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1 Thes 5:13–BE AT PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES.
1 Thes 5:15–EVER FOLLOW THAT WHICH IS GOOD, …AMONG YOURSELVES, AND TO ALL MEN.
Ro 12:17–BE CAREFUL TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT (NKJ)
Ro 12:17–IF IT IS POSSIBLE, AS MUCH AS DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN.
Ro 12:17–(Be honest) IN THE SIGHT OF ALL MEN.
We are still dealing with the main subject of “Love your brothers and sisters in Christ” and His commands regarding this subject.
Ja 4:11–SPEAK NOT EVIL ONE OF ANOTHER, BRETHREN. This is not love.
Ro 12:17– REPAY NO ONE EVIL FOR EVIL. If you do this, it is not love.
1 Pe 3:9–Do not render EVIL FOR EVIL. This is not love. (ref 1 Thes 5:15)
Ro 12:21–DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.
Ja 4:11–Do not judge your brother. This is not love.
Mt 5:22– WHOSOEVER IS ANGRY WITH HIS BROTHER WITHOUT A CAUSE SHALL BE IN DANGER OF THE JUDGMENT.
Mt 5:22–WHOSOEVER SHALL SAY TO HIS BROTHER…THOU FOOL, SHALL BE IN DANGER OF HELL FIRE.
Mt 5:23,24–THEREFORE IF THOU BRING THY GIFT TO THE ALTAR, AND THERE REMEMBEREST THAT THY BROTHER HATH OUGHT AGAINST THEE; LEAVE THERE THY GIFT BEFORE THE ALTAR, AND GO THY WAY; FIRST BE RECONCILED TO THY BROTHER, AND THEN COME AND OFFER THY GIFT.
2 Thes 1:3–WE…THANK GOD FOR YOU, BROTHERS,…BECAUSE YOUR FAITH IS GROWING MORE AND MORE, AND THE LOVE EVERY ONE OF YOU HAS FOR EACH OTHER IS INCREASING (NIV).
3 Jn 1:5–6–…THE BRETHREN,…HAVE BORNE WITNESS OF THY (LOVE) BEFORE THE CHURCH.
Mt 22:39,40–AND THE SECOND IS LIKE UNTO IT, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF. ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.
Mk 12:31–AND THE SECOND IS LIKE, NAMELY THIS, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF. THERE IS NONE OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.
Lev 19:18–THOU SHALT…LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF: I AM THE LORD.
Mt 19:19–…THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.
Lk 10:28–THOU SHALT LOVE.THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.
Ro 13:9–THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.
Gal 5:13–15–…BRETHREN,…ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, EVEN IN THIS; THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.
Ja 2:8–IF YE FULFIL THE ROYAL LAW ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURE, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF, YE DO WELL.
14–Love, the law, and fruit
Mt 22:39,40–AND THE SECOND IS LIKE UNTO IT, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF. ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.
Ro 13:8–OWE NO MAN ANY THING, BUT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER: FOR HE THAT LOVETH ANOTHER HATH FULFILLED THE LAW.
Ro 13:10–LOVE WORKETH NO ILL TO HIS NEIGHBOUR: THEREFORE LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW.
Gal 5:13–15–…BRETHREN,…ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, EVEN IN THIS; THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.
Ja 2:8–IF YE FULFIL THE ROYAL LAW ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURE, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF, YE DO WELL.
Gal 5:13–15–…BRETHREN,…BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER. FOR ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, EVEN IN THIS; THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF. BUT IF YE BITE AND DEVOUR ONE ANOTHER, TAKE HEED THAT YE BE NOT CONSUMED ONE OF ANOTHER. It may be said that if you strive and devour one another then Godly love cannot be real and faith will not work.
Gal 5:22–24–BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS #1–LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING (or patience), GENTLENESS (or kindness), GOODNESS, FAITH (or faithfulness), MEEKNESS (or humility, or gentleness), TEMPERANCE (or self control): AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW. AND THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S HAVE (current tense) CRUCIFIED THE FLESH (or sinful nature) (or put their old nature to death–JNT) WITH (ITS) AFFECTIONS (or passions) AND LUSTS (or desires). Evidence that you love God is that you bring forth the fruits of the Spirit and have crucified the passions and desires you once had. Eph 5:9–(THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS IN ALL GOODNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH)
Jos 22:5–BUT (A) TAKE DILIGENT HEED TO (a) DO THE COMMANDMENT AND (b) THE LAW, WHICH MOSES THE SERVANT OF THE LORD CHARGED YOU, TO (1) LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND TO (2) WALK IN ALL HIS WAYS, AND TO (3) KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, AND TO (4) CLEAVE UNTO HIM, AND TO (5) SERVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL.
1 Jn 3:4–WHOSOEVER COMMITTETH SIN TRANSGRESSETH ALSO THE LAW: FOR SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW.
Ezek 33:18–WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS TURNETH FROM HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND COMMITTETH INIQUITY, HE SHALL EVEN DIE THEREBY. BUT IF THE WICKED TURN FROM HIS WICKEDNESS, AND DO THAT WHICH IS LAWFUL AND RIGHT, HE SHALL LIVE THEREBY.
Ezek 18:27–AGAIN, WHEN THE WICKED MAN TURNETH AWAY FROM HIS WICKEDNESS THAT HE HATH COMMITTED, AND DOETH THAT WHICH IS LAWFUL AND RIGHT, HE SHALL SAVE HIS SOUL ALIVE.
Ps 119:97,98–O HOW LOVE I THY LAW! IT IS MY MEDITATION ALL THE DAY. THOU THROUGH THY COMMANDMENTS HAST MADE ME WISER THAN MINE ENEMIES: FOR THEY ARE EVER WITH ME.
Ps 119:165–GREAT PEACE HAVE THEY WHICH LOVE THY LAW: AND NOTHING SHALL OFFEND THEM.
15–Love—What it takes to understand God’s love for you
Love needed to understand God’s Word and to grow
Eph 3:17–19–THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS BY FAITH (or trusting); THAT YE, BEING ROOTED AND GROUNDED (or founded) IN LOVE, MAY BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND (or given strength–JNT) WITH ALL SAINTS WHAT IS THE BREADTH, AND LENGTH, AND DEPTH, AND HEIGHT; AND TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST, WHICH PASSETH KNOWLEDGE, THAT YE MIGHT BE FILLED WITH ALL THE FULNESS OF GOD.
1–Christ must dwell in your hearts.
2–You need to be both rooted as a tree is rooted in love.
3–You need to be grounded or founded in love.
A–So then you may receive strength to comprehend or understand the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of Christ’s love.
B–Even though it passes knowledge and is beyond comprehending or knowing.
C–So that you might be filled–with all the fulness–of God.
Eph 4:15–(note these 4 words) IN LOVE MAY GROW...UNTO HIM IN ALL THINGS. May grow–unto Jesus–in ALL things. Once a person is born again, they need to grow in faith, in knowledge, and in understanding God’s Word. Love is required. Many people that claim to be born again are very worldly or lukewarm even after 5, 10 or even 50 years. They do not love as they ought, thus they do not grow in Jesus. Bottom line is that their thinking is not in line with God’s Word. They may show much love in word and at times their actions may show love, but it is not a consistent thing that is in their hearts all the time as it ought to be.
Col 2:2–(My purpose is) THAT THEIR HEARTS MIGHT BE COMFORTED (or encouraged), BEING KNIT (or joined) TOGETHER IN LOVE, (SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE THE FULL RICHES OF COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING–NKJ). Note the words, HEARTS COMFORTED…BEING (joined) TOGETHER IN LOVE. SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE…COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING. It could be said that if a person’s heart is not joined in love with other brethren, then they will not be comforted and will not have the riches of complete understanding of God’s Word. Do you want to increase your understanding of God’s Word? then consider increasing your love for the brethren.
1 Jn 5:20–THE SON OF GOD…HATH GIVEN US AN UNDERSTANDING, THAT WE MAY KNOW HIM…THIS IS THE TRUE GOD, AND ETERNAL LIFE. Our understanding of the Scriptures comes from God. If God’s Word abides in us, and we in Him, then are we saved.
16–Other miscellaneous commands
All these verses should have to do with love or a lack of love in the full verse
Do not BITE AND DEVOUR ONE ANOTHER–Gal 5:15. Back biting and striving against one another is not love.
Do NOT (be) CONSUMED ONE OF ANOTHER–Gal 5:15. This is not love.
Do not be DECEIVED–ref Titus 3:3.
Do not be DISOBEDIENT–ref Titus 3:3. Disobedience to God’s Word is not love.
Do not (envy) ONE ANOTHER–Gal 5:26. Envy is not love.
Do not live in ENVY–ref Titus 3:3.
Do NOT…(ENVY) ONE ANOTHER–Gal 5:26.
Do not put AN OCCASION TO FALL IN HIS BROTHER’S WAY–Ro 14:13. Putting stumbling blocks is not love.
Do NOT forsake THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, AS THE MANNER OF SOME IS–Heb 10:25.
Do not be FOOLISH–ref Titus 3:3. Foolishness is not love. Foolishness can often be a way a person uses to draw attention to himself.
Do not BE DESIROUS OF VAIN GLORY–Gal 5:26. Vain glory is not love.
Do not hate ONE ANOTHER–ref Titus 3:3.…To hate is not love.
Do not be HATEFUL–ref Titus 3:3. Being hateful is not love.
Do NOT THEREFORE JUDGE ONE ANOTHER ANY MORE–Ro 14:13. Judging, accusing, and being critical is not love.
Do not serve DIVERS LUSTS–ref Titus 3:3. To lust is not love
Do not be live IN MALICE–ref Titus 3:3. Malice is a desire to harm others or see others suffer. Malice is not love.
Do not (provoke) ONE ANOTHER–Gal 5:26. Provoking one another is not love.
Do NOT OPPRESS ONE ANOTHER–Lev 25:14, 17 To oppress means to keep down by unjust use of force or authority. To weigh heavily on the mind or spirit. Oppressing one another is not love.
Do not serve PLEASURES–ref Titus 3:3. Serving pleasures is not love.
Do NOT…(PROVOKE) ONE ANOTHER–Gal 5:26. To provoke to anger or resentment is not love.
Do not PUT A STUMBLINGBLOCK…IN…BROTHER’S WAY–Ro 14:13. Putting stumbling blocks is not love
Do this. ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER, those that ARE FULL OF GOODNESS, FILLED WITH ALL KNOWLEDGE, (and are) ABLE…TO–ref Ro 15:14.
Do this. ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER–Col 3:16.
Do this. BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED ONE TO ANOTHER WITH BROTHERLY LOVE–Ro 12:10.
Do this. BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST (This is His commandment)–1 Jn 3:23.
Do this. COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS–1 Thes 4:18.
Do this. COMFORT YOURSELVES TOGETHER–1 Thes 5:11.
Do this. (Have) COMPASSION ONE OF ANOTHER (or be sympathetic) (all of you), …LOVE AS BRETHREN (or brothers)–1 Pe 3:8.
Do this. BE COURTEOUS. …LOVE AS BRETHREN (or brothers). (All of you)–1 Pe 3:8.
Do this. PUT TO DEATH, THEREFORE, WHATEVER BELONGS TO YOUR EARTHLY NATURE. …YOU MUST RID YOURSELVES OF ALL SUCH–Col 3:5,8.
Do this. EDIFY ONE ANOTHER–1 Thes 5:11. This is love.
Do this. ENTERTAIN STRANGERS…REMEMBER THEM THAT ARE IN BONDS AS BOUND WITH THEM; AND THEM WHICH SUFFER ADVERSITY (or mistreated)–Heb 13:1. This is love.
Do this. EXCUSING ONE ANOTHER–Ro 2:15. This is love.
Do this. EXHORT ONE ANOTHER DAILY, WHILE IT IS CALLED TO DAY; LEST ANY OF YOU BE HARDENED THROUGH THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN–Heb 3:13. This is love.
Note that sin hardens a person.
Note that sin deceives a person.
Do this. EXHORTING ONE ANOTHER: AND SO MUCH THE MORE, AS YE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING–Heb 10:25. This is love.
Do this. …FOLLOW…FAITH–2 Tim 2:22.
Do this. KEPT THE FAITH. A born again person needs to keep the faith–ref 2 Tim 4:7.
Do this. AGED MEN…SOUND IN FAITH–Titus 2:2.
Do this. FEAR GOD. This is to the SERVANTS OF GOD who are to also LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD–1 Pe 2:16,17.
Do this. (Fight) A GOOD FIGHT–ref 1 Tim 4:7. When a person comes to Jesus they need to endure a great fight of afflictions–ref Heb 10:21. They need to fight the good fight of faith–ref 1 Tim 6:12.
FELLOWSHIP. THAT WHICH WAS FROM THE BEGINNING, …THE WORD OF LIFE; …WE…DECLARE…UNTO YOU, THAT YE ALSO MAY HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH US: AND TRULY OUR FELLOWSHIP IS WITH THE FATHER, AND WITH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. …IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, AND WALK IN DARKNESS, WE LIE, AND DO NOT THE TRUTH: BUT IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT, AS HE IS IN THE LIGHT, WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP ONE WITH ANOTHER, AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN–1 Jn 1:3,6,7.
Do this. FINISHED MY COURSE. A born again person needs to finish the course God lays out for them–no matter where they have to go, or what they have to do or not do–ref 2 Tim 4:7.
Do this. FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE…Eph 4:2. Love one another, no matter what. This is love.
Do this. FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER–Col 3:13. This is love.
Do this. (Forgive) IF ANY MAN HAVE A QUARREL AGAINST ANY: EVEN AS CHRIST FORGAVE YOU, SO ALSO DO YE–Col 3:13.
Do this. FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER–Col 3:13. This is love.
Do this. Forgive ONE ANOTHER, EVEN AS GOD FOR CHRIST’S SAKE HATH FORGIVEN YOU–Eph 4:32. This is love.
Do this. FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER,…AS CHRIST FORGAVE YOU, SO ALSO DO YE–Col 3:13.
Do this. GREET YE ONE ANOTHER–1 Cor 16:20.
Do this. GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH AN HOLY KISS–2 Cor 13:12. This is love.
Do this. GREET YE ONE ANOTHER WITH A KISS OF CHARITY (or love)–1 Pe 1:22. This is love.
Do this. GREET YE ONE ANOTHER WITH A KISS OF CHARITY (or love)–1 Pe 5:14.
Do this. GREET YE ONE ANOTHER WITH AN HOLY KISS–1 Cor 16:20. This is love.
Do this. SALUTE (or greet) ONE ANOTHER–Ro 16:16.
Do this. GREET THEM THAT LOVE US IN THE FAITH–ref Titus 3:15. Note: This part of the verse is a command. The saints are to greet those that (1) love us and (2) are in the faith. When you greet someone who is called a brother or sister in Christ, and they continually have a coldness toward you; then it is obvious that they have little love. To love the brethren only a little, shows they also love God only a little. They are not obeying God’s Word. They are in sin. The love of God does not appear to be shed abroad in their hearts, as it ought to be. Such a person also does not love correction, as correction reveals their sin which they do not want exposed; neither do they want to admit how sinful they are in they eyes of a holy God. Such a person usually accuses others and makes excuses for their own sin. A person should love not only in word, but in deed and in truth.
Do this. HONOUR ALL MEN. This is to the SERVANTS OF GOD, who are to also LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD–1 Pe 2:16,17.
Do this. HONOUR THE KING. This is to the SERVANTS OF GOD, who are to also LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD–1 Pe 2:16,17.
Do this. HOLD FAST THE…SOUND WORDS,…IN FAITH AND LOVE WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS–2 Tim 1:13.
Do this. BE (humble). …LOVE AS BRETHREN (or brothers). (All of you)–1 Pe 3:8.
Do this. PUT ON…HUMBLENESS OF MIND–Col 3:12,13.
Do this. BE…KIND ONE TO ANOTHER–Eph 4:32.
Do this. PUT ON…KINDNESS–Col 3:12,13.
Do this. PUT ON…LONGSUFFERING (or we may say–put on patience even in stressful situations)–Col 3:12,13.
Do this. LET ALL YOUR THINGS BE DONE WITH CHARITY (OR LOVE)–1 Cor 16:14.
Do this. LOVE HIS APPEARING. A born again person is to love the Lord’s appearing–ref 2 Tim 4:8.
Do this. BRETHREN,…KNOW THEM WHICH…ARE OVER YOU IN THE LORD, AND ADMONISH YOU;…ESTEEM THEM VERY HIGHLY IN LOVE FOR THEIR WORK’S SAKE. AND BE AT PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES–1 Thes 5:12,13. There are several items to note here. (1) Those that are in the Lord should have a pastor over them. Know them and know who they are. This is the person or people that God has ordained to watch for your soul. (2) Esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. (3) Be at peace among yourselves. Put away accusing, strife, and all such things. Let peace reign among the brethren.
Do this. LET US…PROVOKE UNTO LOVE–Heb 10:24.
Do this. LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE–Heb 13:1.
Do this. …FOLLOW…CHARITY (or LOVE)–2 Tim 2:22.
Do this. ABOVE ALL…THINGS PUT ON (LOVE)–Col 3:14.
Do this. PUT ON…MEEKNESS–Col 3:12,13.
Do this. PUT ON…BOWELS OF MERCIES–Col 3:12,13.
Do this. Keep your MIND…STAYED ON THEE:…TRUST YE IN THE LORD FOR EVER–Isa 26:3,4.
THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED (or steadfast) ON THEE: BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE–Isa 26:3. This is God’s prescription for having not only peace, but perfect peace. IN…THE LORD, IS EVERLASTING STRENGTH–NKJ.
When the storms of the darkness of this world are gathered about you, trust in the Lord.
When your body is tormented with great pain, trust in the Lord.
When the rest of your life on this earth will be only agony,
and the spirit of fear seems to have a grip on you,
and people have to clothe you because your body is broken, battered, and crippled,
and you are surrounded by people that hate Jesus and continually curse His name,
and the people around you have thoughts that are only evil continually. They are full of hate and sin continually,
and your food and living conditions are horrible,
and you have sores,
and have grown very thin,
and the place you are in is very, very cold,
and the water you drink smells bad,
and your bath water is very cold,
and you are in prison for life,
and yet you are innocent,
and those you loved the most, lied and put you there,
and all your relatives and friends are dead or dying,
and you have no money,
and they will not allow you to have a Bible,
and your eyes are bad and you have no glasses,
and your spirit seems broken and shattered,
and you are mentally and physically exhausted,
and Satan is trying to fill your mind with bitterness and anger,
and you cry and cry and cry,
and you just want to die,
yet keep your mind on Jesus,
for this life may seem like it lasts forever,
yet it is only a vapor of smoke, for eternity with Jesus, with no more tears, lies ahead. Satan fills our mind with our self, but Jesus wants us to fill our minds with Him and to look for a city whose builder and maker is God. Though it seems like the time when we will be with Jesus is so far away, yet today we are one day closer than yesterday. So many of our Christian brothers and sisters in this world are existing under many of the above stressful conditions. The preaching of so many churches today is often deceptive and lukewarm, with little or no emphasis on repentance, judgment or even Bible prophecy. But there are a few people, just a few that have not been taken in by Satan’s lies. Those few will ultimately hear God saying: WELL DONE THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT–ref Mt 25:21. Jesus tells us in:
Rev 3:11–BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY: HOLD THAT FAST WHICH THOU HAST, THAT NO MAN TAKE THY CROWN.
Rev 22:7–BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY: BLESSED IS HE THAT KEEPETH THE SAYINGS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK.
Rev 22:12–AND, BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY; AND MY REWARD IS WITH ME, TO GIVE EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HIS WORK SHALL BE.
Rev 22:20,21–HE WHICH TESTIFIETH THESE THINGS SAITH, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. AMEN. EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS. THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.
God has given us the formula for perfect peace; however, it is a struggle to keep our mind totally on Jesus during very stressful, hurtful and bad situations that seemingly have no end–ref Ro 15:30; Eph 6:12; Heb 12:4 NIV.
Do this. BE YE ALL OF ONE MIND (All of you live in harmony with one another–NKJ). …LOVE AS BRETHREN (or brothers)–1 Pe 3:8.
Do this. (Obey) THE TRUTH THROUGH THE SPIRIT–which purifies your souls–ref 1 Pe 1:22.
Do this. BE AT PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES (BRETHREN)–1 Thes 12,13.
Do this. FOLLOW PEACE, WITH THEM THAT CALL ON THE LORD OUT OF A PURE HEART. Note the words: used in the whole verse: righteousness, faith, love, peace, a pure heart. This is a command–1 Tim 2:22.
Do this. PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER–Ro 12:10. This is love.
Do this. PROVOKE. LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER TO PROVOKE UNTO LOVE AND TO GOOD WORKS–Heb 10:24. We ought to provoke other saints to love and to do God’s works.
Do this. RECEIVE YE ONE ANOTHER, AS CHRIST ALSO RECEIVED US TO THE GLORY OF GOD–Ro 15:7. This is love.
Do this. FOLLOW…RIGHTEOUSNESS–2 Tim 2:22.
Do this. SALUTE ONE ANOTHER WITH AN HOLY KISS–Ro 16:16. This is love.
Do this. BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER (BRETHREN)–Gal 5:13–15.
Do this. SET (or focus) YOUR AFFECTION (or mind, or heart) ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH–Col 3:2,3. This is a command that the unbeliever and the carnal or lukewarm Christian will not often obey. They may desire to be in heaven, but they will also set their heart on things of this earth. Many love this present world and will perish.
Do this. IN PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING–Col 3:16.
Do this. SINGING WITH GRACE (or gratitude) IN YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD–Col 3:16.
Do this. TEACHING…ONE ANOTHER–Col 3:16. This is love.
Do this. BE…TENDERHEARTED–Eph 4:32.
Do this. BE (tenderhearted)…LOVE AS BRETHREN (or brothers) (All of you)–1 Pe 3:8.
Do this. LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM–Col 3:16.
Do this. LET US…PROVOKE…TO GOOD WORKS–Heb 10:24.
Titus 2:2–THAT THE AGED MEN BE SOBER (or temperate), GRAVE (or worthy of respect or reverent), TEMPERATE (or self–controlled), SOUND IN FAITH, IN CHARITY (or LOVE), IN PATIENCE (or endurance). Note the words: sober, grace, temperate, faith, love, and patience. This is a command.
This should sum it all up.
2 Tim 3:10…THOU HAST FULLY KNOWN MY DOCTRINE, MANNER OF LIFE, PURPOSE, FAITH, LONGSUFFERING, CHARITY (or LOVE), PATIENCE. Note the words: faith, longsuffering, love, and patience. These were both his doctrine, manner of life, and purpose.
Very few that name the name of Christ can say this today.
Mt 5:44–BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU, DO GOOD TO THEM THAT HATE YOU, AND PRAY FOR THEM WHICH DESPITEFULLY USE YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU.
Lk 6:27–BUT I SAY UNTO YOU WHICH HEAR, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD TO THEM WHICH HATE YOU.
Lk 6:35–BUT LOVE YE YOUR ENEMIES, AND DO GOOD, AND LEND, HOPING FOR NOTHING AGAIN; AND YOUR REWARD SHALL BE GREAT, AND YE SHALL BE THE CHILDREN OF THE HIGHEST: FOR HE IS KIND UNTO THE UNTHANKFUL AND TO THE EVIL.
Eph 5:25–HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES,…AS CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT.
1 Thes 3:12–13–AND THE LORD MAKE YOU TO INCREASE AND ABOUND IN LOVE…TOWARD ALL MEN.
Eph 4:15–.SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE.
Zech 8:19–LOVE THE TRUTH AND PEACE.
19–Love God, serve Him, Fear Him,
Fear the Lord
Walk in all His ways; Walk after the Lord; Walk in love
Serve the Lord (with all thy heart) (with all thy soul)
Keep God's statutes; Keep God's charge; Keep God's judgments
Obey His voice
Cleave unto Him
Hate evil
Have the same love
Be of one accord
Have one mind
Put on the breastplate of faith and love
Flee craving for money
Follow love
Deut 10:12,13–AND NOW, ISRAEL, WHAT DOTH THE LORD THY GOD REQUIRE OF THEE, BUT TO (1) FEAR THE LORD THY GOD, TO (2) WALK IN ALL HIS WAYS, AND TO (3) LOVE HIM, AND TO (4) SERVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH (a) ALL THY HEART AND WITH (b) ALL THY SOUL, TO (5) KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD, AND (6) HIS STATUTES, WHICH I COMMAND THEE THIS DAY FOR THY GOOD?
Deut 11:1–THEREFORE THOU (1) SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD, AND (2) KEEP HIS CHARGE, AND (3) HIS STATUTES, AND (4) HIS JUDGMENTS, AND (5) HIS COMMANDMENTS, ALWAY.Deut 30:16–IN THAT I COMMAND THEE THIS DAY TO (1) LOVE THE LORD THY GOD, TO (2) WALK IN HIS WAYS, AND TO (3) KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS AND (4) HIS STATUTES AND (5) HIS JUDGMENTS.
Deut 30:19,20–.(1) LOVE THE LORD THY GOD, AND THAT THOU MAYEST (2) OBEY HIS VOICE, AND THAT THOU MAYEST (3) CLEAVE UNTO HIM.
Jos 22:5–BUT (A) TAKE DILIGENT HEED TO (a) DO THE COMMANDMENT AND (b) THE LAW, WHICH MOSES THE SERVANT OF THE LORD CHARGED YOU, TO (1) LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND TO (2) WALK IN ALL HIS WAYS, AND TO (3) KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, AND TO (4) CLEAVE UNTO HIM, AND TO (5) SERVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL.
Deut 13:3–4–YE SHALL (1) WALK AFTER THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND (2) FEAR HIM, AND (3) KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, AND (4) OBEY HIS VOICE, AND (5) YE SHALL SERVE HIM, AND (6) CLEAVE UNTO HIM.
Eph 5:1–2–(A) BE YE THEREFORE FOLLOWERS OF GOD, (B) AS DEAR CHILDREN; AND (C) WALK IN LOVE, (D) AS CHRIST ALSO HATH LOVED US, AND HATH GIVEN HIMSELF FOR US AN OFFERING AND A SACRIFICE TO GOD FOR A SWEETSMELLING SAVOUR. 4 commands are given.
Neh 1:5–.O LORD GOD OF HEAVEN.THAT KEEPETH COVENANT AND MERCY FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM AND OBSERVE HIS COMMANDMENTS.
Ps 97:10–YE THAT LOVE THE LORD, HATE EVIL.
Ps 119:97–98–O HOW (I LOVE) THY LAW!
Phili 2:1,2–If there is ANY FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT, then have THE SAME LOVE, be OF ONE ACCORD, have ONE MIND.
1 Thes 5:8–BUT LET US, WHO ARE OF THE DAY, BE SOBER, PUTTING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF FAITH AND LOVE.
1 Tim 6:11–BUT THOU, O MAN OF GOD, FLEE THESE THINGS (craving riches or money); AND FOLLOW AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS, GODLINESS, FAITH, LOVE, PATIENCE, MEEKNESS.
Deut 11:13–15–.YE SHALL HEARKEN DILIGENTLY UNTO MY COMMANDMENTS WHICH I COMMAND YOU THIS DAY.
Deut 11:22–23–.YE SHALL DILIGENTLY KEEP ALL THESE COMMANDMENTS WHICH I COMMAND YOU, TO DO THEM.
1 Thes 1:3–REMEMBERING WITHOUT CEASING YOUR WORK—OF FAITH (or trust) (or work produced by faith), AND LABOUR—OF LOVE, (or labor prompted by love) AND PATIENCE (or endurance)—OF HOPE (or inspired by hope)—IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN THE SIGHT OF GOD AND OUR FATHER.
Not all labor is prompted by love. Some is prompted by other motives such as rejection, wanting recognition, and anger. All labor which is prompted by love in Jesus Christ shall be remembered.
2 Cor 5:14–FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONSTRAINETH (or compels) US, (or has hold of us–JNT)
21–Love—God’s love needs to be in you. A person must have the Holy Ghost for this to be possible
Jn 17:26–AND I HAVE DECLARED UNTO THEM THY NAME,…THAT THE LOVE WHEREWITH THOU HAST LOVED ME MAY BE IN THEM, AND I IN THEM. The love that is in God can also be in those that follow God. You may know them by their fruit of love–ref Mt 7:16. Do they love the children of God when they are in great distress, or are they cold and withdrawn toward their brothers and sisters in Jesus?
Ro 5:5–THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO US.
2 Tim 1:7–FOR GOD HATH…GIVEN US THE SPIRIT…OF LOVE.
2 Thes 3:5–AND THE LORD DIRECT YOUR HEARTS INTO THE LOVE OF GOD.
22–Love—Proof or evidence that Jesus loves the Father is that He obeys the Father’s commandment
Jn 14:31–BUT THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT I LOVE THE FATHER; AND AS THE FATHER GAVE ME COMMANDMENT, EVEN SO I DO.
Jn 15:10–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.
23–Love–Proof or evidence that you love God (or are saved) is that you keep His commandments and do His works
To love God is to do the following:
Love one another
Do what Jesus commands
Do His works
Bear the fruits of the Spirit
Observe His commandments
Take diligent heed to do the commandment
Hearken diligently to His commandments
Diligently keep His commandments
Keep the commandments of the Lord always
Keep God's Words
Take diligent heed to do the law
Love Thy law
These Words shall be in your heart
and many more
Jn 14:15–IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.
Jn 14:21–HE THAT HATH MY COMMANDMENTS, AND KEEPETH THEM, HE IT IS THAT LOVETH ME: AND HE THAT LOVETH ME SHALL BE LOVED OF MY FATHER, AND I WILL LOVE HIM, AND WILL MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM.
Jn 14:23–IF A MAN LOVE ME (which is Jesus), HE WILL KEEP MY WORDS: AND MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, AND WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM. Evidence you love God is that you keep His commandments and keep His words.
Jn 15:12–14–THIS IS MY COMMANDMENT, THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. YE ARE MY FRIENDS, IF YE DO WHATSOEVER I COMMAND YOU. Evidence is that you love one another as Christ loved you. Evidence is you would be willing to lay down your life for the brethren. Evidence of your love for Christ is that you do what God commands you to do.
Jn 21:15–17–SO WHEN THEY HAD DINED, JESUS SAITH TO SIMON PETER, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE (referring to his job–the fish or fishing)? HE SAITH UNTO HIM, YEA, LORD; THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY LAMBS. HE SAITH TO HIM AGAIN THE SECOND TIME, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME? HE SAITH UNTO HIM, YEA, LORD; THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY SHEEP. HE SAITH UNTO HIM THE THIRD TIME, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME? PETER WAS GRIEVED BECAUSE HE SAID UNTO HIM THE THIRD TIME, LOVEST THOU ME? AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, LORD, THOU KNOWEST ALL THINGS; THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY SHEEP. Evidence that you love God is that you feed His lambs and feed His sheep.
Pv 9:8–REPROVE (or correct) NOT A SCORNER, LEST HE HATE THEE: REBUKE (or correct) A WISE MAN, AND HE WILL LOVE THEE. Born again people will still love those that correct them.
Rev 2:19–I KNOW THY WORKS, AND CHARITY (OR LOVE), AND SERVICE, AND FAITH, AND THY PATIENCE, AND THY WORKS; AND THE LAST TO BE MORE THAN THE FIRST.
1 Thes 1:3–WE GIVE THANKS…REMEMBERING WITHOUT CEASING YOUR…LABOUR (or work, or action) OF LOVE.
I Jn 2:3–6–WE DO KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM (or are saved), IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. HE THAT…KEEPETH NOT HIS COMMANDMENTS, IS A LIAR, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM (He is not saved). …WHOSO KEEPETH HIS WORD, IN HIM…IS THE LOVE OF GOD PERFECTED: HEREBY KNOW WE THAT WE ARE IN HIM. HE THAT SAITH HE ABIDETH IN HIM OUGHT HIMSELF ALSO SO TO WALK, EVEN AS HE WALKED. The person that does not keep God’s commandments–the love of God is not perfected in , which is often reflected in a person’s lack of love for their brethren when they are under stress.
We know a person is saved, if they:
1–Keep His commandments and
2–keep His Word, and
3–the love of God is perfected in them and
4–they ought to think and act as Jesus did.
1 Jn 4:12–…IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER, GOD DWELLETH IN US. Again, we have God’s Word connecting biblical love for each other, as evidence of God dwelling in us and salvation.
1 Jn 4:20–IF A MAN SAY, I LOVE GOD, AND…LOVETH NOT HIS BROTHER…HOW CAN HE LOVE GOD…?
1 Jn 4:21–AND THIS COMMANDMENT HAVE WE FROM HIM, THAT HE WHO LOVETH GOD LOVE HIS BROTHER ALSO.
1 Jn 5:1–EVERY ONE THAT LOVETH HIM THAT BEGAT LOVETH HIM ALSO THAT IS BEGOTTEN OF HIM. Everyone that truly loves God, Who begat, does love the children of God also, which are his brothers and sisters.
1 Jn 5:2–BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE LOVE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, WHEN WE LOVE GOD, AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. Loving God and keeping God’s commandments is evidence that we love our brothers in Christ.
1 Jn 5:3–FOR THIS IS THE LOVE OF GOD, THAT WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. Evidence that we love God is that we keep His commandments. A person that does not keep God's commandments as he ought, also does not love God as he ought.
Love is portrayed in God’s word not so much as emotion, but rather as obedience to God’s Word.
24–Love does these things–fruits of the Spirit
Gal 5:22–24–BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS
#1–LOVE,
JOY,
PEACE,
LONGSUFFERING (or patience),
GENTLENESS (or kindness),
GOODNESS, FAITH (or faithfulness),
MEEKNESS (or humility, or gentleness),
TEMPERANCE (or self–control): AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW. AND THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S HAVE (current tense) CRUCIFIED THE FLESH (or sinful nature) (or put their old nature to death–JNT) WITH (ITS) AFFECTIONS (or passions) AND LUSTS (or desires). Evidence that you love God is that you bring forth the fruit of the Spirit and have crucified the passions and desires you once had. The first fruit mentioned is LOVE. The last is self–control.
1 Jn 4:8–HE THAT LOVETH NOT KNOWETH NOT GOD; FOR GOD IS LOVE.
1 Jn 4:16–GOD IS LOVE; AND HE THAT DWELLETH IN LOVE DWELLETH IN GOD, AND GOD IN HIM.
Eph 5:9–(FOR THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS IN ALL GOODNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH)
What do you trust in the most? What do you love the most? One part of this message is–If the most important person and objective in your life is Jesus, then do the works of God with a right attitude. Feed His lambs. Feed His sheep. Obey His Word and do the things and works that He has called you to do and never shrink back. If you love or follow anything other than Jesus and His Word, then how can the love of God be in you? Do you get upset when God asks you to put Him first and do His works, because you had some other plans and wanted to do something else?
The proof or evidence that you love God or have the love of God in you is the following:
1 Cor 13:4–(Love) SUFFERETH LONG (or is patient).
1 Cor 13:4–(Love) IS KIND.
1 Cor 13:4–(Love) ENVIETH NOT.
1 Cor 13:4–(Love) VAUNTETH NOT ITSELF (or does not boast).
1 Cor 13:4–(Love)…IS NOT PUFFED UP (or is not proud).
1 Cor 13:4,5–(Love)…DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY (or is not rude).
1 Cor 13:4,5–(Love)…SEEKETH NOT HER OWN (or is not self–seeking) (or is not self–centered).
1 Cor 13:4,5–(Love)…IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED (or is not easily angered).
1 Cor 13:4,5–(Love)…THINKETH NO EVIL.
1 Cor 13:4,6–(Love)…REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY (or does not delight in evil–NIV).
1 Cor 13:4,6–(Love)…REJOICETH IN (or with) THE TRUTH.
1 Cor 13:4,7–(Love)…BEARETH ALL THINGS (or always protects).
1 Cor 13:4,7–(Love)…BELIEVETH ALL THINGS (or always trusts).
1 Cor 13:4,7–(Love)…HOPETH ALL THINGS (or always hopes).
1 Cor 13:4,7–(Love)…ENDURETH ALL THINGS (or always perseveres).
1 Cor 13:8–(Love)…NEVER FAILETH.
1 Cor 13:2–(Without love)…I AM NOTHING. These fruits are evidence of your walk or a lack of walk with Jesus.
Eph 4:32–AND BE YE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER,
TENDERHEARTED,
FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER,…AS GOD…HATH FORGIVEN YOU.
These fruits are evidence of your walk or lack of walk with Jesus.
Col 3:12–15–PUT ON…MERCIES,
KINDNESS,
HUMBLENESS OF MIND,
MEEKNESS,
LONGSUFFERING;
FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER,…
FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER,…AS CHRIST FORGAVE YOU…
PUT ON (LOVE),
LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS,
BE…THANKFUL. These fruits are evidence of your walk or lack of walk with Jesus.
There are a least five kinds of fruit.
One is that which grows on fruit trees: apples, peaches, pears, etc. Another is the good fruit of the Spirit of God, which have to do with a godly attitude.
Another is the bad fruit of the devil, which have to do with an ungodly attitude.
Another is the fruit of our works (or our God–ordained service, or result of our service).
Another are souls that are led to Christ, which is sometimes called fruit.
There is good fruit and bad fruit. There is fruit that lasts and fruit that withers. There is fruit that is not ripe, and there is fruit that is ripe. There is fruit that has not yet matured and fruit that has matured; and there is fruit that is ready to be picked or harvested.
All born again Christians should have Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, on their lips as their only hope of salvation. Once saved, their life, attitude, and thinking should begin conforming to the image of Christ. Any so–called Christian that is ashamed of Jesus in this wicked and adulterous world, of him shall Christ also be ashamed at the judgment. Can a true Christian hate his brother in Christ? The answer is no. It is written: 1 Jn 3:15–WHOSOEVER HATETH HIS BROTHER IS A MURDERER: AND YE KNOW THAT NO MURDERER HATH ETERNAL LIFE ABIDING IN HIM. A person that claims to be a Christian, but hates the brethren, is not born again. Such is only masquerading as a Christian, no matter what they say, believe, or do. Many Bible school teachers, ministers, priests, rabbi, and church workers claim they are saved, but they are not–ref Mt 7:14. It is written: 2 Cor 11:13–15–FOR SUCH ARE FALSE APOSTLES, DECEITFUL WORKERS, TRANSFORMING THEMSELVES INTO THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST. AND NO MARVEL; FOR SATAN HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT. THEREFORE IT IS NO GREAT THING IF HIS MINISTERS ALSO BE TRANSFORMED AS THE MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; WHOSE END SHALL BE ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS.
The fruit of the Spirit is the attitude or personality of the Spirit of God. The number one fruit of the Spirit is LOVE. More than anything else, the presence of the fruit of the Spirit of God inside a person is how we can know if a person is truly born again or not, and also their love (or lack of love) for the brethren (which are brothers and sisters in Christ). If a person is a born again Christian, the very Spirit of God will be on the inside of them, trying to conform them to the image of Christ through His Word. A born again Christian’s thinking and attitude will be more and more like Christ, according to the amount of maturity (or by reason of use) that their senses have been exercised to conform to God’s Word. Spending time hearing and reading God’s Word is essential. Love, humbleness, denying self, the fear of God, submission, obedience to God’s Word, and trust (or faith) are all keys.
There are worldly, carnal, nominal, and lukewarm Christians, which are baby Christians. Such may have just received Christ as their Saviour, or they may have been born again for a long period of time, but have resisted God dealing with them to inwardly change their ways. Such have need of milk or the basic doctrines of the Word. These are not ready for perfection.
Some immature Christians may forget to pray over their food or don't pray over it at all. They may be afraid to bow their head and pray over their food in a public place. Some have little fear of God as they ought. They may be fearful when in a difficult, tense, or uncertain situation, because they are not trusting God as they ought.
Some seek to exalt themselves, rather than giving glory to God for all things. Some are not thankful to God for all things as they ought to be, even in the midst of a storm. All ought to fast as unto God, but most seldom do. Baby Christians can get upset easily. They are like a wave. Today they are up, and tomorrow they are down. They can love God and the brethren one day and be upset with Him the next day. They can trust in God one day and have doubts the next day. When difficulties, conflicts, worldly situations, persecutions, cares of this world, pleasures of this life, and the deceitfulness of riches, as well as other things, confront them–they do not react as Jesus did. They have not yet fully died to themselves.
Many want the better things of this life, rather than being satisfied with what God has provided for them. They may want a better house, better furniture, a better car, a better job, more money, a better wife or husband, etc. Their eyes are on the things of this world, not the things of Christ. They focus on “here and now,” rather than on the heavenly city of God.
They may accuse other brethren, get upset easily, and become depressed, as they do not fully trust in God in difficult situations. They are more concerned on how they look on the outside, rather than how they are on the inside. When a problem arises, they tend to look to worldly ways to solve the problem, rather than seeking God’s way. They tend to see or understand things as through darkened or distorted glasses, rather than through the pure light of God’s Word and truth. Such are dull of hearing and lack an understanding heart with regards to God’s Word–ref Heb 5:11. They have not died to themselves enough to be able to be led by the Spirit of God. Their thinking is not yet conformed to the thinking of God, as it is in a mature Christian. The first place they seek, when difficult problems arise, is usually not God’s Word or prayer or their preacher that might correct them. If they get sick, their first thinking is to seek worldly ways and solutions to deal with the situation, rather than examining themselves according to God’s Word. They seldom look for areas in their life that need repentance first, or even at all. They sometimes have a flip book with Satan’s lies as various situations arise. They may seldom recognize that some physical problems they have may be God trying to deal with them to change. These often do not want correction, or if they do, when their true spiritual problem is pointed out to them by their minister, they resist it or disagree with it and don’t want correction. Such people, when they are corrected, sometimes may say things like, “You just don’t understand my situation. You haven’t gone through what I am going through.” These sometimes have a difficult time understanding that their minister may hear the Spirit of God telling him what to say, as they themselves have never reached that state of growth in their own life. The worldly Christian can sometimes display a Christ–like attitude, but other times display the fruit of the devil. These need to be taught, over and over, the basics of God’s Word (the milk of the Word), the principles of the doctrine of Christ,…the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
These people may think of themselves as spiritual, but because of the darkness that is still in them, they are deceived. These are unskillful in the Word of righteousness, as they are still a babe. Their senses are not yet exercised to discern good and evil, right and wrong, in some or many situations. They have problems comprehending the seriousness of their sin and the awaiting judgment. They are not ready for the teaching of strong meat–ref Heb 5:12. They are not ready for the teaching of perfection and holiness. Worldly Christians may resist serving God. Yet many do serve God, some even full–time; yet their attitude is not conformed to Christ. These sometimes cause divisions in the Christian workplace. Some want worldly recognition for what they do. Some get easily offended. Some feel rejected, if all is not going their way. They try to cover up and hide the way they really are. They try to look good on the outside, but, within, their attitude is wrong. These are some of the signs of a carnal Christian.
Then there are those Christians that have matured by reason of use. Their senses have been exercised to discern what is God’s way and what is not God’s way. They have grown in grace. They read and study God’s Word faithfully and may also memorize it. They work the works of God. Their heart is with God. They exhibit the fruit of the Spirit of God, in both sickness and in health, in bondage and in freedom, in stress and in good times. They totally trust in Christ, no matter what they are going through. They think like Christ. They act like Christ. They fear God. They are seeking perfection and holiness. They hate every evil way. The things that are an abomination to God are also an abomination to them. When problems arise, they know how to deal with them according to God’s Word. The first place they usually turn for solutions is to God. They should have a good prayer life, and they fast. When difficulties, conflicts, persecutions, cares of this world, pleasures of this life, and other things confront them, they react in a Christ–like manner. They do not become easily flustered. They have overcome being overly concerned with what people think of them. They are concerned with what God thinks about them. They seek to glorify God, not themselves. They have overcome rejection and many of the worldly devices that Satan uses. They are no longer like a wave in their walk with Christ. They have denied themselves. They have died to themselves. They have learned to be abased and to abound and are usually content with whatever situation they find themselves in, as their trust is in Christ. They can even sing unto the Lord with chains on and in prison and glorify God when sick. That does not mean that they do not get concerned over situations and have fears, but they deal with them according to God’s Word. Jesus got irritated with people’s unbelief. He got angry with the buying and selling in the temple. There were times when He could no longer walk openly. He prayed that what He was going to have to go through might be removed from him; yet he said, NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS THOU WILT–Mt 26:39. He sometimes was displeased with what His disciples and apostles did. Many of these Spirit–led people teach the Word of God–first, by the way they live and act, and then by the Word of God. These desire the strong meat of God’s Word, which is perfection. They seek for holiness.
God’s Word warns us: Lk 3:9–EVERY TREE…WHICH BRINGETH NOT FORTH GOOD FRUIT IS HEWN DOWN, AND CAST INTO THE FIRE. Every person that does not bring forth–
1–the fruit of the Spirit in their attitude,
2–the fruit of the works that God has ordained for them to do, and
3–the fruit of a life that obeys God–shall be cut down and shall perish in the lake of fire, which is the second death.
Lk 6:43–45–FOR A GOOD TREE BRINGETH NOT FORTH CORRUPT FRUIT; NEITHER DOTH A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT. FOR EVERY TREE IS KNOWN BY HIS OWN FRUIT. FOR OF THORNS MEN DO NOT GATHER FIGS, NOR OF A BRAMBLE BUSH GATHER THEY GRAPES. A GOOD MAN OUT OF THE GOOD TREASURE OF HIS HEART BRINGETH FORTH THAT WHICH IS GOOD; AND AN EVIL MAN OUT OF THE EVIL TREASURE OF HIS HEART BRINGETH FORTH THAT WHICH IS EVIL. A person with an evil heart thinks wrongly. They think evil and do evil; but a person with a good heart thinks and does what is right, when examined by the Word of God. You can know what is in a person’s heart and whether they are walking with God by what they think, say, and do.
Some people have a stony or thorny heart. They receive God’s Word, but then Satan uses:
their hurts,
their rejections,
their emotions,
their unrepentant wrong thinking,
their anger,
their unforgiveness,
their stubborn and rebellious attitude, and
the cares of this life,
the pleasures of this life,
the deceitfulness of riches, and
the lusts of their flesh,
and other things
to choke and destroy their fruit. Yet those with a good and honest heart obey God’s Word to the end, and they do not allow these things to choke them. They fight the many battles in their mind and in their flesh, God’s way, and win. They overcome all things, as it is written. These bring forth a good and right attitude and the good works of God with patience. They bring forth fruit to perfection–note Lk 8:14,15.
But those people that do not bring forth a right attitude and do the works of God (their fruit is bad), these shall be cut down–note Lk 13:7. Indeed, every person in Christ that does not bear good fruit shall be taken away; but those that do bear godly fruit, God shall purge them, so they will ultimately bring forth more and more good fruit. Through God’s pruning, they grow in Christ. These grow through the many difficulties that confront them. As a person that runs a race or fights in a war must learn and train and face many difficult obstacles. So it is with a born again Christian. We grow through struggles, through obstacles, through hardships, through pressure, through suffering, through much reason of use. We must fight the good fight of faith, or we lose. We must learn to trust in Christ. We must learn to obey God. We must die to ourselves. We need to have our attitude, our thinking, and our very being conformed to Christ and to love. Those that deny themselves and pick up their cross daily and follow Jesus–these grow in the Spirit. Note Jn 15:2.
Ro 6:22–BUT NOW BEING MADE FREE FROM SIN, AND BECOME SERVANTS TO GOD, YE HAVE YOUR FRUIT UNTO HOLINESS, AND THE END EVERLASTING LIFE.
Jn 15:4–ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT OF ITSELF, EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN THE VINE; NO MORE CAN YE, EXCEPT YE ABIDE IN ME.
Heb 12:11–NOW NO CHASTENING FOR THE PRESENT SEEMETH TO BE JOYOUS, BUT GRIEVOUS: NEVERTHELESS AFTERWARD IT YIELDETH THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO THEM WHICH ARE EXERCISED THEREBY.
Ja 3:18–AND THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS SOWN IN PEACE OF THEM THAT MAKE PEACE.
Beware of pitfalls. Beware of obstacles.
Jude 12–THESE ARE SPOTS IN YOUR FEASTS OF CHARITY, WHEN THEY FEAST WITH YOU, FEEDING THEMSELVES WITHOUT FEAR: CLOUDS THEY ARE WITHOUT WATER, CARRIED ABOUT OF WINDS; TREES WHOSE FRUIT WITHERETH, WITHOUT FRUIT, TWICE DEAD, PLUCKED UP BY THE ROOTS. What place does righteousness have with unrighteousness? What fellowship do the children of God have with unbelievers? What future does the follower of Jesus have with the unfruitful works of darkness?
When a true born again, Spirit–filled Christian wrongfully (through wrong thinking) chooses to fellowship with the unbelievers (the unfruitful works of darkness)–in order to coexist together, they must turn down their light for Jesus. They must conform a little less to Jesus and a little more to the world. They must compromise. The unbeliever has a totally different way of thinking and doing things than the follower of Jesus, unless the follower of Jesus is a baby Christian which is very worldly and carnal. If unbelievers feel comfortable around a true Christian, then oftentimes the true Christian has compromised their walk with Jesus to enable the unbeliever to feel more comfortable around them. The light that is wrought of God in a true spiritual, born again Christian will both expose and make manifest the wrong deeds, the wrong ways, and the wrong thinking of their unbelieving friends, relatives, workers, and acquaintances. Again, the unbeliever may sometimes feel uncomfortable around the Christian, unless the Christian compromises in some way to be more like the unbeliever.
What do you trust in the most? What do you love the most? What do you think about the most? Where do you choose to spend most of your time? What comes first in your life? Who or what is the most important thing in your life? Is it Jesus? or is it your job, or a hobby, or your parents, or your spouse, or your children, or a certain person, or money, or food, or your appearance, or clothes, or your car, or some TV program, or the world? Is there some addition in your life that comes before God, such as sex, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, selfishness, cares of this life, pleasures, the love of money, stubbornness, gluttony, secretiveness, or something else? If there is a clash between serving God or some other thing or person–what would your heart choose? We all sin. Satan has some sort of stronghold in every person’s life. That needs to be said again. Satan has some sort of stronghold in every person’s life. Do you recognize the strongholds in your life?
If you don’t recognize the sin that you do, or you don’t see the strongholds that Satan has in your life–then how can you grow? The fact that you don’t see where Satan has a stronghold in your life, is itself, a stronghold Satan has over you. That needs repeating. The fact that you don’t see where Satan has a stronghold in your life, is itself, a stronghold Satan has over you. To grow is to recognize and confess sin and then to repent. Growth acknowledges Satan’s stronghold. How can you change to be more like Jesus, if you refuse to acknowledge the shortcomings that you have? Answer–it appears you won’t. No growth should be expected in such people. When people think they have nothing to repent of, then no repentance takes place. Good fruit cannot grow, and ripen, and come to perfection, where no growth takes place. You can’t fix something, if you don’t think it is broken. This appears to be the vast majority of people that name the name of Christ. They were in a rut of no growth a year ago. They are in a rut of no growth now, and they can be expected to be in a rut of no growth tomorrow. When they die or the rapture comes, what shall their end be??? (Similar article appeared previously.)
25–Love—Proof or evidence that you love God (or are saved) is that you have faith in Jesus Christ,
love all the saints, and dwell in love. All are needed and required
Eph 1:15–…I HEARD OF YOUR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS, AND LOVE UNTO ALL THE SAINTS.
Col 1:4–…WE HEARD OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, AND OF THE LOVE WHICH YE HAVE TO ALL THE SAINTS.
Phile 1:4–5–I THANK MY GOD,…HEARING OF THY LOVE AND FAITH, WHICH THOU HAST TOWARD THE LORD JESUS, AND TOWARD ALL SAINTS.
The message is seems clear—If a person says that he loves God, but he does not also love God’s children, the saints, then he is a liar.
1 Cor 13:1–3–THOUGH I SPEAK WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS,…AND THOUGH I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, AND UNDERSTAND ALL MYSTERIES, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE; AND THOUGH I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS,…AND THOUGH I BESTOW ALL MY GOODS TO FEED THE POOR, AND THOUGH I GIVE MY BODY TO BE BURNED,…AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (or love), (and again it says) AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (or love), and a third time it says, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (or love),…I AM BECOME AS SOUNDING BRASS, OR A TINKLING CYMBAL. …IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING. …I AM NOTHING.
The message is clear. No matter what a person thinks or does, no matter what wonderful and magnificent works a person has done, if they do not have godly love, all that they think and have done is of absolutely no profit. The Bible says, if I have not charity, I am nothing. A person that is nothing, as it is written, needs repentance.
1 Jn 4:16–…GOD IS LOVE; HE THAT DWELLETH IN LOVE DWELLETH IN GOD, AND GOD IN HIM.
26–Proof or evidence that you love God (or are saved) is
by your fruits,
that you do the will of God in heaven,
that you truly love the brethren and do not do them ill or evil,
and confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh
Mt 7:16–YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS. Does the way the person thinks, the things he does, and the ways he acts (his attitude) on both the inside and outside reflect Jesus or the world?
Mt 7:20–WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM.
Mt 7:21–NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME, LORD, LORD, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.
1 Jn 3:16–HEREBY PERCEIVE WE THE LOVE OF GOD…HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US: AND WE OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR THE BRETHREN. As Jesus laid down His life for repentant sinners, (the brethren), so we ought to be willing to do the same.
1 Jn 4:12–IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER, GOD DWELLETH IN US.
2 Jn 7–…MANY DECEIVERS ARE ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, WHO CONFESS NOT THAT JESUS CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH. THIS IS A DECEIVER AND AN ANTICHRIST.
1 Jn 4:2–HEREBY KNOW YE THE SPIRIT OF GOD: EVERY SPIRIT THAT CONFESSETH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH IS OF GOD:
1 Jn 4:3–…EVERY SPIRIT THAT CONFESSETH NOT THAT JESUS CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH IS NOT OF GOD: AND THIS IS THAT SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST.
27–These are not saved if God’s love not in him
1 Jn 3:17–BUT WHOSO HATH THIS WORLD’S GOOD, AND SEETH HIS BROTHER HAVE NEED, AND SHUTTETH UP HIS BOWELS OF COMPASSION FROM HIM, HOW DWELLETH THE LOVE OF GOD IN HIM?
Ro 13:10–LOVE WORKETH NO ILL TO HIS NEIGHBOUR: THEREFORE LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW. If a person says they love the brethren, yet do things that are not right to them, how can they love them and be saved?
Mk 8:38–WHOSOEVER THEREFORE SHALL BE ASHAMED OF ME AND OF MY WORDS IN THIS ADULTEROUS AND SINFUL GENERATION; OF HIM ALSO SHALL THE SON OF MAN BE ASHAMED.
Those that are afraid to serve God or make excuses, or choose to do other things shall also perish for it is written: Mt 25:25–I WAS AFRAID, AND WENT AND HID THY TALENT IN THE EARTH. Jesus said: Mt 25:30–CAST YE THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT INTO OUTER DARKNESS: THERE SHALL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.
Rev 21:8–BUT THE FEARFUL, AND UNBELIEVING,...AND ALL LIARS, SHALL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE WHICH BURNETH WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE: WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH.
Heb 10:31–IT IS A FEARFUL THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD.
These are but a small portion of the verses that apply to this category.
28—Perfection and the God of love
Heb 6:1–3–THEREFORE LEAVING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, LET US GO ON UNTO PERFECTION; NOT LAYING AGAIN THE FOUNDATION OF
REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS,
AND OF FAITH TOWARD GOD,
OF THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS,
AND OF LAYING ON OF HANDS,
AND OF RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD,
AND OF ETERNAL JUDGMENT.
AND THIS WILL WE DO, IF GOD PERMIT.
Once a person has been saved, they have need of learning the principles of the doctrine of Christ. These principles are listed in Heb 6:1–3 and are called the milk of the word. As a baby needs good milk to grow, so the new born again Christian needs spiritual milk to grow, which is God’s Word, as pertaining to the principles of the doctrine of Christ. As a person grows, they ought to be teachers–ref Heb 5:12. As a person learns these basic doctrines, some grow, and some do not. Some do not bring forth fruit to perfection, as they are choked with wrong thinking; with looking at themselves rather than Jesus; with cares, riches, lusts, and the pleasures of this life–ref Lk 8:14. Those that do not grow need to be taught again the first principles of the oracles of God again. They still need the milk of the Word, because they are unskillful in the Word of righteousness as they are still a babe in Christ–ref Heb 5:13.
However, as a person grows–in love; in learning to resist the devil steadfast in the faith; in controlling their tongue and emotions; in obedience to Christ; in overcoming all things, including wrong thinking, through faith; in denying themselves; by reason of use–they should have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil, right from wrong, the clean from the unclean.
These begin to have need of strong meat. They need to advance on to perfection, which includes:
forsaking the things of this world,
to following Jesus,
to perfect trust in Jesus,
to being perfect in Christ Jesus,
to being of one mind,
to no longer being tossed to and fro,
to speaking the truth in love,
to edifying in love,
to perfect love,
to being one in the body of Christ,
to being fitly joined together in the whole body of Christ,
to being one with the Father and the Son,
to perfect patience,
to perfect faith,
to being made perfect in suffering,
to having God's strength being made perfect in weakness,
to being throughly furnished unto all good works,
to being perfect in every good work,
to proving what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God,
to being perfect and complete in all the will of God,
to not even offending in word.
Strong meat belongs to them that are of full age–ref Heb 5:14.
It is God’s will that we be perfect–ref Mt 5:48; 2 Cor 13:9–11.
All of these things should be covered in Scripture under this subject.
Perfection is for those who have purified their heart.
1 Pe 1:22–A person can purify their soul IN OBEYING THE TRUTH THROUGH THE SPIRIT UNTO UNFEIGNED (or sincere) LOVE OF THE BRETHREN. Obedience and sincere love for the brethren purifies the soul. The Bible speaks of purifying your heart, ye double–minded–ref Ja 4:8. This is how to do it:
1–Draw near to God.
2–Cleanse your hands, ye sinners (repent).
3–Obey God’s Word through the Spirit.
4–Have sincere love for the brethren.
If a person speaks against the brethren, sometimes accuses the brethren, dislikes some of the brethren, works ill to the brethren, has wrong thinking toward the brethren, etc., then their heart needs to be purified. (This is covered in #58.)
1 Tim 1:5–NOW THE END OF THE COMMANDMENT IS CHARITY (OR LOVE) OUT OF (1) A PURE HEART, AND OF (2) A GOOD CONSCIENCE, AND OF (3) FAITH UNFEIGNED (or sincere faith).
a–Perfection is a command
Mt 5:48–BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT.
2 Cor 13:9–11–WE WISH, EVEN YOUR PERFECTION. BRETHREN,…BE PERFECT, BE OF GOOD COMFORT, BE OF ONE MIND, LIVE IN PEACE; AND THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU.
Lk 6:40–THE DISCIPLE IS NOT ABOVE HIS MASTER: BUT EVERY ONE THAT IS PERFECT SHALL BE AS HIS MASTER.
Heb 12:23–TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN, AND TO GOD THE JUDGE OF ALL, AND TO THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT.
b–Perfection—What God gives to help us
Eph 4:11–16–AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.
2 Tim 3:16–17–ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS.
c–Perfection–How to become perfect
Perfection and a pure heart are interrelated. Purifying one’s heart is directly related to obeying the Gospel and having sincere love for the brethren. It may be said that if a person will not obey the Gospel and sincerely love the brethren under all circumstances, then for them, perfection is not attainable. They will usually remain carnal, having at times–anger, bitterness, accusings, complainings, and a lack of biblical joy. They will often be unhappy with their situation and have wrong thinking toward those that love them. Because they do not have biblical love as they ought, their distorted thinking (or distorted sunglasses) may cause them to believe the brethren do not love them. These sometimes compare themselves with others that have something they do not. They may make excuses that cause them not to fellowship with other brethren. They are often very difficult to correct, as the thoughts they have contradict the correction. Thus, their heart chooses to believe the wrong thinking rather than the truth of God’s Word. To these, the truth may sometimes seem like error, and error like the truth–but it is nearly impossible for them to recognize this. If they will not see the error of their way and repent, then there is little hope for them. They have given a place to Satan with wrong thinking, and their end may be eternal separation from God, except they repent.
Mt 19:21–JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, IF THOU WILT BE PERFECT, GO AND SELL THAT THOU HAST, AND GIVE TO THE POOR, AND THOU SHALT HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN: AND COME AND FOLLOW ME.
Jn 17:20–23–PRAY I FOR THESE.THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE; AS THOU, FATHER, ART IN ME, AND I IN THEE, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN US:…THAT THEY MAY BE ONE, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE: I IN THEM, AND THOU IN ME, THAT THEY MAY BE MADE PERFECT IN ONE;
Ro 12:2–AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT, WILL OF GOD.
2 Cor 12:9–MY STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS. …THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON ME.
Eph 4:13–TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH…OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, UNTO…THE FULNESS OF CHRIST:
Eph 4:13–16–A PERFECT MAN…THAT WE HENCEFORTH BE NO MORE CHILDREN, TOSSED TO AND FRO, AND CARRIED ABOUT WITH EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, BY THE SLEIGHT OF MEN, AND CUNNING CRAFTINESS, WHEREBY THEY LIE IN WAIT TO DECEIVE; BUT SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, MAY GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS,…EVEN CHRIST: FROM WHOM THE WHOLE BODY FITLY JOINED TOGETHER AND COMPACTED BY THAT WHICH EVERY JOINT SUPPLIETH, ACCORDING TO THE EFFECTUAL WORKING IN THE MEASURE OF EVERY PART, MAKETH INCREASE OF THE BODY UNTO THE EDIFYING OF ITSELF IN LOVE.
Phili 3:8–15–YEA DOUBTLESS, AND I COUNT ALL THINGS BUT LOSS FOR THE EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS MY LORD: FOR WHOM I HAVE SUFFERED THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS, AND DO COUNT THEM BUT DUNG, THAT I MAY WIN CHRIST, AND BE FOUND IN HIM, NOT HAVING MINE OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH IS OF THE LAW, BUT THAT WHICH IS THROUGH THE FAITH OF CHRIST, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS OF GOD BY FAITH: THAT I MAY KNOW HIM, AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS, BEING MADE CONFORMABLE UNTO HIS DEATH; IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. NOT AS THOUGH I HAD ALREADY ATTAINED, EITHER WERE ALREADY PERFECT: BUT I FOLLOW AFTER, IF THAT I MAY APPREHEND THAT FOR WHICH ALSO I AM APPREHENDED OF CHRIST JESUS. BRETHREN, I COUNT NOT MYSELF TO HAVE APPREHENDED: BUT THIS ONE THING I DO, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND, AND REACHING FORTH UNTO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEFORE, THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS, AND DO COUNT THEM BUT DUNG, THAT I MAY WIN CHRIST, I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. LET US THEREFORE, AS MANY AS BE PERFECT, BE THUS MINDED: AND IF IN ANY THING YE BE OTHERWISE MINDED, GOD SHALL REVEAL EVEN THIS UNTO YOU.
2 Tim 3:16–17–ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS.
Heb 2:9–10–BUT WE SEE JESUS,…BY THE GRACE OF GOD SHOULD TASTE DEATH FOR EVERY MAN…TO MAKE THE CAPTAIN OF THEIR SALVATION PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERINGS.
Heb 5:8–9–THOUGH HE WERE A SON, YET LEARNED HE OBEDIENCE BY THE THINGS WHICH HE SUFFERED; AND BEING MADE PERFECT, HE BECAME THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION UNTO ALL THEM THAT OBEY HIM.
1 Pe 1:7–…YOUR FAITH (or trust),…TRIED WITH FIRE.
Ja 1:3,4–KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE. BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE, WANTING NOTHING.
Ja 1:22–SEEST THOU HOW FAITH WROUGHT WITH HIS WORKS, AND BY WORKS WAS FAITH MADE PERFECT?
Ja 3:1–8–MY BRETHREN,…IN MANY THINGS WE OFFEND ALL. IF ANY MAN OFFEND NOT IN WORD, THE SAME IS A PERFECT MAN, AND ABLE ALSO TO BRIDLE THE WHOLE BODY. EVEN SO THE TONGUE IS A LITTLE MEMBER, AND BOASTETH GREAT THINGS. ...THE TONGUE IS A FIRE, A WORLD OF INIQUITY: IT DEFILETH THE WHOLE BODY, …AND IT IS SET ON FIRE OF HELL. BUT THE TONGUE CAN NO MAN TAME; IT IS AN UNRULY EVIL, FULL OF DEADLY POISON.
1 Pe 5:8–10–BE SOBER, …THE DEVIL, …WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR: WHOM RESIST STEDFAST IN THE FAITH, KNOWING THAT THE SAME AFFLICTIONS ARE ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR BRETHREN THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. …GOD…WHO HATH CALLED US…AFTER THAT YE HAVE SUFFERED A WHILE, MAKE YOU PERFECT, STABLISH, STRENGTHEN, SETTLE YOU.
1 Jn 4:17–18–HEREIN IS OUR LOVE MADE PERFECT, THAT WE MAY HAVE BOLDNESS IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT: BECAUSE AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD. …BUT PERFECT LOVE CASTETH OUT FEAR: …HE THAT FEARETH IS NOT MADE PERFECT IN LOVE.
Rev 3:2–5–(1) BE WATCHFUL, AND (2) STRENGTHEN THE THINGS WHICH REMAIN, THAT ARE READY TO DIE: FOR I HAVE NOT FOUND (3) THY WORKS PERFECT BEFORE GOD. REMEMBER THEREFORE HOW THOU HAST (4) RECEIVED AND (5) HEARD, (6) HOLD FAST, AND (7) REPENT. IF THEREFORE THOU SHALT NOT WATCH, I WILL COME ON THEE AS A THIEF, AND THOU SHALT NOT KNOW WHAT HOUR I WILL COME UPON THEE. THOU HAST A FEW NAMES EVEN IN SARDIS WHICH HAVE NOT (8) DEFILED THEIR GARMENTS; AND THEY SHALL WALK WITH ME IN WHITE: FOR THEY ARE WORTHY. HE THAT (9) OVERCOMETH, THE SAME SHALL BE CLOTHED IN WHITE RAIMENT; AND I WILL NOT BLOT OUT HIS NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, BUT I WILL CONFESS HIS NAME BEFORE MY FATHER, AND BEFORE HIS ANGELS.
Lk 8:14–AND THAT WHICH FELL AMONG THORNS ARE THEY, WHICH, WHEN THEY HAVE HEARD, GO FORTH, AND ARE CHOKED WITH CARES AND RICHES AND PLEASURES OF THIS LIFE, AND BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION. (Lusts–ref Mk 4:19; Jn 8:44; Ro 1:24; Eph 2:3; 2 Tim 2:22; Titus 2:12; 2 Pe 2:11,18).
Heb 13:20–21–NOW…OUR LORD JESUS, THAT GREAT SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP, THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE EVERLASTING COVENANT, MAKE YOU PERFECT IN EVERY GOOD WORK TO DO HIS WILL, WORKING IN YOU THAT WHICH IS WELLPLEASING IN HIS SIGHT, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST; TO WHOM BE GLORY FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.
Also we need to trust in God, not in ourselves. It is written–2 Cor 1:9,10–WE SHOULD NOT TRUST IN OURSELVES, BUT IN GOD WHICH RAISETH THE DEAD:…IN WHOM WE TRUST
2 Cor 3:3–4–FORASMUCH AS YE ARE MANIFESTLY DECLARED TO BE THE EPISTLE OF CHRIST MINISTERED BY US, WRITTEN NOT WITH INK, BUT WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD; NOT IN TABLES OF STONE, BUT IN FLESHY TABLES OF THE HEART. AND SUCH TRUST HAVE WE THROUGH CHRIST TO GOD–WARD:
Phili 2:19–BUT I TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS.
1 Thes 2:4–BUT AS WE WERE ALLOWED OF GOD TO BE PUT IN TRUST WITH THE GOSPEL, EVEN SO WE SPEAK; NOT AS PLEASING MEN, BUT GOD, WHICH TRIETH OUR HEARTS.
1 Tim 4:10–THEREFORE WE BOTH LABOUR AND SUFFER REPROACH, BECAUSE WE TRUST IN THE LIVING GOD.
1 Tim 6:20–O TIMOTHY, KEEP THAT WHICH IS COMMITTED TO THY TRUST.
Heb 2:13–…I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.
2 Cor 13:9–11–WE WISH, EVEN YOUR PERFECTION. BRETHREN,…BE PERFECT, BE OF GOOD COMFORT, BE OF ONE MIND, LIVE IN PEACE; AND THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU.
2 Cor 7:1–PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF GOD. AND BY THE FEAR OF THE LORD MEN DEPART FROM EVIL–Pv 16:6. BE HOLY; WITHOUT HOLINESS NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD–Heb 12:14 (KJV, NIV, NKJ). Love the brethren—hearts stablished unblameable in holiness before God.
d–Summary of above Scripture.
Perfection. What it includes, what we are to do, and suffer
Being perfect is related to selling all, giving to the poor, and following Jesus.
Being perfect is related to the brethren being in perfect harmony, even as one.
Being perfect is related to not being conformed to this world, but being transformed in your thoughts.
Being perfect is when we are at our weakest. Then our total dependence is on Him and Him alone.
Being perfect includes the unity of the faith…of the knowledge of Jesus.
Being perfect includes the fullness of Christ.
Being perfect includes being no more tossed to and fro or tossed with wrong thoughts, false teachings, false doctrine.
Being perfect includes growing up in Christ.
Being perfect includes being fitly joined together in the body of Christ.
Being perfect includes speaking the truth, and speaking it in love.
Being perfect includes edifying the body of Christ in love.
Being perfect includes counting all things as loss and as dung, in exchange for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus and that you may win Christ.
Being perfect includes suffering the loss of all things.
Being perfect includes not having any righteousness of your own or by the law.
Being perfect includes understanding that the only righteousness you can have is of God by faith.
Being perfect includes knowing Him.
Being perfect includes knowing the power of His resurrection.
Being perfect includes the fellowship of His sufferings.
Being perfect includes being made conformable unto His death.
Being perfect includes knowing that you have not already attained or apprehended, either were already perfect.
Being perfect includes following after Christ.
Being perfect includes forgetting those things that are behind.
Being perfect includes reaching forth unto those things that are before.
Being perfect includes pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Being perfect includes having a mind that understands and does these things.
Being perfect includes knowing Scripture for doctrine, being reproved, being corrected, and instruction in righteousness.
Being perfect includes going through sufferings.
Being perfect includes learning obedience through suffering according to God’s will and His Word.
Being perfect includes your faith being tested, so you can learn to be patient.
Being perfect includes learning patience.
Faith being made perfect is a result of faith wrought with works.
Being perfect includes taming the tongue.
Being perfect includes being as Jesus was in this world.
Being perfect includes being watchful, strengthening that which remains, strengthening your works before God, remembering how you received and heard God’s Word, hold fast, repent, don’t defile your garments, overcome all things.
Being perfect includes bringing fruit to perfection. This includes hearing God’s Word and going forth and not being choked with the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life; and the lusts of the eyes; the lusts of your heart; the lusts of the flesh; youthful lusts; and the lusts of other things.
Being perfect includes every good work, doing His will, He working in you doing that which is well pleasing in His sight.
We should not trust in ourselves but in God. We are to trust in the Lord Jesus. We are to trust in Him.
Ye are to be an epistle of Christ, written with the Spirit of God in fleshly tables of the heart.
We have been allowed of God to be trusted with the Gospel. Thus we are to speak as pleasing God, not men.
We are to both work and suffer reproach for Christ, because we trust in the living God.
We are to keep that which is committed to our trust.
Being perfect includes being of one mind with the rest of the spiritual brethren and living in peace.
Do these things, and you shall be perfect.
(Also see #58 on how to purify one’s heart.)
e–Perfection: Some preach, and some pray to enable you to stand perfect
Col 4:12–EPAPHRAS,…SALUTETH YOU, ALWAYS LABOURING FERVENTLY FOR YOU IN PRAYERS, THAT YE MAY STAND PERFECT AND COMPLETE IN ALL THE WILL OF GOD.
Col 1:27–28–THE RICHES OF THE GLORY…WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY: WHOM WE PREACH, WARNING EVERY MAN, AND TEACHING EVERY MAN IN ALL WISDOM; THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS:
1 Thes 3:10–NIGHT AND DAY PRAYING EXCEEDINGLY THAT WE MIGHT SEE YOUR FACE, AND MIGHT PERFECT THAT WHICH IS LACKING IN YOUR FAITH?
f–Perfect law, perfect gift, and Jesus is perfect
Ja 1:25–BUT WHOSO LOOKETH INTO THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY, AND CONTINUETH THEREIN, HE BEING NOT A FORGETFUL HEARER, BUT A DOER OF THE WORK, THIS MAN SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIS DEED.
Ja 1:17–EVERY GOOD GIFT AND EVERY PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, AND COMETH DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHTS, WITH WHOM IS NO VARIABLENESS, NEITHER SHADOW OF TURNING.
1 Cor 13:10–BUT WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, THEN THAT WHICH IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY. Jesus is perfect.
End of the subject of perfection.
29–How to have perfect love
1 Jn 4:12–IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER, GOD DWELLETH IN US, AND HIS LOVE IS PERFECTED IN US.
1 Jn 4:16,17–If a person knows and believes THE LOVE God has TO US, and that GOD IS LOVE, then they do dwell IN LOVE AND GOD is IN them, and then their LOVE is MADE PERFECT.
1 Jn 4:16,17 (in addition)–(What makes our love perfect? How can our love become perfect like God’s love is toward us?) (1)–WE must know…THE LOVE THAT GOD HATH TO US. (2)–WE must…believe THE LOVE GOD HATH TO US. (3)–WE must know AND believe…GOD IS LOVE. (4)–We must dwell in love and IN GOD. When these 4 things are in place within us, it is written, HEREIN IS OUR LOVE MADE PERFECT. See a person whose love is not made perfect? Then one or more of these things are not in that person as of yet.
30–Love—The greatest love is that you would lay down your life for your friend
Also see “What is Godly love?”
1 Jn 3:16–HEREBY PERCEIVE WE THE LOVE OF GOD…HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US:
Jn 15:13–14–GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.
31–Love—Who will love God the most?
Lk 7:41–43–THERE WAS A CERTAIN CREDITOR WHICH HAD TWO DEBTORS: THE ONE OWED FIVE HUNDRED PENCE, AND THE OTHER FIFTY. AND WHEN THEY HAD NOTHING TO PAY, HE FRANKLY FORGAVE THEM BOTH. TELL ME THEREFORE, WHICH OF THEM WILL LOVE HIM MOST? SIMON ANSWERED AND SAID, I SUPPOSE THAT HE, TO WHOM HE FORGAVE MOST. AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, THOU HAST RIGHTLY JUDGED.
The heart is deceitful. The dishonest heart has a problem regarding the subject of love and other biblical subjects as well. It is written in Jere 17:9,10–THE HEART IS (1) DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, AND (2) DESPERATELY WICKED: (3) WHO CAN KNOW IT? I THE LORD SEARCH THE HEART, I TRY THE REINS. Jere 17:9,10 (NIV)–THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS AND BEYOND CURE. WHO CAN UNDERSTAND IT? “I THE LORD SEARCH THE HEART AND EXAMINE THE MIND.” What can cure the dishonest heart? Who can understand the dishonest heart? Who can understand the thoughts of a person with a dishonest heart?
Some people have a difficult time admitting just how sinful they really were and are. They cannot admit they are deceived. They cannot admit how wicked they are in the eyes of a holy God. Thus, even though they have been forgiven much, in their heart they do not believe they ever sinned very much. As a result, because they will not admit how sinful and desperately wicked they were, they love God very little.
The dishonest heart does not want to admit it is dishonest, or it will not admit it is dishonest. How can any one correct such a person? How can God’s Word correct such a person? How can God correct such a person? How can such a person grow in the Lord?
People with dishonest hearts often try to make others fell guilty. They accuse others. The dishonest heart looks at others, but not at itself. It tries to make others believe it is the victim. The dishonest heart is often a self–centered heart. People often tip–toe around such people less they offend them. The dishonest heart can also be an angry heart. It can erupt with anger at the drop of a pin, or it can become very accusing, or quiet, or cold toward others. The dishonest heart is often a heart that feels rejected. What is right, is wrong; and what is wrong, is right to the dishonest heart. Satan has a stronghold in a person with a lying heart. Many people have tried to reason or correct a person with a dishonest heart, but have found it nearly impossible. If the light that is in a person is really darkness, then the darkness in that person is great.
The woman of Canaan that had great faith had an honest heart. Just before the Bible mentions her, it talks about the heart–Mt 15:22–28.
The Pharisees had a dishonest heart and committed the unforgivable sin–ref Mt 12:24–33. Shortly after (v.34,35), Jesus speaks about the heart.
32–Love—What do you love the most?
What do you trust in the most? What do you love the most? What do you think about the most? Where do you choose to spend most of your time. What comes first in your life? Who or what is the most important thing in your life? Is it Jesus? or is it your job, or a hobby, or your parents, or your spouse, or your children, or a certain person or pleasures, or money, or sex, or food, or yourself, or your appearance, or your clothes, or your car, or some TV program, or the world? Is there some addition in your life that comes before God, such as sex, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, selfishness, cares of this life, pleasures, the love of money, stubbornness, gluttony, secretiveness, or something else? If there is a clash between serving God or some other thing or person–what would your heart choose? We all sin. Satan has some sort of stronghold in every person’s life. That needs to be said again. Satan has some sort of stronghold in every person’s life. Do you recognize the strongholds in your life?
If you don’t recognize the sin that you do, or you don’t see the strongholds that Satan has in your life–then how can you grow? The fact that you don’t see where Satan has a stronghold in your life, is itself, a stronghold Satan has over you. That needs repeating. The fact that you don’t see where Satan has a stronghold in your life, is itself, a stronghold Satan has over you. To grow is to recognize and admit sin and then to repent. Growth acknowledges Satan’s stronghold. How can you change to be more like Jesus if you can’t, or won’t, or refuse to admit the shortcomings that you have? Answer–it appears you can’t. No growth should be expected in such people. When people think they have nothing to repent of, then no repentance takes place. Good fruit cannot grow and ripen and come to perfection where no growth takes place. You can’t fix something, if you don’t think it is broken. Such appears to be the vast majority of people that name the name of Christ. They were in a rut of no growth a year ago. They are in a rut of no growth now, and they can be expected to be in a rut of no growth tomorrow. When they die or the rapture comes, what shall their end be??? (Above article was repeated previously.)
Jn 21:15–17–SO WHEN THEY HAD DINED, JESUS SAITH TO SIMON PETER, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE (which was his job, which was the fish or fishing)? HE SAITH UNTO HIM, YEA, LORD; THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY LAMBS. HE SAITH TO HIM AGAIN THE SECOND TIME, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME? HE SAITH UNTO HIM, YEA, LORD; THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY SHEEP. HE SAITH UNTO HIM THE THIRD TIME, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME? PETER WAS GRIEVED BECAUSE HE SAID UNTO HIM THE THIRD TIME, LOVEST THOU ME? AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, LORD, THOU KNOWEST ALL THINGS; THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY SHEEP.
Let me ask you again the previous questions. What do you trust in the most? What do you love the most? What do you think about the most? Where do you choose to spend most of your time? What comes first in your life? Who or what is the most important thing in your life? Is it Jesus? or is it your job, or a hobby, or your parents, or your spouse, or your children, or a certain person or pleasures, or money, or sex, or food, or yourself, or your appearance, or your clothes, or your car, or some TV program, or the world? Is there some addition in your life that comes before God, such as sex, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, selfishness, cares of this life, pleasures, the love of money, stubbornness, gluttony, secretiveness, or something else? If there is a clash between serving God or some other thing or person–what would your heart choose?
One part of this message is this–If the most important person and thing in your life is Jesus and serving Him, then do the works of God with a right attitude. Feed His lambs. Feed His sheep. If you love or follow anything other than Jesus, and His Word, then how can the love of God be in you? Do you get upset when God asks you to put Him first and do His works, but you had some other plans and wanted to do something else?
1 Tim 6:10–FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS (a) ROOT OF ALL (kinds of) EVIL: WHICH WHILE SOME COVETED AFTER (or craved), THEY HAVE ERRED (or wandered) FROM THE FAITH, AND PIERCED THEMSELVES THROUGH (to the heart) WITH MANY SORROWS (or pains). What do you love the most? Is it God or money? We asked people around the world that claimed they were saved a question such as: “Which would you rather have (a) a lot of money or (b) more understanding of God’s Word.” Regretfully, far too many indicated that money was more important to them than more wisdom and understanding of God’s Word.
33–Love—Warning–you are being tested
Deut 13:3–THOU SHALT NOT (1) HEARKEN UNTO THE WORDS OF THAT PROPHET, OR (2) THAT DREAMER OF DREAMS: FOR THE (A) LORD YOUR GOD PROVETH YOU, TO KNOW (a) WHETHER YE LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL.
Your faith will be tested with all kinds of trials–ref 1 Pe 1:7. Whether it is genuine or not will be made known. Paul sought to know the proof of their love, whether they were obedient in all things–ref 2 Cor 2:8,9.
Again the words THE PROOF OF YOUR LOVE are mentioned in 2 Cor 8:24. A person’s faith and love will be proved, not by a person’s words, but by a person’s actions through various situations that arise.
34–Love–Warning–faith will not work without Godly love
(Also note Love and faith and growth)
Gal 5:6–FOR IN JESUS CHRIST NEITHER CIRCUMCISION AVAILETH ANY THING, NOR UNCIRCUMCISION; BUT FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY LOVE. First a person must have repented and be in Christ Jesus. If they are not born again, if they do not have the Holy Spirit inside, then biblical faith will not be present. Next, neither circumcision or uncircumcision means anything. Faith which works by love is what is important. Faith will not work or has no meaning if biblical, Godly love is not also present. If a person does not truly love God, the brethren, and their enemies, as the scriptures state, then whatever faith a person thinks they have means absolutely nothing.
No matter how much faith a person may think they have, no matter how much a person may think they are saved, if love for the brethren and for Christ from the heart is not combined with faith, then a person is nothing.
Eph 4:15–(Note these 4 words) IN LOVE MAY GROW…UNTO HIM IN ALL THINGS.
Why won’t faith work as it ought without love? Why are so many professing Christians not growing, and others are falling? A person may say they have love for God and the brethren, however, their attitude under stress proves their love is not genuine. They accuse, they have bitterness, they have unforgiveness toward certain people, and at times they are just plain mean, or cold, or in a shell. They sometimes snap at people, get easily upset with people, and make all sorts of excuses when it comes to fellowshipping with the brethren. One day their attitude is nice, but the next day it is cold. They sometimes project past hurts upon the brethren. They sometimes believe the brethren are doing to them the same things their parents or someone did to them in the past. The list is almost endless. The bottom line is their love for God and for the brethren is not as it ought to be.
One reason that some people do not have the understanding of God’s Word as they ought is this: Col 2:2–(My purpose is) THAT THEIR HEARTS MIGHT BE COMFORTED (or encouraged), BEING KNIT (or joined) TOGETHER IN LOVE, (SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE THE FULL RICHES OF COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING–NKJ). Note the words HEARTS COMFORTED…BEING (joined) TOGETHER IN LOVE, SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE…COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING. It could be said that if a person’s heart is not joined in love with the other brethren, then they will not be comforted, and they will not have the riches of completely understanding God’s Word, yet their deceived heart may think it does. Do you want to increase your understanding of God’s Word, then try increasing your love for the brethren, even under stress.
It is common for such people to say to the elders, “I disagree with you on this verse.” Then they try to reinforce their deceived understanding by saying, “Others also disagree with you, I’m not the only one.” They don’t understand that the deceiver has a deceptive stronghold in them which they are unable to understand. Then because they are not childlike to correction, Satan’s deception in them may ultimately cause them to fall. Only when they get to God’s judgment do they realize how wrong they were, but then it is too late–ref Mt 7:22,23.
1 Jn 5:20–THE SON OF GOD…HATH GIVEN US AN UNDERSTANDING, THAT WE MAY KNOW HIM…THIS IS THE TRUE GOD, AND ETERNAL LIFE. Our understanding of the Scriptures comes from God. If God’s Word abides in us, and we in Him, then are we saved. Nevertheless, anyone whose heart is hardened, regarding loving God and the brethren as the Bible declares, such are in deep spiritual trouble.
1 Cor 13:1–3–THOUGH I SPEAK WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (or love), I AM BECOME AS SOUNDING BRASS, OR A TINKLING CYMBAL. AND THOUGH I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, AND UNDERSTAND ALL MYSTERIES, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE; AND THOUGH I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (or love), I AM NOTHING. AND THOUGH I BESTOW ALL MY GOODS TO FEED THE POOR, AND THOUGH I GIVE MY BODY TO BE BURNED, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (or love), IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING.
The message is clear. Whatever faith I may think I have, if I do not have Godly love, my faith is of no profit or value. The bottom line is that I am nothing. I am only a vessel fitted for destruction–ref Ro 9:22.
35a–Warnings against sinning, loving the world, loving other things, false ways, hate, and cults
Satan’s tactics
The bottom line of sinning, loving this world, loving other things, and false ways may be summed up in two verses. Rev 12:9–AND THE GREAT DRAGON.THAT OLD SERPENT, CALLED THE DEVIL, AND SATAN,…DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD. Paul tells us in 2 Cor 2:11–SATAN…WE ARE NOT IGNORANT OF HIS DEVICES. Regretfully, today’s churches are very, very ignorant of these things. The wrong thoughts we have that tempt us are from Satan. The evil that is in the world is a result of Satan. Satan was created for the purpose of doing exactly what he has done and is doing. With almost no exceptions, today’s Bible schools, denominational presidents, corporate boards, heads of churches, bishops, preachers, elders, lay people, yes, nearly everyone on this earth are very ignorant of Satan’s devices. When Satan puts wrong thoughts in a person’s head, very, very few recognize what is happening. They believe the thoughts are their own. Their heart accepts the wrong thoughts, and thus it does become their own. Nevertheless, the demonic realm put those wrong thoughts in their mind.
So what does this biblically ignorant world do? They don’t even believe in Satan. They make Satan out to be nothing more than some mischievous, little cartoon character. They make stupid statements like, “Satan can never deceive me,“ or “I can stamp Satan under my feet.” Others make ignorant statements like, ”I am a good person, so I’ll go to heaven. I don’t sin.” As a result, children sometimes turn against parents, neighbor turns against neighbor, drivers have road rage against other drivers, school kids bully other school kids, and some even mock the disabled. Some even lie and accuse their own friends of abominable things. Countries have wars with other countries. There are many people and terrorists that have no conscience about lying, stealing, torturing others, and killing. Peace activists say to other people–peace, peace, yet they can’t even live in harmony with their own neighbor. Some preach tolerance, but they themselves don't tolerate the truth–mainly God’s Word and born again Christians.
The religious world is packed with thousands of cults. Even among those churches claiming to be Christian, the vast majority are only Christian in word, but not in truth. They are counterfeits whose ministers look like they are of God, but they are really of Satan–ref 2 Cor 11:14,15. The Bible repeatedly warns that most people will perish and only a few will go to be with Jesus. However, every day throughout the world clergy preside over funerals, offering comforting words to the relatives of the deceased that died without Jesus. They say the person is in heaven, or has gone to a better place, or will be reincarnated; when in reality the person is in hell being tormented in the flame–ref Lk 16:24. The Bible, over and over, tells people to be not deceived, but the world is not listening; neither does it understand. Satan and the demonic realm is behind all deception and sin. To those of you reading or hearing this, it can only be said, HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR–ref Lk 14:35.
But the good news is that when Jesus Christ comes back at Armageddon, Satan will no longer be able to deceive the nations any longer for 1000 years–ref Rev 20:3. Then the world will be at peace. They will love the Jews, and Jesus Christ will reign in Jerusalem. The abundance of wrong thinking people now have will disappear.
How is it that when a preacher that understands these things tells some one that their thinking is wrong and from the Adversary, the deceived person refuses to believe this is true, and some even react in an ungodly manner to the truth that has just been given to them. Why is this? It is because the voice of Satan in their head and heart is louder than the voice of truth from the Word of God. The voice of the serpent was more convincing than the voice of God (note Adam and Eve). It is because their heart is not pure. Hear the words of God.
Ps 4:2–O YE SONS OF MEN, HOW LONG WILL YE TURN MY GLORY INTO SHAME? HOW LONG WILL YE LOVE VANITY (or worthlessness), AND SEEK AFTER LEASING (or falsehood)?
Pv 8:36–HE THAT SINNETH AGAINST ME WRONGETH HIS OWN SOUL.
Jere 5:31–THE PROPHETS PROPHESY FALSELY (they prophesy lies), AND THE PRIESTS BEAR RULE BY THEIR MEANS (or own authority or own power); AND MY PEOPLE LOVE TO HAVE IT SO (they love to have it this way–ref NIV): (but) WHAT WILL YE DO IN THE END THEREOF? People love to hear nice, uplifting preaching. They want to be entertained. They want to feel good. They want positive teaching. They want to hear that they are loved by God and they can never be rejected no matter what they do wrong. They want to hear about everything good, and nothing negative. They don’t want condemnation. They don’t want to hear about the lake of fire, being rejected, sin, repentance, judgment, having to conform to Jesus, and the Lord’s soon return. They don’t want to know that they need to deny them self, and pick up their cross and follow Jesus. They don’t want to know that God will try to correct them, and they will have to suffer many things. They don’t wish to hear about being persecuted. They don’t want to hear that they are nothing more than a sheep fit and ready for the slaughter–ref Ro 8:36.
Zech 8:17–AND LET NONE OF YOU IMAGINE EVIL IN YOUR HEARTS AGAINST HIS NEIGHBOUR; AND LOVE NO FALSE OATH: FOR ALL THESE ARE THINGS THAT I HATE, SAITH THE LORD.
2 Thes 2:10–12–(They) PERISH; BECAUSE THEY (1) RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, (2) BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH, BUT (3) HAD PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. They perish for a lack of understanding and knowledge of God’s Word in their own lives.
1 Jn 2:15–LOVE NOT THE WORLD, NEITHER THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM. It may be said if any man love the world–he is not saved.
Who is your Lord and saviour? Is it the Jesus Christ of the Bible, or this world, or your church or denomination?
Who is your Lord and saviour? Is it yourself, your own ideas, your own goodness, your own good works, or is it the Jesus Christ of the Bible? The following could give you some additional understanding of these questions.
Is your trust in this world? Do you trust in the people of this world? Do you trust in government programs? Do you trust in your country? Do you trust in attorneys? Do you trust in your savings accounts, your stocks, your assets, or your job? Do you trust in yourself? Satan knows exactly how to rile you up when things near to your heart do not go the way that you want. So what is near your heart?
Do you love this world? Do you love some of the things it possesses? Do you love the things God created more than you love the creator? If you are in bondage to this world, then how can you take the yoke of Christ upon you? If you are in bondage to your flesh, your emotions, your wrong thinking, then how can you be truly committed to God? Are you in bondage to debts that have come about because of your desires? Are your own ways, your own desires, your own wrong thinking—the god that you follow and trust?
Beware. Satan understands the things that be of men–ref Mt 16:23. He knows what is in a person’s heart. Satan understands a person’s loneliness, hurts, sadness, worries, cares, rejection and fears. He understands people’s desires, their lusts, their sexual drive, their sexual thoughts, plus men’s desire for a beautiful woman, and a women’s desire for that special man, or for a baby. He knows people’s hearts, how some have such perverted thinking, that men want men and women want women. The devil knows that people want the better things of this life, and good health. He understands their desires for more comfort, more peace, more money, and more fame. He understands their pride, their desire not to be rejected, their desire to be wanted and liked. Satan understands man’s cravings for delicious food, for drugs that give a special high, for alcohol that dull a man’s senses, and cigarettes that help a person relax but can bring a person closer to death. He knows people do not want to hurt or be in pain. He understands people’s desire for some new, exciting experience or pleasure. The bigger the roller coaster the better. The more thrilling the amusement park ride is, the better. He knows people want nice clothing, luxury cars, the pleasures of this life, and to be entertained. He understands how to use the cares of this life against them. He knows people’s desire to be rich, famous, powerful, and in control. He knows that man wants to be “somebody!” He knows we all have a stubborn streak. The Adversary knows exactly how to use these things to tempt you from turning to God, or to tempt you to turn away from God. Satan knows how to put in your thoughts that if you will just do such and such, you can have whatever your heart desires–ref Mt 4:9.
Satan knows that man has an angry, rebellious, covetous, jealous, and accusing spirit. He understands people will lie if it suits their purpose. People do not want to be told what to do. He knows man detests correction, as every man’s ways are right in their own eyes. The devil knows that if he can get a person to resist godly correction by putting some wrong thinking in their thoughts, that ultimately the person may perish. Satan knows exactly how to use this world and the things that are in this world. He knows exactly what each person’s weakness is. He knows how to tempt YOU. He knows how to take God and God’s Word out of your heart and fill it with visions of whatever you want. He knows how to use fear. The unsaved people of this world are wiser in their generation than the people of light when it comes to this world. Indeed, the ways of this world are deceiving and being deceived–ref 2 Tim 3:13. The truth is no longer truth, but tolerance. The truth is no longer truth, but half truths, or truth mixed with deception. Satan knows exactly how to tempt you when you are very weak.
Many politicians and elected officials will lie and promise you the world to get you to vote for them. Educational institutions teach the lie of evolution, contrary to the Bible. Most religious institutions teach falsehoods and doctrines of men. Many employers want no mention of Jesus or the Bible in the work place. Are there any of us that have not had some neighbors, friends and relatives lie to us? Often news reporting is slanted, or bends the truth or even lies to achieve their goal. Yet the world listens and believes.
Satan knows many Christians do not want to be persecuted, ridiculed, despised, accused, afflicted, and overworked by making full proof of their ministry. He understands that Christians do not want to be reproved, rebuked, and corrected with sound doctrine. Satan knows that this is the age that man will not put up with sound doctrine, but will turn aside from the truth to hear things that suit their sinful nature–ref 2 Tim 4:3. Clergy that teach about themselves may be popular. Those that teach God’s pure, uncompromised Word are not so popular. Satan knows many Christians do not want to fight the good fight of faith, and to finish the course God has laid out for them, and to keep the faith according to God’s Word–ref 1 Tim 4:7. God's pure Word of truth has nearly disappeared and been replaced with watered–down truth; and the people love to have it so. The fear of God has been replaced with reverencing God, and reverencing God has been replaced with God is all love—why should I fear or reverence Him? Most preachers do not want to make a person feel uncomfortable when they come to their church. Thus, sin, repentance, judgment, hell and other biblical doctrines are seldom used. They forget that unless a person is broken, how can they be saved and conform to the image of Christ? Pride must be destroyed and replaced with humility. Those that are not sick do not need a doctor. Preachers seldom tell people anymore that they are spiritually sick and dying. Nearly all the world will perish to hell. That is a biblical fact. Yet have you ever heard a preacher say at a funeral that the dead person actually went there? Most preachers lie and say the unrepentant sinner is now in a better place—in heaven, and the people love to have it so. Indeed, people want to believe they can live the way they want, and yet go to heaven when they die. They want to believe they can climb up another way. They want to believe that they do not need the garments of righteousness. People do not want to repent for they believe the old wine is better–ref Lk 5:39.
The longer a person walks in deception, the more likely it is they will never repent. The older a person is, the less likely it is they will ever repent. The older a person is, the more set they become in their ways. When Jesus says, “Come”—don’t hesitate, lest you grow harder and less sensitive to the grace of God.
In many countries, a person may be sent to prison for teaching the Gospel. Some countries may use hate crime accusations, when preachers teach certain biblical subjects. In other cases, Satan uses children, parents, and others to falsely accuse churches and followers of Jesus of every abominable thing imaginable. This is done to hinder or stop the spread of the Gospel. Regretfully, there have been many unsaved priests and clergy that have done abominable things. The unsaved world can seldom tell the difference. Stephen, Paul, every apostle, and Jesus (who is God) were all falsely accused by this world. It is no different today. Many followers of Jesus have likewise been falsely accused of everything imaginable and have gone to jail and been killed, because of their faith. As it has been in the past, so it is today.
Deceived people talk of peace, peace, but there will be no peace until Jesus Christ returns. Ignorant people seek for the world to be at peace, yet they themselves have no peace with their own neighbors. They protest, they criticize, they accuse, and they argue. People seek for a worldly cause to pursue, rather than submit themselves to the Truth–Jesus. Such are the ways of mankind.
“Let’s eat, drink and be merry” is the motto of many. “Let’s turn on the TV, get out some food and entertain ourselves with filth. Let’s go online and find some porn.” Such are the ways of many people in this wicked and adulterous generation. Man, by nature, can be lazy and his eyes never satisfied.
“Get rich quick” schemes abound. Cults abound. Lukewarm churches seem to be everywhere. Dead churches that promote New–Age doctrines are abundant.
Satan knows how to get a Christian to trust in the world and in self, more than to trust in God. Satan knows how to get people to give credit and praise to their own efforts or to this world rather than to God. Satan knows how to get people to accuse God and God’s people when things are not going exactly the way they want them to go. Satan knows how to get people to accuse God when a loved one dies, or an accident happens, or the desires of a person’s heart are not met. Satan knows how to use a person’s emotions against them. Satan knows how to cause divisions among the brethren using their own wrong thinking. He knows how to use a person’s fears, anger, desires, sex drive, and even love. He knows how to use the “what ifs?” Oh, how people worry about, “what if this happens?” “What if we can’t pay our bills?” “What if I lose my girlfriend?” “What if I get hurt?” “What if I lose my job?” “What if I never know what it is like to have sex in this life?” “What if I never find a wife or husband?” “What if I never have children?” “What if I never know what it is like to try certain drugs?” “What if I fail the test?” “What if I have no place to live?” “What if someone doesn’t like me?” The list is only limited by a person’s heart and imagination.
God, through His Word, gives us many commands in this area. They are not suggestions. They are God’s orders, but most people despise someone telling them what to do. Men don’t want God telling them what to do or correcting them. Women don’t like their husbands telling them what to do or correcting them. Children don’t like parents telling them what to do or correcting them.
Are there any humble, God–fearing wives, anywhere, these days that don’t snap back at their husbands, or don’t make excuses, or don’t accuse their husband in return, when he corrects them?
Most people do not want God to rule over them. They want their own way. The heart and mind of most people can never be satisfied. Few people are childlike to obeying God’s commands in all situations. Have you noticed how many people will snap back at you when you offer them a suggestion? Have you noted that most people will snap back at you when you try to correct them? Have you observed that most people will get upset with you when you use God’s Word–especially when it reveals some sin they are doing? Have you noticed how hard it is for you to admit you are in sin or that you are wrong? Few people will come to the Word, because their sins will be exposed.
Hear the Word of the Lord. Learn about Jesus. Receive God’s Word, not as a suggestion, but as a command; and then obey it with a good and honest heart and with a right spirit. Have a sweet spirit at all times as you grow in the Lord. Do not let your anger rule over you. Do not be up today and down tomorrow. Don’t be like a wave. Do not let your ungodly emotions rule over you. Forsake everything. Deny yourself, and put on Jesus. Pick up your cross, and follow Him. The world says–buy. God says–forsake.
A person’s heart that is centered on the world cannot be centered on Jesus. A person’s heart that is centered on his own desires cannot be centered on Jesus. A person’s heart that is centered on doing things his own way cannot be centered on Jesus. A person’s heart that is centered on his lusts, his pleasures, money and the cares of this life cannot be centered on Jesus. As said previously: if you are in bondage to this world, then how can you take the yoke of Christ upon you? If you are in bondage to your flesh, your emotions, your wrong thinking, then how can you be truly committed to God? Is your own wrong thinking, your own ways, your own desires the god that you follow and trust? As a follower of Jesus, you are to be His servant. You are not to be the world’s servant. Him only shalt thou serve–ref Mt 4:10.
Oh, how hot most people’s emotions can become when their sins and shortcomings are brought up. How effectively Satan can stir up a person’s emotions using their anger and thoughts of rejection. How successful Satan is at making a person believe correction is hate, when it is in reality love. How skillfully Satan can render God’s Word ineffective in a person’s heart, as he tells them, “That person is judging you. He is singling you out. Don’t listen, or believe it, or do it.” How subtly Satan can deceive the whole world, so they will not listen or believe God’s Word. He uses a person’s past hurts and feelings of rejection. How spiritually unaware people are of Satan’s devices in their own lives, yet they can see it in other people’s lives. The devil can put in a person’s heart that the preacher is singling them out. Then their emotions arise, and Satan can successfully take God’s Word out of their heart as fast as the preacher, through God’s direction, tries to put it in. Can you be corrected when your emotions are up? Can you hear God’s still small voice when you are angry? Can you even begin to hear God when you are screaming and yelling inside? So Satan stirs up your emotions. Then God’s word has no effect on you. God’s Word simply goes in one ear and right out the other. And while you are glad that you gave the person that was correcting you a piece of your mind, you and your soul, in effect, have become the loser. For by refusing and casting down God’s correction, you may perish from His way and lose your own soul. What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul? What is a man advantaged, if he successfully resists correction but loses his own soul? What gain can there be, if a person will not admit their wrong doings and then loses their own soul?
Satan has all kinds of devices to cause you to disbelieve and reject God’s Word of truth. He even uses love. A person may think, “God is love. He would never accuse me. He would never reject me. He would never make me feel bad. He would never make me feel this way. He would never condemn me. He would never speak to me the way this preacher does. I never need to fear a loving God.” As has already been indicated–Satan is a master at using a person’s emotions to block out God’s Word. Nearly all people are so spiritually blind, when it comes to examining themselves, that they never understand what is happening, until they die and find hell has opened its mouth to them. Some biblical examples of how hot a person’s emotions can become, when they are confronted by their sin is as follows.
Acts 6:8–13; 7:1,51,52,53,57,60–…STEPHEN, FULL OF FAITH AND POWER, DID GREAT WONDERS AND MIRACLES AMONG THE PEOPLE. THEN THERE AROSE CERTAIN OF THE SYNAGOGUE,…DISPUTING WITH STEPHEN. AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RESIST THE WISDOM AND THE SPIRIT BY WHICH HE SPAKE. THEN THEY SUBORNED MEN, WHICH SAID, WE HAVE HEARD HIM SPEAK BLASPHEMOUS WORDS AGAINST MOSES, AND AGAINST GOD. AND THEY STIRRED UP THE PEOPLE, AND THE ELDERS, AND THE SCRIBES, AND CAME UPON HIM,…AND BROUGHT HIM TO THE COUNCIL,…AND SET UP FALSE WITNESSES. …THEN SAID THE HIGH PRIEST (TO STEPHEN), ARE THESE THINGS SO? Then Stephen began to defend himself by telling that God appeared unto Abraham. He told the events through the time of Solomon. Then Stephen confronted his false accusers with their sin. He said–YE STIFFNECKED AND UNCIRCUMCISED IN HEART AND EARS, YE DO ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY GHOST: AS YOUR FATHERS DID, SO DO YE. WHICH OF THE PROPHETS HAVE NOT YOUR FATHERS PERSECUTED? AND THEY HAVE SLAIN THEM WHICH SHEWED BEFORE OF THE COMING OF THE JUST ONE; OF WHOM YE HAVE BEEN NOW THE BETRAYERS AND MURDERERS: WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE LAW BY THE DISPOSITION OF ANGELS, AND HAVE NOT KEPT IT. WHEN THEY HEARD THESE THINGS, THEY WERE CUT TO THE HEART, AND THEY GNASHED ON HIM WITH THEIR TEETH. …THEN THEY CRIED OUT WITH A LOUD VOICE, AND STOPPED THEIR EARS, AND RAN UPON HIM WITH ONE ACCORD, AND CAST HIM OUT OF THE CITY, AND STONED HIM: AND HE KNEELED DOWN, AND CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, LORD, LAY NOT THIS SIN TO THEIR CHARGE. AND WHEN HE HAD SAID THIS, HE FELL ASLEEP. This shows how angry people can become when confronted with the Gospel and their sin.
There are numerous examples of Paul being put in prison, because people hated him for teaching God’s Word and confronting them with their sin. So they brought false accusations against him.
There are numerous incidents of our brethren throughout the world being put in prison for teaching God’s Word. They have had false accusations brought against them.
Mt 21:32–JOHN (the Baptist) CAME UNTO YOU IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. He confronted Herod with his sin–ref Lk 3:19. He was put in prison–ref Lk 3:20, and later killed.
Then we have Jesus. He confronted the people and the Pharisees with their sin–ref Mk 3:4. Mk 3:5,6–AND WHEN HE HAD LOOKED ROUND ABOUT ON THEM WITH ANGER, BEING GRIEVED FOR THE HARDNESS OF THEIR HEARTS, HE SAITH UNTO THE MAN, STRETCH FORTH THINE HAND. AND HE STRETCHED IT OUT: AND HIS HAND WAS RESTORED WHOLE AS THE OTHER. AND THE PHARISEES WENT FORTH, AND STRAIGHTWAY TOOK COUNSEL WITH THE HERODIANS AGAINST HIM, HOW THEY MIGHT DESTROY HIM. Again, this shows that people can become very, very angry when they are confronted with their sin.
And perhaps last, but not least.Satan puts in a person’s mind that they are following Jesus, because they serve Him in some way. Satan blinds a person from understanding that their thoughts and attitude need to be changed from within and conformed to Jesus–as evidence that they are saved through His power. The inside of the cup must first be cleaned, and then the outside. A person’s very nature needs to be conformed to Jesus from within. Yet Satan puts in a person’s mind that just putting on a good show, turning over a new leaf, trying to act like Jesus outwardly and doing good works is all that is needed. Indeed, much of the world may be deceived by this outward masquerade, but, at the Judgment, all will be exposed. God can make this inner change in a person, if they will let Him. By faith which works by love, we overcome all things through Christ. Through denying self and trusting in Him, the Word will work in you and change you. It is written: 1 Thes 2:13–FOR THIS CAUSE ALSO THANK WE GOD WITHOUT CEASING, BECAUSE, WHEN YE RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD WHICH YE HEARD OF US, YE RECEIVED IT NOT AS THE WORD OF MEN, BUT AS IT IS IN TRUTH, THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH EFFECTUALLY WORKETH ALSO IN YOU THAT BELIEVE.
God will keep those few people in perfect peace whose mind and trust is centered on Him and His Word–ref Isa 26:2.
Titus 1:14 (ref Mt 15:9, Mk 7:7)–COMMANDMENTS OF MEN, THAT TURN FROM THE TRUTH. Three times in the New Testament the words “commandments of men” appear. Such commandments can turn people from the truth of God’s Word and sound faith. Those whose mind and conscience is defiled, whose heart is not pure, easily go astray and turn from the truth. Many profess that they know God, but very few really do. Very few will be chosen, and hell is enlarged to receive them–ref Isa 5:14.
Such are many people in this latter day generation who are being desensitized and overwhelmed with every form of evil imaginable. Such sayings as, “If it feels good, do it or buy it; I do it for me” and political correctness deceive people. Sins such as sex outside of marriage, alternate lifestyles, the lie of evolution, divorce, addiction to drugs, smoking, and garbage on all forms of media allure to the lusts of the flesh and lead to more ungodliness. These easily deceive those that are not pure in their heart. The so–called Christian church today preaches little on repentance, obedience, denying self, brokenness, submission, and fasting–and this is what the people want and love. They want the assurance of going to heaven, combined with no sacrifice or hurts. People don’t want to hear about the judgment, the lake of fire, and that they are headed there. They don’t want to know about how gullible they are to Satan’s lies in their thoughts. They don’t want to know how desperately wicked their evil heart is. They don’t want to be taught that they are going to be persecuted and are called to suffer with Christ. The Word of God has been replaced in today’s church with all manner of “feel good” doctrine, pride, jokes, and laughing. There ought to be crying and humbleness in our lives, but now there is prosperity. The holy doctrine of “come out from among them” is seldom heard or obeyed anymore. There is little wonder that the lukewarm generation we are currently in is seldom preached or believed. When the pre–tribulation rapture comes, few, that is, very, very few will find themselves taken. But then even this biblical doctrine is seldom heard or believed.
How easily Satan allures to our personal, ungodly desires to be around both unsaved friends and relatives. Then very slowly, we begin to drift in a more ungodly direction. It happens so slowly that it is seldom recognized. Day after day, we hear the ungodly and unholy speech of the unsaved that do not walk in faith, but rather walk in the ways of the world. We hear and see the ungodly things on their television. We participate in the seemingly innocent activities that they do. Day after day, their ungodly influence erodes the biblical teaching we receive. Then a year later, or perhaps 5 years later, our walk with Jesus is nothing more than a shell of what it once was. But then our understanding of where we were in Jesus has been erased and has been replaced with worldliness. And then there is the lie of Satan in our mind that says it can't happen to us, as we are on our guard and in God’s Word. So it is with those that perish and refuse to obey or admit the truth that is in God’s Word as it applies to them.
Beware also of Satan giving you what appears to be God’s work, but it is really a diversion. Example: God speaks to two of you to go house–to–house to witness. However, as you are going, you see someone that needs help with a flat tire–so you stop. Then after about an hour of unexpected surprises, you go on to witness. However, when you arrive at certain house, the occupant had just left. You didn’t understand that God had been working in a certain person’s heart for 2 years just for your witness. But then you were late. Greet no one in the way as you go forth to God’s calling. The flat tire was a diversion. Obey the Bible, not your emotions. Then there is God’s calling to do something in your church. But you suddenly have a thought to go here or there to witness to someone. So you go to witness, but miss God’s original calling to do something in your church. Few Christians can discern these things. Satan is a master at giving you things to do that appear to be of God, but they are actually detours that keep you from doing the original calling God has for you to do. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Something to consider, which often is true. First, comes God’s calling. Then, comes Satan’s obstacle to try to cause a person to take a detour. Examples: First came God and his commands to Adam. Then came Satan to cause them to go astray. The ten commandments came forth. Then came Satan to cause people to divert from them. Jesus came as the only way, the truth and the life. Then after Satan came with many false religions telling mankind that there are other ways. It is estimated that there are approximately 25,000 false ways or cults, including Islam, Hinduism, reincarnation, Seventh–day Adventist, Roman and Greek Catholic, and Jehovah’s witnesses. A minister asks for a special offering to help missionaries. As he does, a thought from the Lord comes to your mind on what to give. Then, immediately, a second thought may enter your mind with a lower figure. Are you able to recognize which is from God and which is the deception or detour? Does your church preach on these things?
35b–Warnings against sinning, loving the world, loving other things, or false ways. Satan’s tactics
Sub heading
The world
b–To the unsaved
Unsaved world view of Jesus: 1 Jn 3:1–...THE WORLD…KNEW HIM NOT.
Unsaved world view of Jesus: Jn 1:10–HE WAS IN THE WORLD, AND THE WORLD WAS MADE BY HIM, AND THE WORLD KNEW HIM NOT.
Unsaved world view of Jesus: Jn 7:7–THE WORLD...ME IT HATETH, BECAUSE I TESTIFY OF IT, THAT THE WORKS THEREOF ARE EVIL. To follow the ways and works of this world is sin, for its works are evil.
Unsaved world view of Jesus: Jn 15:18–…THE WORLD…ME…IT HATED.
Unsaved world view of Jesus: Jn 15:24,25–THEY (have) HATED…ME AND…THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.
Unsaved world view of Jesus: Jn 3:19–21–AND…LIGHT (which is Jesus) IS COME INTO THE WORLD, AND MEN LOVED DARKNESS (or sin) RATHER THAN LIGHT (which is Jesus or God’s Word), BECAUSE THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL. FOR EVERY ONE THAT DOETH EVIL (or does things contrary to God’s Word) HATETH THE LIGHT, (which is Jesus, which is the Bible) NEITHER COMETH TO THE LIGHT (which is Jesus), LEST HIS DEEDS SHOULD BE REPROVED (or corrected).
Jesus is from where? Jn 8:23–AND HE SAID UNTO THEM,…I AM FROM ABOVE:…I AM NOT OF THIS WORLD.
Jesus is from where? Jn 17:14–…I AM NOT OF THE WORLD.
Jesus is from where? Jn 17:16–…I AM NOT OF THE WORLD
Unsaved world view of the Father: Jn 17:25–THE WORLD HATH NOT KNOWN THEE (the Father).
Unsaved world view of the Father: 1 Cor 1:21–THE WORLD BY WISDOM KNEW NOT GOD.
Unsaved world view of the Father: Jn 15:24,25–THEY (have) HATED…MY FATHER
Unsaved world view of the Holy Spirit: Jn 14:17–THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH; WHOM THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE.
Unsaved world view of the Holy Spirit: Ja 14:17–THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH...THE WORLD…SEETH HIM NOT.
Unsaved world view of the Holy Spirit: Ja 14:17– THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH…THE WORLD…NEITHER KNOWETH HIM.
Unsaved world view of God’s children: Jn 15:18–…THE WORLD HATE YOU.
Unsaved world view of God’s children: Jn 15:19–…BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATETH YOU.
Unsaved world view of God’s children: 1 Jn 3:13–MARVEL NOT, MY BRETHREN, IF THE WORLD HATE YOU.
Unsaved world view of God’s children: Jn 17:14–THE WORLD HATH HATED THEM, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, EVEN AS I AM NOT OF THE WORLD.
Unsaved world view of God’s children: 1 Jn 3:1–…WE…THE SONS OF GOD: THE WORLD KNOWETH US NOT, BECAUSE IT KNEW HIM NOT.
Facts about the unsaved: Jn 8:23–YE ARE FROM BENEATH;…YE ARE OF THIS WORLD.
Facts about the unsaved: Jn 7:7–THE WORLD CANNOT HATE YOU (the unbelievers).
Facts about the unsaved: 1 Jn 4:5–THEY ARE OF THE WORLD.
Facts about the unsaved: Jn 15:19–…YE…OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD…LOVE HIS OWN.
Facts about the unsaved: 1 Cor 2:12–(The unsaved) HAVE…THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD. The saved have the Spirit of God.
Facts about the unsaved: 1 Jn 4:5–(The unsaved, conversation) SPEAK…OF THE WORLD, AND THE WORLD HEARETH THEM.
The unsaved are earthly (or worldly)–ref Jn 3:31. They walk ACCORDING TO THE COURSE OF THIS WORLD. They talk about THE LUSTS OF (their) FLESH, THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH AND…MIND–Eph 2:2,3. Their mind is on EARTHLY (or worldly) THINGS–Phili 3:19. The unbeliever’s conversation is according to the OLD MAN, WHICH IS CORRUPT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL LUSTS–Eph 4:22. It is VAIN CONVERSATION–1 Pe 1:18, and FILTHY CONVERSATION–2 Pe 2:7.
Believers, take note, regarding your conversation or tongue. When a saved person is around the unsaved, the general everyday conversation is about the things of the world. The unsaved speak of their hopes, their problems, their relatives, their worldly experiences, things they have seen and done, as well as of world events, things they own and things they want to buy and intend to do. They speak of what they like and dislike. They speak of themselves. They complain. They accuse. They get angry. They are prideful and self–centered. They are sometimes tattlers and gossips, and they talk and talk. They speak of riches, pleasures, lusts, and the cares of this life. Some speak of drugs, sex, politics, their problems, the economy, wars and even violence. The unbeliever usually sees nothing wrong with speeding a little and not coming to full stops for stop signs. The believer knows it is wrong. The unbeliever sees nothing wrong with dressing in ways that the believer finds repulsive. The unbeliever sees nothing wrong with doing and watching things that the believer has repented of. The unbeliever uses foul language and even curses God’s name, while God’s name is precious to the believer–1 Pe 2:4,6,7.
Unfortunately, when a child of God is around an unbelieving relative or old friend for a long time, the unbeliever’s worldly thinking, attitude, and conversation often begins to rub off on him slowly. The Christian is to have their mind centered on Jesus and on the things of God; but because they are around unbelievers so much, their thinking can begin to deteriorate to a more worldly, self–centered attitude. The Bible commands the child of God to fellowship with believers and come out from among those that are unbelievers. For what fellowship can there be between the two? The unbeliever’s thoughts are much different than the believer’s. Satan knows exactly how to use the unbeliever to tempt the believer in the most crafty and unsuspecting ways. The only true fellowship a believer can have with an unbeliever is they must compromise their standards and begin to do what unbelievers do. In other words, the believer has to compromise in a direction that takes them away from God, not toward God. Note what God’s Word says of the unbelievers versus what His Word says of the believers.
To the children of God, God says regarding their conversation: BE NOT RASH WITH THY MOUTH, AND LET NOT THINE HEART BE HASTY TO UTTER ANY THING BEFORE GOD: FOR GOD IS IN HEAVEN, AND THOU UPON EARTH: THEREFORE LET THY WORDS BE FEW–Ecc 5:2. BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND–Ro 12:2. WE SPEAK…NOT THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD, NOR OF THE PRINCES OF THIS WORLD, THAT COME TO NOUGHT–1 Cor 2:6. The believer’s conversation is to be centered IN HEAVEN–Phili 3:20; (ALWAYS BE) WITH GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT–Col 4:6. It is to be an UPRIGHT CONVERSATION–Ps 37:14; HOLY…CONVERSATION–1 Pe 1:15; and of GODLINESS–2 Pe 3:11. It is to be GOOD CONVERSATION IN CHRIST–1 Pe 3:16; and GOOD CONVERSATION…WITH MEEKNESS OF WISDOM–Ja 3:13. It is to be CONVERSATION…AS IT BECOMETH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST–Phili 1:27. It is to be CONVERSATION, centered IN CHARITY, IN SPIRIT, IN FAITH, IN PURITY–1 Tim 4:12; and WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS–Heb 13:5; and without MURMURINGS AND DISPUTINGS (or complainings)–Phili 2:14. It is to be HONEST …CONVERSATION–1 Pe 2:12. Finally, you are to have (pure) CONVERSATION (and conduct) COUPLED WITH FEAR–1 Pe 3:2. If you are a born–again Christian, examine your conversation with these words. Are the words that come out of your mouth more like an unbeliever or a believer? By their fruits, you shall know them.
Facts about the unsaved: 1 Cor 3:19–…HE TAKETH THE WISE IN THEIR OWN CRAFTINESS.
Facts about the unsaved: Ro 8:8–THEY THAT ARE IN THE FLESH (or they that are worldly or unsaved) CANNOT PLEASE GOD.
Facts about the unsaved: Lk 16:8–…THE CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD ARE…WISER THAN THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT.
Facts about the unsaved: Gal 4:3…WE,…WERE…IN BONDAGE UNDER THE ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD.
Facts about the unsaved: 2 Pe 2:18–22–Whatever overcomes a man is a BONDAGE.
Facts about the unsaved: 2 Pe 2:18–22–The unsaved are SERVANTS OF CORRUPTION.
Facts about the unsaved: 2 Pe 2:18–22–The unsaved do not have liberty as they think, but they are in BONDAGE.
Facts about the unsaved: 2 Pe 2:18–22– The unsaved live in VANITY, …LUSTS, …ERROR, …CORRUPTION, …BONDAGE, …POLLUTIONS, …VOMIT, …AND…MIRE (or mud).
Facts about the unsaved: Ro 8:7–THE CARNAL (or worldly) MIND IS ENMITY (or hatred) AGAINST GOD.
Facts about the unsaved: Ro 8:7–THE CARNAL (or worldly) MIND...IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE.
Facts about the unsaved: Eph 2:12–...YE WERE WITHOUT CHRIST,...STRANGERS FROM THE COVENANTS OF PROMISE, HAVING NO HOPE, AND WITHOUT GOD IN THE WORLD. So because mankind has no hope, they create false religions and false ways. They worship idols, follow karma, believe in reincarnation, and look for self–enlightenment. They follow astrology. They create churches that look and sound like Christian churches, but, in reality, offer a false hope. They are spiritually dead. They make their own religion, which says there is no God. They make their own good works their religion of hope. They follow whatever seems good to their corrupt mind. They speak evil of God’s truth, which they do not understand. They claim there is no God, but then spend lots of time ridiculing something they say does not even exist. They say God does not exist, but then curse His name as if He does exist. In other words, they curse something they say they do not believe exists. Seems rather dumb. By their actions, some seem to make sex, pride, their job, finances, cell phone, diet, or some other worldly possession their object of worship or god. For some, the world is their god, or the environment, or some worldly cause.
Facts about the unsaved: 1 Tim 6:7–FOR WE BROUGHT NOTHING INTO THIS WORLD, AND…WE CAN CARRY NOTHING OUT.
Facts about the world: 2 Cor 7:10–THE SORROW OF THE WORLD WORKETH DEATH.
Facts about the world: 1 Cor 3:19–FOR THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD IS FOOLISHNESS WITH GOD
Facts about the world: Ja 4:4–…THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY (or hatred) WITH GOD.
Facts about the world: Ja 4:4–…WHOSOEVER…WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD.
Facts about the world: 2 Pe 2:18–22–The world speaks WORDS OF VANITY.
Facts about the world: 2 Pe 2:18–22–The world lures a person through THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH.
Facts about the world: 2 Pe 2:18–22–The world lives IN ERROR.
Facts about the world: 2 Pe 2:18–22–The world promises LIBERTY, but gives CORRUPTION.
Facts about the world: 2 Pe 1:4–IN THE WORLD…THE CORRUPTION…IS…THROUGH LUST.
Facts about the world: 2 Pe 2:18–22–The world is a place of VANITY, …LUSTS, …ERROR, …CORRUPTION, …BONDAGE, …POLLUTIONS, …ENTANGLEMENTS, …VOMIT, …AND…MIRE (or mud).
Facts about the world: Col 2:8–(The world can) SPOIL YOU (or take you captive, or cheat you) THROUGH (hollow and deceptive) PHILOSOPHY AND VAIN (or empty) DECEIT, AFTER THE TRADITION OF MEN (or which depends on human tradition), AFTER THE RUDIMENTS (or basic principles) OF THE WORLD.
Facts about the world: Col 2:20–23–(The world entices people with) (basic principles) OF THE WORLD,…TO ORDINANCES (its rules or regulations). DO NOT HANDLE! DO NOT TASTE! DO NOT TOUCH! THESE ALL…ARE BASED ON HUMAN COMMANDS AND TEACHINGS (and doctrines of men). SUCH REGULATIONS OR THINGS INDEED HAVE AN APPEARANCE OF WISDOM, WITH THEIR SELF–IMPOSED WORSHIP (or religion), THEIR FALSE HUMILITY AND THEIR HARSH TREATMENT (or neglect) OF THE BODY, BUT THEY (are of no) VALUE.
Facts about the world: Jn 17:9–Jesus said, …I PRAY NOT FOR THE WORLD.
Warning to the unsaved: Mt 18:7–WOE UNTO THE WORLD BECAUSE OF OFFENCES! FOR IT MUST NEEDS BE THAT OFFENCES COME; BUT WOE TO THAT MAN BY WHOM THE OFFENCE COMETH!
Warning to the unsaved: 1 Jn 2:15–…IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM. (He is not saved.)
Warning to the unsaved: 1 Jn 2:16,17–…ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD, THE LUST OF THE FLESH, AND THE LUST OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE, IS NOT OF THE FATHER, BUT IS OF THE WORLD. AND THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY, AND THE LUST THEREOF. Those that follow after the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life shall perish even as the world passeth away.
Warning to the unsaved and the saved: Rev 12:9–AND THE GREAT DRAGON…THAT OLD SERPENT, CALLED THE DEVIL, AND SATAN,…DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD.
Some unsaved were once saved: 2 Tim 4:10–FOR DEMAS HATH FORSAKEN ME, HAVING LOVED THIS PRESENT WORLD, AND IS DEPARTED UNTO THESSALONICA.
The unsaved tempt the saved: 2 Pe 2:18–22–FOR WHEN THEY SPEAK GREAT SWELLING WORDS (or empty, boastful words) OF VANITY, THEY ALLURE THROUGH THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH (through the lustful desires of sinful human nature–NIV), THROUGH MUCH WANTONNESS (or enticement), THOSE THAT WERE CLEAN ESCAPED FROM THEM WHO LIVE IN ERROR. In other words, the world tempts the Christian to return to living in error and lies. WHILE THEY PROMISE THEM LIBERTY, THEY THEMSELVES ARE THE SERVANTS OF CORRUPTION (or slaves of depravity): FOR OF WHOM A MAN IS OVERCOME, OF THE SAME IS HE BROUGHT IN BONDAGE (for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him–NIV).
FOR IF AFTER THEY (the Christians) HAVE ESCAPED THE POLLUTIONS (or corruption) OF THE WORLD THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, THEY ARE AGAIN ENTANGLED THEREIN, AND OVERCOME, THE LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING. FOR IT HAD BEEN BETTER FOR THEM NOT TO HAVE KNOWN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, THAN, AFTER THEY HAVE KNOWN IT, TO TURN FROM THE HOLY COMMANDMENT (that was) DELIVERED UNTO THEM. BUT IT IS HAPPENED UNTO THEM ACCORDING TO THE TRUE PROVERB, THE DOG IS TURNED TO HIS OWN VOMIT AGAIN; AND THE SOW (or pig) THAT WAS WASHED TO HER WALLOWING IN THE MIRE (or mud). When a saved person turns from Jesus and once again is entangled in the world and overcome, they will be worse off than they had been before they were saved.
35c–Warnings against sinning, loving the world, loving other things, or false ways
Satan’s tactics
Sub heading
c–World guilty
The world is in rebellion to God; it is in rebellion to the Bible. Even America is rebelling AGAINST God and His commandments. It is noted that the Bible and even prayer are slowly being banned, in one way or another, from public venues. The ten commandments have been removed from many places. Even Christmas is under attack, with Happy Holidays often replacing Merry Christmas. How hard it is to find a movie anymore that doesn’t curse God’s name. To the believer, Jesus is precious; but to the world, He is despised–1 Pe 2:7. The sins of homosexuality, fornication, adultery, drugs, and violence in many places are all increasing. The Bible clearly reveals that sin would increase like birth pangs of a woman, as the Tribulation approaches, and continue throughout the tribulation until the return of Jesus Christ after the Tribulation of those days. Man’s wickedness will become increasingly worse; and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart will be only evil continually.
Note God’s Word:
Gal 1:4–…THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD.
1 Jn 5:19–…THE WHOLE WORLD LIETH IN WICKEDNESS.
Jn 7:7–THE WORLD…THE WORKS THEREOF ARE EVIL. To follow the ways and works of this world, is sin; for its works are evil.
Ro 3:19–NOW WE KNOW THAT…ALL THE WORLD MAY BECOME GUILTY BEFORE GOD.
God gives a warning to the saved: 1 Cor 7:31–THE FASHION OF THIS WORLD PASSETH AWAY. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?–2 Pe 3:11.
One might ask, “What will happen as time progresses?” (ref. Bible prophecy)
We are now living in the latter days of the last days. Sin will continue to increase. The love of more and more people will grow cold. The day is coming when all that follow Jesus will be translated; then the antichrist will come forth. He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (or a seven year period)–ref Dan 9:27. This begins the horrible tribulation period–a time that is worse than any time since man has existed on the earth. During the tribulation, more than ½ of the earth’s population will die. Approximately 3½ years from the end, people will be required to worship an image of the Antichrist.
People will also be required to take the mark, or the name of the antichrist, or the number of his name–666. After the tribulation of those days, the battle of Armageddon shall explode. It lasts one day. Times will be so bad, even the mockers will be so terrified that their hearts will fail them for fear, because of the things that are about to happen–ref Lk 21:26. Jesus Christ shall return. Satan shall be cast into the bottomless pit, and a seal shall be upon him so he can deceive the nations no longer.
These things shall come to pass, even as the thousands of prophecies in the Bible have already come to pass exactly as they were written. As you read or hear these words, hell already has billions of people that did not believe in their heart the validity of the Bible. They are crying out. Can you hear them trying to warn you, telling you not to come to this place of torment?–ref Lk 16:28.
Isa 66:15,16–FOR, BEHOLD, THE LORD WILL COME WITH FIRE, AND WITH HIS CHARIOTS LIKE A WHIRLWIND, TO RENDER HIS ANGER WITH FURY, AND HIS REBUKE WITH FLAMES OF FIRE. FOR BY FIRE AND BY HIS SWORD WILL THE LORD PLEAD WITH ALL FLESH: AND THE SLAIN OF THE LORD SHALL BE MANY. The number of people that will be left alive will be very few compared to what had been.
Nah 1:5–THE MOUNTAINS QUAKE AT HIM, AND THE HILLS MELT, AND THE EARTH IS BURNED AT HIS PRESENCE, YEA, THE WORLD, AND ALL THAT DWELL THEREIN.
Mt 13:41,42,50,51–THE SON OF MAN SHALL SEND FORTH HIS ANGELS, AND THEY SHALL GATHER OUT OF HIS KINGDOM ALL THINGS THAT OFFEND, AND THEM WHICH DO INIQUITY; AND SHALL CAST THEM INTO A FURNACE OF FIRE: THERE SHALL BE WAILING AND GNASHING OF TEETH. JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM, HAVE YE UNDERSTOOD ALL THESE THINGS? THEY SAY UNTO HIM, YEA, LORD. This question you also need to be asked. Have you understood all these things as they did? Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
Rev 19:20–AND THE BEAST (which is the Antichrist) WAS TAKEN, AND WITH HIM THE FALSE PROPHET THAT WROUGHT MIRACLES BEFORE HIM, WITH WHICH HE DECEIVED THEM THAT HAD RECEIVED THE MARK OF THE BEAST, AND THEM THAT WORSHIPPED HIS IMAGE. THESE BOTH WERE CAST ALIVE INTO A LAKE OF FIRE BURNING WITH BRIMSTONE.
It is written, IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT–Heb 9:27. Are you ready to meet Jesus?
After Jesus Christ returns, there shall be 1000 years of peace. After this, Satan shall be loosed a little season. He shall again go forth to deceive the nations. There shall be a final battle. The heavens and earth shall pass away.
2 Pe 3:10–BUT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT; IN THE WHICH THE HEAVENS SHALL PASS AWAY WITH A GREAT NOISE, AND THE ELEMENTS SHALL MELT WITH FERVENT HEAT, THE EARTH ALSO AND THE WORKS THAT ARE THEREIN SHALL BE BURNED UP.
AND THE DEVIL THAT DECEIVED THEM WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE, WHERE THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET ARE, AND SHALL BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOR EVER AND EVER–Rev 20:10. The Great White Throne Judgment shall be held–ref Rev 20:11. Rev 20:12,14,15–AND I SAW THE DEAD, SMALL AND GREAT, STAND BEFORE GOD; AND THE BOOKS WERE OPENED: AND ANOTHER BOOK WAS OPENED, WHICH IS THE BOOK OF LIFE: AND THE DEAD WERE JUDGED OUT OF THOSE THINGS WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN THE BOOKS, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. AND DEATH AND HELL WERE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH. AND WHOSOEVER WAS NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.
And there shall be a new heaven, and a new earth, and the glorious city of God—New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven; and so shall we (the children of God) ever be with the Lord.
We all have eternal life. Some will spend it with God. Most will spend it in the lake of fire.
God gives you this invitation to be saved. Repent now, and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Now is the appointed time. Afterward, be baptized by full immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. You don't pray about whether you should be baptized. If you believe on Jesus Christ and you have repented, you just do it as the Bible commands. Study God’s Word. Obey God’s Word. Put away excuses, and follow Jesus. Fear God, obey His commandments. Love God, and love the brethren.
Jn 15:6–IF A MAN ABIDE NOT IN ME, HE IS CAST FORTH AS A BRANCH, AND IS WITHERED; AND MEN GATHER THEM, AND CAST THEM INTO THE FIRE, AND THEY ARE BURNED.
Heb 6:8–…THAT WHICH BEARETH THORNS AND BRIERS IS REJECTED, AND IS NIGH UNTO CURSING; WHOSE END IS TO BE BURNED.
Mt 13:40–AS THEREFORE THE TARES (or unbelievers and the disobedient) ARE GATHERED AND BURNED IN THE FIRE; SO SHALL IT BE IN THE END OF THIS WORLD.
35d–Warnings against sinning, loving the world, loving other things, or false ways. Satan’s tactics
Sub heading. The world
d–To the saved
Facts about the saved: Eph 1:4–HE HATH CHOSEN US IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, THAT WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIM IN LOVE.
Facts about the saved: 1 Cor 1:27–29…GOD CHOSE THE FOOLISH THINGS OF THE WORLD TO SHAME THE WISE; GOD CHOSE THE WEAK THINGS OF THE WORLD TO SHAME THE STRONG (or put to shame the things which are mighty–NKJ). HE CHOSE THE LOWLY THINGS OF THIS WORLD AND THE DESPISED THINGS AND THE THINGS THAT ARE NOT–– TO NULLIFY THE THINGS THAT ARE, SO THAT NO ONE MAY BOAST BEFORE HIM–NIV
Facts about the saved:: 1 Tim 6:7–FOR WE BROUGHT NOTHING INTO THIS WORLD, AND IT IS CERTAIN WE CAN CARRY NOTHING OUT, except: all our works follow us.
Facts about the saved:: Rev 14:13–BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD…YEA,…THEIR WORKS DO FOLLOW THEM.
Facts about the saved: Ja 1:27–PURE RELIGION…IS THIS, TO VISIT THE FATHERLESS AND WIDOWS IN THEIR AFFLICTION, AND TO KEEP HIMSELF UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD.
Facts about the saved:: Ja 2:5–BRETHREN, GOD (hath) CHOSEN THE POOR OF THIS WORLD RICH IN FAITH, AND HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM WHICH HE HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM?
Facts about the saved:: 1 Pe 5:9–…THE SAME AFFLICTIONS ARE ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR BRETHREN THAT ARE IN THE WORLD.
Facts about the saved:: 2 Pe 1:4–WHEREBY ARE GIVEN UNTO US EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES.
Facts about the saved:: 2 Pe 1:4–…YE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE. Once a person is born–again, he is to surrender himself to Jesus and in doing so, he can begin conforming to the image of Christ and be a partaker of the divine nature.
Facts about the saved:: 2 Pe 1:4–…YE HAVING ESCAPED THE CORRUPTION THAT IS IN THE WORLD THROUGH LUST.
Facts about the saved:: 1 Jn 3:1–...WE...THE SONS OF GOD: THE WORLD KNOWETH US NOT, BECAUSE IT KNEW HIM NOT.
Facts about the saved:: 1 Jn 5:4–5–...WHATSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD OVERCOMETH THE WORLD: AND THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMETH THE WORLD, EVEN OUR FAITH. WHO IS HE THAT OVERCOMETH THE WORLD, BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD?
The world hates you: Jn 15:18–IF THE WORLD HATE YOU, YE KNOW THAT IT HATED ME BEFORE IT HATED YOU.
The world hates you: Jn 15:19–…BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATETH YOU.
The world hates you: 1 Jn 3:13–MARVEL NOT, MY BRETHREN, IF THE WORLD HATE YOU.
The world hates you: Jn 17:14–THE WORLD HATH HATED THEM, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, EVEN AS I AM NOT OF THE WORLD.
Sound Biblical advice: Jn 12:25…HE THAT HATETH HIS LIFE IN THIS WORLD SHALL KEEP IT UNTO LIFE ETERNAL.
Jesus prays for you: Jn 17:9–I PRAY FOR THEM: I PRAY NOT FOR THE WORLD, BUT FOR THEM WHICH THOU HAST GIVEN ME; FOR THEY ARE THINE.
Problems in the world: Jn 16:33–…IN THE WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION: BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.
Saved not of this world: Jn 17:14–…THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, EVEN AS I AM NOT OF THE WORLD.
Saved not of this world: Jn 17:16–THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, EVEN AS I AM NOT OF THE WORLD.
Saved not of this world: Jn 15:19–…YE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD,.I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD.
Commands to the saved: Ro 12:2–BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD.
Commands to the saved: Ro 12:2–BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT, WILL OF GOD. Without a transformation and a renewed mind (to the mind of Christ) a person cannot know what is the (1) good, and (2) acceptable, and (3) perfect will of God.
Commands to the saved: 1 Cor 2:12–NOW WE HAVE RECEIVED…THE SPIRIT WHICH IS OF GOD; THAT WE MIGHT KNOW THE THINGS THAT ARE FREELY GIVEN TO US OF GOD.
Commands to the saved: 1 Cor 2:6–WE SPEAK…NOT THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD, NOR OF THE PRINCES OF THIS WORLD, THAT COME TO NOUGHT.
Commands to the saved: 1 Cor 6:2–DO YE NOT KNOW THAT THE SAINTS SHALL JUDGE THE WORLD? AND IF THE WORLD SHALL BE JUDGED BY YOU, ARE YE UNWORTHY TO JUDGE THE SMALLEST MATTERS?
Commands to the saved: 1 Jn 4:17–HEREIN IS OUR LOVE MADE PERFECT, …BECAUSE AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD.
Commands to the saved: 1 Tim 6:12–FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH.
Commands to the saved: Mt 6:20–God's word tells the believers: LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN, WHERE NEITHER MOTH NOR RUST DOTH CORRUPT.
Warning to the saved: Ja 4:4–.KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY (or hatred) WITH GOD? WHOSOEVER THEREFORE WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD.
Warning to the saved: 1 Cor 7:31–AND THEY THAT USE THIS WORLD, AS NOT ABUSING IT: FOR THE FASHION OF THIS WORLD PASSETH AWAY.
Warning to the saved: 2 Cor 7:10–THE SORROW OF THE WORLD WORKETH DEATH.
Warning to the saved: Eph 6:12–FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.
Warnings to the saved: Col 2:8–BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU (or take you captive, or cheat you) THROUGH (hollow and deceptive) PHILOSOPHY AND VAIN (or empty) DECEIT, AFTER THE TRADITION OF MEN (or which depends on human tradition) , AFTER THE RUDIMENTS (or basic principles) OF THE WORLD, AND NOT AFTER CHRIST.
Warnings to the saved: 1 Jn 2:15–LOVE NOT THE WORLD, NEITHER THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD.
Warnings to the saved: 1 Jn 2:15–…IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM.
Warning to the saved: Jn 12:25–HE THAT LOVETH HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT.
Warnings to the saved: Col 2:20–23–WHEREFORE IF YE BE DEAD WITH CHRIST FROM THE RUDIMENTS (or basic principles) OF THE WORLD, WHY, AS THOUGH (YOU STILL BELONGED TO) THE WORLD, ARE YE SUBJECT TO ORDINANCES (or why.do you submit to its rules, or regulations)? DO NOT HANDLE! DO NOT TASTE! DO NOT TOUCH!? THESE ALL CONCERN THINGS WHICH PERISH WITH THE USING, BECAUSE THEY ARE BASED ON HUMAN COMMANDS AND TEACHINGS (and doctrines of men)?. SUCH REGULATIONS OR THINGS INDEED HAVE AN APPEARANCE OF WISDOM, WITH THEIR SELF–IMPOSED WORSHIP (or religion), THEIR FALSE HUMILITY AND THEIR HARSH TREATMENT (or neglect) OF THE BODY, BUT THEY (ARE OF NO) VALUE IN RESTRAINING SENSUAL INDULGENCE–NIV. They are of NO VALUE AGAINST THE INDULGENCE OF THE FLESH (NKJ)
Warnings to the saved: 1 Tim 6:17–CHARGE THEM THAT ARE RICH IN THIS WORLD, THAT THEY BE NOT HIGHMINDED, NOR TRUST IN UNCERTAIN RICHES, BUT IN THE LIVING GOD, WHO GIVETH US RICHLY ALL THINGS TO ENJOY.
Warnings to the saved: 2 Pe 2:18–22–FOR WHEN THEY SPEAK GREAT SWELLING WORDS OF VANITY, THEY ALLURE THROUGH THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH, THROUGH MUCH WANTONNESS, THOSE THAT WERE CLEAN ESCAPED FROM THEM WHO LIVE IN ERROR. In other words, the world tempts the Christian to return to living in error and lies. WHILE THEY PROMISE THEM LIBERTY, THEY THEMSELVES ARE THE SERVANTS OF CORRUPTION: FOR OF WHOM A MAN IS OVERCOME, OF THE SAME IS HE BROUGHT IN BONDAGE. FOR IF AFTER THEY (the Christians) HAVE ESCAPED THE POLLUTIONS OF THE WORLD THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, THEY ARE AGAIN ENTANGLED THEREIN, AND OVERCOME, THE LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING. FOR IT HAD BEEN BETTER FOR THEM NOT TO HAVE KNOWN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, THAN, AFTER THEY HAVE KNOWN IT, TO TURN FROM THE HOLY COMMANDMENT DELIVERED UNTO THEM. BUT IT IS HAPPENED UNTO THEM ACCORDING TO THE TRUE PROVERB, THE DOG IS TURNED TO HIS OWN VOMIT AGAIN; AND THE SOW (or pig) THAT WAS WASHED TO HER WALLOWING IN THE MIRE (or mud). Note, the world tempts and entices a Christian to return to the world and leave Jesus through VANITY, ...THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH, …through desire or wanting things, …through promising them LIBERTY (or we may say through promising them they can do whatever they want), (or we may say through lies), ...through entangling them in things.
When a saved person turns from Jesus and once again is entangled in the world and overcome, they will be worse off than they had been before they were saved. When a person leaves Jesus they live in vanity, lusts, desires, error, corruption, bondages, pollutions, entanglements–“vomit” and “mud.”
Warning to the unsaved and the saved: Rev 12:9–AND THE GREAT DRAGON…THAT OLD SERPENT, CALLED THE DEVIL, AND SATAN,…DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD. Take heed!
Warnings to the saved: 1 Cor 3:18–LET NO MAN DECEIVE HIMSELF. IF ANY MAN AMONG YOU SEEMETH TO BE WISE IN THIS WORLD, LET HIM BECOME A FOOL, THAT HE MAY BE WISE.
35e–Warnings Against Sinning, Loving the World, Loving Other Things or False Ways; Satan’s Tactics
Subheading: The World
e–Warnings of How Satan Can Tempt a Person, What God Promises, and the Church Today
Before getting started on this subject–understand this. Much of our wrong thinking is actually thoughts that Satan puts in our minds. Some of the wrong thoughts our heart rejects, and because we submit to God and resist them, they disappear. Other wrong thoughts, our heart ponders for a time and considers them. Of these, our heart finally rejects some, but accepts others reluctantly. Then there are those wrong thoughts that our heart agrees with. Once our heart agrees with a wrong thought, we make it our own thought. It doesn't even enter our mind that the thought is from the devil. We lay it up in our heart, and then often times begin to obey it. We begin doing things that we ought not to do. The ultimate aim of the wrong thoughts that we have from the demonic realm is to cause us to disobey God in some way. Often it is to desensitize us in some area, which will enable the demonic realm to give us more evil thoughts later on. Very few people understand that the multitude of wrong thoughts we have are actually planted in our mind by the demonic realm.
Examples of how Satan works: A person receives too much money back from a cashier. He knows this, yet he keeps it. He had a thought that this is not stealing, because previously some cashier shorted him of some money. Then wrong thoughts lead the person to steal an apple from a fruit stand. Then he steals something bigger from another source.
A person takes their first drink. Another time, they take two. Then they get drunk. A person on a dare takes their first drugs. Then it leads to more. Then it leads to crack, and then all of a sudden they are hooked. First a person kisses a beautiful girl. Then this leads to a hands–on journey. It ultimately leads to sex outside of marriage and perhaps an unwanted baby, or disease, or even AIDS and death.
A person may be a follower of Jesus, serving Him full–time. Then he sees something he wants. He buys it. His desire for this object leads him to begin spending more time away from God’s Word. Little by little, his eyes, thoughts, and desires are thinking about this object. He thinks about Jesus, but he also thinks about the enjoyment he receives from this object. Very subtly, compromise begins. The person starts to consider all the wonderful things that are resulting from this object. Ten years down the line, the person’s life has changed. The object has become an addiction. It all started with just a little, seemingly innocent thought.
A person sees a computer. He needs it. He buys it. Then he goes on the Internet. What a wonderful tool this is! Then some porn pops up on the computer. He knows it is wrong to look, but he does it any way. Six months later, he is addicted to porn, then to even worse things. He was a follower of Jesus, but now has become a follower of sin.
Some become obsessed with the financial markets. Now there is no more time to go to church, or witness, or even read the Bible as they are constantly trying to track the ups and downs of the market.
Gambling (from lottery tickets to Las Vegas) is another way Satan has led many astray.
A Christian is walking down the street. He sees a person standing nearby who is depressed. God puts a thought in his mind to tell the person about Jesus. Immediately fear comes upon him. Then thoughts enter his mind that this person may become violent. Another thought comes, “Don’t get involved. You have other things you need to do.” These thoughts that oppose doing the will of God are from the demonic realm. Now your heart has to choose what you will do. Eve and then Adam chose to follow the wrong voice. Will you do the same?
What keeps you from totally surrendering to Jesus? Or what has caused you to stray from the Jesus you once loved and followed day and night? Was it fellowshipping too much with unsaved relatives that knew exactly how to tempt you as Satan could speak through them to you. Was it relatives that shared with you all the family problems, so you began to get more involved because your heart wanted to help? How skillful Satan is at getting your mind off Jesus just a little, but then 3 years later your walk with Jesus is nothing more than lukewarm or not at all.
Again we see how Satan works. One might say, I will only do this in moderation, so it is not wrong. It won’t distract me from Jesus in any way. Oh, how subtle Satan can be! Drunkenness begins with one drink. Adultery begins with one look. As said, the Adversary plants what appears to be a little, innocent thought in our mind. Then our heart agrees with it. Thus it becomes our own thought so we don’t recognize it is from Satan. It is the beginning of a trap by Satan that we don’t immediately recognize. Satan has a long–range plan to spiritually kill every Christian and long–range plans to make sure the unsaved never believe God's Word. It can first start with some kind of a compromise, but then as time passes it gets out of hand. “Don’t believe this, buy this, read that, study this, watch this, listen to this, go here, go there, try this, or don’t go.” For example, Eve listened to the 46 words that Satan spoke to her and then disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit. She then offered the fruit to Adam, and he ate it. Judas walked with Jesus, but then forsook Him. Demas served the Lord along with Paul, but then left because he loved this present world. Moses struck the rock twice instead of once, because he was upset. 1 Ki 11:4–14–Solomon, when he was old, was led astray by his wives who turned his heart after other gods. His heart was not perfect with God as was David’s, even though the Lord had appeared to him twice.
Ultimately, Adam and Eve perished. Judas perished. Demas perished. Moses did not perish, but he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, and the Lord was angry with Solomon. As a result, the Lord stirred up an adversary against Solomon, and the kingdom was later taken away.
How innocent it all seemed when a person just tried his first drug, his first beer, his first crossword puzzle, or took his first look at the astrology column, or when he bought his first pool table. Little did he think he would become more consumed with these than with God. Little did he suspect his heart could become hardened. It never entered his mind that his pool table might lead him to stop serving Jesus and become a professional pool player. Satan understands and knows how to use the things of this world that appeal to our flesh to tempt us. He knows and understands the things that be of men.
Ja 1:13–16–WHEN TEMPTED, NO ONE SHOULD SAY, “GOD IS TEMPTING ME.” FOR GOD…DOES HE TEMPT ANYONE; BUT (EACH ONE) IS TEMPTED, WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN (DESIRE) (or) LUST, AND ENTICED. THEN WHEN (DESIRE) (or) LUST HATH CONCEIVED, IT BRINGETH FORTH (OR GIVES BIRTH TO) SIN: AND SIN, WHEN IT IS (FULL GROWN) (or) FINISHED, (GIVES BIRTH TO) DEATH. DON’T BE DECEIVED, MY DEAR BROTHERS.
How has Satan blinded you? How has wrong thinking turned your heart away from following and loving God. How has Satan's wrong thinking that you have accepted in your heart turned your heart against some brother or sister in Christ? Our defense against the devil is obedience, submitting to all of God’s Word, and resisting the devil. Totally denying ourselves is our defense. Totally submitting and surrendering to God in all ways is our defense. Totally picking up our cross daily and following Jesus is our defense. This world is not the home of the born again Christian. Although we are in the world, we are not of the world.
The devil tempted Jesus. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin–ref Heb 4:15. Satan will tempt you over and over, looking for some small opening in which you might give in, and then the end result may be disaster. Lk 4:5–6–AND THE DEVIL, TAKING HIM UP INTO AN HIGH MOUNTAIN, SHEWED UNTO HIM ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD IN A MOMENT OF TIME. AND THE DEVIL SAID UNTO HIM, ALL THIS POWER WILL I GIVE THEE, AND THE GLORY OF THEM: FOR THAT IS DELIVERED UNTO ME; AND TO WHOMSOEVER I WILL I GIVE IT. The devil knows how to make you feel rejected, fearful, angry, jealous, and bitter. The devil knows how to stir up your emotions. The devil can be expected to try to get you to focus on the problems and cares of this life. He knows how to entice you with pleasures, lusts, riches, things, comforts, desires, sex, sports, and other things of this world. He knows how to tempt you in some way so you begin to compromise and then turn from God. Satan knows what to do to get your eyes off Jesus and on something else.
Mt 16:26–FOR WHAT IS A MAN PROFITED (or advantaged), IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL (or be cast away)? OR WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL?–Lk 9:25.
HE ALSO THAT RECEIVED SEED (which is God's Word) AMONG THE THORNS IS HE THAT HEARETH THE WORD; AND THE CARE OF THIS WORLD, AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, (AND THE PLEASURES OF THIS LIFE) (AND THE LUSTS OF OTHER THINGS) CHOKE THE WORD, AND HE BECOMETH UNFRUITFUL–Mt 13:22; Lk 8:14; Mk 4:19. Satan uses these things to divert person’s heart and thoughts from obeying God to doing other things. These things get a person’s mind off Jesus and on something else.
1 Cor 4:9–FOR I THINK THAT GOD HATH SET FORTH US THE APOSTLES LAST, AS IT WERE APPOINTED TO DEATH: FOR WE ARE MADE A SPECTACLE UNTO THE WORLD, AND TO ANGELS, AND TO MEN. Will you follow Jesus, if this is also your future? It is not the misleading future that most churches preach. Yes, Jesus paid the price for our sins at the cross, but each person that follows Jesus will also pay a price. That price is denying self. It is a price of persecutions, of temptations, of being hated by the world, of suffering, and of sometimes not even having a place to lay your head, yet Jesus will be with us through it all. This is the message of God’s Word, and it is truth.
The devil blinds people from receiving truth. Some examples are the Pharisees who loved their place of authority and comfort much more than they loved truth; the idol makers who loved the money they were making more than they loved truth; and Simon the sorcerer, who initially believed and was baptized, yet offered the disciples money to receive the power of God. He was more interested in the gift of God than repenting of his wicked thoughts and his bitterness.
Following Jesus can bring great disappointments if our mind is set on this world, and the better things of this world, and not on Jesus as it ought to be. Today, the message of Jesus is sometimes mixed with health, prosperity, and having no problems. Persecutions, sufferings, and repentance are usually omitted. Preachers sometimes use lots of jokes and laughing that appeals to a person’s flesh. It does, however, lead many astray. Can a person that follows Jesus understand that if they get a great inheritance, or win a lot of money, it may be used by Satan to turn their heart away from trusting in and following Jesus? Did the rich merchant understand as he was told to sell all he had and give to the poor before following Jesus? Where a person's treasure is, there will their heart be also. Riches, inheritances, and winning money has turned many people's hearts from Jesus. 1 Cor 4:13–BEING DEFAMED (or slandered), WE INTREAT (or answer kindly): WE ARE MADE AS THE FILTH (or scum) OF THE WORLD, AND ARE THE OFFSCOURING (or refuse) OF ALL THINGS UNTO THIS DAY.
Mankind wants Jesus to be there for them, to serve them. Mankind wants Jesus to give and surrender to them, rather than they giving and surrendering to Jesus. Mankind wants Jesus to give to them rather than remaking them in His image. Can God transform your thinking and remake you, when you harden yourself from fully surrendering yourself to Him? Can He remake you when you resist correction? Can a barber cut your hair if you won't sit down in the chair? Can the beautician remake a woman that won’t enter through the door? Few people understand that following Jesus begins with repentance and submission and allowing Jesus to totally reshape them from the inside out, as a potter shapes pottery. People want eternity in heaven, but they do not want to be transformed. No transformation, no salvation. No salvation, no heaven. No heaven, then only the fearful looking forth to hell, the judgment, and the lake of fire.
Jesus is correction. His Word corrects. Those that harden themselves to correction, also harden themselves to Jesus. Correction is love; and Jesus is love. As a father loves his son whom he corrects, Jesus loves His children whom He corrects. Jn 15:9–AS THE FATHER HATH LOVED ME, SO HAVE I LOVED YOU: CONTINUE YE IN MY LOVE. If Jesus stood in front of you and told you your faults and sins, how would you react? Then He told you exactly how you should think and what you needed to do? Would you receive His correction and obey Him without excuse? The answer for most people is no. It is “no,” because a voice in your head would tell you–it isn’t Jesus that is telling you these things. The person that is telling you these things is wrong. They just don’t understand. Yet Jesus has already spoken to you through His Word. Then He may have spoken to you through those He has put over you to watch for your soul, but your wrong thinking prevented you from recognizing and understanding Who it was that was really speaking to you to correct you. Unless you can become broken, humbled, and childlike to correction, you are in danger. How can you possibly grow in the Lord, when you harden yourself against His correction and His Word?
Can a person understand that–if they are sick, if things are not going their way, if they have problems at their job, or housing problems, or problems with their family, or people hate them–that it does not mean Jesus does not love them? Can a person understand that when we follow Jesus, we also are to share in his sufferings? God knows how to use various things to get our attention, to mold us, to prune us, and to transform us to conform to Him. Did you know that the brothers of Jesus rejected Him? Even His own received Him not–ref Jn 1:11. If a person understands the Bible and their trusting eyes are on Jesus, they will understand. If a person’s heart is partly in this world and their eyes are not fixed on Jesus and in His Word as it ought to be, they are in trouble. They are very open to the wrong thinking that Satan’s puts in their minds and that their heart accepts. These people will usually question and doubt God just as it is written. They may even accuse God and have wrong thinking toward God and the brethren. They may even shy away from fellowshipping with the brethren. Their excuses seem right to themselves, but are not in agreement with the whole counsel of God. They may also be very difficult to correct and doubt that God is trying to speak through their preacher to correct them. They may say that they disagree with certain Scripture, and then reinforce their view by saying that others also disagree. After all, their preacher does not see things the way their troubled, double–minded heart does, so he must be wrong. Double–minded followers of Jesus have not purified their hearts as God commands–ref Ja 4:8. The Bible tells His followers exactly how to do this.
Let us not forget how that Satan misused Scripture to try and deceive Jesus. It did not work, but with many people it does work. Beware, for the SORROW OF THE WORLD WORKETH DEATH, but GODLY SORROW WORKETH REPENTANCE TO SALVATION NOT TO BE REPENTED OF–ref 2 Cor 7:10.
How skillful Satan is at getting strongholds in people’s lives. That needs repeating. How skillful Satan is at getting a stronghold in a person’s life. Beware, Satan is incredibly skillful at setting one Christian against another. He is successful at causing one Christian to have wrong thinking toward another. He succeeds at causing one Christian to accuse another. And the devil is very successful at causing a person to be angry and then that anger comes forth in some ungodly way.
Satan can also use a person’s love for animals, love for the environment, love for this world, love for the things of this world, love for their job, love for relatives, or people, or love for women, love for sex, love for some addiction, love for your car, love for some sport, love for some hobby, love for your house, love for something you own, love for personal desires and lusts, love for yourself, love for how people look up to you, and the love for money. Satan can use your love for an almost limitless number of things to turn your heart away from God and to other things. That is why the Bible says love not this world, neither the things that are in this world–ref 1 Jn 2:15. This is why the Bible also says, Lk 14:26–IF ANY MAN COME TO ME, AND HATE NOT HIS FATHER, AND MOTHER, AND WIFE, AND CHILDREN, AND BRETHREN, AND SISTERS, YEA, AND HIS OWN LIFE ALSO, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.
Your love for God is to be so great, that it far exceeds any other love you have. Beware of sin. Beware of pride. Beware of anger. Beware of an accusing attitude. Beware of a tongue that cannot be controlled, which talks and talks. Beware of your emotions being out of control. Beware of thinking you are somebody special. Beware of getting involved in some worldly cause or godless organization and becoming a protester, a critic, an accuser, or one that goes on strikes. Beware of not being satisfied with your wages. Worldly organizations can lead you astray and hurt your testimony for Christ.
And if you think Satan could not use any of these things to deceive you, then you are already deceived and going in a wrong direction. For it is written, Gal 6:3–A MAN…DECEIVETH HIMSELF. Ja 1:26–MAN...DECEIVETH HIS OWN HEART. Rev 12:9–THE DEVIL, AND SATAN,…DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD. Rev 13:11,14–AND I BEHELD ANOTHER BEAST…HE…DECEIVETH THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH.
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