THERE are many in darkness who swear they are in the light. Pray saints-in Jesus’ name.
May God vanquish all darkness in our own hearts, filling, flooding us with His holy light.
When there is true repentance and the cleansing of the LORD in a person’s life, there will be “no guile” and “no part dark.”
“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47
“HAVING NO PART DARK”
“If thy whole body therefore be full of light, HAVING NO PART DARK, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.” Luke 11:36
As when one walks into a dark room and flips on the light switch and all darkness is gone, in the same way, when we are full of Christ’s light, there will be “no part dark.”
Are You A Moral Coward?
“But the fearful (cowardly; timid), and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
Notice here that the very first class of sinners named as those to spend eternity in the lake of fire is “the fearful.” This word “fearful” comes from the Greek word DEILOS which means cowardly; timid. So we see that spiritual cowards will not enter into the kingdom of God. Is this not consistent with other places in Scripture? Here’s one that comes to mind:
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction); but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:36-39
To become known in this world as a preacher, you MUST lie, twist, feed the greed of the unrepentant, and tell half-truths – to tickle the ears of the counterfeits (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
“God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Psalms 55:19
Those who refuse to “choose the fear of the LORD” have no changes in their lives.
“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” Proverbs 1:29
The “gospel” for spiritual cowards who refuse to press into the kingdom of God by daily crucifying the deeds of the sinful nature, is a false “gospel” which perverts the original Gospel once delivered to the saints (Jude 3-4). These who deny Christ instead of their sin, are those who consequently migrate to the unconditional eternal security teaching. A “gospel” which does not include the cross (crucifying all the sinful deeds of the body and mind), is “another gospel.” (2 Cor. 11:4) Unlike Christ Himself, the OSAS (once saved always saved) “gospel” never demands that one deny self, take up his cross daily and truly follow the Master (Luke 9:23). It is the “gospel” that allows one to have a “form of godliness”, yet “denying the power (authority; rule; lordship) thereof.” (2 Tim. 3:5) (False prophets purposely dodge certain Biblical texts in the Bible. If they do review them, a spin is placed on the plainness/exactness of these words of God.) This is the feel-good “gospel” of ease (Amos 6:1). This is the “gospel” for those who want their sin and Jesus too. Jesus made it clear though that there are conditions for being His disciple and receiving His kingdom, all others will be eternally damned:
“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. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26
Let’s face it, as Christians we all have sins we daily struggle with, that’s not the issue (1 John 1:8,10). There is no argument about the Biblical truth that “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.” (Galatians 5:17) The issue is, that some of us choose to face those iniquities, while others deliberately decide to justify their sins with so-called “christian” doctrines which are not Biblical whatsoever.
“He that covereth (does not repent of) his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
The problem starts when one stops fighting the good fight and laying hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12). (“Fighting” and to “lay hold” are commands concerning “eternal life”.)
Many who start out fighting the good fight of faith, eventually allow their love for God to wax cold and start justifying their sins instead of seeking the Almighty with Biblical repentance for the rooting out of that which defiles (Luke 8:13; John 6:66).
Again, we must be aware that many today are finding a cloak for their sinfulness through false teachings prevalent within the Church world. Instead of pleasing God by living a life of repentance and crucifying the flesh, many justify their sins by hiding behind a false “gospel” which purposely excludes much of what Scripture states. This inoculated message is soothing and insidious and lulls its victim into a spiritual sleep which will prove to be fatal in the end if one is not recovered out of it.
The Fire Lies Behind
“Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.” Jeremiah 13:16
According to the Bible verse above and below and many others, those whom Jesus saves and yet do not continue to walk toward Christ, the Light of the world, will, without fail, revert back to their sinful type and fall away.
“Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.” John 12:35
To keep the fire of darkness, sin, and hell in the rear view mirror, we must abide in Christ, to “walk in the light, as he is in the light.” (1 John 1:7)
Did the LORD not promise us that those who do not receive the love of His truth will be sent by Him “strong delusion”? (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)
Those not fighting are falling away – “FIGHT the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12)
Those who are not fighting the good fight of faith today will not finish the course with Christ or keep the faith of Christ essential to be with Him eternally – “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:7)
COMING TO THE LIGHT
Jesus made it clear that coming to the light the first time, for initial salvation, was the beginning, but not all that is required for final salvation:
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light (initially and continually), that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21
Those who come to the light, who seek the LORD with a whole and sincere heart, do so in order to come clean on it all – to be transparent, honest, and repentant for all darkness.
The true and Heaven bound disciple not only comes to the light initially but also he continues to come clean before the LORD – in repentance and denouncing and crucifying out of his life anything that defiles him in the eyes of a holy God.
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16
Those who are God’s, wicked as we all are, will be manifested by ever coming to His light, to admit and restitute for every dark thought and deed. No stone unturned.
Jesus’ bride is choosing to have “no part dark” (Luke 11:36).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
One who has been saved must continue to come to the light, that is, live in obedience to God (Matthew 7:21; James 1:22). It is not enough to have come to the light once, one must continue to come to the light till the end of his life or his initial salvation is null and void (forfeited). See Ezekiel 33:12-13; Matthew 10:22; Heb. 2:1-3; 3:6,14, 10:26-39; Col. 1:23; Rev. 2:10-11, etc.
“But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
One who comes to the light – gets saved – must continue to come to the light or he closes the door of forgiveness and the blood of Christ no longer cleanses him. Read 1 John 1:7 again (above). Perpetual cleansing is contingent upon the obedience of the individual recipient of the grace of God. Notice in 1 John 1:7 that “fellowship” and “the blood of Jesus Christ” cleansing “us from all sin” is conditioned upon “if we walk in the light.”
“He that covereth (does not repent of) his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
CONCERNING SINS, Proverbs 28:13 REVEALS THAT:
“He that covereth (does not be honest about and repent of) his sins shall not prosper…”
God continues to extend to us His forgiveness based upon our confessing and forsaking our sins. The person who chooses to cover his sins will not prosper. His spiritual growth is in reverse and his eternity at stake. He must repent and establish righteous paths as detailed in Scripture or God will not hear his prayer (Psalms 18:20; 66:18).
Many of us are aware of the Calvinistic falsehoods in the Church world which exclude repentance from the gospel and avoid the conditions holy Scripture details.
Biblical salvation requires that one repent and believe on the LORD Jesus Christ to be saved and continue to repent of his sins, abiding, remaining to the end with Christ (John 15:1-6). If one does not, he will cease to be cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7; Luke 13:3,5).
The unconditional eternal security proponents/leaders are livid at the hearing of any doctrine (even from Scripture) that requires personal responsibility. They blow “grace” up into something the Bible never even implies, much less, teach. Regardless of how big an audience these leaders have or how popular their name is, they teaching false doctrine and “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for sin).” (Jude 3-4) These lies must be contended against – souls are in the balance. Unconditional eternal security is the very first thing Satan preached in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:17, 3:4). Friend, it is our divinely appointed mandate to defend the original Gospel once delivered to the Body of Christ. (Phil. 1:17; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Jude 3-4)
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4
Those who follow the coward “gospel” are those who deny Christ instead of their sin, and will be denied by Him in that final day (Matthew 10:32-33; 2 Timothy 2:12; Matt. 7:21). There are many who vainly suppose that they will not be judged for their doctrinal deceit and sins, but God says they will be:
“All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword (judgment), which say (in their doctrine), The evil shall not overtake nor prevent (stop) us (from going to Heaven).” Amos 9:10
Some “say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.” That is, they imagine that they will not be judged nor prevented from entering the eternal kingdom of God for their sins because God sees them through the blood of Christ due to their initial born-again experience. Does God indiscriminately cleans the sins of those who have been saved in the past? 1 John 1:7 states that only those who walk in God’s holy light are kept (remain) in fellowship with Him and are continually cleansed by the blood of Jesus. According the Bible, we must repent to be cleansed.
Many are taught and teach that they are not accountable for their actions, attitudes, thoughts or words anymore (since they got saved), and that God does not judge them for sin any longer because He sees them through the blood of Christ. In other words, 1) Their salvation changes the very nature of God – God ceases to be holy and just, and, 2) they have no responsibility to live holy (see Titus 2:11-12; Rom. 6:1-2).
The ‘once saved always saved’ doctrine teaches that all sins, past, present and future are forgiven. Let us ask ourselves, “Is this what the Bible says?” Check this little nugget out:
“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are PAST, through the forbearance of God.” Romans 3:25
Note the term “sins that are past.” Where is there any mention here of future sins unconditionally or indiscriminately being forgiven??? (This was the perfect place for the Holy Spirit to reveal such if it were so.) It is clear from Scripture that all sins, past, present and future, are already paid for by Christ’s blood, but that His blood is only applied where there is true repentance. Scripture gives no assurance that any future sins are automatically forgiven. The forgiveness of future sins is conditional upon the continued obedient faith of the individual.
“But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
When we choose the sins of the flesh over the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we forsake our own mercy (Jonah 2:8). In this we would rather wallow in the sins of the flesh rather than to face the God we give lip service to. The “irresistible grace” adherent is taught that he does not have to repent of his wickedness (sins) – all under the banner of being eternally secure or ‘once saved always saved.’ As for the propagators of this myth:
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ (because they use it to justify their sins): Whose end is destruction (eternal damnation), whose God is their belly (sinful appetites), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.).” Philippians 3:17-19
‘Once saved always saved’, like many false teachings through the centuries, is merely a cloak for man’s sinful nature which God commands to be crucified. This teaching justifies men in their iniquities whereas divine truth helps men to be cleansed and delivered from the penalty and burden of sins. This is why Jesus came – to make captives free from sin and its bondages (Matthew 1:21; 11:28-30; John 1:29; 3:17; 8:31-32).
Here are instructions and promises concerning being received of God as His children:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; AND I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 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.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
INSTRUCTIONS Listed in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1:
-
- Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers
-
- Come out from among them
-
- Be ye separate
-
- Touch not the unclean thing
Conditional PROMISES Listed in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1:
-
- I will dwell in them, and walk in them
-
- I will be their God
-
- They shall be my people
-
- I will receive you
-
- And will be a Father unto you
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- Ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty
“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
Those who truly love Christ and His glorious appearing, are those who, at all costs choose daily to please God by putting away the deeds of the sinful nature and seeking to live holy in His sight (Col. 3:1-13). Oh yes, when we fall, we are to continue to get up and seek the face of the God who loves us and has our ultimate good in mind. This is the heart that is after God. The LORD is “good” to us and “ready to forgive.” Take a look:
Psalms 86:5, 15 “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee…But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
PRAYER: LORD Jesus, please shine Your holy light into my heart and life. May there be no part dark in this vessel dear LORD. Please unite my heart to fear Thy name. I love You my LORD Jesus. Teach men. Help me please. Break me dear LORD. In Jesus’ name.
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The Sanctified, Cleansed Church Jesus is Returning For [podcast]
Abiding
It’s not all Going to be Pretty [podcast]
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3
One of Paul’s resumes of the sufferings he endured as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
“3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”
You are His. Cling to Him. The LORD Jesus is going to bring you through, not matter what you face (Deuteronomy 13:4).
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:1-2
“Hated”
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
“Ye shall Laugh”
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:20-22
“Through much Tribulation”
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
Eternity with Christ, “with Joy”
“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
“To Make them White”
“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35
“Made white … the wise shall understand”
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10
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Articles
7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]
What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean?
Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). Do you know Him?
1. “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me” (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34; Ps. 22:1).
This concerned those who hung Him on the cross and how He became the sin bearer, the sin sacrifice and how the Father could not look on sin, so temporarily turned His head. Jesus was forsaken so that we might be forgiven (Isaiah 53).
Application to us: Job 19:6-10; Psalms 139:8; 2 Corinthians 12:7-12; Hebrews 13:5-6
2. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).
He asked the Father to forgive them – a token of what His shed blood would pay for and facilitate – forgiveness of sin for all who come to Him on His terms to be saved. The sacrificial death of the Son of God satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to justify mankind (Isaiah 53:11).
Application to us: As God forgave us due to Christ’s perfect sacrifice, He mandates, without exception, that we freely forgive all others, from our hearts. Matthew 5:44; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Ezekiel 36:24-26; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-14
3. “Verily, I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Lk. 23:43).
This promise of forgiveness and eternal comfort given to the thief who believed on Christ in his final moments is the same promise for all who come to Him and are saved (John 6:47).
Application to us: Immediate glory, comfort, and bliss with our LORD at the moment of death. Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:4; Luke 21:28
4. “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46).
Jesus closes with the prophetic words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to the Father. We see His complete trust in the Father (John 5:30, etc.). Jesus entered death in the same way He lived each day of His life on earth, offering up His life as the perfect sacrifice and placing Himself into the Father’s hands (Luke 22:42).
Application to us: This is a great prayer! Stephen emulated his Savior when being stoned to death for Christ (Acts 7:51-60). “Commend” means to submit. Personally I find these words, while in prayer, rolling off my lips – submitting afresh, daily, and asking the LORD to take full control.
5. “Woman, behold thy son … Behold thy mother” (Jn. 19:26-27).
Jesus, looking down from the cross, was still filled with the concerns of a son for the earthly needs of his mother. None of his half brothers or sisters were there to care for her, so He gave this task to the apostle John (Mark 6:3). Here we see Christ’s humanity.
Application to us: We must take care of earthly responsibilities according to the counsel of the written Word of our God (Psalms 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
6. “I thirst” (Jn. 19:28)
Jesus refused the initial drink of vinegar, gall, and myrrh offered to alleviate his suffering (Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23). But here, several hours later, we see Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy found in Psalm 69:21. By saying He was thirsty, Jesus prompted the Roman guards to give Him vinegar, which was customary at a crucifixion, thereby fulfilling the prophecy which showed that everything was happening according to God’s plan.
Application to us: We must endure hardness, bitter sufferings and seasons (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:3; James 1:2-4, 12, etc.).
7. “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30).
This means “paid in full.” The sin debt for all was fully satisfied in the sacrifice of our LORD Jesus Christ, the ultimate price was paid to satisfy the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem fallen mankind (Isaiah 53:11). He is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Application to us: Jesus accomplished our salvation single handedly, satisfying the claims of divine justice to redeem fallen mankind. He died to abolish law-keeping for righteousness and so we must “walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14-19; Hebrews, etc.) Read Romans 3-5; Galatians.
Making Peace with God | It is Finished! | Discipleship | The Gospel Centers Upon Christ’s Blood | Christology | The Gospel: What is It?
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Abiding
Counting the Cost – Following Jesus to the End of Your Life [podcast]
The Cost of Discipleship
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
Those who count the cost refuse to count their own life dear to themselves and this is the only way not to be derailed, to finish our course, enduring to the end.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11
Those who balk at and ignore that Jesus says you MUST “endure to the end” to be “saved” into eternal glory, simply do not love Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.). Jesus is not worth their life. They were worth His life which He gave for them on the cross, yet the Son of God is not worth giving up their own life in this fleeting world. Counterfeits. These are the frauds who hide behind the eternal security sham.
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
EARTHLY FAMILY DOES NOT COME FIRST – THE LORD DOES
By divine design, there’s an order of priority in the Ten Commandments. Here’s the first of the ten:
And the fifth:
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12
Honoring God supersedes even the love we have for our husband/wife.
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus knew that if we don’t love Him supremely, we will allow other relationships to interfere and circumvent our relationship with Him.
If we don’t hate those other relationships compared to our love for Him, our decisions will be affected, will be to please them and not Him. When we love the LORD supremely, His will takes precedence, priority over all others.
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26
We must love the LORD so much that our love for others is near to being hate in comparison. If we don’t love God supremely, others will without exception, drag us downward and away from Him.
Of this passage in Luke 14, FB Meyer wrote:
“Our love must be greater than the ties of family affection, Luk_14:26; must be greater than our love for our own way, which must be nailed to the Cross, Luk_14:27; must be greater than our love of possessions and property, Luk_14:33. Christ has done more than any other teacher to cement the relationships of human love, but He always asks that they should be subordinated to the claims of God. Oh, for the love that Paul had! See Php_3:8.”
“What a comfort it is to realize that God counted the cost before He set about the task of redemption, whether of a world or of us as individuals. He knew all that it would cost, and surely He did not begin what He cannot complete!”
In Matthew 10, after speaking of the essential of enduring to the end (v22), Jesus gives warning concerning those things most likely to derail and prohibit our enduring to the end in His will.
“And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:36-37
Of this Adam Clarke wrote:
“He that loveth father or mother more than me – He whom we love the most is he whom we study most to please, and whose will and interests we prefer in all cases. If, in order to please a father or mother who are opposed to vital godliness, we abandon God’s ordinances and followers, we are unworthy of any thing but hell.”
Of Matthew 10:34-42, FB Meyer writes profoundly:
“RECEIVING CHRIST’S REPRESENTATIVES
In Jesus Christ we acquire a new affinity, stronger than that of family ties. When we enter into the family of God we belong to all His children. They are our brethren and sisters in the most intimate sense. See Mat_12:48-50. The new love that floods our nature does not make us less but more tender and sympathetic toward our own kith and kin; but if we are compelled to choose, then we must stand with the children of God, though it should rend us from the old happy family life in which we were nurtured.
As to the closing paragraph, may we not illustrate it thus? When the widow who sustained Elijah at Zarephath entered Paradise, she found herself standing amid the great prophets of Israel. When she asked the attendant angel whether there was not some mistake, he replied, ‘Certainly not. In treating the prophet as you did, you proved yourself to be of the same spirit and temper as he; and it is but right that you should share in the prophet’s reward.’”
To those who are entangled with earthly family, namely unbelievers who are not repenting, it would be spiritually beneficial to get free, to cease your dependence on them and to sever the soul ties and cease basing your emotional well-being on them and how they view you and your decisions. Lay the axe to the root as you denounce false obligation to them. “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). Read Matthew 10.
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole FAMILY in heaven and earth is named,” Ephesians 3:14-15
Jesus Addressed the Excuses
Jesus addresses excuses, diversions concerning obeying Him, asserting our highest priority – the LORD, not family. The point becomes even clearer – that we are to be captive to the LORD, our “first love,” supremely, and not family (Revelation 2:4-5).
“And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father (wait till parents die). 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 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 9:59-62
Jesus further establishes that He is to be supreme in our lives and those who are His – not natural familial bonds. The body of Christ, its members, are our eternal family.
“And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:27-28
The harshest of biblical truth is the delicacy, the delight of the true disciple of Jesus. He runs to all of it and never from any of it. He embraces the cross, never evading it. He delights in the sword of the Spirit that cuts to the core and carves the image of Christ into his life – into the fabric, the innermost core of who he is in Christ! Christ and Christ alone is his sole identity and he counts not his own life in this world dear unto himself so that he is able to finish his course with great joy – hearing from His Savior the sweetest of all words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21; Acts 20:24; Romans 8:29; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; 2 Timothy 2:3).
Militancy is essential in our abiding relationship with Christ (Matthew 11:12). Heartfelt love also.
So many today who claim Christ view salvation as something they did in the past and not a present relationship with Christ on His stated terms (John 15; Titus 1:16).
Jesus commands His very own to “endure unto the end” to be “saved,” and unless one becomes deliberate, absolute, militant, he will not make it “unto the end” with Christ (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 9:43-49; 2 Timothy 2:3, etc.). 
“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage (a messenger to negotiate peace), and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:25-33
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:5-7
Striving Lawfully – That is, According to the Rules, the Terms
Denouncing the crippling, corrupting comforts of Laodicea. Grasping for the obedient love of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-22).
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:3-5
May God bless each of His people to “endure hardness” as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Take note that “there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). The LORD made His servant Jeremiah obey Him on His terms. God never bends or modifies, bends the rules (2 Timothy 2:5). We must not deceive ourselves and must “strive lawfully” which means according to HIS terms, not our own or any other.
“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:5
“Be Not Weary in Well Doing”
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
SATAN tempting you to give up? Who wins if you do? Where shall you turn? Turning away from God means we are without Him in our life and trials, right? The LORD, who is your Potter, has a plan. He will absolutely bring you through the floods of water and fire! (Isaiah 43:1-2; Jeremiah 18:1-6) After saving us, God has to bring us to an end of ourselves and that happens through “much tribulation” (Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 4; 12:7-12, etc.). Read 2 Corinthians 4. When Jesus had fed the flesh of the multitudes, they turned and walked away from the Savior. But…
“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68
Discipleship | Enduring to the End | Abiding | The Blessing of Suffering
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