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It is grieving to see so many professing Christians that look just like the world! You can’t even tell them apart these days. They act they same, dress the same, and even partake in the same events. They watch the same wicked shows/movies, listen to the same wicked music, and for some of them, their speech is full of perverse and foul language. Many of them are full of vanity, covetousness, idolatry, and idleness. It amazes me how so many people think they can serve both God and imitate the world. Come out from among them! Be ye separate! Serve the Lord! 

Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” -2 Corinthians 6:17 

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

-1 Peter 2:9 

Peculiar means strange. Follows of Christ will appear strange to the world. The world will HATE you if you follow Christ. If the world loves you, you have no persecution, and you get along just fine, then you may be doing something wrong. We should strive to have peace with all men, but the Word of God divides. There are going to be people who hate you. All who live godly will suffer persecution. The more you love, the more you’ll be hated, because the world doesn’t understand what true love is. When you warn them of their sin, they accuse you of being unloving, but love pulls it’s neighbor out of the fire! It tells them if they are headed towards a cliff. 

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” -John 15:18-20 

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

-2 Timothy 3:12

“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.” -2 Corinthians 12:15 

You must be in Christ – 10/10/20

Many professing Christians just want the blessings and reward that Christ has to offer, but they don’t want to run the race that it takes to get there! You can’t be a Christian while acting and looking just like unbelievers. If you do what they do, what makes you different? If you truly have faith in Jesus, you aren’t going to do many of the things you do. A lack of obedience is related to a lack of faith. When God told Noah to build an ark because he would judge the earth with a flood, Noah didn’t just say “okay Lord, I believe you”, and go about his life. He actually built the ark because he believed God! Just as Noah built the ark and went into it to escape the floods, we must follow Christ and abide in him to escape eternal punishment. 

The Fruits of the Spirit – 10/4/20

The two greatest commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and to love your neighbor as yourself. If you are doing this you WILL NOT sin. Love fulfills the whole law. You will not sin against God if you are loving him, and you will not sin against your neighbor if you are loving them. If you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The Spirit of God hates evil, so if Christ lives in you, you will hate evil too. If Christ abides in you, you will depart from evil. If you have the Spirit, walk in the Spirit! Be not only hearers of the word but doers also!

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” -Galatians 5:24-25 l

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” -Galatians 5:16-18

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” -James 1:22

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” -Galatians 2:20

“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” -Romans 8:9

How do we know if someone has the Spirit of God? What are the fruits of the Spirit?

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

These are the fruits of the Spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” -Galatians 5:22-23

These are the works of the flesh:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” -Galatians 5:19-21

So what does it look like to really walk in the Spirit? I will describe what I believe it looks like. They all seem to tie in to each other in a neat way.

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What is love? – 10/3/20

True love is to put others above yourself. Love does not seek its own and does not envy. Love seeks the highest well being of another. It is about giving, not getting. If your love vanishes when it no longer receives anything in return, then it is not really love; it is shallow and not genuine. Christ’s love is not like that. His love is unfailing. His love never ceases. He loved the Romans even when they tortured him and then crucified him. If your love fails, then it wasn’t really love because love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8)

Jesus showed us the ultimate example of what true love is. Love does not take another’s life in order to save itself. Love does not seek its own. Love is sacrifice. Love suffers long! It puts the needs of others above its own needs. Love also warns. When you pull someone out of the fire or try to lead them off the path to destruction, that is actually a very loving thing to do. It is not hate, as the world would label it. Judgement is actually a good thing, as long as it’s without hypocrisy. Warn them of their destructive ways, that they may be save.

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” -1 John 3:16

“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” -1 John 3:18

Love’s not just a feeling, it’s something that you do.

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What is faith? – 10/3/20

Faith is trusting God in the dark even when we can’t see. It is letting him guide us through the great unknown. Faith is knowing that he is with us and will lead us; knowing that he is the author and finisher. Faith is hoping for something that we do not yet see. True faith produces works. If you truly believe that Jesus is your creator and that his words are true, then you will obey his words and follow him. Our faith is proven by our actions. We cannot say we believe but not do the things he says. If we know and love him, we will keep his commandments. Faith without works is dead. Believe and do! When God told Noah that he would flood the earth and commanded him to build an ark, Noah didn’t just say he believed God and go about his life, he actually obeyed God because he truly believed that God would do what he said he would do – judge the world. Just as Noah’s faith caused him to go into the ark, our faith will cause us to go into Christ and continue abiding in him, because we truly believe he is our Creator and will judge this world.

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” -James 2:17

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” -John 14:15

“14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [f]your works, and I will show you my faith by [g]my works. 19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [h]dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made [i]perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [j]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” -James 2:14-26

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” -Hebrews 11:1

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What is joy? – 10/3/20

Joy is not dependent on circumstances. It is to rejoice even in trials and hardships! Joy is untroubled and a choice we can make.

The joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

Joy is an attitude of the heart and spirit. Happiness is different than joy in that it is based on circumstances and is a feeling that you can’t help. Joy is something you choose to have no matter what happens. You can rejoice through trials and tribulations with such joy that is only found in Christ. We are fulfilled in Christ alone. In him alone is our joy and hope found. You can walk through the fire saying “Praise the Lord!” It’s a joy unspeakable. You can’t describe it. It doesn’t make sense to the world. The can’t understand it unless they experience it. You can’t experience it without Christ.

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” -1 Peter 1:8

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” -Psalm 16:11

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What is peace? – 10/3/20

Peace is a feeling of completeness or wholeness. It a feeling of being at rest and free from disturbance. When you have peace, you have a feeling of comfort and trust. Being at peace also means having faith and trusting that everything is going to work out according to God’s will, because he is in control. When you keep your mind fixed on the Lord and continue to abide and draw near to him, he gives you a peace that is not found anywhere else. A peace that the world cannot offer you. We can be filled with peace, knowing that he is near, when we draw near to him. He is our resting place; our refuge. He is our home. He is the source of our peace. Jesus gives us peace through storms and floods. He carries us through trials and hardships. No matter how deep the rivers or how fierce the flames, we can have peace knowing he is near. He does not promise us smooth travels, but he does promise that he will be with us through them. That feeling of his presence is what gives us peace.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” -John 14:27

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” -James 4:8

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What is long-suffering? 10/6/20

Long-suffering literally means to ‘suffer long”. It is another word for patience. We must learn to wait patiently for the Lord, whether it be something that we want or something that we are enduring. The Lord will strengthen us. He will help us to have more patience. Love suffers long. When we are long suffering, it is a form of being loving. We must be patient with people who may annoy us, someone who may not understand yet what we have been revealed, or be willing to wait on the Lord to answer our requests. When we face trials and persecution, we must also patiently endure, trusting that God has a plan and is in control. Long-suffering is an act of love, enduring the troubles we are faced with.

“Someone who has a hard time patiently waiting for something he wants will have an even harder time patiently enduring that which he doesn’t want.” -Braden York

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” -Psalm 27:14

“In your patience possess ye your souls.” -Luke 21:19

“The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” -Ecclesiastes 7:8

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;” -1 Corinthians 13:4

“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;” -Romans 12:12

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;” -Colossians 3:12

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What is gentleness? – 10/8/20

Gentleness is being soft in your answers and being kind to those around you. No matter how rude someone may be, we must always respond in a kind and gentle way. Even if somebody hates you, love them back! Respond in kindness!

“A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.” -Proverbs 15:18

“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” -Proverbs 15:1

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What is goodness? – 10/8/20

God wants his children to do good. It brings him much joy when we abide in him and do his will! Abiding in truth is abiding in Jesus, because Jesus is THE TRUTH, and abiding in Jesus is to obey his words. He calls us to do good. He calls us to be like him, and he is good. Goodness; the opposite of evil. Turn away from evil and do good. All goodness comes from God.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” -3 John 1:4

“Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” -1 Peter 3:11

“Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.” -Psalm 37:27

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” -1 Peter 1:16

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What is meekness? – 10/8/20

The definition in the Strong’s concordance for meekness is “displaying the right blend of force and reserve” and “avoids unnecessary harshness, yet without compromising or being too slow to use necessary force.” Being meek in our dialogue is a combination of being gentle and kind, but yet still bold. You learn to display “the right blend of force and reserve.” Being gentle, though, doesn’t mean compromising or losing boldness. It simply means we have the right combination of the two, and have an attitude of humility and submission. Other translations use the term kindness.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” -Matthew 5:5

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” -James 3:13

“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” -1 Peter 3:4

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” -1 Peter 3:15

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” -Colossians 3:12

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” -Galatians 6:1

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What is temperance? – 10/8/20

Temperance is self-control; being able to restrain yourself and have control over what you say or do. You must be able to have rule over your spirit and discipline your body. We must remain sober at all times, because I man who is not sober cannot control everything he does or thinks. Be vigilant and ready for anything that may come your way.

“Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.” -Proverbs 25:28

“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” -1 Corinthians 9:25

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” -1 Corinthians 9:27

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” -1 Peter 5:8

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” -Romans 13:14

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” -Galatians 5:16

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Summary:

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” -Galatians 5:25

Walk in love – a love unstoppable and unfailing! May the never ending, perfect love of Christ dwell in us richly. Learn to sacrifice! Warn others who are in sin. Love without ceasing!

Walk in faith – a faith unsinkable and unshakable! Nothing can stop our God. Christ can form in us a faith unmovable – a faith that is followed by righteous works. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus – just to take him at his word!!

Walk in the joy of the Lord! Choose to have joy in the midst of the floods. Choose to endure through trials with untouchable joy.

Walk in peace! Show the world that you live undisturbed by the storms. Draw near to him, and he will draw near to you. His presence gives us peace.

Walk in long-suffering/patience by choosing to love people no matter what you endure. Learn to wait on the Lord and trust that his timing is perfect.

Walk in gentleness by responding with a kind answer and letting Christ live through you!

Walk in goodness! Follow Jesus’s commands and do what is right. Continue abiding in THE TRUTH!

Walk in meekness – May we have the right blend of force and reserve; responding gently and in humility, but not with compromising boldness.

Walk in temperance/self-control! Discipline yourself that you may have rule over your body and spirit. Do not give in to temptations. Be sober and ready for anything that may come your way.

Walk in obedience and abide in Jesus!

We must learn to be content in all things. A Christian must get comfortable with being uncomfortable. We are not promised a life full of swift easy travel and no trials, but those who live godly are actually promised that they WILL suffer persecution in this life. No matter what comes our way, we must remember the end reward and remember that Jesus knows what we are going through, because he experienced human suffering when he came to earth in the flesh. It’s easy to focus on what we don’t have or what we want, but my encouragement for you is to start thanking God more! Thank him for the little things, the big things, and even for the trials. Thank him for giving you life and a chance to know him. Thank him for another day that you were able to wake up this morning, and trust that he will guide you through. Have faith that he cares. 

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18

1 John 1:

If we say that we have fellowship with him, yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth. You can’t hold the nail pierced hand of Christ while enjoying the things of the world for which his hands were pierced. You have to leave behind the things of the world and give your life to Christ. ALL of your life. You CANNOT serve two masters. (Verses 5-7)

If we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. IF we walk in the light. On the contrary though, if we continue in willful sin, there NO LONGER remains a sacrifice of sins. (Hebrews 10:26) 

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1 John 2:

Similar to the previous chapter, in verses 3-5 it says that if we say we know him, but do not keep his commandments, we are liars, BUT if we keep his commandments, the love of God is perfected in us. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” -John 14:15 

This is how we know that we are in him. This is what separates us from the world. We cannot call ourselves Christians, and claim that Jesus is our master, yet not SERVE our master and do the things he calls us to do. A Christian is a Christ follower. It is not merely a religion; it is a way of life. 

Likewise, if we say we are in the light, but hate our brother, we are actually in darkness. You cannot love God, whom you have not seen, while hating your brother, whom you have seen. Jesus commands us to love one another, so if we don’t do that, we are not following his commands, and therefore are walking in darkness. 

Verse 15 tells us to not love the things of the world. How can we love the things of the world when everything about it is not of God? Again, we cannot serve two masters. 

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1 John 3:

Verse 18 says, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” We must not merely love with our words, but also with our actions. Love is not just a feeling, it’s something that you do! If you say you love someone, but your actions prove otherwise, then your love is shallow and not true love. True love is sacrifice. They will know we are Christians by our love. 

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1 John 4:

Everyone that loves is born of God. If we do not love, then we are not born of God. If God loves us, then we must love others. God IS love and he showed us the ultimate example of what true love is. He laid down his life for us while we were yet sinners. He was tortured and mocked, and ultimately killed, but he never once fought back or defended his life. He willingly gave himself for us. There is no greater love than this. This is the example we must follow. THIS is true love. 

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1 John 5

If we truly love God, we will keep his commandments, and his commandments will not be grievous. We will WANT to do them. 

It is God’s will that we would love one another as he has loved us (not only in word, but in deed), that we would not be conformed to this world, to give thanks in all circumstances, that we be sanctified and avoid sexual immorality (fornication), that we should know how to control our body in a way that is holy and honorable, that no man defraud his brother in any matter, to be holy, that we increase more and more, study to be quiet and do our own business, to work with our hands, walk honestly toward them that are without, to not be ignorant and to study to show ourselves approved, to deny ourselves and follow him, to silence the ignorant talk of foolish people by us doing good, to persevere and endure until the end, to come to the knowledge of the truth, and to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. 

It is his will that all would be saved, but because of man’s disobedience, not many will be. He does not force his love upon us. We must choose to obey and follow him. We must choose to abide in and draw near to him. If we choose to do the opposite, to disobey and follow the world, then eternal life does not abide in us, and God will judge the wicked. 

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” -John 15:12 

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” -1 John 3:16-19

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” -Romans 12:2 

“who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” -1 Timothy 2:4 

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:(sexual immorality) That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness…that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. -1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, and 10-12

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” -Luke 9:23

“For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.” -1 Peter 2:15

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” -1 Peter 1:16

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” -Hebrews 10:36

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” -Micah 6:8

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” -1 Corinthians 9-11

I used to have bad dreams, and when I would close my eyes at night, I would see things in my mind that made me scared and I couldn’t fall asleep. I didn’t even want to close my eyes. I don’t have that anymore though, I believe God took it away. The more wickedness and fear we set before our eyes, the more that’s going to be on our minds, but if we think on heavenly and pure things, we can override the evil thoughts.

Think of it like this. You have a glass of dirty water…if you keep filling it up with dirty water, it will always remain dirty. Likewise, if you keep filling your mind with wickedness and scary things then that’s what’s going to be on your mind. BUT, if you instead choose to pour clean water into your glass of dirty water, eventually the water will turn clearer and clearer. Likewise when we fill our minds with good things.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” -Philippians 4:8

When we’ve lived in the world for so long it’s hard to get certain thoughts out of our mind, but keep filling your glass with clean water and those thoughts can be replaced!

OSAS?

These are just a few of the verses that go against the OSAS doctrine. Eternal security that is independent of what you do or not do is NOT biblical. 

“But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.” -Romans 2:5-11 (Read the rest of Romans 2 to get context.)

Eternal life will only be given to those who CONTINUE in doing good, and eternal punishment will be given to those who do evil. 

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?… Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” -James 2:14 & 17 

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” -James 2:21-26 (Read the rest of James 2 for more context.) 

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” -Matthew 12:50 

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” -James 4:8

“Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.” -Psalm 69:28

How can you be blotted out if you were never written there in the first place? You can’t erase something you never wrote down.

“You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” -Galatians 5:4 

You can’t fall from something or lose something that you never had in the first place. (Just to be clear, I am not saying that works saves us. Works without faith is just as pointless as faith without works. What I am saying is that true faith and love for God will produce works, because God says if you love me, keep my commandments and his commandments will not be grievous if we love him. We will WANT to do them.)

Also, another good example is the parable of the branches being cut off when they no longer bear fruit. (John 15) How can they be cut off if they were never connected to the tree in the first place? To be cut off, you had to have been abiding in before. He says abide in me, and I will abide in you. So if you don’t abide in him, he’s not going to abide in you. Light has no fellowship with darkness. You can be abiding in him at one point, and then stop abiding in him. Likewise, he can be abiding in you, but if you stop abiding in him, he will withdraw himself and no longer abide in you. 

Read Hebrews 10, verses 26-39. Verses 26-27 say this, “26For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.” 
It says there NO LONGER remains a sacrifice of sins if you continue in willful sin. As in there once was a sacrifice that covered your sins, but if you turn away and continue in willful sin (disobedience) then there NO LONGER is a sacrifice. You are NO LONGER saved, because Jesus NO LONGER lives in you. No longer, as in he once did but now he doesn’t. That sacrifice is only for those who abide in Christ and they are the only ones who will be saved. So this man once was saved, but if he continues sinning willfully, he will NO LONGER be saved. Also, keep in mind that he is speaking of a once mature Christian who has endured persecution etc.

Instead of asking people if they are saved, we should ask “does Christ live in you?” Because this is what determines if we are saved or not, and Christ will not live in you if you are continuing in disobedience! He can withdraw his spirit from you. He can be abiding in you at one point, and then leave and no longer be abiding in you.

“29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” 
He has trodden under foot the Son of God and the blood with which he was sanctified. So he was once sanctified, but now is no longer sanctified because he’s trodden it under foot. 

“35Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.”
He is telling him not to cast away his confidence. How can he cast away his confidence if he was never saved in the first place? The only confidence he would have is if he was saved. It also says that IF he has done the will if God, THEN he will receive what was promised. ONLY if he does the will of God. It is possible to stop doing the will if God, then you no longer are saved. Salvation isn’t a ‘thing’ that we get and never lose. Salvation is Jesus, and we can turn away from Jesus, therefore turning away from our salvation. Salvation is abiding in Jesus and following him.
“My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait upon Me, And on My arm they will trust.” -Isaiah 51:5 Salvation is the Lord’s, and he can take it away. 

“39But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”
SHRINK BACK to destruction. He is saying here that we must not go BACK to destruction. As in, we were once on the wrong path, and that it is possible to go back to the wrong path that leads to hell. We must continue on the straight and narrow path and not look back, for it is VERY possible to look back, or we’ll lose our salvation.
But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” -Luke 9:62 

“14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” -2 Peter 3:14-18 

FALL from your SECURE position. He is warning us that it is possible we could fall from our secure position. 

Are we greater than Paul who said even he could fall? And we know that Paul has eternal life abiding in Him and that he had the Holy Spirit.
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” -1 Corinthians 9:27

Marriage analogy: Just as a man can call off the engagement at anytime, because he is not yet married to his bride, we are not yet married to Christ, so he can still choose to not marry us if we proof to be unfaithful. We are engaged now, but it is possible to break off the engagement and no longer be together. 

We have the free will to choose to love and obey God, or do the opposite by disobeying him. God does not force us to love or follow him. Forced love is a contradiction. He desires that all would be saved, but not all will. Our choices have consequences, because God is a just judge. Our choices will send us either to heaven or hell; eternal life or eternal punishment.

“30Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, BLOT ME OUR of Your book which You have written.” 33And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I WILL BLOT HIM OUT of My book. 34Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin.” 35So the Lord plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made.” -Exodus 32:30-35 

“If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” -2 Peter 2:20-22

 

Christ is eternal life. If you have Christ abiding in you, then you have eternal life, but if you don’t have Jesus, then you don’t have eternal life!

I don’t believe that our decision to stop following Jesus and turning from our salvation is considered being plucked from his hand. When I think of something being plucked or snatched from someone’s hand, I think of somebody taking that thing from that person, which I agree nobody can do that. BUT when we turn from God and CHOOSE sin over him, that is our choice of choosing to walk away from him. We are willfully turning from him, not being plucked out of his hand. There’s a difference. 

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” -John 10:28

Notice that it is saying that no one can snatch them out of his hand. Again, I believe this verse is true, but when you are turning from Jesus, someone is not snatching/stealing/taking you from him; you are choosing to turn away. 

“1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Also, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” -Matthew 24:13. What would be the point in running the race with endurance if we can’t lose our salvation? What’s the point in enduring? 

When one comes to the U.S. to become a citizen, they no longer can be allegiant to the country they came from, but they are expected to comply to the new country’s rules and give their loyalty and life for that country. 

How much more so with Christ’s kingdom? Do we think he requires any less? When we become a part of his kingdom, do we think that we don’t have to serve him as our King? If he really is our King and Lord as many profess, why would we not serve and honor our King? We must renounce allegiance to any other kingdom, for we can’t serve two masters. We can’t serve both God and the world. You can’t have one foot in and one foot out. You must be all in or all out. He doesn’t want just part of your life, but he wants all of it. He wants to be your life. He is hungry to be your hunger and thirsty to be your thirst. Jesus paid it all; all to him I owe. Most people latch onto the first part, but they seem to forget the second part; all to him I owe. If Jesus gave his life for you, and you claim him as your Lord and Savior, then you should give your life to and for him, doing all to his glory. That is our reasonable service.

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” -Matthew 6:24

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” -John 18:36

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” -Luke 9:62 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” -Romans 12:1

Here is a message from a brother in Christ that we know that is about the Kingdom of God not being of this world.

When we focus on the needs of others and what we can do for other people, we become more fulfilled. We no longer are seeking to please ourselves, but instead what we can do to serve others. There’s so much more fulfillment in that rather than going from one thing to the next pleasing ourselves. To live is Christ and to die is gain. If we die, we have hope that we will be with Jesus, and what’s greater than that? While we are still living, we live for Jesus, and our whole life should be devoted to him and doing his work. True religion is serving others. Jesus paid it all; all to him I owe. Most people latch onto the first part, but they seem to forget the second part; all to him I owe. If Jesus gave his life for you, and you claim him as your Lord and Savior, then you should give your life to and for him, doing all to his glory. That is our reasonable service.

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” -Philippians 1:21

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” -James 1:27

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:31

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
-Romans 12:1

(This is not my song)

If somebody offends you or says something that you didn’t like, responding in irritation or anger only makes things worse because you’re fueling the fire. Fire does not put out fire, just as evil does not overcome evil. We must overcome evil with good and stop the cycle. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21 

Do unto others as you would like them to do to you. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love your enemies! “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” -Matthew 12:31  “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” -Matthew 5:44

If you want to know the right way to live, look at what Jesus did. He was beaten, mocked, scourged, and ultimately killed, but he never once retaliated or defended himself. He willingly gave up his life and humbled himself for our sakes. This is the example we must follow. Live as Christ lived and walked. “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” -1 John 2:6  “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” -Ephesians 5:2 

Nothing is worth losing your soul over and what really is the point of fighting back (with your words or actions)? Many times it’s to avoid being humiliated, or we get offended, or when we’re seeking to be understood, when rather we should seek to understand and be humble. Other times it may be because we think we are right, and even if we are right, sometimes it’s better to remain silent. “A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;” -Ecclesiastes 3:7 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” -Proverbs 15:1

Learning to accept looking like a fool for Christ is key to dying to yourself, and living only for Christ. “Empty me to be completely filled with you”. It’s not about me, it’s about him. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” -Philippians 1:21 When we truly figure that out and put it into practice, then we’ll realize we need to stop fighting for ourselves and our own desires. Our desires become his desires and our will becomes his will. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” -Psalm 37:4 When you delight yourself in him, he becomes your desire and his desires become your desires.