Can We Lose Our Salvation?

 Can We Lose Our Salvation?

It's an important lesson. 

 

The answer is No. You either have it or you don’t. And You can always turn to God and ask to be saved. That is His grace.

But, there are folks who think you can lose it. This is written for them.

Hebrews 6:4 KJV

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

A lot of people use this verse to claim that a person can lose their salvation.

That is not true. I will explain why.

First, if you read the entire chapter context of the verse starting in verse 6:1 and going to verse 6:10 you will see the writer says that as we mature as believers we move away from doctrines regarding salvation, baptisms, etc. Because we rest in the fact that we are saved and can grow in Christ. We know that God’s grace and Christ’s Blood washes us of all sin, so we do not need to keep going around and around bickering on these subjects.

It doesn’t help us to grow and serve in Christ. As mentioned in previous Chapter 5, It’s milk not meat. We should be past these things, and be teachers who understand.

Next in verses, 4-6 he explains what happens to a person who “falls away”.

The first thing to notice is the word “impossible”. That should send up a red flag. Because Jesus said “with God ALL things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26)

This is a direct contradiction. Or is it? If you know your stuff, then you know God’s Word doesn’t contradict itself. Any apparent contradiction is an invitation to pray, listen to the Holy Spirit and dive deeper.

 Remember this because it’s important. We will come back to it.

Next, the writer tells us a list of things that God gives us freely or allows us to experience.

“…who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come“

If you think you experienced these things and then fell away unto a loss of salvation. Then, you probably never really experienced the full measure of these things from God. You experienced something else. You were just going to church.

Once you really know Christ, you cannot speak ill of Him or turn from Him. (1 Cor. 12:3)

I am not talking about committing sin. We are dead to sin. It does not impact our salvation. God holds our salvation.

Like Jesus said, “All that the father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.” —John 6:37

The person described in this verse in Hebrews is someone who has been exposed to Christ and still rejects or tries to climb up some other way. This person was never saved. They never really turned to Him. They had every chance but rejected. They even saw the truth. But rejected. That’s what the verse is saying. (These people will most likely join the Apostate Church of the last days, persecuting the Saints. They tasted spirituality but never really accepted Christ.)

Next the verse says to “restore them to repentance”.

Understand that “Repent” means to turn. It means to turn to God for salvation. It does not mean “to turn from sin”. That belief is false. They can’t be restored to repentance because they never had it. They never knew Him. They were never in a relationship with Christ, or they are heading to chastisement. God chastens His children. He does not cast them aside. (Heb. 12:6)

I want you to consider what Jesus said in Matthew 12:43-45

That when a man is clean. The demon goes to desert places, then returns with 7 others and the last State of this man was worse than the first.

This verse says the same thing as the Hebrews verse. If Jesus sets you free, and you turn back to the world, you will be worse off than before. The enemy will have more access to you and will work on you.

But neither verse says Jesus casts you aside and rejects you. Neither verse says you are condemned. If you think you walk a perfect life after salvation, then you really need to talk with God. If you think you have no sin, you deceive yourself and the truth (Jesus) is not in you. (1 John 1:8)

If you are saved and “Fall Away”, you basically open the doors for demonic activity to harass you. Consider a drug addict who is set free from drugs. But starts using again. The addiction is worse and the person believes they are a failure and everyone else tells them they are a failure. It becomes “impossible” to get back to that state of feeling free in Christ. It’s harder to quit the drugs or sinful behavior next time. It’s talking about a battle with Satan, not a loss of salvation.

BUT…keep reading and remember, we are not saved by works.

Notice it speaks of putting Christ to shame. This person the verse is speaking of never knew Jesus. They were never saved. When God shows you the heavenly gifts, and the truth of the Word, and the Holy Spirit convicts you and draws you. If you then reject Him. You are not saved and you put Christ to an open shame. That’s what the verse is saying, in context. You or this person was never saved. They did not lose it. The thorns and thistles choked out the Word.

Next the writer speaks of God pouring out blessings as rain.  Jesus said “He let’s the rain fall on the just and unjust. ”  That means that God let’s the unsaved see and feel His blessings because He hopes they will turn to Him. But if not, then they reject Christ and put Him to open shame. When God calls us, He let’s us see the Truth. We can choose to reject. And that’s what Hebrews is saying. God revealed truth, and a person rejected. (Matt 5:45)

The verse in Hebrews seems to be referring to a great Saint in Christ, but it’s not. It’s referring to someone who is not saved or has let the enemy back into their life. It’s not a loss of salvation.

Next the writer speaks of the water and says this rain from God waters the ground and brings forth good fruits or thorns and thistles. Is the Holy Spirit working in their life? Are they developing the fruits of the Spirit? If not, then they were never saved. They don’t lose it.

This matches what Jesus said in the parable of the sower. (Matthew Chapter 13)

God sows His truth into the world, and some lands on good soil, While others do not. Some soil receives the word but thorns and thistles grow up choking it out. Again, it never says they lost salvation. We are not saved by works, nor do we maintain our salvation. A person who hears the Word, and let’s thorns and thistles choke out the Word. Never actually got saved. They might have obeyed some rules and went to church for a while but they never knew Him. They turn from Christ, because they never knew Him. A saved person, will cling to Jesus, even in the midst of terrible sin and failure. They will stay with Jesus, because He is their only hope. They become broken and grow in Him.

This again refers to a struggle with this world, the flesh and the demons who fight us.

The bottom line is real simple. A person is either saved or not. They either saw the blessings of God and rejected. Or they saw the blessings of God, received Christ and are saved, but have fallen away, and are having a tough time. They are walking in the flesh, not the Spirit.

Either way the answer is to turn to God. With God all things are possible. Turn to Him. If a person “loses salvation” they were never really saved. They experienced the Word, and saw the kingdom but rejected Christ anyway. Whether unsaved, or a fallen saint or faithful saint, the answer is always to turn to God. (Repent) We confess him as Lord. We confess our sins and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. Confessing our sins is Walking in the Spirit.

At the end of our earthly life, Jesus will say either “well done thy good and faithful servant” or “depart from me I NEVER knew you.”

Because you were NEVER saved. You never had a relationship with Him, because if you had you would not reject Him.  I’m not talking about sin. We all sin. We are dead to sin. Our sins are cast from us. We confess our sins and are cleansed.

I’m saying you NEVER confessed Him as Lord and trusted Him to save you. You try to save yourself and try to obey rules, that is not salvation.

As the writer of Hebrews says in verse 10. “God knows what you’ve done.” But your salvation has nothing to do with that. Jesus said I NEVER knew you. A person cannot lose salvation. They NEVER had it.

It’s all about Christ. Turn to Him. Nothing is impossible with God. We are not saved by works. If we are fallen away or trapped by Satan, God will break us and correct us. He does not cast us out. If we walk away, we never really knew Him.

Just always turn to God. Confess to Him. Pray to Him. Know Him. That is Walking in the Spirit. Letting the Holy Spirit work on you and through you.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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False Teachers In The Last Days

 False Teachers In The Last Days

How can we know them? 

 

As we move further into these last days we need to make sure we are not following after false doctrines. We want our faith to be grounded in Jesus Christ and Him alone for salvation. We want to have a relationship with the Lord through the Holy Spirit. We want to be taught by the Spirit and Walk in the Spirit. Not led into deception.

Peter tells us.

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” —2 Peter 2

Paul also tells us that there will be false teachers in these last days. (1 Tim. 1: 1-15, 2 Tim 4:2-4, 2 Timothy 3:1-9)

Jesus says the deception will be so bad that even the elect (Saved) would be deceived if it was possible. (Matt. 24:24)

So, it’s important for us to have tools in our pocket to help us.

1. The Holy Spirit will teach us and lead us into all truth. If you are saved and listen to the Holy Spirit. He will impress upon you that something isn’t right. (John 16:13)

This doesn’t mean the teacher who speaks false things is not saved. A person can be saved and be in error on a subject. Just because we are saved doesn’t mean we have it all straight in our minds. 

Pray and ask the Lord to show us what’s up. (1 John 2:27, James 1:5) We want to judge rightly and respond rightly. We want to be Spirit led, but we need to learn what that means. It takes time and a relationship with God to hear His voice. “My sheep know my voice” Do you know Him? (John 10:1-19)

 Make sure your belief is right. Sometimes we get bent out of shape because of a teaching, but it’s our flesh not the Holy Spirit. If you cannot prove your point from the Word, using two or three verses of clear scripture, then you might be wrong.

Remember that not everything is a salvation issue. Some disagreements are not that important.

But, there are many things that do matter. You must learn to listen to the Holy Spirit, and know the Word. We do not know what we will face. But, when we know the truth, we can see the lie.

2. What does the teacher do with Jesus? We are talking about spiritual teachers here. Not the guy teaching you math.

The scriptures give us an easy way to determine false teachers.

They will not say that Jesus is THE Lord. They might admit he is God, but not confess Him as Lord.

It says that “No one  can say Jesus is the Lord without the Holy Spirit and no believer will say anything bad about Jesus. (1 Cor 12:3)

If they do not have the Holy Spirit, then they are not saved.

It also says to test the spirits to see if they are of God. The test is whether they claim that Jesus came in the flesh. Basically, do they teach that Jesus is God, became human and died to save us, and rose from the dead. (1 John 4:1-6)

If they can’t say that Jesus is the Lord, they probably aren’t saved. If they do not know or accept that Jesus is God in the Flesh they are false.

So, you should pray to the Lord to lead you to a teacher He wants you to hear from.

Realize that the demons of hell know who Jesus is. But, they will not confess Him as Lord. They are in rebellion.

Realize that there are false teachers who aren’t saved, and false teachings or doctrines that can come from saved people.

They might teach 90% truth. But in this one area. They are a little off. Is it a salvation issue?

Rejecting Jesus as Lord is major. Believing in infant baptism, or a pre-trib rapture or some other doctrines is not. Understand the difference between salvation issues, and doctrinal differences. Rejecting Christ, is a salvation issue. Going trick or treating is not.

3. A works based doctrine.

Every religion on earth teaches some kind of works based doctrine. That humans need to do this or that in order to reach God and be saved.

But, in Christianity God Himself came down and did it all for us. It is finished.  All we have to do is accept Him, then have a relationship with the Him; which He also does through sanctification and His Spirit.

Paul fought the works based doctrine his whole ministry. People want to add some work to salvation. To either obtain it or maintain it. This is false. Either Christ does it all or He has done none of it. It’s either totally grace or it’s not grace at all.

The demons of hell will gladly keep us struggling with worrying about our sin. Trying to do better while attacking others who disobey. They love nothing more than a bunch of pharisees who burn people at the stake of judgment.

You are saved by grace through faith. Let the Holy Spirit guide and work on you. Give others love, grace and mercy as well. 

We are not saved by Works. (Eph. 2:8-10)

Our sin is forgiven, if we are saved. The works we do are for Kingdom building.

4.  No tough times.

This one is difficult. Jesus said that in this world we will have tribulation. We will have times of trouble. 

He promises to be with us through it. And there are things we can do to make those times better like prayer, faith, spiritual warfare, praise, thanks, abiding, dying to self, giving and serving.

 There are things we can do to make it worse, like running from God, turning to fleshly remedies like booze, drugs and sex, turning to false beliefs, bitterness and anger, among other things.

In Jeremiah, God told Jeremiah that He was going to judge Israel His people.

Now let’s not focus on what they did. Let’s focus on the fact that God let tribulation fall on His people, and that it worked to cleanse the body and drive out those who did not know God.

Jeremiah taught that God was going to let the King of Babylon take over Israel. And if the people trusted Him, God would be with them.

The false teachers taught that God would not let them suffer tribulation. They taught that they were not going to face wrath. That God would deliver them, OUT OF TROUBLE. They stood in the pulpit and taught that God would deliver them from Great Tribulation.

Now, understand that this is a picture of the Last days. The king of Babylon is the Anti-Christ and Satan who will make war with the saints and overcome them. (Rev. 13:7, Daniel 7:25)

This is done to weed out the saved and unsaved. To cleanse the temple or body. He allows tribulation to come on His people. Even if it’s great tribulation, to weed out the tares. Remember Lot’s Wife.

Realize, that yes God delivers us from trouble. But, sometimes He allows trouble for a higher purpose.

Our response to both, is the same. Realize He is with us, trust Him, and draw closer to Him.

Realize that tribulation, even great tribulation is not God’s Wrath.  God’s wrath is Hell and the Lake of Fire. God’s wrath is poured out in one day.

Understand that I am not saying that God kills babies or gives us cancer to teach us a lesson. Those things exist because of death, the fall, a corrupted world, and Satan. The enemy wants us to blame God for these things. That gets us to be angry at God and turn away from Him. It keeps us from praying and drawing close to God if we think he did it to us. That is Satan’s plan. To keep us away from God.

The solution is always the same, turn to God and draw closer to Him. We will learn from the trouble, and we can use it to help others.

5. Not building the kingdom.

Satan won’t build God’s Kingdom. A teacher of the Lord, should be teaching, preparing and sending the saints out to preach the Gospel, serve others and God, building the Kingdom. That’s our purpose as believers. To build the kingdom.

False teachers, will keep you in your pew singing pretty songs and scratching your itching ears with some new teaching.  For what? 

A true teacher teaches what the Holy Spirit leads them to teach. He readies the saints for the battle and growing the kingdom. We all have our part, in different ways, but we will be led to go and build the kingdom.

A church sitting in pews doing nothing is not a threat to the enemy.

In Matthew chapter 25, the Lord gives three parables on what it will look like when He returns. He doesn’t ask about their sins. He asks if they helped others. He asks if they used the talents He gave them. Christians are saved and forgiven, and are supposed to be kingdom building. If they are really saved.

Pray the Lord will help you to escape this deadness in your church. And show you what to do and where to go.

A teacher should confess Jesus is the Lord. They should teach the Gospel; that Jesus came in the Flesh. They should teach that salvation is through Christ alone, not works. They should also teach and lead the saints to build the Kingdom.

 Always, turn to the Lord and He will direct you. When you notice a problem ask Him and be willing to step out in faith, to make changes or do things He calls us to do.

With technology we are surrounded by false teachings and teachers. It can travel the world. Fake pictures and videos edited. Media services telling us propaganda. Governments lying, corporations lying, preachers lying, and its everywhere.

Turn to God, and listen to Him. He is Truth. He is the way. Trust Him no matter what our flesh says. The enemy is everywhere, going about seeking whom he may devour.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

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Church Charity

 Church Charity

Is it real love? 

 

 

The scriptures tell us to love.

It uses the word charity, which can be described as love in action. (1 Cor. chapter 13)

But there is a charity, that is condescending. A charity that places one party in a position of superiority over another. This is not real charity or love.

Love does not think evil of someone. We take those thoughts captive and bring them under control and force ourselves to love.(1 Cor. 13:5, 2 Cor. 10:5)

This is not easy. It’s part of our battle between flesh and spirit. We fail, and we confess, and we move on. Praying for help and trying to do better next time.

But, what if we do not even realize we are doing wrong? 

We give and we love, but we don’t see that we act like we are better than other people.

Do we think, “I’m able to help you because I obey the rules and you don’t. That’s why you’re in a sorry state.” when we help someone? Do we think they are poor or needy because God is punishing them? But, we are wealthy because we are good?

I can tell you from experience, that when I joined a church, I was given charity. People helped me and I felt that they loved me. I appreciate the help.

But, it quickly dissolved into the charity I described above. I was not a well churched person. I had a lot of faults.

“Well churched” is a term used for people who have gone to church enough to know all the little rules that the Bible says nothing about.”  Things like manners, and etiquette and all of that.

I wasn’t knowledgeable of the little intricacies of church decorum. I was rough. I laughed at inappropriate things. I talked about inappropriate things. And the word spread that I was not a good enough Christian because of some sin I knew nothing about. 

I had a background that was not Christian. I was not forgiven for it, by many.

So, people who had shone me charity and love started to back off. The people who always ran to shake my hand and pretend to be my friend quit.

You can tell when you no longer get invited to anything. When you become a second class citizen. When you’re not part of the “in” crowd and you’re never asked or nominated to serve or be a part of anything.

You’re not really one of them. And you have to wonder if you ever really was.

I’m not talking about Salvation. God calls us and accepts us and loves us and works on us and with us. He calls us friend.

But, sometimes his servants do not. They shake your hand, then betray you. They ask you about your views, then twist them and use them to destroy you later. Because being superior to you is more important to them, than actually loving you.

James speaks of this when he says ” My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”—(Jas. 2:1-4)

How many people have been driven away from God, because of this fake charity in church? How many people have been treated like they don’t belong when they got saved and joined a church?

I know it has impacted my life.

To hear sermons on love, and then be treated like an outsider.

And there’s always excuses as to why it happens, or blame is laid on all kinds of things. But when this treatment happens over and over again, and not only to you, but to lots of other people. It becomes obvious that they do not really love you. You are not imagining it. They have placed you under their footstool to serve them. They have made you to be another number on Sunday morning, so they can think they are growing.

As believers, we are called to “judge ourselves lest we be judged with the world.” Not make excuses for feeling superior to other sinners. We are just saved. Not better. 

So, what’s our answer to this?

Our answer is to overcome evil with good. Sometimes things happen to us so we can do better and change things. We see fake Christians so we can understand what it looks like and avoid becoming one.

That sort of condescending charity is not from Jesus. It’s not from the Spirit. It’s fleshly. It’s man-made works. Anyone can do it.

If you decide to be a friend, then be a friend, or don’t even start. We are not required to be friends with everyone. But we ARE called to love them. If you choose to be friends, then don’t be backstabbing once you see the ugly in a person. Because YOU, have ugly too, and Jesus died for you anyway. God calls you friend despite your sin, if you really know Him.

These last days are moving along, and judgement is coming. Turn to God. Ask Him to show you your sin so you can confess it, and work on it. Do not find yourself as a virgin, without oil in their lamp because they never really knew Christ, and did not grow in faith with Him.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

 Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

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Do You Really Know Him?

 Do You Really Know Him?

 Are you relying on your works?

 

“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”—Luke 18:9-14

This is an important subject. The Lord calls us to examine ourselves, so that we are not lost. We are to judge ourselves so that we are not judged with the world. We turn to Him and confess Jesus as our Lord. We humble ourselves and stop relying on ourselves. We give it to Him. (1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Rom. 10:9-10, Rom. 14:11)

But, if we live under a deception of self-righteousness, like the pharisee in the parable, it makes it hard to see that we have never really known Him. We are not saved.

We are called by Him. And if we are willing, we turn to Him and confess Jesus as our Lord. We are saved forever, we are a new creation, and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and mold us into the likeness of Christ.

But, the scriptures are clear that there will be tons of church going people who think they are saved, and are not. They never knew Him. They went to church every Sunday. They wore the pretty clothes. They gave tithes. They sang songs. They obeyed all the rules. They feared that God might get them. But, they never really knew Him. They were never broken.

Churches full of people who have never read the Word. They listen to the pastor and everything he says, and go to Sunday school, but do not know Christ. They believe in Churchianity, not Christianity.

 They are taught that they are the bride of Christ and that they will be raptured out before anything bad happens.

But, when you read about the churches in Revelation it is clear that God judges His churches. He removes the lamp stand. Especially if they never really knew Him. (Rev. Chapters 1-3)

We see the Elder Brother in the parable of the prodigal son. He spews hate, because the Father (God) gives grace and love to his brother who has fallen.

“And he (the elder brother) answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”— Luke 15;29-32

Notice, the elder son relies on his works.

But, he did not know the father’s heart. He thought it was about obedience, not love and grace. He was bitter.

In Matthew Chapter 25 we have three descriptions of what will happen when the Lord returns.

In all of these parables, it is obvious that the Lord is speaking to “Servants” who thought they knew the Lord.

In the first one, 10 virgins have lamps, and wicks in the lamps. But, when the Lord returns 5 of the virgins have no oil (faith) in their lamps. They heard the Gospel, as in the parable of the sower, but did not really confess Him as Lord. the seed fell on stony ground, or was choked out by thorns. They never grew in Him, and had no oil or faith for their light to shine. They buried it under a bushel. (Matthew 5, Matt. 13)

In the second one, the Lord goes away and leaves talents with His servants. But, when He returns, He finds one servant who buried His talents in the ground. The servant believes the Lord is a hard man and doesn’t want to upset Him. So, he did nothing. Again, this servant clearly does not know the Lord or trust Him. It’s not about works, it’s about knowing the master. The servant did not know the master because he did not care about the things the master cared about. If he had, he would have tried to do something to grow the Kingdom.

In the third, the Lord divides the nations into goats and sheep.

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

³⁵ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

³⁶ Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

³⁷ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

³⁸ When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

³⁹ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

⁴⁰ And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

⁴¹ Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

⁴² For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

⁴³ I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

⁴⁴ Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

⁴⁵ Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

⁴⁶ And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

There is not one mention of going to church. He doesn’t talk about porn, or fornication. He says nothing about homosexuality or abortion. He never mentions drug use or addiction. 

 Why?

Because if you know Him, your sins are forgiven. Never to be brought back up, and thrown in your face. BUT… if you know Him you would care about the things He cares about. He forgave all their debt. But, they still did not forgive others and cared nothing about helping those in need. (Matt. 18:23-35)

Again, we see the Lord say,

“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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”—(Matt. 7:21-23)

Again, notice that when they stand in judgement, they rely on the works they have done, not in the fact that they know Him. They were never saved. They never accepted the Grace of God. They never confessed Jesus as Lord. They have relied on being an obedient servant instead of relying on the finished work of Christ, and having a relationship with Him. They took the broad road of works, and not the narrow path of faith in Christ alone.

The worst thing to be is a religious self-righteous person. They think they are saved, because they do all the churchy things, and believe all the churchy rules. They never miss a sermon. They’ve got their favorite pew, and their favorite Bible. They don’t cuss. They don’t watch bad movies, unless it’s approved.

But, they wouldn’t go sit with the stinky homeless. They wouldn’t write letters to inmates. They think the stranger in the church might be a felon or a molester or publican. When they see a family with no clothes they judge that the dad won’t work three jobs, or it’s a single mother with no husband. They don’t help them. They might be sinners. They might be trying to con the good church people in order to get a tank of gas, or get a bill paid.

Who cares if they con us? It’s about love and grace not merit. Jesus died for us, and we are not worthy. We take advantage of his grace, whether we want to admit it or not. We are conning Him. Truth be told.

The worst thing, would be to go to church your whole life, obeying the rules; thinking you’re saved, only to discover that you never really knew Him.

Do not be like the virgins with no oil, when He comes.

Turn to Him and know Him. Taste and see that He is good.

It’s about a relationship, not religion.

---

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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How Do We Pray?

 How Do We Pray?

It’s simpler than we think

 

Prayer, is a conversation with God.

For me, I just talk to the Lord. Jesus says that God is our father. The Apostles tell us that God is our father as well, if we know Him.

When we believe Him, He calls us friend.

Abraham believed what God told him, and it was counted to him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. (Romans 4:3)

So I just talk to God. And when I pour my true self into prayer with God, I know He hears.

I go for a walk and talk with him alone. I rant and rave around my home or where ever, when things are crazy. I give Him my real self. Just like a friend or father.

When you give your real self to God, you are showing belief. You believe the Word, which says he is our friend. He is our father. He is our physician. You trust Him.

Pray the Word to God.

Such as,

“Dearest heavenly father, You are not willing that any should perish so I pray for my child who is far from you. They are addicted to drugs and living a life that is harmful to them. By your stripes we are healed and I pray you will heal them of this addiction and trauma. We have power over demons and I pray in Jesus name that the you’ll drive the demons out of them. They are bound and cast out in Jesus name. Thank you, Lord. For it’s in Jesus name I pray, Amen.”

Praying the Word to God, is not a commanding of God, Although I don’t think God is offended by it. He is love. He does not respond with prideful rage. Praying the Word is more like an attorney quoting laws in court, to make a case. Does the human judge get offended by a passionate attorney who brings up cases and laws of the past?

 But you have to know the Word, and believe the Word to pray the Word.

Why do we pray in Jesus name?

Because the Lord told us to. When we do it we are exercising belief in His Word, and faith that He is able. We show that it is not by our authority but by His. We are weak, but He is strong. (John 14:13)

The disciples asked Jesus how to pray, and He gave them the Lord’s prayer. (Luke 11, Matt. 6)

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

You can pray this prayer, word for word. There is power in it. You are praying the Word. You are believing and following the directions of Jesus, and the prayer covers everything.

It praises God. It acknowledges Him as Lord. It places trust in Him and His decisions. It covers our daily needs. It covers forgiveness for our sins, as we forgive others. It covers protection and guidance.

When you read Matthew 6, Jesus speaks a lot about prayer before He gets to the Lord’s Prayer. All of it matters. Our repetitions do not move God. Praying in front of people to be seen by them or ‘As a good witness” to them, is wrong.

We should seek alone time with God. Not that corporate prayer is wrong. We should pray with others who also believe. But we need alone time with God.

Now, look at how simple the Lord’s prayer is.

Why?

Because God is omnipresent. He is omniscient and eternal. He can read your heart and mind. Past, present and future.

When you consider this, it brings some of our notions about prayer into question.

He already knows what you are going to pray. He already knows what you need. He has probably already put the wheels into motion to bring about what you need.

That’s why our prayer time is really more about spending time in His presence. Our words and desires are about coming into alignment with His character and will.

We are finite. We are not omnipresent. Which means, present everywhere at all times in all times.

But, we can be present with Him right now.

And when we are present with Him we can pray the things He brings to our heart. We can be aligned with His will, asking for good things for people. Praying for protections. Praying against the enemy. Praying for peace, love, joy and salvation. Forgiving others. Praying for healing.

Often our faith in prayer and speaking the Word, will move mountains and drive out the enemy who opposes us. The one who seeks to deceive and to steal, kill and destroy everything in our lives.

God uses our faith. He recognizes it because it is based in Him. All humans have natural faith. But, not all humans have faith in God and His Word.

The most powerful prayer you can pray, is simply praising and thanking the Lord.

Every morning, when I wake up, I try to let my first words and thoughts be, “Praise Jesus, thank you Lord for all you’ve done, and are doing.”

 I trust Him. He’s got me. He knows what I need, and want. Like Job said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13)

We agonize over our lives. We feel that we should get more. I do it too.

But, this life is but a breath. It is a moment in eternity. Our desire should be to know Him and spend time with Him. The relationship is all important.

Our prayer is time with God.

“Dearest heavenly Father, please forgive me for my sins and help me to overcome. I thank you for everything you have done and are doing in my life. I praise you and ask you to help me with the things I need. Please help me to serve in the manner you desire. I ask that you will drive out the enemy, from my life. I trust in you, for it’s in Jesus name I pray, thank you Lord, amen”

The words, do not have power. The power rests in Faith, the relationship and the Lord who is over all.

Paul says that the Holy Spirit can take even our groaning and translate it into a faith filled message that God receives. He knows our heart. He hears us. Our weaknesses is not a hindrance to His ability to know us. (Rom.8:26-28)

Again, after all is said and done. Just talk to God. Let Him teach you and guide you. Be real with Him. Not putting on airs. Not trying to be more than you are.

Spend time with Him and get to know Him.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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All Things

 All Things

All means all

 

 

Speak the truth of God’s Word into your life. Believe Him. Trust Him, learn of Him and know He is with you where ever you go. Make Him the focus of your life and grow in relationship with Him.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”—Phil. 4:13

Believe it. Speak it to yourself in faith.

When you are facing something that is causing you to fear, or doubt. Turn to God. Trust Him and speak the truth into your life. Tell yourself out loud.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

He is with you. He is working in you and through you if you know Him.

If you are trying to accomplish something; know that he is with you. Trust the Word.

Are you concerned with having your needs met? Trust God. Stand on the Word. Speak this verse to yourself and believe it.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’—Phil. 4:19

What does it say? Does it say “Some”? No it says “All”. God will take care of you. Say it. and trust Him.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”— Rom. 10:17

Speak the Word of God out loud to yourself and others. Believe it.

Say

“My God shall supply all my need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Say it out loud and trust it. It is a fact.

Speaking the Word out loud builds faith.

Is something making you think you lost your salvation? Turn to God and ask Him to save you through Jesus Christ and speak these words over your fear.

 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.:—John 6:37

If you know Jesus, He will not cast you out. You might stumble. You might drift away, but He is with you still. Just turn to Him and ask.

“I am in Christ, and He will not cast me out.” Say it and believe it.

“And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”—John 6:39

If we know Him, we will be with Him on that day.

Are you confused? Are demons whispering into your mind trying to get you to think God is out to get you?

Trust God.

“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.”—Rom. 8:28

Say it out loud.

“All things work together for my good. I love God and He has called me to Him and His purpose for my life. He is with me.”

Believe it. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Your faith expands when you hear God’s truth and you trust Him.

It’s sort of like stirring yourself up, except that it is spirit. His words are spirit and truth. They impact your soul and spirit and the things beyond the veil. They build up faith, and when you see Him move, your faith grows as well.

Are you facing something you cannot overcome, like addiction or some task?

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”—Rom. 8:37

Say it.

“I am a conqueror in Jesus name. I will overcome through Him.”

Speak it and believe it.

Do not let the devil, beat you down with fear and doubt. Stand on God’s Word. Believe His promises and speak them into your life and the life of others.

The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.

But, Jesus came to give us life, and to give it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

“I have an abundant life in Jesus name. He has saved me and is blessing me.”

If the enemy can get you to stop trusting God, then you have no where to turn. You can believe the Word.

Even if God is causing you problems or allowing it. It is for your good, and you can trust Him. Pray the Word. Speak the promises.

Stand on it.

(Do you have prayer requests or praises? Tell me in the comments or message me.)

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

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 Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

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It Comes Back

 It Comes Back

The power of reaping and sowing

 

The Bible speaks of reaping and sowing. (Gal. 6: 7-9, 2 Cor. Chapter 9, )

When God created the world He spoke forth certain principles. Seeds fall to the ground and make plants. If you plant a seed it will grow. There is a time to plant and a time to harvest. ( Gen. 1: 11-12, Gen. 8:22, Ecc. 3: 1-13)

Now God does not play around. When He does something it is done right. So, His laws are not just physical. They are also spiritual. All creation sees and understands this principle.

When God set reaping and sowing into motion in our world, the creation kept doing it. The process of reaping what we sow is a fact and goes on all the time, because that’s how it was designed. Of course there are lots of aspects that goes with this concept, but it is a biblical truth.

We reap what we sow. Whether good for good or bad for bad.

So, let’s look at three biblical truths that should encourage us or warn us.

1. Give and It Shall be Given Unto You:

Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down shaken together shall men give unto your bosom.” (Luke 6:38)

This is a spiritual truth. If you give, things will come back. And it’s not just spiritual blessings. The verse says “Men shall give”. Men cannot give you a spiritual blessing. This verse is an example of the reaping and sowing law at work in the creation.

But, it’s not just for good. Because if you do not sow, neither shall you reap. (2 Cor. 9: 6-7) If you are not willing to help others or be a cheerful giver. It’s quite possible you will not get blessings or help when you need it as well.

 Which takes us into the next concept.

2. Do Unto Other As You Would Have Done Unto You:

We often look at this saying from Jesus and think it’s a wise moral law. (Luke 6:31) But, what if it’s more than that. Maybe it’s a truth in regards to reaping and sowing. Maybe it’s more than just cause and effect. You are mean to some one, so they are mean back to you. This is true. It happens.

But, what if its more? What if it’s saying that if you are mean to people, you will run into people who are mean to you someday.

If you are unkind, it will come back into your life later on.

It’s the way the creation was designed.

3. If They Will Not Work Neither Shall They Eat:

A lot of Christians use this verse as a reason to not help the poor. Basically claiming that since they won’t or don’t work a job or a satisfactory job, they should starve to death with their children. (2 Thess. 3:10)

That was not God’s intent. He wants us to love and help and give. But, if we find after loving and helping that a person is just taking advantage and not trying to do anything to help themselves, we can withdraw help. But, that is not our first act. That is a last resort. Our first act is to love.

But, keeping in line with the context of reaping and sowing, perhaps the verse is more than physical flesh. Maybe it’s reaping and sowing. We know that if we will not work, we cannot get a harvest. This is cause and effect.

But, consider that if you refuse to do the Lord’s work, you will not be fed spiritually. We learn a lot in our spiritual walk when we step outside ourselves and follow the Spirit. If we refuse or don’t listen we miss the blessing and spiritual food we can gain from God, by working with Him.

So, when some Christians use this verse as an excuse to not help others. They are actually cursing themselves. They will reap what they sow…nothing. And on that day when He comes they will find that they have no oil in their lamps and that they buried their talents in the sand. (Matt. 25.)

***

People will say, “it’s not supposed to be about what you get back or get out of it”

It doesn’t matter what you think or believe on the subject. Reaping and sowing is a law. It occurs whether you like it or want it or not.

It’s like gravity. You can say what you want, but when you step off that building you will fall. Period.

Every thought and action within the creation will bring a return. If you do bad. You will get bad. if you do good. You get good. If you do nothing. You get nothing.

This is why God has told us about it, and warned us about it. His warnings on our behavior is a warning of what will come back on us.

When God created the world, He created it good. But, we fell and death and sin entered the world. Then, God laid down the curse, to get us to turn back to Him.

The creation was not originally designed for evil. The reaping and sowing was designed to bring good. Because everything in the creation would be doing good. So, more good comes in abundance. That’s God. Blessing us.

 But, evil came. Now the reaping and sowing also brings back evil.

Perhaps that’s one of the reasons for God’s Law. To help us live in the world.

We know that after the fall humans became totally depraved. We are so evil we do not even understand how evil we are. So, God gave us the Law to show us. The law helps us to see our sinfulness and our need for a savior, Jesus Christ.

But, after we are saved the law works to help us grow, and know what to confess to the Lord. Perhaps it also helps us in living a life where we reap good things and not bad?

My suggestion is to Love God. Love others. Serve God. Help People. Give Joyously, and Do Good.

Because like Paul said “We reap what we sow.” Whether we like it or not.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

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Heaping Teachers In These Last Days

 Heaping Teachers In These Last Days

We avoid deception when we are taught by the Holy Spirit 

 

 

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"--2 Timothy 4:3

The scriptures teach that in the last days we shall heap to ourselves teachers having itching ears, because we ignore sound doctrine and follow our fleshly desires.

This is referring to the believer and unbeliever alike.

We are perishing for lack of knowledge. We know it deep in our hearts. We know it in our souls and spirits. Something is wrong and we seek to know what it is. We seek anything to fill that gaping hole that can only be filled by God. (Hosea 4:6)

At the same time, we are surrounded by people who want to be important. They think they are the smartest one in the room and they often make sense or are so charismatic, that they seem wise or command respect. 

So we gather around these people having itching ears and desiring to hear from God through them, or anyone who can give us a spark of insight. These people are shiny. They transform themselves into angels of light. They teach works, and their end will be according to their works. They are from Satan. (2 Cor. 11:12-15)

But, the scriptures teach that God Himself, has gifted teachers and given them to us. ( 1 Cor. 12:28, Eph.4:11.)

A teacher from God is not the same as a teacher from man; or Satan.  God uses the base things to confound the wise. (1 Cor. 1:15-31)

But we are so eager to fill a spot or chase after some preacher or teacher who might not be from God.That we miss the real teachers from the Lord. We want the pretty thing, not the rough thing. We want polished, not the beat up clunker.

I'm not talking about learning a trade from a tradesmen. Although, we should seek to be led by God into that as well.

I'm talking about spiritual things.

So, how do we avoid the false teaching?

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit teaches us and leads us into all truth. (John 16:13)

John said that we have no need for any to teach us but the anointing will do it.(1 John 2:27)

James said, if we desire wisdom we can ask of God and He will give it.(James 1:5)

So, how does this work? Well, first we turn to God and confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in Him. We must be saved, have the Holy Spirit and willing to believe what He teaches and what the Word says. (Romans 10:9-10, Romans 4:3, Gal. 3:6, James 2:23, Luke 11: 11-13, John 14:16-17)

Then, we ask the Lord to teach us and guide us. (Prov. 3:5-8)

He will open up the scriptures to you. He will open up your mind, heart and life to learn from Him.

You will see things around you and in your life that will grow you and change you and teach you.

God will lead you to the church and the teachers and preachers He wants you to have. Listen to His Spirit as He guides you.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.

But, this takes time. 

 

After being saved, Paul went into the desert of Arabia to hear from God. Then after 3 years he talked with Peter, to make sure what he heard was correct. Then, he continued to learn from the Spirit for 14 years as he served.  Even then, he still made sure of what he was teaching. He already had head knowledge from his years as a pharisee. But, he needed heart knowledge, he needed Spirit knowledge, he needed brokenness.  This takes time. (Gal.1:1-24-Gal 2:1-10)

God calls his teachers and preachers as He sees fit. It is a burden. A calling. It's not something you get from a few classes. It's not something you get because you are important in the community and able to attract listeners.

Jesus said "I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  I and my Father are one."---(John 10:25-30)

With so many voices around us, is it any wonder that we can't hear from God anymore? Have you heard His voice? Would you know it? Jesus says you will if you are with Him. Believe it.

 
How do we hear from Him? We listen to the still small voice not the earthquake or raging fire full of fear. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Jesus said " If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" (John 3:12)

Do you believe the hard things in His Word? Do you believe the crazy things in the Bible? Do you believe in six days of creation and one day of rest? Can you believe in talking serpents and global floods? If you can't believe that,  then how can you believe that He rose from the dead? (Romans 10:9-10) 

 

How can you believe He is coming again? How can you believe He answers prayer or will never forsake you? How can you believe there is an enemy, and how can you believe there are false teachers? Maybe even the one who preaches to you about works every Sunday.

He has given us teachers. But are we listening to HIS teachers? 

 

Like the leaders of Israel ignored and killed the true prophets. Do religious leaders keep the people in darkness today as well? Do we heap to ourselves teachers today thinking we are so smart, or so spiritual?

 

If we trust the Holy Spirit and let Him teach us we will avoid the deceptions of these last days. We will know the truth. This is how the elect avoids deception, in these days of lies. (Matt. 24:24)

 

By letting the Holy Spirit teach us we grow in relationship with God and we avoid heaping teachers based upon our fleshly desires. Whether we mean to or not we have a tendency to want to hear from teachers who are agreeing with what we already know or believe.
 

This verse is not speaking of "desires" in the sense of lusts. No preacher is telling you to commit adultery or steal or kill, or be a drunkard. No one would follow this guy. But, the teacher is teaching based upon the desires of the fleshly mind, instead of the things of the spirit. Teaching a salvation by works, instead of grace. Teaching the religion of the Anti-Christ to come. A religion that twists and ignores the Word. Teachers serving Satan instead of God. A religion of deception and control, in order to lead the people into the Apostate Church to come.

Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. Start listening to Him right now. We avoid false teachers by listening to the Holy Spirit. He will lead us into all truth and open the Word for us. He will renew our mind. He will change us.

Trust in the Lord.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

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The Coming Storm

 The Coming Storm

Are you prepared?

For the past week meteorologists have been warning about a coming winter storm. It’s freezing rain and snow will cause problems, they say. And folks believe them. They stock up on bread and milk. They buy icy melt. They break out the snow gear and the shovels. They check on family. They stay home to keep roads clear and safe. They close businesses to keep people safe.

Because they believe what they are told.

The Word of God tells us that there will come a time in the future when the world will face great trouble.

The Word tells us that we will face trouble in our own lives.

The Word tells us that we will face death someday.

A storm is coming.

Are we going to believe it? Are you prepared?

When an ice storm is coming, we listen to the experts. We listen to the people who have seen it before, and we rest in the experiences we have had in the past. This helps us to prepare for the coming storm.

Likewise, we can turn to God to save us and see us through the future storms of life and death. He can save us for eternity. We can trust Him. We can trust His Word.

When we believe the warnings of the ice storm we respond.

When we believe the Word of God we can respond also.

Belief leads to response. Faith leads to action.

Jesus told the paraplegic man to take up his bed and walk. (John 5)

 But, what if the man had not done it. Would he have been healed?

He was healed because He believed and responded to the Word given him.

We are told “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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”— Rom. 10:9-10

When we read this verse do we believe it? Or do we doubt?

Do we say “Yeah but there has to be more to it than that. How can a person just say some magic words and get saved? Don’t they have to love God and obey Gods law?”

We make up all kinds of excuses because we cannot believe the simplicity of salvation and the love of God.

Satan is more than happy to give us excuses to get us to doubt God’s goodness and Word. It’s the same thing He did to Eve in the Garden. (Gen.3)

Our belief leads to a response. The response is to turn to God (repent) and confess Jesus is the Lord and He is our Lord, and believe that He rose from the dead. Which is believing the Word we have been given.

Do you believe it? Do you believe He died for you, and rose from the dead? Do you believe He is God?

Yeah but… “Faith without works is dead.” Some will say. — (James 2)

Belief or faith requires a response, and the response is confessing Jesus as our Lord. Confessing is a work. Baptism is a work. Communion is a work.

What did the thief on the cross do?

He confessed Jesus as Lord, then he told the other thief about Jesus.

That’s it. And Jesus said “Today you will be with me in Paradise”–Luke 23

Likewise, when we confess Jesus as Lord, and tell others about Him, we will be with Him in Paradise, when we die or He returns.

That’s it. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”—Matt. 10:32

We confess because we believe. Belief leads to a response.

God’s grace and our belief and confession is how we are saved. That salvation leads to a relationship with God as we see Him moving in our life. Our faith and belief grows in Him.

We trust that He forgives us. We trust that He is with us and will never leave us. We trust that He loves and cares for us and will take care of us, and we see Him moving and doing it. This leads to praise and thanksgiving which helps grow the relationship, faith and trust.

That is belief. That is faith. Our response is to confess Him as Lord, love others and build the kingdom. We are saved and healed so we lead others to be saved and healed in Jesus name.

But, there’s a storm coming.

Storms in our lives and in the world.

Trouble comes, and we can turn to Him and He will move. Stand on the promises of God in His Word. Trust Him. And when you see Him move it will build your faith and relationship.

But, the coming storm will be of darkness without hope. Some say believers will escape, but that has not been proven. God will be with us through the storm. Just like He was with the disciples on the boat, and with Israel through the plagues.—(Luke 8, Exodus)

He will be with us as this world gets worse and worse. As terrible things fall upon the Earth preparing for Christ’s return.

Do you believe it? Are you preparing for the times of trouble and His return? Are you getting people saved, and preparing your own self?

The scriptures are clear that when He returns there will be church people who thought they were saved but were not. People who prayed a prayer, or people who sat in church every week. But, never believed. They never really confessed Him as Lord. They never fully trusted Him to save them but instead trusted their own works. They never had a relationship with Him.

The storm is coming.

But, many do not believe.

These false brethren will fall away when the trouble comes. They will say “Where is the promise of His coming.”. They will wonder why He has delayed His return. —(2 Peter 3:4, Luke 12:45-46)

Then, they will form the apostate church and help the Anti-Christ persecute the saints. They will beat the men servants and maid servants. They will go back to living for the world. They will be like Judas the betrayer. —(Luke 12:45-46, Rev. 6, Matt. 24, )

Why? Because they never believed. They never put their faith in Christ. They never had a relationship with Him.

And when He returns they will be foolish virgins without oil. (Matt. 25)

They will have taken the gifts and talents and salvation the Lord gave them, and buried it in the sand instead of responding in belief and serving the Lord. (Matt. 25)

They will stand before Him saying “when did we see you naked?” Because they never believed and turned and let the Holy Spirit lead them to serve others and love people and help them. (Matt. 25)

They will say “Did we not do many works in your name?” Because they trusted in works, not the Blood of Jesus. (Matt 7:21-23)

They will not be clothed in the wedding garment because they never knew the King. (Matt. 22)

They never had a relationship with Him or confessed Him as Lord.

They just went to church every week, judged others, and tried to obey rules.

And He said “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”

The storm is coming. Do you really know Him.

Can you trust Him when they are killing your church? Can you trust Him when they threaten to fire you from your job if you won’t take the Mark of the Beast? Can you trust Him, when people who call themselves Christians lie to you, attack you, betray you and destroy your life, or lead you to death? Can you trust Him when you face homelessness and starvation? or will you turn back like Lot’s wife, desiring the comforts of the world?. (Gen. 19)

The storm is coming, the Word says. 

Turn to Him, and ask Him to save you. Confess Jesus as your Lord. Believe He rose from the dead. Believe the Word, given to you. Tell others about Jesus, building the kingdom.

The Holy Spirit will come and teach you and lead you into all truth. (1 John 2:27)

And you will know Him and have a relationship with Him.

And when the storm comes you will be safe in the Ark, that is His salvation and care.

When the waters rise and beat upon you, you will stand firm because you’ve built your house on the Rock of Jesus Christ, who is the living Word. Not on the sand of your own works and power. (Matt.7)

The storm is coming …soon.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

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