Jesus’ warnings are for pretenders, not for unbelievers! WOW!

[John Zain]

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Please see post #2
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[John Zain]

Before the foundation of the world, God “elected” certain people to be His (Ephesians 1:4).
God knew who would be willing to be sanctified unto holiness (He knows peoples’ hearts).
Note: even born-again Christians can refuse to be sanctified, and fall away from the faith.
This is where the election and free-will verses fit together.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction,
and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way
which leads to (eternal) life, and there are few who find it.”
(Matthew 7:13-14)
See below … this is talking about the many non-elect people vs. the few elect Christians!

Let’s start with Jesus’ Great Commission
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations … teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Jesus commanded them to make real disciples: not just believers, not just born-again people.
These real disciples will observe “all” of Jesus’ commands!
There is only one type of true Christian, and that is the true obedient disciple.

Next, let’s be clear about Ephesians
Ephesians talks about predestination, election, the sealing of the believer as a guarantee, etc.
But, all of these great and glorious promises are only for those who are faithful.
Ephesians 1:1 “Paul … to the saints who are in Ephesus, and (who are) faithful in Christ Jesus …”

Jesus warns to first count the cost, then forsake all and deny himself
“… which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it … whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27-33)
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross (die to self), and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
(Matthew 16:24-26)
”He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25)
“life” means worldly life ---- “My sake” means Christ’s desires ---- “it” means eternal spiritual life

What is necessary: co-operate with the Holy Spirit and allow yourself to be sanctified!

Holiness is required
“… but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written,
“Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
“… He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love …” (Ephesians 1:4)
“… to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight, if indeed you continue
in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel …” (Colossians 1: 22-23)
More verses: 2 Timothy 1:9, 2 Peter 3:11, Romans 12:1, 1 Peter 2:5-9, Rev. 20:6, 21:8

Perfection is required
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” ( Matthew 5:48)
“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom,
that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”(Colossians 1:28)
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete …” (James 1:4)
“… that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:26-27)
More verses: John 17:22-23, Galatians 3:3-4, Ephesians 4:13, Hebrews 10:1

Forgiveness is critical
“God is love” (1 John 4:8). IMO, unforgiveness is quite the opposite of love, and it borders on hate.
“… if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26, Matthew 6:14-15)
“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’ ” (Matthew 18:21-22)
“If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” (Luke 17:3)
“And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay
all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you -- if each of you,
from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18:34-35)
Many are tortured in hell. This is verified by those who have had the experience of being
shown this place. (And it would make no sense to attribute these experiences to Satan.)

Born-again Christians die every day who haven’t tried very hard to be perfect and holy.
And many died who had unforgiveness towards someone! They’re all in hell right now!
I often wondered if all of this had to do with heavenly rewards … but NO, it does not!

The Law is for the unrighteous “… for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners,
for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers …” (1 Timothy 1:9-10)

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves,
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the city (New Jerusalem). But outside are dogs and sorcerers
and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
(Revelation 22:14-15)

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him
and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words …” (John 14:23-24)
Is anyone going to Heaven to be with Jesus who does not love Him?
Does anyone love Jesus who does not keep His commandments?

 

[nmwings]

Does anyone love Jesus who does not keep His commandments?

Mainstream Christianity does not obey His commandments. The old adage, "Actions speak louder than words" seem to fit the bill here, doesn't it?

 

[for_his_glory]

Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

 

[Tri Unity]

Before the foundation of the world, God “elected†certain people to be His (Ephesians 1:4).

This is a good presentation, John, well done!

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

Before the world began, God foreknew a group (Christians) and God foreknew that this group would be in Christ, holy and without blame, be called sons, Eph 1:4,5 and forenew the works this group would do, Eph 2:10. Yet God never predetermined what certain individuals would make up this group. Therefore each person must decide if he/she wants to be part of this group or not. To be part of this group one must obey the gospel by believing, repenting, confessing with the mouth and be water baptized for remission of sins. So if one is not of this group that is his own culpability and not God's.

 

[rrowell]

Before the world began, God foreknew a group (Christians) and God foreknew that this group would be in Christ, holy and without blame, be called sons, Eph 1:4,5 and forenew the works this group would do, Eph 2:10. Yet God never predetermined what certain individuals would make up this group. Therefore each person must decide if he/she wants to be part of this group or not. To be part of this group one must obey the gospel by believing, repenting, confessing with the mouth and be water baptized for remission of sins. So if one is not of this group that is his own culpability and not God's.

AMEN - The "Group", the "Church" was predetermined from creation, it was not an afterthought, but those (by their own free will, their choice) through Christ and obedience to him would become the group "the elect".

 

[nmwings]

The "elect" has been and always will be Israel.

Eph 2:12 …that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from thecovenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off (from Israel) have been brought near (into Israel) by the blood of Christ.

 

[Tri Unity]

The "elect" has been and always will be Israel.

WOW! What religion do you belong to?

 

[rrowell]

The "elect" has been and always will be Israel.

Eph 2:12 …that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from thecovenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off (from Israel) have been brought near (into Israel) by the blood of Christ.

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WOW! What religion do you belong to?

Isn't it funny how they pick and choose their verses, twist them all up to fit their doctrine

the next four verses:

Ephesians 2:14-17 (KJV)
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

All who are "In Christ" are his "elect" the promise was to all:

Romans 9:6 (KJV)
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

 

[Shannon H]

AMEN - The "Group", the "Church" was predetermined from creation, it was not an afterthought, but those (by their own free will, their choice) through Christ and obedience to him would become the group "the elect".

Well said.