"But thou, O man of God flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses ..." (I Timothy 6:11)
The scriptures instruct us to stand fast in the liberty which is Christ Jesus. (Galatians 5:1) To be effective, believers need to flee those things which cause us to stray from the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and instead, strive to earnestly contend for the faith. Remaining steadfast in the apostolic doctrine. (Acts 2:36-47)
"Beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keeping yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21)
And, in so doing, we are not conformed to this world, but rather transformed by the renewing of our minds -- "that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2) By the mercies of God our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
Does this mean that everything in life will constitute good times, never being persecuted by those who hate the Name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ? Of course not, because the scriptures clearly point to the times in which we live right now. Thus, it is critical that we understand that our walk every day with the Lord, there will come a time "when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:3-4)
In other words, according to scripture, these "have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (I Timothy 6:10) A time when people willingly follow cunningly devised fables rather than the Truth. (II Peter 1:16)
"This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (II Timothy 3:1-5)
And in another place, "Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron: forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth ... for every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer." (I Timothy 4:1-5; Revelation 16:14; Matthew 7:15; Ephesians 4:19)
My point is this. We know from the scriptures we are living in the last days. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, we also know that we are the salt of the earth. The city on a hill, whereby, we stand as a lighthouse might on the shoreline, pointing everyone we meet to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. And we continue in the things which we have learned and hast been assured of -- "knowing whom thou hast learned from." (II Timothy 3:15)
In fact, Jesus told us, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!" (John 14:6) That we are sanctified through Thy truth -- Thy Word is Truth! (John 17:17) And that, as a consequence of having Jesus reigning as the King of kings and Lord of lords in our heart, we walk in the light, as He is in the light. We have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. All members of the body of Christ church, wherein our Lord and Saviour Jesus is the Head.
Through studying His Word, we learn that ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (II Timothy 3:16)
And, therefore, those who believe that the grace of God (that brings salvation) hath appeared to all men, understands as well that teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13)
Zealous of good works, because everyone of us believers can pray without ceasing and rejoice evermore. We can testify to one another of the many good things that the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished in our life, by first taking us out of the miry clay. (Philemon 1:6) But now, assured of our salvation, having been water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus, we speak and exhort the knowledge of the Kingdom of God, rebuking with all authority those who come against His Word.
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worth also in you that believe." (I Thessalonians 2:13)
In sum, be assured that "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, establish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, amen." (I Peter 5:10)
And one more. "Hereby know we that we dwell in Him and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit ... and herein is our love made perfect because He first loved us." (I John 4:13-17)
Yes, Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. He is our all in all.
Stand in the offering plate.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
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