Month: October 2020

Romans 8 (KJV): 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2 Tim 2 (KJV): Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1 Corinthians 6:1-3 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

Revelation 5:10 And have made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on the earth.’

Revelation 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Well then – it appears we are saved to perform good works now and to rule and reign with our Lord Jesus Christ as His bride forever.

Consider yourself an instrument of God to perform good works and to be a net plus in the eternal ledger. Pray, give, love and serve daily and you will be rewarded at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Don’t let anything distract you from your purpose. You are called and elected, saved forever, and destined to be sanctified and conformed to His image to love and serve The Lord. Now and forever – with the Lord Jesus.

God is more concerned with our direction than our perfection (John MacArthur).

The modern church has been accused, rightly or wrongly, of leading people to false assurance. That assurance of salvation would be something like “pray this prayer and you are good to go”. While we must never imply that salvation is anything beyond our trust in Christ, we must acknowledge that true belief is accompanied by a life change immediately and over time.

2 Cor 13 KJV: 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. 11: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The true believer (TB) really desires to follow God. The true believer loves God and his or her fellow believers. The TB exhibits the fruit of the spirit, repents willingly of sin, loves fellowship and hates the ways of this world.

Again, to encourage you – I would say that such sanctification is a process that Paul describes in Romans 7. Romans 7:15-20 (KJV) 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Paul describes here the tension between the flesh and the spirit for the believer.

Contrary to some theology, sanctification (a movement toward holiness) does not happen at a certain point in time for the believer – rather it is a process that is very much the work of God in our lives. We learn from our sin and failure, and God leads us into a deeper walk with Him, often through those failures.

Some may ask “well then, since I am saved, I can sin all I want to, right?” Such a question is foolishness. The TB wants desperately to please God and hates his or her own sin. The TB may often sin and fall into temptation, but the grace of God which saved them also brings them back to fellowship. When we are saved, we are to be sanctified by the same saving grace. This is often called the persistence of the believer. It is really the evidence of God’s election and kindness.

This can be seen in the contrast perhaps between Judas and Peter. Both sinned and were sorry, but only one came back. Godly sorrow leads to repentance but worldly sorrow leads to death. If you come back after disaster, you can thank God for His love and mercy in your life. So, keep on coming back no matter what and thereby prove your salvation. Romans 8:30 says: Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. God will get us there if we are His. Do your part to make sure we are His. Never quit.