2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
UPDATE: Watch the full message, God does call us to turn from our ways and receive His supernatural blessings!
Do you know how to appropriate grace so that “sin shall not have dominion over you”? Since grace reigns through righteousness, it should settle any question you have of whether or not grace has power!
“For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God’s favor and mercy].” Romans 6:14 AMP
Click to watch the video, or check your iPhone podcasts app and search for Narrow Road Underground to listen to my free podcasts.
Be Sure You Are Going To Heaven
I have been waiting 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.
Our 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.
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), “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, 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 he demands, he wrote, “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)]
Lawlessness 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)] 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 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?
Grace 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 obey God’s law.
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.
Sin 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. But 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].”
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 or join us this Sunday for worship.
Be Sure You Are Going To Heaven
You must be born again! Jesus made it clear by declaring, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.” [John 3:3 (AMP)]
There may be many voices in your life giving contradictory advice, but the only person who matters is God. His opinion is TRUTH. In fact, “Jesus said… I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” [John 14:6 (AMP)]
Therefore understand, it is God alone, not me, that demands a miraculous rebirth must be experienced before anyone can get to heaven. You do know that the devil believes in God and is not going to heaven. Believing in God is not the same as being born again. Let me explain.
A long, long time ago the Creator of the Universe dealt with a rebellion in His kingdom. His close servant and trusted friend determined he would no longer take orders from God Almighty. One third of all His other subjects joined him in a mass rebellion that ended with them being cast out of heaven forever. They were temporarily placed into darkness, left for the time being, until they would be permanently placed into a terrible prison. This place was designed for them, not men. But later men also rebelled in the exact same way. So the Bible says, “He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” [Matt 25:41 (NKJV)].
So why is there a hell? It is very simple, for justice and fairness. God must punish crime in the same way that you understand murderers must be punished by our government. But, eternal beings must be given eternal punishment. Man was created by God and given life with the intention of living forever in direct contact and fellowship with Him.
So how does an eternal prison called hell affect you? By breaking God’s law people must face eternal punishment. Think of yourself driving down a street and entering a school zone while texting, and not watching the road. You look up after typing a long phrase too late to see a child in your path and you kill her. You failed to obey the law.
But in your perception you expect understanding from the police, after all, you “really” did not mean it! You stubbornly decide it was just an accident and you should be released after you say you are sorry. The parents should understand, right? But, the police come and arrest you for seriously breaking the law.
Your good attitude and intentions do not matter. Your past good life does not count even though all your friends believe you are a good person. And, all the good deeds of your past do not erase this one terrible negligence on your part. You now must face the judge. This one action, yes this one single event, changes everything in your life forever.
Your day in court comes and you face the parents of the dead little girl. The judge enters and calls everyone to attention and your crimes are read aloud for all to hear. You did not take this day seriously and decided to defend yourself without a lawyer. You have a decision to make. You ask to approach the bench and give the judge many compliments to butter him up. You then offer a deal. “I promise to wash your car everyday for the rest of my life if you will call it even.”
Angered the judge blurts out, “The girl’s life is worth far more than a car wash. How dare you insult this court and the child’s parents. Step back from me you wicked idiot!”
“Wait!’ you give a counter proposal. “I will give you a shoe shine each week. And cut the parent’s lawn twice a month.”
“You killed their child and you think that is fair?” screamed the judge.
Okay, okay I will give you $5000 and the parents $10,000, which is all I have!” You know that has to be a good deal and turn to get your debit card.
The judge firmly states, “Stop, there is only one thing valuable enough for your crime. Your life! You have cheapened life to mere money and little acts of kindness. Life is far too valuable. I sentence you to be executed.”
Most refuse to look at spiritual crime seriously. They expect God to understand. And false religion always tries to cheat just like this courtroom story. But just like the devil and all his demons we “… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” [Romans 3:23 (NKJV)] We all have broken God’s laws. Sin is a criminal act of breaking the law of God and leaving the results of pain, hurt and destruction on others as real as killing that little girl. God hates all crime and does not want any person treated anyway except through love. God hates all disobedience to His law, because His law is the rule of how to love Him and others.
In God’s court He decides all crime has one verdict and punishment. “For the wages of sin is death” [Romans 6:23 (NKJV)]. Spiritual crime is so outrageous in God’s eyes He will not tolerate any weaker punishment than what He already levied against the devil and his angels. The reason is plain and simple. He has to be fair and just. He would be a crooked judge and a criminal himself if He favored anyone over Satan.
But false religion tries to bribe God for acceptance, blessings and eternal life. False believers try to earn their way to heaven. They think being a community organizer or helping poor people earns them the name of Christian. Some think joining a religion and doing some kind of ritual or spiritual activity is all that is needed.
Maybe being a nice person to everyone is good enough for God? In spite of God’s view of rebellion and sin, many think they get to heaven by being good people according to their judgment, and do not get serious about God’s moral law and rules. False religion tries to make a way to God in their way and by their terms.
But please consider this, a strict fundamental belief that God’s Word is the standard of right and wrong for all people, in every place, and for all time is not false religion. The Bible is absolute truth and God rules over the earth with His standards. Like it or not. For example, I was born in the U.S.A. and without my consent or choice must follow the authority and law of the land. In the exact same way, your Creator rules the universe and all nations and people fall under His laws and authority. Therefore, strong convictions that God’s Bible is absolutely true, and must be followed, is not false religion, but facing reality.
Everyone knows that there is a clear difference between law abiding citizens and active criminals here in America. Citizens are able and expected to obey the law. But criminals break the law and are punished, and their rights are removed by the judge. Well, the same is true for God’s Word and His Law. God expects you to obey His commands.
But remember God says all have sinned [committed crimes] and are guilty before Jesus, the Eternal Judge. Because the first man and woman rebelled against God, no one can fully follow God’s Law today because we are all born without the strength to obey it. Even so, God looks into our eyes and judges us guilty criminals by His just Laws from the Bible. We can’t get around this! So how can we become law abiding citizens in God’s eyes, when from birth we are nothing but rebels?
Let’s go back to our courtroom. If false religion tries to bribe the judge for release from punishment, what is true religion? After the judge gives the verdict of the death penalty, a clamour comes from behind you. In walks a man, and the judge asks, “What is it my son?”
“Father, I will give you my life instead of this guilty, wicked person standing before you. Then fairness will stand and your honor preserved. Life for a life, and the true value of the crime will be paid. Then the devil and all his slaves will never be able to point their fingers in your face and call you a hypocrite.”
The Judge loves His Son Jesus, but in mercy gives His approval. He allows His Son to be executed for your crime and the crimes of everyone because His son never broke the law in even a small way. He was totally innocent. Because He was innocent, He could be punished for others. This is true religion, justice fulfilled, but mercy given to guilty criminals.
But, He makes His ruling with a very narrow application. This gift of forgiveness will only be given with the following stipulations:
“There is no one righteous, not even one. 11 There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away; all alike have become useless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one. 13 Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips. 14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, 17 and the path of peace they have not known. 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that whatever the law says speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment. 20 For no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin ⌊comes⌋ through the law. [Romans 3:10-20 (HCSB)]
2/ When any person wanting a relationship with God, the Creator and Judge, approaches Him, they must begin on His terms not theirs. His will and nature are clearly revealed in the Holy Bible, nowhere else. To find God you do not need to search the world, you only need to read the Bible, His love letter to mankind.
“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6 (NLT)]
God will greatly help you here because the Holy Spirit works powerfully to show you your crimes. Be honest and face the truth about yourself. The Bible is clear and lists sin and remember God’s Word says,
“From that time Jesus began to preach, crying out, Repent ( change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [Matt 4:17 (AMP)]
“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.” [Acts 2:38 (NLT)]
[Exodus 20, Matthew 5-7, Galatians 5, Ephesians 2]
“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)]
“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)]
““For godly grief and the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation…”
“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 crime, and in our example of a thief, that is only the first step because this is only partial repentance. Next the Bible explains that the thief must get a job and earn his money. But if you stop here then this is still partial repentance because it does not deal with the heart of the sin, which is GREED. A greedy person steals and cheats, but a fearful or careful greedy person just works hard to stuff his own pockets without stealing. That is why 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.
As you can see, true repentance means to stop your way of saying and doing things, change your mind on how you reason and make decisions, and leave your selfish lifestyle behind forever. Then, make the teachings of Jesus your new path in the future. This is the narrow road where you make it your one priority to please and obey Jesus Christ, your brand new boss. You must fully follow His doctrines, His commands, and His example. Repentance is turning away from EVERYTHING Christ says is wrong and evil, and embracing EVERYTHING He says is right and important to do.
Dear God,
I realize you are my Creator and Judge, the One who gives us all life, and the only one who is good and just. Because of this, you have the right to establish the law of right and wrong for the whole world and I now bow to your authority. I have broken your law in these ways _____________________________ [fill in the blank], and I am grieved and sorry for how I have acted.
Please forgive me! I accept your offer of forgiveness through Jesus dying in the place of my judgment. I now turn from all the crimes I am practicing, I have no excuses, and I am grateful for your mercy. I choose to follow You, my Lord Jesus by obedience to Your commandments all my days.
REMEMBER, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO LEAVE THE LIFE OF CRIME AND OBEY FROM THIS DAY FORWARD – THIS IS THE NARROW ROAD
Here are some important things to know. The big idea is your relationships with God, your family, friends, and neighbors. Begin with the basics.
1. “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” [Matt 7:12 (NLT)] Make sure you act in love, do not react. God’s concern is that you think about what you would like from others. How do you want them to treat you? What do you want from others? Then do not wait, act first in love. Do you want people to talk to you or include you in activities? Don’t wait speak kindly to others no matter how they speak to you. Read the Bible and see how Jesus speaks, acts, and deals with people. Follow his lead.
2. Not everyone actually follows Jesus, don’t be discouraged. “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. 22 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.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
3. God will be with you as you listen to Him and follow His teaching. 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” [Matt 7:21-27 (NLT)]
4. Choose to love others even when they do not give love back to you. 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” [Matt 22:37-40 (NLT)]
Make sure you understand this, all the Old Testament is the written instructions on how to fully love God and man. When you hate a person you steal from them, hurt them, lie to them and so on. But when you love God, you prove by obeying what He instructs. And you prove that you love others when you do what God instructs in His Word to do for others.
BUT WHAT IF I FAIL? OF COURSE YOU WILL FAIL MANY TIMES! BUT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE GOD’S MIGHTY GRACE THAT GIVES YOU NEW DESIRES AND STRENGTH TO OBEY YOUR NEW LORD SO TRUST HIM.
“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. 3 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.”
“4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” [1 John 2:1-7 (NLT)]
Give yourself a break at first and remember you are a new baby in the faith. Don’t be discouraged, and do not let failure define who you are! You will find God’s strength because He gives His Holy Spirit to you and you gain the power to obey consistently. Give God time to work inside you, trust Him.
THIS IS IMPORTANT…
1. Read your Bible start with John and Matthew 5-7.
2. Find a church that teaches the Bible literally, because there you have friends that will help and encourage you. But be careful there are false preachers that will try to deceive you.
3. Get baptized to publicly pronounce your faith in Jesus.
4. Study the four phases of spiritual life and the seven steps to maturity for a solid foundation.
5. You can contact me through the website, KLPTV.ORG for any questions and/or if you just need a friend to help you on your spiritual journey.
Welcome to the Narrow Road!
Randy Bell
Email: randy@KLPTV.ORG
