
9 minute read
BELIEVE DISOBEY LOSE
from Summer 2023
by Our Herald
Philip Toleman
The road that almost no one wants to be on, but many end up taking.
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In John 3:36 of the NKJ Bible says: He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
The ASV Bible says: He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

In the NKJ where it says he who does not believe it is really talking about someone that doesn’t obey the Son This disobedience can be caused by many factors One can be social pressure, family customs, unbelief in the Word of God, or simply for not understanding what is required.
A couple of days ago I was reading the news about a young lady that was killed in a car accident and her parents were looking for the driver of the stolen vehicle. They told the reporters that their daughter was a good girl, but she had made a bad decision to go out with the wrong people How many times in our lifetime we have made bad decisions, and even though they haven’t cost us our life, they have caused us harm?
Let’s see why many people that believe in Jesus will not be saved We might just say that they went out with the wrong people
The Bible talks a lot about believing We understand that our walk with God must start with believing. We read in Heb. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him. Just to get close to God we must believe that He exists and that He rewards the people that seek after Him. Once we believe we go to Rom 10:8-10 that says: But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The words “thou shalt be saved” get my attention because who does not want to be saved? The problem is that many people teach that the moment that you confess the Lord Jesus Christ you ARE saved. This verse does not say that. It is talking about two different events, one which is to believe and confess and when we live this belief until the day we die we obtain the second promise, salvation This verse is talking about a salvation that will come (future) and not something that happens the instant you confess In Mark 13:13 confirms that our salvation is a future event: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name ’ s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
As long as we are alive, nobody is saved, and nobody is lost No one that is alive is with Christ nor are they in hell. The Bible talks about two doors that lead to two different pathways or roads. Luke 13:23,24: And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Once again the question is about a future event and not something of the present; Lord, are they few that are saved? We know that the two doors open onto two different paths, one that is wide and one that is narrow Each path leads to a different destiny.
This is our destiny when we reach the end of our life here on earth I can walk in the path of Salvation and not be salved at the end. Luke 13:25-28 says: When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are; then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without
The book of Ezequiel 18 explains more about the concept of being saved. If with my confession I am saved, then I could never lose my salvation The truth is that my belief and my confession only put me on the path that leads to salvation I must continue walking on this path until the end of my life and then I will be saved. Ez 18:20-24 The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him Here we see that salvation is personal Each one of us has to choose his own path to reach his goal The prize is for the person that arrives at the goal done he shall live Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? saith the Lord Jehovah; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live? As long as we are alive, we can change paths. Most of us did it when we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into our lives Others have left the straight and narrow way and let’s see what happened to them.
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die The key phrase here is “ : in his trespass that he hath trespassed” A trespass is disobedience. The path of Life is a path of obedience, of order and of self-discipline. You cannot live in adultery or fornication and still be on the path of Life You cannot go from one church to another and continue on the path of life You cannot lie and seal and maintain yourself before a holy God. The blessings of God come in response to our obedience. You can believe and not be obedient, many people live that way
But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die None of his transgressions that he hath committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he hath
Due. 28:1,2 says: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that Jehovah thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth: and all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God The works of the flesh and the path of salvation don’t go together As we read in the Bible the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21), we read the first part and we feel good because they are not part of our life fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, drunkenness, revellings What happens is we ignore the second part which are: enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, which is just as important not to do if we want to be saved The Word is very clear: that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God They shall not be saved.
Continued on Page 10
Lori Stevens

Kingdom is defined as the spiritual reign or authority of God God has all authority to give orders, make decisions, and exercise his power.
In the study of biology, there are rules that govern classification These rules are used to determine what kingdom plants and animals are a part of There have been several theories and ideas in biology that now have five kingdoms of classification. This classification was based upon certain characteristics like mode of nutrition, cell structure, relationships and reproduction. These rules are the determining factor
What does this have to do with the Kingdom of God? We are supposed to be a part of the Kingdom of God when we take on His name We are to fit within the rules that govern the Kingdom of God. We are given the characteristics of His Kingdom We are to have a mode of nutrition We are to take in His Word, His spirit, prayer life. We are to have a cell structure or make up that reflects God We are to be filled with His Spirit. We are made new creatures. We become spiritual beings reflective of God's authority over us We are to have relationships that reflect God We become part of his family. part of the body of Christ.
We are to relate to the body, care for the body, be a part of the body We are to have reproduction We produce the fruit of the spirit as He works in us and through us. We are to share the gospel and bring others into the Kingdom of God
1 Corinthians 15:50

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Do I carry the characteristics of the Kingdom of God? Does God rule and reign over me and my life? Would I be classified as a member of His Kingdom? Am I a representative of His Kingdom?

Do others recognize my citizenship of the Kingdom? My life should reflect the characteristics of the Kingdom of God. I am no longer of this world, I am now a representative of the Kingdom of God A representative is defined as typical of a class, group, or body of opinion; an example of a class or group; a person chosen or appointed to act or speak for another or others I have been bought by the blood of Jesus I have been made a new creature in Christ I am no longer my own. I am His.
1 Thessalonians 2:10-12
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
I find my nutrition in His Word I feast on His Word and am fed by the Word I have a prayer life that is effective and fervent. I reflect Jesus Christ in how I live, act, respond, and treat others. My relationships are fruitful. The Spirit should produce life around me My life should be fruitful and produce the fruit of the spirit so that others can taste and see that God is good. New creatures are produced because God works through me to reach others.
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
We are to walk worthy of the Kingdom of God, seeking God first and pursuing the righteousness of God. When we focus on living in the Kingdom of God, rather than the nature of this world, Our characteristics will reflect Jesus to those around us We will walk and talk like him. We will act like him. Those around us will feel His presence, see him actively working through us, and will want to be like Him as well Represent the Kingdom of God That is who you are supposed to be and who you are called to be. He has chosen us. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Know who you are Know the Kingdom to which you belong Live as a citizen of this Kingdom representing the King of Kings. He is Lord of all. He is in complete authority and we have access to the King
Mary Lou Forrest
The Kingdom has been preparing for Jesus's return for His own to carry the faithful to live in a place called our "Forever Home"
The angels sing Holy Holy Holy is the King of Glory Divine
Lift high the banner of Heaven
His promise that Heaven is mine
Truespiritualitymanifestsitselfincertaindominantdesires
1.Firstisthedesiretobeholyratherthanhappy.
2 A man may be considered spiritual when he wants to see the honor of God advanced through his life even if it means that he himselfmustsuffertemporarydishonororloss.
3 Thespiritualmanwantstocarryhiscross
4. Again, a Christian is spiritual when he sees everything from God’sviewpoint.
5.Anotherdesireofthespiritualmanistodierightratherthanto livewrong
6.Thedesiretoseeothersadvanceathisexpense.

7. The spiritual man habitually makes eternity-judgments instead oftime-judgments
The banquet table is ready prepared for the groom and bride all of the saints who've gone on before now sit at Jesus's side
Hold tight to the promises given and His return to take us there as Christians we are preparing for this Kingdom that is ours to share