Oblivious

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

 

Our society is continuing on a path, a path that is contrary to our Creator, one that is on the broad path (Matthew 7:13), leading to the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:15).  This path have those who have been given some sort of false Gospel message, presenting to them that they are assured to go to Heaven, when true Salvation is absent, as well as an increasing number of people who simply have decided to continue on what seems to be right to them, but the end of it is the ways of death.

 

There is a war going on, this war began with Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and is near it’s ultimate culmination stage, on that should have anyone who considers such a thing, to REALLY consider their ways, are they part of this deception?!

 

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who leads the whole world astray; he was cast out onto the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”  Revelation 12:9 

 

The Bible already tells us the future to what is going to happen and what is happening.  The apostasy (2 Peter 3:3; 2 Timothy 3:1) is in full bloom, getting worse each year, the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37) and the days of Lot (Luke 17:28) are upon us.  Society is truly getting worse and worse (2 Timothy 3:13). 

 

The culmination of what we can readily see, those of us who have ‘eyes to see’ and ‘ears to hear’ is readily apparent to anyone barely paying attention.   They have been warned and will continue to be warned, as the Lord leads, through radio ministry and articles posted to the website.  For this purpose, my attention is turning squarely at those who do claim to have eyes to see and ears to hear, to those who profess faith in Christ, who express genuine Salvation, who have repented towards God and by faith believe into Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior (Acts 20:21).  This study is focused on those people only.  We will save the emergency life preserver to be tossed to those who need it and are willing to grab onto it in the future, for now focusing on those who are Saved to stay on the firm foundation (2 Timothy 2:19) and keep focused on ‘watching and being ready’ (Luke 12:37 & 40) so that they are able to stand against the ‘wiles of the devil’ (Ephesians 6:11) for we are not ignorant (2 Corinthians 2:11) of what is going on, however, we need to be aware of what is happening in our country and around the world.

 

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”  Matthew 10:16

 

All around us Bible prophecy has been fulfilled and will be fulfilled, as God has spoken (Isaiah 14:24).  The Bible is quite clear that the days proceeding the Rapture of the Church will be like the ‘days of Noah’ and the ‘days of Lot’.  Simply Israel becoming a country again is by far the most impressive future fulfilled prophecy that shows how close we are!

 

“The hand of Jehovah was upon me and brought me out by the Spirit of Jehovah, and made me rest in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.  Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.  And He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live? So I answered, O Lord Jehovah, You know.  Again He said to me, Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the Word of Jehovah!  Thus says the Lord Jehovah to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.  I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. And you shall know that I am Jehovah.  So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a shaking; and the bones came together, bone to its bone.  And as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.  Then He said to me, Prophesy to the spirit; prophesy, son of man, and say to the spirit, Thus says the Lord Jehovah: Come from the four winds, O spirit, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.  So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the spirit came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.  Then He said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!  Therefore prophesy and say to them, Thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.  And you shall know that I am Jehovah, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up out of your graves.  I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. And you shall know that I, Jehovah, have spoken it and performed it, says Jehovah.”  Ezekiel 37:1-14

 

A couple of weeks ago it was very hot in Rapid City, South Dakota.  We live in a small home in town, without air conditioning.  So I decided to take the family to a few retail stores to browse around, in the comfort of their climate control, as the temperature had crossed the 100 degree mark. 

 

Eventually we made it to the mall and decided to walk around for about an hour, amongst other people who seemed to be doing the same, as the mall was fairly busy, but with fewer apparent shoppers compared to the amount of people.  As a Christian, as a husband, as a father, my duty is to ensure that our family stays away from the evil and focuses on the good, wholeheartedly following the Bible, serving Christ, in all regards.

 

This means that there are some differences between the regular family that might be seen and ours.

 

Our entertainment choices are different.  We don’t flock to the newest movie coming out in the theatre.  We don’t watch or rent movies that are despicable before God Almighty.  We don’t listen to the latest pop hits, aside from that which we can hear in places like the mall, Walmart or any other grocery store/business.  Our television watching is slim and limited to cooking, woodworking, sewing and other types of benign shows that one might find on a PBS station. 

 

Our education choices are different.  We homeschool both of our children using material purchased from a Christian worldview, one that largely honors God and upholds His truths of Creation.  Both kids still learn the skills required in this world, math, English, history, etc., there is no bias regarding the curriculum, from a Christian viewpoint, though those of the world would be quick to say that the ‘sheltering’ is limiting their potential – EXACTLY.

 

You see God tells us to separate ourselves from the things of the world (2 Corinthians 6:17), we are set aside for Him, through Christ, to be a holy and separate people, to be honoring to Him, to serve Him.

 

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also become holy in all conduct, because it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.”  1st Peter 1:13-16

 

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so persistently harasses us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

 

Our means of dress are different, though probably not as conservative as some would have us be.  Nonetheless, we do not allow immodest clothing, unbiblical sayings, the latest worldly trends, but focus on that which does not have the appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22), nor purposely cause the ‘lust of the eyes’ (1 John 2:16) to be an additional temptation to the passer-bys. 

 

Sometimes mistakes can be made, ignorant judgments of error, doing things without the understanding of how far away from God the world has come.  One of those errors was made earlier this year, at the circus.

 

With the circus in town, I decided to purchase tickets for the whole family and attend one afternoon.  I had been to the circus a couple of times when I was a youth, as well as my wife having went once when she was young.  The wild animals, the clowns, the acrobats, the stunts, these were the things I remembered.  Knowing that not everything would be wholesome, the assumption was that overall it would be a fun event for the whole family.

 

As we watched the circus perform, the modern popular music was blaring, women were scantily clad, up on the ropes, dancing to the music, as a woman in a back room in Las Vegas would do.  The whole event was overall rotten to the core in terms of those who profess faith in Christ, in fact it was directly contrary to a place where God’s people should be, equate to taking the family to a beer tent at a county fair or some sort of outdoor rock/shopping festival found in many small cities throughout this country.

 

Now educated about what the circus was really about, I began to try and find some old clips of circuses in the early 1990’s online and finally did manage to find an old VHS recording.  Ah-ha, that was what I remembered. 

 

The women were still in their ‘circus’ attire, but there was no gyrations to modern music, in fact the music was classic carnival music.  There they would do their acrobatic show, in fact even more impressive than what was more akin in this latest show to what is termed ‘adult entertainment’.  There had been more animal tricks and such, while still worldly when lined up to God’s Word, there was a clear difference, just as was found walking throughout the mall on that hot day.

 

The attire of many people, though there is a mixed multitude, is clearly of the world’s fashions, the latest fashions, which this year include extremely ripped jeans.  (Are they trying to blur the line between the poor and rich???)  The attire does not match one that is befitting to those who proclaim to be Christians, to those who truly have repented towards God and by faith believing into Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (Acts 20:21), but rather the attire is that which is often not befitting, one that promotes the world’s agenda, one that is contrary to God and one that is well seen in any so-called ‘happening’ place found in any city across this country.

 

My foundation is the Bible and it is on that which all decisions must be made and carefully weighed against the standard that God has set for His people.  We are ambassadors of Christ (Ephesians 6:20), we are not of this world (John 15:19), our citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20).

 

Now there is a war going on and there has been several things I have been pondering, things which I have been meditating on the Word of God to determine the best course of action in this dark day and age in which we live. 

 

Some of these things, of which largely will go unmentioned, are not necessarily a clear distinction between right and wrong, but rather let each man be assured (Romans 14:5),  things which there are liberty, but a man must weigh these things and decide for himself, before God, which direction he chooses to go in regards to certain liberties.

 

One example will be given, one that will suffice for the purposes of this article (and accompanying radio shows) and that is a smart phone.

 

In and of itself, a Believer could certainly have liberty to have a smart phone.  There are many good uses, notable uses and there is not necessarily anything wrong with owning such a device, as long as it is used in accordance with the Bible.  As a preacher, I would never chide anyone for having a smart phone, however there are many dangers that even those who proclaim Christ fall into with having that technology.  So I had been pondering whether or not to draw the line with certain technologies, whether for myself this is the limit of use that I want or whether I am willing to accept some newer forms to use and accept the clear advantages (as well as some disadvantages) that more modern technology has compared to the obsolete technology that I still choose to use.

 

For instance, I am that guy with a regular digital camera strapped around my neck, not the one holding up my cell phone.  If you saw me, you might see me with a palmcorder to take video (though not very often), but you would see me ‘miss’ out on the opportunity to record endless video on my smart phone, uploaded to the cloud and shared for all to see via social media networks.  Do I speak against those who use that technology, certainly not, smart phones take great pictures, probably better than my older Kodak digital camera, the videos are probably 4K super high definition, compared to my Canon basic HD video recording capabilities.  For me, they suffice, albeit, it would be much easier to carry a smart phone, then camera cases. 

 

There is a limit, just like each Believer should have control over how much news and other media that they consume per day.  Shall I set an amount that is correct for a Believer?  No, absolutely not, but I would be quick to ask some questions about your entertainment, whether watching cute kitten videos online, browsing endless opportunities, reading news headlines and snippets of articles and hitting the like button somewhere on social media.  Those questions would be simple:

 

If your married, did you and your spouse spend time in the past week having a Bible study, praying together?  How about the past month?  How about the past year?

 

If you have children, have you spent time teaching your children about God in the past week?  If they are Saved, are you teaching them the understanding of God, the things of God so that they might make wise decisions, godly decisions when they are older?  How about in the past month?  How about the past year?

 

Have you been part of God’s plan of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)?  Are you helping out someway, doing something?  Have you done something in the past month, how about the past year?  How many hours did you dedicate to God, how many hours did you dedicate to social media scrolling? 

 

Do you study and read your Bible?  Do you spent time in prayer daily?  Do you read your Bible on a daily basis?  How about those news headlines?  Do you read those on a daily basis?  Where are your priorities?

 

For me, these questions and the answers to these questions, using the Bible as my guide, serves as the answer to the pursuits and the limit of technology that I personally chose.  I myself have been found short in terms of what is required as a servant of Jesus Christ and I diligently must find myself refocusing on the things of God (Hebrews 12:1), renewing my mind daily (Romans 12:2), putting on the new man (Ephesians 4:24), through Christ who strengthens me (Psalms 27:14). 

 

You see the problem is there is a clear direction that this world is going.  There is a war going on right now, one that perhaps if you stay away from most of these things, you might not even have heard the half of it. 

 

This battle is raging and while I know that most will say that I am wrong, even some well meaning Believers, but also a multitude of pastors and so-called Christians who see no reason to separate themselves from the world, as the Bible says (Revelation 18:4). 

 

So how do I respond or rather what are my thoughts to such a dilemma, as those who look towards me, might find me ready for a side show at the circus, just in my matter of speech and attitude towards being found pure before God, my Creator?

 

After much thought, this verse, once again, always comes to mind:

 

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who leads the whole world astray; he was cast out onto the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”  Revelation 12:9 

 

You see, in the end the answer is already there, they are wrong in their ways and God’s ways are correct (Ezekiel 18:25).  They are being led astray, even if they don’t see it and God’s people will be Raptured (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:52) and taken ought of the world before His wrath and mercy comes upon the world during those times (Revelation 6:17; 7:9-10). 

 

The world and that which calls itself the church is by and large oblivious to these things, they can not see it, they can not hear it, in fact there is a war going on, battles raging everywhere, as the days of Noah and Lot become more and more prominent in our society, as well as societies throughout the world, a battle which without Christ is going to be lost, one where Christ is going to win (Revelation 21:6). 

 

Last week, a lot of these things, personal decisions, where there is some liberty given by God, where finalized in my mind.  I had determined the course of action going forward that I was going to take on numerous things.  Understand that I am self employed and being self employed, I usually work only with my wife, not often with other groups of people, so I am sheltered from the work place, from mingling with customers or groups of people on a frequent basis, though I am not stranger to those things, as I used to manage restaurants until several years ago. 

 

So when we are around large groups of the general public, for us, we have not be slowly accumulated to what we see, but rather it can be shocking to see the drastic change that has taken place, since our last memory of such an incident.  Though we are not ‘ignorant’ (2 Corinthians 2:11) of the world’s ways, simply be following Christ and separating ourselves from the things of the world, prevents us from sitting in the bulls-eye of God’s coming wrath upon a world that is being led astray, by Satan.

 

So what was the pivotal point?  The biggest fair in South Dakota, west of the Missouri river. 

 

South Dakota is considered and by and large is, a very conservative state, one that doesn’t proclaim much the fear of God, but does uphold to conservative values.  Abortion is illegal, there are bans from transgenders (a word that still doesn’t work in my spell check on Microsoft software from the 1990’s that I am still using), gender alerting surgeries are prohibited on the young, recreational marijuana is still illegal, numerous other things, conservative values, as they say.

 

Fair day had finally come.  Last year we had went to the fair during the early afternoon, until the early evening on a week day.  It was hot, mid 90’s when we went last year and the crowds were slim.  This year the plan was the same, to go on such a day once again.

 

The day was planned and the temperature was supposed to be 91.  Then as it got closer the forecasted weather for the day turned hotter each day, until it had reached 102!  That is way too hot for enjoyment of the fair and children, with the exception of limited people and quicker on/off time for the rides, however, we were forced to go on the weekend, when the crowds would be thicker, even more so, as others would forego coming on such a hot day.

 

We arrived when the gates open and there was a modest crowd, as time went on the crowd became bigger and bigger, eventually quite large, with long lines for most every amusement.  With the crowds came a bigger picture, where one could get an individual snapshot of the prophesied future where Satan will have led the whole world astray.

 

The world on display, their fashions, which are a language of themselves, their godless demeanor, their etchings covering large portions of their bodies – multitudes of people with them (Leviticus 19:28), their cross dressing (Deuteronomy 22:5), sexual fornications (1 Corinthians 6:9), all as they sit on their smart phones, texting, taking pictures, video, sharing with those of the world on social media their experiences they were undertaking.

 

The likes from their so-called followers, as they mindless and obliviously continue on the path to destruction, sworn enemies of God, sworn enemies of Christ, sworn enemies of every Believer! 

 

They are foot soldiers for the devil, one where we as Believers might be able to reach out and point them to Christ to be Saved, for their master is marching them into Hell.  Some, one a child, even had pro satanic shirts on, one promoting entering into the flames of Hell! 

 

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, prostitutes, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  Revelation 21:8

 

If you were a missionary embarking on a new land to reach those who have never heard the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, you would arrive and see that the work was very great indeed!  For the tribal people would be steeped in their pagan ways, they would be lost, they would need Christ.  But no!  By and large, this people would tell you they believe in God, they believe in Christ and would be oblivious to the necessity for biblical Salvation, which includes repentance.

 

“Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were since the beginning of creation.  For of this they are willfully ignorant: that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.  But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same Word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  But, beloved, do not be unaware of this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is longsuffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with intense burning; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, of what sort ought you to be in holy behavior and godliness, looking for and earnestly hastening unto the coming of the Day of God, through which the heavens will be dissolved, being set on fire, and the elements will melt with intense burning?  Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”  2nd Peter 3:1-13

 

You, dear Believer, must realize the times you live in.  While there might be some battles won, here and there, we are as a people losing to this ‘woke’ and openly rebellious culture, one that purposely walks contrary to God Almighty!

 

“Therefore Jehovah said, Whereas this people draw near with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men;”… Isaiah 29:13

 

Certainly our focus is on spreading the Gospel, but as the day approaches (Hebrews 10:25) we need to ensure that we are wholeheartedly following Christ and separating ourselves from things that we find to be contrary to doing that, whatever it may be.

 

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  Jacob (James) 4:8

 

Going to any event like this, as well as just reading the daily newspaper, screams that we must be separated, watching and ready, doing the will of God, until Christ appears to receive us (1 Timothy 4:1).  This needs to be the focus of every Believer.

 

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and without blemish; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the unlearned and unstable twist, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware also that you not be led away with the error of the wicked, and fall from your own steadfastness.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”  2nd Peter 3:14-18

 

The world is oblivious to the fact that all of this technology, this cashless society that is now starting to envelope us, these endless apps that track and trace us, as well as given never before information that allows this corporate Babylonian beast (Revelation 17) that surrounds us the ability to manipulate our society even more, further pushing the world into that climax of wholly being deceived, of which we seem to be very, very close to that point.

 

The world has gotten smaller.  Evil communication still corrupts good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33) and the fact that our society can watch endless short video clips online or find endless forbidden lusts on the web, pushes that evil communication to the extreme.  What happens in one corner of the country might be trending across the country a couple of days later!  This is dangerous and a Believer is not going to be able to stop this movement of evil, no more than you can stop the nonsensical movement against our restrooms across the country.  What you need to do is take seriously the Word of God and first and foremost follow the Bible.

 

You must have the armor of God on:

 

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on all the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.   For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies.  Therefore take up all the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints; and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  Ephesians 6:10-20

 

You must fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12), you must tarry on!  Each Believer should decide where there is liberty what prevents them or enables them in being holy before our Creator (1 Peter 1:16).  You must tarry on, for it is clearly evident the following:

 

“I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”  Luke 18:8

 

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many entering in through it.  Because narrow is the gate and distressing is the way which leads unto life, and there are few who find it.  Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You will know them from their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?   Even so, every good tree produces excellent fruit, but a corrupt tree produces evil fruit.  A good tree is not able to produce evil fruit, nor is a corrupt tree able to produce excellent fruit.  Every tree that does not produce excellent fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore from their fruits you will know them.  Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many works of power in Your name?  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who work out lawlessness!”  Matthew 7:13-23

 

This is what the Word of God says and we MUST understand that this is very serious, this should be readily seen and understood to be true and believed by those who are truly God’s people.  We MUST follow Christ, even if it means forsaking many things! 

 

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

 

Our enemies are not just covered in tattoos, wearing Def Leopard t-shirts, mindlessly on social media networks becoming even more and more demoralized, no, they also wear suits and ties and conservative dresses.

 

For at the fair was a booth, with representatives from an independent Baptist church.  They had a question, that question was are you 50%, 75% or 100% sure that you are going to Heaven?  As we walked by the displays of booths, we were singled out and asked that very question.

 

So I answered that I was 100% sure and the question shot back my way as to ‘why’?  I simply replied that I had repented towards God and placed my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, as stated in Acts 20:21.  Unfortunately the demeanor of the host who asked me this question, complete with Sunday morning clothing found throughout most independent Baptist churches, changed to one that became quickly unfriendly.  The conversation ended at that point and I picked up one of their tracts from the table.

 

Ahhh…they only preach easy-believerism, they simply tell you to believe and then repeat this little prayer, there-there, now you are saved, go on knowing you are now 100% sure you are going to Heaven. 

 

The church that sponsored the tract had their name stamped on it and I took a look at their website, verifying the above statement.  They, as many other Baptist churches with pastors who I had tried to speak about regarding repentance and Salvation are of those who don’t believe God’s Word, they are enemies proclaiming God’s truth, but hiding that which is required for a sinner to inherit Salvation (Hebrews 1:14). 

 

In fact, I had actually spoken to that pastor on the phone and he was one of those who mentioned nothing about repentance, when I pressed him on the issue, he then ‘agreed’ that repentance was a portion of it, but according to his original testimony, before questioned, did not state that repentance was a portion of the Gospel message, with the church’s website testifying to that fact.  If I recall, he was one who stated that repentance was turning from unbelief to belief, not a biblical definition, but rather it would be better stated to be a ‘change of mind’, genuine sorrow, guilt, no longer wanting to do those things, but believing into Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you paid the penalty on the Cross (1 Peter 2:24).

 

I own several copies of a book by David Cloud of Way of Life ministry (wayoflife.org) that discusses this very issue, even the issue of fair booths and how he and his wife, way back in the day, went and followed up with those who made so-called decisions for Christ, finding there to be no fruit to these confessions of faith. 

 

Those who are Saved will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), where our works will be tested by Jesus Christ, some will be burned up and some will remain, we will be judged, but our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27), we will inherit eternity with Jesus Christ our Lord in Heaven. 

 

Our focus needs to be on doing His work, we are not going to be perfect, there is not going to be a perfect Church, but we should be perfecting ourselves before God who Saved us. 

 

Be aware, the times we live in are very dangerous times, these truly are perilous times and if we are not carefully we can easily become unfruitful or even worse.  Take heed!

 

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”  1st Thessalonians 5:4

 

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize controls himself in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in this manner: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”  1st Corinthians 9:24-7

 

Keep Looking Up! 

 

Amen!