God so graciously gives His children everything that pertains to life and godliness. He supplies all of our needs, He comforts our hearts, He heals us, He reminds us, He talks to us, He gives us His Word and He fills us with His precious Holy Spirit. The Spirit that Jesus promised that He would send after His departure from this earth to those that love Him and keep His commandments. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 26-27)
In His teachings to His 12 disciples/apostles, His instructions were for them to be the example and to teach those what they must do in order to be saved. After the crucifixion and resurrection, after they all had forsaken Him, now it its time to put into practice the things which He spoke and taught. The anointing came with a great price although great grace was upon them all. They were beaten, put in prison and suffered many persecutions all in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5: 41-42)
With the power of the Holy Ghost, they were unstoppable and were about their Father’s business just like Jesus was. Is it any different now? No. Is the same power they had present today? Yes. Can we all live holy as instructed? Yes. Is it necessary? Yes. Can we choose what we want to obey? No. Does bible teaching apply to us? Yes. Is obedience a big factor? Yes. Can I love my brother and hate my neighbor? No. Are we held accountable for everything that we know to do? Yes. Does Jesus tolerate sin? NOPE!
As we continue in the Apostle’s doctrine, being led by the Holy Ghost, God will point out our little flaws as we aim to please Him. Some things that we say and do just might not be to God’s liking. As He points them out it’s up to us to eliminate the sin that is brought to our attention. It is so important on this glorious journey to be sober, vigilant and watchful in all things that we say and do every day. It will keep us from many a trouble and we won’t have to have that visitation with God of repenting and confessing our sins. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1 Peter 5: 8-9) Satan will destroy us only if we let him.
As Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples, His soul began to get heavy. “And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and He saith to His disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And He taketh with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt. And He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14: 32-38)
Three times He came back to find them asleep. His instructions were simple, yet profound in that He knew that after His departure they were going to be faced with turmoil. Not only was the Word for them, but for us also. When temptation arises either the Spirit or the flesh will show up and it will answer. If we are watching and praying the Spirit will respond in love or the flesh will react sometimes in harshness. Temptation comes in many ways and forms to try and get us to say or do things out of order and not in line with our Christian values. The tactic of the enemy is to catch us off-guard, to blindside us, so that he can try to destroy us or get us out of the will of the Lord. Beware lest we be led away with the wicked and fall from our own steadfastness.
Remember Lot’s wife who looked back after they were told to leave the city and not look back. She was disobedient, looked back and became a pillar of salt. “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4: 14-15, 20-27)
God wants His children blessed through obedience. He wants us to be sin-free. He wants our undivided attention. He wants us to love, do and practice His commandments. He wants us to spend eternity with Him. He wants us to have everything that He promised in His Word. God loves you so much that He won’t give up on you, He will follow and chase you down for your good. He wants us to love Him like He loves us. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12: 30-31) Let your heart, soul, mind and strength be totally committed and motivated to the God of glory. Let go of the distractions and disturbances that take the focus off of our immovable, abounding, faithful loving Father.
Don’t be a prisoner of bitterness, unforgiveness and the sins that so easily beset us. Watch, pray, fast and be on the lookout for our enemy, the devil himself. Our enemy is in human form also so be alert when in the presence of those who hate you. An assault will come from a total stranger as the enemy will use them just to get at you. It is in these times when caught totally off-guard, when we take off our armor, when we’re tired, sick, hungry and or sleepy, is when he loves to launch an attack on us. God has equipped us in every arena to combat the wicked ones. And sometimes we just have to say, “Lord we have no might against our enemies, neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” Vengeance is God’s, He will repay.
Guard your hearts and minds with all diligence. Opposition is inevitable when our loyalty is to Christ. Don’t look at the person who opposes you but look at the true culprit who is trying to get you to sin. His mission is to take you to hell with Him. Let not your running be in vain. Repent quickly and stay the course. Be on high alert when around most unbelievers. Their way of life, acting and thinking should be different from your lifestyle. Watch what and who you idolize, idols are not of God. “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6: 16-18 & 7: 1)
Love God with your whole heart, serve Him with your life, for He wants it all. Just like we gave sin 100% of ourselves, so likewise we must apply ourselves to the Lord 100%. The slightest little sin would be enough from getting us through those pearly gates. “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” (Galatians 5: 24)
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4: 7, 17-19) “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (Matthew 24: 42)
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