Is Your Pastor Teaching You to Overcome All Sin? [podcast]
“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 7:1
What did Paul mean by “these promises”? It was those things, including the conditions, he had just penned of:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 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. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
“I want freedom FROM my sin!! Otherwise, what is the point of the gospel? If it were possible to be saved and remain in our sins, then we would never see Jesus face to face.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man will see the Lord: -Hebrews 12:14
Who would want to be redeemed and yet never for all eternity see their Redeemer!?
O, what a fool we must look to the world when we try to pass off salvation and remaining in sin, hand in hand.” Jon Crane
*Note, the question is whether or not your pastor is teaching this biblical doctrine at hand. This should not ever involve anyone self-righteously brow beating you. You, as an individual, must choose to truly serve God via the crucified life, etc. No one else can do that for you.
Can God’s people be “made free from sinning”?
In response to being convicted of his sin, one man, professing believer, said “I need to be strong.”
No.
It’s the cross that is needed in your daily, personal life. When we are WEAK (dead and buried, crucified) then we are strong in HIS resurrection strength. When we are weak in self, we are dependent upon the LORD wholly. Take close note of the cross in this following passage:
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (crucified). Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the (resurrection) power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, THEN am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“We are weak in our flesh. Matthew 26:41. Sin weakens us. It leads to death. Spiritual separation from God. In this life and eternally. We are only strong in the power of His might. Ephesians 6: 10. Our flesh must die. So we can walk in the newness of life as we are made alive through Jesus Christ! Romans 6.” Karen Cochran
Read prayerfully Romans 6 each morning. Memorize Galatians 2:20 KJB. God will never raise up anyone who is not first dead and buried.
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you (the cross message). 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:17-23
You will never hear an eternal security wolf teaching anything about overcoming all sin.
ALL who peddle Satan’s “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie are “accursed” false teachers who are preaching “another gospel” (Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Galatians 1:6-9).
No different than what Satan told the first man and woman, which led to their fall into sin, this same lie is leading millions to “fall away” after being saved (Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Luke 8:13; 1 Timothy 4:1). Jude warns us specifically of these “ungodly men” who are “turning the (saving) grace of our God into lasciviousness” which is a license to sin (Jude 3-4). Eternal security, once saved always saved, and perseverance of the saints are all doctrines of devils (2 Peter 2:20-22; Romans 11:20-22, etc.).
“What arrogance to think you can continue to live in sin and God will welcome you with open arms! God does not have to accept any of us! We all deserve hell. When we stand before Him he has every right to throw us into the fiery furnace. I continue to ask Jesus if He knows me! Because if He doesn’t He will say depart from me I never knew you. Matthew 7: 22-23. We can say Lord, Lord all we want, but those are just words if He does not know us! Terrifying reality! Eternity hangs in the balance! Fight the good fight of faith and fight for your eternal souls. 1 Timothy 6:12. Don’t just assume you will be given a place in eternity with Jesus! None of us are secure until He says well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord. Matthew 25:21.” Karen Cochran
“When I think of the cross I see Grace! Grace is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8. An unearned and undeserved gift. We deserve Hell. The cornerstone of our salvation is Christ and His grace. When we continue to live in sin we cheapen God’s grace. Make it null and void. Frustrate it. Galatians 2:21. Otherwise Christ died in vain!” Karen Cochran
The cross is the only solution the Savior gave us for “true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).
“All you need to do is read Romans 6 and see we are to not live in sin but in the Spirit! Read Romans 6 everyday until it sinks way down deep into your heart! We are to be servants of holiness and righteousness! And to not serve sin! Serving sin leads to death! Walking in the newness of Life is walking in our new nature!” Karen Cochran
Romans 6 is a cross chapter. In fact one could rightly call it “the cross chapter.”
Chosen to be Holy as He is Holy – and God always enables what He establishes or mandates.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:3-7
“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. Who brought us from darkness into His marvelous light. All praise goes to our Lord who chose us before the foundation of the world. And made us accepted in the beloved. Thank you Jesus that you would consider using us as we are not highly educated but just simple country folks who love You.” Karen Cochran
“Not caring about hidden sin!? Have they never read Hosea? Proverbs? Psalms? 2 John 11?? To wink at sin, one’s own or another is to tread very dangerously in opposition of the Holy Spirit that sanctified them (Romans. 1:28-2:11; Hebrews. 10:26-33). What a fearful thing to treat God’s holiness with such little respect.” Jon Crane
Lots of pastors believe and even state things like “well, we all sin every day.” Basically it’s the laissez-faire lukewarm attitude…..yes and the same frauds claim to believe in saving grace but only for Heaven, not for empowering the born-again abiding saints to overcome sin (Romans 6:16).
False leaders today have people trained to look for little coping band-aids, things that profit their immediate situation yet squander their present and future state. The false leaders today can be known by their messages which coddle their prey in their sin, never calling them to true repentance, to the cross, to a holy, separated life, etc. The result is that these people want nothing to do with a Bible message, a message that is truly Bible-intensive, and this is exactly why these shallow dwellers are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).
Christ’s Remnant Body is Living Organically
THE ORGANIC (no additives) remnant body of Christ walks in God’s truth and love daily – no matter where they are on HIS planet (John 13:35; Ephesians 4:15, etc.). Their lives are sanctified always – not just on Sunday mornings. They belong to one church – the body of Christ which is bought by His precious blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23). They love ALL the brethren of Christ – not just the folk that show up in an “official” so-called “church building” (1 John 4:7-8; 5:1).
A close friend of mine once said, the definition of a hypocrite is “someone who is just not quite themselves on Sunday mornings.”
YOUR PRAYER: Father in Jesus’ name, please make us Your authentic disciples. Purify our hearts and cleanse our lives of every trace of fakery. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“Matthew 12: 34 Our outer appearance should match our inner self. Impossible for an evil heart to produce good fruit. Your words should match how you live. The fruits of Christ only come from a pure and honest heart. Otherwise your fruit is rotten because your inside is corrupted in sin and filth. By their fruits you will know them (Matthew 7:20).” Karen Cochran
IF a pastor/preacher is not preaching the crucified life, he is preaching “another gospel” and such proves that he is “accursed” and is not living the cross life (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 11:3-5; Galatians 1:6-9; 2:20, etc.). This means he’s one of “the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19).
SCATHING REBUKE TO AN OSAS WOLF
Angelo writes:
“Ya that’s right. God starts it and we finish it. What Lord Jesus did was not enough. We have become co-saviors. Hebrews 10:12 ….look I’m not trying to be rude but there’s no more time for games. You have been deceived by that garbage. Wake up. The Lord Jesus said it is finished meaning debt paid in full. Done deal ! The only thing we bring to the table is the sin that gets forgiven. Period! No where does mention that we are required to be faithful to Him.”
REPLY:
Angelo is an OSAS heretic. God told on him in advance – “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. 4 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, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 3-4).
So is it okay for you to be faithful to your wife? Yes. If you commit adultery on her your marriage covenant is broken. If you commit spiritual adultery on God, you are separated from Him in your sin (Exodus 20:3-5; Ezekiel 14:3; Revelation 21:8).
So I’ve been deceived by believing God holds me personally responsible to actually participate in the relationship I have with Him and not just trying to use Him to get me out of Hell?
Yes we bring our sin to the table initially but then Jesus saves us, regenerates, makes us His new creatures, temples of His Holy Ghost, and empowers us to please Him. – “having no part dark” in us (Luke 11:36). You apparently truly do not believe in God’s grace which divinely enables His people to overcome all sin, making them ready for Christ’s return (Titus 1:16; 2:11-14). You are peddling half truths and are a false teacher.
Let me quote a few verses those like you intentionally run from and hide from the people because you love your darkness rather than light:
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
“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 7:1
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
Ah yes, HE initiates. We don’t find Him. He finds us (John 12:32; 1 John 4:10, 19-20). No, WE don’t finish it – HE finishes it as we “abide” continue in Christ – on HIS stated terms – the daily cross, crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). Those who don’t “abide” in/with Christ to the end will be cast into the fires of Hell. That’s what 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). Jesus was speaking to HIS own as He was when He declared – “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved,” and “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). Apparently you are a cross-less wolf, a coward who makes excuse for instead confessing sin, and misleading others in the same. Paul spoke of you – (Philippians 3:18-19; Proverbs 28:13). You are preaching a false gospel and evade anything in God’s Word that requires you to truly repent, deny yourself, take up the cross – be truly crucified with Christ …. and follow, obey Jesus – because you do not truly love Him. Jesus says “IF ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15), and “Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). If you don’t love Him, He says don’t bother obeying me. Obeying Jesus is the expression of one’s love for Him – not to earn His justification. Repent now, sinner. This is why you gullibly bought into and peddle the pre-trib rapture, OSAS/eternal security heresies. – “(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: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things)” (Philippians 3:18-19 …..)
“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. 4 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, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4
“He that committeth sin is of the devil”
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8
Why did Jesus come?
“the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8
Read 1 John 3 each morning this week.
Any person who has been saved and is not overcoming sin simply has chosen to love self more than the Savior. They are 100% full blown rebels who could care less about anyone but self. The flames of eternal damnation shall never cease to feed upon their helpless conscious souls.
ALL who attempt to cover instead of admit and confess their sin are outside of Christ. They are lost souls. And doesn’t this account for the vast majority of those claiming to be saved by Christ today? Yes. They love their lies their false prophets feed them (Jeremiah 5:31). Read Jeremiah 5-7 and 2 Timothy 3.
Recently, I spoke with a faithful “church member” who also, flippantly spoke of having “many vices and sins.” Sadly, there was no sense of conviction of this sin.
Are you going to attempt to cover or conquer all sin?
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which TAKETH AWAY the sin of the world.” John 1:29
YOUR PRAYER: Father in Heaven, You are holy. Please forgive my vile, evil, rebellious and disobedient wicked heart and how I have made myself an idol and committed the sin of spiritual adultery against You. I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ, asking You to forgive me, to break me, to unite my heart to fear Thy name. Please grant that this heart be an heart of flesh, removing the stony places and multiplying Your enabling and empowering grace to grant this, Your mere servant, Your power to overcome all sin, all that defiles me in Your holy eyes. Do that deeper work dear LORD. Please cause my heart to never depart from You. Teach me the crucified, the cross life you mandated me to walk in dear LORD. Please help me to love You more, to love You supremely. In Jesus’ name.
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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.”
“Amen! Don’t let your fire die as the church in Laodicea did! They were neither cold nor hot. They were lukewarm. Comfortable! Indifferent! Their fire for the Lord had gone out. God’s not looking for people who play it safe but people who burn with fire for Him!!!” Karen Cochran
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
Discipleship | Enduring to the End | Abiding | The Blessing of Suffering
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