Are You Born of God?

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:4-10 ESV)

When we believe in Jesus Christ with God-gifted and God-persuaded faith in him, we are crucified with Christ in death to sin and we are raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer as slaves to sin but now as slaves to righteousness. Therefore, we are not to let sin reign in our mortal bodies, to make us obey its passions. For if sin is what we obey, it will lead to death, not to life eternal with God. But if obedience to God is what we obey, it leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life (Romans 6:1-23).

For Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin and to self) and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to our old lives of living for self and in sin, we will lose them for eternity. But if for Jesus’ sake we deny self, die daily to sin, and we follow our Lord in obedience to his commands, then we have the hope of salvation from sin and eternal life with God. For he also said that not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING the will of God the Father in heaven (Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

For John said that if we claim to be in fellowship with God/Christ, but while we walk (in conduct, in practice) in darkness (sin), then we are liars (1 John 1:5-10). And he said that if we profess to know God, but we do not obey his commandments (New Covenant), we are liars (1 John 2:3-6). And Paul taught that if sin is what we practice and not righteousness, and not obedience to our Lord, that we will not inherit eternal life with God (Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 5:3-6, etc.).

So what John taught here in 1 John 3 is the same gospel message that Jesus taught and that Paul taught and that the other NT apostles taught which is that genuine faith in Jesus Christ, which comes from God, and which is persuaded of God, dies with Christ to sin and lives to God and to his righteousness – all in the power, strength, and wisdom of God, and not of our own doing. But this isn’t a one time thing and that’s it. This has to do with what we practice, as John said. For if sin is what we practice, and not righteousness, we don’t even know God.

And the Scriptures teach that we must continue steadfast in faith until the very end if we want to have eternal life with God. For it is then, when Jesus returns for his faithful bride, and he takes us to be with him for eternity, that our salvation will be complete. In the meanwhile we are in the process of salvation and sanctification and of being made holy, if our faith is genuine, and if obedience to God is what we practice, and not sin. And this is critical that we understand this, for how we live impacts where we end up.

So, I would encourage you to read the Scriptures in their full context, and read them carefully and prayerfully, and let the Holy Spirit speak truth to your hearts, for if sin is what we practice, we will not inherit eternal life with God, regardless of what our lips profess. And I am fully aware that this is not what is commonly being taught these days, and that this will not be a popular message. But it is a necessary message for too many people have bought into the lie that tells them a profession of faith alone is enough to secure them heaven for eternity. But know the truth, and believe the truth.

[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Jn 6:35-58; Jn 15:1-11; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]  

Video Talk

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He Gives Purpose  

An Original Work / June 9, 2012

“Listen to Me when I’m calling to you.

Obey freely My word.

Follow Me in all of My ways.

Do all that I say.

Hear Me gently whisper to you

My will for your life and future.

Give all of your life and heart to

Follow Me always.”

Repent of your sins and worship Jesus.

He’s your Lord and Master.

He died for your sins so you could

Live with Him today.

He has a plan for your life and

He gives purpose and direction.

He gives meaning to your life,

So follow Him today.

“I love you so much I gave My life for

You to walk in My ways,

Living for Me each day as you

Bow to Me and pray.

Witness for Me of your love for Me and

Of My grace and mercy,

How I died to save you of your

Sins now and always.”

https://vimeo.com/119038798