Does “Abide” Mean that One Must Continue? Is Your Salvation Secure? [podcast]
Must one “abide” in Christ to the end after being saved in order to be in eternal glory with Christ, the Father, and their saints?
Yes.
“Abide in Christ” means to remain, dwell, or live in a continuous, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s about maintaining a close connection, relying on Him, and allowing His Word to shape one’s thoughts, will, and affections. Essentially, it’s about a life lived in constant communion with Christ.”
Typically, like the false religionists of Christ’s day, they put aside the WORD of God to keep their heretical tradition. In others words, they made their idol false doctrines king and final authority instead of God’s Word (Mark 7:6-9).
John 15:1-6
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 (remain, continue) 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.
Of this passage, we received a typical reply from an indoctrinated eternal security pawn.
“This is a warning for false converts. They were never saved in the first place. Jesus will not lose one that his father has given him..so if the false convert takes heed to this warning … hopefully they would be led to true salvation through the gospel.” Craig
MY REPLY:
Nice try. Typically, like false religionists of Christ’s day, they put aside the WORD of God to keep their heretical tradition. In others words, they made their idol false doctrines king and final authority instead of God’s Word (Mark 7:6-9). The context of John 15:1-6. Context John 15:1-6. Notice the term “IN ME” appears 5 times …. so were they in Christ, or saved? Yes. In Verse 3 they were cleansed by His Word (regeneration Titus 3:5-7). Also in this passage, the word “abide” appears 5 times. “Abide” means to remain, to continue in Him. So, why would Jesus be telling the counterfeit, a lost souls to continue in Him if they weren’t even saved? That would be lunacy.
Of this passage, Alan Heron writes:
“Craig, this cannot be true, as Jesus explicitly stated that this person WAS ‘in Him’, but IF he didn’t REMAIN ‘in Him’, he would be cast off. There’s no mention of this person being self-deluded into BELIEVING that he was in Christ, merely Jesus’ statement that this person WAS in Him. You can’t be cut off from a vine that you were never a part of. To argue otherwise is deny basic logic.”
Undeniably, un-conditional eternal security is the first lie Satan told to mankind which caused his fall – and he’s still telling the same lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Jesus taught “If a man abide (remain) 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” (John 15:6). See also Ezekiel 33:12-13; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Hebrews 10:26-39, etc.).
The eternal security frauds, cowards, HATE Jesus’s teaching on the absolute necessity of abiding, continuing with Him after being saved – or else suffering the consequence of eternal fire (John 15:6). It’s time to man up, read John 15 honestly, and take personal accountability before the LORD who uttered those words.
Abide or Perish – YOU Don’t Make Up the Rules – God Does! And if You Don’t Abide by them, You Shall Perish as a Rebel.
Notice Jesus said “IF” – “IFFFFF you abide (walk, continue, remain) in me” – which clearly denotes terms you must agree to and walk in or all is lost (John 15:1-6). This speaks of a CONDITIONAL and not an un-conditional eternal salvation. If after being saved, that person does not continue in Christ, what did Jesus say will happen? Let’s review His words again:
“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.” John 15:6
To “abide” is to remain, to continue and so there are things involved, there are conditions to meet, responsibilities for the recipient, otherwise why these words from Jesus? Who’s the fool – you are the Son of God? What if fiance’ doesn’t remain in relationship with the man/woman he/she is engaged to marry? Will that marriage happen or will it the engagement be ended? The answer is obvious by the 5 foolish virgins being shut out of the eternal bridal chamber. Read Matthew 25:1-13.
The finished work of Christ is a foundational truth of Christianity, but His accomplishment on that cross does not arbitrarily, automatically guarantee the final salvation of the individual He graciously saved in the past. Christ’s perfect and completed work to save mankind does not change the God-given free will of each human being – AND THE UTTER IMPERATIVE, ESSENTIAL OF FAITH-FILLED OBEDIENCE, abiding, ENDURING TO THE END.
When Jesus stated “It is finished,” that did NOT cancel or negate or diminish from ANYTHING else He stated. Jesus says to those He saves that they must “abide” in Him or they will be burned in the fires of eternal damnation (John 15:6). To “abide” simply means to intimately fellowship with, remain in and continue in, which is essential. He says we must “endure to the end” to be saved into eternal glory (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:6, etc.).
Jesus certainly did pay the perfect price to purchase you out of sin, back to the Father, and yet, your appropriation of that gift is a requirement. Christ’s perfect sacrifice does not in any way remove what Christ Himself mandated for you to do in order for you to remain in Him and be with Him eternally! Salvation is conditional, not un-conditional. And it’s only those who refuse to truly repent and meet those conditions who ravenously balk at such a clear observation of Scripture. They have chosen NOT to love the LORD with all their being and are still in love with self and therefore violently react to the biblical truth that they are personally accountable to God – to obey Him or perish (Matthew 7:21; 1 John 2:4; 3:3-10; Titus 1:16; Revelation 2:26; 3:5, etc.).
Biblically speaking, the perfect finished work of Christ is only appropriated by those who repent, abide in Christ, enduring to the end in love, faith and worship of Him. Remember that true saving faith ALWAYS, without exception will be witnessed in the fruit of good works (Revelation 2:26). All who get saved and don’t abide, remain, endure, continue in Christ to the end of their lives on earth, will perish, and their suffering will be even worse! (Hebrews 10:29-21; 2 Peter 2:20-21).
Eternal security/OSAS is diabolically designed to justify sin and lukewarmness, prevent the once saved person from living a repentant life, denying self in this sinful world, taking up the cross, and following Jesus for real! OSAS is the lie Satan uses to steal back the souls he lost (Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:3-10; Revelation 2:4-5; 3:15-16, etc.). This is the very first lie of Satan which led to the fall of mankind (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
Get saved – Stay saved! It’s not enough to get saved. One must stay saved.
Some of the Baptist persuasion for example, upon hearing the truth, regrettably choose to continue to peddle the OSAS (once saved always saved)/eternal security lie – to cling to a diabolical tradition, heresy, instead of conforming to the truth.
John 15 is a very important passage and we should prayerfully pour over it and ask God to bless us to truly “abide” in Christ – on HIS terms, according to HIS definition!
“If a man abide (remain) 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.” John 15:6
God is working in the lives of every abiding believer! Than You Jesus!
OSAS is a Christ-denying, cross-rejecting message. It circumvents what God demands – that you truly repent, lay down your life, take up the cross, and live a crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; Colossians 3:3, etc.). YOU are no match for sin – so just die so Christ can reign and conquer in your life! (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Peter 4:1-2, etc.)
“Work out (not for) your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
Your part is to “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” and His part is working in you “to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
“Continue” – a Bible Word/Truth Deliberately Avoided by False Teacher
“In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” Colossians 1:22-23
“By which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:2
Jesus said to His own disciples that He required them to endure to the end to be saved therefore we must conclude that any man teaching otherwise is a false teacher and lying against the LORD.
“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
“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:10-13
What could Jesus possibly have meant other than what He said?
IF you don’t authentically love the truth, aren’t humble, aren’t willing to change, you are a foolish virgin who will be shut out of Christ’s eternal kingdom! Repent now. (Matthew 18:3-4; 25:1-3)
Paul didn’t believe he was un-conditionally eternally secure. He told us that he knew he was in jeopardy of losing it all if he didn’t remain in Christ, a crucified vessel:
“But I keep under my body (a continual necessity), 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
Many times we hear John 10:28-29 cited to “prove” OSAS when the person saying this never considers the condition Jesus gave for such a promise not to be plucked out of His hand.
Yes Jesus told us in v. 27 of John 10 exactly who He was speaking to – those who hear (present tense) His voice and follow (present tense) Him:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they (those who are presently hearing His voice and following Him) shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29
In v. 27 above Jesus gives the condition for the promise of verses 28-29.
Jesus defines His sheep as those who currently hear His voice and are presently following Him. Present tense! Jesus says …..
“My sheep …
- hear my voice, and
- I know them, and
- they follow me…”
Read John 15:1-6.
One writer notes the following:
“To hate is the world’s part, but to endure until the end is our key part who suffer for our Lord. To be hated is a key point to keep in mind of the world, but to endure is our key to succeed and to enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
TODAY, Jesus is continuing the good work of redemption He began in you the moment He saved you from sin into His eternal kingdom! You have His divine promise on this – and His instruction for you to “abide” – to remain and continue with Him or be cast into the fires of eternal damnation (John 15:1-6)
YOU can only be turned over to a “strong delusion” by God if you do not choose to love and devour and obey His truth! (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) And you will be if you are not “valiant for the truth” (Jeremiah 9:3).
RECENTLY: Some lady was attempting to say that those Jesus saves have no conditions or responsibilities to meet. She said there are no conditions. She also said that Jesus was not speaking to saved people when giving this discourse on abiding in Him and bearing fruit in John 15:1-6. Here was the response to her:
What could Jesus’ command to “abide” mean other than remaining in relationship with Him? And, it must and does require something of you. But since your heart is lawless, you want nothing to do with dying, laying down your life, taking up the cross DAILY and truly following Jesus as He commanded.
Now you are lying on the LORD. Notice the words HE uses …. “in me” …. He tells us exactly who He is addressing and why would He be so intent upon speaking of abiding/remaining in Him if His audience weren’t already in Him??????
Joh 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Joh 15:2 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.
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Joh 15:4 Abide (remain) 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.
Joh 15:5 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.
Joh 15:6 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.
Hold Fast … firm to the end … Do not depart from the living God … do not be hardened in heart … so you can be partakers of Christ …. hold your faith, your confidence in God stedfast to the end …
“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, IFFFFF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. … Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;” Hebrews 3:6, 12-14
“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.” 2 Peter 2:20-21
OSAS EXCUSE:
“Oh but ‘endure to the end’ is speaking of the Tribulation.”
REPLY:
Lame. False. Enduring to the end, final salvation, is taught throughout Scripture – by Christ and His apostles. Yet, if you are hell bent on believing Satan’s first lie – OSAS/eternal security, there’s nothing I can do (Genes 2:17; 3:4). Read Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; Colossians 1:22-23; Revelation 3:5; 2:26, etc. Many put this OSAS doctrine of devils and doctrine of sinful men above God’s Word. IF you are not a man/woman of truth, there’s nothing I can do for you or God – just like the counterfeit religionists of Jesus’ day to whom He said:
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men (like OSAS).
Mar 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God (you lower it), ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mar 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God (Word of God), that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-9
The Holy Spirit dwells in every true believer but that in no way guarantees or forces that individual to “abide,” that is, remain, continue in Christ to the end of His life on earth. And Jesus says to His own that we must “endure to the end” to be “saved” to “abide” and if we don’t we shall be cast into the fire (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:6, etc.). God’s Word teaches both initial salvation and final salvation. Most of the evangelical world has been deceived into limiting salvation to that initial born again experience. “If we deny him he also WILL deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12).
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Abiding
How do We Know Who is “of God” and Who is “Not of God”? [podcast]
Scripture vs Subjectivity/Human Reasoning
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
There are many people pretending to be representing Christ. Many pretend to speak for God but how do we know who is truly “of God” and who is “not of God”? Jesus gave us the answer to this important question because He desires His people to be protected by proper discernment. He has warned us repeatedly to “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know (discern) them by their fruits. … And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 7:15-16, 24:11).
Jesus says to use that we shall “know” (discern) others “by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, 20)
“You’re taking things out of context” is what unrepentant heretics throw at you when you state the Word. And they say “rightly divide the word of truth,” using it out of context for their own self-serving agenda because they don’t like what the plain truth of God states in His written Word. They are clearly “not of God” according to Christ who also said “by their fruits” we are to “know” (discern) others (Matthew 7:16, 20).
Here’s the clear proof that most of the “church” is not Christ’s church, not His people at all. They falsely claim to be, as did the Jews of Jesus’ day. Memorize John 8:47 – who is “of God” and who is “NOT of God.”
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
Simply put: We know who is truly “of God” and who is “NOT of God” by how they treat God’s Word.
True Heaven bound disciples of Jesus follow God according to the Bible (Psalms 119:105). All others follow a false god they concocted in their own deceived imagination (John 8:47).
One of the examples in this late hour of those who pose a threat to believers is the New Apostolic Reformation movement which has produced and sent forth an army of false prophets. Their false insinuations and claims include that their prophetic words, visions, apostles, prophets, and prophecies are equal to the divine authority of Holy Scripture. More on the New Apostolic Reformation Cult and its false teachings and false prophets is here.
When you or I or any other mere human claims to be hearing from the Holy Spirit, such is purely subjective and must be tested against the Holy Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 4:1, etc.). THAT’s WHY we have the written Word – to protect us from being misled from the “MANY false prophets” who are deceiving “MANY” as Jesus forewarned would be the case (Matthew 24:11). Final divine authority is the written Word, not some mere sinful man or woman posing as God’s voice.
The LORD gave us His Word in order that we could know Him who is “the truth” and not be “led away (from God) with the error of the wicked” by following “cunningly devised fables” (John 14:6; 2 Peter 1:16; 3:17).
2 Peter 1:16-21
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a MORE SURE WORD of prophecy (the written Word); whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The Word of God is sure and steadfast as is its Author who is eternally perfect and unchanging in His divine nature. Our faith is not based on mere fables or stories, but rather on the Word of the very One who created and sustains all life in His vast Universe (Colossians 1:16-17).
“The apostasy is here. Everyone is a Christian until it gets biblical.” F.
You wanna know who is really “of God” and who is “NOT of God”? John 8:47 – memory truth.
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
Every person who is “of God” has their conscience captive to His Word. Any person who is casual about God’s Word instead of fervently attentive, is “not of God.” When the true follower of Jesus hears Scripture, they hearken, are comforted, corrected, edified, etc. They love God and therefore change to conform to the Word. His words are the highest authority of their lives.
Is God’s Word your final authority or not?
IF God’s WRITTEN Word is not the final authority of your personal life, we have nothing in common – you are not saved. Jesus says you are “NOT of God” (John 8:47).
LOTS of biblically-illiterate guys hanging out on social media arguing using subjectivity, lies, and false notions when they should be diligently studying and speaking only the Word. The problem is not only “lack of knowledge” but also the pride that underlies their refusal to be teachable (Hosea 4:6).
The godly man will own the truth – he will surrender and allow it to own him – even when it is correcting him (Proverbs 1:5; 15:32; Romans 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.).
IF you refuse to allow God’s Word to correct you, you are “not of God” (John 8:47).
The righteous declare with Christ’s apostle Paul to “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
IF you don’t love God enough to voraciously study His Word, you do not love Him!
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
We know who is truly “of God” by their resolved, unwavering love for God’s Word.
Those who preach the Word of God continue sending a whole slew of ungodly men packing! These ungodly men who vainly believe they are of God, prove their rebellion by their refusal to be corrected by God’s Word (Romans 3:4; Matthew 7:6; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Titus 3:10-11; 2 John 7-11).
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
IF it is discovered that God’s written Word is not your absolute final divine authority, you will be rebuked and sent packing if you don’t repent. You are “NOT of God” (John 8:47). Time to clean house! Time to flip the tables of the hypocrites.
The only way to be rooted and grounded in Christ is to be an ardent student of His Word. There are no shortcuts and all who are not rich in His Word will be misled for not loving Jesus enough to prayerfully, daily pour over, learn, apply, and walk in His Word.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10
We are “complete in Christ” and Christ is revealed to us in His Word (John 5:39-40, etc.).
IF you are living by human reasoning instead of strictly by God’s written Word, you are a lost soul in need of repentance. Repent now and when you do, the proof will be that God’s Word will become the authority of your life (John 8:47). Those who truly repent are in Christ and live by His Word and nothing else.
There are so very many people today acting like they know Jesus while His Word is not the final divine authority of their lives – which clearly proves they have either never repented or have since backslidden and are lost!
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
Satan is able to master the lives of those who “received not the love of the truth. … for this cause God shall send them strong delusion.”
Not getting into God’s Word will cost us everything. Those who do not love God’s Word, clearly prove they do not love Him.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6
Many modern “pastors” are little more than those who entertain goats/counterfeits and we know this because they are not fervent but rather casual about the Holy Scriptures and most of them use fake “bibles.”
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4
Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep (John 21:15-17). Christ never instructed Peter or anyone else to merely hold church services. Of course believers are to gather and yet, when we gather, what’s most important is feasting on God’s word (Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 2:42, etc.). Instead though, today most gatherings called “church” are little more than an hour of empty entertainment, void of the fear, the holiness, and the Word of God.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly) in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
Hireling wolves aren’t getting people into the Word for themselves because they want people to need, to depend upon THEM instead of God so they can build their own brand, church, club! They are using people, building a busine$$ on the gullibility of their prey! (John 21:15-17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2-4; 1 Peter 4:11).
Sink or swim! Get into God’s Word daily for yourself and stop trusting entirely on your Sunday morning gathering – which if you attend such, should be just one of many times you are fellowshiping with God and His people in a week’s time frame and not an end in itself -which inevitably it becomes!
After Pentecost, the birth of the New Testament church, the earliest believers are seen in temples (Jewish church buildings) for a time. They are also seen fellowshiping “house to house.”
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (the Word) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:42-47
Jesus told Peter to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Perhaps more like “Go feed them” as Jesus and His apostle did. They went to the people (Matthew 9:35-38; Acts 1:8; 8:4; 10:38, etc.), and not “Go get them to come to you for their weekly entertainment and so you can fleece them with your church membership program and system you’ve set up to catch unsuspecting souls.” Gathering together is God’s will and yet, being corralled to be preyed upon is something about which we see warnings throughout God’s Word.
Corralling and entrapping unsuspecting souls is one of the schemes, devices used by beguilers. In my opinion, this is what the apostate modern church world has become – a baited trap, a stage performed on by pied pipers who use music, bands, and story-telling to seek to capture, to ensnare souls.
Those who allow themselves to become indoctrinated and ensnared in this system become “twofold more the child of hell” and continue this campaign of evil for generations (Matthew 23:15).
“And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:2-4
PRAYER: Holy Father in Heaven, I come to You now solely on the basis of Christ’s perfect sacrifice for my sins. Please forgive my sin of self-idolatry and spiritual adultery where I have not put You first but had other false gods before You. In this very instant, right now, I repent. I turn back to You dear Jesus and ask You to wash my sins afresh in Your precious blood. I love You LORD Jesus and from this moment forward, I am relishing, worshiping, loving, obeying, and seeking Your holy face relentlessly. Please fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit and use me dear LORD. Also, please give me the deep desire for more of You and for a photographic memory of Your words. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Abiding
The Blessing of Being Born of God, Born Again [podcast]
QUESTION:
“What does it mean to be ‘born again’?”
REPLY:
Great question. I am praying for you now. Born again is the same as regeneration we see in Titus 3:5-7. When the sinner (ALL of us) comes to God humbly, in repentance, turning his life to the LORD, and putting all of his faith now in Jesus Christ alone, God does a miracle in the person’s life—a change on the inside that is unmistakable and transforms that persons nature and life forever. From that moment onward, Christ reigns in that person’s life, filling him with love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). The LORD works from the inside out. First He saves, washes our sins away, and then dwells in that newly saved, born again temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
To be born again you have to go to God directly…. admitting you have sinned against Him, and receive Jesus into your life. It has to be personal. Religions are designed to keep you from God while claiming to be the way to God. Beware.
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (2nd birth).” John 3:7
“The birth for which Christ contends is from above—by the agency of the Holy Spirit. Every man must have two births, one from heaven, the other from earth—one of his body, the other of his soul: without the first he cannot see nor enjoy this world, without the last he can not see nor enjoy the kingdom of God. As there is an absolute necessity that a child should be born into the world, that he may see its light, contemplate its glories, and enjoy its good, so there is an absolute necessity that the soul should be brought out of its state of darkness and sin, through the light and power of the grace of Christ, that it may be able to see, or to discern, the glories and excellencies of the kingdom of Christ here, and be prepared for the enjoyment of the kingdom of glory hereafter. The Jews had some general notion of the new birth; but, like many among Christians, they put the acts of proselytism, baptism, etc., in the place of the Holy Spirit and his influence: they acknowledged that a man must be born again; but they made that new birth to consist in profession, confession, and external washing.
The new birth which is here spoken of comprehends, not only what is termed justification or pardon, but also sanctification or holiness. Sin must be pardoned, and the impurity of the heart washed away before any soul can possibly enter into the kingdom of God. As this new birth implies the renewing of the whole soul in righteousness and true holiness, it is not a matter that may be dispensed with: heaven is a place of holiness, and nothing but what is like itself can ever enter into it.” Adam Clarke
“I can remember after getting saved my friends and my family immediately saying What happened to her?’ There was an immediate and complete change in me. God cleaned me from the inside out. I was made brand new and people noticed. My family asked ‘What has happened to her?’ Does anyone know? Yes! Jesus happened to me! Alleluia!” Karen Cochran
YOUR PRAYER TO GOD TO BE SAVED, TO BE FORGIVEN
Are You Ready to be Saved? Okay here’s a prayer to be God’s child. You have to admit the obvious, that you have sinned against God and turn to Him fully, turn your life over to Him who made you, and confess Jesus Christ as the new LORD and Savior of your life. Pray this …
Your Prayer to God … You must honestly admit your sins and receive Christ… Apply His holy blood to your life so that you may be saved, forgiven, and live eternally with Him. You must completely turn your life over to Him in repentance and faith. Now, pray the following prayer to God with all that is within you, from your heart and out loud:….
Dear heavenly Father, right now, if never before, I come to You as a broken and sinful person. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die in my place for my sins. Thank You Jesus for coming to this earth to die and rise again to rescue me from sin and eternal hell and to save me for Your eternal glory. Right this moment, if never before, I receive You LORD Jesus. Come in and take over my whole life. I am all Yours and You are all mine. I love You Jesus and I will follow You from this moment forward till I am with You in Heaven forever! Please use me to help others know You dear LORD. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
How do we know someone is “born of God”?
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; … Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, 20
First off, if you are born again you are changed from the inside out … you desire to do God’s will now…. and are learning the need for the cross, the daily crucified life (Luke 9:23-25).
Let us remember that the biblical words “born again” (John 3:3, 7), “born of God” (1 John 4:7), “regeneration,” and being a “new creature” in Christ go hand in hand or we can say, are synonymous.
“Born of God” appears 6 times in God’s Word and are all found in the book of 1 John:
1 John 3:9
Whosoever is BORN OF GOD doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is BORN OF GOD.
Those who are “born of God” do not live in sin. They repent or return (turn back) to the LORD, confessing all sin. If not they will “fall away” and be outside of Christ (Luke 8:13). See Can a Born Again Man be Un-Born Again? [podcast]
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is BORN OF GOD, and knoweth God.
Those who are “born of God” walk in His love toward others.
1 John 5:1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is BORN OF GOD: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
Those who repent and believe upon Christ are “born of God” and they love all other of Christ’s saints.
1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is BORN OF GOD overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Those who are “born of God” overcome this fallen world. By present and perpetual faith, they “overcometh the world.”
1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is BORN OF GOD sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Those “born of God” do not live in sin. Rather, they “keepeth” themselves from sin and therefore Satan. This is accomplished by what we read in 1 John 1 and 2—which spells out the walk of the true disciple of Jesus.
MAY GOD bless each disciple of Jesus today to abide in Christ by walking crucified and raised up by Him today (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). May “the fruit of the Spirit”—the “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” be abundantly produced in the life of every saint of Jesus! May it be 100 fold LORD! Read John 15. If you have been drawn in by Christ (John 6:44; 12:32), have repented (Luke 13:3), have received Christ (John 1:12), and are born again (John 3:3), you are bought by the precious blood of the LORD Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:17-18).
YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You found and saved me into Your eternal kingdom by way of the precious blood of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I stop this life here and now, and I give You praise. I love You LORD Jesus. I am no longer my own but Yours. I am crucified with Christ. Please work in me both to will and to do of Your good pleasure. I am all Yours LORD and I know You are all mine! Please fill this vessel with Your Holy Ghost afresh, and please use me. In Jesus’ name, amen Master Jesus!
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Abiding
“David Encouraged Himself in the LORD his God” [podcast]
“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, … but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6
Gathering from several commentaries on this passage, one source notes the following:
“Faced with the devastating loss of Ziklag and a mutinous army threatening to stone him, David found supernatural resilience. Rather than yielding to panic or despair, he actively turned his focus away from the overwhelming crisis and strengthened his faith directly in God.
Key Context and Lessons
- The Crisis: Amalekite raiders had burned the city and captured all the women and children, including David’s own wives.
- The Breaking Point: His loyal men were now grieving and broken, turning their deep anguish into violent anger against their leader.
- The Shift: David did not look to his men, his own strength, or his circumstances for hope. He preached truth to his own soul, drawing on his past history with God’s faithfulness and inquiring of the Lord for his next steps.
Practical Takeaways
- Self-Talk: When no one else is around to lift you up, you must learn to speak God’s promises to your own heart.
- Refocusing: Encouraging yourself in the Lord means anchoring your identity and security in His unchanging character rather than shifting public opinion.
- Actionable Faith: David’s inward strengthening immediately led to outward action—he sought God’s direction and pursued the enemy, resulting in complete victory and restoration.”
“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
“In the world ye shall have tribulation”
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
During seasons of great stress, this man after God’s own heart sought the LORD. This time only served as a blessing, hastening David to the feet of Christ. Beloved David gave us the most amazing Scriptures concerning seeking God.
“My soul followeth hard after thee.” Psalms 63:8
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:1-2
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4
“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalms 27:8
Prayer: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please grant me, Your mere servant, to be possessed with a heart after You dear LORD. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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