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Tuesday, August
11, 2009
Grin And Bear It
John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As
the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no
more can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing. (KJV)
I have observed over the years many
organizations who boast of numbers, people who supposedly gave their heart
to the Lord. With many of these people they act like they were the only
ones responsible, and that without their doings no one would get saved.
These same people act like once someone has committed their lives to the
Lord that is it, they are in the clear. However, for those that truly know
the Lord and continue to mature in Him, they know that this is just the
first of many steps; it is a continual process if one is truly going to be
granted access to their eternal reward.
Romans 11:17-19 And if some of the
branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in
among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive
tree; (18) Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest
not the root, but the root thee. (19) Thou wilt say then, The branches were
broken off, that I might be graffed in. (KJV)
The natural branches that are being
referred to in the above verses are the Jews, and the reason they are being
cut off, or anyone for that matter, is because of unbelief. We are just a
branch, grafted into the tree of life so that we can now bear the fruit of
the Spirit.
Romans 11:20-22 Well; because of unbelief
they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but
fear: (21) For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he
also spare not thee. (22) Behold therefore the goodness and severity of
God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou
continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (KJV)
I don’t know what bible those ear
tickling feel good people pleasing preachers are reading, but according to
my Bible, the Word is quite clear on what got us into the kingdom of God
and what allows us to stay in good standing with Him. A lot of people start
out with good intentions, you know like with a marriage, but a lot end up
divorced as well because they leave their first love. The only thing that
keeps you grafted into the tree of life is faith; so what may have started
out in the Spirit needs to end that way also.
Williams New Testament translation
of Romans 11:20-22
20. Very well, but it was for lack of
faith that they were broken off, and it is through your faith that you now
stand where you are. Stop your haughty thinking, rather continue to be
reverent, 21. for if God did not spare the natural branches, certainly He
will not spare you. 22. So take a look at the goodness and the severity of
God; severity to those who have fallen, but goodness to you, on condition
that you continue to live by His goodness; otherwise, you too will be
pruned away.
Colossians 1:21-23 And you, that were
sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath
he reconciled (22) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you
holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (23) If ye continue in
the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the
gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which
is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (KJV)
There was a time when you were cut off, not
a part of the tree of life, but rather an outsider looking in. Once you get
a hold of the truth, grasp on to it, get grounded and settled in faith so
that you won’t be moved away from the only hope of the gospel, which is
Christ in you, the tree of life.
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