Randy Bell
29 Jan 2017

Be Sure You Are Going To Heaven

Evidence of Salvation 6: Do You Believe the Bible is The Truth?

John provides seven clear-cut proofs of salvation, and today we look at what is truth according to Evidence #6. Don’t skip the others, read through these proofs in his letter we call 1 John.

The apostle proves that life-changing evidence of salvation will remove doubts and fears about your relationship with God. And in Evidence #6 we see John pressing forward by demanding that it is a non-optional fact that only true believers accept and live by the Bible as God’s revelation and absolute truth.

He continues his onslaught with the evidence that separates the real believer from the false. John does this by establishing what constitutes truth and what is not. And what is not true is nothing more than the lies that spew from the deceiver of mankind. “They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” [1 John 4:2,3]

The source of the information determines what is true and what is false. The eyewitnesses who walked with Jesus the Son of God shared the truth. All the rumors, false information, and twisted teaching that was propagated by others as if from Jesus was false.

So the line is drawn in the sand. Listen to Christ or listen to the world. The eyewitnesses of Jesus, such as John, Matthew, Peter, Paul, etc wrote down what they saw with their own eyes, what they heard directly from Jesus, and what they actually did through God’s Holy Spirit empowering them. Inspired by God, they supernaturally wrote the words God wanted all people to receive about salvation and a relationship with Him. These books are the New Testament Bible we have today and it is God’s absolute truth for every person.

 

scorm-icon1 John 1:1-4 (NLT)

1  We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.

2  This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.

3  We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

4  We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

In any court of law, only eyewitnesses and evidence are the foundation for truth. Doubters and unbelievers who were not in Israel, not standing next to Jesus, and not hearing Christ the Lord speak have no testimony of truth. Anyone can invent an opinion about anything, but that opinion is not equal to evidence! It is false information created by fools!

scorm-icon2 Peter 1:20-21 (NLT)

20  Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,

21  or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

 

The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force or some kind of energy. God revealed Himself to certain people in the ancient past, and the Old Testament is the written testimonies of the people who experienced God. It is historical fact, not mythological stories. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and all the others are real people with real stories about the God of heaven, our creator.

Many of these prophets revealed unknowable information about the future to prove they were speaking by the revelation and in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the evidence of God himself reaching out to the world and offering eternal life.

But there is a dynamic war of what is truth versus what are lies or error in the world. The world rejects the Bible and the testimony of the followers of Jesus who lived with Him. We find the apostle Paul also explaining the difference between TRUTH and ERROR in many places of his writings. For example, in his letter to the church in Galatia, he writes,

 

scorm-iconGalatians 1:6-9 (NLT)

6  I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News

7  but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

8  Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.

9  I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

You have turned from God and His truth if you will not follow the message that Jesus gave to humanity and instead listen to anyone else, including your own opinions. Who do you think you are? You are not important enough, nor powerful enough to create truth. God is divine and creator of you and everything. Your words have no power to change the future or eternity. God’s Word establishes truth, life, and all creation. Contradicting God leaves you cursed and under everlasting death. Your opinion is NOTHING BUT ANOTHER COSTLY ERROR that you will suffer from unless you LISTEN TO GOD.

 

scorm-icon2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (NLT)

3  But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.

4  You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

 

A different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel will lead you to a different place than heaven. The world and popular opinion of today will agree with a new and different message, but deception, not truth is that path of darkness. Believe me when I tell you, that old serpent the devil wants you destroyed through new novel ideas.

False preachers, teachers, and religions will offer you every new idea that can possibly be thought of to twist you from believing the historical reality of God’s salvation through Christ Jesus the Lord. There are a heaven and hell, therefore religion has nothing to do with making yourself satisfied and happy. Truth determines your eternal destiny. Your way will land you in the devil’s path to eternal hell.

options-iconAn Evidence of Salvation Is Believing The Truth of God’s Word The Bible!

A person who agrees with the Bible is of God. A person who listens to new religious leaders in contradiction to the Bible is not saved! The Bible is the standard of truth and the determiner of error. Any person, movement, or religion that contradicts the plain and clear teaching of the Bible is in error, even if they claim their message came by the special way of angels from God to correct and improve the old message of the Bible with a new revelation.

There are no new prophets sent by God to correct or contradict His Son’s message of salvation. IT DOES NOT NEED CORRECTION! There are no new messages from God to correct the old-fashioned churches that follow the old New Testament Bible written nearly 2000 years ago.

So how can we tell the truth?

“We are of God [John and the other disciples], He who knows God hears us [listens to their teaching from the Bible]; he who is not of God does not hear us [listen to us] . . .” [1 John 4:6]

This means the New Testament portion of the Bible must be completely believed also, not just the Jewish scriptures, to prove you are really of God. Remember John along with all the original followers of Messiah were Jewish. Most Jews want God without Jesus, their Messiah, even though He fully revealed Himself to them, and fulfilled all the prophecy given by the Old Testament prophets.

There is no plan “B” for them or anyone else. The GOOD NEWS is Yeshua, son of David, sacrificed His life for all sin. How plain can it be? The message of John and the other Jewish followers of Jesus, the Messiah, is still the same. Eternal life is given by God to all who believe His Word and repent.

Paul, the apostle, wrote to his fellow Jews…

scorm-iconRomans 10:1-4 (NLT)

1  Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.

2  I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

3  For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.

4  For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

Your way versus God’s way is the issue! Truth is God’s way, lies are the world’s ways. Your thoughts versus God’s thoughts. Your ways, versus God’s! Only the true saint sees this truth, leaves his ways, and follows Jesus.

You are not smarter than, wiser than, nor greater than God. When you are convinced of your own importance, which includes all your ideas, you are in error. Your life is based on lies. Jesus is the only truth (John 14:6). Do not live a life of misdirection, but instead, humble yourself and listen to God Almighty. Every time you contradict the Bible you are denying the Lord Jesus. Any personal opinion that contradicts Jesus denies Christ and is a lie.

Jude wrote a brief letter to further this warning, “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” [Jude 1:3-4 (NLT)]

Jude warns that anyone inside the community of the church who contradicts Jesus is a person who denies Christ. No matter who you are, when you contradict the God in the flesh, Jesus the Messiah, and put words in His mouth, or twist His teaching, you have denied God, and called Him a liar. Therefore truth is what the Bible clearly states, and you can measure everything to be true or false by the real standard of truth, THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS THE BIBLE.

It is the will of God written for all people. It is the path of life, the narrow road, given for all people to follow. It is the truth, without error because the all-knowing God has supernaturally written, preserved and given it to mankind.

Jude continues to reveal God’s opinion of people that contradict Him and follow their own truth. “In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority and scoff at supernatural beings. But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’ (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.)”

“But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.” [Jude 1:8-11 (NLT)]

Jude gives examples of many people who dream up their own truth, their own opinions of what they want to do, even though it contradicts the clear revelation of the Bible. The people of error, follow their instincts and natural passions but claim God is on their side. The people of error clash with truth to their own destruction.

History is filled with many, many people who have lived and died demanding that their way was right. For example, Cain killed Abel and was angry with God because He did not accept his own way of practicing religion. Or others, like Korah, who clashed with Moses, God’s chosen leader, and demanded God accept his opinion on worship and spiritual authority. The people of error clash with the people of truth.

John warns there are many who will try to confuse and twist the truth in 1 John chapter 4…

scorm-icon1  Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

2  This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God.

3  But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.

4  But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

5  Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them.

6  But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.

How can you hear the truth spoken by John and the other first-century disciples of Jesus?

options-iconJohn clearly demands that only those who listen to him and the other writers of the New Testament are of God. “… BY THIS WE KNOW THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR.”

Every teaching outside of the Bible is driven ultimately by the spirit of Antichrist, the blinding force that keeps the whole world in darkness from the loving God. So only the born again child of God has the miraculous new birth that gives Christians the eyes to see the truth.

John says, “… it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.” [1 John 5:6b] And again, the apostle Paul agrees by saying, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” [1 Corinthians 2:12-13]

The powerful end time deception that will sweep the last generation of this era into the arms of the devil is based on strong delusion through lies. Every bump in our culture that pushes the envelope into deeper sin, forces the world one more step into Antichrist rule. The people go deeper into darkness, blinded and cursed, and run to complete rejection of the church and its message.

This is not the church’s fault unless they shrink in fear and refuse to SPEAK THE TRUTH expecting God to miraculously raise dead sinners to eternal life.

scorm-icon1 John 2:18-27 (NLT)

18  Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.

19  These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

20  But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.

21  So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.

22  And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.

23  Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

24  So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.

25  And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.

26  I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray.

27  But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

The truth will set you FREE!

scorm-iconJohn 8:31-47 (NLT)

31  Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.

32  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33  “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”

34  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

35  A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.

36  So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

37  Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message.

38  I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

39  “Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.

40  Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.

41  No, you are imitating your real father.” They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

42  Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.

43  Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!

44  For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

45  So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me!

46  Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me?

47  Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”

Well, do you belong to God? Prove it!

options-iconSo remember, there are things we can disagree on, but you cannot disagree with the Bible over your salvation and eternal life. Unless you allow God through the Bible to direct your faith and beliefs you will be lost forever. God so loves you that He gave His Word to be clear and concise to prevent you from being confused and miss His gift of eternal life.

If you do not know how to repent and follow Jesus contact us immediately and ask for help. That is why we are here!

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Randy Bell
29 Jan 2017

Be Sure You Are Going To Heaven

Evidence of Salvation 7: Do You Believe in Jesus the Messiah?

Now let’s look at the last proof John gives for salvation in his letter we call 1 John. Evidence #7 asks the question,  “Do You Believe in Jesus the Messiah?”

Here is our final proof. Faith in the Jesus that the Bible describes as Jesus the Messiah, is non-optional, because the Biblical Jesus is the only savior of the world.

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ [promised messiah of O.T.] is born of God” [1 John 5:1, 10-12]

Jesus made this important to the first century disciples. “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [Matthew 16:15-16]

If you have a problem with the idea that Jesus is God and cannot accept it or hold to it, then you are NOT going to heaven. You are NOT born again. And the word “believe” means more than the American usage. John demands that a born again person trusts in, clings to, and relies upon Jesus the long promised Messiah for their salvation. He is Almighty God, the redeemer. They trust Him as their savior from sin. He is their only salvation.

Think it through, the Bible describes what God means by the term, Christ [Greek for Messiah].

1/ The Messiah was promised through the prophets to be the sacrifice for sin.

glossary-icon“He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave with the wicked– But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.” [Isaiah 53:8-10 (NKJV)]

The apostle Peter proclaimed this truth when he preached to a huge crowd of people in Jerusalem. “And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!” [Acts 13:23 (NLT)]

2/ Prophecy said he would be both Almighty God and a human son born miraculously by a virgin.

glossary-iconLook carefully at Isaiah 9:6:

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Let me clarify the dual teaching by first quoting the same prophet, Isaiah, who again uses the same words “Mighty God” clearly to mean the Almighty God as illustrated here. “And it shall come to pass in that day That the remnant of Israel, And such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, Will never again depend on him who defeated them, But will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21 The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, To the Mighty God.” [Isaiah 10:20-21 (NKJV)]

Other prophets use the same word when they speak of Almighty God. “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” [Zeph 3:17 (NKJV)]

3/ Jesus is ALMIGHTY GOD not a lesser, created god

glossary-icon“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior. 12 I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses,” Says the Lord, “that I am God. [Isaiah 43:10-12 (NKJV)]

Make no mistake, there are no other gods. God never formed any gods, and promised He never would. All so called gods are enemies of the Almighty God, and are not really gods, but demons. Deuteronomy 32:17 (NLT) explains, “They offered sacrifices to demons, which are not God, to gods they had not known before, to new gods only recently arrived, to gods their ancestors had never feared.” Fallen angels are worshipped, but they are not gods. Fallen angels were followed as gods by deceived ancient peoples and their power was real, BUT there is only one GOD!.

So Jesus cannot be a created god, or another god, or a divine lesser god; which means as He himself claimed, IS GOD ALMIGHTY, even if you do not understand how that can be. Let me prove it.

In Isaiah, God says He is the only savior. And yet Jesus was both the savior and sacrifice for sin. Luke 2:10-12 (NLT) quotes the angel of heaven, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Jesus was announced to be Messiah, the Savior! You cannot reject Christ’s divine origin, He is God, not a god.

And Peter proclaimed it in Acts 5:30-31 (NLT) “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. 31 Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven.”

4/ Jesus was already God before He came to earth as a baby

glossary-iconIn John 8:58 Jesus claimed to be Almighty God, not a divine, lesser god by saying, “‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” Was Jesus a liar? If He was, He sure would not be divine!

Look at the words Jehovah, the Almighty God used as He revealed Himself to Abraham.“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.” [Gen 17:1 (NKJV)] But remember Jesus said, before Abraham was even born, HE WAS “I AM.”

Look at the way Almighty God revealed Himself to Moses. “So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” 6 Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father–the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.” [Ex 3:4-6 (NKJV)]

“Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.‘” [Ex 3:13-15 (NKJV)]

When Jesus said He was “I AM” every Jew knew He was stating He was ALMIGHTY GOD, THE GREAT “I AM”! Why do you think the unbelievers wanted to stone Him? Jesus did not lie, nor claim to be a god. He truthfully told the people in Israel He was GOD!

Here is another exchange He had with unbelievers again speaking clearly in their language that He was Almighty God. He said, “The Father and I are one.” 31 Once again the people picked up stones to kill him.

32 Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?” 33 They replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.” [John 10:30-33 (NLT)]

They clearly understood Him saying He was ALMIGHTY GOD, not a god.

5/ His disciples worshiped Him and called Him God

glossary-icon“And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” [John 20:28]

Paul agrees “…while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.” [Titus 2:13 (NLT)]

6/ Jesus was fully a human and fully God

glossary-iconA person who says they are of God but teaches and believes that Jesus was not a human also is not of God. The facts are miraculously, ALMIGHTY GOD BECAME A REAL MAN born of a real virgin woman.

Look in 1 John 4:2,3 for this. “Here’s how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ — the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-blood person — comes from God and belongs to God. 3 And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God. This is the spirit of antichrist that you heard was coming. Well, here it is, sooner than we thought!” (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

7/ You Cannot Be Born Again and Reject Jesus Christ as God and Man

glossary-icon“He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” [1 John 5:12]

“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.” [Matt 1:18 (NLT)]

“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” [Matt 1:21-23 (NLT)]

It is obvious by now that 1 John demands proof of salvation, not just mental belief. He learned this from the Lord Jesus as recorded in the Gospels.

Matthew 7:21-27 [21] “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven… [26] But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: [27] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

You must understand that Jesus is the only begotten son of God, and the second person of the godhead, and the Messiah.

15  But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

16  When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

17  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” [Matthew 3:15-17 (NKJV)]

The previous scriptures already proves Jesus is not a different god, but Almighty. Even though the word trinity is not used here, THREE DISTINCT PERSONS, are revealed in this event. Almighty God, the Messiah Jesus is baptized in the water. As He comes up from the water, Almighty God the Holy Spirit descends from heaven and falls upon Jesus. And then Almighty God the Father speaks from heaven and proclaims Jesus is His beloved Son. Three different persons, but ONE ALMIGHTY GOD! An unexplained mystery of Almighty God, but fulfilling prophecy, and verifying Jesus is both God and man.

All three things are true about God, plus many more! Jesus is Almighty God and always existed as the great “I AM.” And yes He also was miraculously placed inside the real human body of Mary, and was born a human, the only begotten Son of God. And He was sent to earth to save us from our sins because He is the promised Messiah of Almighty God.

REMEMBER:

What you really believe changes what you do. And when you really believe in Christ as you trust in Him to pay for your sin on the cross, His power changes your life to be able to do what God demands. But normal man only wishes he could change. The Word of God declares, “By grace you are saved through faith…” This is not in theory, but God’s salvation actually transforms people, that is why proof is essential, and fruit is the evidence. Jesus stated it plainly,  “Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” [Matthew 7:20 (NLT)]

The fruit of change is the character, attitudes, and actions of God coming through the lives of those who are born again. The “wanna be Christians” are actually hypocrites, and they can deceive people, but not Jesus, because some hide their sins in secret where only God sees them. But He will bring justice on judgment day.

So I must ask you one more time,  do you pass all seven tests? If not, please stop right now and make a change. Repentance starts with getting real with God and yourself.

HERE IS HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN

Acts 2:38-39 (NLT) “Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

options-icon1/ THE LAW OF GOD MUST BE EXAMINED AND FACED JUST LIKE YOU WOULD IN A COURTROOM [Read Exodus 20, Matthew 5-7, Galatians 5, Ephesians 2]

Why? because the law of God creates guilt

“Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.” [Romans 3:19 (NLT)]

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” [Gal 5:19-21 (NLT)]

Jesus first explains the process,  Matthew 5:3 (NLT) “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. You must see clearly as God sees you…

Romans 3:10-18 (NLT)
10  As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one.
11  No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God.
12  All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”
13  “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.”
14  “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15  “They rush to commit murder.
16  Destruction and misery always follow them.
17  They don’t know where to find peace.”
18  “They have no fear of God at all.”

Complete spiritual poverty is  already everyone’s plight and God knows it. But until you have no more excuses, explanations, or evil lies and simply bow before your holy creator and admit your sin you can never be connected to God or ever live forever in heaven. And it must be so real to you that you move into the second step.

 

options-icon2/ NEXT RESPOND TO THE GUILTY VERDICT WITH FULL ADMISSION OF YOUR SPECIFIC CRIMES, FOLLOWED WITH DEEP SADNESS

Why? because guilt creates godly sorrow

“Come close to God and he will come close to you. Realize that you have sinned and get your hands clean again. Realize that you have been disloyal and get your hearts made true once more. As you come close to God you should be deeply sorry, you should be grieved, you should even be in tears. Your laughter will have to become mourning, your high spirits will have to become heartfelt dejection. You will have to feel very small in the sight of God before he will set you on your feet once more.” [James 4:8 (Phillips NT)]

 

options-icon3/ THEN FULLY REPENT AND FOLLOW JESUS [OBEDIENT LIKE A SLAVE], YOUR NEW LORD – Why? because only deep godly sorrow creates true repentance

“For godly grief and the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation and deliverance from evil, and it never brings regret; but worldly grief (the hopeless sorrow that is characteristic of the pagan world) is deadly [breeding and ending in death].“ [2 Cor 7:10 (AMP)]

“Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.” [Eph 4:28 (AMP)]

True repentance means first to stop your sinful crime, and in our example of a thief that is only the first step because this is only partial repentance. Next, the thief must get a job and earn his money. But this is still partial repentance because it does not deal with the heart of the sin, GREED. A greedy person steals and cheats, but a fearful or careful greedy person just works hard to stuff his own pockets. Here the Bible explains that true and full repentance is only proven when the ex-thief makes a 180 and joyfully gives some of his hard earned money to needy people.

AN EXAMPLE PRAYER WOULD BE LIKE THIS

Dear Almighty God,

Just like I am subject to the laws of my nation, I realize you are my Almighty Creator and ruler of the universe. You are the only one who is all powerful,  good and fair. Because of this you have the right to establish the law of the world and I now bow to your authority. I have broken your law _________ [fill in the blanks], and I am sick with sadness in how I have acted.

Please forgive me! I believe and accept your offer of forgiveness through Jesus dying in the place of my judgment. I turn from all the crimes I am practicing, I have no excuses, And I now am grateful for your mercy. I choose to follow and love my Lord Jesus by obedience to His commands all my days. AMEN

options-iconFINAL THOUGHT

And remember, there are things we can disagree on, but you cannot disagree with the Bible over your salvation and eternal life. Unless you allow God through His Word the Bible to direct your faith and beliefs you will be lost forever. BUT… God so loves you He gave His Word to be clear and concise to prevent you from being confused and miss His gift of eternal life.

If you still do not know or understand how to repent and follow Jesus contact us immediately through our website and ask for help.

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Randy Bell
15 Jan 2017

Be Sure You Are Going To Heaven

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? EVIDENCE#1 DO YOU LOVE THE CHURCH?

The Bible teaches us there are no do overs. When we die we enter heaven or hell. Therefore if you want to spend eternity in heaven you must make sure you know and do what Jesus Christ reveals is the truth. Paul even warned the Christians at Corinth to examine themselves to make sure they were really in the faith, unless they found themselves deceived. (2 Corinthians 13:19)

How do we do examine ourselves? The apostle John wrote the letter we call 1 John and tells us how and why. He says,  “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, …” 1 John 5:13

The purpose of the first letter of John is clearly stated as “assurance of salvation.” John wrote to give proof to the people who claim to be Christians that they actually were saved by offering evidence. These truths will also prove whether we are alive in God, or as we say, born again. Make sure you sit down and read the entire book!

Now, what you need to notice is that the Bible never says that you are going to heaven because you believe you are. It does not say you know you are going to heaven because you prayed a little prayer like, “Dear Jesus come into my heart.” Nor does it say you are assured of heaven because your priest, pastor or grandmother said you were. Instead, John provides seven clear-cut evidences of salvation. He learned to look deeper, rather than accept a simple testimony from a person who claimed to be a Christian because Christ taught him to verify salvation by a person’s fruit.

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. [Matthew 7:15-18 (NLT)]

The Lord trained his apostles well. And Christ Jesus clearly warned that many, many people would unite with the church and become known to the world as Christians. But, most of these people will be fakes. They would be deceived and sincere, but still, not real. And the only way to know for sure was evidence that existed beyond the surface, way underneath the sheep skins. Those who broke God’s laws were fake, even if they were popular or preachers, sincere and spiritual leaders, and even miraculous and famous.

Here’s what Jesus warned. “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matt 7:21-23 (NLT)

 

So to examine ourselves let’s first define John’s terms.

In 1 John 1:5-7 John writes, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses of from all sin.”

God = Light… What God says is right, is right. And what He says is evil is wrong. So this determines whether we are of God, if we obey and live in devotion to Him

Satan = Darkness… the Bible calls him the Prince of Darkness and he led a mass rebellion against God while in heaven. He and anyone who disobeys God has become God’s enemy and lives under his dominance in spiritual darkness separated from God.

fellowship with God = living in light is life in connection with God and obeying Him

fellowship with Satan = living in darkness is a life of rebellion to God and under the power and influence of Satan

 

Now let’s look at the first evidence that proves you are a Christian. What really amazes me, is the proof John uses to begin his test of life. It is not what I would have guessed or even chosen. In fact, I do not know anyone who pushes this first one as evidence of salvation.

Evidence #1 Do You Love The Church (Your Christian Brothers)?

“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.” [1 John 2:9]

Obeying the 1st and 2nd Greatest Commandments is non-optional and proof of life. But more specifically John asks us, do you love the church, the called out followers of Jesus?

John lays down the gauntlet and demands that anyone who claims to be a narrow road follower of Jesus must, without excuse, be totally locked into fellowship and friendship with others in a local church. This means that a change of life takes place in a true Christian and God becomes his love. He advances steadily to love Him with all his heart, all his mind, will and emotions, and all his strength. [Matthew 22]

Then, because “God so loved the world…” [John 3:16] His Holy Spirit living inside a Christian causes the disciple to begin loving his neighbor until it overflows from his heart as a standard passion and lifestyle.

But, Jesus pushed past the concept of just loving your neighbor and commanded his new followers to love their brothers in a higher way than the law ever demanded. This is why John more specifically explains that you must first and foremost love your brother! The priority of Christian family love must supersede all else so that true brotherhood is the evidence of a spiritual life.

The Jews asked Christ “who was their neighbor”, but we must ask, “Who is my brother?” Well, the Lord Himself answers this question for all Christians and it is why John uses this concept as a vital evidence of salvation. We find this in Matthew chapter 12.

“As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. Someone told Jesus, ‘Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to speak to you.’ Jesus asked, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ Then he pointed to his disciples and said, ‘Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!’” [Matthew 12:46-50 (NLT)]

[fac_icon icon=”arrow-right” color_hover=”#000000″ font_size=”14″]The evidence is clear, just like Jesus explained in Matthew 7, only the people who obey the will of God are His brothers. No one else is going to heaven, or classed as a brother, not people that live in your neighborhood, not friends from school or work, and not even blood relatives reach this level of family.

Many churched people do not do the will of the Father. Many relatives and friends do not do the will of the Father. To those deluded people Jesus will publicly announce, “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.” Judgment Day will destroy their wishful hopes and dreams.

So it is “doing” that proves who you are, not what you believe that is hidden in your mind.

And Jesus makes it clear your blood relatives are second to the relationship you have with Him. Unless they are believers also, their demands or connections are secondary to the commands of Jesus.

Jesus stated in, Luke 14:26-27 (NLT) “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

Jesus’ own half brothers and sisters from Mary and Joseph, did not believe in Him until after He was resurrected from the dead. So we know from His words that our brothers are fellow Christians who follow and obey Jesus, not our blood relatives. We must love our relatives into the kingdom with prayer, example, and sharing the gospel.

But, we cannot do this alone! As Jesus teaches, the church is our band of brothers. The disciples of Jesus are the ones we must really love to be with, and lean on for help to reach our blood relatives and community. The ones to gain strength from in days of trouble.

The local church is where our closest friends must be, the people we must hang out with. The ones we join with both in church gatherings and fellowship every day in our homes. We must merge our private lives together with the people of God, and work together to love God and help others. Our brothers are the ones we team up with to do active ministry in our community in Jesus’ name.

The Book of Acts clearly shows the church to be an organic family that is counter-cultural to the rest of the world. Not as a cult hidden in the dense jungle somewhere, but an underground family of people living to turn the world upside down for Jesus while they live their lives among the people around them. You can see the truth of this in the account of Acts 2.

Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

43  A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

44  And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

45  They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

46  They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—

47  all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

 

You must see this evidence as a compelling argument of salvation. It takes a miracle to have such a change in life to the point that you are so altered in your heart that people who were strangers to you become closer than your mother and father. That love of your “brothers” becomes so dynamic that you actually share your money, goods, and food, without coercion, with people you previously never even knew. To sacrificially love others beyond measure without doubt or fear is an amazing conversion from the normal way of life. Only the living God does such work in a person.

This is what a real local church is, a close-knit spiritual family that binds together in love for one another and teams up to follow God’s assignments. All the saints’ hearts are enlarged beyond the normal family mentality of blood relatives. The salvation of Jesus causes believers to want to provide for and protect each other as much as personal resources allow.

It is a new norm to pray for each other, not focus on ourselves. Encourage and help each other, not just follow our goals and dreams. Yes, John says this is the first evidence of salvation!

 

So how do you know if you are living in darkness, instead of the light of God?

John says, “But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” [1 John 2:11]

Hatred is a harsh word and not many will say they hate people. But, if you hate vegetables you do not eat them. You do not think about them or waste your time studying them. You ignore them. You reject them. You do not have to sit around and build up an emotionally charged anger against peas to hate them! Don’t believe me? Ask a child whose father left them what they feel. They will always ask, Why does my dad hate me?”

In like manner, you hate the Christians when you hardly, if ever, gather with them for worship and ministry, do not join them and make friends with them, and do not establish strong family ties with them. There are many reasons people reject the fellowship of the church, BUT excuses are not good enough. Judging a local church instead of loving them is proof of a hateful heart. And John is clear if you do not love your brother you are not a Christian.

 

Next, John gives us the evidence of A lost soul!

“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” [1 John 3:15]

Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical explains this statement,

“That is, he has the spirit of a murderer; he has that which, if it were acted out, would lead him to commit murder, as it did Cain. The private malice, the secret grudge, the envy which is cherished in the heart, is murderous in its tendency, and were it not for the outward restraints of human laws, and the dread of punishment, it would often lead to the act of murder. The apostle does not say that he who hates his brother, though he does not in fact commit murder, is guilty to the same degree as if he had actually done it; but he evidently means to say that the spirit which would lead to murder is there, and that God will hold him responsible for it.”

God knows our heart’s motives and it is important to see how God looks at us, not how we try to justify our actions. When you hate the church, you DO NOT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!

So John tells us the “The First Evidence of Salvation!”

“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” 1 John 3:14

It is easy to feel like you love God and have a great relationship with Him, therefore that is good enough. But God says your relationship with Him is pure self-deception, unless you prove it by loving, loving, and loving Christians in a local church. Do not deceive yourself, to be a part of the real world of Jesus you must love His family and have relationships that PROVE IT!

John pounds this truth into our minds! He continues by saying, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” [1 John 4:7] This is not some obscure feeling, but true and real relationships. Relationships that are messy and difficult. John also states, “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” [1 John 4:12 (NLT)]

 

So What does the Bible define as love? Again we do not get to invent the definition of love.  John says, “By this we know love, because He [Jesus] laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” [1 John 3:16] Is it just a general good feeling toward others? Of course not! But that is the “love” many people explain is what they have for the local church. BUT, God demands a devoted and real friendship with fellow disciples. The kind that makes you expose your heart, and serve and help others mature in the faith. You must give yourself away and help others. “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” [1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)]

 

John gives us two examples to define this type of friendship and answer the question, How Do We Love Others?

  1. Our First Example: “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” [1 John 3:17]

The proof of this love is the action of helping, not just feelings!

“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” [1 John 3:18]

And the New Testament gives Christians all kinds of “one another” commands to help understand how to love each other.

 

  1. Our Second Example: How Do We Love Our Brother? “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.” [1 John 5:2] So it is clear, when we obey the commandments of God, for example, do not steal from someone, we are showing them love. But when we steal from others by refusing to pay for items received, or secretly steal from someone, you prove your selfish hate for them. Love gives and shares, it does not lie, steal or hurt others.

 

So you see, genuine love lived out in a local church is absolute proof of salvation according to the Bible. But don’t forget there are six more proofs of eternal life, miss even one and you are living in darkness. Make sure you are born again, God clearly gave us the truth in His Word so that you do not miss His free gift of life!

REMEMBER: Unless you allow the Bible to direct your faith and beliefs you will be lost forever. God so loves you and He gave His Word to be clear and concise to prevent you from being confused and miss His gift of eternal life. If you do not know how to repent and follow Jesus contact us immediately.

 

, , , ,
Randy Bell
15 Jan 2017

Be Sure You Are Going To Heaven

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? EVIDENCE#2 HAVE YOU TURNED FROM SIN?

I have been preparing a long time to share with you this life changing evidence of salvation that will remove doubts and fears about your relationship with God.

You see, the Bible teaches us there are no do overs. When we die we enter heaven or hell. Therefore if you want to spend eternity in heaven you must make sure you know and do what Jesus Christ reveals. In fact, even Paul warned the Christians at Corinth to examine themselves to make sure they were really in the faith, and not discover too late that they themselves were deceived. [2 Corinthians 13:19]

So how do we do examine ourselves? The apostle John wrote the letter, 1 John and tells us how and why. He says,  “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, …” [1 John 5:13]

So it is clear, the purpose of the first letter of John is for the “assurance of salvation.” John wrote to give proof to the people who claim to be Christians that they actually were saved by offering clear evidences. These truths will prove whether we are alive in God, or as we say, born again. Please make sure you sit down and read the entire letter!

And please notice when you do, you will find that the Bible never says that you are going to heaven because you sincerely believe you are. It does not say you know you are going to heaven because you prayed a little prayer like, “Dear Jesus come into my heart.” Nor does it say you are assured of heaven because your priest, pastor, or grandmother said you were. Instead, John provides seven clear cut evidences of salvation, and today we look at Evidence #2.

Remember, John learned to look deeper, rather than accept a simple testimony from a person who claimed to be a Christian, because Christ taught him to verify salvation by a person’s fruit.

 

scorm-iconOur Lord warned in Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT) by saying,

13  “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.

14  But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

 

Jesus continued in verses 21-23 and clearly warned that many, many people would unite with the church and become known to the world as Christians. But, most of these people will be fakes. They would be deceived and sincere, but still, not real. And the only way to know for sure was evidence that existed beyond the surface, way beneath the sheep skins.

Christ insisted that those who broke God’s laws were fake, even if they were popular and even preachers, sincere and spiritual leaders, and even miraculous and famous.

Here’s what Jesus warned. “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ [Matt 7:21-23 (NLT)]

So let’s carefully examine John’s second evidence.

Evidence #2: Have You Turned From Sin?

What this means is complete repentance is a non-optional proof of life.

This begins with our Lord’s words, “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not [practice] what I tell you?” [Luke 6:46 (AMP)]

The Lord Jesus questioned the people around Him who claimed they believed and would follow Him. He watched what they did. Those who would not practice and live out what he called them to do were not His followers. They were hypocrites and followers in word only, calling Him Lord, but refusing to obey His commands.

John was different, he followed Jesus. He knew what the Lord was demanding. So he states,

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.” [1 John 2:1(NLT)]

The apostle John continues with his blistering statements in his first letter and proclaims clearly from God’s inspired Word that you cannot be a follower of Jesus and live in disobedience. Sinful living is proof of rebellion and spiritual death, but obedient living is proof of eternal life.

This teaching comes directly from Jesus Christ, and John followed Him closely for three years, taking in everything Christ taught. His faith did not end at the death of Jesus, and in fact, it was empowered at His resurrection! So when John demands real change in a person’s life to prove that they are really going to heaven, he received this idea directly from God.

Your personal opinion does not erase God’s Word. Because you prayed a prayer when you were young and “Accepted Jesus” does not prove you are going to heaven. God’s Word determines what is evidence. Do not bet your life on your church’s opinion, your pastor’s opinion, your mom’s opinion, your best friends opinion, or your own opinion. Bet your life on God’s Word.

John presses forward with his proof in 1 John 2:29 (NLT) and declares, “Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.”

He is saying, “If you know (perceive and are sure) that He [Christ] is [absolutely] righteous [conforming to the Father’s will in purpose, thought, and action], you may also know (be sure) that everyone who does righteously [and is therefore in like manner conformed to the divine will] is born (begotten) of Him [God].[1 John 2:29 (AMP)]

There is no mistake here, John demands a new life apart from sin, and this means leaving sin far behind, and only doing what is right, consistently and faithfully. This is not unusual! The U.S. government expects and demands that law abiding citizens do what is right, consistently.

Criminals do not. They live differently, by secretly plotting their crimes. Blatantly they do their own thing and ignore the law or their authorities wishes. They hide their sins! They practice evil by doing what they want.

But true narrow road followers of Jesus, FOLLOW JESUS! They do what He says is right, and refrain from what He says is criminal activity. That is why John presses forward with this evidence of eternal life.

John also says, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” [1 John 3:2-3 (NLT)]

Did you notice John did not say, “SHOULD keep themselves pure.” He said, “WILL keep themselves pure.” That means a true, born again Christian can do this. But, an almost, wishful, believer in Jesus who is not born again, CANNOT obey in this way.

And notice the standard of purity from sin that John demands is “just as he is pure.” JUST LIKE JESUS! Are you screaming out excuses now? “Who can live up to Jesus’ standards, this is impossible.”

Well if you feel this way, hold on, John is not done yet! He explodes with these amazing words. “Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. 5 And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.” [1 John 3:4-6 (NLT)]

 

tests-iconLawlessness proves a person is enslaved in sin and heading to eternal punishment!

He writes, “whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” [1 John 3:4]

And Paul agrees and wrote in Romans, “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” [Romans 6:16 (NLT)] Let that sink into your mind! And next notice the change repentance brings to the saint.

Paul writes, “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.” [Romans 6:18-20 (NKJV)]

This means that you are either a slave to God or sin, and the hypocrite always sides with freedom from God’s laws, but the saint wants freedom from sin. If you think God gives you freedom from the law, then  I have to ask, why would God help us rebel and disobey His commands?

 

tests-iconGrace is not a license to ignore God’s written commands!

So we know that disobeying and ignoring God’s commandments is lawlessness. Refusing to submit to the law, the commands of the Lord Jesus, is rebellion against God’s authority over you. Just like an American citizen is required to obey the laws of the land or suffer the wrath of the government, men are required to serve the living God.

And it seems there is great confusion today over what Christianity is. False grace is a false doctrine that says that Jesus died to free us from the law of God. But true grace says Jesus died to save us from sin so that we have the new power to more than obey God’s law, but exceed it and easily live righteously!

Jude 1:4 (NLT)  states, “I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” The word used here translated “denies” also means contradict. Today many church people contradict Jesus. “Biblical grace means forgiveness and power to overcome sin, not permission to act immorally.” –  Bible Background Commentary – The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament.

 

tests-iconSin is Disobeying God by Breaking His Law!

“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?‘ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” [Matt 7:21-23]

 

Well this is why true repentance is an evidence of knowing God! Jesus takes away the sin from a BORN AGAIN, real believer. He did not come to just forgive, He came to remove the domination of sin from inside you.

You are no longer a slave to sin, if you are born again. This is not just forgiveness for your past, it is deliverance for your present and future!

This is the long awaited promise from God given by Ezekiel the prophet, for a totally new life. This is what being born again is all about.

Our great and precious promise is, “… I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” [Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT)]

The promise is not “SHOULD follow my commands,” but “you will keep My judgments and do them.” (NKJ) The proof of a supernatural life is repentance from that old stubborn life of disobedience of God’s commands, and a joyful, full turn to obedience. The responsive heart lives a fully different lifestyle.

This is why John dares to say, “Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin.” This is not possible in human effort or willpower, this is a miracle! But, all those who keep on sinning do not know God. They do not know His salvation. They do not know His forgiveness. We are not just saved from hell. We are saved from sin!

Let’s read this carefully together . [1 John 3:7-10 (NLT)]

7  Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.

8  But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

9  Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

10  So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

No matter how much tolerance is proclaimed inside and outside the church, DO NOT be deceived. No matter how much grace is preached that is supposed to ALLOW sin to dwell in people’s lives, DO NOT be deceived. “When people keep on sinning,” even if they confess and ask forgiveness over and over everyday, they are NOT saved!

For a short time as they wrestle with repentance, this may happen. But this is not a long extended lifestyle. If your religion is made up of this enslavement to sin, you are not going to heaven, and you DO NOT know God. Those who keep on sinning BELONG TO THE DEVIL.

Christ Jesus destroys, destroys, and destroys this work of the devil in all born again believers.

Paul asks, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus …” [Romans 6:1-3 (NLT)]

The proof, the evidence, that you have met Jesus, and are God’s own child is simple, you can’t keep on in your old sins. Your new heart stops you. This new grace of the Holy Spirit inside floods you with holy desires, and powerful strength to obey the living God.

So Learn quickly to walk with God. Do not let anyone deceive you. If you are deceived you allow the devil to trick you and dishonor God by disobedience through ignorance.

The child of the devil is a sin machine, no matter what he believes about his eternal end. The child of God is a love machine who sticks with fellow Christians in the local church and fulfills God’s will together with His spiritual family.

You may say hold on, no one is perfect! You are correct. Please think this through with me. Lucifer and the fallen angels were holy servants of God in heaven. They did not have a sin nature, but they did have free will. They chose to rebel because they were not robots.

Adam and Eve were created perfect, without sin natures, but with free will. Robots don’t love or choose good, because they do what they are programmed to do. And God did not create mankind as robots but free agents.

But everything changed when Adam and Eve sinned, and now all mankind is born in the likeness of Adam, as slaves to sin. John knows this, and is revealing how powerful and real the sacrifice of Jesus was on the cross. And the Bible reveals how powerful the grace the Holy Spirit releases inside each born again believer really is.

This is why John says to the born again in 1 John 2:1 (WuestNT) “My little children, these things I am writing to you in order that you may not commit an act of sin. And if anyone commits an act of sin, One who pleads our cause we constantly have facing the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One. And He himself is an expiatory satisfaction for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.”

This is the huge difference between a true Christian and everyone else, because we are not sin factories anymore. That is why John writes, “But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate.” “If” is not the same as “since”! Since all the people of the world without Christ are “sin factories”, they constantly sin, rebel, and do acts of wickedness continually ignoring Christ and His commands.

But the born again are not “sin factories” and do not live in the perpetual life of sin and darkness. So “if” a Christian fails and commits a sin, but then asks for forgiveness, and repents… they are restored to life in the Spirit. But you must understand a true believer does not sin because they have to, if they sin it is a choice, an act of outright rebellion or deception and ignorance, NOT slavery.

John clearly says his letter is to help Christians stop committing acts of sin. The truth sets you free! But if we occasionally fail, John promises in 1 John 1:9 (AMP) “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].”

 

So let’s make Evidence #2 clear with these final statements from 1 John in chapter 3…

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1/ Without Repentance You Are Still Going to Hell!

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” [1 John 3:8]

2/ Another Evidence of Salvation is Repentance!

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” [1 John 3:9]

3/ You Are Either a Child of God or the Devil? Which Are You?

“Here’s how you tell the difference between God’s children and the Devil’s children: The one who won’t practice righteous ways isn’t from God, nor is the one who won’t love brother or sister. A simple test.” 1 John 3:10 (MSG)

The Fake Christian Makes Claims but Does Not Obey!

Remember John states, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him.” [1 John 2:4]

Let me be clear, hypocrites can’t obey! They will scream for love, understanding and a broader mindset. This idea of obedience is too narrow minded to them. Surrendering to the complete control of the Lord Jesus is out of the question, and they have no passion to reach the world for Jesus!

Yes they want to go to heaven. But they actually think religious freedom means liberty from the restricting life of the do’s and don’ts of God’s Word, and falsely believe God saved them without requiring obedience to His commands. Would God free people to sin or free people from sin?

John not only states that those who will not repent are lost but also reminds us again that the first Evidence, “you must love fellow Christians”, is proof also.

4/ Conclusion: Repentance is not optional!

“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” [1 John 5:18 ]

Well remember, there are things we can disagree on, but you cannot disagree with the Bible over your salvation and eternal life. Unless you allow the Bible to direct your faith and beliefs you will be lost forever. God so loves you He gave His Word to be clear and concise to prevent you from being confused and miss His gift of eternal life.

If you do not know how to repent and follow Jesus contact us immediately through our website.

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