.
Matthew 7 (NLT):
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name
and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’
23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ ”
Mark 9:47 -- entering the kingdom of Heaven/God is the opposite of being cast into hell.
Matthew 25:34-46 -- Inheriting the kingdom is for the righteous who gain eternal life.
So, the bottom line is: entering the kingdom of Heaven/God is like gaining eternal life.
People on Christian forums usually only see the Pentecostal part of the above.
But, this whole teaching is about DOING GOD’s WILL.
It stands against people who “practice lawlessness” (NKJV) -- who break God’s laws!
To do God’s will, one needs to be practicing righteousness, not lawlessness!
This is my favorite NT verse about practicing righteousness:
“In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest:
whoever does NOT practice righteousness is NOT of God” (1 John 3:10, NKJV)
So, how about DOING GOD’s WILL … and stop breaking God’s laws!
“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from sexual sin.
Then each of you will control his own body – and live in holiness and honor –
not in lustful passion like the pagans do who do not know God and his ways.
… God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone
who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching, but is
rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, NLT)
“Patient endurance(*) is what you need now, so that you will continue to do
God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36, NLT)
(*) endurance in everything: belief-faith-trust-obedience
“And the world is passing away, and the lust of it;
but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17, NKJV)
The amazing thing is … because the Scriptures are all inspired by God …
ALL commands and instructions given to believers are about doing the will of God.
Matthew 7 (NLT):
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise,
like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds
beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish,
like a person who builds a house on sand.
27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house,
it will collapse with a might crash.”
As with all of God’s warnings, many people insist they must be referring to rewards.
But, these 4 verses are about LOSING SALVATION.
Yes, when a believer’s wonderful spiritual house of salvation
(attained through God’s incredible free gift of faith through grace)
collapses with a mighty crash, it is not referring to losing some great reward(s)!
Yes, if you are NOT following Jesus’ teaching, you are sinning.
If you are NOT sincerely repenting of your sins, they are NOT being washed away.
This is what all of the many dire warnings in the NT are all about …
sin results in eternal death.
So, be sure that your continuing sins are continuously being
confessed and covered over by Jesus’ precious blood (1 John 1:7-9).
Your sincere repentance will display that your heart attitude is correct and pleasing to God.
Matthew 7 (NLT):
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name
and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’
23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ ”
Mark 9:47 -- entering the kingdom of Heaven/God is the opposite of being cast into hell.
Matthew 25:34-46 -- Inheriting the kingdom is for the righteous who gain eternal life.
So, the bottom line is: entering the kingdom of Heaven/God is like gaining eternal life.
People on Christian forums usually only see the Pentecostal part of the above.
But, this whole teaching is about DOING GOD’s WILL.
It stands against people who “practice lawlessness” (NKJV) -- who break God’s laws!
To do God’s will, one needs to be practicing righteousness, not lawlessness!
This is my favorite NT verse about practicing righteousness:
“In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest:
whoever does NOT practice righteousness is NOT of God” (1 John 3:10, NKJV)
So, how about DOING GOD’s WILL … and stop breaking God’s laws!
“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from sexual sin.
Then each of you will control his own body – and live in holiness and honor –
not in lustful passion like the pagans do who do not know God and his ways.
… God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone
who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching, but is
rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, NLT)
“Patient endurance(*) is what you need now, so that you will continue to do
God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36, NLT)
(*) endurance in everything: belief-faith-trust-obedience
“And the world is passing away, and the lust of it;
but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17, NKJV)
The amazing thing is … because the Scriptures are all inspired by God …
ALL commands and instructions given to believers are about doing the will of God.
Matthew 7 (NLT):
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise,
like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds
beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish,
like a person who builds a house on sand.
27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house,
it will collapse with a might crash.”
As with all of God’s warnings, many people insist they must be referring to rewards.
But, these 4 verses are about LOSING SALVATION.
Yes, when a believer’s wonderful spiritual house of salvation
(attained through God’s incredible free gift of faith through grace)
collapses with a mighty crash, it is not referring to losing some great reward(s)!
Yes, if you are NOT following Jesus’ teaching, you are sinning.
If you are NOT sincerely repenting of your sins, they are NOT being washed away.
This is what all of the many dire warnings in the NT are all about …
sin results in eternal death.
So, be sure that your continuing sins are continuously being
confessed and covered over by Jesus’ precious blood (1 John 1:7-9).
Your sincere repentance will display that your heart attitude is correct and pleasing to God.
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