Abiding

Can a True Believer Overcome All Sin? [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

Yes.

In the church world, there’s an abundance of talk about sin and it comes with the notion, the inflection, the false assumption that somehow, born again believers are relegated to sinning, as if there’s no other choice. Is that true? Is this the biblical perspective?

What I want us to do is make sure we are looking at the whole of Scripture and be blessed to gain a godly confidence that our Savior provided a perfect salvation that includes more than just the initial washing away of our sins. This “great grace” that He provided in His “so great salvation” provides everything for His people – including overcoming sin (Acts 4:33; Hebrews 2:3).

From Genesis to Revelation, the whole testimony of Holy Scripture reveals that if you are a man or a woman after God’s own heart, as was David, the LORD is going to ultimately fight your battles and win them all. Those who love the LORD, truly, are submitted to Him in the cross life (Galatians 2:20). They please Him on His stated terms and no other (Luke 9:23-24). Read Psalms 18. Your part is to daily choose to be a man after the LORD’s own heart (Acts 13:22).

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10

Whenever God commands something, He also provides the grace for it to manifest in your life – as you are submitted to Him (James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 4:10-11). His grace, divine enablement, operational power, is always sufficient to bring His perfect will to pass in our lives and to bring us through any and all difficulties and grueling seasons in which we may find ourselves! (2 Corinthians 9:8; 12:9-10; 1 Peter 5:10.)

Do you have more faith in sin than you do in the saving grace of Christ to give you the victory over it? That is a perverted faith! Flip your faith! Repent and renew your mind, asking God to forgive you afresh and thank Him aloud for His all-sufficient grace He provided through Christ’s perfect sacrifice on that cross! (See Romans 6:14.)

Are you indicting God by saying His grace, His divine enablement is NOT sufficient for His perfect will to be manifested in your life?

God will Raise you up – when you lay it all down! (James 4:6-10.)

Overcoming the flesh, walking in victory requires continually delighting in the LORD, worshipping Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

“2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow. I use to believe God understood when I would sin so it made it ok. Through much needed healing and crucifying of flesh I now know that such was a lie of Satan. As my love for the Lord grows, when I do sin, it produces Godly sorrow in me because I know I have hurt my relationship with the Lord. And that’s what matters to me. It brings me immediately to my knees in repentance and asking for forgiveness. We can be sorry just as Judas was but he did not repent and is therefore in hell. Sorrow for what we did only produces death and separation from our Lord. Our hearts need to be changed so we no longer desire sin but we desire a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus more and more.” Karen Cochran

Amen and may our LORD grant us a great distaste for sin, for that which defiles us.

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Notice carefully how in the verse below the word “IF” is used here and not “when” – because God tells us here and elsewhere in His Word to sin not. It’s always a choice and sin always bring forth the fruit of death (Romans 6:23; James 1:13-15). Those who speak and act as if they HAVE to sin, they are relegated to a life of falling into sin and are apostate. Apparently, some of these who argue to justify sinning have never been born again and so have never tasted the power of Christ to overcome sin. Now, watch this closely and please share:

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye SIN NOT. And IF any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” 1 John 2:1

“If” clearly denotes a choice. The fact that God didn’t use the word “when” here is further proof that the LORD has set before His own people “life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Whatever we sow we shall reap (Galatians 6:7-8).

Most modern pastors and therefore their gullible prey, make excuse for sin instead of obeying God and overcoming it by His grace in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Is sinning really worth the loss of the love, joy, and peace that will otherwise rule in the life of the true, abiding disciple? Is that sin really worth disturbing these divine blessings?

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2

Committing the sin is one thing (1 John 1:8-10), and refusing to repent of it is yet another. Refusing to acknowledge, repent, confess, and cease is what snares the soul and ousts us from Christ (Proverbs 28:13).

“FOOLS” vs those who confess and forsake sin and receive divine mercy.

“Fools make a mock at sin.” Proverbs 14:9

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Those who if they sin, stop and return to the LORD, confess their sins, and turn from their wicked ways.

The flesh IS going to rage, be bent toward and desire to do evil. That’s a given (Romans 7). This is why the cross, the crucifying of the “old man” and putting on “the new man” are essential to God bringing the victory in our lives! (See Romans 6-8; Ephesians 4:23-25; Colossians 3:5-10, etc.)

A major point of this message is how the Bible and true disciples are to help and encourage other believers to biblically, prayerfully obey God, projecting and expecting them to do so and experience His victory.

In the scope of past, present, and future history – HIS-story – nothing is over till Jesus wins!

“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. … 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:25-26, 57

Sin is man’s master until Christ is man’s Master (Matthew 6:24).

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11

The one way to master sin is bow to Heaven’s Master and let Him master sin! The cross.

Holiness is not the way to Christ but rather Christ is the way to holiness. Abiding in Christ IS abiding holy – in the divine definition of holy. The key is that holiness is NOT the way to God but rather Christ is the way to holiness, His way, His definition – which is the daily cross (Luke 9:23-24). Abiding fellowship with Christ, on HIS terms, is holiness – being set apart to the LORD, in the LORD (Psalms 4:3; John 15).

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Everyone sins every day, and some of it, we aren’t even aware of. No Christian makes a habit of sin. But we do slip up, or else Jesus died for nothing.”

REPLY:

Good morning. Well I believe that’s partially correct dear sister. Yes Jesus’ true followers sin at times and Christ’s perfect sacrifice involves initial regeneration and the forgiveness of sins and ongoing forgiveness as sins are confessed in repentance (1 John 1:7-2:2). Christians, those who have been born again, can certainly make sin habitual, otherwise there would be no need for all the divine warnings of Holy

Scripture such as Hebrews 3:12-15 and 10:26-39 …. and 2 Peter 2:20-21 ….. The Bible says Jesus died to save us from our sins which includes preventing them from even happening (Matt 1:21; John 1:29; Titus 2:14). God didn’t send His only begotten Son to just wash away, forgive our sins, but also to grant His victory in us over “ALL iniquity” (Titus 2:14), through an abiding cross relationship which produces the fruit of holiness unto everlasting life (Romans 6:22).

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:22

The idea that Jesus’ salvation doesn’t provide divine grace to overcome sin is false. Memorize Titus 2:14 and Romans 6:14.

One person recently wrote: “But we do slip up, or else Jesus died for nothing.”

Yet Christians still choose to sin and God made full provision in Christ for such. Yet, such a notion must never be used as a license for sinning. Your statements (in that conversation and others with this same person) sound like an excuse to sin instead of “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Memorize this verse along with 1 Peter 1:15-16.”

Dear disciple of Christ: May you be encouraged to find and begin to memorize just one Bible verse on the topic of Christ’s victory manifesting in your personal life. King James Bible.

Jesus died to free you from “ALL iniquity” and yet this is only possible by living your life HIS way and no other (Titus 2:14).

By listening to most “Christian” preachers and modern church writers, you’d think that those bought by the blood of Jesus, empowered by the grace of God are relegated to a life of sin. But Holy Scripture says that when crucified, dead, and raised up by Christ, sin has no dominion over you (Romans 6:3-14). They never project you into the victory Jesus died to grant you by His cross and the cross He commanded you to take up daily, but rather leave you in sin (Lamentations 2:14; Jeremiah 23:17; Jude 4). They want to talk about the grace of God while excluding so many other truths of Scripture and by doing so “deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18).

Some paint a picture by what they say and what they don’t say, that is misleading a whole generation of “Christians.” Yes Jesus loves us and yet that doesn’t change the fact that Jesus requires that we obey him (Matthew chapter 7 verse 21). Unfortunately in the modern gospel all we hear is that Jesus loves us and there’s no requirement to obey Him, repentance, holiness or the return of Jesus anywhere in the apostate modern false gospel.

God loves everyone including all that have lived, died, gone to hell and will forever be there. God’s love is not to be mistaken with His acceptance and rejection based on the blessed forgiveness that He alone can offer (Romans 8:38-39).

How does that work with Bible verses like 2 Corinthians 7:1: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God,” and 1 Peter 1:15-16: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; ¹⁶because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

Also, Ephesians 5:25-27: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

Brian Anderson: “I laugh when spiritually blind people try to correct the path of those who see. Please….learn more verses than ‘For God so loved the world…’ and ‘I have plans to prosper you and give you a future…’ then maybe I’ll take into consideration your criticism of my ministry because you’ve brought scripture to my attention that I didn’t weigh out.”

BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST ROSE AGAIN, ALL WHO ARE BORN AGAIN IN HIM ARE RAISED UP SPIRITUALLY IN THIS LIFE TO OVERCOME ALL SIN, SATAN, AND THE WORLD AND WILL BE SOON RAISED UP INTO ETERNAL GLORY WITH HEAVEN’S KING.

The GRACE Passage Intentionally Avoided by Today’s Self-Proclaimed “Grace Teachers”

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15

Yes Scripture speaks of sinning in 1 John 3 for sure. And yet people sin when they are not in the cross, crucified, and so the cross is the central crux. When crucified, the deeds of the body (the motions of the flesh) are nullified to nothing.

Overcoming all sin – yes, and yet, it’s not possible by way of the flesh but rather only by the divinely instituted cross prescription, cross life, the crucified life – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus being re-enacted in the life of the true disciple daily (Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.). Overcoming sin does not come by self-will. Paul said “by the GRACE of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Those who truly abide in Christ, according to His definition of abiding, will be delivered completely. And, this must be the goal of every person who names the name of Christ Jesus.

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:4-6

The victory reserved and expected for every person who is born of God:

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5

One writer notes:

“We don’t need to stop sinning to stop sinning. We need to die to sin and be raised to a newness of resurrection life and power characterized by agape love.

“Love fulfills the law. Rom 13:9. Love does not want to sin anymore. He who is dead is freed from sin. Rom 6:7. Our relationship with God is not based on rule keeping. It is based on dying to the rules. Effort to keep rules only serves to arouse sinful passions and causes sins to multiply. Rom 7:5; Rom 5:20.”

Brother Brian Anderson writes:

“When I attended several churches with watered down, sugar-coated preaching, I felt comfortable in my unrepentant sin. By the grace of God I was freed from their error and I understand now God has empowered every person who knows Jesus is Lord to say ‘NO’ to EVERY temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) that comes to you. If you are caving in to temptation and choosing sin willfully (porn use, fornication or whatever else you choose to do KNOWING it is wrong) you are a SLAVE to that sin! You are not free! REPENT !! Confess your sin, and STOP doing it today! Don’t abuse or twist God’s grace. Don’t repeat your willful sin over and over and say ‘I repent of it every time.’ That’s NOT true repentance. You are fooling yourself.”

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Abiding

What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]

In spite of all the evil that is me, dear LORD You have been so gracious (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7; Titus 3:5-7). Thank You Jesus. Please bless this life to be crucified with Thee!

If OSAS/eternal security is true, WHY did Paul say he himself that he could be “castaway” from God in the end if he didn’t endure to the end, perpetually keep under his body (the cross life)?

“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

Here Paul speaks of his own need for the crucified life – to keep under his body, the flesh – in light of the sins that kept God’s people out of their promised land and his own jeopardy of soul if he were to neglect the cross in his own personal life (1 Corinthians 9:27-10-13).

Why O why would this apostle of Christ have uttered these words if he believed he was “once saved always saved”/”eternally secure” or that he was automatically going to be in Heaven no matter how he lived his life after being genuinely saved? Why would he ever had said that he would be cast away from the LORD in the end if he didn’t keep under his body if such were not possible? Paul follow Jesus and knew he was responsible to “endure to the end” of his earthly life to be saved into eternal glory (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39, etc.).

Most evangelicals have been sold on the lie that initial salvation means a saved person will automatically be in Heaven, no matter what he does after being saved. Not. Jesus and His holy apostles taught initial and final salvation.

Though the vast majority of those who pretend to represent Christ today do not preach His original Gospel, Jesus says that to follow Him, one must deny self and take up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24). These are what Paul calls “enemies of the CROSS of Christ” who are building a ministry busine$$ and know that the golden calf heresy of eternal security $ell$ (Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3).

The idol of self is the enemy, the antichrist we deal head on with everyday with the cross which slays the god of self!

We therefore can safely conclude that this daily denial of self, this cross, this crucified life, is exactly what the apostle is speaking of when speaking of keeping under his body, his flesh. When Paul penned these words, he was speaking of what he so often spoke about – the cross.

What is there to crucify, to “keep under”, to subdue?

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

Believing we can live sanctified, abiding in Christ without the cross He prescribed is self-deception and only further confirms our need to be truly crucified with Christ, buried, and raised up daily by Jesus (Galatians 2:20).

“I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection” = the cross, the crucified life.

Some who are hell bent of corrupting the plain words of Christ would say that this is not speaking of eternal glory, of one’s salvation being in jeopardy. Better think again.

Of this passage, Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible notes:

“9:24-27 RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN. Paul illustrates the principle that if one fails to exercise self-control, self-denial, and love with regard to others, he himself will be rejected by God, even if he is a gospel preacher.”

“9:27 I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY. ‘Be a castaway’ (Gk. adokimos) conveys the idea of ‘failing the test,’ ‘being rejected.’ Paul uses this same term in 2 Cor. 13:5, where he states that Christ does not dwell in any who are ‘reprobates’ (Gr. adokimoi). Paul is not referring merely to the loss of ministerial reward. What he recognizes is the possibility that he may fail to obtain the prize (i.e., the inheritance of final salvation (vv24-25) if he should cease living a holy life, exercising self-control, and enduring hardships for Christ (vv 25-27).”

The correct preaching of the full counsel of God’s WORD creates in us the desire to be set apart to our LORD (holy) and to cease the things, the sins that defile such purity necessary to abide in vital union with our Maker who is our Savior!

Notice below how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body – the iniquitous fallen nature – with the destiny of the eternal soul.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him! The cross is essential to eternal glory. In other words, following Jesus on His stated terms – living the crucified life! (Luke 9:23-24)

Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!

Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.

There’s no such thing as a Heaven-bound person who does not love God enough to offer their life to Him a living sacrifice and thereby overcome sin. Read this passage closely.

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death (separation); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:15-23

Notice in verse 22 that those having been born again and now truly abiding in Christ of the fruit of holiness, not sin. And to them alone will end up with everlasting glory!

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him! The cross is essential to eternal glory. In other words, following Jesus on His stated terms.

The deeds of the body must be kept under the power of the Holy Ghost and such is only possible by way of adhering to the cross Jesus mandated!

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

The cross is the condition for overcoming the ensuing 5 sins that Paul then teaches kept some of the children of Israel out of their promised land. Our promised land is Heaven and just as some of the God’s people didn’t make it, didn’t “endure to the end”, were like the 5 foolish virgins, some of those Jesus had saved will not “endure to the end” and be in glory with Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 25:1-3, etc.).

Here are the ensuing words, the text immediately following 1 Corinthians 9:27. It’s a contiguous theme, warning from the apostle. Let’s read the whole passage, the context. He made no chapter divisions when he penned this divinely-inspired letter. Paul speaks of the personally responsibility and necessity of the crucified life in light of the 5 sins we all face which if we live in, will disqualify us from eternal glory. Here’s our main Bible verse, truth again and what follows:

“27 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 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea (represents salvation);

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also LUSTED.

7 Neither be ye IDOLATERS, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit FORNICATION, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither MURMUR ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

1 Corinthians 9:27-10:12

Clearly in this passage we see that the cross is a prerequisite for overcoming the 5 disqualifying sins. | The 5 Sins that Kept God’s People from their Promised Land

Life in the Spirit Study Bible on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

10:1 I WOULD NOT THAT YE SHOULD BE IGNORANT. The fact that one may be redeemed, partake of divine grace, and yet later be rejected by God, a “castaway” (see 9:27), because of unbelief and evil conduct is now verified by examples from the experience of Israel (vv. 1-12).

10:5 THEY WERE OVERTHROWN IN THE WILDERNESS. The Israelites had experienced the grace of God in the exodus. They had been delivered from bondage (v. 1), baptized (v. 2), and divinely sustained in the wilderness, experiencing close fellowship with Christ (vv. 3-4). Yet in spite of these spiritual blessings, they failed to please God and were destroyed by Him in the wilderness; they forfeited their election and hence, failed to reach the promised land (cf. Num. 14:30. Paul’s point is that, as God did not tolerate Israel’s idolatry, sin, and immorality, so He will not tolerate the sin of believers under the new covenant.

10:6 THESE THINGS WERE OUR ESAMPLES. The terrible judgment of God upon the disobedient Israelites serves as an example and a warning for those under the new covenant not to desire evil things. Paul warns the Corinthians that if they repeat Israel’s unfaithfulness to God (vv. 7-10), they too will receive His judgment and fail to enter the promised heavenly country.

10:11 WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION. The history of God’s judgment of His people in the O.T. was written down in the Scriptures to provide those in the N.T. with ample warnings against sinning and falling from grace (v. 12; see Num. 14:29).7

10:12 TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL. The Israelites, as God’s elect, thought they could safely dabble in the sins of idolatry, and immorality; yet they met with God’s judgments. Those who believe they can securely live without turning away from unrighteous conduct and worldly passions should take notice of the warning of God in this passage.

10:13 GOD IS FAITHFUL. A professing believer may not justify sinning with excuses that he is simply human and thus imperfect, or that in this life all born-again believers continue sinning in word, thought, and deed (cf. Rom. 6:1). At the same times, Paul assures the Corinthians that no true believer need fall from the grace and mercy of God. (1) The Holy Spirit explicitly affirms that God provides His children with adequate grace to overcome every temptation and thus to resist sinning (cf. Rev. 2:7,17,26). God’s faithfulness expresses itself in two ways: (a) He will not allow us to be tempted above that which we can bear, and (b) He will with each temptation provide a way by which we can endure the temptation and overcome sin (cf. 2 Thes. 3:3).

(2) The grace of God (Eph. 2:8-10; Tit. 2:11-14), the blood of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:24), the Word of God (Eph 6:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17), the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 1:5), and the heavenly intercession of Christ bring sufficient power for the believer to be victorious over the poser of sin and demonic influences (Eph. 6:10-18; Heb 7:25).

(3) If the Christian yields to sin, it is not because Christ’s provision of grace is inadequate, but because the believer fails to resist his own sinful desires by the power of the Spirit (Rom 8:13-14; 2 Pet. 1:3).”

Was Paul involved in a relationship with Christ? Was Paul required to participate or was he a robot? Was it “all God,” “all grace” as the calvinist would claim?

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have FOUGHT a good fight, I have FINISHED my course, I have KEPT the faith: 8 Henceforth (therefore) there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

If a person whose has been saved in the past is not fighting the good fight, finished what God began in him and called him to do – finishing his course, and keeping the faith, how can he possibly say with Paul “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness”?

The kingdom of Heaven is to be pressed into and not taken casually.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12;

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

Colossians 3:1-10

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

“The old man” must go down before “the new man” can be raised out of that grave – death and burial.

Ephesians 4:20-24

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Prayer of Returning: Holy Father, You gave all when You gave Your only begotten Son who came and died for our sins. You’ve also called me to lay down my life, to lose my life in this fleeting world. I have not done well at giving over my life to You … You alone who are worthy of my full, unreserved worship. Right this moment I ask You to forgive my sin of having another god before You which is self idolatry and spiritual adultery. I have alienated the affections of my heart away from You LORD and onto myself. For this I ask You to forgive me and I right here and now turn to You Jesus. Right this moment I lay my life in Your holy hands LORD. Into Your hands I submit my spirit – my whole being. Not my will but Thine be done LORD Jesus! I am no longer my own. I am Yours. I am dead and my life is hid with Christ in God. I love You Jesus and am ceaselessly grateful that You bought me with the price of Your own blood! You must increase but I must decrease. I ask You to unite my heart to fear Thy holy name! Teach me daily to lay myself aside and to give the reins over to You! In Jesus’ Name, amen.