Hi/Bye

[Goatee]

Jesus died out of love for us. He bore our sins on the cross. He gave himself for us. He didnt have to. Jesus is no coward you see. He wanted to suffer for us. Love, true love, in unconditional!

 

[JacksBratt]

I have many questions that I've asked. I don't remember what I asked in the thread that got deleted. If you want four of my questions, how about starting with just this one:

Is God above the law or not?

It would seem to me that the answer to this question is an obvious no. Jesus had to die because of the weight of the law. If God was above the law then he would just forgive everyone without sending his son to pay for the debts.

But then there is a problem. Deuteronomy 24:16 says,

The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

This, presumably, is directly from God.

Then in 2 Samuel 12:13-20, David's son is killed by God because of sins committed by David.

So... is God above the law or not?

First of all, God is not above or below the law. He is the law. He is perfectly righteous. He cannot sin, Sin cannot exist near Him. The law exists so that when followed we are like God. However, no human can follow the law without breaking one. Jesus as God/man lived a life without sin. If any human could have done this they would not need Christs gift of salvation. But All have sinned and need Christ's gift of salvation. Since Christ lived a human life without sin, He was capable of dying for my sin, your sin, any human who asks. He was sinless yet paid the price for sin.

So, it would be impossible for God to break any of His laws about righteousness. He can break the physical laws of this earth because He is outside of the dimension. This would be like an artist who paints a two dimensional picture on canvas. They are not confined to the two dimensions in which their created work exists because they exist outside of their created world or realm.

As for your question about children being put to death due to their parents sin... I believe that the Deuteronomy passage is talking about earthly punishments imposed by earthly judges. Human judges placing punishments. In this case, my son cannot be killed for my sin and I cannot be killed for anyone else s either. People are only judged by their sin by earthly courts and judges.

In the case of David's son.... this was God's judgement on the child. Remember God will punish the children of the sinful to the 3rd and 4th generation? I could be wrong about how many generations....

 

[Nihilist Virus]

You had your chance, I let things slide and was willing to move on if you would get on the ball, but no, still the same ol' same ol', of not answering questions that were vital in order to address the issues you bring up. Same thing you have done throughout this. So I can only conclude, you don't really want issues addresses or resolved, you only want to leave things undone in your mind so you can bellyache about others while taking no responsibility for your part of the overall problem you complain about.

That or, and I hate to say it because it's often just a nasty comeback, but maybe you have comprehension issues, thus a problem understanding my post. See things get a little complicated when questions are not answered, things get backed up, and it all has to be reexplained. Honestly it was a little tough for me to keep up in order to get my last post out, but only to see you skip over it for the most part was a little disappointing, and I thought a bit rude on your part, if that's all there was to it.

Anyway, if comprehension was the problem and you have questions, let me know and I'll try to explain it, but if not and this is just the all about you world it appears to be, and the need to see others in a way you do in order to deal with your own insecurities, we can drop it there because any further attempts to address what you bring up will obviously be futile. Nothing new about insecurity issues, so don't take it too personally...fact is it happens, no biggie, but I would address that first, and save you an us both from beating our head against a brick wall here.

When you dodged a question of mine, I rephrased it for you. You still ignored it. The question is, "Why did Jesus have to die if God can forgive our sins without such a sacrifice?"

When I dodged your question, you did not repeat it or rephrase it but rather expect me to drudge through this thread to find it and then answer it.

What's clear to me is that you can't answer my question. You keep dancing around despite the fact that it's been presented to you three times. The guy in the peanut gallery who is showering likes upon anyone who speaks against me broke his back doing similar gymnastics in avoiding the question.

 

[Kenny'sID]

You still ignored it

Not true, your question was answered by myself and others several times. As far as ignoring it as you claim, ask me and I'll quote proof you are not telling the truth.

The answer it God is the Boss, he chose to do that, no more no less...end of story...answer concluded.

As to why? none of my business really but if you want my opinion, I'd say to make the point there is a cost to doing wrong, a price must be paid. It's really no different from the old plan of sacrificing animals. Guess God figured if the innocent had to suffer for what we do, maybe we'd be shamed to straighten up and fly right, or at the very least do better. There were several things the Jesus sacrifice fixed. By giving his son, he not only gave the ultimate sacrifice that covered it all, but in doing so, he did away with all the hassle of doing all that stuff from the past to get forgiveness. Now all we have to do is accept...simpler and much more effective, or I'm guessing that was the intention anyway. And there were probably several other reasons why, but I'd say those are the basics. However, in the end, doesn't matter what I say or think, again, he's the Boss, that's what he did for his own reasons and I accept that as good enough for me.

What's clear to me is that you can't answer my question. You keep dancing around despite the fact that it's been presented to you three times. The guy in the peanut gallery who is showering likes upon anyone who speaks against me broke his back doing similar gymnastics in avoiding the question.

No, you just choose to not see the answers were there. Just because everything isn't there perfectly for your beckoned call due to confusion brought on by your own self by either you not reading, not answering, not comprehending or just not wanting to see doesn't mean it wasn't there. If there were delays in getting your answer I told you why that was but you just want have any of it, nor can you even see you had your answer all along.

Geez Louise.

 

[aiki]

The question is, "Why did Jesus have to die if God can forgive our sins without such a sacrifice?"

Jesus didn't have to die. He did so as an act of love, not obligation.

Is a blood atonement necessary for the forgiveness of our sins? Yes. God has decreed:

Hebrews 9:22
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

And so Jesus declared:

Matthew 26:28
28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

God abided by His own decree in satisfying the demands of His divine justice on our behalf. Could He have satisfied His justice without doing so? I don't know. It seems that blood payment for sin is as fundamental to the spiritual realm as the law of gravitation is to the material universe.

Selah.

 

[Nihilist Virus]

I am curious to know whether you could put a number on the Christians who are not in a back-slidden state, who you are also holding in mind for this topic. Then comparatively the number of Christians on this forum who are not in a back-slidden state. Plus, as an exercise, if you could identify the ones being/not being backslidden in this thread, and give an approximate ratio. It is because of your comments in #84, #93 and #99 that this would be useful.

Please consider Luke 12:48 and Matthew 25:26-27, also keeping in mind the aforementioned talents that you are possessing and manifesting (#84, #93 and #99).

I know that a Christian demonstrating those fruits of the flesh are not living a perfectly repentant lifestyle. When one departs from the truth of The Holy Spirit, they accept a counterfeit instead. Consider James 1:22 with respect to that.

I am grateful to see your topic on this, despite that I wish you'd make a positive contribution. You are uncovering and addressing a very important truth.

I think you are misusing the term "back-slidden". No Christian I know of has dedicated their life to following Jesus as best as humanly possible, so there is no one who has back-slid from that state into something less righteous. Christians just back-slide from bad to worse.

 

[Nihilist Virus]

Not true, your question was answered by myself and others several times. As far as ignoring it as you claim, ask me and I'll quote proof you are not telling the truth.

The answer it God is the Boss, he chose to do that, no more no less...end of story...answer concluded.

As to why? none of my business really but if you want my opinion, I'd say to make the point there is a cost to doing wrong, a price must be paid. It's really no different from the old plan of sacrificing animals. Guess God figured if the innocent had to suffer for what we do, maybe we'd be shamed to straighten up and fly right, or at the very least do better. There were several things the Jesus sacrifice fixed. By giving his son, he not only gave the ultimate sacrifice that covered it all, but in doing so, he did away with all the hassle of doing all that stuff from the past to get forgiveness. Now all we have to do is accept...simpler and much more effective, or I'm guessing that was the intention anyway. And there were probably several other reasons why, but I'd say those are the basics. However, in the end, doesn't matter what I say or think, again, he's the Boss, that's what he did for his own reasons and I accept that as good enough for me.



No, you just choose to not see the answers were there. Just because everything isn't there perfectly for your beckoned call due to confusion brought on by your own self by either you not reading, not answering, not comprehending or just not wanting to see doesn't mean it wasn't there. If there were delays in getting your answer I told you why that was but you just want have any of it, nor can you even see you had your answer all along.

Geez Louise.

So he sacrificed himself to himself for our sins even though he didn't want to and didn't have to? It's like cutting off your hand to feed your dog. Oh but he's the boss. Ok. Well if my boss cut his hand off and fed it to a dog because he loved that dog, he'd be well within his rights to do so. So I guess you win this one. Touché, sir.

 

[Kenny'sID]

So he sacrificed himself to himself for our sins even though he didn't want to and didn't have to?

No, not himself, his son because he chose too. How many times do we have to tell you it was his choice, he didn't have to do anything? Why are you even asking things when you are clearly going to stick with your notions?

You didn't come here to be convinced of Christianity at all, you are here to accuse and discount everything said...question is...why? I gave opinion on that earlier, maybe someone else can give it a shot.

 

[GoldenKingGaze]

I would not look in these forums for absolutes or good apologetics. I have even found some points of view expressed here disturbing!

I have also found some help here, and a lot of important info on groups and disputes, and some iron sharpening iron, as the proverb goes.

I would use these forums to find opinions only and may use it to dive board into new ideas for a thesis.

You should not have looked here but looked for a professional lecturer in a degree course college or uni, or a distinction graduate of one, for answers in his or her field of expertise. I use Emmaus Bible College and may study there. When you opened your Bible for your first serious read, it should have been guided and should have begun with John the apostle.

When I first read the Bible I was out of luck and read that a woman was thrown out when they were threatened, raped all night by wicked men, and when they finished, she went back to the closed door and died... I tore up that Bible and mostly forgot about it. In retrospect I read a passage not about righteous men but misogynists. I was oblivious.

Maybe see a lecturer, or audit study, or do a certificate 4 or a whole degree and use exegesis. You can even contact great universities of current day Christendom like Fuller or Regent College Vancouver, or ORU...

 

[Nihilist Virus]

If God doesn't exist, why try to prove it, just move on, but no, somewhere in there they know he does, it's built in so they fight that which cannot be won tooth and nail and for the rest of their lives. Let's take any religion that doesn't have God/Christ, I don't believe in it, but I won't go to their discussion boards and do all this, I'd just discount it without a word as silly/hardly pay it any attention at all, and I seriously suspect most Atheists would do the same, but they don't do that with Christianity. They only fight against that which they know in their heart is real, and the harder they fight, the more convinced I am, they KNOW he's real, as real as the Hell they are so frightened of.

So it has not occurred to you that for some of us it is therapeutic to discuss the topic since we were indoctrinated into the belief system which includes eternal hellfire?

Many children have fears of things that are not real even when the parents try to explain that the thing they're afraid of is not real. So when you have both parents and the society at large reinforcing a belief, it gets in deep. Combine this with the facts that 1.) Christians know their religion is not for everyone, and 2.) They offer zero exit counciling, and you see how unbelievably reckless Christianity is towards the youth.

 

[Nihilist Virus]

I would not look in these forums for absolutes or good apologetics. I have even found some points of view expressed here disturbing!

I have also found some help here, and a lot of important info on groups and disputes, and some iron sharpening iron, as the proverb goes.

I would use these forums to find opinions only and may use it to dive board into new ideas for a thesis.

You should not have looked here but looked for a professional lecturer in a degree course college or uni, or a distinction graduate of one, for answers in his or her field of expertise. I use Emmaus Bible College and may study there. When you opened your Bible for your first serious read, it should have been guided and should have begun with John the apostle.

When I first read the Bible I was out of luck and read that a woman was thrown out when they were threatened, raped all night by wicked men, and when they finished, she went back to the closed door and died... I tore up that Bible and mostly forgot about it. In retrospect I read a passage not about righteous men but misogynists. I was oblivious.

Maybe see a lecturer, or audit study, or do a certificate 4 or a whole degree and use exegesis. You can even contact great universities of current day Christendom like Fuller or Regent College Vancouver, or ORU...

You read Judges 19 at random? Maybe that was a sign...

 

[Kenny'sID]

So it has not occurred to you that for some of us it is therapeutic to discuss the topic since we were indoctrinated into the belief system which includes eternal hellfire?

Sure it did, the very reason I chose to add the "some Atheists" to the post, but still, that doesn't mean you were necessarily included with the some..you don't act like you are really here for therapy, at least not in the conventional sense.

It would be sufficient but not necessary to do X, and because the goal could be accomplished without doing X, X seems pointless.

Replace "X" with "Christ being crucified" or "Cutting off your hand to feed your dog" and the sentence remains the same.

You'll have to take that up with God.

Once again, he's the boss, call him out on his ways if you like, but sit on the opposite side of the room from me if you decide too.

 

[aiki]

I think you are misusing the term "back-slidden". No Christian I know of has dedicated their life to following Jesus as best as humanly possible, so there is no one who has back-slid from that state into something less righteous. Christians just back-slide from bad to worse.

The phrase "No Christian I know of" is important here. Of the many, many millions of Christians existing on this planet right now, it is doubtful that you know intimately even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of them. But this doesn't seem to stop you from making sweeping, negative generalities about Christians. What this demonstrates is that you have no problem operating from exaggerations, and misrepresentations, and assumptions rather than from reality in your thinking. I don't see how you can expect to get at the truth of things with such a gross bias at work in your mind.

So he sacrificed himself to himself for our sins even though he didn't want to and didn't have to?

God did not sacrifice Himself to Himself. He atoned for the sins of humanity by satisfying the demands of perfect, divine justice. Imagine a man of high integrity who refuses to leave any of his responsibilities at work undone. Often this means he suffers a wide array of inconveniences and hardships. He could be free of these difficulties by choosing to ignore the demands of his integrity and being more careless about his work, but then he wouldn't be a man of high integrity anymore. In the same way, God could conceivably have ignored His own holy justice and forgiven our sins outright, without any blood atonement being made for them, but then He wouldn't be the holy and just God that He is.

The Bible does not teach that God did not want to save us from our sins. His own loving, gracious and merciful nature prompted Him to act to redeem us from ourselves. But God was under no other compulsion to do as He did to save us.

Selah.

 

[aiki]

It would be sufficient but not necessary to do X, and because the goal could be accomplished without doing X, X seems pointless.

But this assumes efficiency ought to have been the paramount concern in how God acted. Why? Why must God act efficiently? Why can't He be extravagant or gratuitous when it suits Him to do so? What if He better demonstrates His love, mercy, faithfulness and grace by not being perfectly efficient but extravagant or excessive instead? This kind of extravagance certainly seems apparent - and appropriate - to me in how God acted to save us from our sins.

Selah.

 

[Sketcher]

In my time here I've seen hatred, mockery, and willful ignorance. What I haven't seen is love or intelligent discourse.

To be perfectly honest, that is what I have seen from you in what you have asked and stated about the Christian faith. You seemed to be insisting upon your interpretation of the Bible when asking Christians questions, and not taking the answers of Christians who have familiarized themselves with those passages as answers. That's going to naturally invite hostility. And given what you shared about your faith experience previously - you seemed to have a hyper-literal interpretation of the Bible when you identified as Christian, given what you have shared that I have read - it seems that you were not a very solid Christian, the type that stands out as being out in left field. Judging us and our faith by the standards you had back in those days is unfair to both you and us. If I had one thing to advise to you, it would be to put those preconceived notions you had of the faith aside, and listen to us if you want to discuss our faith. Christians who are faithful to the Bible's teaching, yet do not interpret it as you do/did, exist. Even conservative ones. If I could advise two things, the second would be to be more civil.

 

[98cwitr]

@OP: What was the message that was preached to you that you based your young faith off of? (see sig)

 

[createdtoworship]

This is technically my introduction because I never made a thread here. But really, instead of a "hello", I'm coming here asking if there is a reason to stay.

I was born into a Christian home and indoctrinated into the faith my whole childhood. At 18 I backslid, then I got stronger in my faith and dedicated myself to reading the whole Bible. This utterly obliterated my faith.

I'm not making this post to open up a dialogue on that issue. I've already turned over every leaf on the apologetics forum and have gotten very few answers. So if you are looking to argue, you can respond to my arguments there. But I doubt I'll respond because, as stated above, I'm not convinced that I have a good reason to stay on these forums and if nothing enlightening happens on this thread then I'm done here (and my expectations are that this thread will probably be taken down and action taken against my account).

The vast majority of attempts at answering my questions have been abysmal failures, which wasn't surprising, but what surprised me was the amount of vitriol and hate Christians have spewed at me. I've participated in this, sometimes instigating and sometimes rightfully responding to unprovoked attacks, and I simply do not see the love of Christ anywhere on these forums. I have no desire to be a jerk, but even if I did I should not receive rude comments back from a Christian. Am I wrong in thinking that Christians are held to a higher standard than I am?

In my time here I've seen hatred, mockery, and willful ignorance. What I haven't seen is love or intelligent discourse. Are atheists treated that way because we're not wanted here?

hey bud, I apologize for the miserable experience you are having.

but there are a few things to remember.

Christianity is not a self help seminar.

and Backsliding is not cured by apologetics, but by repentance.

The Bible says the Backslider in heart is filled with His own ways, but a righteous man is satisfied from above himself.

repentance must take place, before a mend in the torn relationship with the Holy Spirit may take place.

part of your misery is you are expecting something from Christianity that is was not designed to give.

Christianities purpose is to make followers of God.

if one want's Christianity, takes in Grace, yet lives a life of lasciviousness and sin, and does not seek to become More like His maker, then Christianity becomes a miserable failure for all involved.

repentance is the first step.

each sin we are adicted to needs an appropriate action plan on how to tackle it.

say it's alcohol, then instead of drinking your favorite beverage, you settle for one you dislike, temporarily so that you do not over indulge.

one drink is by and large permitted by the Bible, any more and you are pushing it.

say your addiction is sex, impure thoughts, or actions (including looking at questionable online videos).

then this is a very common problem even among pastors.

this is simply an addiction.

the action plan for this sin, involves seeing the time of day that this happens, and the involved factors. Who is there with you, who is NOT there (that should be there), are you alone too long by yourself, or with someone? Can someone else chaperone? If being alone is a problem, then simply getting out more may help. But there is a book on this that I recommend to people, it's called "pure desire by ted roberts" very good book. I have read it numerous times myself. And have overwhelming victory in this area, to my suprise actually. But it involves checking out the root of not only this addiction, but any addiction. Be it food, or alcohol, or anything. We can take something good and put it in a wrong context, and make it bad. All things have a reason for being, and you do to. You are not a conglomeration of molecules that made itself legs somewhere in a swamp. You were designed by your creator for a purpose. Now if you fail at repenting, but still have a desire, then you are in the 99th percentile here. Thats where we are all at, striving, failing, striving again perhaps a little differently. I have been saturating myself with romans 6. Amazing chapter, I have been listening to every teacher I could find on it. I will put a few links to free downloads. When you truly have the spirit of Christ, we get His spirit. And when we Get his spirit, we become associated with His death, and His life. We have died to our old life, and have become risen in a new life.

God does not take our old life and rebuild it.

no, sin takes the old life, and kills it with the letter of the law (the Bible says, sin revived and I died)

when we realize the law, and how we do not hold to it, our hope crushes and our desire fails.

only then, in this death to sin and self, can we take hold of Christs newly available life.

Are we saved by Grace? Yes! that is what gets us through the times of doubt.

but the Bible says a hypothetical question...

"shall we continue in sin so that grace can abound." Romans 6

and the answer is God forbid.

I won't spoil the rest of the chapter, I suggest reading romans 6, then maybe seeing the context of romans 5, then jump ahead to romans 8 before being too discouraged. Romans eight mends up and heals what romans 6 breaks in us.

it's a good break, we need brokeness, to be healed.

 

[Nihilist Virus]

@OP: What was the message that was preached to you that you based your young faith off of? (see sig)

The standard stuff with a little bit of weird. Jesus is God, he died for our sins because he loves us. And there will be this guy trying to put a computer chip in our right hands or foreheads.

 

[com7fy8]

I suggest it is rather obvious that the following categories of people are over-represented:

1. People with time on their hands since they are, perhaps through no fault of their own, less than fully capable at the business of life.
2. People who enjoy baiting others;
3. People with crackpot beliefs seeking likeminded people;
4. People looking to express their xenophobia and homophobia.
5. People who, again perhaps through no fault of their own, are not thinking clearly.

And I think there are people who want to play what I call "word chess", including see how they can maneuver me with stuff they may not be serious about. And ones might be under the influence, at least at times.

Hi, Nihil I think we have some diamond people in the dirt, here. And they are good example for me, not only of knowledge or apologetics, but how they care and relate and encourage

In my church, there have been some people who could be quite snotty or talk to me like what I say isn't worth hearing because I am the one saying it. But we have people who have been good example for me, here, and they keep having hope for us. So, I stay here because they believe in what they are doing and I help them

And Jesus never gave up on anyone. And love does not only use anyone. So, this is what helps me

I can not know for sure which people are reliable about historical reports and scientific and archeological research; so I pray for God to guide me according to all He knows. I see how it is possible that whoever is in power could have effected what has been passed down to us. Also, I suspect that current people can fix and report and interpret things according to what they already want to be true > this can be done by both secular and supposed-to-be Christian people. I think this can include how ones will use "cultural context" to prove their interpretation of the Bible. It looks to me, at times, like the culture was not really relevant, but ones might say it is. But there are things like that, which I can't prove, either way.

So, our Apostle Paul says we need "faith working through love", in Galatians 5:6. This does not mean faith in science and logic and what ones claim was the culture at the time a scripture was written. But, right now, we can have love which has been the same, all along (Romans 5:5) and which has creativity better than what any knowledge and interpretation can tell us (Ephesians 3:19, 1 Corinthians 6:17)

So, I simply need correction which only God can do in us . . . so I find out really how to love, and I do not mean how humans with their idealism can try to dictate what loving has to mean.

 

[createdtoworship]

hey bud, I apologize for the miserable experience you are having.

but there are a few things to remember.

Christianity is not a self help seminar.

and Backsliding is not cured by apologetics, but by repentance.

The Bible says the Backslider in heart is filled with His own ways, but a righteous man is satisfied from above himself.

repentance must take place, before a mend in the torn relationship with the Holy Spirit may take place.

part of your misery is you are expecting something from Christianity that is was not designed to give.

Christianities purpose is to make followers of God.

if one want's Christianity, takes in Grace, yet lives a life of lasciviousness and sin, and does not seek to become More like His maker, then Christianity becomes a miserable failure for all involved.

repentance is the first step.

each sin we are adicted to needs an appropriate action plan on how to tackle it.


!!!ONLY THOSE THAT REPENT OF EVERY SINGLE LUST OF THE EYES, AND LUST OF HE THAT DOES THE WILL OF GOD WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE:


“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father in not in him. 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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”-1 John 2:15-17


“If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”-1 John 2:29


“And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” -1 John 2:25


“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and they ye may believe in the name of the Son of God.” -1 John 5:13


evidently being born of God and knowing God are two different things, you can be born of God, yet not know Him and fellowship in His sufferings- 1 John 4:7


!!!WHOEVER SINS HAS NOT SEEN GOD, HE THAT DOETH GOOD WORKS IS SAVED:


“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” -1 John 2:6-7


18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. -1 John 5:18


!!!WHOEVER IS BORN AGAIN DOES NOT SIN, HE THAT DOESN’T DO GOOD WORKS IS A CHILD OF DEVIL:


7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born[1]a of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. -1 John 3:7-10


!!!PERFECT OBSERVANCE OF EVERY LAW; IN ORDER TO OBEY BETTER THAN PROPHETS AND = IN ORDER TO BE PERFECT FOR SALVATION:


19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:19-20


Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect1 -Matthew 5:48


39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. -Luke 6:39


!!!IF YOU LACK LOVE YOU ARE DEAD AND HAVE NOT OBEYED THE GOSPEL:


“He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”-1 John 3:14


7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born[2]a of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. -1 John 4:7-8


“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. “-1 John 3:23-24


22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

24 For[3]d all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. – 1 Peter 1:22-25


!!!WHOEVER IS BORN AGAIN DOES NOT SIN:


“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. “-1 John 5:18


!!!MUST SURVIVE THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION IN ORDER TO BE ETERNALLY SAVED:


13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. –Matthew 24:13


!!!ONLY OVERCOMMERS WILL EAT OF THE TREE OF ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN:


“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.- Revelation 2:1-7


8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. - Revelation 2:8-11


[1]a is born: or, has been born

[2]a is born: or, has been born

[3]d For: or, For that