Those who do not endure sound doctrine will not support the preaching of sound doctrine. Counterfeits support antichrists who tell them what they want to hear instead of giving them the raw truth of the whole counsel of God’s Word – and they’re all going to Hell together (Philippians 3:18-19). Beware. Those who support frauds prove themselves to be frauds and will be damned with those antichrists they bid God speed to (2 John 10-11).
“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 (stories, fairytales).” 2 Timothy 4:2-4
HINT: If you aren’t in God’s Word daily, for yourself, you prove to be outside of Christ’s kingdom. Now get before Him in repentance, confess your sin of self-idolatry, spiritual adultery, pride, and rebellion.
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?” Joel 2:12-17
IT’S NOT OUR DUTY to see how many people listen to or take in the ministering God gives each of us to do individually. Remember how 5,000 walked away from Jesus after He preached His truth to them in John 6? Remember how only His own 12 remained? Selah.
Jeremiah had very few visible results of his ministering.
Never forget what Jesus told us:
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus calls His people a “little flock” (Luke 12:32).
“I sometimes can’t comprehend the pervasiveness of so many of these false unbiblical doctrines that dominate most churches today. We left quite a few churches over the years for these very reasons.” B.
“It is truly shocking how gullible people are. When there is so much evidence in the Bible to the contrary. Look how bad things are right now. Pointing us straight to the antichrist. You can see it lining up with scripture. But if you don’t know the Bible, and don’t care to, you wouldn’t see, or know that. People just lap up every doctrine of man without being like the Bereans, checking it against the Word of God. Because of this and how gullible and lazy people are they are “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” Ephesians 4: 14.” Karen Cochran
Be led by the Holy Spirit and test all things against the written Word which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalms 119:105), which the Holy Ghost gave us (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
Many claim the Holy Spirit is leading them and yet when tested against the Word, often it’s not accurate and contradicts the Word. Acts 17:10-11 right?
Regardless of what some claim, as in they claim to be “led by the Spirit” … if their doctrine contradicts Scripture, we know they have and are being led by “another spirit,” a demon…. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).
Essential Biblical Doctrines Nearly Never Heard in the Apostate Modern Church World!
1. The divinity of Jesus Christ (John 1:1-4, 14; 1 Timothy 3:16).
2. The virgin birth of the only begotten Son of God (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
3. The essential precious blood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
4. The inherent fallen nature of mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18).
5. Worshipping God not idols (Exodus 20:3-5).
6. The essential doctrine and necessity of repentance (Luke 13:3).
7. The return of Christ and being ready for it (Luke12:40; 21:34-36).
8. Who Jesus is returning for and who will be shut out of His eternal kingdom (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-27).
9. The essential of enduring to the end to be with Christ eternally, and initial and final salvation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-30; Revelation
2:26).
10. The essential daily cross, the crucified life, which Jesus requires in following Him (Luke 9:23-24).
11. Forgiving all others from the heart (Matthew 18:21-35).
12. Walking in God’s love (Ephesians 5:1).
13. Holiness—including the necessity of personal holiness (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
14. Judgment (Psalms 9:15-17).
15. Hell (Matthew 8:12; Mark 3:29; Luke 16:19-31).
16. Fearing God (Psalms 2:11; Luke 12:4-5).
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” Amos 8:11
“Amos 8: 11 says: ‘Behold the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.’ … There is a famine among Christians and it is deadly. This foretold famine is caused by lack of spiritual food that nourishes one’s soul. We need to be saturated and rooted in God’s Word. If not we become desensitized and stiff necked. This is why so many today claiming to be ‘Christians’ don’t see anything wrong in reading fake Bibles or promoting so-called biblical movies. When they repeatedly refuse to obey truth, their conscience becomes seared (1 Tim. 4:1-2), and hardened.” Karen Cochran
In ministry many times we get to thinking it’s OUR duty to EXPLAIN the Scriptures, the Word to people. Not. First and foremost our God-given duty is to teach and “preach the word” – thereby getting the WORD itself into the hearts of the people so GOD can teach them.
It would be better to simply read pure Scripture than to just be giving YOUR explanation or current understanding of the Scripture.
Yes, we as Christ’s disciples are to “give the sense” of the Word and yet, what is primary priority is getting the WORD itself into the hearts and minds of the people.
“So they (the elders) read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8
The duty of Christ’s disciples is to:
1. Read the actual Word, words of God into the hearing of the
people.
2. Help them understand the words of Holy Scripture themselves – give the sense of the message, the words of our LORD.
Of the false priesthood of the modern church, Karen Cochran writes:
“Because their power is in themselves. They exalt self. Not Jesus. They refuse to lay down their lives and die so Jesus can be raised up! It’s a constant love feast of self. Bathed in unholiness, lukewarmness, iniquity, rebellion and religious garb. The light of Jesus has been extinguished! (Matthew 6:22-23). Just as Jesus told the churches in the book of Revelation, if you don’t repent you will lose God’s presence. And your name will be blotted out. This is what the spirit says to the churches. ‘Take heed lest he fall’ (1 Corinthians 10:12.)”
Jeremiah 23 is an education in false leaders. Of this chapter, FB Meyer wrote the following:
“Jeremiah 23:1-32
SHEPHERDS THAT MISLEAD GOD’S FLOCK
It is God’s purpose to care for His people through shepherds (pastors) who are responsible to Him. Jesus our Lord is the Branch into which we may be grafted. He is our King who saves us and clothes us with His own spotless righteousness. God finds us in Him, Php_3:9. Because He reigns, we are saved and dwell in safety. When we are brought into contact with false shepherds, whether the failure be in doctrine or example, let us ask for the broken heart of Jer_23:9.
God is everywhere present; as the latter paragraph indicates, He is near at hand to overhear the blasphemy of those who deride religion, and to be a very present help in time of trouble. If He fills heaven and earth, can He not fill thy heart? If His Word is like fire, let it cleanse thee! If it is as a hammer, let it pulverize thy pride! Let those of us who essay to teach and preach, not steal our words from our neighbors, or utter our own, but receive them from the source of all truth.”
The written Word is like the tangible standard whereas at times, each of us as humans, can think we are being led by the Spirit but actually are not … and so the standard is always the written Word … to rightly divide His Word of truth, right? Amen Jesus (2 Timothy 2:15)!
The only way we can “rightly” divide the truth from error is by personally, diligently studying God’s Word. Memorize 2 Timothy 2:15.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Most who claim Christ don’t know His Word and many don’t want to know it, otherwise they’d be in it and it would be in them.
“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
Hosea 4:6
“The true test of the knowledge of God is a holy life. These act and react (knowledge/holiness). The better you know God, the more you will resemble Him; compare Psa_111:1-10; Psa_112:1-10. The more you are like God, the better you will know Him.” FB Meyer
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:17
“There was a time when churches were teaching the whole counsel of God and most Bible believers in Bible teaching churches could carry on intelligent biblical conversations if they had been saved for five years or so. In the last ten years, I have found that most Christians today have become biblical illiterates. Due to the constant tendency towards all kinds of new experiences ( 2 Timothy 4:3-4), many are influenced to the extreme, and they settle for simply repeating various phrases that they hear without true, biblical understanding. That, then, becomes the focal point of their Christian life rather than conforming to the teachings of Scripture which they are not taught. It is getting harder and harder to find people in a local church who have even a very basic knowledge of Scripture, let alone any in-depth knowledge. The false teachers are going to have a lot to answer for in this area, but so will pastors who have encouraged this in their people rather than taking on the discipline of learning how to do a proper exegesis and expository teaching.” 1980 Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum
Spiritual Adultery
Is your life more about going to some “church” than it is about seeking, worshipping, loving, and serving Jesus Christ?
“Those apostate churches don’t serve Jesus they serve self! Puff each other up in their flesh! Wanna find the true Jesus of the Bible? Stay home and read your KJB! And find other true disciples to fellowship with. Many are not in the churches!” Karen Cochran
Notice here that the Holy Spirit foretold of these final days in which we now live. He told us that there would be a great seduction transpiring via “seducing spirits” or evil diabolical spirits.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 1 Timothy 4:1-2
“SEDUCE” IS THE ROOT WORD OF SEDUCTION
Like a good husband or wife who warn each other about seducers, like Jesus and His apostles, true servants of Christ warn of spiritual seducers, seduction to draw you away from Christ and how to be victorious over these temptations.
“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Proverbs 30:5
“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to SEDUCE, if it were possible, even the elect.” Mark 13:22
“These things have I written unto you concerning them that SEDUCE you.” 1 John 2:26
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to SEDUCE my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” Revelation 2:20
Divine Protection Comes via the Word
“This is why these false prophets exist – tickle their ears. That’s what they want. No love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2- 10- 12). This is a strong delusion sent by God. The consequence of their choice to refuse God’s truth is God’s judgment.” Karen Cochran
There’s a high price to pay for rejecting the light of Christ and being thereby subject to, trapped in darkness. Receiving He who is the light is the only way out of darkness.
God says “I gave you the Light of the world Himself and the light of truth, and still you chose darkness.”
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21
And then there’s the explosive revelation of 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12:
On the topic of studying, knowing God’s Word, Arlean Benedict Kelley notes:
“This is so simple. It is something any of us can do. No special talent required. Just time alone with God, soaking up Scripture and praying as the Spirit leads. So doable. And this is the place from whence cometh the anointing.”
The greatest threat faced by God’s people in the New Testament era is and has always been false doctrine (Acts 20:20-32; Galatians, etc.). And, it takes false teachers to perpetrate false doctrines. God is the ultimate Father, Protector over His people. And for any parent, safety is at the height of priority.
“BY THE WORD”
“By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Who’s ever gotten themselves in trouble by sin? Would you like to avoid present and future trouble that is not necessary to get into?
“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4
Keeping ourselves from the path of destruction, from the destroyer, sin, and Satan, requires taking heed to God’s Word. Walk in it. Make it the constitution and foundation of your daily life!
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105
SAFEGUARD AGAINST FALSE DOCTRINE
“Does anyone ask me, What is the best safeguard against false doctrine?
The Bible: the Bible regularly read, regularly prayed over, regularly studied. We must go back to the old prescription of our Master: ‘Search the Scriptures’ (John 5:39). If we want a weapon to wield against the devices of Satan, there is nothing like ‘the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.’ But to wield it successfully, we must read it habitually, diligently, intelligently, and prayerfully. This is a point on which, I fear, many fail. In an age of hurry and bustle, few read their Bibles as much as they should. More books perhaps are read than ever, but less of the one Book which makes man wise unto salvation. Rome and neology could never have made such havoc in the Church in the last fifty years, if there had not been a most superficial knowledge of the Scriptures throughout the land. A Bible-reading laity is the strength of a Church.” JC Ryle
Rejoicing in the Riches of God’s Word
“I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.” Psalms 119:14
So many today are looking for ear-tickling wolves to give them “smooth things.” They want nothing to do with conviction of sin which comes when the whole counsel of God is taught (Psalms 119:104, 128; Acts 20:20, 27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.).
“If you love God’s truth you will hate anything that deviates from it.” Karen Cochran
“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” Isaiah 30:9-10
Recently, on social media, someone posted this:
“New to the area. Looking for the best non denominational church close by. Very specific to family oriented. Positive (no hell and fiery brimstone). Welcoming. Non judgmental. Forgiving. Kind. Accepting. Diverse. Just a really good positive God and His people loving church for my family.”
“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
Abiding
Man Shall not Live by Bread Alone [podcast]
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2
Spiritual growth occurs when we ingest the words of God, embrace, incorporate, and walk them out.
“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
“The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”Psalms 33:11
The graphic message below is from a dear sister in Christ named Cassandra, on SubStack:
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You for finding and forgiving me and saving me into Your eternal family. Help me realize the utter importance of feeding on Your Word daily. I love You dear LORD Jesus. Help me to love You more LORD. Help me to feed, to nourish the members of Your body with Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
The Prayer Life of Jesus [podcast]
Prayer is communion, communing with God. Those who earnestly seek God in prayer, who earnestly seek to know Him and to fulfill His will for their temporary lives in this world…. will glorify Him here and to be with Him eternally.
What do we learn from the prayer life of our LORD Jesus?
“Luke 5:16 PRAYERS OF JESUS. Luke stresses more than the other gospels the place of prayer in the life and work of Jesus. When the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at the Jordan, He was ‘praying’ (3:21), at times He withdrew from the multitudes ‘and prayed (5:16); ‘and He continued all night in prayer before choosing the twelve disciples (6:12). He was ‘alone praying’ before He asked His disciples an important question (9:18); at His transfiguration He climbed the mountain ‘to pray’ (9:28); the actual transfiguration occurred while ‘he prayed’ (9:29); and He ‘was praying’ just before He taught the disciple’s the Lord’s Prayer (11:1). In Gethsemane He ‘prayed more earnestly’ (22:44); on the cross He prayed for others (23:34); and His last words uttered before His death were a prayer (23:46). Luke also mentions that He prayed after His resurrection (24:30).
In examining the life of Jesus in the other Gospels, we note that He prayed before extending the invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour …’ (Mat. 11:25-28); He prayed at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:41-42), for Peter (Luke 22:32), and during the institution of the Lord’s Supper (John 17).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23
“14:23 PRAY ALONE. While on earth, Jesus often sought time to be alone with God (cf. Mark 1:35; 6:46; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18; 22:41-42; Heb. 5:7). Time alone with God is essential to the spiritual well-being of every believer. We must continually remember that the lack of desire for solitary prayer to our heavenly Father is an unmistakable sign that the spiritual life within us is in a process of decline. If this is happening, we must turn from all that offends the Lord and renew our commitment to persevere in seeking God and His saving grace.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” Luke 18:1
“18:1 MEN OUGHT ALWAYS TO PRAY. Jesus was frequently concerned that His followers pray continually in order to accomplish God’s will for their lives. From this parable of the widow who persevered we learn several things; (1) We must persevere in prayer with regard to all matters until Jesus returns (vv 7-8; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17). (2) In this life we have an adversary (v. 3), Satan (1 Pet. 5:8). Prayer can protect us from the evil one (Mat. 6:13). (3) In our prayers we should cry out against sin and for justice (v 7). (4) Persistent prayer is counted as faith (v. 8). (5) In the final days before the return of Christ, there will be increased diabolical opposition to the prayers of the faithful (1 Tim. 4:1). Because of Satan and the pleasures of the world many will cease having a persistent prayer life (8:14; Mat. 13:22; Mark 4:19).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
SUMMATION you might ask?
Following Jesus by living a life of prayer with the Father and Himself – living your life in complete submission to and dependency upon the LORD …. daily declaring with John the Baptist that “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Be persistent. Be relentless – in praying, communing with your God!
Read aloud, begin to memorize and live out:
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
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Articles
IS DOUBTING YOUR SALVATION ALWAYS A BAD THING? [podcast]
Making Sure We are Truly Saved While We Still Can
Obviously, the assurance of salvation should concern each and every one of us.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
Notice “if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Note that those who honestly assess and amend their ways in the LORD will not be judged with the wicked. Those who don’t, will be. They will fall away and not endure to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21, etc.).
Are you judging yourself, testing and discerning your life against Holy Scripture?
“Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” Proverbs 28:5
Counterfeits refuse to judge their actual fruit, their lives. They want the assurance of eternal glory with no responsibility of actual repentance and an abiding, obedient relationship with the Savior they claim. They want the crown without the cross. They do not wish to be bothered with truly engaging in an abiding relationship with Jesus on His stated terms but rather seek to use Him to get them out of hell. Jesus tells all who’ve been saved that abiding, remaining in Him to the end of their lives is essential to eternity with Him (John 15:6, etc.).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Is believing the biblical truth that a saved person can backslide, fall away, and forfeit their place with God (lose salvation) a bad thing? No. It’s only a bad thing in the minds of those who want to live on their own depraved, self-serving terms while deluding themselves into thinking they are going to God’s holy Heaven.
WHY are we so afraid of doubting if we are truly saved – born again AND presently abiding in Christ? (John 15:1-6). It will be too late when we die which could be today. Think about this. NOW is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2) and so today is the day to honestly examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:31-32; 2 Corinthians 13:5). Please read the LORD’s book of Ezekiel. You will discover many divine treasures in this magnificent volume. Share this message if you wish to help others.
“A disciplined conscience is a man’s best friend. It may not be his most amiable, but it is his most faithful monitor.” Austin Phelps
“LORD Jesus, please grant me the Holy Fear of God!” should be the daily prayer of every true saint.
“Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalms 86:11
I told someone recently that I love listening to a preacher or reading Scripture that can make me doubt my salvation because it further quickens my spirit in the fear of God to scamper to the feet of Jesus afresh.
Assurance of salvation and how it possesses the authentic disciple and not the counterfeit.
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” 1 John 3:19-21
As we see in the passage above, assurance of salvation fills the hearts of all born again believers are who working out their own salvation with fear and trembling.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out 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
There are conditions the LORD requires to procure and walk in His blessings.
Assurance of salvation is biblical. Eternal security is not. The idea that one is eternally secure no matter what they do after being saved, is a lie from hell. Jesus told us that among those He saves, any who don’t abide, continue with Him, will be cast into the fire (John 15:6).
The lack of a clear conscience, the lack of assurance in one’s heart, is due to the lack of present abiding, obedience. All who are Christ’s and presently abiding, are filled with the assurance of His salvation. Read John 15.
Wolves among us, when addressing assurance, nearly never speak of the personal responsibility God gives to all He saves – to obey Him (John 14:15, 21-23, etc.). When one lacks assurance, it’s only because they have chosen to lack obeying the Savior (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Jude 3-4).
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22
WHAT ABOUT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE DOUBTS THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED?
When a true believer in Jesus Christ questions someone’s salvation, it is in no way to be rude, but rather out of godly concern. Jesus told us to “know” (discern) people “by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16, 20). Good “fruit” (produce) can only come forth from the born again, abiding disciple of Jesus. Good fruit comes forth from a real relationship with Christ (John 15). One must know Him and that begins at the moment of true repentance and faith (Acts 20:21).
If the overall fruit of someone’s life is not that which the Bible teaches is consistent with truly knowing Jesus and having been regenerated, then there should be concern.
There are some among us who violently object to doubting someone’s salvation, Yet, based on the biblical mandate to “know” (discern) others “by their fruits,” this will happen at times (Matthew 7:16, 20). When a professing Christian’s salvation is doubted based upon lack of good fruit to prove it, some become irate with a “How dare you doubt my/that person’s salvation! Just who are you to do such a thing!?” But wait a minute – didn’t Jesus instruct us to “know” others based on their “fruits”? (Matthew 7:16, 20). And if there are no counterfeits who pose as Christ’s people, why did Jesus say that there are chaff among the wheat? (Matthew 13). Yes He did and so why are we surprised if some of those around us are found to be lost even though they think they are saved? And yes the chaff are going to be separated by the angels in the end but for now Jesus told us to discern (to distinguish between) or to “know” them “by their fruits” and that’s done by fruit inspection.
One man said that he believed that over 90% of church goers in America have never been genuinely born again as we “must be” in order to be brought into God’s kingdom (John 3:3, 7).
Repentance is where and when regeneration happens. In the modern church world, such a foundational biblical doctrine is rarely mentioned much less preached or correctly taught to define what it is and bring conviction to the hearers. In the vast majority of churches today, salvation is never or seldom presented. So how can the sinner respond in repentance and be saved? Is it any wonder so few are saved? People are rarely if ever called to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ today as they were publicly called to do by the apostles of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 3:19).
There are some people who hang around with the Christian body that I just never got a peace about. There doesn’t seem to be the presence of the divine Person of the Holy Spirit and therefore the fruit He alone can produce is absent (Galatians 5:22-23). One must be born again and given a new nature by the LORD or we are not His. When this conversion takes place, there will be good fruit (Matthew 3:7-10).
Should we float people all the way into hell instead of helping make sure they have truly repented and been born again? Is that love or hatred?
If someone questions our salvation, how should we react? How about this way: “Well, thank you for being concerned about my eternal soul. I am open and willing to investigate (biblically) the possibility that I may not have truly repented (laid down my life) and placed my faith in Jesus Christ. Or, since He saved me in the past, perhaps I have backslidden and no longer know Him due to allowing sin in my life.”
HONEST CONCERN VERSUS CRUEL CONDEMNATION
There are going to be children of the enemy that will come in and attempt to confuse and to derail you by doubting that you are saved. They do this to bring “confusion and every evil work” instead of “godly edifying” (James 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:4).
David, the man after God’s own heart, was often persecuted by the wicked, his place with God being the central attack of the enemy.
“My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? … As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?” Psalms 42:3, 10
Those who are His have the “witness” of His Spirit in them:
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16
Why are you bothered when someone else doubts your salvation? Do you have the bearing witness of the Holy Spirit as a witness in your heart? (Romans 8:16). If you are assured by God (not self or mere man) of your salvation, why would you be concerned if someone else doubted it? Can you say with Paul “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”? (2 Timothy 1:12). Did God not say that we who have and are believing the record He gave of His Son have HIS “witness” within us?
“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:9-13
David told us that our “sentence” comes from the LORD Himself not man:
“Let my sentence (verdict) come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.” Psalms 17:2
The Hebrew word that is translated “sentence” here means: act of deciding a case, decision, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable), sentence of formal decree.
By reason of creation, God Himself is the only One who can determine judicially that one is righteous or unrighteous, just or unjust, justified or not justified. The Almighty is the only One qualified to sentence any individual to Heaven or hell. Either He approves of us or He disapproves of us (Ezekiel 18:4).
“STRONG CONFIDENCE”
“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27
The key to having “strong confidence” and escaping “the snares of death,” is fearing God.
God’s Word tells us that “The fear of the Lord is clean” (Psalms 19:9). The heart that truly fears God is made “clean” from any doubt and has full and “strong confidence” or assurance and strength of conviction.
The key is being with Jesus – being in Christ. Jesus told us that those who are “with” Him are His and all others are “against” Him (Matthew 12:30). The whole of Holy Scripture is the very testimony of God and we can plainly observe that being presently and truly “in Christ” is the determining factor.
The Father spoke from Heaven audibly, declaring of Christ, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). ALL who are presently in Christ, are well pleasing to God – justified, sentenced and declared righteous. Justification, to be declared righteous by God, is always “by faith” (Romans 3:21-5:17; Hebrews 11:4-7).
Ultimately, your “sentence” or sentencing comes forth from God alone who is the only Judge of your eternal soul. In light of this, Paul writes:
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34
According to the whole counsel of God’s Word, believers in Jesus Christ – those who genuinely turn to God in repentance, placing their faith in Jesus Christ – have been shown mercy by God. This gift of eternal life was made possible through the finished and perfect work of the One sinless, perfect Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who bled on the cross, was buried, and rose again from the dead. He is “the Son of God with power.”
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Romans 1:4
Being rooted and grounded in God’s love is so very important to being “sound in the faith,” having a “sound heart” and a “sound mind” (Proverbs 14:30; 2 Timothy 1:7; Titus 1:13). This all comes from learning and believing “sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9; 2:1).
GOING DEEP
Heeding the apostle Paul’s exhortation to all those whom the LORD has saved, is essential to an ever-deepening, abiding, assured place with the LORD.
“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.” Colossians 2:6-7
Only going on to perfection (spiritual maturity) by learning and obeying the truth of God can make one free from doubting that He is God’s child (Hebrews 5:11-6:3).
“As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:30-32, 36
As the born again disciple of Christ continues to walk in the light of truth with Jesus, He is kept in Christ and assured of salvation.
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7
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