Eternal Security -- Remaining Safe In the Arms of Jesus. |
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JESUS calls US to be |
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The Christian religion is the worship and service of Jesus Christ. It’s not Mary we worship, but her Son. We worship neither saints, angels, a law code, nor even God’s Spirit. It’s JESUS who is to be honored. The Bible is our guide. |
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Some imagine that God made a list long ago of those who would become Christians and go to Heaven. They think if God selected you, you're in -- no matter what you might prefer or choose. And if you're not on the list, nothing you do can change your fate -- you're going to Hell to suffer eternally -- because God didn't pick you out for salvation. So, if you become a Christian you'll go to Heaven no matter what you might say or do meanwhile. It just doesn't matter. You can't help it. You can't change it. You just flow with the tide. Their idea is wrong. Totally wrong!Those who study the Bible notice many exhortations to Christians warning them of what may happen if they turn back from following. They'll see many invitations urging "whosoever will" to come to salvation. Which of course is why Bible believers don't believe in eternal security which gives people no choice. I'm sure we are free to become a Christian. I'm sure any Christian is free to quit serving Jesus and ultimately go to Hell if he or she so chooses. This is discussed somewhat in Viewpoint Study #48. Consequences of our choices is the subject also of Viewpoint Study #54.
The purpose of the church is seen to be for evangelism -- to win the lost and bring them to glory also. But it's much more than JUST evangelism. It's to help us Christians BE Christians. There's strength in unity and fellowship. We meet together to encourage one another -- to egg one another on to good works for Jesus. Jesus is the head of the church. He has arranged for some to become leaders also in church matters -- we call these men "elders" or "pastors." Viewpoint Study #57 is about such men.
Since our religion is one which honors individualism and personal rights and abilities, we are each free to think for ourselves. Coercion has no part in Christian living. Study, thinking, and learning has much to do with it. So there are many among us who become teachers. Early teachers were called evangelists if their primary concern was reaching out to win others. In the church today we still have some evangelists, and those evangelists who go far from home are also called missionaries, who may be either men or women. Many also teach locally who are not pastors or elders, and some of the best of these are women.
God calls us to serve Him with ALL our abilities. And to encourage one another in love, peace, and joy. There's no reason anyone should ever turn away from God's love. Anyone who does can, if they while alive change their mind again, repent of wickedness and return to God's love. Those who do not repent will be lost.
From: GivenB <GivenB@aol.com> --
Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 18:59:29 EST
Subject: THOUGHT--How Essential Is Overcoming?SATURDAY -- March 21st, 1998 --
From The Word of Truth PublicationSATURDAY CONTEMPLATION --
by Brother Given O. Blakely________________________________________
HOW ESSENTIAL IS OVERCOMING?
What is "overcoming," or being an "overcomer?"-- and is it an essentiality for the person "in Christ?" Overcoming postulates, or assumes, conflict -- fierce conflict. The child of God is, in fact, in a hostile world. We are assured, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world" (1 John 2:16 NASB).
In its totality, "the world" constitutes all that is temporal. It is NOT to be the focus of our attention. Worldly things are often impure, immoral, and obscene. Christians are urged to think about things which are pure, good, and noble. Scripture puts it this way. "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:18, NASB). Where we put our attention determines whether or not we are in Christ. Putting our attention on things that are eternal leads to our overcoming "the world"!
If what is above us does not govern us, what is around us will! Overcoming has to do with being dominated by "things above" (Col 3:1-3). It is maintaining our grasp of the Lord Jesus by faith. With great subtlety Satan is attempting to drive a wedge between each Christian and Christ Jesus. Overcoming is the result of our frustrating him in that diabolical effort.
It is written, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4,5, NASB). He does not, of course, speak of faith alone.
Only the overcomer will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, or "ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess 4:17). It is imperative that we each take whatever measures are necessary to keep the faith, resist the devil, and remain in fellowship with Christ (1 Tim 6:12; James 4:7; 1 Cor 1:9). We are not in heaven yet, but we will be--if we overcome (Rev 2:7,11,17,2; 3:5,12,21; 21:7)!
PRAYER POINT: Father, at all cost, I want to be where Jesus is. I long for the time when You Yourself will be with us, and we will never again experience conflict. Until that time, I ask for grace to be a consistent overcomer -- one in whom You can take great delight.
