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Friday, April 25,
2008
The
End of the Trail
1 Peter 1:7-9 That the trial
of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though
it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at
the appearing of Jesus Christ: (8) Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom,
though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable
and full of glory: (9) Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation
of your souls. (KJV)
Wasn’t the whole idea for
accepting God’s plan of salvation into your life was to make it to the end
and receive His eternal reward of inheritance? Having gone through the
trial of this life which one can only be an overcomer by faith, it is the
salvation of your soul that is of the utmost importance, especially when
the day comes that you stand before God and give an account of your life;
this life of faith in the message delivered by Christ. Jesus Christ is the
first and the last; it was His word of life that brought you into the Kingdom
and He will have the last say concerning your entrance into His eternal
one. He is the author and finisher of our faith as well, so if you have
been resurrected into the realm of the Spirit and are confident that the
message you preach and follow came from the Father through the Son, then
you will not be ashamed when it is time to be resurrected into His eternal
realm forever. You may have entered this race with good intentions, but it
is so vital that you continue and endure to the end so that you will be
saved and receive the eternal inheritance. While many think all they have
to do is answer some alter call to be saved, the truth be known, that is
just the beginning; now you need to continue in the faith grounded and
settled and don’t be moved away from the only hope of the gospel, which is
Jesus Christ and His message of faith to the believers, a faith without
which we cannot be pleasing to Him.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one
that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but
he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say
to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in
thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23)
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity. (KJV)
Do you know what the worst
part about reading the above verses is, that the people described were
actually believers, those that had a zeal for God but obviously it wasn’t
according to His knowledge; God’s people perishing for lack of knowledge.
Take note of the fact that we are not just talking about a few here, but
verse 22 is quite clear to point out that it is many that end up being
deceived and do not receive the reward of inheritance, the salvation of
their own souls. Some where along the line in their walk they were no
longer communicating with the Father, but rather the father of lies who
comes to steal the truth, kill the life within them, and then watch their
soul eternally destroyed in the lake of fire. Are you totally sure of the
message you are hearing today is of God? Does it line up with His word or
have you been sidetracked and are now following a different protocol? Are
there question marks in your life concerning your walk? When you stand
before God someday you will know and not guess you are one of His?
Remember the word of God
tells us that whatsoever is not of faith is sin, so if it isn’t the Lord
directing your steps then you are none of His. Those that wish to enter
into the Lord’s eternal inheritance need to let the Lord in their life now,
today, so that there will be no doubt or question marks concerning their
reward of inheritance. Simply put people, if you don’t let the Lord into
your life then He is not going to let you into His either. What rightfully
belonged to people who were at one time children of God was stolen from
them without them even knowing it, because somewhere along the path of life
they started out on they turned and followed a different path that led to
destruction.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in
at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because
strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it. (KJV)
There is only one path that
leads to eternal life; and sad to say, only a few who find it. Years ago
there was on old song that said ‘there’s a whole lot of people going home’,
however the truth be known only a few will actually make it in, while many
will be rejected. There is only one path, one Lord, and one faith that lead
us unto life; and without this knowledge of who, what, and where this path
is for you, you will not receive your eternal reward. Have you ever heard the
statement ‘all paths lead to the same place’? Well that’s true, because
when it involves any other way into the Kingdom besides the one our Lord
said would get you in, then all those other ways are that of a thief and a
robber, which is widely known as the path of destruction. Don’t be deceived
into thinking that just because you joined some religious organization, or
because you tithe twice a week or any other of our own works, you have your
ticket stamped. Without faith, as the Bible says the just shall live by
faith, without hearing this message on a daily basis then acting on what is
heard you will end up eternally on the outside wishing in, knowing what was
yours and what you had access to only to let it slip away from your grasp.
1 Corinthians 15:53-57 For
this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to
pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O
death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56) The sting of
death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to
God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)
You know folks, this once
saved always saved doctrine just doesn’t fly. Oh it sounds good and sure is
an ear tickler which gives many a warm feeling inside, but the truth be
known your salvation is based on your ability to hear the message delivered
by Christ, then being a doer and not a hearer only unto the end. Your born
again experience was just the beginning, now we will see if you will truly
allow Jesus Christ to be the author and finisher of your faith so that you
can receive your eternal inheritance. Again as we notice in the above
verses, that it is not until we are given a new incorruptible body are we
then allowed access into God’s kingdom; then and only then will we escape
the second death which is eternal separation from the Father. So before you
kick back in your easy chair and think you got this thing licked, heed the
warnings in the word of God so that you can continue in the love of God and
spend your eternity with Him.
Revelation 2:11 He that hath
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that
overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (KJV)
Strong’s definition for overcometh:
3528 nikao (nik-ah'-o); from 3529; to subdue
(literally or figuratively):
KJV-- conquer, overcome,
prevail, get the victory.
You know the Lord just didn’t
ask us to squeak by or hope we are one of His, but rather we should be an overcomer
and walk in victory. It is our faith in what Christ has begun in us and
continues to do that gives us this victory and will give us access to His
eternal reward so that we can spend eternity doing a victory lap in His
kingdom. Don’t be fooled Church, don’t be lulled back into a spiritual
sleep and entombed into the realm of the flesh again, but hold fast your
profession of faith without wavering, a message coming from the only author
who will lead you to victory.
Hebrews 10:35-39 Cast not
away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (36)
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye
might receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and he that shall
come will come, and will not tarry. (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. (KJV)
In this fast paced world
patience is not something that is often spoke of, let alone put into
practice. But by letting patience have its perfect work we can mature in
the Lord, lacking nothing. You have been reborn, resurrected to a new life
in Christ, which is just the beginning. Continue in the faith, letting the
good work that our Lord began in you to continue to the end so that you can
receive what is rightfully yours, the salvation of your soul.
Romans 6:22 But now being
made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto
holiness, and the end everlasting life. (KJV)
My prayer for each and
everyone is that the end of this trail here will result in the beginning of
their eternal reward with our heavenly Father.
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