Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,... (I Timothy 4:1-2)
It is very important to understand the difference between a believer and a Christian. Jesus used the parable of the sower who planted seed on two different kinds of surfaces to explain this. The first two surfaces the seeds fell on were by the wayside and... stony places. (Matthew 13:18-21; Mark 4:13-17) Then He went on two describe the believer: Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:18-19) Believers actually hear the Word, and may actually try to apply it to their lives, attend Bible study and possibly church, but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word. In other words, they never committed their lives to God through faith in Christ Jesus. They never committed to faith in Jesus, therefore they depart from the faith.
However, a Christian is described as he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 12:33; Mark 4:20) Christians don't just hear the Word, but they commit their lives through faith in Christ Jesus; Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) The difference between a believer and a Christian is the Holy Spirit! A Christian bears fruit and produces. Jesus said, "...for a tree is known by its fruit. (Matthew 12:33) “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush." (Luke 6:43-44)
The fruit of someone who's not a believer or just a believer but not committed to the faith will eventually show. But those who are Christians will bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, because the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25) We can call ourselves whatever we want, but only if we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God can we truly be a Christian! In our ignorance, we may have spoken against God and even Jesus Christ; but Jesus taught, "anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven." (Luke 12:10; Mark 3:28-29)
Christianity is not based on what you do to stay saved; it's based on God's Holy Spirit being in you! There is no being a Christian without the Holy Spirit, and once we are saved, we are saved, because God promised, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:27-30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (I John 4:4)
Once a believer, may not stay a believer; but once saved, always saved! Don't doubt it, don't question it; just praise God for it, and "...how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:12) Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive;..." (John 7:37-39) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!" (John 20:22) Regardless of whether we have departed from the faith, given heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, spoken lies in hypocrisy, having our own conscience seared with a hot iron, but it's never too late to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “Receive the Holy Spirit!" AMEN!
However, a Christian is described as he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 12:33; Mark 4:20) Christians don't just hear the Word, but they commit their lives through faith in Christ Jesus; Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) The difference between a believer and a Christian is the Holy Spirit! A Christian bears fruit and produces. Jesus said, "...for a tree is known by its fruit. (Matthew 12:33) “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush." (Luke 6:43-44)
The fruit of someone who's not a believer or just a believer but not committed to the faith will eventually show. But those who are Christians will bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, because the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25) We can call ourselves whatever we want, but only if we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God can we truly be a Christian! In our ignorance, we may have spoken against God and even Jesus Christ; but Jesus taught, "anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven." (Luke 12:10; Mark 3:28-29)
Christianity is not based on what you do to stay saved; it's based on God's Holy Spirit being in you! There is no being a Christian without the Holy Spirit, and once we are saved, we are saved, because God promised, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:27-30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (I John 4:4)
Once a believer, may not stay a believer; but once saved, always saved! Don't doubt it, don't question it; just praise God for it, and "...how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:12) Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive;..." (John 7:37-39) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!" (John 20:22) Regardless of whether we have departed from the faith, given heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, spoken lies in hypocrisy, having our own conscience seared with a hot iron, but it's never too late to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “Receive the Holy Spirit!" AMEN!
CALLED AND CHOSEN BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteMatthew 22:14 For many are called , but few are chosen."
Definition of called: Invited or summoned.
Definition of chosen: Those who are eligible or suited for election. Elected and chosen are synonymous.
WHO ARE THE CALLED?
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Every person who has heard the gospel has been called. The call is not limited to a select few who have been predestined for salvation.
WHO ARE THE CHOSEN (THE ELECTED)?
The chosen are the ones who are obedient to the call of the gospel.
The chosen are those who have 1. Faith: John 3:16
The chosen are those who 2. Repent: Acts 3:19 (Repent means to make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God).
The chosen are those who 3. Confess: Roman 10:9-10
The chosen are those who are 4. Baptized in water: Acts 2:38
The chosen are not those who were supposedly, unconditionally selected for salvation. The chosen have to be suited for election.
THE CALLED WHO ARE NOT CHOSEN.
Matthew 22:2-3 "the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.
Many have had the gospel preached to them, but of their own free-will have rejected the call. If men reject the gift of eternal life by rejecting Jesus as Lord and Savior; then they have been called, but not chosen.
Matthew 22:11-14 "But when the king came to look over the dinner quests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?" 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called but few are chosen."
This wedding quest was disinvited. He was called but not chosen ; because he was not suitable to be chosen. Improper clothing was a big deal.
Galatalians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
DO YOU HAVE THE PROPER WEDDING CLOTHES TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
When you stand before the KING OF KINGS are you going to be speechless when He asks; where are your wedding clothes? WHAT WILL YOU SAY WHEN HE ASKS YOU WHY YOU REJECTED IMMERSION IN WATER FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS. WHAT WILL YOUR ANSWER BE, WHEN JESUS ASKS YOU WHY YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH BEING CLOTHED IN CHRIST?
MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN!
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http//:steve-finnell.blogspot.com
AMEN!
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