Tag: christianity

“Once Saved Always Saved” – or Not?

Three years ago (in 2021) this question made its way to me. I guess every person seeking God comes across this question at some point when exploring beliefs.

My Early Life as a “Christian”

To be honest, as a person who called myself a Christian every since I can remember, I never even thought of this question, it wasn’t a statement in the faith community I was part of. I never personally considered that question, but also wasn’t certain about my eternal destination. I didn’t spend much time thinking about this but considered God’s judgment as something that would happen one day, when I died: I’d be in front of God and I hoped for the best, but believed it was ultimately up to God’s decision, so I’d just have to wait and see what happened. (Looking back, I honestly didn’t understand salvation completely).

Seeking God

I believe God “calls” a person. He sends questions we don’t know the answer to into our thoughts and the “search for answers” begins. (That’s what happened to me.) This involved years of me getting closer (through prayer to God), a little bit at a time, praying about the questions I had and having a desire to become a “better person” until bad things started escalating to high levels in my life and this shocked me. Thankfully I believed in God and didn’t doubt His existence when this happened, but asked Him “WHY?!” is all this happening and especially now at the time I was seeking Him more. I still hadn’t read the bible at this point, but I knew some scripture from what was read in church. I had recently bought a study bible, but it lay unopened on my nightstand. I was pretty upset about the bad things happening in my life at this point and I decided to open that book to a randomly chosen section and start reading. Guess what book it was? Job! This was the first book within the Bible that I read. If you haven’t read Job, it’s about spiritual warfare and God allowing Job to be tested by Satan. Job loses everything, but God restores it later. WOW! That was what I was experiencing (losing everything) but I didn’t understand “why” until I read this. It was a dark time of struggle for me, but reading this helped me so much. It was months later that I finally decided: I need to see what else is in this book! I had more specific questions so I began searching and read the Bible in 3 months (August through October 2019).

Convicted

That’s what happened: scripture convicted me! This interesting part of this is in 2017, I prayed and “surrendered” my life to Jesus one day at church. I wanted God to take control of my life because I wasn’t happy with how my life was going. I prayed morning and evening, but still hadn’t read the bible until 2 years after this “surrender.” (2019) God is patient! But now that I knew the Truth found in scripture, it convicted my way of living and I had a choice to make, I could no longer plead “ignorance” because I knew what scripture said. I had a tough decision to make: continue my way of living or change because it doesn’t align with scripture? I chose God and I knew that decision was good, but it was hard and painful living with that decision. I had to live differently. I tried to bring others on this “journey” with me (that would have been helpful and easier for me if I had someone to join me), but I was rejected by them. I had to do this on my own if I wanted to do this. So I did, my life became more isolated and revolved around consuming a deeper understanding of the Bible and that’s when this statement “Once Saved Always Saved” came across my path.

Once Saved Always Saved

You would think that I would have celebrated when I came across this statement, right? As in, I didn’t need to worry about what I did, how I lived because I was “saved.” The work was done by Jesus on the cross, it doesn’t require anything from me! “Yay!” But that wasn’t my reaction. Just like when I read the Bible and felt that personal conviction about the way I was living, this statement “sounded alarms” to me. How could this be: Christians can do anything and still be assured of salvation? That didn’t line up with what I read in the Bible! The people who share this belief remind others of how loving God is and that grace covers it all; it’s a free gift! There is nothing to fear, God is love. (Wow! Who wouldn’t embrace this with wide open arms, am I right?! That’s exactly what I WANT to hear! What a relief!) Then this scripture pops into my mind:

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:3

I dug into scripture. What is truth? God is love. God is patient. God is merciful. God is Forgiving. (All this is true). So all we have to do is “believe”? Well that’s easy, because I always believed, I never had a problem for some reason believing in God. Then this scripture pops into my mind:

“You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]!” James 2:19 AMP version

So demons believe, they know who God is, so why do they need to shudder? How is that Christians get special treatment from God? They can get into God’s holy kingdom because Jesus died on the cross but it doesn’t require a changed life? What is a changed life? Isn’t a changed life “turning away from sin” in repentance and toward God, becoming holy? Isn’t that us doing something? What makes a Christian different from a demon who does evil besides the obvious spiritual aspect? (The surrender to God’s will, right? What does God say? “be holy because I am holy”) Doesn’t being holy mean stop sinning? Doesn’t Jesus say unless we are “born again” (John 3: we need the Holy Spirit dwelling within us) or we cannot enter the kingdom of God? How can one be “born again” and willingly continue to sin? If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. So doesn’t that also mean, if you are not led by the Spirit, you are under the law? There is a difference between a momentary weakness, when we mess up (and as soon as we are “convicted” by the Holy Spirit, ask for forgiveness, then stay away from that sin- that’s repentance) but continuing an ongoing defiance to what we know is in God’s word but willingly choosing to do what we want rather than what we know God wants is rejecting God. Evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit is “self-control.” (Galatians 5) Ongoing defiance is an act of rebellion and rejection of God. Think about this: does that rebellion or defiance show others that we “believe”? Are we showing others that we are “in Christ”? Do we believe God is just, powerful, holy? If we believe God is just, don’t we also believe those who live in rebellion to God will experience wrath? If we are living in rebellion, why would we be excluded from wrath? Because we believed, yet chose to disobey?! Doesn’t God require us to “be holy”? Throughout the entire Old Testament, God says “be holy because I am holy”- search that and you will see for yourself! Some may say, yeah, but that was in the Old Testament before Jesus died on the cross and people had to do that…hold up…the New Testament says it multiple times too and God established the testimony of Truth by 2 or 3 witnesses, so here it is:

Peter acknowledges this: because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” 1 Peter 1:16

The author of Hebrews says: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrew 12:14

And Jesus said: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the [f]Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”14 Blessed are those who [g]do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 [h]But outside are dogs (kyon – this was a metaphor meaning a man of impure mind, an impudent man) and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Revelation 22 (Sinning is breaking the commandments, but what did Jesus say in verse 14 above?)

The Gift of the Holy Spirit and Obedience

If a person is born again, they desire to keep God’s commands because of the Holy Spirit residing within them, not of their own doing, this is a “gift” from God. “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13 and Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (notice “repent” and understand what that means: metanoeō: click here for the meaning) “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:12 (the Spirit is given to those who choose to, surrender our will to obey Him) “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Romans 8:14

So another question is can the Holy Spirit leave a person? Here’s what scripture says:

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11

Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them. Isaiah 63:10

“14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.” 1 Samuel 16:13-15

I just presented 3 witnesses found in scripture that talks about the Spirit departing from a person because they were doing evil things. God established this 2-3 witnesses establishing truth within His word. Jesus affirmed this when he said: “But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’” Matthew 18:16. If you want more verses about truth coming from 2 – 3 witnesses, here’s the link. So in my opinion, scripture establishes that the Spirit can depart (from an unrepentant person).

32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32 (link in context)

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. Proverbs 29:10

“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
    in quietness and trust is your strength,
    but you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15

I will destine you for the sword,
    and all of you will fall in the slaughter;
for I called but you did not answer,
    I spoke but you did not listen.
You did evil in my sight
    and chose what displeases me.” Isaiah 65:12

“Therefore, son of man, say to your people, ‘If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.’ Ezekiel 33:12

Repentance

God is patient, merciful and forgiving and wants all to come to repentance. If people believe “once saved always saved,” do they believe ongoing repentance is required? What happens if they die while they are in rebellion to God? (We can’t know the answer to this question, only God knows and decides that, but do we really want to risk being eternally separated from God?) Does one really believe that obedience to God’s commands doesn’t matter?

Jesus said: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35

Hebrews 14 says: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. Revelation 19:15 (Is this the word of God (scripture, what God’s commands) that ultimately brings about Judgment on us? But if we are “in Christ” we are protected, “in Christ” meaning God’s spirit residing in us.

Love and Grace

Doesn’t Jesus equate love with obeying God’s commands?

Jesus said: “If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15

Doesn’t Paul tell us that we don’t abuse His grace and keep on sinning?

6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Romans 6:1-3

Let’s look closely, in context, about the scripture that people like to quote, but only a portion of it:  “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. Ephesians 2. But let’s look closely at the entire chapter!

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live (NOTICE THIS MEANS FORMERLY LIVED THIS WAY, PAST TENSE, NOT CURRENTLY) when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. (NOTICE IT IS GOD’S ENEMY/SATAN WHO IS THE ONE AT WORK IN THOSE WHO ARE DISOBEDIENT) 3 All of us also lived among them at one time (WE ALL STARTED OUT SINFUL), gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive (HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? BY RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT PERHAPS, BEING BORN AGAIN AS JESUS DESCRIBED IN JOHN 3? GOD LOVES US AND IS LOOKING FOR A COMPLETE SURRENDER TO HIM) with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 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 (OUR WORKS CAN’T SAVE US, ONLY JESUS CAN, BUT OUR WORKS ARE EVIDENCE OF FAITH- JAMES 2), so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (The point is our faith and what we do because of our faith will be how we are judged. We can’t separate the two just because we like to do good works/service for others, but then we don’t want to give up this one sinful thing that we know God wants us to give up- that shows us we are not surrendered, if we are not surrendered, can we have God’s Spirit residing in us? Didn’t the apostles refuse Simon the Sorcerer because he had bad intentions but wanted the power of the Holy Spirit. God knows when we are sincere and have good intentions/motivation behind our request for the Holy Spirit)

Grace and those who “keep on sinning”

The Greek word for grace is charis– defined as: the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues. We are protected when we are “in Christ”- grace doesn’t mean we can keep on sinning:

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” Hebrews 10:26-27 (doesn’t it sound like…we’re on our own if we deliberately keep on sinning- Jesus’ sacrifice isn’t applicable?)

“No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.” 1 John 3:6-7

Lukewarm Christians

My concern is for “lukewarm” Christians, those who don’t fear God and believe they are saved because they said a “sinner’s prayer” or because “they believe,” but their life never changed, repentance doesn’t even cross their mind, some churches cowardly abstain from mentioning repentance and I don’t know why because it is critical to salvation, look at this in scripture:

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (repentance LEADS to salvation)

The “lukewarm” Christians- those are the people that I’m concerned for, they don’t have a full understanding of God’s word and are risking their eternity with God because they may think they are saved but there is “no fruit,” no evidence of a changed life. (Galatians 5) If a person has truly surrendered, their life will change.

Truly Saved

I haven’t met a truly saved Christian who fears or doubts their salvation because they know their heart is turned to God, they know the sacrifices they make for God, to be within God’s will. God is their priority, they’ve made the hard choices to be led by the spirit rather than conforming with the world or chasing after sinful desires. They feel the Holy Spirit’s presence. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Do people occasionally mess up? Yes, but the difference is remorse, seeking forgiveness, repentance; a daily surrender to the will of God. No one truly saved believes they are perfect or without sin. If someone thinks that, they are not truly saved. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8. So this “Once Saved Always Saved” doesn’t seem to be needed encouragement for the truly saved, so who was the intended recipient? Upon searching this, I found it was for those who said the sinner’s prayer or were baptized! But what about receiving the Holy Spirit?! Scripture is clear that the Holy Spirit can be received before (Acts 10:47) or after baptism (Acts 8:16-18). John baptized with water (for repentance- Mark 1:4) , but Jesus baptized with fire (testing) and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). And Jesus said we must be born of the Spirit/born again to enter the Kingdom of God! (John 3)

Lukewarm Christians – not fully surrendered

But I do feel like it’s the lukewarm Christian who knows they have ongoing sin in their life but they are not remorseful about it, they are not doing anything about it, not repenting or turning to God but yet they want reassurance that they will still be in God’s kingdom, so they cling to this statement- see the itching ears scripture (2 Timothy 4:3)- seeking what they want rather than the truth. They have not fully surrendered, they are still clinging to something they know is sin, but refuse to give that sin up. But they need to know: All it takes is a willingness to give it up, turn it over to God and ask for the Holy Spirit to battle it. God is more powerful, God is sovereign, God can do the impossible. We just need to be willing and welcome God’s spirit into our lives, be willing to be changed by Him. Remember:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

“my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.” Hosea 4:6

I believe the Parable of the 10 Virgins is about Lukewarm Christians, the oil is about the Holy Spirit anointing, Christians receive the Holy Spirit, but then don’t maintain the Holy Spirit and will be shocked when Jesus returns and says:  ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Matthew 25

If you need more encouragement from scripture to surrender to God/become obedient to God, or to repent whenever you mess up, here are some additional verses and Chapters for reading and reflection:

Luke 13: 23-24 (repent or perish, the narrow door), Luke 14:16,18,24 (don’t make excuses), John 8:34 (Everyone who sins is a slave to sin- the bondage hasn’t been broken with Satan), Romans 2 (an unrepentant heart brings on wrath at judgment day), 1 Corinthians 6 (wrongdoers do not inherit the kingdom of God), Ephesians 5 (For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God), Colossians 1:21-22 (it starts in the mind), Colossians 2:8 (Deceptive Philosophy), 1 Thessalonians 4 (If you reject this instruction you’re rejecting God v.8, Acts 17:30-31(In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.) 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 (wrath comes on the disobedient when Jesus returns), 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.) 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (refusal to submit to God brings condemnation), 2 Timothy 2:25-26 (reaching those trapped by the devil), Titus 2: 11-12 (Grace teaches Christians how to say “no” to worldly desires), 1 John 2:15-17 (If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.) 1 John 5: 18-19 (We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin), Jude 1: 18-19 (Those who follow ungodly desires)

God gave us freedom to choose who/what we follow. We can be led by the Spirit or led by our own desires/controlled by God’s enemy. If we are led by the Spirit, we begin to change and desire what God desires, we do not continue to choose sin. If we are choosing sin, we need to figure out if we are truly saved, we need to repent, ask for forgiveness and ask for God to help us; He will give us the Holy Spirit if we are sincere in this request. Remember most importantly: God loves us and wants us in His Kingdom.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy: persevere! (see James 5:11) There are many different beliefs of people who call themselves Christians, but what we want to believe doesn’t matter; the Truth matters: What does it say in the Bible? Each of us has the decision on what we believe, we will have different opinions on some topics especially where scripture is unclear, but this topic seems clear to me and most importantly relates to our relationship with God, it’s worth researching and asking God about it if you are still unsure.

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2024- What’s Your Word Heading into this Year?

This “Tradition” started a couple years ago (in 2022) with a group of friends from a Bible Study group I unexpectedly joined in October 2021. I say “unexpectedly” because I wasn’t looking for a group to join, I only went to be supportive of a friend who wanted to check it out, at the last minute one evening. So I went and ended up joining the group. Reflecting on this and knowing who God is, this wasn’t a coincidence; I needed this in my life.

2019 Words: ”Being Called” (Making God my Priority)

2019 was the year I decided to make God my priority (my last summary post for 2019) after reading the Bible for the first time. I didn’t have “a word” for that year but looking back, it would have been: “Being Called” – this was my 3rd “faith” related post on this website: see “Being Called” link in August 2019. 

2020 Words: ”Wake Up”

2020 was a year of isolation for most of us in the world, and as a result, I had more time to explore the Bible. I had so many questions about life, I was seeking TRUTH, in January 2020, I wrote about Love, but abruptly by March 2020, I felt we were experiencing a “Wake Up Call” from God, collectively as the world, but also personally in my life, I reflected on many aspects of life this year (Posts #10-21) but what impacted me most was Bible Prophecy: facing judgement and end times/the last days prophecies.

2021 Word: Death

Even though I didn’t have a word for this year, in hindsight, this reflected reality: my 14 month old nephew suddenly died, the mother of my son’s best friend died suddenly, and my dog suddenly died within a span of 4 months. Not only that, but the closest person to me unexpectedly rejected me in a humiliating public way at the time when I needed support the most. (When it rains, it pours!) But only days later, I was asked to go with a friend to this Bible Study group (See what I mean? No coincidences, God provides.) It was a tough year. All the death made me question, what happens after death, for real? I realized I didn’t have a clear biblically based understanding- only what I had been told throughout life. I plan to write about this later because I think others might have this question too. Ironically- in hindsight, after all this “death” surrounded me, late summer when I was on my phone an email came through with something to the effect of “last notice to sign up for baptism”- I felt like it was time I committed and did this, so I signed up and was Baptized on September 12, 2021. Baptism is symbolic of the death of our sinful past and rebirth, a new life, “born again”- it was both symbolic and literal for me. I wrote (posts 22 – 38) during this year. I didn’t post about the dreams I started having the night of my Baptism, I was confused by them at the beginning, but the “name of Jesus” was featured heavily and sometimes verses from scripture and the dreams involved various people in my life: friends, family and former business colleagues. I know there is significance to these specific dreams because I would see something specific from my dream, that day, weeks or months later as I was going about the day- completely unexpected when it would occur, but I would immediately recall: I dreamt that! It still continues but I often don’t have the understanding of the symbolism until I see it happen. It’s hard to explain this to anyone, unless you experience this, you won’t understand, but it heavily contributed to the faith and belief I have in Jesus. Even though my word for 2021 would have been Death, it was changed to Life. Death is no longer permanent becauses of Jesus’ death and resurrection, death is a transition, a going to sleep because those who believe and turn away from sin will be changed and become immortal when Jesus returns. Jesus said that unless we are “born again” we will not see the kingdom of God. (John Chapter 3)

2022 Word: Joy

After the experiences of the prior years, I wanted Joy! I chose the word: ”Joy.” Looking back, God brought joy into my life through a supportive, Christ focused group of friends from this new Bible Study group that I unexpectedly joined in October of 2021. I think God may have had something to do with that too. I continued exploring God’s word through scripture and how it relates to living life (posts 39- 66). I often was inspired to write in the morning just as I wake up from a thought that didn’t seem to leave or from a prior conversation I had with someone. As much as I wanted “joy” to be my entire focus, I couldn’t ignore what I found through Bible Prophecy and it, weighed heavily on me. Too many world events were/are lining up with Bible Prophecy and many people (just like me) didn’t even have this “on the radar.” I didn’t come from a religion that focused on this, so this was all new to me, I only discovered it after reading the Bible. This is why it is so important to know what’s in the Bible: so we’re not blindsided by reality when it happens. There is nothing to fear (if we are “spiritually” prepared in advance- meaning “born again”).

2023 Words: Trust and Obey

Many things in life “don’t make sense” to us, so this is when I need to “Trust and Obey” God. Ironically this was the first faith post I made: Trust and Obey –  I struggled/still struggle with this sometimes, but it’s getting easier! I guess God is making sure I comprehend this, because those words came back to me from 2017- 6 years later! Now, I trust God always, despite the circumstances, I know how it all will ultimately end, so I have peace in knowing what life holds in the future. We just need to get through the “tests and trials” until then. Often when I choose to obey (especially when I don’t want to), some “reward” seems to happen afterwards. I thank God for that when it happens because it is encouraging.

2024 Word: Love

What gets thrown at us in life and happens in this world can make “doing everything out of love” challenging, but this is important for those who claim to be Christians. I’ll be honest, I feel like 2024 may be a rough year ahead. It would be wonderful if I’m wrong, and I hope I am! But if these bible prophecy events keep moving forward like they have been, that’s going to be the reality; we’re not going to stop what God has foretold. I also know that what we focus on becomes our reality so my focus this year is love. I wish I could fast forward and get to the end of this year right now, honestly if I could fast forward to 2026 that would be even better!

2023 New Year’s Eve (12/31/23)

As I often do, even though I knew I wanted my word for 2024 to be “love” (because I need to be more loving) I wanted guidance from God. I prayed and asked God to show me something in scripture, pertinent to 2024, so I thought I would open the bible to scripture in the front, middle and back part of the bible for a more comprehensive understanding, possibly a common theme, so I could understand better. These are the pages I opened to:

Front Part of the Bible: 1 Samuel 4:4 through 1 Samuel 6:4 (1 Samuel 4, 1 Samuel 5, 1 Samuel 6)

This seemed significant to me because of what’s happening in the middle east land right now. This scripture references: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron. A battle is going on between the Israelites and the Philistines (the land of Gaza). While this is historic, not prophetic, we can learn from history: when God is with someone, they will not be defeated. God is just and will punish (in this scripture, tumors broke out on the Philistines because they stole the Ark of the Covenant and Eli died because his sons blasphemed God and no one restrained the sons). God is to be respected. He is not to be mocked. 

None of us know what will happen as a result of this current war happening, but we know from scripture that Israel will not cease to exist. I’m praying for all in the Middle East, that spiritual blindness is removed, that people turn away from sin and that many come to faith in Jesus Christ so they may truly have eternal life.

Middle Part of the Bible: Isaiah 59:5 through Isaiah 60:4 (Isaiah 59, Isaiah 60)

Isaiah 59’s summary is: Sin, Confession and Redemption- isn’t that interesting?! This is about the return of Jesus! (By the way, I do not believe Jesus is returning in 2024, but this is where our focus should be- getting prepared before he does return!)

Truth is nowhere to be found,
    and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.

The Lord looked and was displeased
    that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one,
    he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm achieved salvation for him,
    and his own righteousness sustained him.
17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
    and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance
    and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
18 According to what they have done,
    so will he repay
wrath to his enemies
    and retribution to his foes;
    he will repay the islands their due.
19 From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord,
    and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.
For he will come like a pent-up flood
    that the breath of the Lord drives along.[a]

20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion,
    to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”
declares the Lord.

21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 59:15-21

Then Isaiah 60 talks about the Millennium Reign of Jesus Christ and what it will be like, this is only an excerpt, but the link above is the entire chapter. Isaiah the prophet foretold this to the Israelites. Does this not inspire all of us to prepare spiritually?

No longer will violence be heard in your land,
    nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
    and your gates Praise.
19 The sun will no more be your light by day,
    nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again,
    and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then all your people will be righteous
    and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
    the work of my hands,
    for the display of my splendor.
22 The least of you will become a thousand,
    the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the Lord;
    in its time I will do this swiftly.”

Isaiah 60: 18-22

Back part of the Bible: Galatians 5:17 through Galatians 6:18 (Galatians 5 and Galatians 6)

Galatians 5 is summarized as “freedom in Christ” – does that not also suggest getting prepared?! Then it talks about living by the Spirit (this is how “born again” people live life) and to me personally, the word I chose for 2024 was “love” look at verse 22- and this is the page I opened to after prayer! I don’t believe in “coincidences” – God is in action always, sometimes we don’t understand, but later we will. God is doing something, we just need to be receptive to His plans for us, His communication with us!

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

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.

Galatians 5:16-26

And Galatians 6 ties all this together from the front part of the Bible verses (God is not mocked) to the middle verses (eternal life, new creation) and back verses (How we should prepare spiritually- becoming the new creation, born of the spirit!)

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

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. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Galatians 6

This prayer to God and the resulting verses made an impact on me, that is why I shared this. If you haven’t already been “born again” (turning from sin and receiving the Holy Spirit)- what is keeping you from this? You can do this right now. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, was born sinless because it was through the Holy Spirit that he was conceived, he died on the cross for our sins (to break the curse of death and give us life- the one and only, final sacrifice needed to make it possible for us to be in God’s future kingdom- here on earth, not up in the sky) then resurrected, ascended to Heaven where he lives until he returns to deliver justice, wrath and then reign as our king from Jerusalem in Israel. If we believe this and turn away from sin, Jesus will give us the Holy Spirit. Jesus was baptized and told his followers to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, however the man next to him on the cross did not get baptized but Jesus told him he would be with him in paradise. Baptism is important because Jesus told his followers to do this: it’s an outward sign of belief and turning away from a sinful life, but God is mostly concerned about what’s happening inside us: Repentance (turning away from sin) and Receiving the Holy Spirit are necessary. I was baptized as an infant, but I wasn’t sure if that “counted” because that wasn’t my choice, that was my parents’ choice. So I was baptized as an adult in 2021 and I think I made the right choice because after that is when I started having spiritual dreams and seeing visions of things in the future- I have no other explanation, than this baptism must have been what made this happen. Our relationship with God is personal, our parents or no one else can force this or make it happen. It is a personal choice, and a very important one. Is 2024 your year to be “born again”?

I pray for all who read or share this with someone they care about: May God’s love for you be known! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

by Categories: bible prophecy, bible study, FAITH, FAMILY, Following Passions, FRIENDSHIP, God, HAPPINESS, Healing, Improvement, Love, Make It Count, Parents, prayer, priorities, RELATIONSHIPS, WellnessTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Angry with Religion

written by a sinner

My past. Churches and religion were all the same to me: full of righteousness, rules and tradition and I wasn’t, I was the outsider, a little rebellious and the rejected one. I wanted God in my life, but I didn’t want the rejection I felt in the church or through religious doctrine, so I avoided it. You wouldn’t find me reading a bible, I wasn’t that type of person. I wanted to be a “good” person, but if I was honest with myself, I knew I wasn’t. I prayed occasionally but not regularly.

In hindsight. I know now, what I didn’t know then, and life became clear when I finally read the Bible. No one could have reached me the way the Bible did. In fact, I believe it was God who reached me, the first time I was seeking an answer from the Bible, I prayed and asked Him to show me something that would answer my question. I randomly opened the Bible and there was the answer to my question. I believe God answered me. So many of the questions I had about life, situations, afterlife, etc. were eventually answered, but not immediately. I had to read, search, discover and study to find the answers. This was a long process.

Looking back to my “anger” with churches and religion: I was aware of the 10 Commandments but I also saw the hypocrisy, fakeness within the church, it seemed no one was truly living in accordance with them. I must admit no one had been truly unkind to me, and I wasn’t judging others, I was observing. I think it was my own self-conviction, guilt and disappointment in myself that made it so uncomfortable for me to be there. It made me “resentful” in a sense, I knew others were not perfect, but for some reason I felt rejected even though they were included/accepted. This was likely spiritual warfare. I didn’t know about spiritual warfare until I read the Bible, but this could easily be a situation of being attacked spiritually to keep me from being a part of the community, separate me from God. It was so easy to no longer have the obligation of going to church, (that meant more free time to do what I wanted). And that’s how I remained until God shook up my life in many ways (before I read the Bible). Now, I can see others in my former status having the same reaction I had: anger, distancing, intolerance to hear or spend time (in church, studying the Bible, etc.).

The further we get away from God, the easier it is to fill that time with things that take us away from God and the easier it is for evil to influence us. (I saw this following quote from the bible, 3 days after I drafted this- see what I mean about the bible answering questions!)

“The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” Romans 8:7

I’m writing this to reach someone who feels the way as I did (rejected) and who doesn’t know about spiritual warfare. I no longer feel this way- thankfully! But it would have helped me if I had known this.

12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

Ephesians 6:12

Please know this happens; allowing evil to misguide us will eventually lead us to a place we don’t want to go Hell/death- eternal separation from God. This is exactly why we need the opposite of “avoiding”. We need God. If the people at church are a deterrent, don’t go, but pray, read and study God’s words which is the Bible (it is spiritually influenced), as often as possible. (If you continue reading the bible, you will eventually become aware that this is not like any other book, and you will see that it is spiritually influenced.) Whenever fear, guilt, shame or disappointment sets in, remember what is in John 3! Know that God loves us and wants us to be in a personal relationship with Him. It is so much better once we cross to the other side (meaning with God and not against Him): there is a feeling of peace in all circumstances.

by Categories: bible study, Face Fear, FAITH, FRIENDSHIP, God, HAPPINESS, Love, Make It Count, priorities, RELATIONSHIPS, WellnessTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment