Apostle John also addresses this theme in his first letter. He is discussing the different levels and types of sins that a believer might commit and how other believers ought to respond to that believer’s sins. Because this is such an important and difficult issue, let us …
Read MoreWhat are we to make of the warnings in the letter to the Hebrews?
The letter to the Hebrews seems to make it clear that it is possible for a Christian, even a real one, to fall so far, and to become so apostate, that there is no way back for them. It would appear that such a person …
Read MoreWhat does Paul mean when he refers to “deliver(ing) a man over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh”?
If you are still unpersuaded that God can, and does, discipline us severely, and that He sometimes even takes away the life of a real Christian, then consider some further passages. Here apostle Paul speaks of “deliver(ing) a man over to Satan for the destruction of …
Read MoreGod also dealt severely with Ananias and Sapphira, and that was in the New Testament not the Old
In case anybody says that this only happened in the Old Testament, let us look at the book of Acts where we see the same thing happening to Ananias and Sapphira. They sold some land and gave some of the proceeds away to the apostles. …
Read MoreNote how severely God dealt with the wicked sons of Eli, and also King Saul
Likewise, in 1 Samuel we are told about the priest, Eli, whose sons, Hophni and Phinehas were wicked. They worked in the Tabernacle like their father, but they abused their positions and exploited people. Therefore the Bible says that it was God’s will to put …
Read MoreWhen you become a disciple God will begin to treat you as His own child. That means He will discipline you and even punish you. He does it for your own good, to help you to grow up.
There is today a misguided over-emphasis on God’s love in many Western churches. There is also a misunderstanding of what His love really means. That error causes many of us to assume that God would never rebuke or discipline a Christian. Actually, the opposite is …
Read MoreOne of Jesus’ intentions for His disciples is to refine them, just as a jeweller smelts and purifies silver by exposing it to great heat. He is doing that now, in this life, but He will complete it at the Judgment Seat
Jesus intends to refine us, just as a jeweller smelts precious metals to purify them and to separate them from the worthless dross which is mixed in with them. He is doing this now during our lives. However, when Jesus returns in His glorified resurrection …
Read MoreIt is the duty of a disciple to be “salt and light” in this world
Another of the many purposes and objectives of a real disciple is that they should learn how to be both “salt and light” in this lost world. Each disciple is like a lamp. We are supposed to bring light wherever we go, lighting up the darkness of …
Read MoreJesus did not come to bring peace to this present age. On the contrary, following Him and staying true to His Word will result in conflict and trouble.
Being a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ does bring you peace. However, that means in the Hebrew sense of being at peace within, or despite, difficult circumstances. The peace that Jesus gives us does not mean the absence of such difficulties. The Hebrew word for peace is ‘Shalom’. It is …
Read MoreThere is a high cost involved in being a genuine disciple. We must be realistic about that and be willing to pay that price.
Being a genuine disciple involves paying a high price. At any rate, the cost of real discipleship is far higher than most of us have been told to expect. Therefore we need to be much more realistic about that cost and be willing to pay …
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