Robots

I always say that if God wanted robots, He would have made them--but He didn't. He gave us free will--which we LOVE when we are getting our way and HATE when others are getting their way that negatively affects us. But another thought about robots is this: How could a robot possibly be made in His image? Is God a cold, calculating machine? NO! He is a consuming fire. He doesn’t say He wants ALL to be saved and then “program” only some for salvation. The fact that not all ARE saved doesn’t contradict His desire that they all be saved. (1Timothy 2:4, 2Peter 3:9, 2Corinthians 5:18-21, 1John 2:2) No one has “overpowered” Him by rejecting His plan. They have simply chosen to use a gift He gave them (free will) to harm themselves. His decision not to force us to do His will does not make Him any "less sovereign,” but rather, it shows how serious He is about having a TRUE love relationship with us that He would allow us to cause Him unimaginable pain and anguish as we use our free will to rebel against Him, our Maker, without whom there would be NOTHING.

We all need the spiritual Bread of Life (John 6:33-35, 40, 63, 15:3, Ephesians 5:25-27), but God doesn’t force feed us. He OFFERS it and if we prefer to starve ourselves, then that is our choice. I have heard some say that’s like making some “savable” if not all Jesus died for are actually saved, but all have the opportunity to be saved. Some say having to accept it amounts to “works.” No, the Bread is ready to consume–all of Jesus’ work is FINISHED–we don’t “make” the Bread. If someone refuses to EAT the Bread, then that doesn’t make it any less finished and ready to consume, any less offered for the salvation of ALL men. If we offer bread to a homeless person and they refuse to accept it because they prefer cash to buy alcohol with, does that mean we didn’t want to save them from their hunger and we didn’t offer them a way to be saved? Is offering them a loaf of bread the same as offering them materials to use in making their own? (No.) Does it make them “stronger” than us if they reject our offer? No--just foolish, the same way that people are who hear the Good News about Jesus but choose to go their own way rather than following Him. ALL are invited, but they must respond, and there is ONE way to do that (clothe yourselves in Jesus’ righteousness, and keep that clothing ON - Romans 6, Revelation 7:14, 16:15, 19:6-8, 1Corinthians 6:9-20).

And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:1-14

God lets us choose whether to believe in Him, accept His Son's sacrifice to pay for our sins, to honor Him in all we do, or not. If we were robots, then we wouldn’t need all of the exhortations throughout the Bible to believe and be saved, and to seek to please Him first in all we do, think and say. (Some of them are: Mark 1:15, 16:16, Luke 8:9-15, 13:24, John 1:12, John 3:14-21, 36, John 4:39-42. John 5:24, 45-47, John 6:27-29, 35, 40-47, John 7:37-39, John 9:35-41, John 10:37-38, John 11:25-27, John 12:35-50, John 13:19-20, John 14:1, 11, 20:29-30, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38-39, Acts 16:31, Acts 19:4, Romans 3:21-26, Romans 4:3-8, Romans 9:33, Romans 10:4, 9-17, 1Corinthians 1:21, 2Corinthians 5:20-21, Philippians 3:14-20, Colossians 3, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, 2:22-23, 1Peter 2:6-8, 1John 3:23, 5:1, 10-13; Titus 3:8, Matthew 6:31-34, 1Corinthians 15:33-34, 2Corinthians 5:14-15, 2Timothy 2:3-7, Ephesians 4-5, 1John 1:5-2:6) Failure or refusal to heed God’s commands results in all kinds of suffering, big and small, on the part of mankind and also on God’s part.

We were born with a sinful nature, through no fault of our own, but we are still without excuse to remain in the sins we inevitably commit, because He sent His only begotten Son to pay the penalty for ALL of our sins. (Romans 5, John 8:24) All we have to do to accept this FREE gift is humble ourselves by admitting we are sinners in need of a Savior, and that He is Lord and we are not. (Romans 10:8-10) So in other words, we STOP rebelling against Him, and CEASE trying to save ourselves, after which we discontinue doing the evil works we formerly did when we were in darkness since we now live in the light of the truth. (John 14:6, 8:2, 12:35, Ephesians 5:8-17, 1John 1:5-10) Is He our Lord or not? Doesn’t that imply He has power over us and we do as He says? We can't DO ANYTHING to save ourselves, but He will not force us to believe OR obey Him. Eventually, everyone WILL see and believe and be forced to bow down and confess He is Lord, but that will not happen until the offer of salvation has ended. (Isaiah 45:22-23, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:9-11)

Does God leave it up to chance who comes to Him and who doesn’t? Definitely not! There is no such thing as chance to God, because that involves not knowing something and there is NOTHING He doesn’t know, from beginning to end. Nothing happens without His either causing or allowing it. At one time only Jews were beneficiaries of salvation, but now we have received a precious, incredibly valuable gift we could NEVER DO ANYTHING to earn or deserve--but those who reject Him cannot blame Him (2Thessalonians 2:10, contrast John 8:21-25 with John 14), and the rest of us must treat everyone as potentially having their names are in the Book of Life. Jesus died for the sins of ALL and commissioned us to tell the Good News to everyone. (Matthew 28:16-20) Blessed are those with “an ear to hear.” (Matthew 13:1-43, Mark 4:1-33, Luke 8:4-18, 14:34-35, John 10:27, Acts 28:28, Revelation 2-3) God doesn’t harden someone’s heart and cause someone to “stop hearing” Him for no reason. He eventually leaves them to go their own way because they insist upon it. (Romans 8:18-32)

How amazing is it that God would prefer to suffer because of His creation rather than having an end result that is not genuine? (John 4:23, Matthew 15:7-11, Isaiah 40:6, 1Chronicles 28:9, Matthew 22:36-37) Talk about pain and anguish not "only" on the cross, but in all that led up to it, plus every time we make a choice using our free will to go against His will and His way, grieving Him. He is perfect in every way, including wisdom, power and love. He is all good, and His nature is not too much or too little of any virtue. We can trust Him. Putting our trust in anyone or anything but Him is utter folly. If we disobey out of ignorance, that's sad. If we do it out of rebellion, that's evil. (Luke 12:47-48, James 4:17)

The children of God were not meant to live in ignorance, accepting the wicked ways of the world and loving those ways. (2John 2:15-17, James 4:4, 1John 4:5-6, 2Timothy 3:12-17) We were meant to be set apart, gradually conformed to the image of Jesus by the inner working of the Holy Spirit. When we yield to Him, He makes us fit for honorable service to God. (Romans 8:29-30, 12:1-2, 2Corinthians 5:17, 2Corinthians 4:10-11, 2Corinthians 6:14-18, 2Timothy 2:19-26, 1Peter 1:13-19) When we resist Him, then discipline may be necessary to accomplish God’s purposes and plans for us. (Hebrews 12:5-8, Revelation 3:19) If we reject that discipline, we hurt ourselves (and quite probably those around us). Now would be a good time to really examine ourselves to be sure that we understand God's will and confirm that we are abiding IN Christ. (2Corinthians 13:5, 2 Peter 1:5-12)

Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. (John 15, Matthew 7:15-27, Hebrews 6:7-9) The branches that bear no fruit [of the Spirit*] will be cut off and burned, and those are not my words, but God's. Does He mean burned in hell or does He mean burned in the furnace of affliction, trial by fire, refined like gold? (Isaiah 48:10, Daniel 12:10, Revelation 3:18-19, Romans 8:16-18, 1Peter 1:6-7**) Does either one sound pleasant? If you don't believe in Jesus, then you can be sure that the fire is eternal. (Revelation 20:11-15, Matthew 9:42-48, Matthew 18:6-9, Matthew 25:41-46, John 3:18, 2Thessalonians 1:8-10, Romans 1:21-32) If you do believe, then behave like you are the child of God that you claim to be. (1John 3:6-10, Galatians 6:7-10) Wake up and be ready for Jesus’ return!

*For starters on what pleases God, see Galatians 5:16-26, 2Peter 1:5-12, Romans 12 (all), Colossians 1:9-10, Hebrews 13:15-17, Matthew 5:13-16 ("salt" must include God's truth or it has lost its saltiness just as a lamp under a bushel doesn't give light to the darkness), Matthew 7 (do not "choose" between Matthew 7:1 and Matthew 7:5, 18:15-17), Luke 6:20-49 (do not ignore Luke 17:3 in favor of Luke 6:37), Romans 6, 1Corinthians 6, 2Corinthians 9:6-12, Luke 17:1-10, Ephesians 2:10, 1Timothy 6:17-19, Titus 2 (all), Titus 3:8-11, James (whole book), 1Peter 3:1-17, 1Peter 2:11-24. (Or just read the whole New Testament.)

Notice how much of the Bible we would have to disregard if we want to support a position that God doesn't expect obedience from His children. No, He has told us repeatedly that IF we are His (and the Bible is written to believers) that we will show our love for Him by obeying Him. See John 14-15, 1John (whole book). Faith comes by hearing the word. (Romans 10:17) We come to faith through God's grace this way and we abide IN Jesus by remaining IN the word and obeying, which is what is meant by abiding in His love. (John 15:3 and entire chapter, pay attention to John 15:9-10.) This is not "works" to save ourselves or legalism, but respect and love for our Savior. This is showing that we mean what we say--that we're not hypocrites trying to fool God. (Galatians 6:7-10, 2Timothy 2:19-26, James 2:14, Hebrews 11:17-31, James 2:19-26, 2Corinthians 5:9-10)

**There is a difference between trials, tribulations, persecutions, etc. and God's wrath. The first is for the good of believers for their refinement and purification (to the extent NECESSARY in each case according to God's perfect evaluation–God will not allow anyone to be tried beyond their endurance - 1Peter 5:6-10, 1Corinthians 10:9-15 - relying on His strength is the key to overcoming - 2Corinthians 12:9-10, Philippians 4:13). The second (God’s wrath) is for destruction of the ungodly, of the children of the devil (like in Egypt when the Israelites were spared the killing of the firstborn and Jesus is our Passover Lamb - John 1:29). We do not suffer GOD'S wrath. (1Thessalonians 5:9)

Everyone will be salted with fire. (Mark 9:42-50, Hebrews 10:23-39) Did you know that in Old Testament times, salt was offered on the altar with each sacrifice? (Leviticus 2:13, Ezekiel 43:24) We now offer living, spiritual sacrifices and they must STILL include salt. (Romans 12:1, 1Peter 2:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16) We must pursue peace and holiness to see the Lord. (All of Hebrews 12, Matthew 5:1-12) God hasn’t changed (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8)–He still hates sin, but now that the time has come, we have a way to be forgiven and to overcome–ALL His doing. (Galatians 4:4-5) All we have to do is use His gift of free will to cooperate with Him instead of using it to fight against Him as we did before we were saved. The only thing anyone has to boast about is what God has done for them. (Romans 3:27, 1Corinthians 1:27-31, Galatians 6:14, Ephesians 2:8-10)

There is coming a time when there will be such great signs and wonders that EVERYONE whose name is not written in the Book of Life will be deceived into worshiping a false god (“beast”) and taking a mark in order to buy and sell (i.e. survive). (Revelation 13, 2Thessalonians 2:9-12, Matthew 24:24) Those people who do so will be thrown in the Lake of Fire at the end of the age. (Revelation 14:9-13) This coming time period is called "the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth." (Revelation 3:10, Revelation 17:12-14) Out of seven churches in Revelation 2-3, Jesus told ONE that He would keep them from the hour of trial, because they had ALREADY endured, not denying Him despite persecution for His sake. Notice in Revelation 17:14 that Jesus will be returning WITH those who are called, faithful and chosen to destroy the beast. (Revelation 19, Revelation 20:1-6)

Now I know that people like to point out the distinction between the church and Israel. It is true that two great mysteries of the ages are that God would save the Gentiles AND indwell believers with His Holy Spirit. (Colossians 1:27, Ephesians 3:6, 4:3-6, Romans 8:9, 1Peter 1:10-12, 1Peter 2:10, Revelation 10:5-7) We are members of His body (Romans 12:5, 1Corinthians 12:12, 27, Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18) However, Gentiles (people not born Jews, “wild olive tree branches”) are GRAFTED IN to Israel’s “cultivated olive tree.” (Romans 9-11) The original tree doesn’t become the kind of the branches that were grafted into it, does it? The result is ONE cultivated olive tree, or ONE new man. (Ephesians 2:11-22) We are adopted as God’s children, not to replace His other children, but to become part of the same family. (Romans 8:12-23, 9:4-5, Galatians 4:3-9, Ephesians 1:3-14) The kingdom in this age was given to people who would produce its fruit after Israel refused to shine her light as God intended and worse yet, rejected Jesus as Messiah. We are blessed due to their disobedience and because of the grace shown to us, they will also be blessed after the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. (John 10:16, Acts 28:28, Matthew 21:43, John 12:34-50, Romans 10:16-21, Isaiah 53, Isaiah 65, Isaiah 49:4-6, Romans 15:18-21, 1Peter 2:7-10, Romans 11:11-32)

Great promises were made to the overcomers in the other six churches in the letters of Revelation 2-3--who were NOT told they would be spared the “hour of trial,” but which calls for great endurance. (Revelation 13:9-10, 14:9-13, Daniel 7:25-27, 11:32-35, Revelation 15:2) God tells His children to "Come out of Babylon!" and to "escape to Zion." (Zechariah 2:7, Jeremiah 50:28-32, Jeremiah 51:45, Revelation 18:4, Jeremiah 51:35, Revelation 17:6, Revelation 6:9-11, Jeremiah 51:41, Revelation 18:9-20, Jeremiah 51:48-49, Revelation 18:6, 24) Notice how God has made sure we can understand that this is not only historical because of the reference in Revelation 18, which was written that we may know what is going to happen. (Matthew 24:25, Amos 3:7, Revelation 1:1-3) We can clearly see that there are many prophecies as yet unfulfilled. For example, Revelation 20 refers to Jesus reigning over an earthly kingdom for 1,000 years of peace. This is the same time period mentioned by the Old Testament prophets in Isaiah 11, Isaiah 65, Zechariah 8, Zechariah 14, to name a few passages.

Jesus has overcome the world and death. (John 16:33, Romans 6:9) However, only those who are IN Him (do not claim Romans 8:1 apart from Romans 8:9, John 15:8-14, 1John 2:28-29) will receive glorified bodies prior to the millennium (the first resurrection, Revelation 20), and by His power, everyone CAN overcome. We don’t need to rely on our own strength to hold on to Him, but that doesn’t mean that He won’t LET us go if we prefer our own way even after tasting how good He is. (John 10:28-30, Hebrews 6:4-12) If we love God (as He is, from His own words in the Bible) and our brothers and sisters in the Lord, we have nothing to fear. (1John 4:16-21, 2Timothy 4:7-8) Jesus will return and reign until all of His enemies are at His feet, including the last to be completely vanquished, death. (1Corinthians 15:12-28) Since there is still some death during the millennial reign, we can see that there is a gap between the first resurrection and the end when Jesus hands over the Kingdom to His Father and the “eternal day” begins (2Peter 3:18, Revelation 22:5)--just as there is a gap between Jesus’ victory and ascension to heaven and His return to reign. (Revelation 11:15-19)

We spiritually transfer our “residence” from earthly Babylon to heavenly Zion when we are born of God, and we do not continue "residing" in Babylon or “move back” there. (Philippians 3:17-21, Colossians 1:13-14, Hebrews 11:13-16, Hebrews 12:22-24, Psalm 87 - notice the reference to Rahab who hid the spies at Jericho? Her actions ("works") evidenced her fear of the one, true God. She believed first and then obeyed. If she had merely said she would hide them, but then betrayed them, it would NOT have been counted to her as righteousness. This is true of ALL of the giants of the faith in the Bible). Also Col. 1:9-23 - continue in the faith steadfastly, NOT shifting from the hope of the gospel - does anyone actually think God wants us to prove we are putting all of our hope in Him by behaving like unbelievers? How would that be light and salt? Is it wise to run from him? The father did not run after the prodigal son in the parable Jesus told. Does God contradict Himself or change His mind? Also see Romans 8:14-17, John 1:12-13, Galatians 3:26-27, Philippians 2:12-16, 1John 3:1-3, 2Timothy 4:18, Hebrews 3:1-6 - again, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and hope; Revelation 14:1-5 - these [overcomers] follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, wherever He goes and have His name written on them. John 10:2-16, 1Thessalonians 4:17, Revelation 3:12, 12:11, 17:14, 19:7-16; firstfruits - Revelation 14:4, Romans 8:23, James 1:18)

There is NO other way to be saved apart from Jesus (John 14:6, 10:9), and AFTER we have received the precious GIFT of faith and salvation, we don't go running back to wallow in the mire, having been cleansed with the precious blood of Jesus, our Savior, the SON OF GOD. (2Peter 2:17-22, 2Peter 1:9-11) He didn’t say believe and then go back to what we were doing before we believed and wait for His return. (Luke 9:57-62) He said to FOLLOW Him and to stay awake and watch so that we can be ready. (Matthew 24:42, 25:13, 26:41, Mark 13:33-35, Luke 12:37-38, 21:36, Romans 13:11, 1Corinthians 15:34, 1Thessalonians 5:6, Revelation 3:2-3, 16:15) If we truly believe, then let’s encourage one another to DO what the Bible says.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:13-25

Also if we truly believe, then let’s not play games with other people’s souls by telling them lies because that’s what they like to hear. People these days protect themselves from the truth to preserve the views they embrace. They lobby for laws to label beliefs they don’t embrace as “hate speech” and they run to “safe areas” where they will not be “hurt” by anyone’s speech that disagrees with their views. They call names and spout “facts” with no basis, relying on the wisdom of men. (Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:26, 1Corinthians 1:18-31, 1Corinthians 3:18-23) If they claim to be believers, they twist the Bible to say what they want it to say (2Timothy 3:1-7, 4:3-4, 2Peter 3:14-18, Romans 1:18, Romans 2:1-11, Philippians 2:14-16, Titus 3:8-11) and accuse anyone who disagrees with their revised version of being archaic. They think God has changed with the times the way that the culture has–the way they would LIKE Him to. (Ephesians 5:8-20, 1Peter 4:7-8, 2Timothy 2:22-26, 1Peter 4:1-5) Their feeble, tired arguments about the Old Testament foreshadows of the new covenant (Colossians 2:17) and the way they even ignore clear passages in the New Testament condemning their evil practices and those they approve of reveal how little of the Scriptures they understand, and apparently, how little they value God’s word. They deliberately lump true Christians in with fanatics whose actions do not line up with the Bible in order to discredit everyone who doesn’t compromise the truth. (1Peter 2:15-16, Titus 2:7-8)

How do we react? Do we continue speaking the truth in love and stand up for Jesus and our brothers and sisters in the Lord who do the same? (2Timothy 1:8, 2Timothy 1:16-17, 1Peter 4:16-19) No, many of us distance ourselves from anyone who is under attack and we remain silent in order not to draw attention to ourselves. It’s much easier. No one likes to be thought of as a “villain.” People think we’re “nice” if we go along with the flow. Let me just say this: NO ONE who ends up in hell because they relied on a version of God they invented in their own heads who doesn’t exist will be grateful for that kind of “love” shown to them in this short lifetime as they are sentenced to eternal punishment. They will accuse us of not warning them not to rely on a “god” who is their own invention and cannot save them. We need to look at the big, eternal picture and make sure there is no blood on our hands. “I wish I had not missed out on so much ‘fun’ because of making Jesus my highest priority in life,” said NO ONE, EVER after they went home to be with Jesus. We need to think of how we’ll feel when we stand before Him and explain why we were not willing to suffer for His sake–that we didn’t love people’s souls the way He did (and still does) and expected (expects) us to do. (Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26, Romans 1:16, 1John 2:28, Revelation 11:18)

Jesus is the ONLY way (Galatians 1:4, John 10:17-18, 1John 2:23), and those who truly believe will show fruits of the Spirit (His Spirit, who dwells IN us - the Holy Spirit does NOT contradict the Bible, EVER, so He will not teach us to approve of sins that God hates! He empowers us to OVERCOME, just as Jesus instructed the churches to do in Revelation 2-3). This is not to say we are lost if we slip, or that we work to retain salvation. It means that if we have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus, then we will live so as to please Him now and forever–out of gratitude, respect and love. (1Corinthians 6:18-20, Acts 20:28, 1Peter 1:17-19, Revelation 5:9, 1John 4:18)

We need to examine our motives for every single thing we do or refrain from doing. ALL is to be for the glory of our mighty God. (Colossians 3:23-25) We who belong to Jesus follow Him, not the world or false teachers who claim to be spiritual (anything goes) or religious (legalism, rote, ritual). (John 8:30-47, John 10:24-30, John 15:18-23, Galatians 2:11-14, Galatians 5 - note both legalism and self-indulgence are condemned, Colossians 2:16-23 - see the last part about how outward appearances of godliness do not stop us from indulging our flesh–the point isn’t that it’s okay to indulge the flesh, but that God wants TRUE faith lived out, not just going through the motions to “look” religious or spiritual, 2Timothy 3:1-7, 2Peter 3:1-3, Romans 13:11-14) Fear is NOT an acceptable reason for a Christian to do anything (or fail to do as we should). We are to fear ONLY God and nothing and no one else. (Matthew 10:24-28, Luke 12:5, Acts 5:29, Galatians 1:10) Let's choose to give ALL of our allegiance and devotion to the King of kings. It's easier said than done, but with God’s help we CAN overcome.

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. For "He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil." Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? But even if you do suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong. 1 Peter 3:8-17

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Question for You

Question: Has God become less worthy of your love now that almost 2000 years have passed since He gave His only Son to save you? Or has He become less powerful than He was, so that there is no longer any need to have a healthy respect for Him that you should obey? Is society more "enlightened" now, such that people know "better"? No? Then why are so many professed believers behaving as though He doesn't know what they do, say and think?

Jesus summarized what is expected of believers in two simple commands: Love your one true God as your highest priority, above all people and things, and love your neighbor as yourself. Those cover ALL of the commands if you do them. When God is first, then you care about His honor and glory most--you don't follow the world, but Him--you know that what you do reflects on Him. When you love your brothers and sisters in the Lord and your neighbors (everyone else, and even your enemies), you care enough to warn them about the consequences of sin--eternal punishment for anyone who is not redeemed by the blood of Jesus through grace by faith. You don't sugar-coat sin for them, celebrate it, join them or do anything to cause them to stumble in it; and you don't pretend like they're the only ones with the problem, because EVERYONE has the sinful nature and will struggle against it until we die (but that doesn't mean giving in to it--fight the good fight!)

To be an overcomer and inherit all of the glorious promises of God, you need to lay down your will and take up His--even unto death IF need be. (That includes literal death, not just "death by social media.") Am I adding works to salvation? No. I'm saying what the Bible says: that eternal life depends upon believing and that saving faith is evidenced by works; and some will enter into eternal life as through the fire, with loss of reward. Think about it. Do you want to give up ETERNAL rewards for a very short time of having your own way here on earth? If you do, you'll regret it. I just hope that the regret is NOT that you never were saved to begin with. The Bible tells you to examine yourself to be sure you are in the faith.

If you LOVE Jesus, you will not think to yourself that "it was worth it" to "live it up" during this brief lifetime at the expense of your witness to His beautiful, holy, perfect and loving nature. That is loving yourself more than God when you enjoy your sin so much that you will not give it up for Him, and that my friend, is idolatry. You were meant to CARE about the lost souls for whom you are the LIGHT, because He should be shining through you. He will return to gather those who are His prior to executing the wrath of God against the rest. Time's up when that happens or when your own personal "appointment" arrives. Does anyone know when either will be? No, they don't. (Don't watch absurd YouTube videos by "prophets" setting dates, taking donations, giving messages that don't match the Bible, etc.)

If Jesus returns SOON, are you ready? If you picture Him with you throughout every day and night, is there anything you would be embarrassed for Him to see? How about watching or listening to media that exalts all sorts of immorality, laughing at inappropriate jokes, gossiping, lying, being greedy or gluttonous, envying, lacking purity in "private" matters, and anything else shameful? ALL can be forgiven, but Scripture says He is faithful to forgive and cleanse you when you confess it to Him. You are not meant to live as though you forgot what it cost Him to clothe you in pristine white. You WILL slip (and He is willing to cleanse you again and again when you repent and ask Him), but you will not live IN continual, deliberate sin. One of the fruits of His Spirit is self-control--if you haven't got it (and hopefully it is increasing if you do), then make sure you really are saved because whoever hasn't got His Spirit is NOT His. (He's returning for those who are IN Him, who were given to Him by His Father.)

Getting back to your day-to-day life, would He ask why you manage to make time for so many meaningless things that have NO eternal value and yet claim not to have time to pray, worship and read your Bible? Would God ask why you don't speak up against it when people tell lies about Him, saying that everyone goes to heaven whether they believe in His Son or not? What about when they say that He has "changed" such that He no longer hates sin--no worries, just SAY you believe and you're good to go? That is what He means when He says you are the SALT of the earth--speaking the truth in love (not love of sin, but of lost souls). He said that salt that has lost its saltiness is useless. He said if you don't FOLLOW Him, you're not worthy of Him.

Know this. Jesus DOES see every.single.thing you do and say (and even knows what your thoughts and attitudes are). Your behavior shows how much you love and respect Him (or don't). He IS with you at ALL times if you are born again, because that means you are indwelt by His Holy Spirit. (Remember, God is ONE. We know Him as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but there is really no "dissecting" Him and putting Him into various "boxes.") If you don't have His Spirit, then you are NOT born again, you do NOT belong to Him and you will NOT enter the kingdom of God. It's by HIS power that you can overcome. When you truly believed in your heart that Jesus was the Son of God who died for your sins and rose again--that He is now your Lord--you were baptized into Him, into His death and resurrection, by the regenerating power of His Holy Spirit, who then STAYS with you to teach, guide and strengthen you in the faith.

Please note: Water baptism is symbolic of the fact that as a believer, your old sinful self has been drowned and you now live in Christ and His resurrection, a new creation, washed clean, rising up out of the water. As with the Lord's Supper, it comes AFTER belief--your physical actions could never bring about faith--the Spirit alone saves. If you think about it, that would be works if you could do something to bring it about. Faith comes from hearing the word. Needless to say, you must be able to understand what you hear. Does anyone think that God condemns people to hell for being born with a sinful nature? Did they have any choice in the matter? No, but because of it they WILL sin and for THAT, they need salvation. Before a person knows there is such a thing as sin, their sins are not held against them (and everyone is given a conscience, so they will eventually know unless they have a mind of a young child for their entire lifetime, as sometimes happens). Babies who were not baptized do not go to hell. That would be works, and more so, relying on works done TO them, completely out of their control--the same way their birth was. So why do people baptize them when they are utterly unaware of what is happening, and unable to "follow" Christ, they have not yet sinned (they do not know right from wrong yet), they cannot understand the Word when they hear it, and so on? The Bible does not say, "be baptized and believe," but to "believe and be baptized."

If no one has free will to accept or reject God's grace, then why does the Bible repeatedly exhort everyone to BELIEVE and not harden your heart against God? Do infants harden their hearts? How can you refrain from hardening your heart if you have no free will? (I think we can all testify to the existence of free will every single day.) So no, rather than DOING something (such as being baptized, taking the Lord's Supper, or doing good works), you CEASE your rebellion against God in RESPONSE to the message of the Gospel, which is His gracious offer of eternal life, of having Jesus' completed work of salvation applied to you personally. Knowing that God loves you inspires you to love Him in return. Once you realize how amazing and wonderful He is, you don't WANT to resist Him anymore. He DRAWS you to Himself, by His grace, despite the fact that not ONE of us deserves it. It is not works to RECEIVE a gift that was freely offered and given. God does not force anyone to accept it (nor does He force anyone to obey Him after they receive His gifts).

Make no mistake, EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess Jesus as Lord. At that point, compliance WILL be forced, but it will not result in salvation. God allows people to cause Him frustration and pain in order to receive TRUE worship from those are WILLING to humble themselves and admit He is God and they are not. He wants obedience out of love (and a healthy dose of respect) from those who recognize His sovereignty and perfect, beautiful nature. There are examples of God granting freedom to choose to grieve Him at the time of Noah, every time the Israelites provoked Him to jealousy with their idols, at the cross and everything leading up to it, and when we are told as believers not to grieve the Holy Spirit.

Before you surrendered to God in the war your spirit was waging against Him, you were hostile to God. You basically wanted to be in charge, which is to BE God--there was no hope of overcoming this world or of eternal life for you. The hope of glory is Christ IN you. When you received (and accepted rather than rejecting as you may have done in the past when offered) the gifts of faith and forgiveness, you became a child of God, His treasured possession to do good works He prepared for you in advance, that His Father may be glorified--to "work in His vineyard" and "bear fruit." At that point, your treasure was to have begun being kept in heaven for you eternally, where your heart (Jesus) is, not on earth, continuing to value temporary things. You were to begin seeking the kingdom of God FIRST.

The parables Jesus told warned that it would appear that His return has been "delayed," but that you should keep watching and be ready--found faithfully serving Him, pleasing Him not yourself and/or other people who draw your attention and devotion away from Him. He wants you to be kind to strangers, love your enemies, feed the poor, defend widows and orphans, pray unceasingly, give Him thanks in everything, work at everything you do as though it were for Him (because it is) and share the Good News--to be the light and salt of the earth. He said with good reason to "count the cost," because He was serious when He said "carry your cross" if you want to follow Him and be found worthy. Why would you want to live in such a way that casts doubt that you possess saving faith or that you recognize His infinite worthiness of all that you could ever offer Him? If you claimed to love and respect any person on earth, would they believe you if you didn't follow it up with your actions? Can God be fooled?

God is a consuming fire. He has given ALL out of love for you, and He is not interested in lukewarm "love" in return. You can choose to give Him the leftover crumbs of your life if you want, but I say with certainty that you will regret it. He is preparing unimaginably wonderful things for those who love Him. He is worthy and EVERY knee will bow, EVERY tongue will confess that He is Lord. Behave like you believe it if you claim to be His. Keep your lamp lit and live like He is returning soon. You'll be glad you did.

NOTE: I have used "you" instead of "we" in this article to make it more personal for each of us who read it, not to "point the finger." This applies to ALL of us who believe. This is not meant to hammer anyone over the head, but to inspire us all to remember from moment to moment that it matters. When we don't live up to our calling, it not only represents our Savior to the world in a bad light, but it may discourage other believers from doing as they should as well. Let’s be prepared to hold our heads up high when we see Him face to face and not shrink back in shame at His coming. We are told in the Bible to encourage one another in this way.

I normally compile a multitude of corresponding Scriptures to go with what I have said. I am not going to do that just now, but perhaps I will come back and add them later. In the meantime, this is the same message as I always present and the same Bible verses apply. To point you in the right direction as a starting point, you could read John chapters 14-17 and Revelation chapters 1-3, 22.

Lord, please help us to do only Your will and all of Your will. Apart from You, we are nothing and can do nothing. Please mold and shape us into vessels worthy of service to You, our very heart. Your love redeemed us and Your strength enables us to serve You as we should and to put You first in our lives. We want what You want and love who You love. Help us to recognize evil and flee from it. Let us hate everything sinful, giving it no place in our lives, and love what is good and pleasing to You. We ask You to make something beautiful out of each of us to glorify Your wonderful name. Please make us like You, faithful, true, steadfast, loving, long-suffering, strong, persevering, brave, wise and holy, fit to be Yours, worthy of You and the price You paid for us. All of our hope is in You. Thank you for forgiving and cleansing us. Oh, how we love You! If we have any idols in our lives, please show us and help us to tear them down. Please make us lights in this dark world and draw us near to You, keeping us firmly in Your love as we revere You above all, adoring and worshiping You until Your (hopefully soon) return, and forevermore. Amen

Time to Wake Up!

There often seem to be two camps among professed believers in regard to repentance, and they are opposite extremes. One side says that we must work for salvation, or if not, that work is still required to keep it. The other side says that we don't work for salvation and neither is anything else required or expected of us after making a verbal confession of faith--Jesus paid it all and God is "no longer concerned" with our sin.

You can probably guess where I'm going with this. Neither of these views is correct! The truth is in the middle. We do not work FOR salvation OR to "keep it," but God DOES expect us to behave as His children AFTER we come to the knowledge of the truth. Jesus set us free from both the penalty for our sin AND from the enslavement to it, from the way it used to make us obey its will instead of God's. (John 8:34-36, Romans 6:11-18, 2Peter. 2:19) If God at any point was going to be "unconcerned" with sin, a good time would have been BEFORE Jesus suffered and died a horrific death for ours. Does God make any mistakes or change? No. This was the ONLY way. (Mark 13:32-42) Jesus won the victory on the cross and purchased (redeemed) us with His blood. We now belong to Him. (Acts 20:28) We have been given to Him by the Father. (John 17:6)

There are consequences during this life (His discipline, for our good so we will learn to glorify God in all we do - John 15:8) and in the next (loss of reward - the Bible repeatedly mentions how Jesus "has His reward with Him" when He returns, Rev. 22:12, Isaiah 40:10, 62:11, 1Cor. 3:14-15) for true believers who disobey. God is not waiting to "smack us" the instant He sees us mess up, but we mustn't deliberately and/or regularly choose to indulge our flesh instead of to please Him. We need to TURN FROM our sin, with the help He gives us. (If we are not true believers, then we will suffer God’s wrath for eternity.)

Whoever disrespects God in this way is obviously lacking in knowledge of who it is they are dealing with--not just a human they are choosing to disobey, but God. (Luke 12:47-48, Psalm 111:10, Psalm 50:16-23, 1Thess.4:3-8) How can a confession of faith be genuine if we don't even know who God is or what He is like? (Malachi 3:13-4:3, Isaiah 5:18-23) The fact is that anyone who TRULY believes and has made Jesus Lord in their heart and mind, WILL sincerely want to obey Him, not look for ways to justify their sin. That is why faith without works is just as dead as works without faith. (James 1:21-25, 2:14-26) It proves whether faith is alive and genuine.

People like to use the following passage to say that once they claim to have faith, it doesn't matter if they ever repent of any of their sins--Jesus won't "let them go."

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30

I think that we can agree that if someone has made a false confession, they are not "in Jesus' hand." Notice that Jesus said His sheep FOLLOW Him? He also said this interesting thing about people who say they will follow, but don't:

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38

When Jesus becomes your Lord and Savior, by the free gift of God, by grace, through faith in believing (Romans 10:8-10, Eph. 2:8), what does that mean? Let's look up what "lord" usually means and see if that helps us at all.

lord /lôrd/: someone having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler.

Hmmm. Jesus has authority and power over us as our master and ruler? (Revelation 11:15-18) That seems to be news to many people today who think He's their buddy who only lives to be sure they are happy. But He told people this:

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:21-29

I have to interject here that many people like to point out that the “work” the Father expects us to do is to believe. (John 6:29) That is true. Without believing, there is no hope for anyone to be saved and Jesus is the ONLY way. However, but we don’t stop there when there are other instances declaring the will of God as well. (Rom. 12:1-2, Eph. 6:5-9, Col. 4:12, 1Thess. 4:3-8, 1Thess. 5:16-22, Heb. 10:36-39, 1Pet. 2:15-16, 1Pet. 4:1-5, 1John 2:15-17) The workers in the parables Jesus told followed up. They didn’t just SAY they would. (Matt. 21:28-32 - remember, John preached repentance to prepare the way for Jesus–people can’t understand their need for a Savior if they don’t realize they are sinners.)

If we are unable to stop sinning and it's expected by God that we will continually succumb to temptation, then why did He inspire these following passages to be written for our benefit?

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. James 1:12-16

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced. 2 Corinthians 12:21

This next passage is very popular with people who want assurance of God's love, but people like to ignore the part about persecution and suffering. Paul isn't referring to our own evil behavior--it's about external factors beyond our control that CANNOT separate us from fellowship with Him. Notice all of those very unpleasant things in the first verse? Needless to say it's a FAR cry from being "slaughtered all day long" when we are living like the world, blending in, not being persecuted AT ALL for going against the flow and standing up for Jesus. (1Tim. 3:12, James 4:4, 1John 2:15-17)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

This next passage is rather similar, isn’t it?

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians 4:7-11

We are CONQUERORS in these things when we abide IN Jesus (John 16:33, Heb. 4:15-16, Heb. 7:25), just as the letters to the churches in Revelation 2, 3 tell us what it takes to OVERCOME. ONE church is spared the "hour of trial," because of having ALREADY endured persecution and persevered (and yet they are still told to HOLD FAST). (Rev. 3:8-13) Remember, the one who conquers is the one who loves Jesus more than their own life. (Rev. 12:11, 2Cor. 5:1-10, Matt. 10:37-39, Philipp. 1:29-30)

What about this verse that everyone loves--it's so comforting, right?! People like it so much that they only quote the last phrase from it:

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

God's promises ARE very good, but we need to see if that really says that He is pleased with us when we sin and that our doing so deliberately, unrepentantly will have no effect on our relationship with Him. Once again, let's look at the context:

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. Hebrews 13:1-9

Did you know that the quote about God "never leaving nor forsaking" was from the Old Testament? That promise was made to Joshua when he was taking on the HUGE responsibility of walking in the footsteps of Moses. Let's look at that passage in context as well:

Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' servant, saying, "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:1-9

I don't see anything there about Joshua being reassured that he should have no fear if he chooses to disobey God. He is being called to a very difficult task, however, God will be WITH him through it. The context of the New Testament passage above is also about remaining faithful to our VERY faithful, true, trustworthy God no matter what happens. It's not meant to be reassurance that if we show hatred for God by refusing to repent of our sin, that there will be no consequences. As we know, He defines obedience as love, so the opposite would be hatred, disdain, lack of respect, etc. (John 14:15-24) Never forget, the promises have been made to THOSE WHO love Him. (1Cor. 2:9-10, Rom. 8:28, James 1:12, 2:5) His commandments are not burdensome, because we love Him. (1John 5:2-3) He summarized them into two for us to keep it simple. (Mark 12:29-34, Rom. 13:9) This doesn't mean that we disregard everything else the Bible says, but that if we truly live it out, then all will be fulfilled. Jesus fulfilled the law. (Matt. 5:17-20) We live by the law of liberty, offering living spiritual "sacrifices" of our lives, not by the letter of the law. (James 1:25, Rom. 12:1-2, 7:6) It's a HIGHER calling, not lesser. (Philipp. 3:14-16) By the power of His Spirit within us, we walk in His footsteps, relying on Him to cleanse us and set us back on the right path whenever we slip or stumble. (1John 2:3-6, 1John 1:8-10, 1Pet. 2:20-21, Heb. 7:25) We don't need to be afraid. He will help us to overcome as He did. That's great news! (John 16:33)

(And please understand that "those in prison" in Heb. 13:3 are our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for His sake like Paul did, not unbelievers who have committed crimes for which they deserve to be punished. Prison evangelism is fine, but that verse is not referring to it. It's about not abandoning our own family in the Lord out of embarrassment, fear or inconvenience. (Matt. 12:50) Paul wrote not to be discouraged because of his suffering for Jesus and that he desired believers to remain strong and supportive of him for their own blessing and the health of the body of Christ. (Philipp. 4:17, 2Cor. 1:2-14) We are not to be ashamed of each other for standing up for the truth, even if it results in ostracism by the world, to which we do not belong. (2Tim. 1:8, 16-18, John 15:18-19, 1John 3:13-14, 1Peter 2:11-12)

Another popular verse that people like to take out of context is:

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

But let's look at it in context:

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11

Doesn't that sound like Paul is talking to someone who actually is FOLLOWING Jesus, working in His "vineyard," helping with the "harvest"? Or what does "partnership in the gospel" mean then? Paul prays that they will be filled with knowledge and discernment so they will be pure and blameless, filled with the fruit of righteousness. This is not addressed to someone who claimed to believe and then proceeded to shamefully profane God's name with their unrepentant behavior. (Hebrews 10:29-30, 1Pet. 4:17-19)

Nowhere does it say that if we choose to ignore Jesus, willfully disobeying Him and living IN our sins after He died to pay the penalty for us, that we will not have put a barrier between Him and us. Actually, it says that we are liars if we claim to know God and yet do that, and that He will not even harken to our prayers if we disregard His instructions and fail to control ourselves. (1Pet. 4:7, John 3:36) If we actually do belong to Him and yet live for ourselves, loving the world, then we have every reason to "shrink back from Him in shame" when He returns for us. That is grieving the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 4:30) If we used to think sin was “fun,” our definition WILL change IF we have been born again.

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:6-9

A word to the wise. If you are a born again believer, then don’t play games with God. He WILL discipline you. (If not, then you are not a legitimate child and you have MUCH bigger problems... Hebrews 12:8) He is patient and good, but He is also holy and just. He is sovereign. Everything and everyone is His possession (Psalm 24:1), but especially those who have been set aside for Him should put themselves at His disposal to do with as He pleases. (2Cor. 6:17-18, 2Tim. 2:19-22) Do you want to waste your short life being chastised when you were meant to invest the precious gift of time and every other gift He gave you wisely, being used for His glory? All we have and are is a gift from Him. Will we expend it on ourselves or for His kingdom? (Matt. 6:33) Take a look at the parables of the minas and the talents in Luke 19 and Matthew 25. Remember what happened to Jonah when he tried to run from God. I would also like to point out that the father did not run after the prodigal son. The prodigal son came to his senses and returned home on his own. (Luke 15)

Why do we need to SUBMIT to God AND RESIST the devil, so that he will flee from us? It almost sounds as though God doesn't want us to live like children of the devil, doesn't it? Giving in to sin is at NO POINT EVER held out to us as an option for TRUE believers. There is forgiveness, but that goes along with repentance (and you haven't repented of a sin if you are continuing to PRACTICE it. Does anyone seriously think they can trick God? Gal. 6:7-8)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 2:28-3:1-10

If we are abiding IN Him, then it is a GIVEN that we are OBEYING Him (and our "branch" won't be "thrown into the fire and burned"). Remember, IF we are born again, our dead spirit has been regenerated and indwelt by His Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5, John 3:3, 3:6, 6:63, Romans 8:6-9), giving us the power to overcome temptation. Our old sinful, selfish flesh has been put to death and we now live as a new creation IN Christ. Pay attention to that word "in," because those are the ones for whom Jesus will be returning. (1Thess. 4:16-17)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. John 15:1-23

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1-4

And Jesus said that it is better to enter the kingdom of God, into eternal life, maimed than to fail to enter due to sin. That's pretty serious! Before you say, "Oh that was before He paid our penalty for sin," look at all of the warnings to us in the rest of the New Testament (including the Revelation of Jesus Himself to John) about walking in repentance. (1John 2:1-6)

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” Mark 9:42-50

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:19

[Our earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:10-29

When you read the warnings about people only wanting to listen to what they like to hear, is the first thing that you think of that, of course, that means people will be wrongly told they need to repent? Or don't you more likely think that what people WANT to hear is that they DO NOT need to repent, that they can continue on as before, without a care in the world? They want salvation to be on their terms–all roads lead to heaven, not only the narrow road. (Matt. 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-27) Paul told Timothy to reprove, rebuke and exhort. Why? Because the false teachers will be telling people they can do whatever they like and God is still pleased with them–that they can make up their own version of Jesus, call Him by another name even–and still get into heaven. (John 3:18, Acts 4:12, 2Cor. 11:2-4) Who are you going to listen to? God's own word, that you can read for yourself, or those evil people who are telling you what you like to hear FOR A PROFIT? Wake up! Is it profitable to tell people the truth or lies? Won't people line up to pay for lies and hold their hands over their ears when they hear the truth for free because they don't like it?

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:1-4

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-7

If these words about repentance strike fear in your heart (because you believed a false teacher who told you it wasn't expected), then just be glad you're hearing them while your heart is still beating--that means there is TIME for you to repent and stop trampling on the Son of God! EVERYONE slips now and then, we are still living in bodies of flesh and blood, but that doesn't mean we give up the fight and live like "enemies of the cross" without the "sense to stop sinning" instead of living like children of God. Remember, the epistles contained in the Bible were letters written to professing believers. If you think about it, why would these letters be written to UNbelievers? Can anyone save themselves by works? No. The letters are for US WHO ARE SAVED so that we will know how God wants us to live now that we belong to Him. (Acts 20:28, Rev. 5:9)

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:26-39

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:4-12

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. Philippians 3:17-19

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:17-24

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:1-21

For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Jesus provides us with a pristine white garment and we are to come to Him every time we stain it, in repentance, to receive His forgiveness and cleansing--not to wallow in the mud like we did before we were saved. (2Pet. 2:21-22, Rev. 19:7-8, Isaiah 1:18, 61:10) Get rid of the evil habits in your life NOW. Once you realize that Jesus has returned for His own, it will be too late. (Read Matthew 25. Half of the waiting virgins ran out of oil after they woke up and trimmed the wicks of their lamps. While they went to buy more oil, the door was closed to them so they couldn't go in to the wedding with the bridegroom.) Find out what pleases God now. (Eph. 5:15-17) We are obedient out of LOVE for our beautiful Savior. If His Spirit lives inside of us, then our greatest desire is to honor and glorify Him in all we do.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3:1-6

Don't listen to people who were NOT sent by God--people who are NOT saved themselves, giving advice to believers. (John 8:44, 2Pet. 2:12-19, Jude 1:12-13) God said that when He sends prophets, then His people will turn from their sins. (Jer. 23:21-22) I would like to caution you again to stay away from supposed “prophets” on Youtube. These people make a new video every time they have a dream, saying it’s from God. (Jer. 23:25-32) They love attention and many of them take donation$. Often their “revelations” contradict the Bible, and so you can easily identify them as FALSE. God will reveal Himself to each one who seeks Him with their whole heart, through His word. (James 4:8, Isaiah 55:6-9, Hebrews 4:12-13) We don’t need to (and shouldn’t) gather around “dreamers” who claim that God speaks specially to them and tells them “new” things that don’t line up with the Bible.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18

“Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:40-43

If you have weak faith and doubt that you are saved even though you DO exhibit fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-24), sincerely believe (that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins and rose to live again) in your heart and desire to please God in all you do (Philipp. 2:12-16), there is NO cause for you to worry. In fact, it is a sign of unbelief if you will not take God's word for it that He knows and loves you and that He will keep His promises to you. (John 14:2-3, John 14:15-24, 1Cor. 2:9-10, 1John 4:18) If this is you, ask Him to forgive you and to strengthen your faith. (Luke 17:5, 22:31-32) As with everyone, the best way to KNOW God and grow in faith is by reading the Bible. (Romans 10:17)

A pdf of this article can be downloaded here.

Subliminal Suggestion?

I saw a disturbing thing at Walmart yesterday. They had two magazines side by side. One with Emma Watson dressed as Belle and the other with the Virgin Mary. Both of their heads were facing slightly downward and to the right. The resemblance of the composition of each picture was extremely noticeable. Is this just a coincidence or was it deliberate? (We know that when we follow the money trail upwards, everything is owned by a very small group of few people.)

Emma received the first "genderless" MTV Movie award in the first Disney movie with a "male to male" kiss. Roman Catholics esteem Mary sometimes to the point of considering her partly responsible for their redemption and very often as being capable of providing them aid in this life (whereas she is neither). Is the entertainment industry trying to suggest that Mary would approve of Emma or that the two are similar in some way? My take on it is that it is time to wake up!

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:11-14

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. Revelation 17:1-6

(These are the saints who have been persecuted, even unto death: Then the dragon became furious with the woman [who gave birth to the male child Satan wanted to devour] and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Rev. 12:17; Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. Revelation 14:12)

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Revelation 18:4-5

You can read the rest here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev+17%3A1-19%3A4&version=ESV

If we are part of "my people" referred to above, then we should "come out of Babylon." That includes refusing to support the evil modern entertainment industry with our dollars, because that is the same as casting a "vote" in their favor. It empowers them to produce more works against God and His values.

Please pray on this to discover what GOD wants YOU to do. For our family, we canceled cable TV quite a while ago (and we did not replace it with Netflix, which is still supporting evil, as they have a HUGE offering of depraved shows to view) and we try to be discerning about which movies or TV shows (on antenna) that we will watch. Even the supposed "Christian" movies often fall far short of sticking with the Bible.

It's not my job to tell anyone what to do, but it is sad how much time people will spend in front of the tube and yet say they have no time to read their Bibles. ☹ We read the Scriptures to know our beloved Lord better, not because we "have to." If we don't read it because we "don't have to" (because our works don't save us), then we have sent God a message that we don't want to know Him better.  How sad is that? If God pricks your conscience and/or your heart today, then do something about it ASAP while you still can. Tomorrow and everything we expect from it is not a given. God is worthy of all of our devotion. Is there anyone like Him or could there ever be? You know the answer.

Put on Christ

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:2-15

Question of the Day: Would it take a gentle rinse for God to wash away all of your selfishness or a pressure washer? For me, I think that a gentle or moderate rinse would get rid of most of it, but the problem is that last bit. I'm afraid it would take a serious pressure washer to remove that. How about you?

The reason I ask is that I believe selfishness is at the root of all sin. Many say pride is at the root, but I disagree with them except to the extent they mean selfishness. All pride is selfishness and all pride is sin, but not all sin is pride, whereas all sin is selfishness. Why else are we called to die to SELF and live to Christ? Because what comes out of our hearts defiles us, that's why. Pride is one of those things, but they are all "self" and that's why we need Jesus to regenerate us and fill us with Himself. He's the only one who can help us. Only He is perfect.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.  Matthew 15:19-20 a

Most people, at least at some point in their lives, are too proud to acknowledge that they are created beings who answer to God. At the core of it is wanting one's own SELF to be in control.  Some of us spend the majority of our lives denying who we are:  created beings answerable to our Creator.  By denying His existence, we are left with what we really want--to be in charge.  Even when we acknowledge that God exists, very few of us are truly willing to submit to His will in all things instead of exercising our own will.  We think we know what we want and what is best for us, but God's way is better than what we thought we wanted.  Look at the evil that has been done in rebellion against and defiance of God and His perfect, beautiful ways.  This is not the way God designed it to be, and for those who lay down their selfish pride, all will one day be perfect again.  For those who don't, the evil will increase to an unbearable level and will never end.

God has given us evidence of Himself not only in the Bible, but in everything He created.  We know in our hearts that He exists, so why do so many deny it? Because if we have to answer to God, then we have to admit that our ways are not right.  By our very nature what is in our selfish hearts is sin.  Let's look at the definitions of the list of earthly behaviors that we believers are to put to death because they incur God's wrath:

• earthly: wordly, often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.
• sexual immorality: evil, wrong, licentious, dishonorable, depraved activity involving sexual organs, against God's design for gender and marriage.
• https://www.gotquestions.org/sexual-immorality.html
• http://www.challies.com/articles/god-hates-sexual-immorality
• impurity: contaminated, degraded, corrupted.
• passion: strong and barely controllable emotion.
• evil desire: strongly wish for or want something profoundly immoral or wicked
• covetousness: inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions, often those that belong to someone else; greedy.
• idolatry: extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone.
• anger: a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
• wrath: vengeance or punishment as the consequence of anger.
• malice: the intention or desire to do evil; ill will.
• slander: oral defamation, in which someone tells one or more persons an untruth about another which untruth will harm the reputation of the person defamed.
• obscene talk: uttering words that are offensive or disgusting by (God's) standards of morality and decency.
• lie: a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth

I will add this one that's not on the list, but needless to say stems from selfishness.  Believers are only allowed to boast in the Lord.  pride: a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.

Besides not wanting to admit and submit to God, most people are also at some point are too proud to admit they can't handle things on their own and that they need God. The center of it is SELF reliance. Needless to say, coveting, greed and stealing are wanting to have for one's SELF what others have. Committing sins against another's person out of lust and/or violence is disregard for the other person's well being in favor of the desire of one's own SELF. Speaking ill of others is a way of feeling more "right" or "better" than they are, tearing them down and building up SELF. Someone who mistreats or disrespects others, especially their parent(s), is valuing their own SELF above them. Lying is often a cover to prevent being held responsible for things done by SELF.

Let's look at another commandment (we are not under the law, but we obey it because we love and respect the One who created it for our good - if we do not believe, then we cannot please God by our actions - faith MUST come FIRST). How about honoring the Sabbath? Most people consider attending worship services to fulfill that these days (although there is more to it). Why don't people go? Because of SELF. They have something in their life that they are doing with that time instead, whether it's work, participating in or watching sports, sleeping, etc. God gives His people rest. Anyone who says they have no choice and cannot make time for God is not trusting in Him and is not putting Him first. He takes care of His own. He can do anything! Feeding, clothing and sheltering His children is not too hard for Him.

Another reason people are not active members of their local assembly of believers (the church, which is not a building) is that they don't want to be exposed to truth that doesn't agree with their own SELF-determined views.  They like to pick and choose which parts of the Bible are applicable to their own SELF. They stubbornly and selfishly "protect" themselves from anything that would upset their self-designed world by staying away from anyone they don't agree with.  That includes pastors who are God's servants to shepherd His sheep and those who are supposed to be their brothers and sisters in Christ.  They can't tolerate people who speak truth that they don't agree with, even when its biblical, but believers are meant to hold one another accountable to the only truth, which is that in the Bible.

"Spiritual but not religious" is a cop out!  It just means that someone a) does not want to make time for gathering with other believers, or b) they do not want to be exposed to any doctrine they disagree with, or c) they do not love their brothers and sisters in Christ as Jesus commanded them to, of which writers of the epistles repeatedly reminded us, or d) they do not want to be expected to give a financial offering out of funds they consider their own (but everything we have is a gift from God and belongs to Him).  Those are just a few underlying reasons, but the fact is that about 80% of professed believers do not even read their Bibles regularly and approximately 50% do not attend worship services.  If the 50% is also part of the 80% (which is very likely), then how will their lives be guided by God?  The Holy Spirit reminds us of what we have already been taught and teaches us so we can understand what we read in the Bible.  There are many supposed "prophets" on Youtube who claim to hear from God directly, but the sad fact is that their desire to be special has blinded them from discerning that the "revelations" they receive do not agree with the Bible and thus, they are false and not of God.

Seek God FIRST. Saying we are obeying that basic command but doing nothing about it is deceitful.  (Faith without works is dead--God wants to be worshiped in spirit and TRUTH.)  And if He is not first, then that is idolizing someone or something above Him! Love God with ALL your heart, mind, soul and strength, more than yourself or anyone or anything. He summarized the rest of the commandments as one: Love your neighbor as yourself--because by doing that the rest will be fulfilled. We can't do ANY of them without setting aside our selfish SELF ("dying" to it inside) and letting Him have complete control. Our new list, to replace the old one above, looks like this:

• renew: restore, re-establish (our relationship with God), make fresh and new.
• chosen: selected, elected, favored, appointed.
• holy: dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred.
• beloved: dearly loved, precious, treasured, cherished, adored.
• compassionate: feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.
• kindness: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
• humility: a modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness.
• meekness: humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others.
• patience: the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
• forgiving: able to stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake.
• love: an intense feeling of deep affection.
• called: invitation to leave former state (in order to follow Jesus), to join assembly with other invitees.
• http://www.ligonier.org/blog/ekklesia-called-out-ones/
• thankful: expressing gratitude and relief.

All we are and have is a gift from God. Our purpose is to love, worship, serve, honor, exalt and obey Him. Those are all wrapped up together, not a la carte. And if we truly worship and honor God above all else, then we won't believe others when they lie about Him (even if they "mean well" but are deceived). We'll read the Bible and "side with" the one, true God as He has revealed Himself to us (not the invention of any man), because whoever isn't FOR Him is against Him.

"Being on God's side" includes supporting those who hold to the truth and not supporting those who are against God.  We can't avoid evil altogether, but we can control what we watch on television, which movies we go to, what kind of music we listen to, where we go on vacation (is it a place where they go out of their way to accommodate people who are opposed to Jesus, where they encourage sin in the name of tolerance and freedom?), how high of an importance we place on things that have no eternal value, such as sports (how many sport celebrities live as enemies of Jesus?), what we consider appropriate entertainment and activities for a child of God, whether we are respecters of people (celebrities, again--very few of them worship the one, true God faithfully) when God said that He is not and neither are we to be (and do we "love" our favorite celebrities--more than God?), etc.  Are we quick to distance ourselves from anyone who rocks the boat by refusing to compromise on God's truth?  Do we want to be liked by the world more than to honor God in all we think, say and do?  If we don't think any of this matters to Him, then do we truly believe in Him for who He really is?  Do we actually believe what He said in the Bible is true, applicable to us today, and that He sees all we do and even into our very thoughts and hearts?

My prayer today is that God will take His pressure washer (and help me to bear it despite the discomfort and even likely pain) and cleanse me of every last trace of selfishness. I want to be able to set aside myself and my own comfort the way that Jesus demonstrated for us so that I can do all of His will and only His will. Only then will I be able to truly look forward to the day when He judges me with great joy, with assurance of hearing "well done, good and faithful servant." Only then will people see Christ in me and want to taste and see that the Lord is good for themselves.  What about you?

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.  Philippians 3:12-21