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Genesis 3:13
And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

According to the original greek and hebrew, this is what beguiled means:

nasha' (naw-shaw'); a primitive root; to lead astray, i.e. (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce: KJV - beguile, deceive, X greatly, X utterly. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.)

Now we read about Paul, talking to the Corinthian church:

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him].

God's people are being deluged with so much philosophy, human reasoning and convoluted arguments—all designed to "prove" that the clear, pure doctrines found in the Word are wrong, insupportable or foolish. We read or hear  cunning explanations of various beliefs that appeal to our coveted traditions, spiritual laziness or emotions. Are we beguiled or do we reconize these complicated, philosophic reasonings are not His voice?(John 10:3-5).

The teachings of Jesus Christ are so elegantly simple that children can easily understand them. Even such "difficult" topics as justification, sanctification, salvation and others can be explained easily and clearly to those seeking to prove what is right rather than trying to disprove and destroy. (see Acts 17:10-11).

The apostles tried to warn us of these things. Paul gives specific instructions to Timothy (I Timothy 4:1-2; 6:3-5; II Timothy 2:16-18, 23-23; 4:3-4) and Titus (Titus 1:14; 3:9). Peter warns that some would try to twist the words of Paul (II Peter 3:16). John, too, voices his concern (II John 7-11; III John 9-10), as does Jude (3-4, 16-19).

Doctrines do not need to be complex to be true. What is more simple than "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8)? Or, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37)? Or, "Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them" (Matthew 7:12)? These are not complicated concepts. They are simple and pure.

The problem occurs when we try to blend human  "wisdom" and fallible human traditions  with God's truth. Like oil and water, they do not mix. Paul says that the wisdom of God is revealed through His Spirit (I Corinthians 2:10).

He continues:
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (verses 12-13)

Simplicity in Christ, simplicity of His word, dont let anyone beguile you into believing you cannot know truth, except it be interpreted by teachers, ministers, priests, or whoever. Listen to the Holy Spirit who is able to teach you all things.

Hear, Hear!


I've often wondered why some people think His Word is so difficult to understand we need a pack of preachers to tell us what it means. If you've got the Spirit within, then listen to Him.

Thanks!
Gracey

Amen Shylynne and Gracey

And thats the bottom line.

Ypur friend and brother

The Crusader
<:)))><

Well then, I'm wondering why Jesus told Peter to "feed My sheep"?

I did not mean to imply we do not need teachers and preachers of the Word Chris, but that it`s the Spirit of God  which gives us the ability to understand and discern the truths of the word as read or taught to us.

1Jo 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jo 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jo 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1Jo 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

We must also be wary of the fact that a "shepherd"  may not following the commandment to "feed His sheep", i`ll use this example:

Ezekiel 34:2-4 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, even to the shepherds of Israel, thus says the LORD GOD: Ho, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the crippled you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.

or this one:

Jeremiah 2:8 The priests did not say, "Where is the Lord?" Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that did not profit.

So if we don`t read the Word for ourselves, and allow the Spirit of God to be our guide, we can be easily deceived

So if we don't read the Word for ourselves, and allow the Spirit of God to be our guide, we can easily be deceived.

Must disagree with ya, at least somewhat.  Up until 500 or so years ago most people were illiterate.  They were taught by the church.  They didn't read the Word for themselves and I doubt they were deceived.  Maybe some were, I don't really know.  It seems to me that since the printing press, and the bible becoming readily available, and more people becoming literate, there's been more of a problem with interpretation.  Just look at all the denominations who can't agree!  And all of them claim the Holy Spirit resides in them.  Go figure!

I said the spirit of God teaches us Cris, I didnt say everyone listens  ;)


Joh 14:17  [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.


Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Joh 3:21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Joh 7:17  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.

Will reply later.  My computer is being taken away for repairs.

Haven't gone back to read all this thread but I think I originally quoted someone else that said we didn't need preachers or teachers.

I don't think everyone listens either, but I'm judging when I say that.  It's so easy to do!  The problem is, is that those who claim residence of the Holy Spirit in reference to the interpretation of Scripture are not going against Scripture.  Each feel their interpretation is scriptural, hence, the different denominations who can't agree.  This is what I was referring to.  Protestants and Catholics are the perfect example.  The P's claim their interpretation is correct and cite scripture to prove the catholic wrong.  The C's do the same thing.  Now one person converts to catholicism claiming this is where the Holy Spirit led them.  Another leaves catholicism for protestantism claiming the same thing.  I just can't see the Holy Spirit leading this way, yet it happens all the time.  To me, this same Holy Spirit can't be telling one person one thing and another person another.  I've listened to the conversion stories from both sides.

Am I beguiled if I become a catholic or am I beguiled if I become a protestant?  It certainly would be with much prayer and research.  I would be sincere in either one of these cases.  This is what I was talking about.

Hope this clarifies a little. :)

God Bless
cris



 

1 John 4:1.  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
 2.  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
 3.  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Many confess Christ is come in the flesh and yet teach false doctrines. Are they of God?

Hey Ollie Ollie In Free,

I don't think you understood my post.  Take X number of churches--------you belong to one, I belong to another, and so on.  We all post scripture that IS scripture but we each may have a different interpretation that doesn't go against scripture, hence, the different denominations because of disagreements over interpretation.  You say my interpretation is not scriptural and I say yours isn't.  It's a difference of opinion and we both say that the Holy Spirit resides in us.  Everyone uses the verses you posted to defend THEIR position or interpretation or whatever.  

Let me see------------------Baptist doctrine based on their interpretation of scripture      Catholic doctrine based on their interpretation of scripture      Lutheran doctrine based on their
      "             "     "             Pentecostal   "        "     "     "
      "             "     "             and so on.
One believes in litergy and one doesn't.  One believes in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and one doesn't.
Are they all right?  Are they all wrong?  Are they half right and half wrong?  Which half is right and which half is wrong? This can just go on forever.  According to the scriptures you posted, I should be able to find that one church that is the true Body of Christ.  It that were true, then there wouldn't be all these denominations IMO.  There would be only ONE, because all of us serious, saved christians are looking for that same hope.  We are of one mind in Christ.  Oh, I think I'm making this more confusing so I'll stop here. :P

God Bless
cris

The following is a excerpt from the Gospel for Asia magazine, this is part 3, go to the link for parts 1 & 2, a worthwhile read!

Bringing Every Thought Into Captivity

Destined to Soar - Part Three
It is possible for us as Christians to lose touch with our true identity—if Satan succeeds in deceiving us!

In The Silver Chair, one of the books in the Chronicles of Narnia series, author C.S. Lewis vividly illustrates what happens when someone falls under deception.

Prince Rilian, the king’s son and heir to the throne of Narnia, is held captive by the enchantments of a wicked witch who poses as a beautiful and kind lady. He can’t remember who he is and where he came from. For ten long years he has lived in the witch’s castle, not recognizing that she has made him her slave. In fact, he thinks she is his greatest benefactor and gladly obeys her wishes and counsel.


Each night, there is an hour where his mind experiences flashes of memory from his real past. However, the witch convinces him that during those times a spell turns him into a vicious and murderous serpent. To protect him and others, she graciously provides a magic silver chair that she claims will eventually break the spell. Believing her words, the prince allows himself to be tied to this chair every night until the dreadful hour passes.

The real truth is that the witch’s sorcery weakens each night. The prince could regain his identity and complete freedom, were it not for the silver chair that once again reinforces the power of the enchantment.

Satan seeks to deceive Us

There is no greater threat to Satan’s kingdom than Christians who know and live their identity as sons and daughters of Almighty God. Satan is unable to stop or defeat such followers of Christ, unless he succeeds in stealing their knowledge of who they are in Him.

How does he do it? Through lies and deception.

The Lord Jesus tells us about his tactics and his nature:

“… He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. … The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy …” (John 8:44, 10:10).

For example, when a believer sins in any way, Satan immediately whispers to his mind: “ Even if God forgave you, you will never recover from what you have done; God has laid you aside; you are a disgrace, a failure and a loser.”

If the believer is not firmly grounded in the Word of God and does not reject the enemy’s words, they will plunge him into a vicious cycle of deception. He will no longer see himself as a conqueror and ambassador for Christ, but he will assume the false identity the devil gave him and live in it.

How can we recognize deception?

The tragic thing is, a person who is deceived does not know it. Like Prince Rilian, he will believe a lie to be the truth and subject himself to actions that only strengthen his bondage and deepen his imprisonment. In the case of a believer who loses his identity as overcomer, each time he meditates on his failure he reinforces the deception that he is worth nothing and that God can no longer use him.

The only way to recognize deception is by the un-Christlike fruit it produces in our lives: We are discouraged and live with self-condemnation, the past haunts us, our inner strength wanes, our hope diminishes, and problems seem to be invincible mountains. Our estimation of ourselves is that we can’t make it, and we become spiritually paralyzed.

This is exactly what Satan is after. He knows he can’t take us to hell, so he deceives us to make us ineffective and fruitless for the kingdom of God.

How can we regain our rightful identity?

We must call out to the Lord and then do what Prince Rilian did when he finally realized he had been held captive by a lie: He took up his sword and destroyed the silver chair.

In our case, it means we must take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and with it destroy every one of our imaginations and the lies of the devil that are contrary to what the Bible says about our identity as Christians. This is just like the apostle Paul instructed us to do:

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

This will set us free once again to mount up as eagles and victoriously soar the skies as we were destined to do by our heavenly Father.

http://www.gfa.org/site/latest_news/send/1q2004/5minutes.html

Religious Prejudice

The devil has engineered a new method of destroying Christians

The devil has engineered a new method of destroying Christians.  Initially, he executed many gruesome acts against Christians via their enemies in times past. These individuals were those who did not subscribe to their believe system and practice.  One of such were the Romans.  The resentment was so strong that the Romans slaughtered the Christians in the coliseum.  The slaughtering was a great success, but it only lasted for a while.  New and more efficient methods were constantly in view to aid the devil's corrupt and destroy initiatives.  But none has been so ingeniously orchestrated as his current scheme.  He was able to turn Christians against Christians.  Isn't that ironic?  But how in the world was he able to do that?  Religious Prejudice!!

  This issue is extremely important, for this dark, ugly spirit of religious prejudice will enrage some Christians to destroy other Christians.  This article will explain how that is possible, and the fact that all Christians are on the same side.  Let us consider the following to get a foundation.

Friends, do the Baptist preach, teach and baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, Father and Holy Spirit?  Well, what about the Methodists, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Charismatic, Presbyterian, Church of God, Seventh-Day Adventist, Non-denominational and so on? Do they believe and preach Jesus?  Yes, they all do.  We are all one big family.  We are not living under the same roof as yet, nor do we believe the same things as yet.  But Jesus will fix that, and one day there will be one fold and one shepherd.  Until then, let us love each other.  That does not mean we are going to be compromiser.  Does that mean we are going to accept all doctrinal points from all denominations no matter how erroneous they might be?  No, friends.  Rather, we will love our brothers and sisters with a redemptive love.  We will express the same type of love that Jesus extended to his once confused disciple.  We will present the complete teaching of Christ on a consistent basis, rather than walking around finding faults, judging and condemning to hell.  Those actions will only develop the character of a devil.

We exert so much energy and resources trying to research the faults of others, that the studying and proclamation of the word suffers.  If we were studying God's word as we should, preaching the complete truth about Jesus Christ, then maybe other denominations would make the comparison and accept all Biblical principles.  Our business is to lift up Christ.  If each denomination is trying to silence the other, thus silencing the entire Christian Community, then who is going to profess Christ to this dying world.  Do we see now and understand what is going on.  The devil has been using us to destroy each other and handicap the work of the Lord.

Christians, through the aid of the state will put other Christians out of their place of worship.  And if they do not comply with the law of the land, they will be persecuted.  Christians killing other Christians believing that they are doing God service.  Consider Saul, he was so annoyed with those that were preaching in the name of Christ that he dragged Christians kicking and screaming to their executioners.  Saul was sincere.  He really believed he was doing the will of the Lord.  His attitude must have been, "I am protecting others from the heresies of those Christians."  In other words, "I'm protecting others from those Jehovah's Witnesses, from those Baptist, from those Seventh-Day Adventist and so on."  The spirit of God does not attack, it enlightens and restores.  We should not try to separate the sheep from the goats, the wise from the foolish or the wheat from the tear.  The Lord did not lay that responsibility on any Christian denomination, group or government.  That is the Lord's job.

Luke 9:52-55
52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Here we see the disciples of Jesus, the church in other words, Christians, feeling the need to attack for Christ sake.  But Christ rebuked them.  Friends the battle is not ours, it is the Lords - 2 Chronicles 20:15.  Peter tried to fight a loosing battle by cutting off the ears of the soldier, but Christ told him to put away his sword.  Christ is saying to us, "Put away prejudice.  It is not by might nor by power, but by My spirit" - Zechariah 4:6.  He is also saying to every Christian denomination that is on the attack as he said to Saul, "Why persecutes thou me.  I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.  It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."  Act 9:4-5.  Every Christian denomination wants to be the greatest in the kingdom of God, just like the disciples.  Christ's spirit embodies a win, win atmosphere.  We will never have peace on this earth, there will always be persecution.  Just make sure you are not the one doing the persecuting.

- for complete article see
http://www.centurionministry.org/spirit/prejudice.asp

Gal 5:6  For in Jesus Christ ... what matters is faith that is active through love

Gal 5:7  You were running beautifully! Who cut in on you and stopped you from obeying the truth?
Gal 5:8  Such influence does not come from the one who calls you.
Gal 5:13  For you, brothers, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity to gratify your flesh, but through love make it your habit to serve one another.
Gal 5:14  For the whole law is summarized in a single statement: "You must love your neighbor as yourself."
Gal 5:15  But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you are not destroyed by each other.
Gal 5:16  So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never fulfill the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:17  For what the flesh wants is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, and so you do not do what you want to do.
Gal 5:18  But if you are being led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, promiscuity,
Gal 5:20  idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, rivalry, jealously, outbursts of anger, quarrels, conflicts, factions,
Gal 5:21  envy, murder, drunkenness, wild partying, and things like that. I am telling you now, as I have told you in the past, that people who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
Gal 5:24  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal 5:25  If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
Gal 5:26  Let us stop being arrogant, provoking one another and envying one another.

Once Saved, Always Saved – Fact or Fiction?

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 7:21
ONCE saved, always saved. That is the cry so often heard from many of the pulpits today. "I can do whatever I want, as long as I have accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour. Why I could go out and mow down a crowd of people with a machine gun and if I were to die at that very moment, I would be saved." Many people believe this teaching today, but is it true? Once we have accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour, can we go on living like the world in open, rebellious sin and still be saved. Most people who believe this teaching will quote the following Bible verse as proof: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38, 39.

Now this is a wonderful Bible promise that God has given us and it should inspire us all. But does it say once a person is born again, it is impossible for him to lose his way and be lost? In fact, is this verse talking about salvation or eternal life at all? No, this verse is clearly talking about God's unconditional love towards man, not unconditional salvation. Salvation is conditional! You might also notice that the word "sin" was not included in the list of things which are unable to separate us from the love of God.

If we continue in sin, after we have asked Jesus to be our personal Saviour, are we really in a saved relationship, are we converted? "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Hebrews 10:26.

Let me challenge you by reading the following Bible verses regarding eternal life and see if you don't agree. And remember, we are not talking about an occasional misdeed in a sincere Christians life. We are talking about a person that is living in open rebelliousness against God. A person that is living like the devil. Will that person be in heaven if he has unconfessed or unforsaken sin in his life, even though at one time, he had a saving, loving relationship with God? You would really rather know now before its too late, wouldn't you? The verses below were all taken from the King James Bible. They were purposely not italicized for easier reading.

Pure In Heart Shall See God
• "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3.
• "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5.

• "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8.

• "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:20.

• "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21.

• "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10:22.

• "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3.

• "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13.

• "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:16.

• "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." Luke 10:25-28.

• "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3.

• "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5.

• "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

• "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.

• "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." John 6:47.

• "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:54.

• "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." John 12:24, 25.

• "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21.

• "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." Romans 2:13.

• "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9.

• "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Ephesians 2:8.

• "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8.

• "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Hebrews 5:8, 9.

• "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12.

• "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" James 2:5.

• "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 1 Peter 4:17, 18.

• "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:11, 12.

• "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 1:21.

• "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7.

• "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Revelation 2:10.

• "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Revelation 2:11.

• "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." Revelation 3:5.

• "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Revelation 3:11.

• "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Revelation 3:21.

• "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." Revelation 21:7.

• "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12.

• "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation 22:14.

• "Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die." Ezekiel 18:4.

cont`d...

There Are No Shortcuts.

The bottom line in all of this is, if we are going to spend eternity with Jesus, we must be born again, meek, love him, pure in heart, converted, baptized, born of the water and the spirit, do the will of our Father, do His commandments, be an overcomer, be obedient, endureth temptation, etc. There are no shortcuts to heaven... If there were, Jesus would not have had to come to this earth, and died for us. We can trace all of the misery and suffering in the world today back to one person's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. If God were to take one unrepentant sinner to heaven with Him, sin would rise up again.
Did you notice in Revelation 3:5 that unless you are an overcomer, Jesus will blot your name out of the book of life. The book of life contains the names of all who have ever entered the service of God. Jesus bade His disciples, "Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20. Paul speaks of his faithful fellow workers, "Whose names are in the book of life." Phil. 4:3. So if we had only one verse in all of the Bible to show that a person can lose his salvation and that it is conditional, it would be this verse, Revelation 3:5.

Now lets look at the following verses from 1 John 3:2-15. These verses really go into depth regarding the born again person. Please look at the whole chapter from your Bible and read it.

1 John 3:2-15
2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
3 "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
 
4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

5 "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."

6 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."

7 "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous."

8 "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."

9 "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

10 "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."

15 "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."

In conclusion, according to the above Bible verses, obedience most certainly does affect our salvation. It surely affected Adam and Eve. Is that not why we lost our first inheritance, due to their disobedience, back in the Garden of Eden. Yet thousands of years later people think they can do as they like and still be saved. I guess my point in all of this is this, if you are not having victory over sin in your life and you keep constantly committing the same sins, over and over again, then maybe you need to stop and ask yourself this most important question. Am I converted??? Am I on the pathway to heaven? Or am I just fooling myself...

All text from the King James Bible,
all emphasis supplied.

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:7,8

http://www.preparingforeternity.com/oncesave.htm

It was a marvel to me that Satan could succeed so well in making men believe that the words of God, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Eze. 18:4), mean that the soul that sinneth it shall not die, but live eternally in misery. Said the angel, "Life is life, whether it is in pain or happiness. Death is without pain, without joy, without hatred."

Satan told his angels to make a special effort to spread the lie first repeated to Eve in Eden, "Ye shall not surely die." And as the error was received by the people, and they were led to believe that man was immortal, Satan led them on to believe that the sinner would live in eternal misery. Then the way was prepared for Satan to work through his representatives and hold up God before the people as a revengeful tyrant--one who plunges all those into hell who do not please Him, and causes them ever to feel His wrath; and while they suffer unutterable anguish, and writhe in the eternal flames, He is represented as looking down upon them with satisfaction. Satan knew that if this error should be received, God would be hated by many, instead of being loved and adored; and that many would be led to believe that the threatenings of God's Word would not be literally fulfilled, for it would be against His character of benevolence and love to plunge into eternal torments the beings whom He had created.

Another extreme which Satan has led the people to adopt is entirely to overlook the justice of God and the threatenings of His Word, and to represent Him as being all mercy, so that not one will perish, but that all, both saint and sinner, will at last be saved in His kingdom.

In consequence of the popular errors of the immortality of the soul and endless misery, Satan takes advantage of another class and leads them to regard the Bible as an uninspired book. They think it teaches many good things, but they cannot rely upon it and love it, because they have been taught that it declares the doctrine of eternal misery.

Another class Satan leads on still further, even to deny the existence of God. They can see no consistency in the character of the God of the Bible, if He will inflict horrible tortures upon a portion of the human family to all eternity. Therefore they deny the Bible and its Author, and regard death as an eternal sleep.

There is still another class who are fearful and timid. These Satan tempts to commit sin, and after they have sinned, he holds up before them that the wages of sin is not death but life in horrible torments, to be endured throughout the endless ages of eternity. By thus magnifying before their feeble minds the horrors of an endless hell, he takes possession of their minds, and they lose their reason. Then Satan and his angels exult, and the infidel and atheist join in casting reproach upon Christianity. They claim that these evils are the natural results of believing in the Bible and its Author, whereas they are the results of the reception of popular heresy.

Satan looks with great satisfaction upon those who profess the name of Christ, yet closely adhere to the delusions which he himself has originated. His work is still to devise new delusions, and his power and art in this direction continually increase. He led his representatives, to exalt themselves, and to stir up the people to bitterly persecute and destroy those who were not willing to accept his delusions. Oh, the sufferings and agony which the precious followers of Christ were made to endure! Angels have kept a faithful record of it all. Satan and his evil angels exultingly told the angels who ministered to these suffering saints that they were all to be killed, so that there would not be left a true Christian upon the earth. I saw that the church of God was then pure. There was no danger of men with corrupt hearts coming into it, for the true Christian, who dared to declare his faith, was in danger of the rack, the stake, and every torture which Satan and his evil angels could invent or inspire in the mind of man.

True seekers for truth need not err, for not only is the Word of God plain and simple in declaring the way of life, but the Holy Spirit is given as a guide in understanding the way to life therein revealed.

http://www.preparingforeternity.com/sr/sr56.htm