A warning to born-again believers who are sinning habitually

[Senior]

Greetings!
“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in
your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By His divine power,
God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.”
(2 Peter 1:2-3, New Living Translation)

This warning concerns believers who are sinning habitually without repentance.
To repent: turn away from your sins, doing everything you can to forsake them.

The #1 Reason Why God sent the Messiah

A few old covenant people did manage to please and satisfy God.
But, Jesus came so that many more of the human race would be able to
satisfy Father God’s high standards, and thus be allowed into heaven!
Isn’t this the main reason for Jesus and the new covenant?

Those who believe in Jesus and His message …
❶ are given the Holy Spirit to indwell them to teach them “all things”
as well as be their Comforter, Advocate, Helper, Healer, etc.
❷ are made into new creations -- they have new and different ideas,
opinions, attitudes, priorities, etc. -- focusing more on spiritual things
(this new birth is a spiritual birth, while the 1st birth is a physical one).
❸ are given God’s Holy Scriptures to teach them and guide them.
❹ are sanctified unto holiness: God sets them apart for undergoing
the process of growing in holiness. However, they have free will
to reject God’s plan for them … and can fall away from the faith,
drift away, fall from grace, draw back to perdition (Hebrews 10:39), etc.

It should be obvious that these born-again believers (above) have
incredible advantages over God’s old covenant people. They have
been enabled (set free) to overcome sin, the world, and the devil!
They are set free from their blindness, being captives of Satan, etc.
They are now able to be “overcomers” as Jesus overcame (Rev 3:21).
They are now able to overcome sin, be sanctified unto holiness, and
thus be acceptable to Father God for a glorious entrance into heaven.
They need to sincerely repent of (run from) their new sins (2 Peter 1:9).

● To reconcile the so-called OSAS NT verses with the many verses
opposing them, it has been deduced by some Spirit-filled believers
that the NT usage of “pisteou” (believe) must include obedience!
(Note: The verb tenses in John 3:16 reflect a continuing “belief”.)

● Jesus said, “He who (really) loves Me will obey My commandments.”
Loving God is one of the 2 qualifying conditions for a person to be fore-
ordained, predestined, called, justified, and glorified (Romans 8:28-30).

… continued in post #2 …

 

[Senior]

Many have said that we are the church of Laodicea (see Revelation 3:14-22),
and the reason is: pastors are not warning their sheep of their responsibilities.
Jesus often warned, “Do not let anyone deceive you.” Paul talked about
“this evil world in which we live” (Galatians 1:4), and Jesus even told His
12 disciples that they were evil (Luke 11:13).

Paul warned about the great apostacy (or falling away) in the last days
(1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1-7). We believers have no excuse for this
this because God has given us everything we need to live holy lives.

So, it is necessary to explain why Paul wrote: …
“work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12)

In everything below, “believers” refers to born-again believers.

This information is a warning to believers - backed up by many NT verses.
We have a part to play in our salvation other than belief-faith-trust in Jesus as
our Lord and Savior. We were chosen and called to be sanctified unto holiness
through our enduring faith-obedience to the Lord … instead of obedience to
Satan and the flesh.

From Dr. Thomas Hale, medical missionary to Nepal) …
“When Paul says ‘continue to work out your salvation’, he means that we must
obey Christ and do God’s will. We must continue to follow Christ’s example.
Our lives must become more and more holy. Jesus said ‘Be perfect as your
heavenly Father is perfect’. This is what it means to work out our salvation …
But remember this: We are free to reject God’s grace. We can refuse to obey
God’s will. We can continue in sin without repenting. That is dependent on us;
that is our choice. But if we choose to accept God’s grace and to obey Him,
then God has promised to help us.” (The Applied New Testament Commentary)

If we want to take the NT seriously, we need to reconcile the so-called OSAS
(once saved always saved) verses vs. those which stand opposed to OSAS!
The dozens of NT verses below stand opposed to OSAS.

Many NT verses prove each of these spiritual truths:
Believers stay righteous by practicing righteousness
Believers stay righteous through their obedience
Believers faith must endure until the end of their lives
Believers keep salvation by repenting of their sins
Believers were chosen and called to live holy lives
Believers must love, forgive, not judge or condemn
Believers must be victorious overcomers

One page of Scripture verses is available for almost every topic.

 

[Jim Parker]

Jesus came so that (1) many more of the human race would be able to satisfy Father God’s high standards, and (2) thus be allowed into heaven!

(1) "Father God's high standards" can be described in 2 words: "perfect holiness." Perfect holiness includes perfect sinlessness. No human being, other than Jesus who is God incarnate, either before or after Christ has ever achieved that standard. That's why God gave us confession. (1Jo 1:9)
(2) We are not "allowed into heaven" because we have satisfied God's high standards. That is salvation by works and we are not saved by works but by God's grace. We were created to do good works. Getting to heaven because we did our job would be the same as receiving a wage. (Eph 2:8-10)

God the Logos became man so that, as the God-man Jesus of Nazareth, He could live a sinless life. Since death is the wages of sin, He would not die because He had no sin.
But He allowed Himself to be executed for our sins; He died our deaths.
And then he destroyed the power of death so that no human being would remain physically dead but all would be raised from the dead immortal and incorruptible.
1Co 15:51-55
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.” (Isaiah 25:8)
“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?” (Hosea 13:14)

So all of mankind will be raised from the dead.
But not everyone gets to"go to heaven."

So, who gets to "go to heaven"?
The term "Go to heaven" is not found in scripture. I believe a better term is "the Kingdom of God." (John 3:5)
What scripture teaches is that those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. (John 3:14-17)
We who believe are united to Christ as a wife is to her husband. (Eph 5:30-32)
We who believe are members of Christ's body. (1Co 12:27; Eph 5:30)

Those who reject Christ will be eternally separated from God (and God's kingdom). (Mat 25:41, 46) This separation is also described as the "second death." (Rev 20:14) It is separation from God's kingdom into the lake of fire.

I hope I've managed to be clear in my comments.

iakov the fool

 

[JLB]

Greetings!
“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in
your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By His divine power,
God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.”
(2 Peter 1:2-3, New Living Translation)

This warning concerns believers who are sinning habitually without repentance.
To repent: turn away from your sins, doing everything you can to forsake them.

The #1 Reason Why God sent the Messiah

A few old covenant people did manage to please and satisfy God.
But, Jesus came so that many more of the human race would be able to
satisfy Father God’s high standards, and thus be allowed into heaven!
Isn’t this the main reason for Jesus and the new covenant?

Those who believe in Jesus and His message …
❶ are given the Holy Spirit to indwell them to teach them “all things”
as well as be their Comforter, Advocate, Helper, Healer, etc.
❷ are made into new creations -- they have new and different ideas,
opinions, attitudes, priorities, etc. -- focusing more on spiritual things
(this new birth is a spiritual birth, while the 1st birth is a physical one).
❸ are given God’s Holy Scriptures to teach them and guide them.
❹ are sanctified unto holiness: God sets them apart for undergoing
the process of growing in holiness. However, they have free will
to reject God’s plan for them … and can fall away from the faith,
drift away, fall from grace, draw back to perdition (Hebrews 10:39), etc.

It should be obvious that these born-again believers (above) have
incredible advantages over God’s old covenant people. They have
been enabled (set free) to overcome sin, the world, and the devil!
They are set free from their blindness, being captives of Satan, etc.
They are now able to be “overcomers” as Jesus overcame (Rev 3:21).
They are now able to overcome sin, be sanctified unto holiness, and
thus be acceptable to Father God for a glorious entrance into heaven.
They need to sincerely repent of (run from) their new sins (2 Peter 1:9).

● To reconcile the so-called OSAS NT verses with the many verses
opposing them, it has been deduced by some Spirit-filled believers
that the NT usage of “pisteou” (believe) must include obedience!
(Note: The verb tenses in John 3:16 reflect a continuing “belief”.)

● Jesus said, “He who (really) loves Me will obey My commandments.”
Loving God is one of the 2 qualifying conditions for a person to be fore-
ordained, predestined, called, justified, and glorified (Romans 8:28-30).

… continued in post #2 …

 

[JLB]

Many have said that we are the church of Laodicea (see Revelation 3:14-22),
and the reason is: pastors are not warning their sheep of their responsibilities.
Jesus often warned, “Do not let anyone deceive you.” Paul talked about
“this evil world in which we live” (Galatians 1:4), and Jesus even told His
12 disciples that they were evil (Luke 11:13).

Paul warned about the great apostacy (or falling away) in the last days
(1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1-7). We believers have no excuse for this
this because God has given us everything we need to live holy lives.

So, it is necessary to explain why Paul wrote: …
“work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12)

In everything below, “believers” refers to born-again believers.

This information is a warning to believers - backed up by many NT verses.
We have a part to play in our salvation other than belief-faith-trust in Jesus as
our Lord and Savior. We were chosen and called to be sanctified unto holiness
through our enduring faith-obedience to the Lord … instead of obedience to
Satan and the flesh.

From Dr. Thomas Hale, medical missionary to Nepal) …
“When Paul says ‘continue to work out your salvation’, he means that we must
obey Christ and do God’s will. We must continue to follow Christ’s example.
Our lives must become more and more holy. Jesus said ‘Be perfect as your
heavenly Father is perfect’. This is what it means to work out our salvation …
But remember this: We are free to reject God’s grace. We can refuse to obey
God’s will. We can continue in sin without repenting. That is dependent on us;
that is our choice. But if we choose to accept God’s grace and to obey Him,
then God has promised to help us.” (The Applied New Testament Commentary)

If we want to take the NT seriously, we need to reconcile the so-called OSAS
(once saved always saved) verses vs. those which stand opposed to OSAS!
The dozens of NT verses below stand opposed to OSAS.

Many NT verses prove each of these spiritual truths:
Believers stay righteous by practicing righteousness
Believers stay righteous through their obedience
Believers faith must endure until the end of their lives
Believers keep salvation by repenting of their sins
Believers were chosen and called to live holy lives
Believers must love, forgive, not judge or condemn
Believers must be victorious overcomers

One page of Scripture verses is available for almost every topic.

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4



JLB

 

[WIP]

Greetings!
“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in
your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By His divine power,
God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.”
(2 Peter 1:2-3, New Living Translation)

This warning concerns believers who are sinning habitually without repentance.
To repent: turn away from your sins, doing everything you can to forsake them.

The #1 Reason Why God sent the Messiah

A few old covenant people did manage to please and satisfy God.
But, Jesus came so that many more of the human race would be able to
satisfy Father God’s high standards, and thus be allowed into heaven!
Isn’t this the main reason for Jesus and the new covenant?

Those who believe in Jesus and His message …
❶ are given the Holy Spirit to indwell them to teach them “all things”
as well as be their Comforter, Advocate, Helper, Healer, etc.
❷ are made into new creations -- they have new and different ideas,
opinions, attitudes, priorities, etc. -- focusing more on spiritual things
(this new birth is a spiritual birth, while the 1st birth is a physical one).
❸ are given God’s Holy Scriptures to teach them and guide them.
❹ are sanctified unto holiness: God sets them apart for undergoing
the process of growing in holiness. However, they have free will
to reject God’s plan for them … and can fall away from the faith,
drift away, fall from grace, draw back to perdition (Hebrews 10:39), etc.

It should be obvious that these born-again believers (above) have
incredible advantages over God’s old covenant people. They have
been enabled (set free) to overcome sin, the world, and the devil!
They are set free from their blindness, being captives of Satan, etc.
They are now able to be “overcomers” as Jesus overcame (Rev 3:21).
They are now able to overcome sin, be sanctified unto holiness, and
thus be acceptable to Father God for a glorious entrance into heaven.
They need to sincerely repent of (run from) their new sins (2 Peter 1:9).

● To reconcile the so-called OSAS NT verses with the many verses
opposing them, it has been deduced by some Spirit-filled believers
that the NT usage of “pisteou” (believe) must include obedience!
(Note: The verb tenses in John 3:16 reflect a continuing “belief”.)

● Jesus said, “He who (really) loves Me will obey My commandments.”
Loving God is one of the 2 qualifying conditions for a person to be fore-
ordained, predestined, called, justified, and glorified (Romans 8:28-30).

… continued in post #2 …

I have struggled with many habits in my lifetime. I remember when I was very young, I had a habit of sucking on my thumb. Think about this. I am now 59 so to remember struggling with this means I must have been relatively old. I'm thinking I struggled with this until I was at least in the 1st grade in school. I remember hating it. My mother tried many things to help me such as having me wear mittens at night when I slept or putting hot pepper seasoning on my hands among other things. It was embarrassing for me.

I also struggled with a habit of biting my finger nails. This one plagued me until my adult years and again I hated it. It was damaging to my fingers as well as embarrassing and unclean. To be honest, I still catch myself occasionally but it is rare now and to keep it in check I must clip my nails regularly. I notice if they start to get long I'll catch myself picking at them with my teeth.

The point of sharing this is that habitual sin is not so easy to repent from. Willful sin is tough enough but habitual sin can be nearly impossible and this is when I have to lay my guilt at the cross of Jesus. I have to seek His help and guidance.

In my view, habitual sin is exactly what Paul was talking about in Romans 7:15-25. Here's how I printed this out and posted it on my cubicle wall at work. (NKJV)

The War Within​

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to 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. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

The Victory!​

I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

[sunflower]

The last four years of my husband's life he suffered from Alzheimer's which could be a constant drain on anyone who was his caregiver. Until the last two months I was his primary caregiver.

I sometimes over reacted, and became angry especially if due to his behavior and needs I couldn't get adequate sleep. However, my anger was not how I usually react and I was definitely provoked by the patient and the situation. Yet, I knew that God was merciful and I constantly asked Him for that mercy. I also asked for his strength even when I failed and made mistakes. And He gave me both. I survived. My husband is now himself again since he has gone home to be with his Savior.

This scripture sustained me and continues to sustain me:

Psalm 136: 1-3 (NKJV)

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever:

 

[Senior]

As stated at the end of post #2 …
Believers stay righteous through
● practicing righteousness
● loving Jesus unto obedience
● enduring until the end of their lives
● repenting of their sins
● living holy lives
● loving, forgiving, not condemning
● being victorious overcomers

ALL of the above is done through FAITH.
BACs who do the above …
believe it is God’s will for their lives,
and that it will result in their salvation!
Why else would they do it?
Oh yes, for rewards in heaven!
Yeah, sure.

A stroll down Hebrews lane …

Abram “received the RIGHTEOUSNESS
that comes by FAITH.” (Heb 11:7, NLT)

Good olde Hebrews 12

● Get rid of your sin to survive spiritually:
“… you have not yet given your lives
in your struggle against sin.” (Heb 12:4, NLT)

● Live a holy life so you will see the Lord:
“… work at living a holy life, for those who are
not holy will not see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14, NLT)

Luke-warm BACs will be disqualified
Jesus warns luke-warm BACs in Rev 3:15-16,
and we see it again here … The Lord Jesus
“will come again … to bring salvation to all
who are eagerly waiting for Him.” (Heb 9:28, NLT)

Only “the faithful” BACs will be saved
“We are the faithful ones, whose souls
will be saved.” (Heb 10:39, NLT)
Please note: When Paul wrote Ephesians and
Colossians, he was only writing to “the faithful”.
See Eph 1:1 and Col 1:2.

This has been a little reminder that OSAS is a lie
from the very deepest pits of hell.

 

[JLB]

As stated at the end of post #2 …
Believers stay righteous through
● practicing righteousness
● loving Jesus unto obedience
● enduring until the end of their lives
● repenting of their sins
● living holy lives
● loving, forgiving, not condemning
● being victorious overcomers

ALL of the above is done through FAITH.
BACs who do the above …
believe it is God’s will for their lives,
and that it will result in their salvation!
Why else would they do it?
Oh yes, for rewards in heaven!
Yeah, sure.

A stroll down Hebrews lane …

Abram “received the RIGHTEOUSNESS
that comes by FAITH.” (Heb 11:7, NLT)

Good olde Hebrews 12

● Get rid of your sin to survive spiritually:
“… you have not yet given your lives
in your struggle against sin.” (Heb 12:4, NLT)

● Live a holy life so you will see the Lord:
“… work at living a holy life, for those who are
not holy will not see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14, NLT)

Luke-warm BACs will be disqualified
Jesus warns luke-warm BACs in Rev 3:15-16,
and we see it again here … The Lord Jesus
“will come again … to bring salvation to all
who are eagerly waiting for Him.” (Heb 9:28, NLT)

Only “the faithful” BACs will be saved
“We are the faithful ones, whose souls
will be saved.” (Heb 10:39, NLT)
Please note: When Paul wrote Ephesians and
Colossians, he was only writing to “the faithful”.
See Eph 1:1 and Col 1:2.

This has been a little reminder that OSAS is a lie
from the very deepest pits of hell.

JLB

 

[lisa-in-FL]

Colossians 2:13-14
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 10:28
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Salvation is a form of covenant that God has with those that love and believe on His Son. Sinning isn't a sign that you were never saved. Saved people are renewed in spirit, by the Holy Spirit, but we still battle with our "old man" or this flesh everyday. But our sins are paid for on the cross. Jesus said "it is finished" meaning its a done deal. He's not still on the cross, perpetually dying like all those crucifixes show. He gave up His life for us, was buried and rose again. He now sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf. And praise God for it!!

 

[ezra]

Colossians 2:13-14
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 10:28
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Salvation is a form of covenant that God has with those that love and believe on His Son. Sinning isn't a sign that you were never saved. Saved people are renewed in spirit, by the Holy Spirit, but we still battle with our "old man" or this flesh everyday. But our sins are paid for on the cross. Jesus said "it is finished" meaning its a done deal. He's not still on the cross, perpetually dying like all those crucifixes show. He gave up His life for us, was buried and rose again. He now sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf. And praise God for it!!

:amen

 

[JLB]

But our sins are paid for on the cross.

When you say “our sins” are paid for who are you referring to?


Jesus paid the price for the sins of the world.


Are the sins of the world forgiven.

Is every person on planet earth sins forgiven?


He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4




JLB

 

[lisa-in-FL]

JLB - If you look at the sentence before that one you'll see I'm referring to saved people.

con·text
/ˈkäntekst/
noun

the parts of something written or spoken that immediately precede and follow a word or passage and clarify its meaning.

Using First John 2 as an example and seeing the context:
1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Its written for saved people and its a reminder that if we say we are saved but live carnal lives just like the rest of the world then we are liars. Not that we aren't saved, just not walking in the truth of the example Christ set for us.

The thief on the cross or the person who accepts Christ on their deathbed . . they don't have the time or ability to go and rack up a bunch of good works to "prove" their salvation. Salvation is by grace, not of works.

And yes, Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not a select few.

 

[JLB]

- If you look at the sentence before that one you'll see I'm referring to saved people.

So is the scripture I quoted.



JLB