…” Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” 2 Timothy 4:3
The lukewarm professing so-called "Christians" of Matthew 7:21-23 which are unsaved people who: thought, talked, looked like they were saved but were not. Christians who are lukewarm and lost might have lot of head knowledge like the Pharisees had, and look outwardly godly, but have no true heart change. Peter said the Word of God is not the private interpretation of man, meaning that the Word of God did not originate from man no matter how great an intellect he may be (II Peter 1:20-21). They might be people who appear to have much godly wisdom; have memorized God’s word, but they might be breaking God’s commandments in their thoughts, and by their deeds! No matter how godly and amazing you appear to people on the outside, we can’t fool God.
Romans 8:19 “for all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.”
"No man knows a person’s heart like God." (matt 23:1-33, mark 7:1-20, mark 12:38-40, Luke 11:39-52, mark 8:15, Isaiah 1:11, 1 Tim. 4:2, Jeremiah 23:11, matt 6:2)
God is setting up his eternal kingdom, and he uses suffering, trials & tests to someday eternally reward true believers at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10, 1 Cor 3:10-15, Rom 14:10-12). Those who did what Jesus told them to do through obedience to God's word, doing so out of a love for Jesus:
They possess the following traits:
acknowledge; obey god's will for their lives
are always very thankful to God for his kindness, provisions, protection, etc.
are co-heirs with Christ: and share the sufferings of Jesus by "crucifying their flesh"
are doers of the word, not merely hearers- faith without works is dead.
are generous; are givers whether they are poor or have much.
are humble and have child-like faith.
are not full of: selfish ambition, strife, quarreling, jealousy- but are peacemakers.
are not hypocrites-giving God mere lip service
are not prejudice- they show no partiality to the: rich, poor, skin color, race, etc.
are ready, waiting, and eagerly anticipating the soon return of Jesus Christ.
are separating themselves from all ungodliness and the things of this world.
are surrendering all to follow Jesus-they are "taking up their cross daily".
are walking down the narrow road of God's holiness-they are God's holy remnant.
are winning their battle against sin through Grace; keeping the full armor of God on!
clearly understand the gospel & clearly preach God's word with boldness
display Christ-likeness in their thought-life; attitudes - a beatitude attitude
do everything for the glory of God, not themselves.
do not allow the cares; worries of this life to dominate their mind & conversations
do not believe false teachings; anything that is contrary to God's word
do not compromise with the world by listening to worldly music- true worshippers
do not conform to the things of this world-their #1 goal is to be like Jesus
do not look up to worldly idols such as: singers, movie stars, sports figures...
do not look upon worldly magazines & books from celebrity magazines to pornography...
do not partner up with unbelievers and those who compromise their walk with Jesus
do not seek the approval of man, but seek only to please the Lord
do not watch worldly (lustful, evil...): tv & movies, internet pornography, computer games
fear the lord and turn away from evil.
have integrity, hard work, & pursue righteousness- they do not lie, steal, cheat.
know that financial gain does not mean godliness.
know they are merely passing through this world, and their real home is with the Lord
let their light shine-their face; life exudes Christ.
love and do good to fellow Christians.
love god's commandments; his word, reading it daily and memorizing it.
love the lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
make use of every opportunity to do good; preach the gospel - they're "fire snatchers"
obey God's commandments, his word, and the lord Jesus Christ.
pray fervent prayers, and pray often with fellow believers.
produce much fruit for Jesus- they're productive with the gospel; are godly.
pursue pure and godly friendships that inspire them to be more like Jesus
put no confidence in their flesh - they are decreasing; Christ is increasing
rather suffer & be poor & not compromise with the world than be rich & famous-content.
refuse Luke warmness-having "one foot in God's word, and one foot in the world"
seek first God's kingdom, not worldly wealth; possessions.
seek to please the Lord through good deeds & having a servant's heart.
speak out; warn people of God's coming judgments, and preach the gospel
stopped practicing sin-and when they do sin there is deep sorrow.
study; teach God's word; his ways to sinners; believers-making disciples.
suffer persecution; beatings for standing up for Jesus.
understand God's eternal purposes for his holy people vs. This temporal evil world.
words; speech are encouraging, edifying, and wise-not corrupt.
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| Česky: Kříže - symbol utrpení Ježíše Krista a jeho ukřižování (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Now it is true that the Bible teaches that in Adam all die (1 Corinthians 15:22), but it also teaches that men are capable of responding positively to God's calling (Acts 2:38-41; John 6:44; Revelation 17:14; Matthew 20:16). There would be no point in fulfilling the following teachings of Jesus if humans could not respond:
(Matthew 24:14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 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." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Although God must call, humans can respond, or not....
Harsh as this may sound, on judgment day, many good people who do good deeds, who are even "religious" will be sentenced to spend eternity in hell. Only God knows the secrets of your heart.
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