Paul warned us over 1900 years ago, that shortly after his departure, Christians from among the church would arise speaking lies that would pervert the truth:
Acts 20:27-30 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God. (28) Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. (29) I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; (30) and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
He declared that any Christian including himself or an angel who dares to teach another gospel other than the whole gospel the apostles taught, were to be “anathema” which is accursed or hell bound:
Galatians 1:6-8 I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; (7) which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
They are false teachers fashioning themselves as ministers of righteousness while perverting the gospel of Christ:
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. (15) It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.
These false teachers promote ear tickling sermons that appeal to the flesh:
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; (4) and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
One of those ear tickling false doctrines in the church today is this fable that once a person is “saved” they have “unconditional eternal security”:
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
These brethren say they teach the whole gospel of Jesus but do not think it is necessary or possible to learn to keep His commandments:
John 14:15-17 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
We are instructed by both Jesus and Paul to consider “every word” of “every scripture” when constructing a doctrine such as eternal security:
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: (17) that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
Those ear tickling bible teachers simply ignore the hundreds of passages that clearly prove eternal salvation is conditional on our obedience to Jesus:
Hebrews 5:7-9 Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, (8) though he(Jesus) was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; (9) and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;
The moment a person believes that Jesus is the Son of God who died for their sins and rose again they are “saved”:
Romans 10:9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:
They immediately become a born again baby Christian who is first “saved” and then called with a holy calling according to our Father’s purpose and grace:
2 Timothy 1:8-9 Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God(our Father); (9) who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
Those “saved” Christians are bought with the price of Jesus’ blood and no longer own themselves:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; (20) for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
We are now debtors to God to be led of His Spirit in the putting to death our flesh as we bring our bodies completely under submission to Him:
Romans 8:12-14 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: (13) for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Our Father often uses the word “if” in His Word to set up a conditional clause to warn His sons that we have a responsibility to put to death our old nature of sin such as fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry or we will receive His wrath as sons of disobedience:
Colossians 3:1-6 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. (3) For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (4) When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. (5) Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; (6) for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience:
Paul understood that even he could be rejected by God for not bringing his body into bondage to Him and His Word:
1 Corinthians 9:27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
We are told by Jesus that it would be better to cut off any part of our body that causes us to sin rather than to continue in that sin and be cast into hell:
Matthew 18:8-9 And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. (9) And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.
But Peter warned us some who were bought with the price of Jesus would deny their Master by bringing destructive heresies into the church and drawing other Christians into their lascivious teachings:
2 Peter 2:1-3 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not.
Those Christians who choose to destroy their temple by denying their Master are promised by God that he will destroy both their soul and body in hell:
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (17) If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
Matthew 10:28 And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
One of the ways some Christians will destroy their temple is to fall away from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons:
1 Timothy 4:1-2 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, (2) through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;
That is why Paul warned us to use the promises of the Word to cleanse our temple of all defilement of flesh and the many evil seducing spirits that tempt us to go against our Father’s Word:
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
James 4:7 Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Those promises when exercised are the armor against the wiles of the devil and his many evil spirits we wrestle against:
Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
We are to live by faith in the promises but if we shrink back from standing on them we are not pleasing to our Father and worthy of perdition which is hell:
Hebrews 10:38-39 But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.
Jesus referred to this shrinking back as putting our hand to the plow and looking back:
Luke 9:62 But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
We are to continually forget those things of the world that we must leave behind as we continue to press toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. (14) I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
As Christians, we are to abide in the Word by faith continuously purifying ourselves with the promises of the Word but those who continue to live for the flesh are denying the Master who bought them:
1 John 3:3-6 And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (4) Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. (5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin. (6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither knoweth him.
The Christian who is drawn away from this responsibility by his own lust risks spiritual death:
James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: (14) but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.
But the man that endures the temptation and is approved will receive the crown of life for he has proven his love for His Master Jesus:
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.
To be approved for the crown of life requires us to endure the fiery trials while also committing our souls in well-doing unto our faithful Creator:
1 Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: (13) but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. (14) If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. (15) For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: (16) but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. (17) For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?(18) And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? (19) Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.
Paul warned Christians to prove they are discerning His body or they would bring damnation upon themselves and be condemned with the world in hell:
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. (28) But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh damnation unto himself, if he discern not the body. (30) For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. (31) But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged. (32) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
Christians are to become so sold out to Christ they they love not their lives unto death:
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
This is called striving against sin to the point of being willing to die for our faith! Father promises to chasten us to keep us from being condemned with the world but also knows who in the church is not worthy of chastening for they have proven themselves bastards:
Hebrews 12:4-8 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin: (5) and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him; (6) For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (7) It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not? (8) But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Unfortunately many Christians prove they are bastards by not heeding past chastening that was to prod them to mature from a spiritual babe on milk to the meat of the Word that washes away the carnality of the soul:
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ. (2) I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able; (3) for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?
The Word of God is very clear that every Christian is to mature from a babe in Christ to a full grown son:
Hebrews 5:11-6:3 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. (12) For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. (13) For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. (14) But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. (6:1) Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (6:2) of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (6:3) And this will we do, if God permit.
Only Christians partake of the Holy Spirit with the Word of God but those who chose to fall away from pressing onto perfection that bears fruit will be burned in the fires of hell:
Hebrews 6:4-8 For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, (5) and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, (6) and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (7) For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: (8) but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned.
God works in us to will and do His good pleasure so all we need to do is yield in obedience to His Word and Holy Spirit leading us to work out our own salvation in fear of our Father:
Philippians 2:12-13 So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
We are deceiving ourselves if we only hear the Word but do not act upon its many promises:
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Being a doer of the Word is to become a “living sacrifice” by being transformed through the renewing of our mind in the Word:
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. (2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
A “living sacrifice” is one who learns to die to this life that the life of Jesus will manifest in the mortal flesh of our bodies while here on earth:
2 Corinthians 4:10-11 always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. (11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
Jesus expects us to sacrifice our life to be His disciple:
Luke 14:26-27 & 33 If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (27) Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple…. (33) So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
We are told 6 times that the believer who does not lose his life for the life of Christ will not gain eternal life:
Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
Luke 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Luke 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
It would be better for a Christian not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back into the sin of the world:
2 Peter 2:20-22 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. (21) For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (22) It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.
God is no respecter of persons for He promises wrath on every Christian who chooses to walk in unrighteousness rather than obeying the truth:
Romans 2:6-11 who will render to every man according to his works: (7) to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: (8) but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation, (9) tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; (10) but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: (11) for there is no respect of persons with God.
The devil already has the world devoured so he is seeking the Christians who are not resisting him through stedfastness in the Word by faith:
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, (9) whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.
James 4:7 Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jesus warned us that we must fill our mind and heart with the Word and Spirit soon after salvation or the demons that departed will come back with more wicked ones and the last state will be worse than the first:
Matthew 12:43-45 But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not. (44) Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. (45) Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
This Christian was cleansed of his old sins but he wasn’t actively making his calling and election sure:
2 Peter 1:9-11 For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. (10) Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: (11) for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We are called by our Father as children of obedience to gird up our minds with His Word seeking to be holy as our Father is holy:
1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (14) as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: (15) but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; (16) because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.
As believers we are commanded to present ourselves as servants of obedience unto righteousness:
Romans 6:12-16 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof: (13) neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace. (15) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid. (16) Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Jesus came to set us free from the bondage of sin but if we choose to continue in sin we become a bondservant of sin and will not abide in God’s house forever as His sons will:
John 8:34-37 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. (35) And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever. (36) If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (37) I know that ye are Abraham’s seed: yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you.
Those saints who allow the Word of God to have free course in them will present themselves as servants unto obedience to God and will have their fruit unto sanctification and in their end eternal life:
Romans 6:20-22 For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness. (21) What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. (22) But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life.
Paul was agreeing with Jesus’ parable where we are born again branches in Jesus as the Vine who must bear His fruit unto sanctification:
John 15:1- 3 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (2) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. (3) Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you.
Our Father as the husbandman(gardener) expects us to bear the fruit of His Vine who is His Word that we must abide in or risk being cut back off of Jesus and cast into the fires of hell:
John 15:4-6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither 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 beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. (6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
To abide in Jesus is to study the Word of God with a hunger and thirst for righteousness as His disciples:
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
John 8:31-32 Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; (32) and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
A true disciple will seek to be filled with the knowledge of his will desiring to walk worthily of the Lord bearing His fruit in every good work:
Colossians 1:9-10 For this cause we also,since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, (10) to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Whether we are likened to a branch on the vine or as a tree, the requirement to bear good fruit is always the same or be cast into the fires of hell:
Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. (16) By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (20) Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Paul was warning the church at Galatia that those Christians who practice the works of their flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God but those who learn to be led by the Holy Spirit will bear the good fruit:
Galatians 5:14-25 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (15) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (16) But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, (21) envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. (24) And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. (25) If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.
The devil desires to distract us with cares and riches and pleasures of this life so we are too busy to listen and be led of the Spirit to hear the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience as the parable of the sower teaches:
Luke 8:11-15 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (12) And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. (13) And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (15) And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Our land must become the good ground that receives the seed of the Word bearing good fruit as all three parables of the sower prove when brought together:
The more we exercise our faith to manifest the fruits of the Spirit the more we learn to love even those who persecute us that we may prove we are sons of our Father:
Matthew 5:43-48 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: (44) but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; (45) that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. (46) For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same? (48) Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
No matter what persecution comes our way we must endure unto our end to be saved:
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 24:12-13 And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. (13) But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
Father’s sons learn to be doers of all His Word and not just hearers:
James 1:21-25 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. (23) For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: (24) for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. (25) But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.
Only those Christians who do the will of the Father will enter into the kingdom of heaven:
Matthew 7:21-23 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 who is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
We as Gentile Christians are grafted into the ONE olive tree but can be cut back off for being highminded rather than continuing in the goodness of God:
Romans 11:19-22 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. (20) Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (21) for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. (22) Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God’s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
A highminded Christian is one who continues to exalt the things of the flesh rather than learning to be led by the Spirit:
Romans 8:5-8 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: (7) because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: (8) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Paul warned that many brethren walk contrary to the Spirit of God minding earthly things whose end will be perdition which is hell bound:
Philippians 3:17-19 Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample. (18) For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
Those who mind earthly things continue to love the world and the things in the world:
1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
We are to live in this world without partaking in their sins:
1 Corinthians 5:9-11 I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators; (10) not at all meaning with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world: (11) but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat.
The brother in Christ who continues to be friends with the world is becoming the enemy of God:
James 4:4 Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.
We are to learn to come out from among the world and be separate touching no unclean thing in the world so God will receive us:
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, (18) And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
To do the will of God is to learn to die to the world so that we bear much fruit:
John 12:24-26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. (25) He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (26) If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be:if any man serve me, him will the Father honor.
The Christian who sows to his flesh shall reap corruption(hell) but he that sows to the Spirit shall reap eternal life:
Galatians 6:7-9 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life. (9) And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
As soldiers of Christ we must learn to increasingly become untangled from the affairs of this life:
2 Timothy 2:3-4 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (4) No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
But in these last days many Christians love the pleasures of this life more than they love God. They hold a form of godliness but deny His power to put to death the deeds of their flesh:
2 Timothy 3:1-7 But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, (4) traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; (5) holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away. (6) For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, (7) ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
These shepherds and their sheep are ever learning the Word but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth and are as autumn trees without the good fruit who are twice dead:
Jude 1:12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
It is our soul that can be “twice dead” for our body can only die a physical death once:
Hebrews 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;
We as souls were first spiritually dead before we were born from above:
Ephesians 2:4-5 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),
But the Christian soul who chooses to error from the truth and live in wilful sin will become “twice dead” if he or she refuses to repent from that sin:
James 5:19-20 My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; (20) let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.
Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.
As believers we are to continuously lay up the promises of the Word in our heart using them to cleanse us from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God:
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
The Christian soul who does not fear God enough to do this just may end up “twice dead” in hell as Jesus warned His disciples:
Matthew 10:28 And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
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