Good News/Gospel | End Times Prophecy Report

March 31, 2019 • 06:00 0

TESTIFY

The believer is to testify.

Specifically, the believer is to testify of what Jesus Christ has done for him. But the world not only does not believe the Word of God, the world no longer believes even the testimonies of those who have been personally touched by Jesus Christ.

There are several reasons for this.

1- OF COURSE, the world has become jaded. Many previous testimonies have come, not from believers but, from workers of iniquity and therefore, have been false testimonies.

2- The world has become more deceived and believes many authorities other than the Word of God.

Particularly in the end times.

Still, the believer is to offer his testimony, regardless of how many choose to believe it.

For the reader, five verses which have to do with the believer and his testimony.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
–Revelation 12:11

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord”
–2TIMOTHY 1:8

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
–Matthew 10:32-33

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held”
–Revelation 6:9

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
–Romans 10:9

Has Jesus touched the life of the reader?

Then the reader is to tell the world about it.

Testify!

MORE: MODERN AMERICAN TESTIMONY: No Jesus, No Christ

MORE: TESTIMONY: What Jesus Has Done for You

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“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

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: March 25, 2019.]

MORE: TESTIMONY: What Jesus Has Done for You

RELATED ARTICLES

by Jeremiah James
–with Mondo Frazier

image: Image by Albert Dezetter from Pixabay.com

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-19. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP, 2007-2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson, Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted to those blogs/website.

Filed under: Biblical Teachings, END TIMES PREPARATION, End Times: What does the Bible say, Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, Good News/Gospel, testify

February 24, 2019 • 06:00 0

Messianic Jews: The Deception Raise More Questions than Are Answered

QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS:

1-What would you call a group who insists that they are believers in Jesus as savior, but deny that He is divine?

2-What would you call a group, some of whom don’t recognize Jesus as co-equal with the Father?

3-What would you call a group, many of whom view sources outside of the Bible as valid as Scripture?

4-What would you call a group who adhere to the Mosaic Law and consider it “to remain fully in force and a holy covenant, to be observed both morally and ritually, by those who profess faith in God.”

Would you call such a group a “cult“?

Perhaps.

Would you call such a group “Christian?”

No. How could you?

What to call such a group then?

Messianic Jews.

Many church-goers consider Messianic Jews to be “brothers and sisters in Christ.”

But are they?

Messianic Jews do not believe in a Trinity or that Jesus is co-equal with the Father. That’s pretty basic to being a “brother (or sister) in Christ” is it not?

Can one be both a follower of Christ and a keeper of the Law?

James is explicit.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
–James 2:10

If one is to keep the Law, then one must meet all of its requirements–which requires perfect obedience.

Paul is clear as well.

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
—Galatians 5:4

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
—Romans 10:4

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
—Galatians 2:21

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”
—Romans 7:4

“But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
—Roman 7:6

“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
—1 Timothy 1:8-11

In fact, the Bible is clear those who say they are under the Old Covenant (the law) are cursed if they do not obey EVERY point of the law–which is EVERYONE, as NO man can keep the law.

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”
—Galatians 3:10

“Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.”
–Deuteronomy 27:26

“And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant”
–Jeremiah 11:3

Can a man be saved through belief in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation and at the same time be cursed?

The early church had the same problem: those who were confused about keeping the law rather than trusting in salvation through Christ.

“Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”
—Acts 15:24

Once again, if Messianic Jews believed the whole gospel of Jesus Christ, they would be Christians–not Messianic Jews.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
—Galatians 3:28

RE: Messianic Jews; Circumcision and Communion.

“Messianic Jews hold that male believers must be circumcised, since it is a part of keeping the Covenant.”

“The Messianic worship service does not include communion or the Lord’s Supper”

Messianic Jews maintain they are under the Old Covenant.

Jesus Christ brought a better Covenant.

“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.”
–Hebrews 6:6-7

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
–Jeremiah 31:31-33

Believers are to pray for the salvation of Messianic Jews.

Believers are also to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to Messianic Jews.

The simplicity of the gospel–the whole gospel–of Jesus Christ should be preached to Messianic Jews.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
—John 8:36

There are number of groups who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ.

HOWEVER, when one looks closely at what they believe, one discovers this is simply not true.

IF Messianic Jews were Christians, there would be NO need for the term “Messianic Jews” and NO need for the rituals and practices which reflect the Old Covenant.

“In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”
–Hebrews 8:13

There is only one body of Christ.

“But now are they many members, yet but one body. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”
–1CORINTHIANS 12:20,25

The devil has been trying to split that one body into pieces since Jesus Christ walked the earth.

“Messianic Jew” is a label meant to deceive.

Not the least being any who believes they can be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and yet still be cursed.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree”
–Galatians 3:13

One either believes God’s Word OR the assertions of a deceiver–no matter how seemingly friendly or well-intentioned.

DOES the reader believe there are really such a thing as a “Messianic Jew“?

DOES the reader know of any such claimants?

DOES the reader believe God’s Word or the “Messianic Jew“?

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“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

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: October 19, 2013 and End Times Prophecy Headlines: February 22-24, 2019 .]

RELATED ARTICLES

by Jeremiah James
–with Mondo Frazier

image: Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted to those blogs/website.

Filed under: Biblical Teachings, End Time Deception, END TIMES PREPARATION, Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, Good News/Gospel, Messianic Jew, Messianic Jews: deception raises more questions than are answered

February 2, 2019 • 06:00 0

An Important Reminder for End Times Believers – II

A FRIENDLY REMINDER: About End Times Preparation

A FRIENDLY REMINDER: About the End Times

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
–Proverbs 11:30

God’s Word is extremely clear about the importance of winning souls to the kingdom of heaven.

Proverbs calls the one who wins souls “wise.”

Daniel 12:3 compares those who turn many to righteousness to “stars shining for ever and ever.”

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
–Daniel 12:3

So, the believer is to win souls for the kingdom.

But what is the best way to do this?

IF one is a member of the churches, one has many, many choices. In fact, relying on the various strengths of man (persuasion, memorizing “great” phrases, acting friendly, etc.) seems to be the go-to tactic in churchly soul-winning.

But if not these, then what?

The believer only needs to remember God’s Word: what is it that the Bible teaches is the “power of God unto salvation“?

“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

The gospel of Jesus Christ is to be preached to (shared with) nonbelievers. Then, the non-believer makes a choice: to sincerely believe or reject the gospel of Jesus Christ.

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“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:

But sharing the gospel gives the hearer the OPPORTUNITY for eternal life.

So, all those who want to be “wise” will forget all other advice and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This has been a reminder for the end times believer.

DOES the reader wish to be considered wise for all eternity?

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“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

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: January 30, 2019.]

MORE

RELATED ARTICLES

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: ETPR/Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ETPR

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-19. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP, 2007-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson, Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted to those blogs/website.

Filed under: Biblical Teachings, END TIMES PREPARATION, Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, Good News/Gospel, friendly reminder, gospel of Jesus Christ, he who winneth souls is wise

January 20, 2019 • 09:00 0

Warning the Lost: Ignorance VS Obedience

During a recent conversation about warning the deceived–and the almost total non-responsiveness of the same–several questions were raised.

Among them were the following.

Why don’t the ones you’re trying to warn pay attention?

Why warn people if they completely ignore the warnings? Why not save your breath?

You would think God would have come up with a better system, wouldn’t you?

Not a bad bunch of questions.

Why don’t the ones you’re trying to warn pay attention?

Mostly because they are deceived–particularly in the end times. The whole world is deceived by Satan.

“And the great dragon…that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world”
–Revelation 12:9

Deception cannot be negated by giving the deceived person more information. Deception is a spiritual problem.

HOWEVER, spiritual deception CAN be remedied by giving a person the gospel of Jesus Christ and that person making a decision to believe on Jesus. The gospel of Jesus Christ is what God Himself has designated to be the power of salvation.

“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

These are the final warnings from God to man.

How will man respond?

End times man is terribly deceived.

The Bible does not offer much hope: most of mankind will continue to shake their fists at God and curse Him, even as God’s judgments are raining down upon the earth and those who dwell there.

This is not too surprising.

After all, man has a long, long history of ignoring the warnings of God.
—God’s Final Warnings to Man

Why warn people if they completely ignore the warnings? Why not save your breath?

Because believers are commanded by God and Jesus to warn the deceived and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
–Mark 16:15-16

IF the believer is to be obedient, he MUST preach the gospel–even to those who are likely to ignore it.

What it comes down to is OBEDIENCE vs IGNORANCE: the OBEDIENCE of the believer vs the IGNORANCE (about their needing to be warned) of those being warned.

You would think God would have come up with a better system, wouldn’t you?

It is a perfect system for a God who wants to save those who truly want to be saved because they love Him and value eternal life.

More so than any man, God KNOWS how mostly futile is the warning of man: after all, He repeatedly warned the nation of Israel for years only to be largely ignored.

God repeatedly sent prophets to warn Israel of the destruction they were bringing upon themselves.

Israel persecuted and killed the prophets God sent to warn them.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city”
–Matthew 23:29-31,34

It all boils down to the OBEDIENCE of believers who offer warnings and the gospel–and a chance at a perfect eternity–VS the IGNORANCE of the deceived.

There will be a few who respond to the warnings (and the gospel) and save themselves.

There will be many who ignore the warnings (and the gospel) for a variety of reasons (going along with the crowd, too much trouble, just too deceived, too busy, whatever).

The deceived all get to make a choice, just as believers get to make that same choice–and ALL live with the consequences of their individual choice which they FREELY make.

And that is EXACTLY the system which God Himself created to accomplish his plan and purpose.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
–Matthew 7:13-14

OBEDIENCE vs IGNORANCE.

Which will win out?

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“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

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: January 16, 2019.]

RELATED ARTICLES

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: ETPR/Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ETPR

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-18. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP, 2007-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson, Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted to those blogs/website.

Filed under: Biblical Teachings, END TIMES PREPARATION, Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, Good News/Gospel, obedience vs ignorance, warning the lost: obedience vs ignorance

January 20, 2019 • 07:30 0

In Case of Eternal, Spiritual Emergency

And one does not even have to break any glass to access relief.

The whole world is arrayed against the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
–Mark 13:13

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”
–Matthew 24:9

Doesn’t this make the reader just a bit curious to find out more?

DOES the reader often wonder “Is there anything more to life than what I am experiencing?”

“IS this all there is?”

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“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

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: January 18-20, 2019.]

RELATED ARTICLES

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

images:
1- http://www.PEXELS.com
2- ETPR/Wikimedia Commons/pd/ETPR

Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted to those blogs/website.

Filed under: Biblical Teachings, Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, Good News/Gospel, in case of eternal spiritual emergency, The gospel of Jesus Christ

January 13, 2019 • 07:30 0

Questions of Salvation

ETERNAL SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

Recently received the following questions about eternal salvation.

“So If you believe in the Lord and the gospel of Jesus Christ, ask for forgiveness but keep repeating the same sin over and over are you saved? I keep hearing different teachings on this. I’ve heard youre still saved but you get less crowns in heaven and I’ve also heard you arent truly saved even if you believe bc you’re fruit isn’t Godly and you ask for forgiveness but haven’t repented. So what’s the truth?”

While the entire paragraph is about salvation and the saved believer’s relationship with sin, there is a primary question.

The primary question is “So If you believe in the Lord and the gospel of Jesus Christ, ask for forgiveness but keep repeating the same sin over and over are you saved?”

As always, the answers are in God’s Word.

1- Peter sums up salvation in one verse.

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”
–1PETER 1:2

2- The ultimate proof of whether one has eternal salvation is the transformed life. Having a belief one is “saved” has nothing to do with eternal salvation: the transformed life is the final evidence of such a salvation.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
–2CORINTHIANS 5:17

3- Part of this transformation is a renewed mind: a new purpose, a new understanding of God and His Word, a new realization of the destructiveness of sin.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
–Romans 12:2

4- Through the transformed life, one now has the Spirit of God residing within. This is God’s token to the believer that he is now God’s.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
–1CORINTHIANS 3:16

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
–1CORINTHIANS 6:19

5- This gift of the Holy Spirit to the believer was a promise God had made.

“And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
–Ezekiel 36:27

This indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God is one BIG feature of the New Covenant. God declares that He will no longer dwell in buildings built by hands, but in the believer himself.

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building”
–Hebrews 9:11

“Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,”
—Acts 7:48

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”
–1KINGS 8:27

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;”
—Acts 17:24

6- By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the believer led to the truth.

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
–John 16:13

7- Part of that truth is that the believer, though now the temple of the Holy Spirit, is still encased in a body of flesh; of dirt; of sin. God’s Word highlights the magnificence of God’s Holy Spirit being in a corrupted body made of dirt in 2CORINTHIANS 4:7.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

This body of sin wars against the Spirit of God who now dwells within.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.”
–Galatians 5:17

The believer learns that, even with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, it is not possible for him to live a sin-free life. Eventually, the believer learns that, though the Spirit of God dwells within him, his body is corrupt and will lead him to sin. Though he may fervently wish it otherwise, he will stumble: he WILL sin.

“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”
–Romans 7:15-20

Does this then give the believer a “license to sin“?

Absolutely not. In fact, the believer is quite aware when he sins and, because he now has the Holy Spirit, the believer realizes what a transgression against God sin really is.

Sin is NOT fun.

Sin is not amusement.

Sin is a transgression against a Holy God.

And the believer now HATES it when he sins.

“…but what I hate, that do I.”

Because one’s life is now transformed, the believer KNOWS he sins–even if he sincerely wishes otherwise.

Unlike his previous life, where he ran to embrace sin, the believer is now carried away captive by his sin. He knows sin is wrong and destructive (unlike before, when he thought of sin as something to be enjoyed).

“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
–Romans 7:22-23

7- Again, does this then give the believer a “license to sin“?

Once more: absolutely not.

In fact, the believer is quite aware when he sins and, because he now has the Holy Spirit, the believer realizes what sin really is.

Instead of sin as a pleasure, the believer now experiences his sin as a failure to obey.

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
–Romans 7:24

8- Though he will stumble–even after his transformation– the believer will do his best to follow the commandments of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ–even if he is not always successful.

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
–Luke 6:46

AFTER the believer sins, he is to confess his sin to the Father.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
–1John 1:9

9- After his transformation, the believer is no longer under the law of sin and death.

“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”
–Galatians 5:18

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
–Romans 6:14

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
–Romans 8:2

10- The law of grace was known even to those under the Old Covenant–though it was rare.

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”
–Psalm 32:1-2

MORE: Blessed Is the Man Unto Whom the LORD Imputeth Not Iniquity – Part One

MORE: Blessed Is the Man Whom the LORD Imputeth Not Iniquity – Part Two

11- More questions:

I keep hearing different teachings on this. I’ve heard youre still saved but you get less crowns in heaven and I’ve also heard you arent truly saved even if you believe bc you’re fruit isn’t Godly and you ask for forgiveness but haven’t repented.

The Bible is silent about both of these “teachings.”

NOTE: To repent means to “have a change of mind” or to “change directions.” Many confuse ‘repentance’ with ‘penance’ (which is something one does if one believes he can atone for his sins by offering something to God in exchange for forgiveness.

12- Ultimately, once one experiences a transformed life, one’s relationship with sin changes dramatically. Sin is no longer something to be enjoyed and sought after: sin is something to be fought against–and that fight will continue as long as that believer’s mortal life shall last.

Even if sin does win out for a time, the believer KNOWS the Spirit of God will ultimately triumph over sin with God’s mercy and assistance.

In fact, the believer KNOWS he would not be saved if not for the great and unending mercy of God. This leads to constant questions being asked “Why me? Why did God show mercy to me?”

The answer to those question is also to be found in God’s Word.

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”
–Romans 9:15

“And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”
–Exodus 33:19

Which makes the believer realize how much God’s mercy figured into his salvation.

“So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”
–Romans 9:16

Making an effort and having a sincere desire to be saved are very helpful, but eternal salvation is “God that sheweth mercy.”

Now, the unsaved man merely needs to do that which will trigger God’s mercy.

“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”
–John 9:31

“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

MORE: Romans 6-7: A Servant or a Captive of Sin?

DOES the reader understand the purpose and mercy of God?

DOES the reader believe he has to work to earn God’s forgiveness?

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“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

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: January 7, 2019.]

RELATED ARTICLES

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: ETPR file/pd

Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted to those blogs/website.

Filed under: Biblical Teachings, END TIMES PREPARATION, Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, Good News/Gospel, eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, questions of salvation

December 29, 2018 • 09:00 0

The World’s View: Converting to Jesus = NO JOY

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
–Matthew 11:29-30

One of the biggest yarns the enemy tells is the one about how life is no longer worth living once one converts to Christianity.

Satan and his followers offer, as “proof,” the joyless, humorless lives of the many pretenders who occupy the churches and have become the pop culture representation of the Church of Jesus Christ.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
–1JOHN 2:15-16

Now, many of these counterfeits have seemingly forsaken the things of the world–at least publicly. But because these tares have not experienced the transformed life and have not the Holy Spirit of God, the things of the world still hold great value to them.

One suspects these pretenders are largely a joyless lot precisely because they still believe the things of this world are valuable. The believer, having experienced the transformed life, KNOWS that the things of the world are trivial and fleeting. But because apostate tares cannot know this, they believe they are publicly forsaking things of great value.

Again, this might account for the public perception that those who occupy the churches are a largely joyless mob of browbeating prigs.

Because Satan has no ability to give joy to his followers, he (and his adherents) place a GREAT value on FUN.

“Fun” is heavily promoted as an equivalent to joy.

It is not.

Because “fun” is a thing of the world, it is something highly sought-after by the tares. All one has to do is listen to their conversations. “Fun” is quite the popular topic.

Because the tares pretend to be children of God, they have to PUBLICLY forgo pleasures of the flesh and other things of the world.

Because they still place worth on such things, they tend to be cranky when they do not receive them.

And this all contributes to the popular notion that when one becomes a Christian, one’s life comes to an end–at least in any meaningful way which the world understands.

“The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.”
–Proverbs 10:28

DOES the reader think about becoming a Christian LATER–because the reader wants to squeeze every drop from life that is worth living?

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“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

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report