"The Obligations of a TRUE BELIEVER"

“The Obligations of a TRUE BELIEVER”

 

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.   For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.        1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

 

The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the believers in Thessalonica, instructs them as to how they SHOULD conduct themselves as TRUE BELIEVERS or as he called them Children of the Light.  He tells them that they are to be SOBER, which means that they SHOULD practice self-control in their lives.  He says that they SHOULD put on FAITH and LOVE as a breastplate, the breastplate of a soldier protected most of the vital organs.  It usually went from the neck to the waist, therefore it protected the HEART.  FAITH and LOVE are inseparable, FAITH in God gives protection inwardly and LOVE for people protects outwardly.  When one has FAITH in God, they will have a LOVE for people.    These attitudes will prepare the TRUE BELIEVER for the RAPTURE.

 

Then Paul instructs them to put on the HOPE of SALVATION as a helmet for the protection of their minds.  To protect their thoughts from any attacks from Satan, who would love nothing more than to plant DOUBT and HOPELESSNESS in the minds of each believer concerning their SALVATION.   However, the TRUE BELIEVER should have a SURE HOPE because they are NOT like those who have NO HOPE.

 

Another reason for the TRUE BELIEVERS meeting their OBLIGATIONS is that it will keep them away from the WRATH of God which will be poured out on earth, on the Day of the Lord.  In other words, the TRUE BELIEVER will escape TRIBULATION, and the finalization of their SALVATION will take place. 

 

Christ died for us so that whether we are SPIRITUALLY ALERT or SPIRITUALLY LETHARGIC, we will live together with Him in Heaven for ALL of ETERNITY.  Verse six says, “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”  The same Greek words for awake and asleep are used in verse six and verse ten, which indicated being SPIRITUALLY ALERT or SPIRITUALLY LETHARGIC.  So whether we are SPIRITUALLY WATCHFUL or NOT, we will live together with Christ.  Christ DIED in our place, He took our PUNISHMENT, this SHOULD make us WANT to be SPIRITUALLY WATCHFUL and ALERT. 

It is our OBLIGATION, also to ENCOURAGE others to be SPIRITUALLY WATCHFUL and ALERT, for the Day of the Lord is coming SOON, and we NEED to be READY. 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are living in DARKNESS, with NO HOPE for an ETERNITY in Heaven with Christ. But you are facing an ETERNITY in HELL, the place of ETERNAL torment, torture, heartache, pain, agony, and despair.  But God is offering you an opportunity to come to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and ESCAPE the WRATH of God, and RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven with Jesus Christ.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

 

"Receiving What is Due Us"

“Receiving What is Due Us”

 

For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.       2 Corinthians 5:10

 

The Apostle Paul, in this letter to the TRUE BELIEVERS in Corinth, gives them information concerning their eternal future.  First he tells them about RECEIVING their NEW and IMPROVED body, should this earthly tent, the body, be destroyed, God has a NEW and IMPROVED building waiting for them, an ETERNAL HOME in Heaven, one that has not been made with human hands.  And as long as they are dwelling in their earthly tent, the body, they are separated from the Lord.

 

ALL TRUE BELIEVERS wait ANXIOUSLY for the time we can be at HOME with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, we make it our goal to PLEASE Him.  For we live by FAITH, and NOT by SIGHT. 

 

When that time comes we will face the JUDGMENT SEAT of Christ, in order to RECEIVE what is DUE us for the DEEDS done while in the body, both good and bad.  This will take place after the Rapture, and it will NOT concern SALVATION, but only the works we have done, GOOD or BAD.

 

This is why it is SO VERY IMPORTANT that as a TRUE BELIEVER, we FOLLOW the LEADERSHIP of the Holy Spirit which indwells our EARTHLY TENT.  We MUST be, SENSITIVE, OBEDIENT, and SUBMISSIVE to Him, in ALL we THINK, SAY and DO.  Our works will be JUDGED and tried by FIRE.

 

If you have NOT given you HEART and LIFE to God, then you will be JUDGED at the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT, which WILL concern SALVATION or the LACK there of, this will take place during the close of human history.  It will be a time when CONDEMNATION and the SENTENCING of an ETERNITY in HELL, for the UNBELIEVER is given.  They will RECEIVE WHAT IS DUE THEM. 

 

What a HORRIBLE time that will be, however, God in His INFINITE MERCY and AMAZING GRACE, has provided a way for the UNBELIEVER to be relieved of their CONDEMNATION.  They MUST  TURN AWAY from their SINFUL lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING their sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL their HEART, that Jesus died for them, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for them before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a TRUE BELIEVER who will  RECEIVE a NEW and IMPROVED body, which will spend ALL ETERNITY in Heaven, with the Lord Jesus Christ,  and will have their works judged, and will RECEIVE WHAT IS DUE THEM.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"It Was Credited to Him"

“It Was Credited to Him”

 

What does Scripture say?  “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness---for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.  He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.                  

Romans 4:3, 23-25

 

Abraham, the man of FAITH, even against ALL hope, he did not waver through unbelief, regarding the promise of God, that he would be the Father of MANY nations.  Even though he was a hundred years old and Sarah was way past childbearing years.   Abraham BELIEVED that God had the power to do what He had promised.  His FAITH in the Almighty God did NOT falter.

 

And because of Abraham’s STEADFAST FAITH, “it was credited to him,” WHAT was credited to him?  RIGHTEOUSNESS was credited to him.  But those SAME words were NOT written for him alone, but to ALL who have a STEADFAST FAITH in the LIVING GOD of this Universe, when there seems to be NO WAY through our situations, we can, with a STEADFAST FAITH, believe that God will make A WAY.

 

When we come to God for the SALVATION of our soul, we are exemplifying our FAITH and God will CREDIT RIGHTEOUSNESS to us, who BELIEVE in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.  Jesus was delivered over to DIE for our sins, and was RAISED to LIFE for our JUSTIFICATION.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD then you have NOT received CREDIT for RIGHTEOUSNESS, and you are NOT JUSTIFIED, but you are UNRIGHTEOUS and UNJUSTIFIED before the LIVING GOD, and you’re DOOMED to an ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, agony, heartache and despair.  However, God is giving you the opportunity to come to Him NOW, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, then RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTIFICATION will be CREDITED to you.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Security of the Sheep"

“The Security of the Sheep”

 

I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand.  My Father gave my sheep to me.  He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand.

John 10:11, 27-29

 

Jesus used the analogy of a GOOD SHEPHERD and His sheep to explain the relationship of Him and His followers.  He, being the GOOD SHEPHERD and His followers being the sheep.  One very important aspect of the relationship is that the GOOD SHEPHERD is willing to give his life for his sheep.  And so it is with Jesus and His followers.  Jesus was WILLING to GIVE His life for His followers, and He did just that. 

 

Jesus said this, concerning His relationship with His followers:  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will NEVER die, and NO ONE can steal them out of my hand.”  Isn’t it GREAT to know that being a TRUE BELIEVER or a TRUE SHEEP of Jesus Christ, gives such SECURITY of our ETERNAL SALVATION, and that SECURITY is not dependent upon OUR ability, because BELIEVERS sometimes stumble and sin, but the GOOD SHEPHERD, Jesus, will NEVER LOSE any of His TRUE SHEEP. 

 

Not only do we have the SECURITY of the GOOD SHEPHERD, Jesus, but we also are SECURED by the MIGHTY HAND of the OMNIPOTENT FATHER, who is GREATER than ANYONE, and because of His GREATNESS, NOBODY can STEAL Jesus’ sheep out of the ALMIGHTY, OMNIPOTENT HAND of the ALMIGHTY, OMNIPOTENT FATHER.  What a PROMISE!  The TRUE BELIEVER can NEVER be LOST.

 

Now the KEY, is that the sheep MUST be a TRUE SHEEP, a TRUE BELIEVER who has come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING their sins to God and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVEING, with ALL their HEART, that Jesus died for them, and is in Heaven, making intercession for them, before God, then they MUST ACCEPT God’s gift of SALVATION, and then they can receive the SECURITY of their ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven, with their GOOD SHEPHERD, Jesus Christ. 

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you MUST do the SAME thing, in order to become a TRUE SHEEP or a TRUE BELIEVER.  So do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"Unequally Yoked"

“Unequally Yoked”

 

You are not the same as those who do not believe.  So do not join yourselves to them.  Good and bad do not belong together.  Light and darkness cannot share together. 

The temple of God cannot have any agreement with idols, and we are the temple of the living God.  As God said:  “I will live with them and walk with them.  And I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 

“Leave those people, and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch nothing that is unclean, and I will accept you.”

“I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

2 Corinthians 6:14, 16, 17, 18

 

The Apostle Paul was addressing the TRUE BELIEVERS in Corinth, concerning their relationship with UNBELIEVERS.  Now, his words may seem harsh, but when you think about what he has said, you SHOULD understand your position as a TRUE BELIEVER.   He gives us a couple of SOUND examples to take to heart.  First, he says; “Good and bad do NOT belong together.  Light and darkness cannot share together.” 

 

Paul is NOT saying that we should NOT have ANY CONTACT with unbelievers, if that were the case, we would MISS OUT on opportunities to share the gospel with them and the opportunity to lead them to a SAVING KNOWLEDGE of Jesus Christ.  But on the other hand, we are NOT supposed to partake in their lifestyle or JOIN them in their sinful mindset, for GOOD and BAD do NOT belong together, nor does LIGHT and DARKNESS share together.  It’s either one or the other. 

 

Paul stresses the point, that we as TRUE BELIEVERS, are the TEMPLE of the LIVING GOD, and as the TEMPLE of the LIVING GOD, we SHOULD NOT allow UNRIGHTEOUSNESS in to mingle with our RIGHTEOUSNESS.  We SHOULD keep our TEMPLE morally CLEAN, because it is the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit of the Living God.  And when we do this, God promises us that He will LIVE with us and WALK with us.  We will share in FELLOWSHIP with Him and Him with us.  He will be OUR God and WE will be HIS people.

 

We are to be a SEPARATE PEOPLE, a PEOPLE that is SET APART for God, and we SHOULD NOT, allow UNCLEANLINESS to reside in our temple.  When we do this, it will make us ACCEPTABLE to the HOLY, RIGHTEOUS GOD of the UNIVERSE. 

 

If you have NOT TRULY given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are an UNBELIEVER, with NO HOPE of Heaven.  You will spend ALL ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, heartache, agony and despair.  You can change your destiny if you will come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and TURN AWAY from your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO Him, and SEPARATE yourself from your PAST and look FORWARD to an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Attributes of Ungodliness"

“Attributes of Ungodliness”

 

These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

But, dear friends, remember what the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.  They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”   These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

Jude 1:16-19

 

The ATTRIBUTES of UNGODLINESS are not limited to blatant sins, such as; drunkenness, drugs, sexual sins, filthy language, murder thievery etc., but they include the subtle sins like GRUMBLING, and FAULTFINDING, even GOSSPING, SLANDERING and BOASTING, sins that have infiltrated the Body of Christ, by entering the HEARTS of those who PROFESS to being TRUE BELIEVERS.

 

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and the brother of James, says that people who are guilty of these subtle sins, are following their own evil desires; they BOAST about themselves and FLATTER others for THEIR own advantage, and at the expense of others.  He also reminds us that, “In the last times there will be SCOFFERS who will follow their own UNGODLY desires.”  They are people who DIVIDE the Body of BELIEVERS, and cause dissension in the Body of Christ, which is one of seven things that God hates.  They follow mere NATURAL instincts and do NOT POSSESS the Holy Spirit.

 

The Apostle Paul, gives the TRUE BELIEVER, some very SOUND advice:  “Finally, brothers and sisters, REJOICE!  STRIVE for FULL RESTORATION, ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER, be of ONE mind, live in PEACE.  And the God of LOVE and PEACE will be with you.”  These are the traits of a TRUE BELIEVER, who POSSESSES the Holy Spirit.

 

If you are a TRUE BELIEVER, you should STRIVE NOT to be a GRUMBLER and FAULTFINDER, or involved in GOSSPING or the SLANDERING of others, but you should be ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER, BEING OF ONE MIND and LIVING IN PEACE.  ALLOWING the Holy Spirit of the LIVING GOD to work in you to RESTORE the Body of Christ to UNITY, and not be one who brings DISSENSION among God’s Children. 

 

If you have NOT TRULY given your HEART and LIFE to God, and are in the church, causing havoc, dissension, and disruptions by your GRUMBLING, FAULTFINDING, GOSSPING, and SLANDERING, trying to DESTROY the work of God’s Spirit, then you are LOST and on your way to HELL, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, heartache, agony and despair, UNLESS you TURN from your EVIL, WICKED ways and TURN to GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and STOP doing those things that GOD HATES, and become a TRUE BELIEVER with the HOPE of ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"The Righteous and the Wicked"

“The Righteous and the Wicked”

 

The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.  In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.  But the wicked will perish: though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.       Psalms 37:18-20

 

In this Psalm, David compares the different futures between the RIGHTEOUS and the WICKED.  He gives us a pretty clear and concise picture of the outcome of each group. 

 

The BLAMELESS or RIGHTEOUS, will be under the PROTECTION and CARE of God, and they will be able to look FORWARD to their ETERNAL INHERITANCE, the HOPE of Heaven, and ALL its GLORIES.  In the disastrous times they must spend here on earth, they will NOT wither and fade away, but they will be able to PERSERVERE, because they are in the Lord’s care. 

 

Those the Lord BLESSES will eventually INHERIT the land, but those He CURSES, the WICKED, will be DESTROYED.   He makes FIRM and STEADFAST the steps of those who belong to Him, and delights in Him; though when they stumble, they will NOT fall, because He holds them up with His hand. 

 

But the WICKED will have NO future, because they will be DESTROYED.  The SALVATION of the RIGHTEOUS comes from the Lord, for He is their STRONGHOLD in times of trouble.  He is their HELPER and DELIVERER.  The RIGHTEOUS will inherit the land and live in it FOREVER.  The WICKED will be COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

 

Which group do you belong to, the RIGHTEOUS or the WICKED?  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD and TRUSTED in Him for the SALVATION of your sin-sick soul, then you are listed with the WICKED and you will spend ALL of ETERNITY in Hell, the place of PERPETUAL torment, torture, pain, agony, heartache, and despair.  But God is giving you an opportunity NOW, to TURN AWAY from your sin, and TURN to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING, your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become one of the RIGHTEOUS, who will INHERIT the land and have a GLORIOUS, ETERNAL FUTURE awaiting them.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!