lost

Salvation is not guaranteed continued

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , View all 2 comments

re-post
This is a topic that is extremely hard for most to even try to accept and attempt to understand. This is due to the fact that most have never been taught this and have only heard of the edification of God’s love for them and that is it.
I will say this. On God’s part, He will never abandon us, see the book of Hosea. However, it is a two sided relationship, just like any marriage. Both must be willing participants. It is we humans that are the problem due to free-will. It is our actions that cause this issue. It is us that causes Salvation to be lost.
So how is it we can correct this? To get into this. I will once again start with the words of Jesus Himself, for we must come to an understanding of Christ role in this marriage.
Matthew 5:17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”
The main thing that ended upon the cross was the requirement to sacrifice animals, and have burnt offerings upon the altar. Let’s see what else Jesus said:
John 14:15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.”
But what is it we are to follow that is from Him?
Matthew 19:17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
All of the commandments were not just the Ten Commandments, or as they should have been taught from this moment Jesus spoke these two, thus making them Twelve Commandments. They were the entire book of Deuteronomy.
As I stated above, Jesus removed the need for sacrificing upon an altar to God. However Jesus is making it clear that the lifestyle taught within the latter part of Exodus, within Leviticus and the book of Deuteronomy are still to be practiced. However most at this time refuse to accept and live this way. Thinking that Jesus actually came to abolish the law and the teaching of the prophets. Yet as I pointed out that is the complete opposite, yet millions live their lives as if that were the case.
A prime and very visible example of this is tattoos, the painting of the skin. It is seen as defiling the gift of God, your body.
Leviticus 19: 28 “Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord”
However within recent decades as the teachings within the Old Testament are ignored and forgotten. The very things that Christ said He came to fulfill and told us in His own words to follow. Mainly due to those in political power creating laws that force God out of the school, which has caused this “art form” to be on a dramatic climb. More and more paint their bodies in direct contradiction to the teachings of the Bible. Some even think this “art form” reflections their faith and belief in God. This is due to the denial of the truth within the Bible.
Not only do people deny the law and the commandments they also deny the teachings within the New Testament as well. Again another prime and very visible example:
Titus 3:1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
Now this states we are to obey the laws of the nation, and state we live within. As long as they do not go counter to laws within the Bible. The prime and very visible example to which I was referring. Driving on the highways and byways that get us from one place to another every single day of our lives. When a speed limit states we are to go 55 mile per hour. As Christians we are to go 55. Yet you see extremely few that do this, and some of those that do not obey the laws ride up the rears of those attempt to follow the law tailgating them and flashing their lights at them as they attempt to go 55. All of which is against the laws of the land and thus against the teachings within the Bible.
This is why when people live their lives in this manner their salvation is not guaranteed, yet they think they are saved. However their very behavior and actions moves them further and further away from God. They bear no fruit for God, and so stand the chance of being removed from the Vine which is Jesus Christ and cast into the fire of damnation. (John 15)
The only way to correct this is to live our lives as they are taught within the New Testament and the Old Testament, and accept that it is by both faith and works that will help us be Christ like. The works being that we live our lives the way the Bible tells us to live them.

The warnings of lost salvation

Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , , View all 7 comments

In the Bible there is three passages where Jesus Christ Himself says that those that are one with God can be removed from what they have found. The first is in John 15, the next two take place in the third chapter of the book of Revelation.
In John 15 it is established that Jesus Himself is the grape vine and so any branch on the vine is a part of Jesus Christ and so it can be said they have been saved. It states that we are to bear fruit. The key elements to bearing fruit is by living our lives as is taught within the Bible, simply letting Jesus Christ into our life, as well as a few other things, but that is the key element.
Those that do not bear fruit are cut from the vine of Jesus Christ by God Himself. This dead branch is then given over to man and then into the fire.
Now when Jesus talks of fire especially in this context He is referring to the pit of fire. The last home of those that have turned their backs upon God.
John 15: 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
The examples from Revelation come from the glorified form of Jesus Christ as He tells John to write to certain churches that existed at the time that John wrote the letters and Revelation. In His letter to Sardis Christ makes reference to the Book of Life. Please pay close attention to the wording:
Revelation 3: 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
“Blot out” is the word “exaleipho” in the Greek. This defines as: I wipe away, I plaster, wash over; I wipe off, wipe out, obliterate. This clearly implies that it was there.
In both the imagery is clear. Those mentioned ARE a part of Jesus Christ, but for this to happen they have to be saved, for you can only get into heaven if you are “born again” (John 3:3). This will make you a part of the vine and ensure your name is written in the Book of Life.
In the third example it is Christ’s statement to the lukewarm or those that belief that the world is not black and white but grey.
Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Now again we must reconcile with the understanding that Jesus is talking to those that have asked Jesus Christ into their hearts. Now though they live a life that is not driven by God, Jesus or the Bible, but by what makes them happy. These are those I refer to as the “Sunday Christians.” They go to church on Sunday sing to God and Jesus, praise and pray to them, then the moment they leave church all bets are off. It is dog eat dog and may the best person win. This is the majority of those that profess to be “Christian” today. They are the “lukewarm.” They are an abhorrence to Jesus and sickens Him so much He spits them from His Body. Again we must understand if He can spit them out they have to have been a part of Him in the first place.
This brings me to 2 Peter 2 where how it will be for the end times. This chapter covers a lot and it should be read and re-read till it sinks in. What is to follow is extremely important to read and understand so I will show it in King James and in New Living Translation
2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.
Now look at John 3:
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’
When you are truly born again in the Holy Spirit you are saved and one of the Body of Christ. You are listed in the Book of Life. You become a branch upon the vine of Jesus Christ.
But if you are broken off of the vine, and spit out of the Body then your name is no longer in the Book of Life.
Revelation 20:15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

I did not say this. These are not me reading things into the Bible that are not there. This is plain language. This is Jesus Christ HIMSELF saying the words. If you deny His words you are denying Him. Any that deny Him, He will deny to His father.
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

The true way has been lost

Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , Leave a comment

Now why do I say this? Just look about you and see what is before your very eyes. Most go about in their lives seeking after things of the world. Fame and fortune. Luxury and leisure. This is what Jesus Himself said about things within this temporal plain:
Matthew 6:19 – “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Jesus makes it clear. To seek after all these things within the world is not the true path to God. Yet most in this world seek only after these worldly objects and believe with all their heart that they are one with God. Yet if you seek after the things of the world are you not then friends with the world?
James 4:4 – You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.
It is made extremely clear in these verses. People would rather be the enemy of God than to serve God in the eternal life that is to come.
Now I understand where part of the break came. It came during the Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was due to his action, that cause the depression, caused by the stock market crash of 1929, to become worse. Instead of sending money directly to those in need. He instead made this government agency and then that government agency. Making it so most of the money stayed within the government instead of making it to those desperately in need. This cause those that lived within this depression to in a way start to horde their possessions. This in turn led to a need for large houses, which in turn led to a need for more bigger and better things. Which took money away from those in need to those that that began to lust after wealth and property.
We got another glimpse of this in 2007 and 2008 when the housing market crashed. Causing several banks to go into a tailspin. Once again those in the government on both sides of the isle voted to give the money to those that caused the problem instead of to the victims. I actually did the math and as much money as the government took from the American taxpayers to give to the banks. Each legal citizen of this nation, be it adult or child, would have received $100,000 per person.
If it has gone to those in need there would be fewer poor people then there are today. Yes so banks would have went out of business, and those corporate leaders would be mostly the ones that would have ended up poor.
This is what happens when people no longer think of the way God would wish it done. This is what happens when people think they are the gods of this earth. They get this way because they have gone so far from the path to true knowledge and understanding of the Bible and its teachings, that they think they know what is best. When time and again throughout history this has proven to not be so.
Every time a past civilization falls it is due to this arrogance and a lust for things of the world. A desire to please themselves here in this temporal plain of existence. Not understanding that this time we now live is not for themselves, but to see if they would awaken to the true. That as we are tempted by the wealth and objects of this world those that seek after and desire these things do so because it is what they lust after. It is a trap that draws them in and it snaps tight about them. Breaking their will to escape from it and slowly, ever so slowly, kills them. Not in the flesh, but in the spirit. For a dead spirit will never see heaven, and that is something that brings sorrow to me as I type these words.
Reject the world. Reject the need for wealth. Reject the need for things. Reject the need for fame. For only one person deserves fame, and that is He that arose from the dead upon the third day. It is He that walked amongst us for forty days with holes in His hands and in His side. It is He that showed that God is real and that He is God’s Son. For that is who He is, Jesus Christ our Savior.
Turn to Him. No longer seek after wealth. No longer seek after fame. No longer seek after luxuries. For our reward is not within this temporal plain, but in the eternal in the service of God our Creator.