The Great Falling Away!

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I implore you with all my heart and in sincere love for you:

Do not fall away from your faith in Christ Jesus!

In the above verse (2 Thes 2:3) the Apostle Paul is telling us that the second coming of Christ will not happen unless the apostasy (the great falling away) comes first.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come.

So, let’s now examine what the word apostasy means.

The Greek word for apostasy used in this verse is ‘apostasia’ (Strong’s 646 pronounced ‘ap-os-tas-ee-ah’) and its expanded meaning is: defection from, apostasy, a falling away (from a previous stance), an abandonment of a previous belief.

Paul tells us quite clearly that this falling away by professing Christians will take place and exhorts us not to let anyone or anything deceive us or entrap us into falling away from Christ! Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing and do not become friends with the world – a friend of the world and its practices is an enemy of God!

Matthew 7:15 (AMP)

“Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

James 4:4 (NIV)

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

In God’s eyes when we become aligned with the world, He considers us to be adulterers and His enemies.

How will I know if I am falling away?

1. When you are alarmed, frightened and living in continual fear!

‘Watch out and see that you do not become alarmed.’ In other words, be aware of what is happening in the world around you but do not be alarmed by it nor involved in it!

Matthew 24:4-8 & 10 (AMP)

4 Jesus answered, “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. 5 For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ and they will mislead many. 6 You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].

10 At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another.

2. When you have unconfessed or wilfully hidden sin in your life.

Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

But your iniquities have separated

you from your God;

your sins have hidden his face from you,

so that he will not hear.

Having unconfessed or hidden sin in our lives hinders our relationship with God. We need to honestly examine ourselves regularly against the standard that God sets for us in the Bible – we know when we are not in right standing with God. The longer we take to confess our sin the colder we will become towards the things of God until we fall away completely.

3. If you have allowed unbelief and stubborness into your heart

Hebrews 3:12 (AMP)

Take care, brothers and sisters, that there not be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to trust and rely on the Lord, a heart] that turns away from the living God.

If you do not believe any part of the Bible or you stubbornly refuse to trust God with all your heart, then you are falling away from God – the writer of Hebrews calls this ‘a wicked, unbelieving heart’. When you set yourself stubbornly against anything in the Bible and have unbelief in your heart you are in rebellion to God and His Word, and rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft!

1 Samuel 23a (NLT)

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,

and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

4. When you are paying attention to deceiving spirits – believing the lies of the devil about things that are contrary to the Word of God.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV)

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

In verse one above the Greek word for deceiving is ‘planos’ and it’s expanded meaning is: misleading, deceiving, wandering; a deceiver, an imposter.

So, deceiving spirits are those that lead people away from the truth of God’s Word and they abandon the faith, they then come to us as wolves in sheep’s clothing and teach false doctrines which are the doctrines of demons the servants of the devil. Beware of these demons who come in the human form of false prophets and teachers! Their father is the devil the father of lies. These demons that control the lives of these false prophets and teachers want to devour you!

Always be on your guard – study the Bible so that you will be able to know the truth and recognise lies!

1 Peter 5:8 (AMP)

Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.

John 8:44 (NIV)

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2 Peter 3:17 (AMP)

Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of [unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith],

Be careful who you believe and who you follow. Stay away from anybody who teaches anything that is contrary to the Bible and introduces the doctrines of man. Anything that does not align with the Word of God is a false teaching no matter who brings it. Get to know the Bible for yourself so that you will not be deceived!

The Bible warns the Church against falling away!

Let the following scriptures speak for themselves. Use them to examine yourself – repent and ask forgiveness where you need to, above all be honest with yourself because God already knows you – nothing is hidden from Him. Let the conviction of the Holy Spirit wash over you and bring healing to your soul so that you can move on to maturity in Christ Jesus! It is time for today’s Church to get right with God and reject any teaching that is contrary to the word of God!

Remember Jesus suffered and died for you, His blood was shed so that you can receive eternal life through Him. Therefore, do not keep on sinning and being disobedient to the teachings of the Bible, do not let your sin go unconfessed!

Hebrews 6:4-8 (AMP)

4 For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted and consciously experienced the good word of God and the powers of the age (world) to come, 6 and then have fallen away—it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace. 7 For soil that drinks the rain which often falls on it and produces crops useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it persistently produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

Do not be intolerant to the teachings of the Bible!

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (AMP)

3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, 4 and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable].

Die to self and embrace humility! These last days will be difficult unless you are living in the fulness of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit! Keep your eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of your faith. Do not lean on man or your own understanding – the only rock we can lean on is Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages – live your life in the Spirit! (Romans 8).

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (AMP)

But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3 [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

Do not be disdainful of the last days or you too will perish!

2 Peter 3:3-4 (AMP)

3 First of all, know [without any doubt] that mockers will come in the last days with their mocking, following after their own human desires 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming [what has become of it]? For ever since the fathers fell asleep [in death], all things have continued [exactly] as they did from the beginning of creation.”

Do not become a mocker (scoffer) of God and His Bible or be associated with those that are or you will never be blessed! Take delight in Jesus your Lord and saviour and the Truth of His Word that is found in the Bible!

Psalm 1:1-2 (NIV)

Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

Always be open and honest with yourself in your relationship with God because you cannot hide anything from Him and there is no place you can go to where He cannot see you!

Psalm 139:4,7-8 (NIV)

4 Before a word is on my tongue

you, Lord, know it completely.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

When we take our eyes off Jesus and go our own way, there is only one way we go and that is back to destruction!

Jeremiah 7:23-24 (NLT)

23 This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’

24 “But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.

In the world today, those people outside of Christ Jesus, are the same as those people in the days of Noah and will be destroyed as they were! This time not by water but by fire! Do not fall away and be enveloped with them!

Matthew 24:37-39 (NIV)

37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Revelation 20:15 (NIV)

Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

2 Peter 2:4 (NLT)

For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
I pray in the Name of Jesus that you would keep me from falling away. Help me Lord to be obedient to your Word in all things. Lord, I ask that you keep my feet forever on your path, the path that is your will for my life. Keep me forever in your arms that I may be aligned with your heartbeat! Let me not fall away from you ever. Amen.

To Jesus belongs ALL glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

What Should Today's Church Look Like?

 

The Church is not a building it is the born-again followers of Jesus Christ - one faith, one Church!

Acts 2:42-47 (AMP)

42 They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to [eating meals together and to prayers. 43 A sense of awe was felt by everyone, and many wonders and signs (attesting miracles) were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed [in Jesus as Savior] were together and had all things in common [considering their possessions to belong to the group as a whole]. 45 And they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing the proceeds with all [the other believers], as anyone had need. 46 Day after day they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes. They were eating their meals together with joy and generous hearts, 47 praising God continually, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

The start of the Church just after Pentecost

The New Testament Church was started just after Pentecost with the first mass outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We can read about Pentecost and the Apostle Peter’s bold address to the crowd of his very first gospel message in Acts 2 from verses 1 – 41. In verse 41 we read this:

Acts 2:41 (NIV)

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

This was the birth of the Church of Jesus Christ. It was established in the power of the Holy Spirit. It was pure and, unlike today’s Church, without sect or denomination or entertainment programmes – just Jesus Christ and him crucified!

This is the model Church that today’s Church should be imitating in every way, but sadly does not! They preached the Word without compromise they were devoted to Jesus and each other! They didn’t bring the world into the Church they took the Church to the world! The pure, unadulterated word of God! It didn’t preach a message that would tickle peoples ears to make them feel good, it preached the message of the Cross, Jesus Christ and Him crucified so that people would be convicted of their sin and be able to repent from their sin and be born again, become new creations in Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour!

It was the Church that God himself wanted, conformed to the image of His Son, our Lord and Saviour – the King of kings who never changes!

Hebrews 13:7-8 (NIV)

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Let’s examine how the New Testament Church (including today’s Church) should be structured (Biblically) and how it should be ministering in faith and in accordance with the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit and let’s not forget these word spoken to the Apostles by Jesus himself.

John 14:26 (NIV)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

The apostles’ teaching was directly from Jesus who is the Word – brought to them by the Holy Spirit!

The Fellowship of the Believers
What were these new believers doing? What did their lifestyle look like? How was the Holy Spirit binding them together in unity to bring glory to the name of Jesus? How did they respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading and to the apostles’ teaching?

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

What does ‘devoted to’ mean?

Verse 42 in Acts 2 starts off like this: “They (the Church) devoted themselves to……….”

Let’s examine what they were devoted to and how they were devoted.

Today’s dictionary meaning of ‘devoted to’ is:
Being devoted to something means being focused on that particular thing almost exclusively. When you are devoted to a cause, you work to achieve its goals. When you are devoted to a person, you place their needs above your own. Being devoted doesn't have to refer only to personal relationships.

So that’s how today’s modern dictionaries define ‘devoted to’, but in order to have a clearer picture of what the early Church would have understood by this we will need to examine the original Greek meaning of being devoted to.

Original Greek meaning of ‘devoted’ in Acts 2:42:

Proskartereo (pron: pros-kär-te-ray-o):

• to join together with

• to adhere to

• to be ready

• to give attention to

• to be fully committed to

• to spend much time together

• to be faithful

This is what the early church would have understood by the term ‘devoted to’ so let’s look at each term on an individual basis.

To join together with:

• What were they joined together with?

• With each other as the family of Christ

• The Apostles and their teaching - The Word

• And through this they were being unified as one Church in the power of the Holy Spirit

To adhere to:
The early church stuck together and did not deviate from the apostles’ teaching – they did not deviate from the Word of God.

To be ready:
They were being made ready to put into practice what they were being taught and to walk the Christian path as Jesus intended. A path of love, unity and self-sacrifice.

To give attention to:
They were focused on the Word, prayer, breaking of bread, fellowship with each other and with God.

To be fully committed to:
The were fully committed to God, to each other and to the teachings of The Word and in putting them into practice in the power of the Holy spirit.

To spend much time together:
They spend a lot of time together – devoted to each other in love of Christ. They didn’t shrink back from fellowshipping together as often as they could. They helped each other and encouraged each other. Their fellowship was Jesu focussed and not ‘world’ focussed!

To be faithful:
In all these things they were faithful as Christ is faithful to his Church! The unity of living life in the Spirit as Paul was later to describe in Romans 8!

What was the early Church devoted to – Acts 2:42?

1. The apostles teaching – The Word of God via the Apostles led and taught by Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit after the Lord’s ascension:

• Jesus – The Word – God

• Love for all mankind and especially for the family of believers – agape

• Salvation in Christ Jesus

• New Covenant (apart from the Law)

• Freedom in Christ

• Holy Spirit

2. Fellowship – from the Greek word Koinónia, meaning:

• In partnership with

• Being a contributory help

• Participation in

• Sharing in

• Communion with

• Spiritual fellowship

• A fellowship in the spirit

3. The breaking of bread

Luke 22:19

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.“

1 Cor 11:26

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

In the verse above, Paul tells us exactly what we are doing, apart from remembering the work of Jesus on the cross, when we break bread together. We are proclaiming his death until he returns.

Now here it will be good for us to have a look at the meaning of the word ‘proclaim’ from the original translation of the word ‘proclaim’ comes from the Greek word ‘kataggello’.

Proclaim – Kataggello

• to proclaim

• to declare openly

• to preach

• to laud (praise)

• to celebrate

• to announce a message in a definite way

So, here we see that when we break bread together, at least two significant things happen that only the Church, the true born-again believer, can do.

• We remember the significance of the pain and suffering the Lord went through on our behalf that we may become born-again and thus reconciled to the Father.

• We announce to each other and to the world in an evangelical way that there is only way to the Father and that is by Jesus Christ His son and that we are committed to Jesus and to each other.

4. Prayer

• Corporate prayer

Acts 1:14

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Corporate prayer by the Church in unity, ushers in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost is our prime example!

When the Church is devoted to God and to each other in this way, supernatural things happen:

• People get saved, people get healed, people are delivered from demons!

Acts 2:47

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

• We receive favour with the people

• Miracles signs and wonders follow us

• People get saved

Are you a devoted Christian and is your Church a devoted Church?

Are you a Jesus follower or a people pleaser?

Is your Church an entertainment centre or a place of worship to Jesus?

Today’s Church should look like the Acts Church for Jesus is the same yesterday, today and always! Amen!

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
Today I pray that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to become a devoted Christian in all ways. Help me to be devoted to Jesus and your Word. Help me to be devoted to my brothers and sisters in Christ and to fellowshipping with them. Help me not to be a lukewarm Christian but a doer of the Word. I ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

To Jesus belongs ALL glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names.

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for you reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My words are flawed the Bible is not!

Keeping in Step with the Holy Spirit

 

Keeping in step with the Holy Spirit!

What does this mean to us today as born-again Christians?

In our main verse, Galatians 5:25, the Amplified and the King James Bibles uses the term ‘walk’ by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 (AMP)

If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].

Galatians 5:25 (KJV)

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The New International Version uses the term ‘keep in step’.

Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

And the New Living Translation uses the term ‘follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.’

Galatians 5:25 (NLT)

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Now, when we examine the original Greek text of this verse, we see that all these translations are in fact correct!

The Greek word used in all these English translations is ‘stoicheó’ (pron: stoy-kheh-o, Strong’s 4748) and its expanded meaning is: to be in rows (like marching), to walk in or by rule (in perfect alignment with).

‘Stoicheo’ comes from the Greek root word ‘stoixos’ and means a row, a line or a rank – properly walk in line, in strict accordance to or with a particular pace ("stride"); walk in cadence, "keep in step." (Strong’s 4748).

So, from this, it is quite clear to me that as a born again Christian, that as a person who has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, it is imperative that I live my life and walk my daily Christian walk by the leading of the Holy Spirit and in perfect unison with Him in order that my life may reflect Jesus and bring glory to Him alone!

Why is it so important for Christians to keep in step with the Holy Spirit?

The answer to this question is very simple, because Jesus did, and the Bible tells us to be imitators of Christ and He alone is the standard by which we should live by. It is important to remember here that Jesus is the Word.

John 1:14 (AMP)

And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).

Ephesians 5:1 (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

The Apostle Paul also tells us to imitate him as he imitates Christ!

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT)

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Jesus was in perfect unison with the Holy Spirit. He began His ministry on earth after being water baptised and being baptised with the Holy Spirit as a man. He was led by the Holy Spirit and this was pleasing to God.

Matthew 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

It is significant for us to note as born-again Christians that the first thing Jesus did after he was baptised in the Holy Spirit was to follow Him (The Holy Spirit) into the wilderness, to overcome temptation and to put the devil in his place by knowing the Word of God. We all know the way to overcome the devil’s temptation is by following Christ’s example……”it is written…..!” That’s right, by being filled with the Holy Spirit – by knowing the Bible – by being in step with the Holy Spirit – and by being obedient to and doers of the Word!

Mathew 4:4 (NIV)

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Matthew 4:7 (NIV)

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Matthew 4:10-11 (NIV)

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Jesus walked with and lived his life on earth as a man led by and in step with the Holy Spirit and when He ascended into heaven, He told us that He would send the Holy Spirit from the Father to lead and guide us in all things and in all truth so that we can keep in step with Him and thus fulfil God’s will, plan and purpose for our lives.

John 14:26 (NIV)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

In the above verse Jesus tells His disciples that the Holy Spirit will, besides reminding them of everything He has said to them, will also teach them things – these are things that He wants them to know. For me this says very clearly that if I am not filled with the Holy Spirit and I am not living life in the Spirit, then I won’t be able to hear or know when He speaks to me, and I won’t know what He wants me to do!

When I think further about John 14:26 I am convinced that as a born-again Christian and because Jesus is the Word (John 1:14) it is imperative that I really know the Bible so that the Holy Spirit can remind me of everything that Jesus has already said because it is in the Word!

Everything that God wants for His children comes to us through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit! That’s why we need Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, because without Him we can do nothing, and it will be impossible to have a true relationship with our Father in Heaven. Jesus is the vine that sustains us, enables us and empowers us by the Holy Spirit! Jesus is supreme!

Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

John 15:5-8

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

So, we can now start to see just how important it is for us as born-again Christians to align ourselves with and to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Jesus has lots more to still tell His Church both corporately and as individual members. Without us being in step with the Holy Spirit it will be impossible for us to bear much fruit and thus proving ourselves to be true, born-again Christians – disciples of Jesus!

John 16:12-15 (NIV)

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

When we, as born-again Christians, are not walking in step with the Holy Spirit, we are walking in the dictates of the flesh which is sinful, and this is not pleasing to God!

Romans 8:5-8 (AMP)

5 For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. 6 Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; 7 the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.

As Christians, in order to appropriate the victory that Jesus gave us at the cross and in order for us to truly call Him Lord, it is imperative for us to walk in step with the Holy Spirit every second of every day. Even though we are saved we should not keep on willfully sinning!

Romans 6:1-2 (AMP)

What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow? 2 Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer?

Walking in step with the Holy Spirit also means that we must be obedient to the Word bearing in mind at all times that Jesus is the Word (John 1:14). Scripture commands that we be doers of the Word and not just readers, being obedient to the Lord in all things! When we do this, what we do WILL BE BLESSED!

Luke 6:14 (NIV)

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

James 1:22-25 (NIV)

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Luke 11:28 (NIV)

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Below, from Romans 8, is a list of the benefits we receive in living life in step with the Holy Spirit for those who are in Christ Jesus. These 'benefits' empower us to produce fruit in keeping with repentance! They strengthen us as individuals and also empower us help build up and help our brothers and sister in Christ so that we can all reach spiritual maturity and the Church can reach unity in the Spirit! 

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

This list is by no means exhaustive! I would encourage you to read and study the entire chapter for yourself - it will change your life!

• There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus – verse 1.

• The Holy Spirit gives us life and freedom in Christ Jesus – verse 2.

• The Holy Spirit enables us to live life in the Spirit and not according to the flesh (our sinful nature) – verses 3 and 4.

• The Holy Spirit allows us to set our minds on what God desires for us – verse 5.

• The Holy Spirit allows us to set our minds on life and peace in Christ Jesus – verse 6.

• The Holy Spirit allows us to be pleasing in the eyes of God – verse 8.

• If we do not have the Holy Spirit in us, then we do not belong to Christ – verse 9.

• The Holy Spirit gives life because of righteousness – verse 10.

• The Holy Spirit will raise us from the dead as He did for Jesus – verses 10 and 11.

• If we are led by the Holy Spirit, then we are truly children of God – verse 14.

• The Holy Spirit brings about our adoption to sonship – verse 15.

• The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God – verse 16.

• The Holy Spirit enables us to be heirs of God along with Jesus – verse 17.

• The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses – verse 26.

• The Holy Spirit intercedes for us – verses 26, 27.

• The Holy Spirit knows our hearts – verse 27.

• It is the Holy Spirit that helps us to conform to the image of Christ Jesus – verse 29.

Through the Holy Spirit we can overcome our present suffering and look forward to future glory in Christ Jesus – Romans 8:18-30.

The Holy Spirit will enable and empower you to overcome your present sufferings, trials and tribulations, (remember the words of Jesus in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world”) and lead you into the future glory that God intends for you.

Through the Holy Spirit we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus – Romans 8:31-39.

When we as Christians, are filled with the Holy Spirit and are obedient to His promptings and to God’s Word, we are overcomers! More than conquerors! For the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus, intercedes with God on our behalf which guarantees us victory in this world.

The Apostle Paul encourages us all to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit and constantly guided by Him and to always give thanks to God in all things!

Ephesians 5:18-21 (AMP)

18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him. 19 Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, [offering praise by] singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Without walking in step with the Holy Spirit the Fruit of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit will not be manifest in us and through us! Follow the way of love and eagerly desire all that the Holy Spirit has for us to the glory of Jesus!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would help me to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit and to keep in step with Him, to dress in your full armour and to love my brothers and sisters in Christ as Jesus loves the Church!  Lord, let the fruit and gifts of the Spirit be manifest in me and through me that I may bring glory to Jesus here upon earth and for ever more! Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

Last updated: 3 December 2022

Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say?

This is a question that Jesus asked his followers, the Church at the time, and followed it up with the parable of ‘The Wise and foolish Builders.’

This is also a question that Jesus asks each generation of His Church, including you and I, today! This question provokes me to examine myself, as a believer of over thirty years, every time I read it and every time the Lord brings it to mind, which is very regularly! Am I doing what He (The Word) tells me in all areas of my life? 

Sadly, I very often fall short, but praise God there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and I am availed, by this self-examination, the opportunity to repent and confess my sin before Him and move on and be more and more conformed to His image as I work out my salvation with fear and trembling as Paul instructs, under the power of the Holy Spirit!

Philippians 2:12 (AMP)

So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].

Now, getting back to what Jesus is telling us further in the parable of the ‘Wise and Foolish Builders’ from Luke 6:47-49, let’s examine what wise and foolish is to us as born-again Christians – His Church!

Luke 6:47-49 (NIV)

47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

In the above verses, the Lord describes two types of people!

The one type, the wise ones, hear His words and puts them into practice. The other type, the foolish ones, hear his words but do not put them into practice. Today we are able to both hear and read His word – bearing in mind that Jesus is the Word – the Bible.

John 1:14 (NIV)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

When we put the Word into practice and act upon it to change our lives in accordance with His will, God considers us to be wise and tells us that the foundation of the Word (Jesus) is the only foundation that we can build on as Christians and in this way, we will never be shaken no matter what comes against us – Jesus is our sure foundation, the cornerstone upon which everything holds firm.

Isaiah 54:17 (AMP)

“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed;

And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn.

This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (AMP)

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. 22 In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

When we don’t put the Word into practice and don’t act upon it, God considers us to be foolish, we have no spiritual foundation on which to stand and hold firm and we will be washed away by what the world throws at us through the evil one! Our hearts will become hardened and anaesthetised to sin. This the Bible refers to this as falling away!

Hebrews 6:4-8 (AMP)

4 For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted and consciously experienced the good word of God and the powers of the age (world) to come, 6 and then have fallen away—it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace. 7 For soil that drinks the rain which often falls on it and produces crops useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it persistently produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

The Bible encourages us to not just be readers of the Word but doers of the Word as well – faith without action is no faith at all.

Luke 11:28 (NIV)

He (Jesus) replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

John 13:17 (AMP)

If you know these things, you are blessed [happy and favored by God] if you put them into practice [and faithfully do them].

James 1:22 (NIV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 2:26 (AMP)

For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead.

The Bible tells us to be imitators of Christ yet if we do not obey the Word and put it into practice we will never be conformed to Christ’s image – we will never be able to imitate Him !

Romans 8:29 (NIV)

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

If we are to be imitators of Christ and be conformed to His image, then we need to be serious about obeying God’s Word and practicing God’s Word in our everyday lives. If we fail to put God’s word into practice, then we are at great risk of falling away.

We should be working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Working out our salvation doesn’t only mean repenting of our sin and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour, it also means being doers of the Word and being obedient to it in every way and in this way allowing ourselves to be more and more conformed to His image!

Sadly, I walk among many people who consider themselves to be mature Christians but still swear as part of their everyday speech – this is contrary to God’s Word. They still get drunk and go out and party as the world does – this is contrary to God’s Word. They still hold unbelief and unforgiveness in their hearts – this is contrary to God’s Word. My brothers and sisters this should not be – friendship with the world is enmity with God.

James 3:9-10 (NIV)

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

James 4:4 (AMP)

You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Colossians 3:6-10 (NIV)

7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Ephesians 5:18-19 (NIV)

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

Let us daily renew our minds through the washing of the Word!

Romans 12:2-3

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

Dear brothers and sister in Christ, I implore you to receive the abundant life that God has promised you in Christ Jesus. Read and study the Bible and put its teachings into practice in your life and be continually filled with the knowledge and presence of Jesus and be energised and empowered by His Holy Spirit! Do not become a friend of the world, it will have a disastrous outcome for you – do not become a lukewarm Christian, for a lukewarm Christian is no Christian at all!

Revelation 3:16 (AMP)

So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].

In order for us as born again Christians to call Jesus Lord, we must do what he says!

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit this day and everyday and help me to be a doer of the word and not just a reader. Help me, Lord, to separate myself from the love of worldly things in every way. I recognise Lord Jesus, that apart from you I can do nothing. Change me Lord to be like you, do not let mw become lukewarm and fall away! Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no excuse for you not reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My words are fallible - the Bible is not!

Last update: 24 March 2024.

R

Where do we go when we die?

An intriguing question indeed! Where exactly do we go when we die?

Where do saved, born-again Christians go and where do the lost, unsaved people go when they die?

Let’s examine together what the Bible says!

Right, now there are three parts to this question that we need to look at because God created us in three parts, body, soul and spirit. For more information on how we were created, please read my blog published on 9 May 2021. https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2021/05/how-did-god-create-us-spirit-soul-and.html

What happens to man’s spirit?

Our spirit returns to God, the Father of spirits, who gave it to us. The Bible doesn’t say anything more about man’s spirit after death other than this.

Ecclesiastes 12:7b (NIV)

and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

There are some schools of thought that believe that the human spirit and the soul are one and the same thing but in my opinion I don't see how this is possible. In Gen 2:7 we are told that God breathed life into man and he became a living soul. The Hebrew words for 'breath of God or Spirit of God' and 'living soul' are two completely different words. Please read the explanation below in the section 'What happens to our soul?'

Also the unsaved human soul does not go to heaven on Judgement Day but to Hell.

When we are born, God places of His Spirit in us which is what gives us life. God's spirit within us is our connection to Him but as God gives us freewill to chose salvation through Jesus or not, it is only the saved person who's spirit is energised and becomes born again and is able to have relationship with God through Jesus or Saviour - we become new creations. 

The unsaved person's spirit is not energised by the process of salvation and remains dormant, but the soul becomes more and more corrupt as it continues to deny Christ and live a life of sin. It is the soul that is corrupt not the spirit as the spirit is incorruptible as it belongs to God and returns to Him when we die. God does not consign the human spirit to Hell as it is part of him and is not sinful only the corrupt soul and the body that houses it is consigned to Hell!

Matthew 10:28 (NIV)

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

What happens to the body?

Well, our bodies are perishable, so they decay and return to the ground from which they were made once we are buried or cremated.

Genesis 2:7a (AMP)

then the Lord God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground,

Ecclesiastes 12:7a (AMP)

then the dust [out of which God made man’s body] will return to the earth as it was,

It is only our resurrected bodies that will be imperishable.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (NIV)

42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Everyone will answer to God on Judgement Day! Those who are born-again will receive eternal life in heaven. Those who are not (those who deny Christ) will go to eternal death (eternal separation from God) in Hell! If you deny Christ – be afraid, be very afraid!

Matthew 10:28 (NIV)

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

From the scripture above we can safely say that it is both an unsaved person’s resurrected body and soul that will be consigned to Hell. The human spirit will return to God as mentioned in Ecc 12:7b. The Bible doesn’t say anything further about our spirit after it goes back to God!

On Judgement Day everyone will answer to God for what they have done in their life, whether good or bad. Nobody will escape this judgement, both the dead who will be resurrected and those that are still alive will be judged!

Romans 14:10-12 (AMP)

10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you again, why do you look down on your [believing] brother or regard him with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge]. 11 For it is written [in Scripture],

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,

And every tongue shall give praise to God.”

12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

So, when we die our bodies return to the earth, but on judgement day we will receive a resurrected body, by God through the power of the Holy Spirit and stand before God to give an account of ourselves. The believer (those who have received Jesus as Lord and Saviour and believe in Him) will go to Heaven, the unbeliever (those who deny Jesus and do not believe in Him) will go to Hell.

What happens to our Soul?

Our bodies return to the earth from whence they came but our souls, which are imperishable and came into being when God breathed His spirit into us during the miracle of conception, go to a place the Bible calls Hades or Sheol.

Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

So, let’s now examine the verse above (Gen 2:7) where three distinct and separate things happened.

1. God formed our bodies from the earth!

2. He breathed His Spirit (Hebrew word ruach, meaning ‘Spirit or breath of God’) into us, it is His spirit that He places in each one of us that gives us life!

3. And we become a living being or soul.

The Hebrew word for a ‘living being’ is ‘nephesh’, pronounced ‘neh-fesh’ and its full Hebrew meaning is: a soul, a living being, a life, a self, a person, with desires, passions, appetites and emotions and capable of thinking (Strong’s 5315). From this we can see that the ‘soul’ and the ‘spirit’ are two separate entities although they are very closely aligned whilst in the body but only once a person is born-again.

Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)

For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

It is a man’s spirit that becomes awakened, renewed, to a spiritual life in fellowship with God – the primary purpose for which man was created - when he accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of his life and becomes born-again, a new creation! It is then man’s responsibility to work out his salvation with fear and trembling and bring his soul into submission to the spirit which we can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit – living life in the Spirit (read Romans 8).

Philippians 2:12-13 (AMP)

12 So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. 13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

As already mentioned, the souls of the dead go to a place called Sheol or Hades. Sheol is a Hebrew word meaning ‘the place of the dead’ or ‘place of departed souls’ and the word Hades is the Greek word for the same place.

Now, in Sheol or Hades there are two places, one for the souls of those who are saved and on for the souls of those who are not saved, the lost! Our souls remain there until judgement day when the dead are resurrected.

The souls of those who are saved will be in paradise (some Bible versions refer to this place as Abraham’s bosom) as Jesus said to the repentant thief on the cross next to Him.

Luke 23:43 (NIV)

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The Greek word for paradise used in this scripture is ‘paradeisos’ (pron: par-ad-i-sos, Strong’s 3857) and its full meaning is: a park, a garden, a paradise.

The same root word is used in 2 Cor 12:4 and Rev 2:7.

2 Corinthians 12:3-4 (NIV)

3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

Revelation 2:7 (AMP)

He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.’

We will learn many great and wondrous things in paradise!

The souls of those who are unsaved will await judgement in a far different setting than those who are saved. It is a place of torment, anguish and fire as told in Luke 16.

Luke 16:23-26 (NIV)

23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

John 15:1-8 (NIV)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

What Does God Hate?

 

So, dear readers, before we delve into our topic question, let's have a look at the question you are probably asking yourself right now: “How can a God who is love, hate?”

Well, here we go, this is what I think!

At first appearance it seems like a contradiction in terms that a God who is love can also hate. But that’s exactly what the Bible tells us:

1 John 4:8 (NIV)

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Psalm 5:5b (NIV)

You hate all who do wrong;

So, let’s look at things this way, if God is love than it stands to reason that He would hate anything that is contrary to His love. What is contrary to love? Anything or anyone that is evil and acts contrary to His Word! In this same vein God cannot love evil nor the perpetrators of evil as that would be contrary to His loving nature.

So, the statement, “God hates the sin but loves the sinner” is not Biblical. The only sinner that God loves is the repentant sinner who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. This is why mankind needs a Saviour – it’s all about Jesus! Jesus is the only name by which mankind can be saved! If God loves the unrepentant sinner, then Jesus died for nothing - there would be no need for a Saviour!

Acts 4:11-12 (NIV)

11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,

which has become the cornerstone.’

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

God therefore does not only hate sin but the unrepentant sinner as well.

Psalm 11:5-6 (NIV)

5 The Lord examines the righteous,

but the wicked, those who love violence,

he hates with a passion.

6 On the wicked he will rain

fiery coals and burning sulfur;

a scorching wind will be their lot.

Right, I think right now is a good time for us to look at: “For God so loved the world….”

John 3:16 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

When we examine the word ‘world’ in this verse from the original Greek word we see exactly what God is talking about.

The Greek word for world in the verse is ‘kosmos’ (Strong’s 2889) and it literally means ‘something that is ordered’. God created an orderly universe (He put the sun, moon stars and everything else in place) and an orderly world in which He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This world was in Godly order and man was in order in that he started off living in obedience to God and the Word He had spoken to them. This was the world that God so loved and the reason why He created it!

Proverbs 8:27-29 (NIV)

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,

when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28 when he established the clouds above

and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29 when he gave the sea its boundary

so the waters would not overstep his command,

and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

Now here’s where the ‘but’ comes in, man, because He was disobedient to God, fell into sin and the world and mankind fell into disorder and the world and mankind has been deteriorating ever since. This is the consequence of our sin. This is not the world that God so loved, but He does want His order back again! This is why He gave up His one and only son so that man can receive salvation through Jesus and come back into God’s order!

God has a new heaven and a new earth ready for His children where there will be no sin – Godly order is going to be restored and this order is going to have a place called Hell where the devil and the wicked will reside in torment forever!

Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 20:10 (NIV)

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Matthew 25:41 & 46 (NIV)

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 (NIV)

8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

God hates sin because it opposes His very nature and sin is the work of the devil and unrepentant man in corroboration.

John 8:44 (NIV)

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

God describes sin as wounds and bruises,

Isaiah 1:5-6 (NIV)

5 Why should you be beaten anymore?

Why do you persist in rebellion?

Your whole head is injured,

your whole heart afflicted.

6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head

there is no soundness—

only wounds and welts

and open sores,

not cleansed or bandaged

or soothed with olive oil.

as a burden,

Psalm 38:4 (NIV)

My guilt has overwhelmed me

like a burden too heavy to bear.

as something that corrupts and defiles,

Titus 1:15 (NIV)

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

a heavy debt around one’s neck,

Matthew 6:12-15 (NIV)

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

a stain on our lives,

Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.

and as darkness.

1 John 1:6 (NIV)

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

GOD HATES ALL SIN!

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV)

16 There are six things the Lord hates,

seven that are detestable to him:

17 haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are quick to rush into evil,

19 a false witness who pours out lies

and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

You cannot call yourself a born-again Christian and carry on willfully sinning.

James 4:4 (AMP)

You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Romans 6:1-4 (AMP)

What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow? 2 Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer? 3 Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways].

Dear readers, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us habitually walk in the newness we have in Christ Jesus who died for us, and not live in our old ways – the ways of the world!

Always have the following words from the Apostle Paul close to you and remind yourself of them as often as you can!

Philippians 2:12 (AMP)

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
I ask today in the name of Jesus that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me walk in the ways of Jesus. Help me to shed my old ways and abandon the ways of the world, keep me Lord from sinning against you. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!