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Friday, June 25,
2010
Rules Of Engagement
1 Corinthians 15:49-50 And as we have
borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the
heavenly. (50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (KJV)
At the end of our time here on earth
there will be a reading of the will; that being the will of God, and only
those that are a part of His family in Christ will have their names read
aloud and then receive their eternal reward. For today we are considered
engaged to the Lord, with the marriage taking place in heaven. Do keep in
mind that God warns His people throughout His word what is required to
receive this reward and what can happen if not adhered to by His people.
Just like with those here on earth when engaged, they certainly are not
going to marry a cheater, well, neither is the Lord. When seeking entrance
into the kingdom of God someday, you will need to bring more to the table
than just a carnal resume, you will need to know that you are one of His,
not just guess or hope so.
1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (2) Speaking lies
in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (3) Forbidding
to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to
be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (KJV)
Strong’s definition for ‘expressly’:
4490
rhetos (hray-toce'); adverb from a derivative of 4483; out-spokenly,
i.e. distinctly: KJV-- expressly.
I have gotten a bit of flak over the
years because of this once saved always saved doctrine that many are
preaching. This ear tickling doctrine widens the path of those that call
themselves believers rather than finding that straight and narrow one that the
Lord would have them walk in. You cannot depart from a place unless you
were actually there at one time people. Just like with marathons, many
begin the race with good intentions but somewhere along the line drop out,
looking for something to ease the burden and the pain of following through
with their commitment that they made to the Lord.
Romans 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the
carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God,
neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please
God. (KJV)
There is that term “cannot”, and once
again we see that it involves self, trying to please self rather than our
Lord in heaven. If you didn’t take the time, or make it a priority to renew
your mind with the mind of Christ, then you are not going to move forward
in your walk, but rather you will not be to pleasing in the sight of God.
Luke 10:17-20 (Williams New Testament
translation)
17. Now the seventy returned and joyously
reported, "Lord, even the demons are submitting to us in your
name." 18. He said to them, "I was looking at Satan failing like
a flash of lightning from heaven. 19. Listen! I have given you power to
tread on snakes and scorpions, and to trample on all the power of the
enemy, and nothing at all will ever harm you. 20. However, you must stop
rejoicing over the fact that the spirits are submitting to you, but
continue to rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven."
Many of God’s people are like a flash in
the pan, they start out good but somewhere along the line they fall away
from grace. God has dealt with rebellion before and is now looking for
those that He can trust; those that know who their source of strength is,
and not what they think they have done on their own. My prayer for today is
that you will know and make sure of your calling in Christ, and know the
rules of His engagement so that when marriage takes place, you will take
your place at His table.
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