc. etc.).
There is a “godly sorrow.” “For godly sorrow worketh repentance TO SALVATION not to be repented of;” (2 Cor. 7:10)
Jesus said of the Holy Spirit,
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” (John 16:8)
And as we read above, God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. (Acts 5:32) When a person feels the conviction of the Holy Spirit about his sinful condition, he can shrug it off, or he’ll come to God to forgive him of such a sinful life style. He will want pardon through the mercy of God. He knows his only hope is through Jesus who provided a way for his salvation and freedom from sin. He will hate his sin because he can see what it has done to him and where it will send him. He will not have a desire to do it anymore. At that point of repentance, he wants to give up sin and not do it again. Some people may be bothered for weeks under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, some may be a few days, and for some it may be on the very day (process of repentance). He will not have rest until he comes to that crucial point of “godly sorrow” that leads to salvation. He has to believe (faith) that God is able to forgive him of all the sins he has committed up to that point in his life, and his heart must be dead set against sinning again, which it would be if he is truly under godly sorrow. Jesus came to set us free from sin, that it no longer has to have dominion over us. His repentance will be proven by his deeds (Acts 20:26). One’s deeds (obedience – NOT disobedience) will prove his repentance! God will give that person strength if he will obey Him. He gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. From there, as he reads the Scriptures (needs to grow in the faith), he will be warned not to go back to the way he once walked. He can quench the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19). The Scripture shows us certain sins will not let one inherit the kingdom of God, but instead lead one to eternal doom (Gal.5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:3-6; Rev. 21:8, etc.). The Bible doesn’t say we work FOR our salvation, but it does say to WORK OUT our own salvation, and that with fear and trembling! (Php. 2:12).
Salvation is conditional upon the fact that we continue to abide in Jesus. One who abides in Jesus will not sin. Remember, Jesus said if you love Him you will obey Him and His teachings. The Scriptures tell us,
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)
The Scriptures also say,
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:4)”In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (2 Thess. 1:8)
And you want to claim that you SIN everyday in thought, word and deed? This is simply being disobedient!
Which one is it – believing or obeying?
Some Scripture passages say salvation is a result of obedience while other texts say salvation is through faith. Is this a contradiction? No. Paul said,
“By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: (Rom. 1:5)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,” (Eph. 2:8)
Faith comes first and obedience is the evidence of the faith. The Gospel is to be obeyed for salvation sake.
“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (2 Thess. 1:8)
Disobedience is manifested in unbelief.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
“And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (Heb. 3:18-19)
So if you are disobedient, sinning everyday in thought, word, and deed, you are walking in unbelief. Among the sins that will send one into the Lake of Fire, the “unbelieving” is one of them.
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
(Rev. 21:8)
The Bible is clear that a past moment of acceptance of Christ does not guarantee anyone eternal salvation regardless how they live afterward. If they don’t continue in the faith they will suffer the consequences in Hell for all eternity.
Scriptures say that there will be Christians who will depart from the faith (departing from the faith doesn’t happen to lost people!) (1 Tim. 4:1). The widows turned from Christ and started following Satan (1 Tim. 5:11-15). Demas is another example. He was a traveling companion of Paul (Col. 4:14; Phm. 1:24). They worked together and endured various troubles and persecutions preaching the kingdom of God. But what happened to Demas? Paul said, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;…” (2 Tim. 4:10). Demas, a saved man, fell away and went back to loving this present world. He loved the world more than God. The god of this world is Satan! (2 Cor. 4:4). Demas got deceived and it affected his behavior. In his unrepentant state, he lost his salvation for he did not endure! (1 John 2:15; James 4:4)
Those who obey Jesus’s commands live in him. Paul said to examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). John corroborates Paul by saying, “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (1 John 3:24)
Those who have a true saving faith in Christ will obey His teachings and commands. Obedience is natural evidence of saving faith. Those who are disobedient display their lack of saving faith. Jesus NEVER asks us to do something we cannot do. If you love Jesus, you will obey Him, and to obey Him is fulfilling the law of Christ.
More later….
