IS OUR FAITH ENOUGH?
June 28, 2022 12:12 PM
MY HIDING PLACE
For the audio version of this message, please refer to the link provided, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO-6AKOkEao&t=442s. Thank you.
Rom.10:9, 13 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. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Eph.2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
2 Tim.2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Jam.2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Oftentimes the Scriptures cited above in Romans and Ephesians are quoted to justify that ANYONE who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved and that our salvation is based on faith rather than our deeds. HOWEVER, I want to draw your attention to 2 Timothy and James which add more context and responsibility to us as followers of Christ saying that ANYONE who names the name of the Lord must turn away from sin. And that faith without deeds is dead! All these verses go hand in hand. Our belief in Jesus is not enough to get us into heaven.
Jam.2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
When we are born, we automatically inherit our sinful nature. Nobody has to teach us how to be selfish, how to love the things of the world, how to give in to temptations. This part comes natural to us human beings. Without repentance, we would automatically get a free ticket to hell. But when we come to salvation in Jesus Christ, we divorce from our carnal desires and marry Christ’s nature to escape the hell we originally deserved and to qualify for eternal life with Jesus.
It is true that Jesus died for ALL our sins -our past, present and future sins and that by ourselves we’d never measure up to God’s standard of holiness. If we only claim Rom.10:13 and Eph.2:8 as our basis for salvation, then what obligation would we have as followers of Christ? In other words, what benefit would there be by being Christ-like if our confession of faith is enough to get us into heaven?
1 Pet.1:16 It is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Matt. 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
These next two verses invite us to be holy and perfect just like our Heavenly Father. If we believe that there is no way we could achieve these requirements, then why would the Lord ask us to be holy and perfect? Is He setting us up for failure?
Let’s look at our ultimate example in Scriptures and in real life: our Saviour Jesus Christ. When Jesus came to earth, He was FULLY human. He did not have it easy because He was God’s Son and God Himself. Yet his stay was to set an example for us to follow.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Heb.5:7-9 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
Matt.4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Phil.2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Col.2:17-18 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
These Scriptures confirm that when Jesus was on the earth he was fully human and endured much of the same things we struggle with. Neverthless, He embraced his life and his calling and glorified Father in everything he did and said. Notice the close intimacy He nurtured with Father by spending much time in prayer alone so He could draw from His strength, wisdom and guidance. Through that He was able to be HOLY AND PERFECT. This is the way we are to conduct ourselves.
So, is it possible for us to be holy and perfect? On our own strength, NO! But…..
Phil.4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
HALLELUJAH!!!!
In the Book of Revelation and more specifically in chapters 2 and 3, we read the letters John wrote to the 7 churches. These letters outline the good deeds and deficiencies for each of them (except for the one in Philadelphia – but that’s another story). EACH church was encouraged to do away with their sins, stumbling blocks, blindness so that they could OVERCOME and receive their rewards. Notice these letters were for congregations of believers as they are for us TODAY.
What about Job, Daniel and Noah? The Bible calls them righteous, blameless. Just like the 144,000 in Rev.7 and 14.
Rev.14:4a), 5 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
The 144,000 is God’s End Time Army comprised of a very special group of individuals. They are ‘virgins’ meaning they have not renounced their vows to Jesus -their husband- by defiling themselves with idols, man’s doctrines, abominations, and false teachings. Please read and study Ezekiel 16 and 23. They diligently and willingly follow the Lamb. Meaning: they die to themselves daily in order to please Father. No lie was found in their mouths. They are blameless, which is another word for pure and holy. So, how did these people get their ‘blameless’ status? They are NOT Jesus. That means it is possible!
The Bible is FULL of teachings on how we should conduct ourselves to be good ambassadors of Christ. It is a LIVING WORD, not a fable. We should not read it as leisure or hobby for a few minutes here and there. But really examine it. Ask the Holy Spirit to decode His messages, parables, riddles, mysteries and revelations. Call on the Lord to grant you His wisdom like Solomon and Daniel who were able to explain all sorts of mysteries. Do not settle for a basic knowledge or just feed yourself off someone else’s revelations. If you have the Holy Spirit living within you, ask Him to teach you. He is like a personal trainer. He knows where you’re at, how much you can pick up at a time, what doctrines or sins may need to be eradicated and He will work with you accordingly. He is such a precious gift <3
Look at what Peter had to say.
2 Pet.1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
Our Heavenly Father has already equipped us with what we need in order to be successful at the tasks He has appointed for us. We just need to be obedient and trust Him.
Learn how to properly wear your armour to be successful at spiritual warfare. Plead Jesus’ blood over yourself as your protection which is impenetrable for the enemies of God. Be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit when He points to your infractions (sins) and repent right away. Resist the devil so that he will flee from you.
Heb.12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Did you catch what I just said? WITHOUT HOLINESS NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD. This is another verse that confirms how vital it is to learn holiness. Our relationship with the Lord must be active and daily, following precisely into Christ’s footsteps. No excuse will be accepted for being lazy, lukewarm or complacent and loving the life of sin over striving for purity. Read and practice the Word.
Here’s what will happen to those who deliberately choose to be lukewarm, ignore the warning of having our lamps filled with oil, or avoid growing the talents Father has given us. I’m just going to add the relevant verses, but please read through the chapters for more context.
Rev.3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Matt.25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matt.25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
This is what we need to understand and embrace. Being a Christian does not involve reciting a prayer and going back to acting like the world. It involves a serious change of heart shining through the way we live. Tell others about this. Live in covenant with Father, follow His statutes, truly love Him.
Stop conforming to the patterns of the world, but allow God’s Spirit to transform you each day a little more into the likeness of Jesus.
Jesus is coming for a PURE, BLAMESS, SPOTLESS, VIRGIN bride.
To be Jesus’ follower we MUST deny the world and its pleasures and embrace the cross, even being persecuted for His name’s sake. Father did not promise us a rosey life. What He did promise us is that He will not leave us, nor abandon us. May we all choose not to abandon Him. Let go of pride and cling to humility. Do away with idolatry. Be faithful to Father and your BrideGroom.
Do not tire of doing good. Love unconditionally. Practice hospitality. Feed the poor. Spread the Gospel of Peace. Pray for those who persecute you. Freely you have received, freely give.
Col.3:12-17 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
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