GOOD INTENTIONS: TRY vs DO
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
–1 Corinthians 9:24
Recently Hillary Clinton was asked if she told the truth.
Her reply?
“I’ve always tried to tell the truth.”
Which, of course, is not the same thing as actually telling the truth.
As anyone who is familiar with Hillary Clinton’s statements will already know.
Hillary Clinton: ‘I don’t believe’ I’ve ever lied.
A few days later, Donald Trump was asked the same question about whether he told the truth.
His reply?
“I try.”
Which, again, is not the same thing as actually telling the truth.
As anyone who is familiar with Donald Trump’s statements will already know.
All this reminds of a time a company in New York City was contacted. The call was handled by a bright, personable young lady.
She was asked if she had shipped a package as she had promised.
Her replay?
“I feel like I did.”
???
Apparently, in the times in which we live: many people want credit for trying to do the right thing.
Even if they do not do it.
Several months ago during a discussion, a certain man declared that he was “75% sure he was going to heaven.”
It was then pointed out that he could be 100 percent sure he was going to heaven: just repent, believe the gospel, put his whole trust in Jesus Christ.
Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven?
He ignored what was said and launched into an entire list of reason why he was already good to go: he prayed every Sunday, his mom went to church, he had never murdered anyone and he doesn’t steal.
Remembering this certain man had had some well-known trouble with his neighbor, he was then asked “Didn’t you tell me you hated your neighbor?”
“I wouldn’t waste a bullet on him.”
What Jesus had to say on the matter was also quoted.
“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be liable to the hell of fire.”
–Matthew 5:21-22
“Any one who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
–1 John 5:14
This man also had quite the eye for the ladies. It was pointed out if he looked on a woman with lust, he was guilty of adultery.
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
–Matthew 5:27-28
He just laughed and said “Guilty as charged!”
He then recited the list of things he had going for him one more time.
People want credit for their good intentions.
Jesus said to count the cost; to take everything into account and act wisely.
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.”
–Luke 14:28-30
Jesus is saying you should know what you’re getting into before you declare you’re going to do something.
Good intentions aren’t good enough.
Which brings us to the crux of the matter.
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
–Luke 14:33
What if someone TRIED to forsake all that he had: would Jesus give him credit for trying to do right?
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
–Luke 6:46
Not clear enough?
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
–Matthew 7:21
Sin is still sin and obedience is obedience.
Americans have been deceived by their churches to believe as long as they try to do good and go to church every week, God will wink at their sin and disobedience.
How many from the earthly Kingdom of Covetousness and Lust will be able to smooth-talk their way past God into heaven?
“know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
Will God overlook His enemy’s sin if His enemy try to be His friend but just couldn’t?
How many readers are friends with the world?
How many readers make excuses because of that friendship?
How many are thinking “Be reasonable! Where does it stop?”
How many think “God will understand“?
Won’t He?
Sin is still sin and a good intention is not the same thing as obedience.
Many have good intentions of following Jesus on the narrow path.
Jesus said FEW actually do it.
It’s not too late to trade good intentions for obedience to God.
He will help all who come to Him sincerely.
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
—John 20:31
THE GOSPEL
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
[Portions of this piece originally appeared in End Times Prophecy Headlines: March 2, 2016.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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