I read this, this morning! It is only meant for those who call themselves followers of Christ (Christians). Im going to get enough flack from those who call themselves Christians, so if the rest will just indulge me. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. Romans 16: 17-19 The times are certainly a changing. There is an ever growing amount of people who call themselves Christians, who, instead of being created in the image of God, have created God in their own image. ALL scripture means nothing to them, only the bits which seem to fit in with the philosophy, or flavour of the moment ideas, which they, or a guru of choice, conceived and constructed. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 1Peter 1:15-17. The meaning of the word Holy is to be separate. But thats not P.C. Thats Apartheid, God, they say, wants us to be inclusive. But, for a Christian who takes his, or her, direction from the Bible, must live their lives separate from the way the world lives its lives. What on earth (literally) has Christianity to offer the world, if it is the same as the world, maintaining its worldview, philosophies and standards? Christians are to be different. They are IN the world, but not OF the world. So much rubbish is expectorated about the love of God and the love of Christ (dont get me wrong, it is the most beautiful thing for anyone on earth to experience.). But these people know nothing about either. The god of their own making, looks away when they sin, and smiles understandingly. Papas not fussed Just look at the holes in Jesus hands, if you must. They treat Jesus death on the cross as a magic pass, a Get out of Jail card. What does Jesus say about those who SAY they love Him? “If you love me, keep my commands. John 14: 15 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. John 14: 21 Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14: 23 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see (eternal) death. John 8: 51 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Fathers commands and remain in his love. John 15: 10 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome. 1John 5: 3 There is no such thing as once saved always saved. The death of Jesus on the cross, is not a passport to sin, or to live according to the flesh. The Spirit of God, which indwells a reborn soul, may leave, or be removed by God, if a believer does not live in true love for God, and in honesty, striving to live holy, obedient lives unto God, not in their own strength, but by the strength imparted by the Spirit of God. The corollary of Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15: 4, and the above-mentioned If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love. is that if you do not remain in Christ (by an act of your will), Christ will not remain in you. Calvinists come up with the retort: Well, if Gods Spirit, or Christ, leaves, it just shows that the person wasnt really saved in the first place. Not true. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, BUT BE AFRAID. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Romans 11: 19-21. Look at King Saul. We are told explicitly that God implanted His Holy Spirit into him (1Samuel 10: 9,10), then later, that His Spirit left him (1Samuel 16: 14). On the great day of Judgement, where the real Jesus, not the false Huggy Bear, Gentle Jesus Meek and Mild, judges the life of everyone He ever created, He will tell certain people to leave His presence, because He never knew them, and among those will be those who call themselves Christians. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Matthew 7: 22. It is not non-Christians, or Atheists, who will say those words to Jesus, but certain CHRISTIANS! And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS. Matthew 7: 23. But you say to me, Wow John, now youve really lost it with this rant of yours. You talk in other places about how much Jesus loves anyone, from anywhere, in any condition, now you come up with this? Isnt it rather Pharisaical, and just brimfull with pent up anger and hatred, and exclusivism as well as triumphalism? No its not. Its borne of the deepest love and concern for my fellow human creation. Im a sinner saved by Grace, who wants to remain in Christ, despite the daily enticements to want something else. Jesus does love anyone from anywhere, in any condition, and is willing to forgive, cleanse, and give that person forgiveness, peace and joy. But, although the gift of eternal life is free, it was given at a great cost to Him, and God the Father. But after accepting the gift, we are no longer our own. We listen to Him, we love Him and obey Him. We can tell him a hundred times a day that we love Him, but if we do not obey Him, every one of those I love you, is meaningless. We cannot be sinless. We cannot keep all of Gods commands. But we can desire to. We can invoke Gods Spirit to help us to live Holy lives. When we have that mindset, the Bible says : though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37: 24. We can set our minds and aspirations on God, and the promised world to come. We can acknowledge that we are merely visitors and travelers, visitors and sojourners here. We can try to be fruitful for Him and His cause. We can exercise true love to our fellow human beings, not with pious platitudes, or with hey, I love you bra when they serve other gods and reject the God of the Bible. Thats not love, thats self service. Just ensuring that youll be liked by as many people as possible. Do you love a blind person walking over a steep cliff, by saying Hey bra, enjoy the flight. Love ya! Blessings!?
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:29:49 +0000
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