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, if 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
“Fervent in Spirit” [podcast]
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11
Concerning being “fervent in spirit,” one commentator notes that this means to:
“Maintain zeal to the boiling point.” Dake
“Fervent” – A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest): – be fervent.
“Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do every thing as unto him; and in every thing let your hearts be engaged.” Adam Clarke
“Never let your zeal flag (lag, drop, tank), maintain the spiritual glow, serve the Lord.” Here we are reminded of the words of Jeremiah 48:10: ‘Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully,'” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Apollos was “fervent in the spirit.”
“This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being FERVENT in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.” Acts 18:25
In all things Christ’s saints are to be “fervent in spirit”:
“Not slothful in business; FERVENT in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11
Disciples of Jesus are to have a “fervent mind” toward all saints and ministers of His blessed Gospel:
“And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your FERVENT mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.” 2 Corinthians 7:7
“Fervent prayer” is to be offered to God for other of His saints:
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual FERVENT prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James_5:16
Jesus’ people are to have “fervent charity among” ourselves:
“And above all things have FERVENT charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“Fervent heat” will soon consume the wicked who refused the salvation that comes from Christ alone:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10
“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat.” 2 Peter 3:12
On this biblical topic of fervency, of being “fervent in spirit”, one commentary offers the following:
“2 Peter 3:
To be ‘fervent in spirit’ means to have intense, burning passion, zeal, and enthusiasm for spiritual matters, often linked to serving God, rather than being lukewarm or apathetic. It implies being ‘boiled’ with spiritual energy, actively engaged, and diligent in faith, as described in Romans 12:11, (‘not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord’). It’s a passionate, fiery commitment, distinct from fanaticism, involving earnest application and a deep love for God.
Key aspects:
- Intensity: A deep, glowing, or boiling heat of emotion and dedication.
- Diligence: Not being lazy or half-hearted, but actively applying oneself to spiritual duties.
- Spiritual Zeal: A strong desire and excitement for God’s will, the Gospel, and spiritual growth.
- Source: Often described as being moved by the Holy Spirit, a fire within.
- Biblical Example: Apollos was described as ‘fervent in the spirit’ as he taught diligently about the Lord (Acts 18:25).
- Passionate prayer
- Diligent study of God’s Word
- Active, loving service to others
- Bold witnessing for faith
- Being ‘on fire’ for God, not lukewarm”
Jesus says that those in His church who are “lukewarm” will be spued or rejected (Revelation 3:15-16). What’s the opposite of being “lukewarm”? – being “fervent in spirit.”
YOUR PRAYER: LORD, make me Yours. Please keep me close to You, NO MATTER what it takes. Break me dear LORD. Let the holy light of Your presence permeate and shine through my inner man. I am Your temple Jesus. Shine Your light on all darkness. I love You my LORD. In Jesus’ name.
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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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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
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