“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven … A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4
“A time to weep (death, burial),
and a time to laugh (resurrection);
a time to mourn (death, burial),
and a time to dance (resurrection);”
Though we don’t initial or dictate those seasons, we do participate with the One who does, the LORD who is in control.
A breaking down followed by a building up is the rhythm of the cross in our lives – and as it was in the case of our LORD, it’s the cross which will always precede the resurrection victory (John 12:24; Hebrews 2:14-15, etc.).
We can be fully assured that as we lay down our life, Christ who is “the resurrection and the life,” will reciprocally raise it up for His glory (John 11:25; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
This is how we walk with the LORD and there’s no other way. Remember this as you scratch your head the next time you hear yet another cross-less sermon on coping, relegating the believer to a life of defeat. When we taste and see this cross life, we shall be blessed to see that as we die downward, that guarantees that Christ will raise us upward. With our brother Paul, we shall declare “but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
In his sufferings, which God allowed for His divine purposes, Paul discovered and said…
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the 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
“The condition of this strength is sour consciousness of our own utter weakness. We are too strong for God. Our self-confidence shuts Him out of our lives. We require to be taken down to Gideon’s brook, that we may be reduced to the minimum of our own energy, and be filled to the maximum of His. It was this that made Paul glory in his infirmities, where other men would have thought their infirmities debarred them from Christian usefulness. He accounted that they were the greater reason for anticipating success. Tell him that his words lacked eloquence, or that his appearance was unprepossessing, or that his thorn in the flesh made him a cripple in Christ’s army – he would have answered, ‘I rejoice in them all – nay, I glory in them. All hail, ye blessed arguments for self-abasement, and for reckoning more completely on the mighty power of Christ!” Joseph, F.B. Meyer, p. 140
In Christ, when we close our eyes in death, when we resign ourself to dying, we awake to the resurrection bliss of eternal joy.
MOURNING vs MIRTH
The 2 Houses: Which house are you spending the most time in?
So many professing Christians today run from, evade all messages on repentance, the cross, and laying down the life in this fleeting world. They are not following Jesus on HIS terms. No, they are living their best life now, having been coddled by the wolves who are using them (2 Timothy 4:2-4). It’s sad that so few of them are hearing and answering the call of God to come unto Jesus and serve Him on HIS terms, which always begins with true repentance and proving that repentance by bringing forth good fruit (Matthew 3:7-10). They have chosen a cheap counterfeit over the Son of God and are forfeiting the blessings of God in this life and the next.
MANY WANT THE COMFORT YET REFUSE THE CROSS
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves … Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” 2 Timothy 3:1, 4
WHEN we spend time in the house of mourning (the cross-death, burial), the house, the place of mirth (celebration, resurrection) follows, awaits us!!!!
“It is better to go to the house of mourning (lamentation, sadness, grief), than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth (Heb. celebration, glee, gladness, rejoicing, festival).” Ecclesiastes 7:2-4
This is an amazing revelation: Watch what King Solomon says here below. Foregoing self-serving gratification, feasting, celebration, always results in experiencing the death, the burial, and the resurrection joy and fulfillment that God alone can and desires to delight us with as we do things His way – the cross. The cross, the death and burial (house of mourning) always precedes “the house of mirth.”
“the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men” (v2): Pride was the root cause of the fall of Lucifer and a third of the angels of God in Heaven, and every civilization of mankind that came and went, destroyed in their rebellion. Perhaps Sodom and Gomorra are the most popular biblical example (Ezekiel 16:49-51). | The FORGOTTEN Sins of Sodom [podcast]
The Wise and the Foolish Contrasted
Notice: “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (v4) When divine wisdom begins to take up more real estate in our hearts, we begin to realize that His wisdom teaches us to get down low, into the death and burial, while foolishness tempts us to seek out “the house of mirth,” to excessively indulge in celebration.
We shall never experience God on the mountain as we will in the valley.
When we “take it on the chin”, we get knocked down, humbled low and it puts us in the place of weakness and God in the place of strength, ruling in us with His divine might!!!
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the 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 12:7-10
So many clueless parents today are destroying their own children by filling them with sugary desserts when the child hasn’t even eaten the meat and vegetables. In the same way, false leaders today are spiritually, eternally assassinating their gullible, biblically illiterate audiences by feeding them the cotton candy “best life now” gospel instead of teaching them the cross of the original Gospel of Jesus (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Our LORD Jesus suffered greatly in “the house of mourning.” The divine resurrection followed the mourning, the great suffering of our Savior.
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:3-12
Jesus warns us of the dangers, the eternal danger of soul, associated with “the house of mirth” when He says:
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36
The lifestyle, the sin of over indulgence will always lead to eternal damnation. As is at times used in Scripture, wine in the title of this message merely speaks of celebration, not drunkenness, which is misuse and sin (Psalms 10:15; Proverbs 3:10; Ecclesiastes 9:7; 10:19; John 2; Ephesians 5:18, etc.).
“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 is now again reigning as supreme LORD at the right hand of the Father, having accomplished the cross, redemption through His death.
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” Philippians 2:8-9
Based on His earthly sufferings, He is rightly called “the suffering Servant.” (Isaiah 53, etc.) Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and raised again from the dead. He calls us to also suffer the death of self that He might exalt us in His resurrection power, for His glory.
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2
Suffering is also part of the life of the true disciple, every disciple, namely the suffering of the death of self so that Christ reigns (2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
Suffering our own death so that Christ is reigning (resurrection), is the Gospel in action in our personal lives. Laying down our lives as Christ raises them up is the Gospel reenacted daily in our lives – death, burial, resurrection.
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” Philippians 1:29
When Israel was in rebellion, the LORD warned that He was going to remove the mirth from them …..
“Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.” (Jeremiah 7:34) Jesus is going to judge all men and eternally remove all “mirth”, that is, all joy, bliss, and celebration from the wicked – those who refuse to mourn.
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Those who mourn in this life are already experiencing a foretaste of glory divine – comfort from the “God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:2-5).
The counterfeit is characterized by his selfishness. He’s only in it for himself. He could care less about the God he falsely claims to be his savior – because it’s all about him, not the LORD. Therefore he wants no part with repenting, laying down his life in this world, denying self, taking up the cross, and following Jesus. He just wants the crown while refusing the cross. He wants instant gratification and hates waiting and this is why his handlers have to keep pumping him up with false hope – stringing him along, milking his money (2 Peter 2:1-3).
In the divine economy, there is much value in the seasons of suffering.
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. … 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:2-4
Serendipity: You really don’t begin to enjoy your life in this world until you lay it down – until you do it God’s way and not your own (Matthew 6:33; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33). Every true disciple can testify to this – because every true disciple, by biblical definition, has truly repented, has laid down his life in this world and is daily denying self, taking up the cross and following Jesus. And, the result is resurrection grace and joy!
No, in this observation of the great joy that fills the heart of the true saint, I didn’t say or hint of loving this world – but rather in loving the LORD, truly (1 John 2:15). Yet, having a clear conscience and deep inner peace granted by God Himself, is essential to the fulfillment that glorifies Christ (Psalms 23).
Those in Christ will suffer and mourn and weep in this life and yet, in the end
“Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” John 16:20
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalms 30:5
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
In Christ’s kingdom, there’s the need to “Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.” Here’s the passage:
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10
There are death, burials, and resurrections in our lives. There can’t be the resurrection (mirth) till there’s first the death, and burial (the mourning). The following passage from 2 Corinthians 4 gives us the rhythm of the cross life in the divine economy. Pouring prayerfully over these divinely-inspired words is sure to be instrumental in bringing about God’s will in our lives.
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
Only through the cross lifestyle can the disciple experience practically the riches of Christ.
Let us “taste and see that the LORD is good” as we forego on our own idea of feasting, excessive celebration in the things of this world, and get down low in worshipful humility, allowing God to bring us upward into His lavish chambers of fruitful delight, a foretaste of glory divine!
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalms 34:8
In Ecclesiastes 7, Solomon is in no way saying that celebration is wrong and yet, allowing God to fill our hearts with the joy and occasions of celebration is infinitely sweeter than perpetually avoiding pain and mourning in order to seek out celebration.
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11
Throughout Israel’s history, they rebelled and suffered greatly. The celebration of the people of God followed great suffering, as God liberated them. When the LORD set Israel free, releasing them from the bondage of enemy nations, from Babylon, they “were like them that dream”, and instructed by Him to be fruitful to His glory.
Psalm 126
“A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion (set them free), we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
“Turned – Brought the captive Israelites out of Babylon into their own land. Dream – We were so surprised and astonished.” John Wesley
God’s people would later become unthankful, unholy, and overly indulge in “the house of mirth.” They were therefore allowed to be led back into the slavery, under the bondage the enemy.
Those whom Jesus saves are required by Him to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)
The believer is to live an abiding life with Christ, bearing the fruit that testifies to such (John 15). The Bible is full of warnings concerning falling away (Luke 8:13). If falling away were not possible, no such warnings would exist in Holy Writ.
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape (eternal judgment), if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” Hebrews 2:1-3
On a personal note: In the past, I could never and have never been possessed by the deep satisfaction and fulfillment that now fills my life as I choose to do things GOD’s way, and not my own. The cross is God’s way. Every disciple reading this, who is learning that cross truth, can certainly concur!
“Better is the end (resurrection) of a thing than the beginning thereof (death and burial): and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8
Surely the resurrection is better, more pleasurable than the death and burial, the dying, and yet the resurrection cannot occur without the death and burial first happening.
Adam Clarke on Ecclesiastes 7:2:
“It is better to go to the house of mourning – Birthdays were generally kept with great festivity, and to these the wise man most probably refers; but according to his maxim, the miseries of life were so many and so oppressive that the day of a man’s death was to be preferred to the day of his birth. But, in dependently of the allusion, it is much more profitable to visit the house of mourning for the dead than the house of festivity. In the former we find occasion for serious and deeply edifying thoughts and reflections; from the latter we seldom return with one profitable thought or one solid impression.” Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke on Ecclesiastes 7:4:
“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning – A wise man loves those occasions from which he can derive spiritual advantage; and therefore prefers visiting the sick, and sympathizing with those who have suffered privations by death. But the fool – the gay, thoughtless, and giddy – prefers places and times of diversion and amusement. Here he is prevented from seriously considering either himself or his latter end. The grand fault and misfortune of youth.” Adam Clarke
“I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way.
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say
I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And not a word said she;
But oh, the things I learned from her
When sorrow walked with me”
by Robert Browning Hamilton
“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. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:20-26
Beloved of God, may we no longer run from the pain associated with the dying to self. Instead, let us embrace it, for therein in our own demise is the supreme reign of Christ.
Concerning our dying and the resulting heavenly treasure, one writer notes:
“In the cross there’s:
. . . freedom from self comes forth.
. . . new creation comes forth.
. . . new perspective comes forth.
. . . transformation by a renewed mind comes forth.
. . . glory (or “weight of glory”) is realized.
. . . immunity to (or resurrection immunity to) pain is realized.
The only real way to escape pain is to embrace it. It only gets worse when one uses human ways to numb it or escape it, pass it on or put it off on someone else.”
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:” Joel 2:12
Sodom and Gomorrah | The Cross Life | Joy Comes After the Mourning
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Have We Misunderstood Why Christians Meet Together? [video]
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Articles
Salvation is Not a One-Time Experience but a Lifelong Walk [podcast]
WE’VE BEEN LIED TO!
Salvation begins at a one time born again event and is ordained of the Savior to be for a lifetime and into eternal glory with Christ and His saints.
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26
Christ’s work is finished, not yours (John 19:30). According to Holy Scripture, if you’ve been truly born again, you must abide in Christ, remain in Him, endure to the end or you will be cast into the fires of eternal damnation (John 15:6; Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.).
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
Enduring “to the end” is a condition for ultimately being in Heaven with 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
The LORD Jesus and His apostles never once used the words “once saved always saved” or “eternal security.” So, who’s lying? What they did teach contradicts such a notion.
Who did Jesus promise is going to be “saved”?
“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 24:11-13
You MUST “walk in the light” of truth to the end of your life on earth to be with Jesus eternally (1 John 1:7). Only THEN will you be eternally secure!
“But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
Since when is obedience to the truth legalism or works salvation?
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4
Actually, if a person doesn’t have the fruit of good works in their life, it’s because either they have not yet truly been saved or due to their falling away (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:20-21, etc.).
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16
Who’s Going to Heaven and Who’s Not?
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
Who’s going to be with Christ eternally according to the Son of God?
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14
Those who are “called, and chosen, and faithful.” God calls and chooses “ALL men to be saved” and yet it’s only those who repent, become converted and endure to the end (“faithful”) who will reign with Him eternally (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 1 Timothy 2:4). He calls and desires all men to be saved and yet He will only save those who obey Him by repenting and putting their faith in Christ.
EVER WONDER why the OSAS adherent is often extremely vigorous about defending the unconditional eternal security sham he has bought into? What’s at stake for him? Why does he defend this teaching that has no ground in Scripture and that he has learned of men and devils?
The lame, refuses-to-take-personal-responsibility eternal securist hides behind his false facade that nothing he does including sin or doesn’t do affects or is related to his “relationship” with Christ. The word “fruit” appears 67 times in the New Testament canon. So is fruit important to the LORD? Good fruit, which includes good works doesn’t save us but it’s the clear proof that we know Him who came to do us and all mankind good by dying to bring us back to God (John 3:16).
PEOPLE who are hiding behind this satanic lie told by the serpent in the Garden become immediately irate and infuriated when the thin sham veneer of their pretention and self-preservation is pulled open by the truth. The light of truth shines into their darkened hearts. These want nothing at all to do with personal responsibility (Titus 1:16). They don’t care what the Bible teaches. They don’t want their little “eternal security” “I’m saved no matter what” myth busted because they are rebels at heart and refuse to truly surrender – which is what true repentance involves.
We need not kid ourselves, the fruit of our lives demonstrates clearly to God and man who we really are. Jesus taught “For EVERY tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.” (Luke 6:44) …. “Even a child is known by his doings (works), whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” (Proverbs 20:11)
The Calvinist and eternal securist wants to put the whole responsibility of salvation upon God because he wants no part of personal responsibility to “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) This is cowardly is it not? “Fearful” in Revelation 21:8 means cowardly and the lake of fire awaits all who are.
“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
If you die in sin, HELL is where you end up in (Ezekiel 33:12-13).
What does Hebrews 12:14 guarantee us?
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
God sent His Son to pay the full price “for the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD” and those He calls and chooses must be “faithful” or full of faith “to the end” or they will be shut out of the eternal kingdom just as the five foolish virgins were who ran out of oil due to neglecting fellowship with the Bridegroom (Jesus) (1 John 2:2; Revelation 17:14; Mathew 10:22; 24:13). See Matthew 25:1-13.
Explain why we think a bride to be can be unfaithful, commit adultery, fornicate, just before the wedding, and still be accepted as the bride at her scheduled wedding. Delusional. If such were the case, why is this not illustrated, why does it contradict Jesus’ parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25:1-13?
If we don’t truly repent and become “honest” with the whole counsel of God’s Word and rather live our one life on lies, namely, the myth that we are “eternally secure”, we shall find ourselves in the domain of the damned, from which we shall never escape (Luke 8:11-15).
Anyone Going to Argue with Jesus?
Jesus taught us that one who is in Him (saved) must abide or remain in Him or that person will be “cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned (hell).”
“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 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 (hell).” John 15:1-6
Yes, salvation begins in the life of the sinner who has been drawn in and found by Christ and chooses to repent and put His faith in Jesus (John 1:12; 6:47; Acts 16:31; 20:21; Romans 3-5; Ephesians 2:8-9, etc.). Initial salvation is instant and yet that’s not the end of it … according to the record of the New Testament Scriptures. Christ and His holy apostles never spoke in terms of salvation being a one-time done deal.
Paul makes it clear that saving grace does NOT abound toward, in the life of any person who has been saved and yet is now living outside of Christ’s stated will, His Word.
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2
It’s time to get into the Word friends and cease to walk in delusions.
What is the agent that will cleanse the Great Tribulation saints? (Revelation 7:14) – “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
The washing we are to receive of God by the cleansing blood of Jesus is not a one-time event but rather a lifelong walk/experience. Such is our walk with Christ – it’s an abiding relationship and to abide means to remain (John 15:1-6). And if we don’t remain in Him – we shall be “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) (more on this verse in a moment)
“But IF IF IF IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
There are conditions for continuing to remain, to abide in Christ’s saving grace. Only counterfeits refuse to acknowledge this. They want no part with personal repentance, laying down their lives in this fleeting world, and truly following Jesus. No, they want the crown but not the cross. They don’t love Jesus enough to truly serve Him and so they buy into diabolical systems like the heretical “eternal security” or calvinistic systems.
The vast majority of pastors and writers today are in gross darkness and treat salvation as a one-time event instead of an abiding, a remaining walk with Christ “to the end” of our lives (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:1-6; Col. 1:23; Heb. 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39, etc.). Many have espoused these lies because they have not chosen to get diligently and deeply into God’s Word for themselves but have rather followed other men’s selective line through Scripture. Those who aren’t diligently studying God’s Word daily are “not valiant for the truth” and will therefore be turned over to delusion and ultimately damned (Jer. 9:3; 2 Thess. 2:10-12).
“And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies (they go to the furthest lengths to embrace lies): but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:3
Those who do not love divine truth (the Holy Scriptures) manifest plainly that they do not love He who is “the truth.” (John 14:6) God takes that personally and will actually help or assist in their delusions and damnation.
“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
God is able and will keep all who trust Him to the end and do not deny Him:
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 24-25
Will Every One Jesus Saved be in Heaven? | Is Salvation Eternal? | Is Doubting Your Salvation a Bad Thing? |
FEEDBACK:
——- FROM Shannon Cook: “To the “once saved always saved theorists”
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not “blot out” his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
For something to be “blotted out” (i.e. removed) it would had to have been there in order to be “blotted out” which totally contradicts the theory of “once saved always saved.”
So, who is saved?
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Consider the warning to the church of Ephesus:
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast “left thy first love.”
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and REPENT, and do they first works;[or else] I will come into thee quickly, and remove thy candlestick out of his place, expect thou repent.
Laodicean Warning:
“And unto the angel of the church of Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, [the faithful and true witness], the beginning of the creation of God. 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot,I would thou wert hot or cold. 16 [So then] BECAUSE thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:14-16 pass it on – Heaven Guaranteed to all who have Received Jesus?
Amen, never to depart from the Christ, he shall walk with us as we endure till the end!
“I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5 Not never will you leave me nor forsake me. We’re sheep, we have natural, fleshly tendency to wander. Ever reminding us how crucial it is to continuously follow the Christ.
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye [endure] chastening, (there’s that word endure again) God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he that the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof ALL are partakers, then ye are bastards,(illegitimate) and not sons. Hebrews 12:6-8
The elect of Christ have and will experience chastening, and no matter the discomfort in and through it, we always rejoice and know there’s purpose (to the glory of our Christ) as we “endure.”
– check this out – Will Everyone Jesus has Saved be in Heaven?
Reply Received:
“Where do I begin. Every person born of God, WILL be faithful. Even if they are faithless, He remains faithful because He can NOT deny Himself. We are HIDDEN in Christ, and seated with Him right now in the heavenlies. We have passed from death to LIFE. This is an event that is unchangeable. God causes it to occur and doesn’t change His mind. He adopts us. Permanently.
Context is everything. It is king. It determines what a passage actually means. Did you know Todd, that God has saved you forever? It’s great to be free and assured of that. Are you afraid He might not keep you to the end? It’s His desire and intent to do that, bro.
Reply Back:
We only have security in Christ AS we are abiding – remaining – in an intimate relationship with Him.
According to Jesus in John 15, “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 (hell), and they are burned.” (Jn. 15:6)
In order to receive final salvation, one must abide or remain in Christ (Jn. 15:5-6). There is no guarantee that God’s seed will “remain” in the person who is born again and later departs from the LORD.
What you are doing is simply spouting off what you have been taught of mere sinful men…. speaking of context, let’s look at the context of what you partially quoted, conveniently and selectively excluding the whole context:
2 Timothy 2:11-13
“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13
The person seeking to convince others of “once saved always saved” will misquote this text by saying that because “he (God) abideth faithful” He would never “deny us.” This is a distortion. Let’s read the verse again okay? The passage states that “if we deny him, he also will deny US.” The Word here tells us that “if we deny him, he also will deny US.” Does it get any clearer than this? Being honest with what the Bible says is essential to a clear conscience and to possessing the mind of Christ and true doctrine. Again, those who seek to make palatable the unconditional security teaching can be heard misquoting this text saying “He cannot deny us.” Is that what verse 13 says? No. It says “He cannot deny HIMSELF.” This passage tells us that He “will deny us” if we “deny him” and that “He cannot deny Himself,” not us. In this Bible passage we see that the LORD “abideth faithful”to Himself and to those who do not deny Him. Didn’t Jesus tell us to “deny” ourselves and that if we were “ashamed” of Him or His words He would be “ashamed” of us? See Luke 9:23-24 and Mark 8:34-38.
Below is a classic perversion of this very passage of Scripture. I read this on the internet. The persuasion intended by the person who wrote this is to convince people of something the Bible simply never puts forth.
“If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 – God wants you to know for sure that you cannot lose it (salvation) under any circumstance whatsoever, even in the worse scenario. The first part of the verse above says that we can come to a state of mind that we do not believe in God anymore. But, the second says that He will remain faithful if that happens…God cannot deny what He said, because God cannot lie! (Hebrews 6:18 KJV AV1611) He promised to keep us eternally secure and He will remain faithful in that promise even if we ‘believe not.’ Another possible way of looking at ‘he cannot deny himself’ is that we are one in Him. If He was not faithful in His promise, He would be denying himself of eternal security, that is, He would be casting part of himself in eternal damnation in the lake of fire.” J. A.
First off, if in fact as J.A. supposes, “God wants you to know for sure that you cannot lose it (salvation) under any circumstance whatsoever, even in the worse scenario,” then why did God Himself warn His very own people throughout His Word concerning the danger of:
• “Departing from the living God” (Heb. 3:12-15)
• Losing the reward of Heaven for turning back into sin after being saved (Ezek. 33:12-13; 2 Pet. 2:20-21)
• “Falling away” (Lk. 8:13; 2 Thes. 2:3)
• “Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith” (1 Tim. 5:12)
• Being “cut off” (Rom. 11:19-23)
• Being forsaken of Him (2 Chron. 15:2; Ezra 8:22; 2 Tim. 2:12)
• Being blotted out of the book of life (Exod. 32:33; Ps. 69:32; Rev. 3:5; 22:18-19)
The fact that God remains faithful in no way predicts or determines whether individuals will partake of His plan of salvation. His faithfulness in no way forces men to remain faithful (abide), nor does it disable the Almighty from rendering a due reward of eternal judgment upon those who do not meet His requirements/conditions. This is a truth completely ignored by those who embrace the unscriptural notion of an unconditional eternal security.
“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar …” Romans 3:3-4
All sin will be accounted for – one way or the other, and this is the reason for the Judgment Thrones to come (Exod. 34:7; Rom. 14:12-14; Rev. 20:11-15). This should shine yet a brighter light upon the glorious Gospel salvation Jesus Christ wrought for His people and how we can “come boldly” with our sins to His holy throne of grace to receive grace and mercy in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16).
It seems to me, after listening to hundreds of those who believe in an unconditional eternal security, that some people believe that their theology is going to change the unchanging, immutable God (Rom. 3:3-4; James 1:17). The twisting of Scripture, instead of “rightly dividing the word of truth” is done to one’s “own destruction.” (2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Pet. 3:16-17) The disciple of Jesus Christ must be intent upon studying to show himself “approved unto God,” not men, and therefore be able to “rightly” divide “the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) The person who does not diligently study and know God’s Word, stands to be deluded by the many false teachings circulated in the church world.
What happens if a saved person does not obey and remain faithful to God? Those who do not choose to persevere in saving faith:
• Possess “an evil heart of unbelief” (Heb. 3:12)
• Depart from the living God (Heb. 3:12)
• Cannot and do not please God (Heb. 11)
• Depart from the faith through “doctrines of devils” (1 Tim. 4:1-6)
• “Turn away their ears from the truth” and are “turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:4)
• Cannot enter into His rest or presence (Heb. 3:19; 4:6, 11)
• Are “broken off” from the LORD (Rom. 11:20)
• The “unbelieving…shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone …” (Rev. 21:8, 27)
The Bible never guarantees that all Christ saves will automatically “endure to the end” which Jesus says is essential to ultimately being saved into Heaven when speaking to His very own people (Matt. 10:22; 24:13). Christ Himself invented the term “fall away” when speaking of those who would “believe” and be saved and not continue with Him (Lk. 8:13).
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Abiding
“Feed My Sheep” [podcast]
The Paramount Divine Importance of Nourishing the Saints of Christ
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16
Nourishing Christ’s Sheep
“Feed the Flock of God.” 1 Peter 5:2
First, it’s God’s flock, paid for with the very blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28).
Jesus Christ is “that great shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20). He instructed us to follow Him and, in doing so, to “FEED my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Tending to the sheep of Christ’s pasture involves nourishing them with His Word, warning them, comforting them, and at times admonishing or rebuking.
Every single disciple of Christ should pray to be pastoral in heart and life. We are each to tend to our fellowship with Christ daily and to minister His grace to His people as we ourselves grow in His grace.
In this, we must ask Him to grant our hearts a kingdom perspective, not a local church attendance perspective.
Christ and the apostles were the salt and light every day. They had no building. They went to the people as did all the disciples upon being scattered from Jerusalem during persecution. “They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).
“Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” John 21:15
Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, please nourish my heart in Your truth, fill me with Your Spirit afresh, and use me to refresh Your saints. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17
To “feed” His sheep is to nourish, to perfect, to mature, and to equip them to do ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).
THOSE who corral instead of preparing and launching God’s people into ministry WILL answer to the Almighty! They will have hell to pay. Their rebellion is more than obvious. They are the self-serving “enemies of the cross of Christ” Paul spoke of in Philippians 3:18-19.
Oh, and “ministry” is not cleaning the so-called “church” building or singing in the choir. Many have reduced “ministry” to something never seen in Scripture. True ministry would be to be involved in the Great Commission Jesus gave His people (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Acts, etc.). There were no church buildings to clean or choirs among the earliest followers of Jesus.
Feeding Christ’s sheep is so that they grow in His grace and DO “the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Leaders who are simply using, holding back the sheep for their own self-serving agenda, are the vilest of Satan’s pawns who make up the vast majority of leaders in today’s apostate modern church—and every honest Bible student knows it.
“For the LEADERS of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16
Make no mistake: The false leaders of our generation are the greatest threat to the fruitfulness of the body of Christ and the eternal souls of all men. Jesus and the apostles and prophets perpetually warn us of such a threat!
God did not send His only begotten Son to come die so wicked greedy frauds could have a church business. Jesus told His servant elders to FEED His sheep. WHY? So they can grow and be fruitful in doing HIS work.
“FEED my sheep”
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, FEED my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, FEED my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, FEED my sheep.” John 21:15-17
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6
Helping Lay the Foundation
The ONLY foundation standing in the end will be obedience to HIS Word (Matthew 7:19-29).
IN HIS MERCY, God is shaking EVERY foundation. Read Hebrews 12:24-28.
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