True Christians are disciples of Jesus.
Fear leads to waywardness.
The enemy (the devil) can only give that which it has.
Please understand that the enemy can only give that which it actually has/is. Recall that the enemy is bound to the spirit of fear. The notion that God or His ways (His will and Word) is insufficient turned Lucifer, an angel in heaven, into the devil from hell and God bound the devil in an eternal state of fear.
- ...thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more. Ezekial 28:19.
(Webster's 1828 dictionary defines "terror" as extreme fear; violent dread; fright;...)
Therefore, the devil knows fear is itself and the way to be destroyed. The enemy (the devil) wants to give itself-the spirit of fear (error) to mankind. Whenever anyone opens themself up to the notion that God or His ways (His will and Word) is insufficient, they open themselves to the spirit of fear (error) and act accordingly by giving in to the will of the flesh and the lust for that which they feel God is inadequate in satisfying.
Compare:
- Fearing God is almighty is the believer's reverence that draws mankind closer to the Father.
- Fearing God is insufficient is the unbeliever's blasphemy that drives mankind away from the Father and to the flesh and destruction.
For the believer, born again of the Spirit, we receive grace from Jesus and are not destroyed by our weakness or stupidity.
For the unbeliever, not born again of the spirit, they shall be sifted as wheat by the devil and destroyed with it. Peter (Simon) was a believer and yet he was subject to being sifted as wheat by the enemy.
- And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31-32.
Why is the situation this simple?
We know faith is belief put into action. Belief is something that we have or have not. The believers believe in Jesus the Word. Believing is an action and a prerequisite for becoming born again. Believing in Him (Jesus the Word) precedes our confession and repentance from sin which is our faithful action for salvation. Thus, believing in Jesus (and the Word which He is) enables us to receive the Holy Ghost and become an adopted son. As an adopted son, Jesus gives us His faith (the faith of Jesus), and the enemy cannot mess with us!
Do we still get hassled by the enemy even if we are born again?
Yes, but not directly. The enemy will use it's own children, the unbelievers who remain the damned, to hassle us.
Therefore, we should not treat people as the enemy even though they act for the enemy. They are merely behaving as their father, the devil, would behave.
We are to behave as our Father in heaven would have us act, and Jesus is the example.
- For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 1 Peter 2:21-23.
We do good deeds for our enemies because they may find repentance through our good deeds. If they do not, your good deeds will dump coals of fire on their heads when they enter hell because they rejected the works of Jesus that lead to repentance.
- Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21
It's hard to to do sometimes, but do it anyway and you will reap great blessings and rewards.
Waywardness leads to apostasy.
Waywardness is a forerunner of apostasy.
From Websters 1828 dictionary,
- "Wayward" means "Froward" (not forward).
- "Froward" means: Perverse, that is, turning from, with aversion or reluctance; not willing to yield or comply with what is required; unyielding; ungovernable; refractory; disobedient; peevish; as a froward child.
Frowardness leads to corruption.
The Word of God tells us about the corruption we must avoid in these last days.
- This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
- For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:17.
Now I beseech you, brethren,
- ...mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:17-18.
The last times are here:
- Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 1 John 2:18-20.
- Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;... 1 Timothy 4:1.
What must the wayward do?
Repent and return to the Word. Like the parable of the wayward son, they left of their own accord and now they must repent and return of their own accord.
- (Abbreviated…A certain man had two sons:...And he divided unto them his living. And many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living...And when he came to himself,...he arose, and came to his father....And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found... Luke 15:11-32.
"Fear not"
Any fear that God or His ways (will) is insufficient to sustain us proves fear is of the enemy. Remember, God bound the devil to the state of fear. The born again (saved) receive grace for their fears because we resist sin in faith God is all-sufficient. The lost rely on mercy alone for salvation.
Repent or Perish
He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Mark 7:6.
Yes. The decay of this world is in many of the congregational churches within our communities. The book of Revelation speaks of many community churches that have fallen away from pleasing God, see Revelation chapters 2 and 3.
Sadly, wherever community churches adopt the normalization of the world's standards to make friends with the world they go against the will of God and His Word. They often do so to please the world, keep the cancel culture happy, or make sure money is paid into their coffers, etc. We have seen this throughout history; it is not uncommon. Why is this? Whenever gain takes the place of godliness, the church is blind and fails. (FWIW, gain is one of those things the will of the flesh pursues quite readily.)
Never forget, Jesus is the Word and He must know you.
- 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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23.
We know, and you probably do too, that many community churches prefer money and keeping people happy instead of sharing the truth of the Word of God, or they simply do not know the Word. All of them are in danger.
For example, no community church built on the foundation of the Word of God flies the gay flag as if God approves of the gay lifestyle. He doesn't.
Hence, we find reproof of their choice to live by the will of the flesh over the will of God because they believe His ways (His Word) are insufficient to please them. Lucifer did that too.
Considering the Seven Churches
In the beginning of the book of Revelation, Jesus spoke of seven churches as the seven candles of a lamp. Given the context of the discussion and the connection to the end times and prophesy of Revelation, we can study the seven churches and know the problems of the modern church are revealed.
Yes. The members who comprise the seven churches all have an opportunity to repent (and/or endure) and make it to heaven. Also, God is not a respecter of persons.
- ...Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Acts 10:34-35.
Therefore, if He gave hints of correction or encouragement to some but not others, He would prefer some over others, and that cannot be. Thus, the hints He gave to the seven churches are for us today as well. We should find the issue(s) we face in at least one of the seven churches and repent and/or endure as He says.
(Be assured, the roots of the falling away from God started long ago. See the drawing of the Seven Churches, below.)
The spirit of fear (error) is the enemy of the church.
Ephesus, Revelation 2:1-7.
Pergamos, Revelation 2:12-17.
Ephesus, Revelation 2:1-7.
Ephesus: Leaving the Word as our first love.
The fearful and unbelieving.
Smyrna, Revelation 2:8-11.
Pergamos, Revelation 2:12-17.
Ephesus, Revelation 2:1-7.
Smyrna: Desiring to be rich ($) or claiming gain is godliness.
The fearful idolaters.
Pergamos, Revelation 2:12-17.
Pergamos, Revelation 2:12-17.
Pergamos, Revelation 2:12-17.
Pergamos: Standing between man and God.
The fearful murderers and henchmen.
Thyatira, Revelation 2:18-29.
Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13.
Pergamos, Revelation 2:12-17.
Thyatira: Sexual sins; affirming the LBGTQ+? whatevers;...
The fearful whoremongers.
Sardis, Revelation 3:1-6.
Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13.
Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13.
Sardis: Doctrines of cheap grace or many versions of God making repentance obsolete.
The fearful abominable.
Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13.
Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13.
Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13.
Philadelphia: The posers in the pews who seek to convert others to their pernicious ways in rebellion.
The fearful sorcerers
Laodicea, Revelation 3:14-21.
Laodicea, Revelation 3:14-21.
Laodicea, Revelation 3:14-21.
Laodicea: The double-minded.
The fearful liars.
Apostasy has grown through the ages.
The attached file (below) is a drawing by Clarence Larkin circa 1920.
the-messages-to-the-seven-churches (jpg)
DownloadSaved.Church
Albany, Oregon
You may use, copy, link to, and distribute anything on this site provided you give attribution naming where you got it. You may not create derivative works from the content provided here. People did that to the King James Bible, and in doing so, they caused a lot of confusion and led people astray. Jesus said, I give you power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing by any means shall hurt you!
©2008-2024 Saved.Church. All rights reserved.