The Christian Life In Reality
(Will You Accept The Truth?)
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Christians are in an intense struggle against sin (Heb. 12:4).
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:4 KJV)
Evil is trying to overcome us but we can overcome it by good (Rom. 12:21).
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21 KJV)
We must be an overcomer in the end to inherit God’s kingdom and escape the lake of fire (Rev. 21:1-8).
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:1-8 KJV)
We might have to shed our blood (Heb. 12:4) and die a martyr to overcome (Rev. 12:11).
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:4 KJV)
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11 KJV)
If we disown Jesus, he’ll disown us (Mt. 10:33).
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:33 KJV)
It is possible to again get tangled in sin and be overcome by it (2 Pet. 2:20; 1 Tim. 5:11).
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (2 Peter 2:20 KJV)
But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; (1 Timothy 5:11 KJV)
Our current spiritual battle is for spiritual life or death itself (Rom. 8:13; James 5:19,20; Lk. 15:24; etc.).
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13 KJV)
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20 KJV)
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:24 KJV)
We are told to put forth every effort to enter the narrow door, for many will try to enter but will not be able to (Lk. 13:24), and put forth every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with God (2 Pet. 3:14).
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Luke 13:24 KJV)
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2 Peter 3:14 KJV)
There will be many deceived by false prophets (Mt. 24:11).
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11 KJV)
Many will turn away from the truth (2 Tim. 4:3,4).
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV)
Many will be deceived by false teachers declaring heresies (2 Pet. 2:1,2).
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (2 Peter 2:1-2 KJV)
People will be deceived by satanic miracles (Rev. 19:20; 2 Thess. 2:9-12).
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20 KJV)
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 KJV)
We are to add to our faith various virtues to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:5-10).
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2 Peter 1:5-10 KJV)
We must continue in God’s kindness or we will be cut off from spiritual life (Rom. 11:20-22).
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:20-22 KJV)
We must continue in the teaching of Jesus to have God (2 Jn. 9).
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9 KJV)
We must persevere under trial to receive the crown of life (James 1:12).
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12 KJV)
We must bring forth good fruit or we’ll be cut down and thrown in the fire (Jn. 15:1-6; Lk. 13:6-9).
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:1-6 KJV)
He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. (Luke 13:6-9 KJV)
The lukewarm will be spued out of Jesus’ body (Rev. 3:15,16).
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16 KJV)
Only a few (the minority) at Sardis didn’t soil their spiritual clothes and were still worthy to walk with Jesus (Rev. 3:4,5).
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:4-5 KJV)
It is our personal responsibility—not God’s—to keep our lamps burning (Lk. 12:35), keep ourselves pure (1 Tim. 5:22), keep ourselves from idols (1 Jn. 5:21) and keep ourselves from the spiritual pollutants of this world (James 1:26,27).
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; (Luke 12:35 KJV)
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22 KJV)
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 John 5:21 KJV)
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:26-27 KJV)
It is possible to quickly turn away from God (1 Tim. 5:15; Gal. 1:6), return to sin and go back as a dog to his vomit or a washed sow to the mud again (2 Pet. 2:22).
For some are already turned aside after Satan. (1 Timothy 5:15 KJV)
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (Galatians 1:6 KJV)
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (2 Peter 2:22 KJV)
We must keep God’s word not to die spiritually (Jn. 8:51).
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. (John 8:51 KJV)
Jesus is eternal salvation only for those who obey him (Heb. 5:9).
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:9 KJV)
Only those who do God’s will shall enter God’s kingdom (Mt. 7:21).
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21 KJV)
We have to put into practice God’s word to be the Lord’s spiritual family (Lk. 8:21).
And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. (Luke 8:21 KJV)
If we forsake God, he will forsake us (2 Chron. 15:2).
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. (2 Chronicles 15:2 KJV)
After initial salvation we are to be afraid of God, who can destroy both our body and soul in hell (Mt. 10:28; Lk. 12:4,5).
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 KJV)
And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. (Luke 12:4-5 KJV)
It is hard for the righteous to be saved (1 Pet. 4:18; Mt. 7:14).
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (1 Peter 4:18 KJV)
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:14 KJV)
Even the apostle Judas Iscariot lost his salvation (Mt. 10:1-4 cf. Mk. 14:21; Jn. 17:12) and the Lord’s original disciples, who were trying to be the greatest in the kingdom, would have to change to enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 18:1-3).
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. (Matthew 10:1-4 KJV)
The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. (Mark 14:21 KJV)
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:21 KJV)
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:1-3 KJV)
To think you are standing firm is to be set up for a spiritual fall (1 Cor. 10:12) and to be arrogant (Rom. 11:20).
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12 KJV)
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (Romans 11:20 KJV)
God opposes the arrogant (1 Pet. 5:5).
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5 KJV)
Without holiness and a pure heart at death, no one will see God (Heb. 12:14; Mt. 5:8; Rev. 20:6).
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14 KJV)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8 KJV)
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6 KJV)
We have to persist in doing good to get eternal life (Rom. 2:6-8) and sow to please the Spirit of God to reap eternal life (Gal. 6:8,9).
Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (Romans 2:6-8 KJV)
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:8-9 KJV)
Bad company corrupts good character (1 Cor. 15:33), so we must be careful with our friends and who teaches us.
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV)
We need to avoid every kind of evil (1 Thess. 5:22) and that includes certain people, places and things.
Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV)
It’s possible to believe in vain (1 Cor. 15:2), cease believing (Lk. 8:13) and have our faith shipwrecked and destroyed (1 Tim. 1:19; 2 Tim. 2:18).
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:2 KJV)
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13 KJV)
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (1 Timothy 1:19 KJV)
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:18 KJV)
We can also fall away (Heb. 6:6; Lk. 8:13) and no longer be known by Jesus after we had a burning spiritual lamp (Mt. 25:12).
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:6 KJV)
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13 KJV)
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matthew 25:12 KJV)
If we take words away from God’s book of prophecy, he will take our share of the holy city away from us (Rev. 22:19).
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:19 KJV)
Loving God is a salvation issue (James 2:5; 1 Cor. 2:9), which is the same as obeying God (Jn. 14:15, 21,23).
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:5 KJV)
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV)
If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15 KJV)
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21 KJV)
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23 KJV)
Being faithful to God (Rev. 2:10,11) is also a salvation issue.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:10-11 KJV)
God will take our talent back if we do not bring forth gain (Mt. 25:28) and have us cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mt. 25:30), which is a description of the fiery furnace (Mt. 13:41,42; 13:49,50; 8:12) and not a place in heaven like the heretical eternal security teachers want us to believe.
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. (Matthew 25:28 KJV)
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:41-42 KJV)
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:49-50 KJV)
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12 KJV)
If we don’t forgive others who sin against us, we will not be forgiven (Mt. 6:14,15; 18:34,35).
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 KJV)
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:34-35 KJV)
We must follow Jesus to have the light of life (Jn. 8:12).
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 KJV)
If we defile our bodily temple, God will destroy us (1 Cor. 3:17).
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3:17 KJV)
If we become a friend of this world we also become God’s enemy (James 4:4), and raging fire will consume God’s enemies (Heb. 10:27).
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:27 KJV)
We must come out from the world and be separate to be received by God (2 Cor. 6:14-17).
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:14-17 KJV)
We must endure to the end through persecutions to be saved (Mt. 10:22).
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 10:22 KJV)
We can have the Spirit of God leave us (1 Sam. 16:14; Heb. 3:6).
And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD. (1 Samuel 6:14 KJV)
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6 KJV)
We are told to hold on to what we have so that no one will take our crown (Rev. 3:11), and hold to our courage and the hope which we profess (Heb. 3:6).
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11 KJV)
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6 KJV)
The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev 21:8).
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8 KJV)
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God (Eph 5:5).
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:5 KJV)
The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God, that is, the fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9,10).
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV)
Even hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like can cause one not to inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:19-21).
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 KJV)
To think we can sow to please the flesh and reap eternal life is an indirect evil attempt to mock God and to be deceived (Gal. 6:7-9).
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:7-9 KJV)
The devil is not in hell now, but is trying to devour us (1 Pet. 5:8,9), and we must resist him to have him flee (James 4:7).
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV)
We must put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil (Eph. 6:11).
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11 KJV)
There are no secret sins, motives or thoughts before God (Heb. 4:13).
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13 KJV)
It has always been impossible to sin and get away with it, even for the angels (2 Pet. 2:4-9).
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2 Peter 2:4-9 KJV)
It is better to cut your hand or foot off and gouge your eye out than for sin to drag you into eternal hell fire (Mk. 9:43-48).
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:43-48 KJV)
It is righteousness which delivers from spiritual death (Prov. 10:2; 11:4), and the righteous are those who do what is right (1 Jn. 3:7).
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. (Proverbs 10:2 KJV)
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. (Proverbs 11:4 KJV)
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. (1 John 3:7 KJV)
Those who do what is sinful are from the devil (1 Jn. 3:8).
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8 KJV)
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands (1 John 2:3).
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (1 John 2:3 KJV)
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4).
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4 KJV)
The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25).
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (John 12:25 KJV)
We can develop a sinful and unbelieving heart which turns away from God (Heb. 3:12).
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12 KJV)
To share in Christ, we must hold firm till the end the confidence we had at first (Heb. 3:14).
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (Hebrews 3:14 KJV)
To continue to remain in the Son, we will have to see to it that what we have heard from the beginning remains in us (1 Jn. 2:24,25).
Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. (1 John 2:24-25 KJV)
According to true grace teaching, eternal life is also a hope (Titus 3:7), yet to be reaped (Gal. 6:8,9), in the age to come (Mk. 10:30) for only those who persist in doing good (Rom. 2:7), and do not grow weary and give up (Gal. 6:9).
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7 KJV)
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:8-9 KJV) But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:30 KJV)
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (Romans 2:7 KJV)
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9 KJV)
The most righteous man on earth, at one point, was blameless, upright, feared the Lord and shunned evil (Job 1:8). God esteems: him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at his word (Isa 66:2).
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (Job 1:8 KJV)
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isaiah 66:2 KJV)