Thursday, October 30, 2008

CAN YOU LOSE YOUR SALVATION?

CAN YOU LOSE YOUR SALVATION?

Some may think that once they are saved … They are always saved. Yes, this is true for those that obey and keep Christ’s teachings. Let me explain: If we think that just because we attend church, get baptized or recite the Lord’s salvation prayer, it is enough to get us into heaven… Then my friends, we are sadly mistaken. Don’t get me wrong, we must do these things as believers as an expression of our faith but this alone can’t save you. For a believer, when they partake in all those things they are publicly declaring their faith, but we must not stop there. Jesus Christ has set the example and we must follow in His footsteps if we want to inherit eternal life. (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, 1 John 2:3-6)

In the Bible it says:

"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter, his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became the traitor." (Luke 6:12-16)

Judas Iscariot was one of the disciples that were hand picked by our Lord. He was baptized into the name of our Lord Jesus, he was sent with the rest of the disciples into the towns with the authority to heal the sick, cast out demons and to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. (Matthew10:1-2, Mark 6:6-13, Luke 9:1-2)

If salvation could not be lost and once you’re saved you’re always saved, then what happened to Judas’s guaranteed salvation? My friends it will be a big mistake if we believe we can’t lose our salvation. God has made it very clear through out the Holy Scriptures… Through the Prophets and the Apostles that sinners will not enter into His kingdom. Is God unjust? NO! Judas had a sin that he had not surrendered to God and that hidden sin opened a door to a bigger sin. See Luke 22:3-6 (Judas loved money more than God.)

In John 12:4-6 says: Concerning this hidden sin:

"But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages?” He did not say this because he cared about the poor (Watch This... Don't Miss It!) but because he WAS a THIEF; as keeper of the moneybag, he used to HELP himself to what WAS put into it".

Our Lord did not condemn the woman caught in the act of adultery but He gave her a command GO NOW and LEAVE your life OF sin” (John 8:3-11). This is coming from the mouth of our Creator Himself… It is a warning NOT just good advice. We "MUST" be doers of God’s word. We must walk on this earth as Jesus did. (James 1:22, 1 John 2:5-6)

The Lord "WARNED" his disciples time and time again to “WATCH and PRAY” why would the Lord give us such a warning if our salvation can’t be lost. (Matthew 24:42, Mark 13:36-37) As long as we are here on earth we will "ALL" have TO WATCH and PRAY. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. GET UP and PRAY so that you will not fall INTO temptation.”(Luke 22:46) The words that the Lord spoke through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John these will lead to the path of eternal life.

Note: I believe a backslidden Christian can and will lose his position in heaven… If he’s not careful. (Name blotted out of the book of life) The Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome and the good Shepherd (Christ) will not let you stray too far from the flock. However there is still a matter of choice. The Bible uses the analogy of leaven or unleavened bread. (With or without sin)

Think of the fat in our bodies as sin. With discipline exercise and diet will remove the fat. If you maintain this healthy lifestyle the fat will remain dormant (Binding spirits) however giving into temptation, not exercising, and overeating will result in the fat returning. Like wise if we are out of the will of God, out of the Word, falling back into temptation and sin... Your old nature returns and the word says sinners cannot inherit the kingdom of God. (Psalm 1:5, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:1-7, Colossians 3:5-10, Titus 2:11-14, Hebrews 10:26-27, 1 Peter 2:1, 1 John 3:6, 7-10, Revelation 21:8, 27, 22:15)

In the book of Hebrews says:

This my friends is a warning against falling away… It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace”.

Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case- things that accompany salvation”. (Hebrews 6:4-6, 9)

Throughout the second and third chapter of the book of Revelations Jesus instructs John to write messages to the 7 churches in Asia Minor. Over and Over again we read of the blessing and rewards for the overcomer. To the believer (Remember these letters are written to churches, saved people.) That continues in certain practices, there is a clear warning to repent and turn from such practices…

Revelation 2:4-5

Jesus says: “ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! (Watch This... Don't Miss It!) Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."

Revelation 1:20 Reveals the mystery of the message- The seven candle sticks are the churches- I WILL remove THY candlestick out of its PLACE. MEANING his place IN paradise.

Removal- Does "NOT" mean to "INCLUDE". A person is not taken to heaven as a reward for sin. Judgment and destruction is the penalty for sin.

To the Church of Sardis Jesus said this to them:

"REMEMBER, therefore, WHAT you have received and heard; OBEY it, REPENT. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you."

My friends watch this… Don’t miss it! Jesus says:

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. (Revelation 3:3-5)

Question? If your salvation is guaranteed than how can the Lord say... " I will "NEVER" blot out his name from the book of life" ? Answer: Because the teaching that you can't lose your salvation is FALSE! GOD says if you DO NOT repent and CONTINUE in YOUR SIN…. HE will take your name "OFF" His Book (off the LIST)!

This is why I felt lead to write this blog. The teaching that you can’t lose your salvation no matter what you do… IS false! This is not what the Lord teaches and you can clearly see in the book of Revelation that he will not let anyone regardless of whom they are come into His kingdom if they do not obey His teaching or have sins they have not repented from. The kingdom of God is for the overcomer… For those who didn’t give in to the passions of this world, for those who did not give in to peer pressure, for those that follow the Lord no matter what curve ball life through at them, for those that stood on the Rock “ Christ the Hope of Glory” Be an overcomer in Jesus name.


He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)



GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

IS HE COMING FOR YOU?

IS HE COMING FOR YOU?

The Bible Says:

"They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “ why do you stand here looking into the sky? This "SAME" Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, "WILL" come back "IN THE SAME WAY" you have seen him "GO INTO HEAVEN.” (Acts 1:10-11)~NIV

Angels announced His birth (Jesus Christ's birth in Luke 1:26-38 – Ch.2: 8-20) and Angels tell of His return to the disciples in the book of Acts. This event will take place in God’s time… The question should "NOT" be: "WHEN IS JESUS COMING?" The question should be: "Is HE coming for you?" Can you honestly say that if Jesus came today you would be lifted up to heaven to meet HIM? No one knows when they will die… If today was your last day here on earth, will the Lord welcome you into His kingdom?

Let me show you what the Lord says in the Bible:

"EVERY" tree that does not bear good fruit is "CUT DOWN" and "THROWN" into the "FIRE". Thus, BY their fruit you will recognize them. “NOT everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. MANY will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? ‘THEN I will tell them plainly, ‘I NEVER" knew you. "AWAY FROM ME", you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:19-23)

Note: The tree here represents people (Jeremiah 11:18-19). People that claim to know Him (Jesus Christ) And Obedience to GOD will always produce good fruits.

Jesus has set the laws and standards for those who wish to enter the kingdom of heaven. Accepting Him as Lord and Savior is our first step and after, that, the rest of our life here on earth should mirror His. (1 John 2:3-6)

Read the Lord’s Laws and Standards:

In the book of Matthew Chapters 5-7

In these chapters the Lord delivers the Sermon on the Mt. also known as the Beatitudes. Read it, Study it and make all the necessary changes in your life nowWhile there’s still time to do so. Those that live their lives here on earth this way are the one’s … According to the Lord’s own words will inherit the kingdom of God. "If you love me, you will "OBEY" what I command." (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, John 8:31, 51, 1 John 2:3-6, 2 Peter 1:3-11)

Spend time in His word… Follow Him… Obey Him… Jesus is the "ONLY" way to Heaven. You can’t get to heaven just because you think you should. Going to Church "DOES NOT GUARANTEE" your entry either. Obeying the Lord Jesus "WILL". "NOTHING" in this world is worth you losing your place in Heaven. What good will it be for a man "IF HE GAINS" the whole world, yet "FORFEITS HIS SOUL"?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)


In the book of 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says:

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? "DO NOT BE DECEIVED: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. "AND" that is what "SOME OF YOU WERE". BUT you were washed, you WERE sanctified, you WERE justified in the NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ and BY the Spirit of "OUR GOD."


Jesus says in the book of Revelation 22:12-15

Behold, " I AM COMING SOON! My reward is with me, and I "WILL GIVE" to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. "OUTSIDE" are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters "AND EVERYONE" who loves and practices falsehood.”  


REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR
(Matthew 3:1) The Holy Scriptures Say..."WITHOUT HOLINESS "NO ONE" WILL SEE THE LORD." (Hebrews 12:14)


READY OR NOT… JESUS IS COMING!  "IS HE COMING FOR YOU?"



GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS,
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA