Are You Willing to do the Math and Find Out what Your Fruit Reveals?
=== JESUS CHRIST DID NOT COME TO DIE TO MAKE YOU RICH IN THIS SINFUL WORLD AND ANYONE TEACHING THAT IS A FALSE TEACHER. NO, IN FACT, HE STERNLY WARNED AGAINST BEING RICH IN THIS TEMPORAL WORLD DUE TO IT’S JEOPARDIZING OF YOUR ETERNAL SOUL. JESUS TOLD US TO LAY RICHES UP IN THE COMING WORLD AND IF WE DIDN’T, WE WOULDN’T BE WITH HIM IN THE NEXT WORLD (HEAVEN, NEW JERUSALEM). READ MATTHEW 6:19-24 AND LUKE 12 AND 16 AND 1 TIMOTHY 6.
“And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for (consistent with) repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:7-10
God not only looks on the heart – He inspects the fruit, the good fruit which can only come from a true, abiding relationship with Him (John 15:1-6). Even though the “O” word is forbidden and intention hidden by the lame modern church, OBEDIENCE is always found in the life of the abiding, Heaven-bound saint (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:14; James 1:22; 1 John 2:3-6; 5:3; Revelation 2:26, etc.).
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 7:19
TODAY IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE DAYS IN WHICH THE PROPHET HAGGAI SPOKE BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD TO THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO KNOW HIM. GOD’S WORK LIES UNDONE TODAY DUE TO THE SELF-SERVING, SELF-ABSORBTION AND SELF-WORSHIP OF MANY OF THOSE WHO CLAIM TO KNOW HIM.
Haggai 1 is the record of God’s severe rebuke of His people who dwelled in their luxurious ceiled houses while His kingdom went un-built. Have you read that chapter lately?
Do we not see the same thing today? Those claiming to be saved and good church attenders will follow along with the church program as long as it doesn’t require change – true repentance – the laying down of their lives without reserve. But today the local churches (nearly all of them) are manned by spineless moral cowards who refuse to die to self themselves much less teach what Jesus taught about such being a condition for following Him (Luke 9:23-24).
“HOW MANY BOAST AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, YET NEVER GIVE NOR DENY THEMSELVES OF EVEN AN IOTA OF ANYTHING, AND REBEL AGAINST IT IN ALL GREED AND SELFISHNESS TO THIS DAY. THEY’D RATHER INVERT THE CROSS THAN BEAR ANY BURDEN TO CARRY IT.” KEITH HARGRAVE
Diminishing returns were coming to the people of God in Haggai’s day for neglecting building His house – doing the Great Commission. Check out this intriguing portion of Holy Scripture:
“Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? 5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. 9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. 10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. 11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.” Haggai 1:4-11
Has anything changed? No. – “There is no new thing under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
ARE YOU WILLING TO TEST YOUR LIFE AS IT NOW IS IN ORDER TO PREVENT A SURPRISE LATER?
The root sins of Sodom were “pride, fulness of bread (earthly wealth), and abundance of idleness.”(Ezekiel 16:49-51) Doesn’t that sound like the Laodicean’s who had forfeited their place with God and were going to be spewed – sent to hell?
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (undone): 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:15-19
If Christ said they had to “repent” it is because they were in danger of hell fire. This command to repent clearly means that they were not ready to meet Him. Why not? Why did Jesus say they were going to be rejected (spued)? – “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.“ (Revelation 3:17)
IF in your mind you rate people by what they have or don’t have in this fleeting sinful world, you are deeply deceived and in utter need of repentance and the washing of water by the Word of God. You are carnal minded (Romans 8:5-6).
What about the once “rich man” who refused to render aid to Lazarus? See Luke 16:19-31.
What was Jesus Christ’s stated reason that the once rich man went to hell? WHY did God send Him to hell?
“But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime (earthly) receivedst thy good things (he was rich before), and likewise Lazarus evil things (Lazarus was poor on earth): but NOW he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” Luke 16:26
If you deny that there is a direct correlation between the way we spend our money and our true spiritual state, you are denying Christ and calling the Son of God a liar.
The crux here is – Give now or burn forever. Yes, give your life now or it will soon be too late. If your life were given over to Christ (essential for salvation), your trinkets and treasures would be Christ’s and you would freely and generously give them to those individual believers in need and to the work of the Gospel. The reason you don’t freely give them now is that you are not given over to the LORD truly and therefore not ready to meet Him. You have not truly repented by the Bible definition and the greedy, hoarding, covetous fruit your life bears clearly testifies to such a lost state (Matthew 3:7-10).
“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” 1 John 3:7
You must choose: Which life would you rather suffer in? – This one or the next (eternal one)? Is it time to pluck out the eye and cut off the hand of soul-damning covetousness, greed, hoarding, and self-worship? (Mark 9:43-49)
Who Are You Rich Toward? – God or Self?
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:15-21
Those who don’t give to the work of Christ and the body of Christ in need do not do so because they are too busy serving the god they really serve – sinful self (Philippians 3:18-19).
— CONCERNING THE MODERN COUNTERFEIT WHO HAS ONLY A MERE “FORM OF GODLINESS”YET DENIES THE “POWER” OR AUTHORITY OF CHRIST TO REIGN OVER HIS INDIVIDUAL DAILY LIFE AND DECISIONS (2 TIMOTHY 3:5). ……—- THEIR FANCY COFFEES ARE MORE IMPORTANT TO THEM THAN IS CHRIST. DO SOME MATH: $3.50 X 30 DAYS PER MONTH = $105 PER MONTH AND THEY GIVE LESS THAN THAT TO CHRIST’S WORK. THEIR SPORT DRINKS, JUNK FOOD AND SOFT DRINKS, THEIR MUST-HAVE NEW APPLIANCES AND AUTOMOBILES, AND HOUSING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE LOST SOULS JESUS BLED TO SAVE. DO THE MATH – $50-150 IN CABLE TV OR SATELLITE AND GOD’S WORK GETS A MERE TIP IF ANYTHING. YET THEY CLAIM TO KNOW HIM WHO SAID THAT HE CAME “TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST.” (LUKE 19:10) MANY OTHER EXAMPLES CAN BE USED HERE. WASTE, WASTE, WASTE! WASTED LIFE AND WASTED SUBSTANCE. WITHOUT HESITATION, THESE DECEIVED SPRING FOR ENTERTAINMENT, UNNEEDED VEHICLES, CLOTHING, AND JUNK FOOD. THEY SPEND MORE MONEY ON PET FOOD THAN ON CHRIST WHO GAVE THEM THAT MONEY (1 CHRONICLES 29:14; JAMES 1:17). WITHOUT INVITATION THEY IMPULSE BUY WITHOUT HESITATION. THEY SEE THE BAG OF CHIPS AND HEALTH-DESTROYING SOFT DRINKS AND GRAB THEM. THERE’S NO HESITATION AND YET, WHEN THEY ARE PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE TO THE ONLY ETERNAL WORK IN THE EARTH – THE WORK OF THE ONE THEY CLAIM TO BE SERVING – THEY SPURN THAT PRIVILEGE. YET, AS THEY WATCH DIVINELY CALLED OUT GOSPEL WORKER STRUGGLING TO EXIST, THEY SCOFF AT AND ACCUSE THOSE FEW LABORERS OF JUST BEING “IN IT FOR THE MONEY.”
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
If our treasure is in the things of Christ, it’s because that’s where our hearts are – and vice versa.
You’re going to spend your life and energy doing something. Should it not be that which holds eternal value? Isn’t everything else waste? Why waste your time and energy in this brief life on temporal trinkets and pursuits?
God addresses rich Christians, instructing them to be generous, and yet He makes it clear that no disciple of Christ should desire to be rich or pursue the riches of this fleeting world. He warns that great peril and the danger of eternal damnation lie in such a trap. Read 1 Timothy 6:3-17. | Riches
The LORD gives instruction to the rich Christian men in (1 Timothy 6:17-20).
Alan B. notes:
“God never said being rich was a sin what He did say was The Love Of Money was the sin. It is not how much you have it is what you do with it. Are you using it for God”s purpose or your own? When we use it for the purpose of God’s needs and his sheep you are using what you have for His purpose. KJV Acts 20:35 – I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Matthew 25:40 says ‘And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'”
Eternal hell awaits the wicked who like the “certain rich man.” Why? Well he previously had the opportunity to help righteous and poor Lazarus and yet refused. There was no do over. He got no second chance but rather went straight to hell the instant he died (Luke 16:19-31). He has a person right under his nose to help as many of us do today. He chose to be rich unto himself and not “rich toward God.” (Luke 12:15-21)
Someone might be thinking “You mean I’m going to hell if I don’t give? How dare you insinuate such!”
Please allow me to correct you so there’s no misunderstanding: Not only am I insinuating it, I am telling you that you are absolutely bound for hell if you have not given your life to Christ. If your life was given over to Christ, the fruit of your life would clearly reflect a God-fearing stewardship of your time and talents. You’d already be giving to His work and to those in need.
At this point, your temporary treasures are being spent on yourself – the god you really serve. – “For where your treasure is, THERE will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Remember that like the once rich man in Luke 16 who died and went to hell, in the end not one soul will be afforded the opportunity to do a redo – to give their way out of hell.
In Luke 16 Jesus told us the story of a “certain rich man” in order to warn us before we follow that man’s wicked ways and go where he went.
That now eternally tormented, previously rich man, would do anything to go back and give his life and treasures to Christ but it’s too late. His destiny is signed, sealed, delivered. He even begged to have someone go preach God’s Word to his five brothers so they wouldn’t come to that horrible place of fiery incarceration. His window of grace is gone but ours isn’t.
Just what earthly possession, treasure, or money is worth going to eternal damnation over?
The way we are currently stewarding the monies in our possession is a direct reflection of the true priorities of our heart.
Concerning those who have rejected the Messiah for the god of mammon, one sister in Christ notes:
“They worship Mammon, a very real demon who seduces them through their flesh, sad!” Angela A.
Warning and Description of the American “Christian”
“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.” Luke 6:20-25
After reading these words from Jesus, should Christians be living lives of lavishness or minimalism in this fleeting life?
Are we here to be entrenched in this worlds goods or to spread the Good News of Jesus and to teach His Word to all men (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15). As those He has found and saved and made new creatures in Christ, whose “ambassadors” are we to be? (2 Corinthians 5:17-20) If we are Christ’s “ambassadors,” why would we gather things to ourselves in this sinful fallen world when He Himself did no such thing while He walked this earth?
In God’s kingdom there are goers and senders. If your primary calling from God is to work and make money, that means you are a sender of the “few” “labourers” Jesus told us to pray for God to send out (Matthew 9:35-39). That’s why you have a job or a business –“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, THAT he may have to give to him that needeth.”(Ephesians 4:28) That is, that he may have money to give to needy Christians and to Christ’s work which is always in need of support.
He has sent out into the “plenteous” “harvest” a “few” “labourers.” (Matthew 9:35-39) Are you personally supporting Jesus’ “labourers”? No, the question is not “Are you giving to your local church because they convinced you that they are the storehouse?” Most of your money given there is a waste and actually helps the wolves who run those church businesses. You are fueling the devil’s agents in most cases by doing so (2 Corinthians 11:12-15; 2 John 7-11). How do we know they are wolves? Simple: They are not fulfilling Christ’s New Testament edict and purpose to preach the Gospel to the lost and teach all men God’s Word – in other words, get them into God’s Word for themselves, daily (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; 1 Timothy 4:6, 16, etc.).
WE SHOULD STOP FUNDING THE WOLVES WHO ARE CHRIST’S ENEMIES AND USE THEIR POSITION AND PLATFORM AND PERSONALITIES TO BRAND THEIR OWN MINISTRY BUSINESS. HAS ANYONE EVER BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MARKETING TERM “BRANDING”? IT’S WHERE A COMPANY CREATES A NAME, LOGO, AND SLOGAN THAT IT BRANDS (BURNS) INTO THE MINDS, THE PSYCHE OF THE PEOPLE IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO PATRONIZE THEIR BUSINESS.
YEAH, YOU SEE, THEY REFUSE TO USE THE MONIES GIVEN INTO THEIR COFFERS TO SIMPLY PUT FORTH CHRIST’S KINGDOM WORD AND TO PREACH CHRIST ALONE LIKE THE EARLY CHURCH DID (ACTS 5:42). INSTEAD THEY HAVE TO PUT THEIR OWN PERSONAL NAME OR MINISTRY’S NAME ON IT IN ORDER TO GET GLORY FOR AND TO THEMSELVES! RED FLAG! READ PSALMS 74 AND SEE HOW THEY HAVE CAST DOWN CHRIST’S NAME AND ENTHRONED THEIR OWN NAME/“ENSIGNS”! NOTICE HOW THESE INDIVIDUALS AND MINISTRIES REFUSE TO RELEASE A PENNY OF THOSE MONIES TO ANYTHING THAT DOESN’T PROMOTE THEIR OWN CAUSE/NAME. WAKE UP AND STOP FUNDING CHRIST’S ENEMIES LEST YOU BE ETERNALLY JUDGED WITH THEM! (2 PETER 2:1-3)
Then, Satan’s children, who claim to be saved, will accuse Christ’s true servant of being in it for the money. If this wasn’t so foolish it would be a roll on the floor screaming hilarity! As a called-out servant, if I was in it for the money I wouldn’t be in it because there is no money!
YOU MUST SEE YOUR WORKING AND GIVING AS A VITAL MINISTRY TO THE LORD’S BLESSED KINGDOM. IT IS JUST AS EQUALLY VITAL AS THOSE WHO GO AND DO THE WORK. THEY CANNOT DO SUCH IF YOU DON’T DO YOUR PART.
It is YOUR privilege to give of what God gives you. You need to give in worship to the LORD more than those few good ministries need the money. Concerning the Philippians believers giving, Paul the apostle said “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:17) You see, you have an “account” in Heaven and to refuse to give the opportunity to give would be to cheat God’s people about of riches in their eternal “account” where Jesus commanded us to lay up treasure! (Matthew 6:19-21)
WHO DO YOU THINK WINS WHEN CHRIST’S CALLED-OUT SERVANTS ARE LEFT STARVING AND CAN’T PAY BASIC BILLS? IS GOD GLORIFIED OR HAS SATAN TRIUMPHED TO DISTRACT AND INCAPACITATE ONE OF JESUS’ “LABOURERS”? THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS. WHOSE FAULT IS THAT? IT’S THE FAULT AND SIN OF THOSE WHO ARE BEING FED BY THAT MINISTRY.
We must not waste the monies God is putting in our hands on temporal comforts and trinkets. We must change our way of living and demonstrate that we are content to know Him and need no excessive stuff, things, trinkets to satisfy us. He is our satisfaction.
Nothing’s ever enough to American “Christians.” They are in big trouble spiritually and have no idea.
“WE LIVE IN A SMALL CARAVAN IN A CARAVAN PARK. WE DRIVE A VERY OLD CAR AND DO NOT OWN MUCH IF ANY FURNITURE. ARE WE HAPPY? YOU BET WE ARE.” MARIE J.
Ever notice how happy the African children are? Why? After all they have one toy to share between a whole village of children. Why are our electronic-inundated children so unhappy?
You must see your money as being a provision from God and a tool to further Christ’s Gospel by funding His workers.
WITHOUT YOUR MONEY FUELING THE GOSPEL WORKERS GOD HAS SHOWN YOU, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO WHAT HE HAS CALLED THEM OUT TO DO AND YOU WILL BE PERSONALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR SUCH.
Your calling may be to work and that means you are earning money that is to be firstly given to “honour” of the One who gave you the ability to earn that money.
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Holy Father, please bless us to have the joy of giving once again, in Jesus’ precious Name, amen!
But someone must actually DO HIS work and it’s the LORD alone who calls them out. There are goers and senders (Romans 10:14-15). And those around those divinely called-out ones are to rejoice to be blessed to support them – because they are doing GOD’s work. In fact the Bible says we are to honor His servants “for their work’s sake.” Why? – Because it’s God’s work, not man’s.
“And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:13
“Woe unto you that are rich!” (Luke 6:24)
ALL Americans are “rich” in God’s eyes. This is the richest country in world history. Woe be unto us! – if we refuse to be generous and continual in our giving.
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Those who have and are learning the joy of giving as Jesus taught, always rejoice to be able to give out of what He has given them and even long for more to be given them so they can give more to His work.
It has been perhaps rightly state that “Those who give the least complain the most.”
The SELF-preservationists complains with a contrary attitude toward those called out to minister. The self-serving, unrepentant church goer does not want his little personal party interrupted. So he figure that the Gospel worker should leave the post God put him on and go out and earn his own money – never realizing that if we are truly the LORD’s all we have is HIS and not ours (1 Chronicles 29:14). The counterfeit reasons that he’s too busy spending his money on self’s pleasure and status in this sinful world, and refuses to live a minimalistic lifestyle in order for Christ’s Gospel workers to be able to do His work in furthering His Gospel by winning lost souls and teaching them God’s Word. “You are inconveniencing me” he reasons in his mind. “You are taking away from my self serving creature comforts. God forbid that anything my depraved heart so desires be kept from me. When I see something I want, I just buy it or put it on credit. And I don’t appreciate people asking for money (for a ministry work).”
“ACTUALLY WHEN I USED TO BE ONE OF THOSE FANCY COFFEE DRINKERS THEY USED TO COST CLOSER TO FIVE DOLLARS PER CUP. I STILL DRINK COFFEE BUT AT HOME NOW.” MELANIE G.
Coffee is a blessing, from God it seems. Yet does having a nice hot cup of coffee in the morning have to cost $3-5 per cup per day? That’s a considerable amount of money per month. 30 days in a month x $4 is $120. Many who waste God’s money on such give far less to the work of Jesus. God is calling us to repent. This is pure rebellion.
Your money is not really yours – it’s God’s.
What are you doing with His money for which you shall give account?
“ALL things come of thee and of THINE own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
There are a myriad of ways “Christians” today waste God’s money. God forbid that they have to be humiliated by driving a 10 year old car. God forbid that the style of their dish washer or refrigerator is outdated. God forbid that they have to be deprived of any luxury item their little hearts desire!
I know of a ministry that was derailed due to a lack of about $300-400 per month. There was support but not quite enough which means that God was leading others to help support that ministry and yet they refused. They were too busy wasting God’s money in this sinful world – embellishing themselves with even more shoes, clothes, fancies accessories, expensive meals, etc. These refused to do their part in supporting Jesus’ work due to their waste on self and they will give account for those servants of Christ who cannot do what He called them to do due to their disobedience. Those greedy people who claim to know Christ and yet refused to lay down their lives in this sinful world will stand to give account for the souls that went to eternal damnation due to not being able to hear the Gospel through the LORD’s servants who had to leave their post.
These type people want to over spiritualize things when they are called to truly lay down their lives in this fleeting world. Yet, the same folk do not hesitate to call a number or do an internet search to buy some frivolous accessory that has no eternal value. God forbid that they be bothered with the opportunity to support Christ’s work.
They want to live in denial of the obvious fact that if those God-called Gospel workers aren’t being provided for (financially supported), they cannot do Christ’s work and that means souls will be hell due to their rebellion. In other words, they defend their right to live their lives on their own terms all the while deceiving themselves into thinking God will save them in the end.
As a kingdom disciple, you must see this as your part in fulfilling the Great Commission for which you shall give account before the Almighty on Judgment Day.
Covetousness is idolatry of self – the worship of self instead of the Savior. This is a soul-damning sin. See below:
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7
Of being minimalistic and appreciative, one sister notes:
“I learned that being with the Lord I have all I need. He has blessed me with all things. The most important thing to me – what I want most is to hear Him say – is ‘well done my good and faithful servant.’ With what He has given me I invest in his kingdom. So thankful for the life He has given me.” Lisa V.
You know as I read this sister’s words it occurs to me that we just push ourselves further from Christ and from knowing Him more intimately by crowding and cluttering our lives with more stuff. The Bible says that the LORD Jesus is our “exceeding great reward.”(Genesis 15:1) If we have Christ, we have all! If we truly have Christ reigning in our lives, we do not covet stuff but are rather content.
“Let your conversation (your way of life) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
God is able!
QUESTION:
“Isn’t giving supposed to be from a cheerful giver out of what he personally purposes in his heart?”
REPLY:
Yes, and yet there is great jeopardy in not using what He gives us for His glory … the servant who buried/wasted his talent went to hell – “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (hell).” Matt 25:30 ….. Not giving, hoarding, clearly indicates/reveals where someone’s heart is and that they are serving mammon, not God and are therefore not saved. ….. this is the case with most who claim to be saved. They have not laid down their lives and this is obvious in that they have time, money, energy, and all the wherewithal to go lusting after this world’s trinkets and spend all they have to get them …. and yet do not find it in their unrepentant hearts to lay down their lives and give. They are lost while thinking they are saved. Laodicea. This is not small matter. It reveals they are lost and as sure for eternal damnation as if they were already there. We cannot factor our Christ’s clear teachings due to Paul’s….. perhaps the way to reconcile this paradox (seeming contradiction) is to observe the audience each is speaking to. 2 Cor. 9 is written to the church at Corinth where true believers where being addressed and incentivized to give and lay up treasure in Heaven. Jesus taught this also (Matthew 6:19-24). The Son of God also clearly taught that eternal hell awaited those who are not generous with what HE puts in their temporal possession. This is Jesus’ teaching. It seems severe because so few truly forsake their lives in this world. Yet this is exactly what Jesus taught and He clearly stated that eternal hell is the finality of this self-serving, lukewarm, disobedient, rebellious lifestyle. They must repent and when they truly do, all they have will be His …in their minds and distribution of it.
Jesus taught that the way we steward His resources that He puts in our hands is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts (Matt. 6:19-24).
Anyone not purposing to give at all into Christ’s eternal kingdom by helping the poor and funding His work, seems to reveal their lost, apostate (backslidden) state….. “Ye shall know (discern) them by their fruits” Matt 7:16, 20
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.: 2 Timothy 4:2
Apostasy
Favorite Eternal Security “Proof” Text? [podcast]
Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages
Does John 10:27-29 Prove “Eternal Security”?
WHO are Jesus’ Sheep? Defined by, in God’s Word.
John 10:27-29
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” ~ John 10:27-29
Verse 27 is the condition necessary to appropriate the promises of verses 28-29.
Those who believe that a man can never lose his salvation, use this John 10:28-29 text but ignore the prerequisite, the divinely given condition – v27. Watch this:
Firstly, in this passage Jesus identifies those sheep whom He makes the security promise to. He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” In this we see one part divine and two parts the responsibility of the individual:
- “I know them”—the divine part toward those who are truly in Christ, presently abiding (v. 27)
- Those who are His sheep “hear” His “voice” and “follow” Him—the individual’s responsibility (v. 27)
The promise to be kept is a conditional promise which requires that we choose to continue to hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-29). Many today wrongly detach our LORD’s words in verse 27 from verses 28-29. In doing so, they perpetrate their “eternal security” mythology.
The problem for the eternal securists is that v27 has been intentionally been ignored…. It’s the actual condition Jesus gives for receiving the assurance promises He then gives in v28-29.
Those who seek to spread the “once saved always saved” heresy use John 10:28-29 to their advantage and conveniently ignore the preceding words of Christ in verse 27. Verses 28-29 are promises of security to those who have been genuinely born again and are currently abiding in Christ – hearing His voice and following Him (John 15:1-6). Many ignore the previous qualifying words (v. 27) of Jesus where Christ tells us that only those who are hearing His voice and following Him are promised that they are secure and will never perish. There is a condition to being secure in Christ—knowing Him—which requires continuing to abide in Him, hear His voice and follow Him (see also John 15).
“Jesus will neither leave us nor forsake us, but we can leave and forsake Him by choosing our sins OVER His love, grace and mercy!” Dino Filardo
Eternal securists have been taught to selectively interpret Scripture while ignoring mountains of Bible truth, in order to come to a predetermined conclusion.
Many a false teacher has built his own ministry empire dishonestly peddling this passage. Take a closer look. Anchor the promise to be kept in verses 28-29 on verse 27 where Jesus identifies who His sheep are – those who hear and continue to hear His voice and continue to follow Him (present tense). The promise to be kept is a glorious and yet conditional promise which requires that the individual recipient of the salvation gift of God chooses to continue to hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-29). Many today wrongly detach our LORD’s words in verse 27 from verses 28-29 of John 10. In doing so, they perpetrate their “eternal security” or otherwise called “once saved always saved” mythology. Beware as this was the first lie Satan told mankind, which led to the fall (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
Instead of synthesizing the whole of Scripture, false teachers isolate certain verses for their own self-serving agenda and purpose (2 Corinthians 2:17, etc.).
The sheep Jesus’ promises are going to be kept are those who endure to the end, abide (remain) with Him (John 15:1-6). The Great Shepherd defines His sheep as those who are presently hearing His voice and following Him (present tense). John 10:27-29
It’s not difficult to mislead people in the direction of the sinful nature of their hearts – because then they can evade truly repenting which is a major life change and necessity for salvation. This is why Paul foretold of this hour and how men would “heap to themselves (false) teachers having itching ears.” (2 Timothy 4:3) “Itching ears” here represents unrepentant hearts.
OSAS people make a vain attempt at redefining the words of Scripture to fit their own self-serving agenda of lukewarmness, cross-less rebellion. For example they hyper-focus on “eternal” in the term “eternal life” while intentionally refusing to synthesize the whole of what Scripture states. They hyper-focus on the word “gift” and teach that a gift could never be lost which the rest of Scripture does not agree with. They then take the word “sealed” and make it to be permanent which it cannot possibly be because the same Greek word for “sealed” is used of Jesus’ tomb which we all know was NOT permanently sealed (Matthew 27:66). In this they bear false witness against the LORD and act like some Scriptures are more divinely inspired than others. This practice reveals the evil and deceit of their own hearts. Not just some Scripture in the Bible but rather “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) It must all be synthesized, put together, compared (1 Corinthians 2:13). Error will result in the hearts and lives of those who do not search, study, and revere “ALL scripture” in God’s Word.
Eternal security deceivers don’t want to talk about Bible verses that contradict and expose their proof texts. You see, they don’t want to get awaken by the truth to the scam they’ve bought into. The wolves who they gullibly believe instead of God’s Word, taught them to cry “context, context” all while THEY are the beguilers who are taking Scripture out of context. Just like the demonic democrats in America, they accuse their adversaries of the exact thing THEY themselves are guilty of (Romans 2:1-3).
YOU are defending OSAS and yet you gave no Bible verses? Self-deception. If “once saved always saved” were true, WHY O WHY didn’t God tell us? Such a term, phrase, or concept appear no where in Scripture and the verses you use to “prove” it are taken out of their context. OSAS is undeniably the very first lie Satan ever told and it led to the fall of mankind from a HOLY God (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). If OSAS isn’t a doctrine of devils, nothing is! (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
Is the unchanging, Almighty God no longer “Holy, holy, holy” now that He sent His only begotten Son? (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) If He’s still holy, no unrepentant person with sin will enter His holy Heaven (Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.).
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14
HOW is it that so many treat the words of JESUS recorded in John 10 more divinely authoritative than the words of JESUS recorded in John 15? False teachers.
Most of the dupes who cite John 10:28-29 to “prove” they can never lose their salvation, 1. Don’t even know what the preceding verse says (v27), and 2. Have no clue what JESUS says in John 15:6.
“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
In this John 10 passage used by the unconditional eternal security crew to peddle their wares, some neglect to look closely at verse 27 to see who Jesus was specifically speaking to when He promised “they shall never perish.” “They” refers to those who “hear my voice” and “follow me.” According to verse 27 the promise of eternal security is conditional. Assurance of salvation is only to those who are presently following Christ. In verse 27 we learn that protection from judgment to come is only to those who are currently 1) hearing His voice, 2) known by Him, and 3) following Him. This is consistent with the message seen in the whole of Holy Writ.
“For if AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, AFTER they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit AGAIN; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22
WHO did Jesus say His true sheep are?
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (Jn. 10:27). According to these words of Christ, those who “know” Jesus and “follow” Him are given the promise that they will “never perish.” As long as the follower hears His voice and follows Him, they are assured “eternal life.” This is exactly what the Son of God taught just a few chapters later in John 15 where He says that if a branch that is in Him does not remain or abide in Him, that person will be cut off and cast into the fire (hell).
Those who abide or remain under the shadow of His holy and protective wing shall remain secure in Him (Ps. 91:1). The Good Shepherd here said: “Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” No man can pluck us out of His protection except ourselves by our own decisions. We who are abiding are protected from the snare of other men drawing us away as we remain walking with the Son of God. If you’re tucked, you won’t get plucked. If you’re not tucked under the wing of intimacy with Jesus, you will, can, and are likely to be plucked out of His holy hand by your own sinful unbelief. The LORD told us “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:11).
It’s also notable that those who emphasize John 10 to convince themselves and others that they are “eternally secure”, don’t even know much less acknowledge the words of the Savior in John 15:1-6.
Telling.
“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 taught repeatedly that some would not continue to follow Him (“abide”) and hear His voice and would consequently “fall away.” There is record of some who once believed and then stopped believing (Lk. 8:13; 13:23-30; Jn. 6:66; Acts 8:14-23).
WHY do eternal securists get all upset when their fairy tale is exposed? Well, they are hiding behind the thin veneer of this heresy, feeling all secure, emboldened to live as they please, feeling assured in their lukewarmness and sin … denying Jesus instead of self, refusing to take up the cross that Jesus commanded all who would follow Him truly (Luke 9:23-24). Christ’s apostle Paul speaks of self-serving “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19) What’s behind this myth? The Psychology of Eternal Security [book]
Another Example of the Twisting of Scripture
The eternal securists seek to justify their OSAS heresy by misusing the following passage…. but in this Paul is speaking of those who go to Heaven, the judgment of saints, and not those who fell away and won’t be there because they will be in hell. They will not be present when this happens….
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
One More….
Common Objection to Conditional Eternal Security….
“What about Romans 8:38-39 where it says nothing can separate us from the love of God?”
REPLY:
Simple: Notice the word LOVE not life. God will love us all the way into hell if we choose not to repent. His soul will even “weep in secret places for your pride” which comes before destruction (Jeremiah 13:17). The LORD is “Holy, holy, holy,” He’s just, and He will not ever coexist with sin. See the fall of lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:13-19; Luke 10:18). The wages of sin is still death and the LORD will damn every soul that dies in sin, with no exception (Psalms 5:4; Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 6:3; Romans 6:23; Revelation 4:8; 21:8; 22:11, etc.). Read Jesus’s parable of the prodigal son Lk 15. Did the father love and miss his son? Yes. Did the father (represents God) go chase him down? No. The son who departed had to choose to return. Much truth there. Speaking of Romans, read 11:20-22. Now read 2 Peter 2:20-22 and the book of Hebrews.
1 John 2:19 is often also utilized to “prove” eternal security. Not.
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:19
Interestingly, the word “never” does not appear in this verse above which is so often used to “prove” OSAS. Let’s read it again with an objective mind. And, also remember what Jesus says about the primary importance of His teaching of the seed and the soil, the sower and the Word:
“And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?” Mark 4:13
The honest student of the whole Counsel of God’s Word knows that numerous clear Bible truths reveal that a saved person can turn away from the LORD, so we know that the apostle John could not possibly be saying that a saved person could never depart from the LORD. In my opinion, this verse is the best argument the eternal security proponent has, yet it’s not enough. There must be two or three witnesses and not just one (2 Cor. 13:1). After a closer examination of this text, one will find that verse 19 does not teach or justify “once saved always saved.” When any one verse is taken to the exclusion of the whole Word of God, one will certainly misunderstand the doctrine of the LORD which can only be apprehended by “study.” (2 Tim. 2:15) This verse is like any other verse of Scripture – it must be taken in light of the entire Counsel of God. The context to be considered is 1 John 2:18-29).
In examining the context in which 1 John 2:19 is set, we see that false teachers whom John calls “many antichrists,” had come and were telling these believers that Jesus was not the Christ (v22).
Let’s look at verses 18 and 19 together:
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:18-19
Note here that it is specifically of these “antichrists” that John speaks and says that “if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
John was speaking of those who were once saved but then departed from the faith (1 Tim 4:1), they believed and then fell away (Luke 8:12-13) …. then departed from the believers in that fellowship.
Teddy Caldwell writes:
“OSAS insists that those are professing believers, but 1 John 2:18 says such people are antichrists. 1 John 2:22 says an antichrist is one who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Anyone who does that isn’t a believer and isn’t even trying to look like one.”
Concerning 1 John 2:19, Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible, writes:
“‘THEY WENT OUT FROM US.’ When the antichrists departed from their fellowship with true believers, they were not in a saving relationship with Christ. This allows for two possibilities: (1) They were never true believers to begin with, or (2) they had once been in a saving relationship with Christ but afterward abandoned their faith in Christ.”
Right here in verse 24 of this passage we see the doctrine of personal responsibility to “remain” in faithful obedience to the LORD or lose one’s place with God (1 Cor. 15:2; Gal. 6:9; Col. 1:23). This is a teaching found throughout Holy Writ – the divine requirement to stay saved or lose all in eternity, “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7)
“Let that therefore abide (remain) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. IF (denotes condition) that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” 1 John 2:24-25
Verse 24 alone tells us that we cannot think that verse 19 means that someone who is at some point in right standing with God can never depart from Him and lose out. Also, verse 25 tells us that “eternal life” (not just rewards) is at stake and the promise contingent upon the believer abiding or remaining in that “which ye have heard from the beginning” which is the Gospel. “Eternal life” is assured as long as one is remaining rooted in Jesus Christ. This is the overwhelmingly consistent message of God’s Word.
In verse 26 John says “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” Verse 19 is written about the deceivers who sought to “seduce” these disciples John was addressing and not of true believers.
With all of Scripture in consideration, we can conclude that 1 John 2:19 is a specific example and not a rule of doctrine.
If you truly wish to search out this matter, let me encourage you to closely examine, break down and study this entire text (1 Jn. 2:18-29). In order to ascertain truth, one must compare the verse in question with all other related Scriptures, beginning with the context in which the verse is set (Isa. 28:9-10; 1 Cor. 2:13).
Go here for more on the misuse of 1 John 2:19.
Eternal Security / OSAS Exploded
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IF THE WORD isn’t flowing into you daily, you are falling away. Flood and fuel your heart and mind and body with the pure, the holy light of God’s Word daily and you will never famish! All darkness will be vanquished (Psalms 119:130). All who have been saved and yet aren’t in God’s Word and prayer daily – have rejected Christ, with no exception. Re-turn to the LORD prodigal. There’s no good outside of Christ the KING.
“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalms 119:130
ALL who are not in God’s written Word daily are not hearing from God, do not have God’s wisdom and direction, and are walking in darkness – 100%.
The feeding of Christ’s flock would integrally involve exhorting them to diligently study and walk in God’s Word themselves, daily (John 21:15-17). Isn’t this exactly what the apostle Paul told Timothy to do? Yes. He told his understudy to “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)
One of the ways we know who the false ministers are, is that they want people dependent on THEM, not God. So, they don’t constantly exhort the people to get into God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures, for themselves. Run.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8
“He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. … My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:4, 20-23
“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
“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
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
“Over the last 5-10 years I can see where He has done this for me already, but the problem is …. it’s not enough! I want even more! One hour of study and prayer in the morning is not enough!” Christine
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“Reformed Theology“, is just a fancy way of saying ‘We know better than Paul, the old testament prophets, even David! And the very apostles who walked with Jesus must be unlearned men or liars.’ Nay, I will not say such a thing of my LORD and Saviour, Christ Jesus. Let God be true, and >every< man a liar.” Jonathan Crane
It’s “ungodly men” who mislead the gullible with the eternal security heresy, and the heretical doctrines and system of calvinism. Jude warned us of just that, as did the prophets (Jude 3-4; Jeremiah 23:17, etc.). Then Jude reminds us of God’s judgment upon His own covenant people who were saved out of Egypt (the world) and then “afterward destroyed.” Then Jude reminds us that God judged the angels, a third of them, who rebelled against Him and were terminated from His domain, Heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15; Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:7-12, etc.).
“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. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 4-6
The Book of Jude
Greeting
1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
Judgment on False Teachers
3 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.
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
A Call to Persevere
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Doxology
24 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.