TheUNION

Get Ready to Meet the King!

God Calls His Church to
Truth, Faith and Holiness

Joan H. Richardson
 The UNION

The UNION
Get Ready to Meet the King!
God Calls His Church to Truth, Faith and Holiness
by Joan H. Richardson
Copyright © 2010, 2016
by Joan H. Richardson
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 9781612153698

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Unless otherwise indicated, Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible: King James
Version, Public domain.

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version ® (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. Used by permission. All rights
reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by
The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
®
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights
reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from Young’s Literal Translation of the Holy Bible
(YLT) Public domain.
®.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, Holman Bible Publishers. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version (TLV)
Copyright © 2011, 2012, 2013, by the Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ii
 CHAPTER 17

On Eternal Security
One of the first questions a young believer asks is, “Can I
lose the gift of eternal life God has given me?” We nearly
always assure him, “Absolutely not. No sin you can commit will
change it. You were saved by grace, not by works, and good
works don’t save you now.” But the Scriptures contradict those
words: now the Holy Spirit does good works through us for our
salvation, witnessing to us that we are His, and He sticks closer
than a brother.
A Hell to Shun
He wants children who desire to be like Him. In other words,
He wants us who want Him. That’s the premise of this chapter,
and it’s true: it would be wiser to tell the new believer God did
not save him to lose him again; now God comes alongside to
help him live a new life. He should know he must not return to
the way he lived as a sinner, because now the Lord is with him to
draw him into His holiness. If he receives this, His Holy Spirit
will live in his heart as his Guide and Teacher, helping him to
live by faith and steering him away from sin.
His first step of obedience is to make a confession of Christ
as Savior and Lord; his next step is to unite with Christ, baptized
in water, a symbol of His baptism into death when He was raised
as the firstborn of the dead. At the Jordan His Father declared
Him as begotten by Him. The new believer is buried and raised
from death with Christ to live a new life in Him.
The new believer should learn about the cross, the blood
atonement, the work of Christ on his behalf, and sanctification in
his yielded heart. If he falls, he must confess it; God faithfully
forgives and cleanses him of unrighteousness. (See 1 Jn 1:9) He
should learn he represents Jesus to others. As he prays, believes
the Word, and fellowships with other believers, his life will
change. He learns to forget the past, to pursue gentleness, and to
love others by faith in His Holy Spirit’s power to bear fruit.
Throughout their writings, the apostles urge us to obey the
Lord, proving our love for Him. Yeshua told us, if we love Him,
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we’ll obey Him, but whoever loves this world or the things in
this world does not love the Father. If we love Him, we fear and
obey Him and can be sure heaven’s gate will open for us because
we’re trusting in His power, not striving in our own. We rest in
Him to do good works.
Be Very Sure
If we don't believe God, we won't pay careful attention to
His warnings. If we believe His words, we purify ourselves by
embracing them. If we are willing to obey, He will walk us
through our trials one day at a time until we own the victory He
gained. Those who know Him live to surrender to His will, no
matter how small it seems to us.
Many geniuses are in hell while the mentally challenged are
shining in heaven’s kingdom, because God is love. We can’t rely
on our intelligence to enter His presence: it only takes childlike
faith. The apostles warned the congregations of believers against
sin and unbelief:
4
For it is impossible for those who were once enligh-
tened, 5 and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have
become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the
good word of God and the powers of the age to come,6 if
they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since
they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and
put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks
in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs
useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives bless-
ing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is
rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be
burned. (Hebrews 6:4-8)
The previous passage concerns the gift of life. After walking
in the Spirit in relationship with the Father, if we return to sin
after living in the Spirit, God forbid that we disdain the Gift of
the Son of God! The key phrase is, it is impossible to renew them
again to repentance. They’d repented and were renewed before
but deliberately returned to sin. Few believers know of an eternal
sin since teachers assure us there's no sin God won’t forgive. But
they ignore or discard the warnings, imagining they aren’t meant
for us, while the fear of God is what keeps us. And the churches
wonder why we should repent?
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 On Eternal Security
31
“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will
be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit
will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word
against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but
whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be
forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
(Matthew 12:31-32 NKJV; cf. Mark 3:28, Luke 12:10)

Why would the apostles alarm us if it were not possible for

believers to spurn the gift of life we have received and thus lose
our inheritance? No matter what a man says, the Word endures
forever. Its solemn warnings to the righteous remain as steadfast
as its promises. The apostolic goal is to arm us with knowledge
for our salvation. If anyone would condemn himself, God knows
the intentions of our hearts as no one else can.
Apart from the fear of God, we endanger our consciences.
Though it is discomforting, the fear of the Lord gives us an edge
against evil. Each time we turn from evil, we draw closer to our
Father, and He knows our hearts; even when our hearts condemn
us, He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He loves us.
In persevering, we enter His rest by faith. First comes His fear;
then, His Sanctuary.
and every one who is having this hope on him, doth
purify himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:3 YLT)

Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your

fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a
sanctuary; …(Is. 8:13-14a)
Every word of God is true, not just the ones that stroke us
but also those that admonish, warn, and rebuke us. If we walk in
the Spirit, He comforts us and ensures our safety; if we sin, the
fear of God works repentance in our hearts. Our Father may
severely chastise us, but if we repent, we won't be lost. All who
belong to Him suffer His discipline. “… For whom the Lord
loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he
receiveth.” (See Heb. 12:6) As we grow in wisdom, we avoid the
sting of His hand, but disobedient children refuse to repent:
26
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have
received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins
is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of
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 Protestant Teachings
raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Any-
one who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy
on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much
more severely do you think a man deserves to be
punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot,
who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the
covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the
Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine
to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge
his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26-31 NIV) – the second warning

If we recklessly or willfully turn away from Jesus, returning

to sin, we become reprobate. The context is not about stumbling
into sin or even falling but about deliberately turning from the
gift of salvation by sinning without repentance. We’re all warned
to cherish His grace and His sanctifying blood; to respect His
sacrifice, and to desire His presence.
The more popular teaching denies the scriptures that warn us
against sin. Teachers who say we can't fall away are lying to us,
believing the devil’s deceptions that destroy their own souls.
Many teachers speak pleasant words to carnal hearts. Whatever
pleases them, they seem to follow, receiving and manipulating
words they don’t want to believe.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the
will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
(Hebrews 10:36 NIV)

3 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my

brothers, because you know that we who teach will be
judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If
anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect
man, able to keep his whole body in check. (Jas 3:1-2 NIV)

The writer of the following passage addresses brothers and

partakers of Christ, to hold fast the confession of faith. He
exhorts us to secure our assurance by the way we live:
12
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil
heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But
exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest
any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
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 On Eternal Security
14
For we were made partakers of Christ, if we hold the
beginning of our confession stedfast unto the end;
15
while it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden
not your hearts, as in the provocation. (Hebrews 3:12-15)

Perhaps we refuse to admit our fear that the warnings apply

to us; but when the lion catches his prey, it’s by contradictions
against the words of God. Compromising the truth does not alter
it. By repentance, we persevere to crucify compromise, and by
believing the truth, we are saved.
17
Join with those who follow my example, brothers and
sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your
eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often
told you before and now tell you again even with tears,
many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their
destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and
their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly
things. (Philippians 3:17-19 NIV)
Maybe most of us neglect the Scriptures because we’ve been
indoctrinated by men for so long that our hearts have become
dull to receive what God is saying. When we turn its pages, the
Bible’s words aren’t fiery or exciting anymore. It seems lifeless
because our hearts have been trained to resist the truth.
We’re in a dangerous spiritual condition, and we could die
that way. If we dare to believe God and throw out the leaven of
teachings that have deafened our ears and hardened our hearts,
then we’ll carefully listen to His words and experience His fire
that changes and purifies us from the inside out. Read its words
aloud so that your ears can hear it:
2 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to
the things which we have heard, lest at any time we
should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels
was steadfast, and every transgression and disobe-
dience received a just recompense of reward;3 How shall
we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the
first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed
unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them
witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers
miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his
own will? (Hebrews 2:1-4)
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We have been born again to live in the miraculous by faith in

our supernatural God. That’s not dull at all! Yeshua has given
us new birth, and the difference is evident in who we are. We
died and rose with Him to live entirely new lives. If we are in
Him, we are beside our holy Father whose Spirit lives in us and
hears every prayer. How can we continue as though we belong
to the natural world while confessing we believe in His death,
resurrection, and ascension? There’s nothing natural about that!

Armed Warriors
13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober
in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be
brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As
obedient children, do not be conformed to the former
lusts which were yours in your ignorance,15 but like the
Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all
your behavior; 16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE
HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
17
If you address as Father the One who impartially
judges according to each one’s work, conduct your-
selves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
18
knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable
things like silver or gold from your futile way of life
inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious
blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood
of Christ. …
22
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your
souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love
one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born
again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable,
that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
(1 Peter 1:13-19, 22-23 NASB)
3
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war
according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down
strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high
thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of
Christ,6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when
your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV)

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 On Eternal Security

We must arm ourselves. Paul urged us to prepare. We don’t

rely on the weapons of the world but on the power of our God.
The Lord commands us to be at peace with all men as much as
we are able, and hold onto faith, the shield that protects us. We
will keep the assurance of our salvation by avoiding sin, which
can undermine our confidence.
10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wicked-
ness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(Ephesians 6:10-13)
Practicing Faith
When we read and embrace the Scriptures, we hide them in
our hearts, meditating on them and cherishing them. Speaking
their words, we intercede for the church, our nation, and our
leaders; praying for Israel, for persecuted saints, and for our
enemies, we give thanks to God whose sovereignty is in His
Word. We keep our lamps [our hearts] filled with oil [the Holy
Spirit], knowing He will come for a perfect and blameless bride
who will welcome and serve Him, loving others as herself. She’s
dressed in white linen, the righteous works of the saints. And
she’s washed in the water of His Word.
Can we be all we should be? Not in ourselves alone, but the
Holy Spirit is the life of Jesus who lives, not only in heaven, but
also in us. He accomplishes the victories, even over wandering
thoughts and deceptive desires, because we believe all things are
possible with God: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh
the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even
our faith. (1 Jn. 5:4) We can do all He commands us by His Spirit,
i.e., Christ in us who strengthens us. (See Php. 4:13) We win our
victories through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. We
prove Jesus Christ is the King of kings each time we pull down
another stronghold by believing every word of God, reminding
His nemesis of his defeat.
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 Protestant Teachings

These are not idealistic goals. If His words weren't practical,

they'd be false and misleading. Instead, they provide a pragmatic
lifestyle by faith in a miracle-working God. The Scriptures have
guided believers who have proven the integrity of God for ages,
sternly warning those who would abuse grace by presumption.
Though these are difficult words to receive, it’s time to put off
the old and put on the new:
17
These are springs without water and mists driven by a
storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved.
18
For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice
by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely
escape from the ones who live in error,19 promising them
freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption;
for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
20
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the
world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, they are again entangled in them and are over-
come, the last state has become worse for them than the
first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known
the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn
away from the holy commandment handed on to them. 22
It has happened to them according to the true proverb,
“A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after
washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:17-22
NASB; cf. Ezek. 18:24; Pr. 26:11)

Who can say his carnal nature is not like that of a dog or a
sow? The Spirit gives life to our bodies; without righteousness,
no one has this life. It’s not theoretical: it’s real. We suffer
discipline and correction but neither take our troubles lightly nor
give up hope; we’ll learn the lesson well for next time:
5
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses
you as sons:
My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline
lightly,
or faint when you are reproved by Him,
6
For the LORD disciplines the one He loves
And punishes every son He receives.
(Hebrews 12:5-6 HCSB; cf. Proverbs 3:11-12)

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 On Eternal Security
26
Those who consider themselves religious and do not
keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves
and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our
Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after
orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself
from being polluted by the world. (James 1:26-27 NIV)
3
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss,
that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers
and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with
the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants
to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of
God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain,
“The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?
6
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
7
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will
flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near
to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify
your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn
and weep! 10 Let your laughter be turned to mourning
and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of
the Lord, and He will lift you up.
(James 4:3-10 NKJV; cf. Pr 3:34)

His Spirit gives birth to Spirit; kind to His same kind. We

must live by faith in His Spirit for righteousness. There is no
better way to mature than to activate our faith in daily, mundane
tasks. Do we fly off the handle when things don’t go our way? or
will we praise Him in everything? If we believe God loves us
and cares about what we do, our reactions change with the
meekness of Jesus, knowing He is always with us.
24
“But when a righteous man turns away from his
righteousness, commits iniquity and does according to
all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he
live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not
be remembered for his treachery which he has com-
mitted and his sin which he has committed; for them he
will die. 25 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’
Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it

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 Protestant Teachings
not your ways that are not right? … 27 Again, when a
wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he
has committed and practices justice and righteousness,
he will save his life.28 Because he considered and turned
away from all his transgressions which he had commit-
ted, he shall surely live; he shall not die.”
(Ezekiel 18:24-25, 27-28 NASB)

Have faith in God. Certainly the King of Israel is merciful,

preferring grace for all who seek Him, but if we don’t believe the
truth, gambling our guesses are right, we risk our souls. Instead,
let’s yield to His words by believing and honoring the LORD.
The Tenakh is the Hebrew Bible, called the Old Testament
by Christians. But gentiles misname the writings of the Jewish
prophets, often ignoring their pages as Jews do the new covenant
writings. As a result, not many churches know Israel’s critical
role in world history while not many synagogues know the New
Testament is all about the Tenakh.
Perhaps we should call the Bible’s books by more proper
names: the Torah, the Prophets, the Writings, the Gospels, and
the Letters as Part 1 and Part 2 rather than contradictory writings,
which they are not. The Messiah and His teachings, promised by
Moses, has come, but that doesn’t discard the value of what was
written in ancient times under the inspiration of the Spirit. Jesus
regularly quoted the ancient prophets. He is the Word of God.
The apostles explained the differences between covenants:
particularly between Mosaic law and the final Sacrifice. They
also explained the harmony of the Scriptures: The first part tells
the way of God with Israel as our example, foreshadowing a new
covenant and revealing His righteousness. The apostles drew
their words from the ancient books. Committed to those words,
believers have died as martyrs, following the Lord Jesus, the
prophets, and the apostles, none of whom shrank from death.
Knowing they gave up everything to be like their Lord, the same
is true of believers worldwide today.
2
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various
trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
(James 1:2-4 NKJV)

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 On Eternal Security

Convenience and comfort are pleasant to her taste, so the

church has not feared God, swallowing the deception of eternal
security, no matter if a believer dies while practicing sin. The
Word tells us, if we continue to sin after receiving the grace of
God, it would be better for us if we’d never known His grace.

Disobedient Children

If eternal security for believers who live in sin were true, we

would easily find it throughout the apostles’ writings. Instead,
we meet numerous roadblocks and warnings—red flags against
the teaching that’s prevalent in today’s churches, and the devil
loves their lies.
Wolves are among us, flooding the church with deceptions.
Satan has convinced us that sins of Christians are ignored by
God who only sees the blood, but repeatedly, the apostles’
writings warn us: if we continue to sin, we’ll die! Romans 8:13
does not refer to sickness and death but to eternal death. The
Word is spiritual—when a believer’s body dies, he himself
sleeps, he doesn’t die!
18
If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who
does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to
them when they discipline him, 19 his father and mother
shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the
gate of his town. 20 They shall say to the elders, “This
son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey
us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21 Then all the men
of his town are to stone him to death. You must purge
the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be
afraid. (Deuteronomy 21:18-21 NIV)

How painful for parents whose children rebelled without

repentance against their affection and guidance! Having given
us free wills by faith in His Son, God has watched His own
cleave to sin, even loving this world. Israel is an object lesson:
God will destroy the disobedient sons who prefer sins, leading to
death. Our real desires affect how we behave.
The churches have been told, “No one can snatch you out of
His hand.” But that isn’t what the Scripture says. No one has
been promised eternal life apart from obedience, taking up the

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cross and walking like Jesus did. Here’s that word in its context:
27
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they
follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will
never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My
hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is
greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of
My Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
(John 10:27-30 NASB) [We can only obey by His empowerment.]
7
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear His voice,

8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9
where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,
and saw My works 10 for 40 years.
Therefore I was provoked with that generation
and said, “They always go astray in their hearts,
and they have not known My ways.”
11
So I swore in My anger,
“They will not enter My rest.”
12
Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of
you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living
God. 13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still
called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s
deception. (Hebrews 3:7-13 HCSB; cf. Psalm 95:7-11)

There are many arguments and manipulations of the Bible’s

words. How often we’ve heard the deceptive serpent! The
devils always ask the question, “Has God really said …?” Then
the snake proceeds to wind his way through the Word, leading us
on a path to destruction.
He also uses the introduction of all the different teachers’
teachings. “Have you heard so-and-so…?” He adds twigs to the
weaving—anything he can find to mislead or redirect us from the
Scriptures. What chutzpah!
For our sakes, God required the Hebrew parents to do as our
holy Father in heaven will do. He gave us the right to become
His children, but if we continue to rebel rather than submit to His
words, then we are the disobedient children, the hypocrites who
are destroyed with all of the sinners. We shall not perish, but
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 On Eternal Security

have eternal life—as we live by our faith, which is what it means

to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether we live or die
depends on believing His words by acting on them. (See Jn. 3:16)
We resist evil by yielding to His Spirit’s power and by prayer.
God is almighty, and He is able to finish His good work in
us if we believe on His Son, and praying to our Father in His
name. The sooner we learn that we can do nothing but fail by our
own efforts, the sooner we’ll move forward to apprehend the
maturity of Jesus Christ in God the Father by His Holy Spirit.
He only wants us who want Him; it’s why He treated Israel
as He did; He will do the same to us if we behave the same
toward Him. Is that difficult to understand? If we don’t want to
be like Him, then we don’t want Him. All He requires is that we
enjoy Him, loving His company, sharing conversations with
Him, and feeding on His words. Over the test of time, Jesus
appears in us by walking in fellowship and love with others.
There is no other path to life, no other escape from hell than
Christ in you, the hope of glory. (See Col. 1:27) We all stumble
into sin, but God extends grace to us who return to Him. Eternal
security belongs to us who persevere by faith, even in our trials,
keeping the faith because Yeshua rose from the dead. The Spirit
leads us into steps after Him until His ways become our habits.
22
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are
healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your
eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of
darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how
great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:22-23 NIV)

The choice to sin led to death in Eden; but we who continue

to press toward the mark of love and holiness seek eternal life. If
by His strength, we live like the Son of God, His righteousness
will increase in us, and where good works abound, they make
you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowl-
edge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Pet. 1:8)
Understanding the process of sanctification strengthens our
resolve. When we realize there is no other way to be righteous
than by faith in Jesus Christ, we persevere through the greatest
trials, even after we’ve been disappointed in ourselves. Faith
raises up our faces to look to Jesus, and the pursuit is on again!

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Is this a doctrine of works? Yes, and this doctrine of works

by the Holy Spirit inspired the writers of a new covenant. The
Spirit of Jesus lives in each of us who receives Him and believes
in Him. Abba gives us His Holy Spirit who willingly obey Him.
Can we claim our works as credit to ourselves—as our own
righteousness? We claim this: we believe the power of Jesus
Christ in us equips us to do His will. We obey because we
believe He has given us His righteousness, and we behave like
we believe our confession is true because faith is the reality of
things hoped for—their very evidence!
God credited Abraham’s works to him as righteousness since
he believed God, later acting like it, proving his faith. Because
he believed, Abraham feared God and applied his faith; even in
the greatest test, his faith rose to life by his works, and the LORD
God comforted Abraham because his faith was living and proven
by his actions: he behaved like he believed in the Almighty One.
The well-known adage is often true: “Actions speak louder
than words”; but words, overflowing from the heart, reveal the
soul and direct the course of our lives: with words that proceed
from our hearts, we believe and confess our faith; then, act on it.
Without considering the Scriptures, we would eagerly listen
to everything our teachers and prophets say, and we’d believe
every word. We might reason together with human logic, while
ignoring what God says. Wondering why we should repent, we
haven't believed Him though we profess the faith.
38
Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw
back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we
are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of
them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews
10:38-39; cf. Hab. 2:3-4) [The writer encourages us who believe
God. If we twist His Word, we will suffer the consequences.]
12
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is
with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. 13 I
am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the
End, the First and the Last.”
14
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that
they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter
through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs
and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and
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idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
(Revelation 22:12-15 NKJV)

Cares and pleasures of the world make the Word unfruitful.

If we say, “Yes, but we’re still saved,” our words reveal we have
no desire for purity. Who is a wise man and endued with knowl-
edge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his
works with meekness of wisdom. (Jas. 3:13) By His apostles’
words, the Spirit urges us to live worthy of His calling, aiming
for holiness that leads to His resurrection—our full redemption!
Paul reminds us that we are not alone:
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. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to
will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)
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. 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. (1 John 2:15-16)
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conver-
sation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the
coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on
fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:11-12)
The meat of the Word is difficult to swallow, but it’s here
for all believers, not just for the elderly among us. If we’ve been
Christians for years, we should be eating spiritual food, not just
drinking milk. It’s time to apply our assurance with fear and take
in the things we’ve thought we couldn’t receive. If we pursue
the truth, His Spirit reveals it to us.
5
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments,
and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but
I will confess his name before My Father and before His
angels.
6
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to
the churches.”’ (Revelation 3:5-6 NKJV)
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 Protestant Teachings
20
Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
21
She cries out in the chief concourses,
At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:
22
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning,
And fools hate knowledge.
23
Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.
24
Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
25
Because you disdained all my counsel,
And would have none of my rebuke,
26
I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror comes,
27
When your terror comes like a storm,
And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28
“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29
Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30
They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.
31
Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
32
For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil.”
(Proverbs 1:20--33 NKJV) [Wisdom speaks to attentive listeners.
Those who sleep miss the meanings of the words.]

It couldn’t be clearer: personal responsibility and relation-

ship are required for us to become His children who inherit our
birthright and blessing by faith in His words.
30
“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance,
God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere
should repent,31 because He has fixed a day in which He
will judge the world in righteousness through a Man
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 On Eternal Security
whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all
men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31 NASB)
[Re: His judgments and the return of our Lord from heaven]

ADONAI has chosen soldiers for the terrible Day of the LORD.
No army can match the troops of the King, Yeshua:
2 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy hill.
Let all who live in the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming.
It is close at hand—
2
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness.
Like dawn spreading across the mountains
a large and mighty army comes,
such as never was in ancient times
nor ever will be in ages to come.
3
Before them fire devours,
behind them a flame blazes.
Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,
behind them, a desert waste—
nothing escapes them.
4
They have the appearance of horses;
they gallop along like cavalry.
5
With a noise like that of chariots
they leap over the mountaintops,
like a crackling fire consuming stubble,
like a mighty army drawn up for battle.
6
At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;
every face turns pale.
7
They charge like warriors;
they scale walls like soldiers.
They all march in line,
not swerving from their course.
8
They do not jostle each other;
each marches straight ahead.
They plunge through defenses
without breaking ranks.
9
They rush upon the city;
they run along the wall.
They climb into the houses;
like thieves they enter through the windows.
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 Protestant Teachings
10
Before them the earth shakes,
the heavens tremble,
the sun and moon are darkened,
and the stars no longer shine.
11
The LORD thunders
at the head of his army;
his forces are beyond number,
and mighty is the army that obeys his command.
The day of the LORD is great;
it is dreadful.
Who can endure it? (Joel 2:1-11 NIV)

Obedience by our faith in Him who is at work in us is everlasting

life. This is our goal and our hope in Him. (See Jn. 12:49-50)
10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the
power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts
of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take
up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and
having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel
of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith, with
which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;18 praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to the end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that
utterance may be given to me, that I may open my
mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
(Ephesians 6:10-19 NKJV)

He that believeth in the Son hath the witness In himself:

he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because
he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
(1 John 5:10)

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