Dear Followers of CHRIST: We live in a “pick and choose” world. That is the way many Christians view the Bible: “pick and choose” from the Bible what you want to believe. For instance, a “pick and choose” belief is the one in which people want to believe that once they are saved they are always saved regardless of their life style. This was a doctrine formulated by the enemy for the purpose of tripping up people from making it to Heaven. “Once saved, always saved” is a fabulous doctrine for those who love the world and want to be caught up in it but we know that GOD says the world is an ENMITY to HIM and so is the idea that someone can receive eternal salvation and cannot possibly lose it over the course of their life regardless of their behavior and attitude toward GOD. The Bible is full of scripture that CONTRADICTS the belief that once you are saved you can never: be entangled again in the pollutions of the world that you have escaped…fall away…be moved away from the hope of the gospel…be castaway…put CHRIST to an open shame. Here is reference scripture: 2 Peter 2:20 (KJV): For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and SAVIOR CHRIST, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV): 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the HOLY GHOST, 5 And have tasted the good Word of GOD, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the SON of GOD afresh, and put HIM to an open shame. Colossians 1:23 (KJV): If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (KJV): 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Peter 4:18 (KJV): And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Another “pick and choose” doctrine of deceit is the idea that the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT is a “works” doctrine. In reality, attempting to live out the Christian life apart from the baptism and indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT in the individual IS the TRUE “works” doctrine. You are engaging in “works” if you are attempting to live by the Law of GOD without the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT (the moment someone invites the HOLY SPIRIT to come into their life to replace “self” with the HOLY SPIRIT with the person’s spirit). Apart from the individual receiving the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT by asking for it, he performs the law by his own power outside of the supernatural Power of the HOLY SPIRIT indwelling the SPIRIT-filled person. It is the HOLY SPIRIT—WHO is in a fully-surrendered person and WHO then can guide someone to successfully follow the Laws GOD gave for mankind to follow and live by. Here are scriptures that testify to the individual’s need to persevere or endure trials which sounds like a form of “works” but is really the requirement of GOD to persevere and overcome trials to reach the goal ultimately to salvation. Let the scriptures speak for themselves: James 1:12 (KJV): 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. Ephesians 6:18 (KJV): Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the SPIRIT, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Revelation 2:3 (KJV): And hast borne, and hast patience, and for MY Name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 00:44:48 +0000
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