Mike,

I confessed Christ as lord and savior at a very young age in our church, I believe 4th grade. I would tell people in my 20’s and 30’s I believed in the bible, but I wouldn’t call myself a Christian. I didn’t want people to look at Christianity through my life; a bit self-righteous I suppose, but I believed I was doing right. I forgot about Christian life needless to say, and grew into a life of indulging flesh and every sin I can think of.

Probably 2 years ago, I was reading the bible again and had a moment where I cried out to God. I felt I was on the right track in my walk with the Lord. Before long though, I’m right back where I was as a sinner. Then about 3 months ago on a Sunday, I have an urge to start reading Bible again, and all these sinful urges just stopped in me.

I’m also reminded of Peter talking about a dog returning to its vomit, second state worse than first, and it would have been better for that person to have not known the truth than to forsake the Holy commandment given him. I had things happen I’m not going to go into that I tie into all this. Did I commit apostasy? Am I the dog that returned to its vomit and is doomed? I have a fear of God in me and a view of sin that was missing my whole life.

Anyhow, I feel like I’m seeing the gospel really clear as being much watered down, but I’m hoping I’m seeing it wrong out of arrogance. Since my ordeal recently, like a hypocrite, I see people who have no fear of God, only view a God of abundant grace. I read in scripture about a Holy God that eventually stops listening to the prayers of people who don’t live in obedience, and destroys them. I realize God is a God of love, mercy and grace who abundantly pardons. But based on the order of events and how they’ve been presented to me, I wonder if I crossed the line of Hebrews 10:26. And please don’t tell me that it only applies to Hebrew Christians at the time going back to Judaism. I believe scripture says “if we” continue sinning willfully, if you assume Paul wrote Hebrews, then that would include himself as a believer in the statement. This isn’t a comfortable passage, but it’s one I wish somebody would have preached to me over and over as a new believer. One minister said God might be warning me. Why would God warn me at a time when my life is as clean as it’s ever been? Anyhow, this is my story, so please tell me what you think.

Thanks,

M____

Hi M____,

You ask me to “tell me what you think” of your story, so I will do that. What I think is that “man [that includes you and me], shall… live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Mat 4:4). Your story demonstrates the truth of those words, as do the stories of all whom God drags to Himself:

Joh 6:44  No man [you, me or anyone else] can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw [Greek: helkuō, ‘drag’ against his will] him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Rom 9:11  (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth 
Rom 9:12  It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Rom 9:13  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 
Rom 9:14  What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
Rom 9:15  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Rom 9:18  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 
Rom 9:19  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Rom 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

What I think of your testimony is that God is demonstrating to you the truth of these words:

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Jer 18:5  Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Jer 18:6  O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

If God gives you the eyes to see, you will know that “live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” includes the verse you so fear:

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

You would also know that there is not a man in the world, other than Christ, who has not “sinned willfully after having received the knowledge of the Truth”. Peter and all the apostles denied Christ by forsaking Him after saying they would never do so, and Paul tells us this about all of us:

Rom 7:17  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: [We are “marred in the Potter’s hand”  (Jer 18:4)] for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

I think this is exactly what you are experiencing, just as I and all other humans experience being “marred in the hand of the Potter”. We sin because of how God created us – “naked… of the dust… sinful flesh and blood… no good thing… in me.”

You will also come to know that “when we are judged in the “judgment and fiery indignation” of Hebrews 10:26-27, that judgment will accomplish what all judgment is intended to accomplish, which is:

1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

While there is indeed a judgment, which is “fiery indignation”, it is still “judgment”, and someday you will know that it is that “fiery judgment… the lake of fire”, God’s elect, who will be used by God to save all men of all time:

Isa 33:14  The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

Who is it among us who dwells comfortably in the devouring fire of Hebrews 10:26-27? Who among us will dwell with the everlasting burnings of that “devouring fire”? Here is the answer, and it is not what you have be told in the church of you were in. Here is who dwells comfortably in the devouring fire and the everlasting burnings:

Isa 33:15  He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

The “fire” of scripture is not literal flames. When Christ spoke of entering into life with one foot, one eye or one hand, He was not speaking of having literally crippled spiritual bodies, and neither was He speaking of literal physical flames of fire. This is the fire of all scripture when it speaks of judgment and the chastening of all judgment:

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

That is exactly what Christ told us will be the fire that will judge all men, now and in the lake of fire:

Joh 12:48  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the [fiery] word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

What you need to know is that every time you see the words ‘for ever, for ever and ever, everlasting, eternal, or eternity” in the scriptures, the Greek word behind those English words is either the Greek noun ‘aion‘ (an age) or the Greek adjective form of ‘aion‘ which is ‘aionios‘. What that means is that “everlasting punishment” and “eternal torment” are just God’s aionian “fiery indignation” which will burn up all that can be burned up and will at the same time purify and cleanse every man, just as the apostle Paul tells us concerning all the “wood, hay and stubble” of your life.

1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire [Either the “fire” of 1Peter 4:12-17 or the fire of Revelation 20:14].
1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1Pe 4:15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
1Pe 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1Pe 4:17  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? [God’s fiery judgment will continue in the lake of fire upon those who are not the first to be judged]
1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? [They will appear in a later, less desirable judgment, the judgment of the great white throne (Rev 20:11) where the righteous of Isaiah 33:14-15 will use the fire in their mouths to judge all men of all time].

Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire [Isa 33:14-15]. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire [Jer 5:14].

For a much more in-depth study of Heb 10:26-27 please read this link:

http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/Judgment_Follows_The_Impossible.php

I am not certain you meant to send this to me, but I know God meant for you to send this to me.

Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 
Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

You asked what I thought of your testimony, and I must say that it sounds like God’s fiery word is performing its intended function of burning out all the wood, hay and stubble, in your life just as it has in my own life. I have suffered the loss of all my old man ever wanted, and through the fiery death of my old man I myself am being saved.

1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire

Your brother in the Christ who is working all things after the counsel of His own will,

Mike

Hey Mike,

I was wondering if you could give me some scripture and explanation for a few questions I have that have been on my mind a lot lately:
How do we know we are elect?
Can you explain the mean of “the brothers who give their father an evil report”?
How do we interact with those in Babylon?
How about those who accuse us of twisting God’s word? How do we respond to them?
Many thanks!
God bless,
C_____

Hi C____,
Thank you for your questions. You ask:

How do we know we are elect?

I think it is safe to say that those who are God’s elect “have passed from death unto life”. Now here is how “we know we have passed from death unto life”:

Joh 5:24 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.

The same apostle adds these words in his epistle:

1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

But there is one more verse of scripture to help us to know we truly are God’s elect and can help us to see that we have indeed “passed from death unto life”. Here is the the way to know you love your brothers, and at the same time to know you have “passed from death unto life”:

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Anyone can say they love God and that they are God’s elect. Many churches claim they are the only true church and that their followers are God’s elect, but when you ask them if they “keep His commandments”, it generally becomes very clear very quickly that few indeed even know what the love of God is.
Here is one of Christ’s commandments which very few men who claim they have come in Christ’s name will even claim to teach or to keep:

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

There is not one orthodox Christian minister who ‘loves Christ and keeps his commandments’. If they did they would not be orthodox Christians. Every orthodox Christian minister urges those in his charge to fight for God and country, and if need be, kill those who are invading their homeland or their homes.
I am not a fool. I am well aware of how difficult it is to stay aloof of the events of this life while living in this world. But God is no fool either, so we need not think we are His children just because we call him “Lord, Lord”.

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

It is quite impossible for the natural man to “do the things [ Christ] says”.
Here is one more example of those who say they are God’s elect, who claim to love God and keep His commandments, but who will not keep this commandment.

Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Christ is speaking of those things which contrast with “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” He is not speaking of resisting the devil and the pulls of our flesh, in which case we are told:

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

I hope this helps you to see that being one of God’s elect is not an easy thing to achieve, and really is only accomplished by Jesus Christ Himself living His life of resisting the devil within each of His elect.
The only way we can know for certain whether Jesus Christ is living His life within either ourselves or our brothers is when we love our brothers in accord with the scriptural definition of love:

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Christ also gives us these very comforting words:

Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Your second question is:

Can you explain the meaning of “the brothers who give their father an evil report”?

I am assuming you are referring to this verse of scripture:

Gen 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

It was just recently brought to my attention the fact that the word translated ‘report’ is the Hebrew word ‘dibbah’, which is better translated as ‘slander’.
Here is Strong’s definition for this Hebrew word:
H1681
dibba h
dib- baw’
From H1680 (in the sense of furtive motion); slander: – defaming, evil report, infamy, slander..
Here are the Old Testament entries for this word:
H1681
dibba h
Total KJV Occurrences: 10
report, 3
Gen_37:2, Num_13:32, Num_14:37
slander, 3
Num_14:36, Psa_31:13, Pro_10:18
infamy, 2
Pro_25:10, Eze_36:3
defaming, 1
Jer_20:10
evil, 1
Num_13:32.
So Joseph was telling his father of the evil slandering of his brothers. In spiritual application for us today, this simply means that we are made aware of all the false doctrines of our own “seed of Abraham” brothers and sisters, who continuously slander the good name of our loving, gentle, patient, and kind, heavenly Father.
All the doctrines of Babylon slander the good name of our heavenly Father. It has never entered His mind to burn anyone alive in literal fire. That doctrine slanders His good name. On the other hand He will judge His people, and the false doctrine of a substitutionary death, which denies that Christ in us dies daily and is crucified with Christ, is also a blasphemous doctrine. We do indeed “reap what we sow”, and it is also true that “whom the Lord loves He chastens and scourges every son He receives”.
Whoever says otherwise is slandering the good name of our heavenly Father who “chastens and scourges every son He receives”.
I hope that helps you to better understand what Joseph reporting to his Father of the evil slandering of his brothers signifies.
Your last question is:

How do we interact with those in Babylon? How about those who accuse us of twisting God’s word? How do we respond to them?

The answer to this question is really contained in the answer to your last question. Joseph refused to slander the good name of his Father even as all ten of his brothers did so routinely. His rejected brothers are the Old Testament symbol of all the churches of Babylon. Joseph stood with his Father and for his Father in the face of all the slandering of his brothers. We too, must stand firm on God’s Word even as we are being accused of twisting it. Our Father knows who it is who is really twisting the word ‘aion’ which means ‘a period of time with a definite beginning and a definite end’ into eternity. Our heavenly Father knows who it is who is twisting “Love your enemies” into ‘Unless he is really your enemy and means you bodily harm’. Our heavenly Father knows who it is who is twisting “I fill up in my body that which is behind of the afflictions of the Christ for His body’s sake which is the church” and “I die daily” and “I am crucified with Christ”, into ‘Christ died for me so I don’t have to die’.
All such twisting of God’s Word is slanderous blasphemy of His loving, kind, gentle, but firm and disciplined good name.
So the answers to your questions here is to be careful not to cast your pearls before swine or give that [ Truth] which is holy to the dogs [ in Babylon]. But when confronted with their lies, you stand pat on the Rock that is Christ and His Word, and let the chips fall where the holy spirit is having them to fall.
In closing I would encourage you to join our nightly Bible studies and fellowship calls and “speak often” to the other parts of the body of Christ. It is impossible to stay spiritually healthy while ignoring the other parts of your own body. Fellowship with others in the Christ is never meant to be a litmus test, but it is scripturally clear that all who partake thereof are spiritually benefited by doing so.

Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
(YLT) For, even as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ,
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

I hope all of this serves to draw you closer to our Lord and His Christ,
Mike

Mike,

It’s a testament to God’s grace because for the last two months I have been asking God to strip me of pagan doctrines and burn out of me anything that does not align with His truth, and as of late, he has torn down many doctrines I held and showed me the truth. God truly is sovereign!
So I guess my last question is: how are am I to interact with our brothers and sisters in Babylon? I used to hold prayer group with other Christians, and we’d discuss our walk. We were even looking for ways to share the gospel, but now that I see what the gospel is, I see that I am called to bring it to the called (not chosen) just as Jesus was sent into the world (church world of His day). Any input or advice would be great.
Thanks, and take care!
C____

Hi C____,

It is refreshing to hear that you are “asking God to strip and burn out of you anything that does not align with His Truth…” That is a very worthy prayer, and it is an essential work for any who would be in that “blessed and holy… first resurrection”. But the doctrines and traditions of Babylon are deeply embedded in our lives and our society, and getting them out of our lives requires that we “as a living sacrifice… lose [ our lives”.

Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

While we must be willing to die with Christ physically, “He that loseth his life for my sake” is primarily a spiritual statement which requires that we “present [ our] bodies to God as a living sacrifice which means being crucified with Christ daily, which is nevertheless living through the power of Christ within us.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

You ask, “… how are am I to interact with our brothers and sisters in Babylon?” The answer is that you never pass up an opportunity to be a witness for Christ, but at the same time you are admonished by our Lord Himself to avoid casting your pearls before swine or giving that which is holy to the dogs.

Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

So we never allow a false doctrine to go unchallenged, yet once we have witnessed for our Lord and we can tell that our witness has been refused, we back off and do not deliberately cast our pearls before swine. Notice I said “back off”. I did not say ‘back down’. We never back down when it comes to standing on the Truth, but we do not deliberately bring persecution upon ourselves by pushing the Truth upon swine and dogs who “cannot hear”.

Joh 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

Spiritual swine and spiritual dogs “cannot hear” Christ’s spiritual words.

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

So Christ is our example, and here we have Him standing on the Truth at peril of his physical life. But notice that He was not initiating the discussion. It was “those Jews which believed on Him” but still ‘could not hear His word’ who initiated this discussion, when they argued with Christ that they had never been in bondage to anyone.

Joh 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

When Christ was not welcome, He would always leave:

Mat 8:34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

So what did Christ do?

Mat 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

Christ healed the demoniac and then He “departed out of their coasts”, when He was made aware that he was not welcome. He never ‘backed down’ when confronted with demons and their lies, but Christ is not looking to pick a fight.
This should be our spirit when dealing with Babylon the mother of harlots:

2Pe 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

Look at the preceding verses to see who and what we are up against:

2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

As hard as it may seem for our natural man to understand, God considers Satan and his minions in Babylon to be “government… principalities… [ and] ‘dignitaries’ against whom you and I are not to “bring… railing accusation”, but we, like Michael the archangel, are to simply say, “The Lord rebuke thee”, and go on about our business and let Babylon go on about her business.
It really helps to do this when we are granted to understand that it is at the expense of and upon the backs of the unbelievers that you and I are granted our saving faith:

Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

It will be of great help to you to have a godly mindset toward Babylon and her children. Babylon is God’s rejected anointed who is typified in Old Testament scripture by King Saul, who like Joseph’s brothers, wanted to destroy David, the one person he recognized as his replacement. Nevertheless just look at how David reacted when he was told of the death of King Saul, who King David replaced as king over all Israel:

2Sa 1:23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

We are all sincere Babylonians, who believe the lies of Babylon, before our eyes are opened to see the deceit we are in at that time. At the beginning of our walk we really are “swifter than eagles… stronger than lions” before we “lose our first love” and fall into perdition.
It is my prayer that all these scriptural admonitions will serve to give you some practical directions on how to deal with our rejected anointed brothers and sisters in Babylon. Be firm on God’s Word, but do not cast your valuable pearls before swine who have no appreciation for “gold, silver, or precious stones” (1Co 3:13-16). We need to have the proper regard for the fact that they are sacrificed so we can become “those who first trusted in Christ”.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Your brother who appreciates all our Lord has sacrificed for us.
Mike

Hello,

I have a new question.
I am often called upon to pray for people in my congregation. As I am reading and coming to an understanding of the things you speak about on your site (I don’t understand/ agree with it all, but my eyes are opening to much of what is taught on your site), I’m starting to feel like a fish out of water.
Meaning, the things I think about concerning the Lord and His Word are becoming so vastly different from what others around me believe. Would you say this separation from others is a part of the death we must experience?
So now I find myself feeling unwilling to communicate to fellow believers about the things of God since my thoughts are so foreign to theirs.
Just the other day, I had to pick up a young lady walking on the street who coincidentally enough had just run into a member of my congregation and both had begun walking together.
I offered them a ride to their different destinations.
The young lady, it was relayed to me, was feeling like she wanted to kill herself and felt life was worthless. I encouraged her the best I could – let her know God loves her, He created her for a purpose, tomorrow will be a better day, etc. etc. She really didn’t appear to be in any danger and was in fact rather indifferent to the things I was saying, kind of like ‘lady, will you be quiet and just take me where I need to go’.
I prayed out loud for her and dropped her off where she wanted to go. As I thought about the situation later, I realized there was no way she was ready for anything very heavy in God’s word other than ‘God loves you, Jesus died for you, give your life to Him’, and I felt I SHOULD direct her to Babylon/ traditional church because at least there she will begin to get some understanding of the things of God.
At that same time, I found out from the other individual that they were separating from their spouse. Again, other than praying for God’s wisdom for this family and his mercy, I was at a loss of what I could say.
How do I bear the burdens of others in light of the things I am learning? I can ‘weep with those who weep’ and ‘comfort others with the comfort wherewith I have been comforted’, but for those who are seeking an answer to how do I now live, why are these things happening, etc. I’m having trouble formulating words.
I think people are going to believe I’m ‘too heavenly minded to be any earthly good’.
Is there any PRACTICAL help and words of advise I can give to the drug user, the fornicator, the prostitute etc. who are coming (or wanting to come) to a basic understanding of who God is and what this life is about?
It’s almost like I’m getting so deep into the weightier things of God that I’m losing touch with the simple babes who need to learn to crawl before they can walk.
Can you help me with this dilemma? I’m thinking I need you to direct me to articles on your site that pertain to counseling baby believers and the unsaved, but maybe the Spirit will allow you to see my predicament differently?
With appreciation,
S____

Hi S____,
Thank you for your questions.
Your first question was:

Would you say this separation from others is a part of the death we must experience?

Yes, I certainly would. If ever we are granted to understand that God’s words are addressed to the church and that it is His own church who is guilty of His crucifixion, then we just might begin to be granted “to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God.”
It is “those Jews [ God’s people, Christians] who believed on him” who wanted Christ crucified.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

So yes, “this separation from others is a part of the death we must experience.” It will always be at the hands of God’s own people who we all are when we cannot receive His doctrine, and therefore His “word has no place in us” during this stage of our walk.

2Co 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2Co 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2Co 2:17 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.

It is verse 17 which reveals who is being spoken of as thinking of us as “the savour of death unto death”. Look at that verse in the Concordant Literal Version:

(CLV) For we are not as the majority, who are peddling the word of God, but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God in Christ, are we speaking.”

So it is God’s own people to whom those who ‘speak the word in sincerity, as of God’ become the smell of death unto death”.
Your other questions seem to be about both prayer and counseling.
The two really do go together. If we “pray not for the world”, then neither would we ‘cast our pearls before swine.’

Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Joh 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

And yet we are told “God so loved the world…” (Joh 3:16), and we are told to pray for ‘all men, and our leaders and all that are in power’.

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

We even see Christ Himself praying for those who crucified Him:

Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

So do we pray for the world or not? Do we counsel the world or not?
We have had a very good and rather thorough discussion on this very subject on our ‘body e- mail’ the past couple of weeks as the result of a brother who wanted to know the answer to this same question.

First of all it is important to note that Christ’s prayer for those crucifying him was not that they would be saved in this age. He did not pray for their conversion at that time. So He was not contradicting Himself when He said, “I pray not for the world, but for them… you have given me”.

It will also serve us well to note that Paul is not encouraging us to pray for the conversion of all men and our worldly leaders at this time. Rather he is telling us:

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; [ For what reason are we exhorted to pray for “all men… kings, and for all that are in authority?] that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

There it is, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” It is not that they will be given the wisdom of God to make godly decisions and help us to save this world for Christ.
Here is what is to be our frame of mind towards this world:

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

So when we read:

Joh 3:16 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.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

We know from “the sum of [ God’s] word (Psa 119:160, ASV) that the saving of this world is not in this age but is when “the end” comes, after the millennium and through the great white throne judgment and the lake of fire.
The fire of that lake is what Paul speaks of in these verses of 1 Corinthians:

1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

“Every man” means ‘every man’.
I hope this all serves to answer your questions and to give you some direction in making the decisions you are facing. If I can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to let me know.
God will guide you and give you the answers you need when you need them, if Christ really is living His life within you. That is His own promise:

Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

Your brother in His service,
Mike

Hello,

I came across your website a few months ago when doing an online search for “type and shadow” (I forget what the specific type and shadow I was looking for though!)
I have really enjoyed and been blessed by what is written. I still don’t understand it all and some of it I still don’t have the revelation of it being really true, but those things I do grasp are really edifying me.
My situation:
I have a friend from whom I have parted company who believes I am under the delusions of Babylon because I would not stop attending the ‘institutional’ church that my husband says our family must belong to and after quitting, become a part of their home fellowship.
She says it would not be like I was ‘joining’ in the sense that the institutional church makes you ‘join’. I told her I understand that, but that whatever body we fellowship with, I want it to be under the approval of my husband because eventually, I am sure he would want to be a part of that fellowship. I told her that I believe my husband would desire to be in a fellowship where the man/ men are speaking to his spirit in a way that he can receive/ understand (which, I believe, is part of what attracts him to this current ‘church’ we attend), and he would not be able to get into the fact that she ismore of the ‘leader’ of this fellowship.
She says that type of old fashioned, archaic, ‘churchy’ thinking he is doing is putting me in bondage. She says that she would be GLAD not to be the one ‘leading out’ if only her husband would be more proactive at doiing so. (as an aside, her husband DOES teach and speak during the fellowship but the brunt of the teaching comes from her although she does try to let him lead). She says I am understanding the scriptures incorrectly. That we are all one now under Christ, and it doesn’t really matter who ‘leads forth’ as long as biblical truth is going forth. If it’s the female that has the revelation, then so be it; that is who the Lord has given it to. She says that if it had not been for the Lord using HER, her family would not be as far along spiritually as they are because her husband can be very lax in the things of the spirit/ bible reading/ leadership, etc. (She has a strong personality and her husband is of a milder, quieter manner). She says God has made her personality this way – like a Deborah so to speak – so why would she be forced to not move forward in her knowledge/ ability to teach/ lead? She says she would be putting her husband before the Lord if she did that.
She says that sitting under Babylonian error has made me misunderstand the scriptures and that is why I’m accepting what my spiritually weaker husband is telling me without standing up for the truth.
She says I should not love him more than I love God. I told her I actually feel the opposite. I attend an ‘institutional church’ that CONDONES women preachers and women teachers! We have a woman assistant pastor! They are constantly WANTING me to teach, but I have told them I prefer not to teach men. (at this point, I don’t want to even teach the women because I don’t know how I would even talk to them about the things I am believing.) I said if anything, it is in my nature to WANT to run over my husband! I was raised in a home where my mother was the boss and ran over my Dad. I do not like that. I don’t think it is right, and I don’t want to be that kind of woman. I told her I find myself contantly leaning that direction so it’s not that I don’t WANT to be in charge – I’m fighting to keep FROM being an overbearing, naggy, ‘do what I say’ kind of wife!
I told her I DO love God, and that is why I am trying to submit myself to my husband.
(questions before my main question) –
(but aren’t things different in God’s new economy of new creations?
Maybe culturally it was harder for women to do things during Paul’s time; maybe that’s why we only hear of ‘Aquila and Priscilla’ and the handful of other women who worked for the Lord – now ‘post feminism’ where it’s no big deal for women to lead, doesn’t it make it even easier for women and men to really be ‘one’ under Christ as the bible speaks of their being neither ‘male nor female’.
Is it still considered part of a ‘curse’ to be ruled by women and children (Isa 3:12) or what does that really mean spiritually?)
My Main Question:
I think from one article that I read on your site that you believe the woman SHOULD submit to a husband’s authority. My friend sees many things the scriptures say as being more like a spiritual code (like your website) that only those with revelation or who have labored in the word can discern.
If the Words of Christ have a spiritual meaning, isn’t she right to say that just a ‘surface reading’ of the words about a woman submitting aren’t the real meaning of those verses? It seems I read on someone’s website that when it talks about the ‘woman’ it really means the ‘soul’, and that the ‘soul’ of every human should be in submission to the ‘spirit’. If that’s the case, then does an outward display of submission not really matter to us ‘new creations’ because we will all be being led by the self same spirit and there won’t really be a need for some type of external ‘law’ to tell women (OR men) to submit? Also, when the word ‘wife’ is used, if we continue to follow the it- all- has- a- spiritual- meaning train of thought, wouldn’t that word really be in reference to Christ’s body/ wife? So again, any outward display of letting a husband have final authority in a home would not be what was really intended but a CORPORATE submission to our head Jesus, right?
Thank you for letting me unburden myself of these thoughts. I know this was a long read but I have sat on these thoughts for many weeks and finally felt I MUST have your thoughts on this matter. I have so many more questions but I will save them for another (hopefully shorter) email.

S____

Hi S____,

The main question you pose in the subject of this e- mail is…

Do Wives REALLY Have To Submit?

… and the answer is, yes, if you are granted the grace to “tremble at God’s Word”.

Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

… which “Word” plainly states”

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

“Submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord”. So if it doesn’t matter whether Christ is the head, then it wouldn’t matter if wives were in charge of their homes and the church which is Christ’s body. But it does matter whether Christ is in charge of you and me and His body, and it also matters whether wives tremble at these our Lord’s inspired words.
This subject is an important part of knowing who God and His son are. It is very important that we think as they think and act as they act in all of our ways. Here is just how important that is:

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

When we are granted to know God and His Son, then we will no longer be confused about a woman’s place in the home and in the body of Christ.

1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

There is a reason why you did not like to see your mother dominating your father. One reason is that a domineering personality is no good in either a man or a woman. Another reason is that “the head of Christ is God” and that spiritual reality should scripturally be reflected within our homes and within “the body which is His church”.

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

I will point out that the apostle Paul reminds us that he is speaking spiritually about Christ and the church as it relates to the marriage of a man and a woman. Then, after reminding us he is speaking primarily of spiritual matters, he concludes with this very revealing statement:

Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

I have an in- depth article on this very subject which has just recently been recorded for those who prefer audio over text. It was posted this very day, apparently just for you.
The name of that article is The Head of Christ Is God. Here is the notice that came to me just minutes ago informing me that this audio had just been posted:

“The audios for these studies of Mike’s can be found at this website http:// anthocul. wordpress. com/ under the menu heading ‘Articles and Studies (Audio)'”

We hope in the near future to have all the articles also transferred to audio. If you prefer text, here is the URL for this article on the iswasandwill be web site:
http:// iswasandwillbe. com/ The_ Head_ Of_ Christ_ Is_ God. php
Please take the time to read that paper and come to understand what and how women can and should ‘prophesy’, and if after reading that paper, you still have questions please feel free to get back to me.
You are right about women teaching other women, being where women are intended to teach, and we have many exemplary women within our fellowship who know the mind of God as revealed in the scriptures on this subject.
You are in my prayers that the Lord will give you His mind on this vital subject.
Your brother in Christ, whose head is God.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Just want to know the spiritual significance of Ezekiel chapter 23.
This is how I understand it.
The two sisters: the younger one being us when we first left Babylon, newly borne into the Spirit, (with refers to Amo 5:1-6)
… and the older sister being;
… have grown in the Spirit exposed to the truth, but still participating in Babylon e. g still affiliated with them but not really do all that they do, or approve of what they are doing?
Kindly also explain to me the process of leaving Babylon. Is it a one time thing or a process that may be repeated? I know I have been called out of Babylon, went out and the Lord guided me through His word, taught me, fed me, and know one was there, no preacher or Bishop could understand what was going on so I stayed at home and the Spirit of God was just feeding me, and later He introduced me to your site. It was a painful season for me being born into the Spirit, but God was there teaching me through the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentation, Hosea, books that I never thought I would go through, but the revelations were wonderful and after that fall and drinking the cup of suffering, then my language in the things of God changed just like that. And thank God He introduced me to your site as a confirmation of what God had been feeding me with, but when I was trying to tell people what I believe, they thought I was needing deliverance for maybe a demon got into me. but now I am in a church, am not gaining anything as the preaching is so much baby milk. I don’t know why am there, maybe I just like the pastor, I think.
The other thing that I want to bring out is that I strongly believe that the most work in the Christ crucifixion was not the cross, but the Gethsemane prayer. I am not by any means undermining the cross or the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ and the physical pain He had to go through, but I think the most pain was the alignment of His will with the Will of the Father, but I find out that the Gethsemane phase is not preached in most cases. Its importance is negated and the concentration is more on the crucifixion on the cross.
I think the Gethsemane phase of those hours is what most of human nature is struggling with until today, the “Not my will but thy will be done” part.

Thanks, Mike,
N____

Hi N____,

Thank you for your question. You ask about the two sisters of Eze 23. Those sisters are Ahola, who, we are told is the northern kingdom of Israel, also called in scripture Ephraim, which was the chief tribe of that part of Israel. We are told that her capital is Samaria, where Jeroboam, their first king, set up the golden calf and commanded Israel to keep their feasts in Samaria in the eighth month instead of the seventh month, contrary to what God had instructed them to do in Jerusalem.
The second sister is Aholibah who we are plainly told is Jerusalem and the southern kingdom with its temple of God, but which we are also told committed whoredoms on an even greater scale than her elder sister.

Eze 23:1 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
Eze 23:2 Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:
Eze 23:3 And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.
Eze 23:4 And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.
Eze 23:11 And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms.

You suggest that these two sisters are both us, and in that you are exactly right. Ahola, the elder is each of us as a beast which receives a deadly wound, and Aholibah is us as an even stronger beast whose deadly wound is healed.

Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Now you know it is not my intent to offend you. I am very much aware that we are all very sociable creatures by our Creator’s design. Nevertheless, your return to a Babylonian church is nothing short of going from Ahola to Aholibah, expecting to find the love of Jesus Christ. Here is what that true ‘love of God’ is:

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

You asked about how we are to come out of Babylon?

Kindly also explain to me the process of leaving Babylon…

I appreciate this question because it affords me the opportunity to give the scriptures which answer this question which we all have in our own order (1Co 15:23).
It is clear that we are not intended to just quietly stop attending so as to avoid being persecuted for Christ’s name’s sake. This leaves our minister and all our friends in Babylon to wonder what became of us. Instead we are to “live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Mat 4:4 and Luk 4:4). That is the principle of scripture which reveals to us that we are both Aholah and Aholibah. But that is also the principle which reveals to us that we are to leave Babylon only after we have been spiritually “scourged in their synagogues” for bearing witness to the Truth, which is Jesus Christ.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

When we attempt to avoid allowing others to discover what we have come to see as the Truth, we are doing nothing less than hiding the Jesus we have come to know from those in Babylon who, sadly, we put before our love of Him as we live out Aholibah within ourselves. That is what you are doing in going back into the church after having left. Now since you are there, do not just leave without being a witness in the streets of that ‘great city’. If you are a true witness for Christ and His Truth, then you will be “scourged in their synagogues”, and left for dead in the streets of that great city.

Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

Do not attempt to avoid this. Perhaps this is why the Lord has you back there. You must bear witness to Him, and they will indeed ‘cast you out of the synagogue’.

Joh 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
Joh 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
Joh 9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Joh 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
Joh 9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
Joh 9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

You and I are this man who was born blind from his mother’s womb. Christ has healed us of that blindness, and the least we can do is to acknowledge who He is and suffer the persecution that we are intended and designed to bear to try our faith.

You say:

… no one was there, no preacher or Bishop could understand what was going on, so I stayed at home and the Spirit of God was just feeding me, and later He introduced me to your site.

You are so right. It is God who has brought you to iswasandwillbe. com and while He has indeed been feeding you without the benefit of fellowship, for a time, that is not where He commands us to stay. We are commanded to assemble together by whatever means we can and to be nourished one of another.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

“Ourselves together” is not us and Aholibah. It is others of like mind, who have had the very same experience because they are of the very same body, which we are plainly told desperately needs and is nourished by all of its various parts.

1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
1Co 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
1Co 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1Co 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
1Co 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
1Co 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
1Co 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
1Co 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
1Co 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

“The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee”, and you and I cannot say to the other members of Christ’s body that we do not need them. They are what sharpens us, and they are what nourishes us, and helps to keep us spiritually healthy according to our Creator:

Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Do not ignore these verses of scripture. What they tell us, for those who have been given eyes that see and ears that hear, is that if we think we do not need each other, then we are saying we do not need Christ and thus we will be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, whereas we could be being sharpened by our other brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, and building ourselves up in love, which is obedience to God.

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

‘Keeping His commandments’ includes the commandment to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together when possible to do so. There are many who are seeking fellowship and who understand all of this, and want to be ‘sharpened and supplied and built up in love’ by the other members in particular’ of this “body of Christ”. I encourage you to sign up on the ‘body letter’ mentioned on the home page of iswasandwillbe to partake of the wonderful fellowship this service provides.
In concluding, you mentioned Christ’s trial being mostly in the garden of Gethsemane. The holy spirit is definitely dealing with you, but I keep referring to this verse of scripture so I need to quote it right here as we sharpen each other concerning this subject you raise here.

Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

That is just the Old Testament way of saying that the body needs all of its members and that it is nourished by what every joint supplies and that it builds itself up in love.
So let’s put those verses into action by allowing me to point out that Christ considered Himself to be on the cross from the temptation in the wilderness immediately following His baptism by John, and immediately preceding the beginning of His ministry. We know this is so because before He ever went to the cross, He told his disciples to ‘take up their cross and follow Him’.

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mar 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mar 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The temptation to avoid the suffering of the cross was just as strong at the beginning of His ministry as it was at the end in the Garden of Gethsemane. In both cases the trial was so great that His Father saw the need to send angels to minister to Him.

Mat 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Luk 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Luk 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

You are so right in the principle you are applying here. Christ had considered all of this in advance and had already fought this battle in the spiritual realm before it ever arrived in the natural realm.
I hope you are granted to receive all of this in the spirit of love and obedience to our Lord in which it is intended.
Your brother in Christ,

Mike

Greetings brother Mike,

If you don’t mind would you please answer a question for me that has me a little puzzled and concerned. With so much to learn and comprehendabout Gods Word through Scripture and your teachings, [ and I’m doing just that], just how does one go about “living by every word” while at the sametime one [ me] can sometimes forget “what one has learned” about the Word through your writings? It seems that for me at least there is so much to learn and retain that a lot of times I just plain forget what I have learned and feel like I am not really living by every word“if” I forget some of the Spiritual insights that I have learned. I hope this makes some sense to you but sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of knowledgethat we as sons of God must retain concerning Scripture. Am I alone here or does this seem like a common occurrence? With so much to remember and to apply scripturallyin my life concerning the Word of God I somehow feel like His works are not hitting the mark if I cannot remember everything that you teach concerning how we ought to live while in these fleshy bodies. I want to retain all that God has shown me, but it seems at times that the Spirit is willing but the mind isn’t. Any insight would be much appreciated.
Thank you and God Bless,
P. S. My memory is not as good as it once was, but my passion for The Word is.

YBIC
M____

Hi M____,

It is very rewarding to know that you are learning more of the mind of God and His Son through the letters and articles found on iswasandwillbe. com
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all the help you have been in the past when you have taken the time to inform us of broken links.
Your question today is essentially how can we keep the sum of God’s Word in mind so as to be sure to keep it all. Correct me if I have gotten that wrong.
You ask:

It seems that for me at least there is so much to learn and retain that a lot of times I just plain forget what I have learned and feel like I am not really living by every word “if” I forget some of the Spiritual insights thatI have learned. I hope this makes some sense to you, but sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of knowledge that we as sons of God must retain concerning Scripture. Am I alone here or does this seem like a common occurrence?

While I am unaware of this particular question ever being asked of me, I can still say with complete confidence that the inability to remember everything we learn is common to all men, and that you therefore are in the same place we all find ourselves. We are all very human, and are therefore forgetful of many things.
Here is how I know that to be the case:

Isa 43:26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

Isaiah pleads with God to “put me in remembrance”. This would not be needed if forgetting were not common to us all.
King David begins several of his Psalms with this mantra:

Psa 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

Solomon laments this facet of our human character:

Ecc 1:11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

So you very clearly are not alone when it comes to forgetting “the sheer volume of the material that is contained within the word of God which we discuss and expound on iswasandwillbe. com
But I am very happy to be able to tell you with complete confidence that this is nothing over which to become anxious. Here is one verse that makes this point in a very general way:

Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? (ASV)

So there is the general answer to your question. Do not be anxious for your life. Your life is in very good and capable hands, and it has all be predestinated; ‘even the days that were ordained for you before there were any of them’.

Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.(ASV)

But what about the need to witness to those who demand an answer of us? Will we not be a failure if we cannot remember what we need to say under such circumstances? Again, we need be anxious for nothing. We have been given a promise which addresses this very concern:

Mar 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

So there it is again. What we are to speak is promised to be given us in that hour. If we are to speak, we will be given the words, and if we are not to speak, then we will not be given the words. Either way it is all a work of God, and we need not be anxious because the fact is:

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

So “living by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”, knowing that “all things present and things to come are ours” and “keeping the things written therein”, is not even dependent upon our very limited memories, but are rather a matter of simply “turning” to “see behind us” this entire “revelation of Jesus Christ”.

Rev 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

When we turn to see what is “behind” us, we do so because we are seeing what we have already come through. When we are granted to do this, what we see is that in the final analysis this revelation of Jesus Christ is the same in every man who has ever lived or who ever will live. That is what “all things… life, death… the world… things present and things to come, are ours” means.

1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

This obviously is not speaking simply of death as so many falsely contend.

Ecc 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

I hope this helps you understand that you need not concern yourself with remembering every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God. Living by every word of God, is a matter of simply acknowledging that “the world… is ours” (1Co 3:21-22) and that “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” is all in our flesh, individually. That is what “live by every word… life, death, the world, things present and things to come… keep the things written therein…” all mean. None of this requires that we make a checklist of what every single person mentioned in the scriptures has done, and then go down that list killing Abel, Uriah and Jesus. All we need do is to acknowledge that we have indeed slain our Lord, and that “all that is in the world” and all that is “in Adam” is within each of us as his natural sons. That is what we all see when we are finally granted to “turn” to “see the voice behind” us.
We are not saved by remembering and keeping a check list of things to do. “We are saved by hope”,

Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

… and this, just four verses later, is the outcome of that hope:

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

So I am much encouraged by the words with which you close your e- mail:

My memory is not as good as it once was, but my passion for The Word is.

Lord willing you will keep that passion, and He will continue to grow in you as your old man continues to die, day by day.
Your brother in Christ,

Mike

Mike;
How does one know God’s will for a specific situation? There are times when I hear an internal voice and others when a feeling is too strong to ignore, or others still when God brings my wife and I to the same conclusion separately. But, what about those times when God appears to be silent? What about the times when there isn’t the clarity we hope for? Isn’t there a Scripture about seeing God’s steps before and after us? For example, as head of my household I am subject to God and I see very clearly that the best, and probably only, way to lead my family is according to the will of God in absolute obedience. With this in mind I truly seek God’s counsel, authority and will above all other things. First off, my reasoning is flawed, and secondly, my wife and family need to believe I’m following God rather than some selfish whim of my own.
Truly, leading the family is easy when we are all in agreement, but what about those times when we aren’t? You and I, as heads of our households, are called to identify the will of God for our families. Our wives, on the other hand, are suppose to trust our judgment. I suppose, based on their observation of our relationship with God and how we conduct ourselves within His written word, at the same time, by seeking the will of God through their own relationship with Him. Presently, God has given me clear direction, but it doesn’t fit nicely with all the plans my wife and I had in mind.
I’m moving forward very carefully, but at the same time I’ve made it clear to my wife that I can’t stop what God has started. I have no desire left in me to fight God. I’ve lost that battle too many times. I admit I don’t have an answer to every question my wife asks, but at the same time she needs to understand God may not give us exactly what we want. His agenda is clearly different than ours. We view our lives from a human point of view, while God most certainly doesn’t.
Anyway, I’m in constant and continuous prayer, seeking the will of God. I understand my wife’s legitimate concerns and know her desires for our given situation. At the same time, what either of us wants isn’t the most important factor. At the end of the day, however, I am still subject to God above all else which leads me back to my original question. How does one know the will of God in any given situation? How do you, personally, identify His will in your own life?
Thank you for your time.
T____

Hi T____,
Thank you for your question.
The answer is that we are not given to know God’s will for every specific situation. If we were, then there would be no trials. That is why we are admonished to say and to pray in this manner:

1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Co 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Jas 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

We are to know Christ and His Father by knowing the Word of God. God’s Word gives us much instruction, and for most of life’s questions the answers are very clear in the Word of God. But for many of life’s trials we simply must call out to our loving heavenly Father for wisdom and for patience. Waiting to see what God is working is what makes the trial a trial.
If indeed we do all we do to please God, then that will soon be made clear to all. If on the other hand we say ‘The Lord told me to do such and such’ as if what we say is to be taken as scripture, when it is not in scripture, we are doing nothing less than “rejoicing in our boastings, [ and] all such rejoicing is evil.”
So we are to read the Word of God and make our decisions based upon that Word. If we truly do all we do to glorify God, then He has promised to give us peace of mind in knowing we are serving Him and not ourselves.

1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [ his] purpose.

Now, if you put Rom 8:28 together with Eph 1:11,

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

… and you pray your prayers as Christ and John both instruct us to ask for God’s will to be done in our lives;…

Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [ it is] in heaven.
1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

If we believe these verses, then we can honestly say that our prayers have never once gone unanswered, and we always receive God’s answer to our prayers, because we truly believe that He is working all things after the counsel of His own will.
I wish I could give you a simple answer to your question that did not require a trial of your faith, but alas, that is not God’s way of teaching us faith and patience:

1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Temptations are very trying upon us, as both Peter and James demonstrate.

Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing [ this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have [ her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [ men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But it is through these trying temptations that something is wrought which is “more precious than… gold” and will not perish.
I hope these verses of God’s Word will encourage you both to seek only to know and do the will of our Lord as is revealed in His Word. If that is the desire of your hearts, then God has promised to give you the wisdom you need to face any and every temptation and trial.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [ men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I have faith that He is in the process of doing that for you both. It is God who is even now working this very trial in your lives “after the counsel of His own will”.
You both remain in my prayers.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Hi Mike: Question for you. I told my husband about five months ago that I would no longer be attending church with him because of the doctrinal differences between our beliefs. However, I am wondering if it is okay to attend church with him and my children. I really miss the family dynamic and the kids really miss me going to church with them. Everything in my life centered around church activities – small groups, mission trips, kids in youth group. Now there is none of that and I really miss it. However, I also don’t want to compromise my beliefs to partake in those activities. Any advice you can give me would be much appreciated.

D____

Hi D____,
Thank you for seeking advice.
Since you have asked me, I am going to be straightforward in answering you.
Look at your own words and let the mind of Christ in you give you the answer that Christ Himself gave us all. Here is Christ’s answer to your dilemma. My prayer for you is that you “have root (Christ) in yourself” enough to withstand the temptation you are now enduring. Here is what Christ is even now telling you concerning your situation which you describe for me in this e- mail.

Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

When we go back to the traditions and all the activities of Babylon, simply because we “miss them” we are demonstrating that we are not yet given to withstand the pulls of Babylon upon our flesh. We are demonstrating that we prefer to deny Christ rather than be denied by Babylon.
So the direct answer to your question is that you cannot go back into Babylon and take part in “church activities – small groups, mission trips, kids in youth group[ s]” without denying the Christ who is the Truth who you have come to know. It simply cannot be done, and you still claim that you are willing to “lose your life” for Christ’s sake.
“Losing your life” is a spiritual concept. It has not nearly so much to do with physical death, as it does with the death of your “old man” by giving up a life of spiritual fornication, which will spare you from being separated from your own family and friends. But that is the very reason for which Christ came:

Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

You will not lose your husband, children, or friends if you continue to just fit in with all that Babylon has to offer. It is only by following the example our Lord set for us to follow that will bring about “being hated of all men” which is promised to all who follow Christ:

Mat 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Again, “death” here is far less concerned with dying physically as it is with being “put to death” spiritually, and “lying dead in the streets of the great city whenin our Lord was crucified”.

Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Rev 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Once you compromise, the battle is lost. You will never “finish your testimony” because you are more fearful of losing all the comforts of Babylon, than you are with losing the spiritual promises given to those who are willing to “die daily” and to “be crucified with Christ”.

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

“I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live” is the “death in the streets of that great city”, and the loss of life, spoken of in Mat 10:39 and Rev 11:8.
Your husband and children will never be saved from the second death through you as long as you are unwilling to give them up in this life. If, on the other hand, you are given the strength and the faith to put your love of God above your false ‘love’ of your family, then it just might be our Lord’s will to give them to you.

1Co 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Here now, is the definition of the true love of God and the true love of our brothers:

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

The love of your husband, children, friends and brothers in Christ, is never demonstrated by being a part of their “church activities – small groups, mission trips, kids in youth group[ s]”. Your love for them is demonstrated only by your willingness to give all of that up.
Here are your own words:

Now there is none of that and I really miss it.

There would be no trial if you did not “miss it”.
There is a reason why Christ told His disciples that “many are called, but few are chosen”.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

How ‘few’ is “few”? Here is Christ’s answer to that question:

Luk 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
Luk 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (only eight people came through the flood)
Luk 17:32 Remember Lot’s wife. (3people)
Luk 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Christ was “rejected of this generation”, and “as He is so are we in this world”. It is through this “rejection” of the world that our “love of our brothers” is perfected.

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is nothing wrong with going into the synagogues as long as you are also being cast out of the synagogues. But if you are going there simply because you miss the activities of the synagogue, you simply will not endure when “persecution and tribulation arise because of the word”.

Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

I know this is not marketable material, but it is the Truth, and it really will pay off for all those to whom it is given to be rejected of this world and still remain faithful to the words and example of our Lord who really was “hated of all men”.
You are in my prayers.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Hi Mike,

I hope all is well with you? My question to you is this: is it possible for someone to have a pentecostal experience like the disciples had on the day of Pentecost and fall (or at least backslide; fall away or backslide may be the same; not sure?) away from the Lord? Like a dog who returns to his vomit? This is just a question I have pondered about.

Ybic,
T____

Hi T____,

Thank you for your question. You ask if it is possible to be truly converted and filled with the spirit and still backslide?

The answer is: yes, definitely. It is possible to be truly converted and then to backslide and be lost in this age. Judas is a New Testament type and shadow of just such a person. Please note I said a “type and a shadow”. When so many who had been following Christ, “went back and walked no more with Him”, Judas remained faithful.

Joh 6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Joh 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

“Then said Jesus unto the twelve“ proves that Judas remained faithful through this trial only to backslide at a later date, serving to emphasize these words which are addressed to any who are so foolish to ever think there comes a time, while still in these bodies of sinful flesh and blood, that we can ever say that we are beyond the temptations and struggles of “dying daily” to these corruptible bodies.

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Why would we “fear and tremble” if there is no chance of our being lost to “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”? Why should we fear and tremble if there is no way that the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches can reach and seduce us? Whether we fail or succeed is already known by our Lord, because it is His work either way, and our salvation or our loss of salvation in this age is really all of God. So we are told in the very next verse.

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Here is how the apostle Paul followed Christ, and this is how we should do the same concerning our attitude toward facing the trials of this life. It is right here in this same epistle:

Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect [ Greek, are being perfected], be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

“I count not myself to have apprehended.” Paul was very much aware that our Lord had said, “He that endures to the end shall be saved.” Paul did not consider himself to be above failure. He was always sober, vigilant and diligent to fight against all the pulls of his flesh and this world. He considered his backsliding as a definite possibility, if he became lackadaisical in His service to our Lord. He even tells us this:

1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Please do not take any of this to mean that Paul or you and I must go through life in fear. No well-armed warrior lives in fear. He has complete confidence in the power of his military strength to fight the fight in which He is engaged. At the same time, however, he realizes that he of himself cannot win the battle.

Christ and “the armor of God” are our military strength, and all the nations are as dust.

Isa 40:15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

So while we are diligent and sober and vigilant, we do not need to be anxious or fearful.

Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment?
Mat 6:26 Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they?
Mat 6:27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?
Mat 6:28 And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.(ASV)

“The morrow will be anxious for itself.” We are to be “sober and vigilant, but we are not to worry or be anxious.

1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].

I will close with these very comforting verses which are just a much a part of the Bible as those which exhort us to work hard, be diligent, sober, and vigilant.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 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.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Yes, it is possible to backslide. Backsliding is in our flesh. “I am the chief of sinners.” If you and I acknowledge that and repent, then we are “the apple of His eye”, if indeed Christ is living in us.

Zec 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
Luk 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
1Ti 1:15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

God bless you as you seek to know Christ and His Father better each day, and learn to think as they think.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Your brother in Christ,

Mike