#2331 1002 16A

            Many warnings from many Scripture verses alerts us to be aware of sin, self, and Satan’s deceptions—and how we can be delivered from their disastrous results—if not dealt with in a scriptural manner.  We are saved by grace, through a trusting faith in the Atonement sacrifice of Christ, but this faith must be active, real, and enduring—which results from believing in our heart that God will do things for us today like He did for believers in the Bible—He cannot change.

            Jesus said Matthew 7:13 “Enter ye in at the strait [narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.”  True believers will be tested, mistreated, and persecuted, but we must place all injustices before Him in prayer, and continue to trust God in faith to correct every injustice. 

            Being a scriptural example for others, by obeying the Word of God in our own life, is extremely important.  Jesus told us to Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven;”—and “Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” 19.  An enduring faith in the Blood of Christ is the only way to escape the flames—Mark 9:48 “where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched’” Isaiah 66:24.

            Jesus warned about a religious appearance on the outside, but no sincere attitude of believing faith on the inside.  Matthew 5:20 “Unless your righteousness [greatly] surpasses [exceeds] that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

            Jesus warned that anger is akin to murder.  Matthew 5:22 “I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell-fire.”  There must be a true repentance and a true forgiving of others of all offenses.

            Jesus warned that immoral thoughts are the same as immoral actions Matthew 5:28.  Drastic measures should be taken against things that cause us to sin.  Warnings are given about swearing and offensive language.  Matthew 5:34-35 “Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool.”  Matthew 5:37 “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’  For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

            Jesus warned—Matthew 5:39 “Do not resist an evil [wicked] person.  If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”  If something is stolen from us, we are not to involve the authorities, nor attempt to retrieve what was wrongly taken.

            Matthew 5:40-42 “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.  And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.  Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”

            Concerning those who are hostile and unfriendly toward us, Jesus said Matthew 5:44-45 “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” 

            Our prayers are to be short, sincere, secret, and to God alone.  Matthew 6:6 “When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly.  Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.”

            All giving to the poor is to be anonymous.  Matthew 6:1-4 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 

            But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

            The many warnings Jesus gave go unheeded by most who say they are Christians—they simply do not act on them.  Jesus said Mark 7:6-7, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me.”

            Jesus warned that we must forgive everyone from the heart—Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive others their offences, your Heavenly Father will forgive you also; but if you do not forgive others their offences, neither will your Father forgive yours.”  15 “If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

            We are to Colossians 3:12-13 “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility [lowliness of mind], gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances [quarrel; complaint] you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

            The straight and narrow road to Heaven allows no stored cash on earth.  We are to Matthew 6:20 “Amass wealth for yourselves in Heaven,” by giving it to charity on earth, 21 “For where your wealth is, there also will your heart be.”  Our trust is really on God—or our heart is far from God Mark 7:6.

            Giving to charity just proves that love for God has replaced love for money.  Matthew 6:24 “You cannot be the bondservants both of God and of gold.”  We are to seek righteousness by a willingness to believe Jesus in faith first, then Matthew 6:33 “All these things will be given to you as well.”

            Jesus warned we should be repenting instead of criticizing.  Matthew 7:5 “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  It is spiritually deadly to be self-righteous, resentful, or rebellious toward God’s Word.  The unforgiving servant would be cut off and Matthew 24:51 assigned “a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

            The attitude that enters the kingdom of God is explained—Matthew 7:12-14 “All things whatever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  Enter ye in at the straight gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in by it.  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there are that find it.”

            Warnings are needed because deception is possible.  Matthew 7:15-16 “Beware of the false teachers—men who come to you in sheep’s fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves.  By their fruits you will easily recognize them.” 

            The issue is whether they trust God in faith for divine healing; or trust the medical world.  Or if they trust God in faith for financial needs; or trust in their stored up cash in bank accounts, real estate, etc.  Producing fruit in this life, is trusting God in real faith.  Matthew 7:19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown [cast] into the fire.”

            Jesus warned about obeying His commands and following His teaching, because only by a trusting faith in His Atonement sacrifice, will anyone get into Heaven.  Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only those who are obedient to], only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” 

            The will of the Father is to trust in faith on what His Son accomplished on the cross.  If a person does not believe Him; does not live by faith in His sacrifice; and does not trust His Father for things in this life, they will not receive eternal life.

            Satan has deceived millions to think that a decent moral life, and not intentionally harming anyone, is what God requires for salvation.  Multitudes say they believe, but have never trusted God in active faith for anything.  The number of souls that have been destroyed by the lies of the devil is beyond counting.  To those who did not live by faith, Jesus said Matthew 7:23 “I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!”

            The believer is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, but the unbeliever is not.  John 14:15-17 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor [Comforter] to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.  The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.”

            Satan has deceived millions to think that a religious outward appearance, counts for a true inward righteousness.  In the last days, many will 2 Timothy 3:4-5 “love pleasure instead of loving God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

            Eternal life means believing God and trusting in faith on the shed Blood of His Son for healing without drugs or pills; for provisions without laid up cash or Welfare; for protection without guns or alarm systems; for justice without attorneys; and for everything else by faith in God John 6:29.

            Satan has deceived millions to turn away from trust on God, and has influenced them to follow a path of self-trust like the world.  Every day is a learning process of how to trust God in faith for everything in life.  John 17:3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

            The world and many who are called Christians, have accepted the lie that God does not do things for people today, but a true believer will trust God every day for every thing—really taking a risk on God’s faithfulness.  The only way to know the lies of the devil, is for God to reveal them to us.  The Truth can be known—John 12:46 “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

            To take these warnings of Jesus seriously, is to make changes in our life definitely!  We would then produce spiritual fruit, and grow in spiritual knowledge.  A believing faith and an enduring trust on the Atonement of Christ is vital. 

            Hebrews 12:14 “Persistently strive for peace with all men, and for that growth in holiness—[meeting things right; forgiving from the heart; trusting God for finances, etc…]—apart from which no one will see the Lord.”  Those who heed the warnings, pass the tests, and keep their faith on the Blood of Christ—enter God’s kingdom.