The Agapé Road

 

In our Christian lives and Christian walk; which begins when we become born again and have repented of our sin and have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour; from ‘babies’ to ‘maturity’, we walk a road that is ordained by God in His infinite and everlasting agapé love.

As we walk this road (God’s Road for us – what I call The Agapé Road) we often slip and go astray, we deviate from the road that God has willed for us through our sin, yes even as born again believers we still sin, I’m speaking from experience. During these times it becomes necessary for God to discipline us in love in order to bring us back into full fellowship with Him.

In this article I have attempted to show and explain, using scripture, how God’s Road, or way of agapé love leads and guides us in our walk to Christian maturity. I will also attempt to show how his love is all encompassing and is inclusive of His judgement, His justice, His discipline and the things He hates! If we don’t know what He hates, how will we know what to avoid like the plague? God is our everlasting Father, and all His ways are just! His love endures forever!

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (AMP)

3 “For I proclaim the name [and presence] of the Lord;

Ascribe greatness and honor to our God!

4 “The Rock! His work is perfect,

For all His ways are just;

A God of faithfulness without iniquity (injustice),

Just and upright is He.

On The Agapé Road, and if we are really serious about our commitment to follow Jesus as our Lord and saviour, we will encounter with absolute certainty, all aspects of God’s love!

Only those of us that are born again in Christ Jesus are eligible to walk The Agapé Road. The prophet Isaiah describes it as ‘the Way of Holiness.’

Isaiah 35:8-10 (NIV)

8 And a highway will be there;

it will be called the Way of Holiness;

it will be for those who walk on that Way.

The unclean will not journey on it;

wicked fools will not go about on it.

9 No lion will be there,

nor any ravenous beast;

they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,

10 and those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Let’s examine together The Agapé Road in respect of God’s all-embracing love in its four main characteristics! His unconditional love, His discipline in love, His Judgement in Love and the antithesis of His love – what He hates!

1: God’s unconditional love – his everlasting love, grace and mercy.

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.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 

1 Peter 1:3-5 (AMP)

3 Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.

Whenever the New Testament writers are referring to God’s love, they use the Greek word ‘agapē’ – pronounced ‘ag-ah-pay’ which, when expanded to its full meaning, is translated in English as ‘a love that is unconditional, benevolent, charitable and freely given’ - we don’t have to do anything to earn it or give anything in return for it, we just need to receive it.

1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

7 Dear friends, let us love one another (our brothers and sisters in Christ), for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ in this way no matter who they are or what they have done? The love the World tends to display is love that is lustful and of the flesh. It is self-seeking and self-satisfying; in fact it is self-orientated in every way! Quite the exact opposite to the selfless love of God – the love that God expects His Church to display towards each other in Christ Jesus!

As we receive God’s agapē love, so it is our duty as God’s children to show His love to others in all we do as part of our service to Him.

The Apostle Paul says this in 1 Corinthians 14:1 (AMP)

Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people].

Other bible versions say, ‘follow the way of love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts.’ Follow the way of love! Yes, indeed, but not just any kind of love, only God’s love which looks like this:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.

God is love and all that He does is out of love, even His correction, discipline, judgement and what He hates is born out of His perfect agapé love! The Apostle Paul urges us as God’s Church, as His children, to let everything we do be motivated by God’s (agapé) love and if we do not have this kind of love for others then nothing we can do or say will have any kind of true spiritual meaning! We will not be true followers of Christ!

1 Corinthians 16:14 (AMP)

Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

This is the love that brought our salvation to us in Christ Jesus. This is the love that God expects us to have for each other! This is the love that Jesus talks about in Matthew 22:36-40 (AMP):

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 And Jesus replied to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ 40 The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

And if we do not love our Christian family in the way God does, we have a problem! Just have a look at what 1 John 4:20 (AMP) says about this:

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Step 2: God’s discipline

Because God is love He disciplines those He loves, those who are His children and have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and have repented from their sin!

Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[Proverbs 3:11-12]

The Bible describes born-again Christians as God’s children, His sons, and daughters and so He disciplines us in love so that we do not go astray and fall into wickedness once again and to bring us back to Him when we do go astray!

Romans 8:16 (AMP)

The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God.

Proverbs 13:24 (NIV)

Whoever spares the rod hates their children,

but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

So here we see that God’s love involves discipline and, with everything that God does, it is for our benefit!

Now, why does God discipline those that are His?

The answer is quite simple, because His discipline in His love brings out the fruit of peace and righteousness in us which is right standing with God. In other words, it helps us to become more like Jesus and more conformed to the Son’s image! God’s discipline helps us to live a life worthy of our salvation and to live a life that is conformed to the teachings of His Word! God’s discipline shows us the error of sinful living and adjusts our actions back to righteousness in Christ Jesus when we do fall back into the realm of the flesh and deviate from the realm of the Spirit!

Hebrews 12:11 (AMP)

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].

In the verse above the writer of Hebrews uses the word ‘trained’ by God’s discipline. The Greek word for ‘trained’ here is ‘gumnazó’ (pronounced goom-nad-zo) and refers to the way in which a professional and dedicated athlete trains and is trained.

If I can use this analogy. As born again and Spirit filled Christians, we the Church, are members of God’s team. Jesus is our Captain, and the Holy Spirit is our trainer. Just as an athlete is trained according to the trainer’s rigorous programme which includes personal discipline, so too is the Christian when He is disciplined by God under the coaching of the Holy Spirit to keep us in the will of the Father. In this way we are all trained by the Holy Spirit to become an effective and powerful Spirit filled Church that brings glory, honour and praise to Jesus and light to a dark world!

Step 3: God’s judgement

All men, including born again Christians, are born once to die and once to face judgement. We will all have to stand before God and give an account of ourselves.

Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Romans 14:12 (KJV)

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV)

36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

2 Corinthians 5:10 (AMP)

For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].

Step 4: God’s hate

So, let’s look at God’s hate this way, if God is love then 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.

Let’s have a look at what the Psalmist says about God’s relationship with the unrepentant sinner.

Psalm 5:4-5 (AMP)

4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;

No evil [person] dwells with You.

5 The boastful and the arrogant will not stand in Your sight;

You hate all who do evil.

Psalm 5 was written by King David (the man after God’s own heart) and in it, David is praying to God and asking for his help against his (David’s) enemies, and he reminds God of who He is! Hence in verses 4 and 5 he says that God does not tolerate wickedness and He hates all those who do evil

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 (AMP)

11 This Jesus is the stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief Cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”

In Proverbs 6 the author, King Solomon, tells us about the things that God hates. There are seven things he mentions that God hates and that are an abomination to Him.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (AMP)

16 These six things the Lord hates;

Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:

17 A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that creates wicked plans,

Feet that run swiftly to evil,

19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],

And one who spreads discord (rumours) among brothers.

When we look carefully at the seven things mentioned we see that they all stem from one source, the father of sin who is Satan himself!

Proverbs 6 Verse 17

1. Pride:
Satan’s pride was his downfall and the reason why he was expelled from heaven.

Isaiah 14:13-14 (KJV)

13 For thou (Satan) hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

God opposes the proud and gives abundant grace to the humble!

James 4:6 (AMP)

But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”

1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

2. Lying:
One of the titles that the Bible ascribes to Satan is that he is the father of lies. Anybody that lies is not a son of God but the son of the devil!

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.

Do Christians still lie? Yes, I’m afraid we do! Even telling someone you will pray for them, and you don’t, is telling a lie. The Church needs to be very careful in our dealings with each other as well as those outside the Church! It is interesting to note from the above verse that God considers lying to be much the same as committing murder!

Ephesians 4:6 (AMP)

Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ].

We need to pray the words spoken by David in the verse below and include our own lying lips as well when we slip!

Psalm 102:2 (NIV) brackets are mine.

Save me, Lord,

from lying lips (including my own)

and from deceitful tongues (including my own).

3. Shedding innocent blood (Heartless and needless cruelty to others)
Remember the heartless murder by Cain in the Old Testament and Herod in the New Testament.

Genesis 4:8-10 (AMP)

8 Cain talked with Abel his brother [about what God had said]. And when they were [alone, working] in the field, Cain attacked Abel his brother and killed him.

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he [lied and] said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 The Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s [innocent] blood is crying out to Me from the ground [for justice].

Matthew 2:16-18 (NIV)

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,

weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children

and refusing to be comforted,

because they are no more.”[Jeremiah 31:15]

The account found in Matthew is the fulfilment of a prophecy made by the prophet Jeremiah in chapter 31 and verse 15!

Proverbs 6 Verse 18

4. Vicious plotting and scheming – ‘a heart that creates wicked plans.’
The prime example of this Judas Iscariot when the Devil enters him, and he plots and schemes with the Pharisees and other religious leaders to betray Jesus with a kiss on the cheek for thirty pieces of silver! The spirit of Judas is still very much alive to this day – the kiss of the Devil is found in lying lips that plot evil!

Luke 22:3-6 (NIV)

3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

5. Being eager to do evil - feet that rush to do evil
This is someone who is always looking to do evil things rather than good things. Someone who has an evil disposition! This is from the Devil!

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Proverbs 6 Verse 19

6. A False Witness and slanderer
Look what happened to Korah and his followers when he made false statements against Moses and slandered him in front of the Israelites. God brought a swift and terrible retribution and judgement upon them! Who is the father of lies? Satan!

Numbers 16:31-35 (NIV)

31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. 34 At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, “The earth is going to swallow us too!”

35 And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.

Psalm 101:5 (AMP)

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will silence;

The one who has a haughty look and a proud (arrogant) heart I will not tolerate.

7. A divisive person – “a man who stirs up dissension among brothers”
Look how Satan came between God and man in the Garden of Eden by using a snake as his mouthpiece.

Genesis 3:1 (AMP)

Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

A divisive person sows doubt in others about the truth of the Bible and its teachings. The Bible clearly warns us to stay away from such people!

Titus 3:10-11 (AMP)

10 After a first and second warning reject a divisive man [who promotes heresy and causes dissension—ban him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him], 11 well aware that such a person is twisted and is sinning; he is convicted and self-condemned [and is gratified by causing confusion among believers].

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to live my life in accordance with your will. Lord, help me to live and walk on the path that you have willed for my life always and in every way! 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!

The Age of Lawlessness

 What does the Age of Lawlessness look like?

What is Lawlessness?

For a born again Christian this question is easy to answer. If we just look at the above scripture (1 John 3:4) we see that “sin is lawlessness.”

The Greek word for lawlessness here is ‘anomia’ (Strong’s 458) which is pronounced ‘an-om-ee-ah’ and its expanded meaning is: lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience (to God’s Word) and sin which is also disobedience to God’s Word. Anomía ("lawlessness") for all mankind includes the end-impact of law breaking – i.e. its negative influence on a person's soul (man’s status before God).

Lawlessness in man, Biblically speaking, is the showing of complete contempt for God and His law (the Bible) and the rejection of His Son, Jesus, as his Lord and Saviour. Man doing his own ‘thing’ with complete disregard and contempt for all things Godly and other men!

In the book of James, the Lord’s brother gives a strong message to us all, even to us who profess to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, concerning how careful we should be in the way we conduct ourselves and remain obedient to God’s Word and thus the faith we profess!

James 4:17 (NLT)

Remember, it is sin (lawlessness) to know what you (including me and you) ought to do and then not do it.

The above verse is all about born again Christians being obedient and faithful to all aspects of God's Word! 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us always be quick to repent when we slip, say sorry to the Father. Just because we know Jesus as Lord and Saviour doesn’t mean we can continue to sin (willfully) as if we had never known Christ!

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?

Hebrews 6:4-6 (NLT)

4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— 6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.

The Apostle Paul instructs us as born again Christians to have nothing to do with sin but to rather expose it – even more so if it is still in us!

Ephesians 5:11 (NIV)

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

To learn more about what happens when a Christian sins read my blog, 'What happens when born again Christians sin?', published on 4 September 2021. Follow the ling below:

https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2021/09/what-happens-when-born-again-christians.html

How did Jesus describe this lawless age?

In Matthew 24 (Dear Readers, I encourage you to read and study this chapter for yourselves in conjunction with reading this article) Jesus is talking to His disciples on the Mount of Olives and is telling them in detail what the end times will look like. The age of lawlessness is synonymous with the end times.

Before I examine this chapter with you, let me first quote to you some of the sub-headings for the chapter that are found in different Bible versions just to highlight the topic’s intensity.

The NIV has: “The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times.”

The AMP has: “Signs of Christ’s Return.”

And the NLT has: “Jesus Speaks about the Future.”

From these sub-headings we can see that Matthew 24 is a chapter that speaks about the future degeneration of humankind from the time Jesus spoke these words right through to today and tomorrow’s tomorrow – the future until He returns!

Let’s now read, digest and keep in our hearts what our Lord (in the power of the Holy Spirit) says in this chapter from verses 1 – 14, this is expounded up to His words, “then the end will come” so that we will not be deceived in any way by any human pretensions and dispensations both now and in the future!

Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives when His disciples approach Him privately and ask Him what the signs will be for His second coming and of the end of the age? Jesus answers them in some detail which I suspect would have taken the disciples quite by surprise at the seriousness of His response.

This is what he tells them at the time and us today in point form, please do not forget to read and study the chapter for yourselves!

• Verse 4 & 5: Don’t be deceived by those that come claiming to be Him (Jesus).

• Verse 6: We will hear of wars rumours of war – we must not be afraid by this as these things will happen before the end comes – God has ordained it!

• Verse 7: Nation will rise against nation. There will be famines and earthquakes.

• Verse 8: These signs are just the beginning - birth pains as it were!

• Verse 9: Christians will be hated, persecuted, and put to death because of their faith in Jesus. This happened from the time of the Lord’s death on the cross right up until 313 CE when the Edict of Milan put an end to the Roman persecution of Christians. But even up to today Christians are still being persecuted and put to death by the opposers of Christianity in many Islamic and other non-Christian countries and areas!

• Verse 10: Many Christians will turn away from the faith. The great falling away – the Apostasy.

• Verse 11: Many false prophets and teachers will appear.

• Verse 12: Wickedness will increase and the love of many will grow cold.

• Verse 13: If you stand firm to the end, you will be saved.

• Verse 14: Regardless of this the gospel of the kingdom will still be preached to the world – then the end will come!

Now from verses 15 through to the end of the chapter, which is verse 51, Jesus continues his discourse of what the age of lawlessness or the end times will look like with phrases like these:

• ‘the abomination that causes desolation’

• ‘How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!’

• ‘For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.’

•  ‘If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.’ Time is passing quickly!

• ‘For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.’

• ‘For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ‘

• ‘‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky,

• and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

• ‘the Son of Man will come on the clouds.’

• ‘angels will gather His elect.’

• ‘the day and the hour is unknown.’ Only the Father knows.’

• ‘it will be as in the days of Noah.’

• ‘we must be ready now because His coming will be unexpected.’

• ‘there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

So, in Matthew 24, our Lord paints us a very vivid and unmistakable picture of what the age of lawlessness will look like. He shows us clearly how wicked men will behave and how the whole world and even the sun, moon and stars, will be seriously affected!

I don’t know about you, dear Reader, but when I look at this picture and I look at what is happening in the world today, it’s almost like a mirror image.

I would urge you to be ready for Jesus now, for he will come like a thief in the night and without warning! Keep your lamp burning and your oil full! Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

To learn more about working out your salvation please read my blog published on 7 November 2022. Just click on this link:

https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2022/11/work-out-your-salvation-with-fear-and.html

The Great Falling Away – The Apostasy

During this time, the age of lawlessness, the Lord tells us in the below three verses, that many people professing to be Christians will turn their backs on the faith and wickedness will increase and the love of most will grow cold but those of us that stand firm to the end will be saved! Work out your salvation with fear and trembling!

Matthew 24:10-13 (NIV)

10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

The Apostle Paul tells us a similar thing in the verse below, only this time it has been confirmed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit tells us that the teachings man will follow during these times are the teachings of demons and evil spirits!

Beware, my precious brothers and sisters in Christ, do not be deceived!

1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV)

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3 confirms what the Lord tells us about the age of lawlessness and the manner in which people will behave and the devilish characteristics they will display in the below verses:

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.

In verse five above, Paul is very clear in his instruction to us as born again Christians about associating with lawless people, “Avoid such people and keep far away from them.”

What does light have to do with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (NIV)

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

The name Belial comes from the Hebrew word bel'yya'al which means "destruction," and literally "worthless." Bel'yya'al is formed from two Hebrew words b'li "without" + ya'al "use", without any usefulness, wickedness or vile. The Old Testament uses it to describe wickedness as an evil force (Deuteronomy 13:13); later in the New Testament Belial is treated as being a proper name of Satan (2 Corinthians 6:15). There is no harmony between Christ and Satan, Christ and wicked men, Christ and evildoers!

Deuteronomy 13:13 (KJV)

Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

The Man of Lawlessness

The Apostle Paul also tells us in his second letter to the Thessalonians in the two verses below that the apostasy or the great falling away and the revealing of the man of lawlessness (the Antichrist, the son of destruction) will come first and only then will the Lord return! He also gives us a very clear picture of what the Antichrist will do and how he will influence both believers and unbelievers into more and more wickedness! The verses below from the Amplified Bible say it all!

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (AMP)

3 Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], 4 who opposes and exalts himself [so proudly and so insolently] above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he [actually enters and] takes his seat in the temple of God, publicly proclaiming that he himself is God.

So, my dear Readers, my question right at the beginning of this article was, “What Does the Age of Lawlessness Look Like?” 

Well, I’m of the opinion that it looks very much like today – the age we are living in right now! And the days are definitely getting increasingly darker and man more and more depraved and lawless!

What do you think?

Are you ready for Jesus?

Are you living in a manner worthy of the gospel?

Philippians 1:27a (NLT)

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.

Are you working out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Are you quick to repent when you slip, or do you carry on willfully sinning?


Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to live my life steadfastly in accordance with your will and your Word so that I can live in a manner worthy of my salvation in Christ Jesus. Help me Lord to willfully sin less and less and be quick to repent. 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!

Don't Be A Barren Fig Tree Christian!

 

Jesus curses a fig tree

Mark 11:12-14 (NIV)

12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

Matthew 21:18-19 (NIV)

18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

Now, why did Jesus curse the Fig tree?

On reading the above verses for the first few times many years ago my immediate thought at the time was that it was so unlike Jesus, so out of character! Jesus being petulant! Surely not? Cursing a tree just because he was hungry and it had no fruit!

In fact petulance had nothing to do with it and Jesus wasn’t stepping out of character. The answer to why the tree was cursed lies in one having some knowledge of the fig tree and its growth and fruit bearing patterns. Jesus, being who He is, knew all about the growth patterns of fig trees.

There is a very reasonable explanation why Jesus cursed the fig tree even though it wasn’t the season for figs. Jesus as with all His parables was using a physical event that the farming community new all about and turned it into a spiritual event that would teach the crowds something about the Kingdom of God. Jesus also knew that this teaching would teach all his disciples throughout the ages.

Just before the fig producing season, fig trees produce little knobs which are edible but do not taste as good as the proper fig but do provide nourishment. The farmers would allow the poorer members of the community and travellers to eat this pre-fruit as a free service to the community!

In Mark’s version of The Fig Tree, he states in Mk 11:13 ‘The time of the fig is not yet.’ It was just before Passover and about six weeks before the fully formed fig is due to appear. When the fig leaves appear at about the end of March, they are accompanied by a crop of small knobs, called taqsh (tuh-kw aa-sh) in Aramaic, a sort of forerunner of the real figs.

These taqsh are eaten by the poor and travellers passing by when hungry. The taqsh drop off before the real fig is formed if they are not eaten. But if the leaves appear unaccompanied by taqsh, it is a sure sign that the tree would never bear fruit. So it was evident to our Lord, when He turned aside to see if there were any of these taqsh on the fig-tree that the absence of the taqsh meant that there would be no figs when the time of figs came. For all its fair foliage, it was a fruitless and a hopeless tree and of no use to anybody.

Luke 13:6-9 (NIV)

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Now, dear Readers, let’s examine the four verses above (Luke 13:6-9). My first question is, “What was the fig tree doing in the vineyard?”

This was not an uncommon sight in those days and even in the Middle East today. A Fig tree has the same kind of root system as a grape vine. So, a farmer of the day would plant a fig tree where he wanted to start a vineyard before he planted his grape vines, if the fig tree grew well, the farmer would know that the field was ok to start planting grape vines as the soil was good.

The problem with the fig tree that Jesus cursed was that although it looked healthy and had leaves it wasn’t bearing any taqsh, and a fig tree that does not bear tagsh would not bear any figs either, so it was no good, it was only good for uprooting and putting on the fire! You see, the fig tree that Jesus cursed had all the appearances of being a good fruit bearing tree, it looked healthy because it had great looking leaves etc.

But……………..it would never bear fruit even though the gardener or the farmer had tended it for a number of years and had fed it fertiliser! It looked good but it was useless, it would serve no purpose in its life!

Consequently, the next day the tree had withered and died!

Mark 11:20-21 (KJV)

20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

What can we learn from this today?

Very often we as Christians bluff ourselves and others that we are the real Christian deal. We have all the outward appearance of being a great fruit bearing tree – but behind our leaves (masks) we are barren and useless.

We can fool most of the people most of the time – but we can never fool God. We cannot hide anything about ourselves from God!

Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Psalm 139:7-12 (NIV)

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.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,”

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

Jesus is the vine and the Father is the gardener.

John 15:1-8

“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.

Let’s examine the eight verses from John 15:1-8 above keeping in mind the cursed fig tree and that the setting is a vineyard. Jesus is there with his disciples and other followers.

In verse 1 Jesus tells us that he is the true vine, and that God the Father is the gardener – God is the one tends us and provides for us, but only if we are in the true vine, Jesus His Son, only if we are a branch connected to (in) Jesus by the Holy Spirit. This means that only if we are born again, have repented from our old life of sin, and have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.

In verse two He tells us two very important things that should blow your socks off!

1. God cuts off every branch in Jesus that bears no fruit!
2. Every branch that does bear fruit, God prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Sometimes this pruning can be a painful process depending on how much we resist Him!

In verses 3-5 Jesus commands us to remain in Him because unless we remain in Him it will be impossible for us to bear any fruit. If we are not bearing fruit there is a good chance that we could fall away and become apostates, an apostate is someone who once believed and then totally rejects the truth of God and His Word or at the very least is neither hot nor cold!

In verse 6 Jesus tells us that if we do not remain in him and do not bear fruit, like the fig tree, we will be cut out and thrown into the fire to be burned.

In verse 7 Jesus tells us that if we remain in Him and in His words (The Bible) our prayers will be answered!

And of course, as I have mentioned before, in verse 8 Jesus tells us that it is to the Father’s glory that we bear much fruit, and this will prove us to be Jesus’ true disciples! Awesome!

God has predestined each one of us to do good works in the Spirit. He expects us to bear much good fruit. If we are not a good fruit bearing disciple and collective Church, we run the risk of being cut off and thrown into the fire! (John 15:6)

Ephesians 2:8-10 (AMP)

8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. 10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

As a born again Christian what kind of fruit are you bearing if any?

How do I bear good fruit?

Well, to me it stands to reason that the best and perhaps only place for a Christian to start bearing fruit after becoming born again is with the fruit of the Spirit! If we do this, it will be impossible for us to go wrong! Live by the Spirit always!

Galatians 5:22-26 (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. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

In everything that God tells you to do and in all your dealings with people, do everything in love, without grumbling and apply the fruit of the Spirit in all your ways!

1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV)

Do everything in love.

Now take the example of the barren fig tree and examine yourself as a Christian.

Are you bearing fruit? Are you producing good fruit, bad fruit or no fruit at all?

Mt 7:20 says, “Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them.”

A fruit tree that bears no fruit is just as bad as a fruit tree that bears bad fruit.

Mt 7:19 says. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

It will be very good for you my dear reader to study Mt 7:15-23 and question yourself and your Christian walk in all honesty. We can’t bluff God and He will not be mocked!

Mt 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

If you have any hidden and unconfessed sin in your life, now is the time to ask God to deal with you!

Make no mistake we have entered the times when He will cleanse His Church – no sin can enter heaven.

Eph 5: 26, 27 says, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

2 Pe 3:13 & 14 says, “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

This is what the Lord said to the Church in Philadelphia:

Rev 3:16

So because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Remember what happened to the fig tree – it withered and died. Don’t let that happen to you!

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to live my life in accordance with your will. Lord, help me to bear much fruit that I may bring glory to your name and help build up and edify others. Lord, let me not become a barren fig tree Christian. 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!

Work Out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling!

 

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].

In the verse above the Apostle Paul tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Paul starts this verse by saying “So then,” this phrase can also be translated as “Therefore” and both terms mean that because of what he has just said, in verses 1 – 11, we must continue to be obedient and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

So, let’s now do a summary of what Paul tells us in verses 1 – 11 so that that verse 12 and onwards can come into perspective! It would be good for you to have your Bibles open to Philippians 2 so that you can verify what I'm saying.

Verses 1 – 11 are all about us, each individual born again believer, actively developing Christ’s characteristics. Being like Him, having the same attitude in life as he had and imitating Him and following his lifestyle of humility. And doing all this if we truly love Him and want to be in unity with Him in the power of the Holy Spirit.

These are the characteristic of Christ we should be imitating:

Verse 2

• Being likeminded

• Having the same love

• Being one in spirit and mind

Verse 3

• Doing nothing out of selfish ambition

• or vain conceit

• In humility value others above yourself

Verse 4

• Looking to the best interest of others before your own

Verse 5: In our relationships with each other

• Have the same mindset as Christ

This mindset is:

Verse 6 True humility and servanthood.

• Although being equal to God he did not consider this to be taken advantage of for himself

Verse 7

• By making Himself nothing He took on the nature of a servant

Verse 8

• He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death on the cross

Verse 9 - 11
Because of the Lord’s humility and obedience God exalted him above all things and gave him the Name above all names and at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord in heaven and on earth!

And if we, born again Christians, diligently and humbly remain in Jesus and earnestly seek to imitate Him in every way, working out our salvation, God will raise us up to our final heavenly resting place to dwell with Him for eternity!

1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Now that we have set the scene, dear Readers, let’s now examine today’s topic from verse 12, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling!”

Paul starts verse twelve of Philippians 2 like this, “Therefore, my dear friends….” or “So then, my dear ones….”

This means because of what he has told us in verses 1 – 11, and by developing the characteristics of Christ in ourselves, we must “continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.”

Now, just to clarify things, the term “to work out our salvation” here has nothing to do with doing good works to earn our salvation. Our salvation is a free gift from God that we receive when we repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and follow His ways and teachings in the Bible, that is, when we are born again!

John 3:3 & 5-7 (NIV)

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

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.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

So, now that I’ve got that clarified, “to work out your salvation” in this context is all about you, as a born gain Christian, developing yourself on your walk to Christian maturity by imitating Christ, as scripture tells us to, and allowing the Holy Spirit to develop Christ’s characteristics within us by our willing obedience to God and His Word!

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT)

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

1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

(To find out more about the Christian’s walk to maturity read my blog published on 25 April 2021 “From Milk to Meat: The Christian Path to Spiritual Maturity.” Just click on the link: https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2021/04/from-milk-to-meat-christian-path-to.html)

Now, looking at the term ‘work out’ in respect to our spiritual walk to maturity in our salvation it comes from the Greek word ‘katergazomai (kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee – Strong’s 2716) and its full meaning besides to work out is, to achieve by application (applying the Word of God to our lives), to bring about (the characteristics of Jesus in ourselves), to perform (in a manner worthy of our salvation), to prepare ourselves (for the Lord’s coming), to produce (good fruit in our lives), to be committed (as a servant of Christ) and effecting change in ourselves (allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in our lifestyles and actions, being truly obedient to the Bible).

Working out our salvation means that a born again Christian needs to become more and more reliant on the leading of the Holy Spirit rather than giving in to fleshly desires and relapsing into our old selves!

Galatians 5:16-17 (AMP)

But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. 17 For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.

When we look at the phrase ‘with fear and trembling’ in terms of what Paul shows us in verses 1 – 11 we come to understand that fear and trembling is used in the context of a Christian having a reverent fear of God which is born out of our love for him and a fear that genuinely does not want to do anything that will be offensive to Him or discredit Christ in any way (Php 2:12 AMP above)!

This context of fear lines up with the Hebrew word for fear that the Old Testament writers use when referring to the fear of God. This is the word ‘yirah’ (pron: yir-aw – Strong’s 3373) and its expanded meaning is: a morally reverent fear. It is a fear that inspires awe and aspiration and is not a destructive, cowardly and controlling fear. It is a fear that all Christians should have for their creator and the author of their salvation.

It is a reverent fear that we need to hold on to tooth and nail. It is a fear that will prevent us from doing evil and ensure us being obedient to His Word in all things because we don’t want to disobey our Father in Heaven. He is an awesome God, and His love endures forever!

Such fear protects us against temptation and sin and gives us motivation for obedient, righteous living. Being daily more and more conformed to Christ’s image!

For more information on the fear of God please read my blog “Embracing the Fear of God” published on 20 April 2021. Just follow this link: https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2021/04/embracing-fear-of-god.html

This is the fear that the writer of Proverbs is refers to here:

Proverbs 1:7 (AMP)

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];

But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

And in

Proverbs 9:10 (AMP)

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

And trembling, from the Greek word ‘tromos’ from which we get our English word tremor, is also a reverent trembling we should have when we think of how awesome our God is and how awesome is His Word (Jesus)!

Isaiah 66:1-2 (AMP)

This is what the Lord says,

“Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool.

Where, then, is a house that you could build for Me?

And where will My resting place be?

2 “For all these things My hand has made,

So all these things came into being [by and for Me],” declares the Lord.

“But to this one I will look [graciously],

To him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word and honors My commands.

Although we as born again Christians are forgiven, God nevertheless holds as accountable for our acts of disobedience and the sin that we commit and will commit! We still have the responsibility to walk to Christian maturity and to be conformed more and more into Christ’s image. This means ever striving to be obedient to the Word and its teachings and ever coming before him to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness when we do slip into our fleshly desires. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!

This is what the Apostle John says to the Church, the believers, those who are already born again!

1 John 1:8-10 (AMP)

8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] 9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. 10 If we say that we have not sinned [refusing to admit acts of sin], we make Him [out to be] a liar [by contradicting Him] and His word is not in us.

The Apostle Paul was also a man who was very much aware of his weaknesses and was not afraid to admit it. We too should always be aware of our weaknesses and be quick to repent and say sorry to the Father in Jesus’ name when we sin.

1 Corinthians 2:3 (NIV)

I (Paul) came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling

Such fear involves having a sensitive conscience, and always being on guard against temptation. It necessitates opposing self-pride and being constantly aware of the deceitfulness of one’s heart, as well as of the subtlety and strength of one’s inner corruption. It involves walking in true humility and full submission God.

Believers should have a serious dread of committing sin and a humble yearning for what is right before God. Being aware of our weakness and the power of temptation, we should fear falling into sin and thereby grieving the Lord. Godly fear not only protects us from sinning, but also protects us from wrongfully influencing our fellow believers.

To have such godly fear and trembling involves more than merely acknowledging one’s sinfulness and spiritual weakness. It is a solemn, reverential fear that comes from our deep adoration and love of God.

It is a fear that acknowledges that every sin is an offense against a holy God and produces in us a sincere desire not to offend and grieve Him, but to obey, honour, please, and glorify Jesus in all things. Those who fear the Lord willingly accept the Lord’s chastening, knowing that God “disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.”

Hebrews 12:10b (NIV)

but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

The principle of working out one’s own salvation is an individual’s personal responsibility to conduct his Christian walk in a manner pleasing to God which pivots around our faithful and obedient daily living in the Spirit. Working out one’s salvation requires commitment to God and perseverance through life’s trials and tribulations and of one’s faithful obedience to the end. Until Jesus returns.

Our salvation has three time stages: a past, a present, and a future.

The past is that of justification, when a believer repents from their sinful ways and places their faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and is redeemed by the blood of Jesus which reconciles us with God.

The present is the sanctification process of the believer, their walk on the path to Spiritual maturity, the time between a believer’s justification and his earthly death or the Rapture, whichever comes first.

The future stage is glorification, when salvation is completed, and we have run our race and then at the rapture we are either taken up by Jesus if we are still on earth or resurrected if we have died. We receive our glorified bodies all by the power of the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead!

Romans 8:11 (NIV)

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Believers therefore have been saved, are being saved, and will be saved.

Shine brightly for Jesus!

Therefore, my dear readers, work out your salvation with fear and trembling in the power of the Holy Spirit and let your light shine brightly before men, do everything in love and without grumbling and complaining as the world does and you will bring glory to Jesus! Let the Word of God be written indelibly upon your hearts!

Matthew 5:14-16 (AMP)

14 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to live and grow in holiness and godliness and to work pout my salvation in fear and trembling. Help me to be quick to repent of my sinful actions and let no unconfessed sin lie hidden within me. Help me to remain steadfast and true in the teachings of the Bible in the power of your Holy Spirit that I may bring glory to 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 reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

Digging into Peter - Part 8: 2 Peter 3 Judgement Day is Coming

 

Background to the Books of 1 & 2 Peter

The historical indications are that these two books of the Bible were written when the Apostle Peter was in Rome. Peter was writing to the Church, both Jew and Gentile converts that had been scattered through Asia through persecution. Paul was writing to those that were exiled in what today is known as Northwest Turkey.

Both letters are written in a very warm, loving and caring way – a Pastor taking care of his congregation.

Believing the Bible and putting it into practice – allowing it to change us.

2 Peter chapter 3 - ESV (the verses from 2 Peter 3 are in light italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in light, straight text with additional scriptures from other Bible books in bold italics)

Dear Readers
2 Peter 3 is the last chapter of the two letters (1 and 2 Peter) that Peter wrote to the Church of the day and sadly these were the last and only letters he wrote to the Church before he was crucified on the orders or the Roman Emperor Nero in about 64 CE. And consequently, this is the last article in my series ‘Digging into Peter.’

I hope you have enjoyed reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them – the Holy Spirit has taught me much in writing them and I sincerely hope that He has done the same for you in reading them! All glory to Jesus!

God bless you!

Ray

The Purpose of Peter’s Two Letters

1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,

In these first two verses Peter reminds us that he has written his two letters (1 and 2 Peter) to encourage us in our faith and to remind us that the coming of Jesus (The Messiah) was prophesied from days long ago through the Old Testament prophets and also through the teachings of our Lord himself and the Apostles. Jesus came to fulfil all prophecy for His testimony is the Spirit of prophecy, and He is the fulfilment of the Law which man is unable to keep.

Revelation 19:10b (AMP)

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [His life and teaching are the heart of prophecy].”

Matthew 5:17 (NIV)

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

In the last days many scoffers of the things of God will come

3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

The Greek word for ‘scoffers’ in verse three is ‘empaiktés’ (pronounced emp-aheek-tace – Strong’s 1703) and means a scoffer or a mocker, and by implication a false prophet or teacher.

In verses 3 -7 above Peter points out five things that he wants the Church to remember at all times. These are:

• In the last days scoffers and mockers will come, following their own evil desires

• They will say, “Where is this Lord who you say is coming? You’ve been saying this for centuries!

• They deliberately overlook that the heavens existed long ago and that the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God (Jesus)!

Genesis 1:1-3 (AMP)

1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

John 1:1-3 (AMP)

1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.

• They overlook that in the days of Noah the earth was destroyed by water – deluged!

• They overlook that on judgement day today’s world will be destroyed by fire and the ungodly cast into Hell.

Peter wants us to particularly remember these five things so that we will not be led astray by false prophets and teachers, especially in these last days!

God is spirit and lives outside of time in the realm of eternity

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

In verses 8 – 10 Peter reminds us that God lives outside of our earthly time constraints and one day for Him could be a thousand years to us and vice versa. So, He is not slow to keep His promise as we know it! Jesus will return to judge mankind (this is not the rapture return this is Judgement Day) in God’s ‘soon’ not ours! God has infinite patience and does not wish anyone to perish but there is going to come a time when He will bring judgement upon the earth and all mankind! Only the Father knows this time!

Jesus will come to judge mankind like a thief comes, without warning!

Matthew 24:36 (NIV)

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Matthew 24:44 (NIV)

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

What sort of people must we be in readiness for our judgement day. What must the Church look like for the rapture?

11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

In verse 11 above Peter asks the Church, “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness (Firstly being rapture ready), (and secondly) waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God –Judgement Day?”

(For more information on what holiness and godliness is please read my blog ‘What is Holiness?’ published on 18 July 2022. Click on this link: https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-is-holiness.html).

Peter tells us we should be ‘hastening’ Judgement Day – the day of God. We should be praying for this day to come having an earnest desire for it to arrive as also we should be praying for the rapture of the Church!

When this day arrives, the passing of the old forever, we, the Church, will receive the promise of a new heavens and a new earth! On this day the whole (new) earth will be filled with God’s glory and His righteousness! What a day this will be for us Church – living in the midst of our God!

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.”

14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

In verses 14 – 18 above Peter continues in telling us what sort of people we should be in our lives of holiness and godliness – being rapture ready.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 AMP)

16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the [blast of the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord! 18 Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words [concerning our reunion with believers who have died].

Peter goes on to say that we should be diligent to be found by the Lord, when He comes for His Church at the rapture, to be without spot or blemish and at peace. Now what does this mean for us in real terms?

Without spot or blemish:
The Greek word for this is ‘aspilos’ (pronounced as'-pee-los – Strong’s 784) and its expanded meaning is unstained, undefiled, spotless, pure, untainted, morally unblemished and fully acceptable to God.

In other words, without sin and not steeped in the sins or in the likeness of the world. Remember that Peter is addressing the saved not the unsaved so we, the Church, must not be in willful sin in any way and obedient to the Word in all ways! We mustn’t still be swearing, getting drunk and other things that many of today’s Christians are still doing even though they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. We must be working out our salvation with fear and trembling! Let’s not act offensively towards God or discredit the name of Jesus! God is our Father in Heaven!

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].

And at peace:
The Greek word for peace here is eiréné (pronounced i-ray'-nay – Strong’s 1515) and its expanded meaning is to be as one with others (believers), to be at peace with oneself (having peace of mind), quietness, rest.

In its Hebrew sense, peace or ‘shalom’ was used as a common farewell blessing to others with the connotation of God's blessing of good health and welfare being bestowed on the individual you were departing from.

It is the peace that comes to us from the Lord that passes all understanding and the peace that comes from our salvation in Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to remain in Him as we look to Jesus to see us through the trials, tribulations and temptations of life – to be overcomers and conquerors to the end!

Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:37 (AMP)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].

In verses 15 and 16 Peter gives a glowing endorsement to the teachings and writings of the Apostle Paul and encourages us to also take to heart Paul’s teachings to the glory of Jesus. Let’s do it Church!

And in the final two verses of this chapter and of the entire letter as well, Peter reiterates that we must not let ourselves be drawn away from the truth of Jesus and His Word, especially in the last days, by the lies and deceit of false prophets and teachers. And to grow in the love, grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to live and grow in holiness and godliness. Help me to be quick to repent of my sinful actions and let no unconfessed sin lie hidden within me. Help me to remain steadfast and true in the teachings of the Bible in the power of your Holy Spirit that I may bring glory to 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 reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!