I originally wrote this in January 2016, but it has been on my heart to share it again. Even the preachers once on-fire for God who took a stand and preached against sin, are now leaving out the message of holiness and just preaching about salvation. Yes, our walk with God absolutely starts with asking Jesus into our heart, but that is just the beginning. It does not end with acknowledging Jesus died for your sins. We need to do more than just realize Jesus loves us, we need to love Him in return by living only for Him, not for ourselves or others.
My blog "The Parable of the Lost Sheep" has to do with being lost, and allowing Jesus to find you and be saved. However, once you have surrendered your heart, mind, and soul to Christ, you are not instantly saved forever. The theory of eternal security is a lie of the devil in order to put Christians to sleep. When we think there is grace for everything, and that our actions suffer no consequences because our salvation is guaranteed with one simple prayer, we can easily slip into a life of sin and comfortably stay there.
“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness. Joel 2:12-13
It is very true that Christ accepts us as we are, and He freely gave His life on the cross for our sins so we can have eternal life. Yet it is also very true that, though we may come just as we are with all our faults, God expects us to change. Jesus is a loving Father who readily forgives our sins as long as our repentance is sincere, and we do not continue to live in sin. Think of it this way: if your child wrote on the living room walls and said, "I'm so sorry, please forgive me," you would forgive him. If he does it again, you will still love him, but there will be consequences for his actions. If he does it a third time and continues to defy you and take advantage of your gracious heart, the consequences become more dire. It is the same with our Heavenly Father. Even more so since He is holy, and it is His desire that we live holy lives if we are to follow Him. That does not mean we have to be perfect, but we must seek out to destroy our sinful nature.
II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. " That means we are to put away the old creature/old nature of sin. We don't stay living like the world. If you are serious about following Christ, you need to give up worldly sins such as pornography, going to bars, secular music, occult practices such as yoga and astrology, movies/television, etc.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. I Peter 1:13-19
On my husband's blog "The Sword of the Spirit," http://swordofthespirit77.blogspot.com/ Mel wrote a blog in July 2015 titled "The Finish Line," that goes along perfectly with my blog. Here is some of what he wrote:
"Most churches today are not teaching their people the truth in regard to salvation. They are taught that by simply reciting the sinner’s prayer that they are saved and the angels are singing in Heaven. The sinner’s prayer is a great prayer when done in sincerity, but this alone does not save a person’s soul, it is just the beginning. Most churches today are not teaching their people to repent of their sins and to be born again. To be born again, a person must become a new creation in Christ, and this means to be set apart from the world and unto God... If Jesus Christ is truly the Lord of your life then his attributes will be apparent in your life. Christ said that any tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
"This life of probation, may be compared to running a race. We run this race of life hoping to obtain the prize, which is eternal life with God, but if we do not complete the race and cross the finish line, then all is lost... Paul was saying that like a runner in a race keeps his body in good physical condition, we must also keep our spiritual body in good condition so that we might be able to cross the finish line and win our crown. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. I Corinthians 9:24
"Christ said that those who endure unto the end shall be saved, if we fail to cross the finish line in victory, then all is lost... And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:12
"The lukewarm church of the end time is preaching a greasy grace message that makes people feel good, instead of teaching them the truth. When there is no distinction between the sinful world and the saints, then the salt has lost it’s savor and the truth has been turned into a lie. If we live, dress, talk, as well as act like sinners, then we are lost as well. Christ made atonement upon the cross for sins committed in ignorance, as well as for sins that are repented of. If we do not repent of willful sins, then there is no forgiveness. Atonement is not automatic, it follows repentance. No one is perfect of course, but we are called to righteousness, and this means to live right..."
Here are some more thoughts on this subject from a blog I wrote in June 2014 titled: "How do we survive this world?"
If we cry out to God, He will hear our pleas. He wants to protect us and save us... Man’s desire for independence corrupts him more and more. The mentality of not wanting to be told what to do is only getting worse... It is up to you to surrender yourself to God as well as your independence. It is up to you to choose to live right and separate yourself from this world.
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14
The key words there are “if,” and “humble themselves.”
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18
Humble yourself and admit you have done wrong. Salvation begins with repentance and admittance of sin. If you died right then, you would go to Heaven. However, though salvation is a free gift, we must treat it with respect in order to keep that gift. In spite of the very popular belief that you are now saved forever and will automatically go to heaven no matter what you do next is a lie. It is an excuse to live however you want because you are a “Christian.” There is no desire to please your Creator or live a truly Christian lifestyle. There is no self-evaluation or repentance. You cannot rebelliously continue in sin and expect God to turn a blind eye. Not every sin leads to hell, of course, but refusing to do the right thing may cost your soul.
For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2 
(All artwork is by Ron DiCianni)
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. I Peter 1:13-19
On my husband's blog "The Sword of the Spirit," http://swordofthespirit77.blogspot.com/ Mel wrote a blog in July 2015 titled "The Finish Line," that goes along perfectly with my blog. Here is some of what he wrote:
"Most churches today are not teaching their people the truth in regard to salvation. They are taught that by simply reciting the sinner’s prayer that they are saved and the angels are singing in Heaven. The sinner’s prayer is a great prayer when done in sincerity, but this alone does not save a person’s soul, it is just the beginning. Most churches today are not teaching their people to repent of their sins and to be born again. To be born again, a person must become a new creation in Christ, and this means to be set apart from the world and unto God... If Jesus Christ is truly the Lord of your life then his attributes will be apparent in your life. Christ said that any tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
"This life of probation, may be compared to running a race. We run this race of life hoping to obtain the prize, which is eternal life with God, but if we do not complete the race and cross the finish line, then all is lost... Paul was saying that like a runner in a race keeps his body in good physical condition, we must also keep our spiritual body in good condition so that we might be able to cross the finish line and win our crown. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. I Corinthians 9:24
"Christ said that those who endure unto the end shall be saved, if we fail to cross the finish line in victory, then all is lost... And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:12
"The lukewarm church of the end time is preaching a greasy grace message that makes people feel good, instead of teaching them the truth. When there is no distinction between the sinful world and the saints, then the salt has lost it’s savor and the truth has been turned into a lie. If we live, dress, talk, as well as act like sinners, then we are lost as well. Christ made atonement upon the cross for sins committed in ignorance, as well as for sins that are repented of. If we do not repent of willful sins, then there is no forgiveness. Atonement is not automatic, it follows repentance. No one is perfect of course, but we are called to righteousness, and this means to live right..."
"The Book of Revelation was given to the Apostle John by the angel of Jesus Christ. Within Revelation, Christ gave warnings to the various churches that they must keep the commandments of God or they would be cast away. In Rev 2:4 Christ told them that they had left their first love, he told them to repent, and do their first works over or he would remove their lampstand from it’s place. He also told the church of Sardis to repent, because their works, were not found to be perfect before God. Christ told the church of Laodicea that because they are lukewarm that he would vomit them out of his mouth. As you can see, the Word of God teaches us that it is very possible to fall from grace, due to sin, or lack of faith. It is time for the lukewarm churches to wake up and stop leading people astray. James states the truth very clearly, when he said that faith without works is dead."
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14
The key words there are “if,” and “humble themselves.”
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18
Humble yourself and admit you have done wrong. Salvation begins with repentance and admittance of sin. If you died right then, you would go to Heaven. However, though salvation is a free gift, we must treat it with respect in order to keep that gift. In spite of the very popular belief that you are now saved forever and will automatically go to heaven no matter what you do next is a lie. It is an excuse to live however you want because you are a “Christian.” There is no desire to please your Creator or live a truly Christian lifestyle. There is no self-evaluation or repentance. You cannot rebelliously continue in sin and expect God to turn a blind eye. Not every sin leads to hell, of course, but refusing to do the right thing may cost your soul.
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23
I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. I Corinthians 15:31
Daily very simply means we must crucify our flesh every day not just once. Psalm 139: 23-24 should be a daily prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
So do we wait until some crazy gunman is at our door (so to speak) before we choose to make the decision to live a holy life? Of course not. There are no atheists in foxholes, so the saying goes. And it is also true that God will have mercy on your soul if you wait until you are on your deathbed to call upon God and repent of your sins. Yet, why would you wait until then? If everyone died at the age of 99, most would wait until they were 98 ¾ to start living right. But no one ever knows when their time on this world is coming to an end. Nobody is invincible. Age, race, wealth, none of it matters when you’re on a highway full of reckless drivers or the day you decide to go to the courthouse to renew your driver’s license just happens to be the same day a man with bombs storms in and blows the place up.
For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2
Jesus longs to hold each of us in His arms. He wants us to cross the Finish Line and not perish.
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. II Peter 8:10
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3:16.
I'll end with a few more scriptures on salvation & repentance.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ Acts 2:20-22
For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ Acts 22:15-16
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:12-13
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
(All artwork is by Ron DiCianni)
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