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Walking that Straight narrow path.

Bro.T

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Jesus warned us that the road to salvation is straight and narrow and that only a few of us will find it. Many are traveling down the wrong road, which leads to destruction. This is because many of us have heard about salvation but few of us want to do what is necessary to get salvation (many are called but few are chosen). (Matthew 7:13, 14)

Many contend that Jesus did it all and now all we have to do is have faith. It’s starts off with repentance, that’s one of the first thing Jesus says when he got started in his ministry, Jesus says in Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The Bible contains the truth, and the truth is the Word of God, which is the real life of man. "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (St. John 17:6, 8, &17) And Jesus answered him saying, "It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." (St. Luke4: 4) "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (St. John 6:63)

So we have to believe the word of God and do it. "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read". (Isaiah 34:16)

Man disobeyed and brought death into the world; Jesus came and restored life unto man. "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1Corinthians 15:21-22) How did Jesus restore life to man? By coming into the world, living a perfect life before God the Father as an example to this disobedient and sinful man. "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. "They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away." (Psalm 69:1-4)

The Lord gave all of his commandments, laws, and statues to the children of Israel to live by and to teach all of the other sons of Adam. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” (Exodus 19:5-6)

"Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” (Deuteronomy 4:1-10)

Exodus 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

Numbers 15:16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.

"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever.” Amen. (Romans 9:1-5)

God also made this proclamation: "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
 

d taylor

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“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

The narrow gate is Jesus and the only way to enter by the narrow gate, is by belief in Jesus for Eternal Life.

The way is difficult because people believe belief in Jesus is not the way. They believe they must repent of sin, be obedient, be baptized, etc... So they are not believing in Jesus, but is actions they do.
 
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Bro.T

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If we truly love God, then we will obey "Every word" that proceeds out of his mouth (Matthew 4:4). Baptism is one of those words. In order to be baptized, certain events must take place: You must repent, give up a lifestyle where sin has dominion, (ruler ship) over you. Sin according to 1 John 3:4, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression (breaking) of the law. You must be taught "The Word", before you can adhere to God's commandments (judgments\statues). These laws are found in the Holy Bible; beginning with Genesis and ending with Revelation. You must believe what the bible says and finally, you must confess that Jesus is Lord.

Once this has been accomplished, you are qualified to be baptized in the name of Jesus.

"And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15-16).

"And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him." (Luke 7:29-30). People, if you are in a position to be baptized, why reject the counsel of God? Rejecting God's counsel will get you eternal life in the burning flames (lake of fire) with the scribes and Pharisees. "For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, Ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 20).

Anyone that is not baptized is a person with their sins yet upon them, because it is the baptism that washes away our past sins. "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16): Remember, before his crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples that his time (death) is not yet come; He also informed them that their time (death) can come at any moment.
 
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Bro.T

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Surely most Christian loves God the Father Almighty! Surely most Christians love their Savior, Jesus Christ! But does every Christian wants to live by what Jesus says in (Luke:4:4) And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

The reference point for Christians is the Bible, the revelation of God to mankind and source book for God's commands to us, known as the divine Law. God's laws are holy and the commandment holy, and just, and good. (Romans:7:12). They are the instructions for the way we should conduct our lives. Yet throughout history we see people trying to side-step the laws of God. Even today many Christian churches do not place as much emphasis on observing God's law as they do on ‘love’. But the fact is, we need both!

The apostle John, (1John: 4:20) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? As we can see, God condemns those who claim to love Him while they hate their brothers. Again in, (1John:3:14) it states We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. We need to seriously take this to heart especially in these days when we see communities dividing into factions.

Concerning the observance of the Law we find the following, (1John: 2:4) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. How can anyone claim to know God yet teach that it is not necessary to obey His laws?
 
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weary2025

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“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

The narrow gate is Jesus and the only way to enter by the narrow gate, is by belief in Jesus for Eternal Life.

The way is difficult because people believe belief in Jesus is not the way. They believe they must repent of sin, be obedient, be baptized, etc... So they are not believing in Jesus, but is actions they do.
I believe Jesus. I just don't understand salvation. I concern myself with obeying because I know that's right.
 
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com7fy8

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Many Christians dont seem to know all of God's commandments. In my opinion.
And ones can be doing what >they< think the commandments mean . . . not first trusting Jesus to have us doing what He means.

"we who first trusted in Christ" (in Ephesians 1:12)

Trusting Jesus includes submitting to Him in His own peace so we do what He has us doing with "rest for your souls" (in Matthew 11:29).

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

In the ruling of God's peace in us we share with our Creator in His creativity for how to love any person. So, in prayer we can prepare for how to love any problem person, and discover how Jesus rules us in His peace to love every person.

"'And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your ttespasses '" (Mark 11:25)
 
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weary2025

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And ones can be doing what >they< think the commandments mean . . . not first trusting Jesus to have us doing what He means.

"we who first trusted in Christ" (in Ephesians 1:12)

Trusting Jesus includes submitting to Him in His own peace so we do what He has us doing with "rest for your souls" (in Matthew 11:29).

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

In the ruling of God's peace in us we share with our Creator in His creativity for how to love any person. So, in prayer we can prepare for how to love any problem person, and discover how Jesus rules us in His peace to love every person.

"'And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your ttespasses '" (Mark 11:25)
I have peace. I look forward to heaven. But i have mental illness too. I suffer depression and anxiety. I dont sit around worrying about anything but the anxiety is a medical condition. My sin is so great that it puts godly fear in me as well. I cant help it. But I obey Jesus.
 
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com7fy8

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Not only do we have the commandments, but we have the example of Jesus to follow >

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)

While our Example Jesus was being hated and tortured and murdered, Jesus ***prayed*** >

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (in Luke 23:34)

With God, it is possible for us to obey the example of how Jesus has loved.

"'For with God nothing will be impossible.'" (Luke 1:37)

We trust You, LORD our Father, to change our character so we are submissive to You so we discover in sharing with You how You have us doing all You mean by Your word. Thank You, in the name of Your own Son Jesus who is our risen Lord and Ssvior.
 
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com7fy8

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I have peace. I look forward to heaven. But i have mental illness too. I suffer depression and anxiety. I dont sit around worrying about anything but the anxiety is a medical condition. My sin is so great that it puts godly fear in me as well. I cant help it. But I obey Jesus.
Well . . . thank you for sharing this so personal with us. We love you and pray for you.

Our mind can become like the mind of Jesus. Do you know how God's word says to have the mind of Christ? I mean like we can read, in Philippians 2:1-11.

This is possible with God . . . how God has our mind become. We help each other with this, encouraging each other. We all need the grace of God living and working in our mind.

Our minds work very differently, in God's love > God is all-loving; so His love has our minds caring about any and all people, so we are not getting troubled in worrying only about our own selves.

God is the One who does this. We are not almighty to do this, no matter how much we try :) However, God who is almighty and kind is easily and breezily and beautifully able to do this with us while we rest in trusting Him.
 
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weary2025

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Well . . . thank you for sharing this so personal with us. We love you and pray for you.

Our mind can become like the mind of Jesus. Do you know how God's word says to have the mind of Christ? I mean like we can read, in Philippians 2:1-11.

This is possible with God . . . how God has our mind become. We help each other with this, encouraging each other. We all need the grace of God living and working in our mind.

Our minds work very differently, in God's love > God is all-loving; so His love has our minds caring about any and all people, so we are not getting troubled in worrying only about our own selves.

God is the One who does this. We are not almighty to do this, no matter how much we try :) However, God who is almighty and kind is easily and breezily and beautifully able to do this with us while we rest in trusting Him.
Yes I've pondered the mind of Christ.
 
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weary2025

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Well . . . thank you for sharing this so personal with us. We love you and pray for you.

Our mind can become like the mind of Jesus. Do you know how God's word says to have the mind of Christ? I mean like we can read, in Philippians 2:1-11.

This is possible with God . . . how God has our mind become. We help each other with this, encouraging each other. We all need the grace of God living and working in our mind.

Our minds work very differently, in God's love > God is all-loving; so His love has our minds caring about any and all people, so we are not getting troubled in worrying only about our own selves.

God is the One who does this. We are not almighty to do this, no matter how much we try :) However, God who is almighty and kind is easily and breezily and beautifully able to do this with us while we rest in trusting Him.
While im confessing let me say that i dont trust anyone. No teachers. I follow scripture and seek like-minded people.
 
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d taylor

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I believe Jesus. I just don't understand salvation. I concern myself with obeying because I know that's right.
-
Well the word salvation (used alone) is actually not the best word to use. Pertaining to what God is offering people, which is simply Eternal Life (The Life of God).

But to receive Eternal Life there is only one condition and one way to receive this free gift from God. Which is to believe in Jesus for Eternal Life.

Why does a person have to believe in Jesus, because He is the resurrection and the life. The promised Messiah/Christ, The Son of God, who God stated believe in The Son for Eternal Life.

The Gospel of John testifies to this truth!

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
------------------
John 3:14,15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
------------------
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
------------------
John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
------------------
John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is
condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.
------------------
John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
------------------
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
------------------
John 6: 27,28,29 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
------------------
John 6:47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believe in Me has everlasting life.
------------------
John 11:25,26,27
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
------------------
John 20:31
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
 
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weary2025

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Well the word salvation (used alone) is actually not the best word to use. Pertaining to what God is offering people, which is simply Eternal Life (The Life of God).

But to receive Eternal Life there is only one condition and one way to receive this free gift from God. Which is to believe in Jesus for Eternal Life.

Why does a person have to believe in Jesus, because He is the resurrection and the life. The promised Messiah/Christ, The Son of God, who God stated believe in The Son for Eternal Life.

The Gospel of John testifies to this truth!

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
------------------
John 3:14,15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

------------------
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
------------------
John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
------------------
John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is

condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.
------------------
John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
------------------
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
------------------
John 6: 27,28,29 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
------------------
John 6:47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believe in Me has everlasting life.
------------------
John 11:25,26,27

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
------------------
John 20:31

but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
Its hard to feel forgiven. I think it might be the mental illness. Ever since I had an episode with psychosis I've been scared.
 
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d taylor

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Its hard to feel forgiven. I think it might be the mental illness. Ever since I had an episode with psychosis I've been scared.
-
It is not about feeling, but it is all about the promise of God. That anyone who believes in Jesus receives Eternal Life at the very moment they believe in Jesus.
 
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