01/28/22 DIVINE, HOLY JEALOUSY

01/28/22 DIVINE, HOLY JEALOUSY

God has a holy jealousy that should be shared by His family.

This is an article I had written and posted four years ago.
02/05/18 DIVINE JEALOUSY IS DIVINE RIGHT
Some time ago I saw a clip of Oprah "explaining" how she came to the point of rejecting the God that is revealed in the Holy Bible and the Christian faith.
She said that when she was young she heard a preacher say that God is a jealous God. She reasoned that God must be a small God if He was jealous of her. After all, what did she have that He wanted so much that it would make Him jealous?
FALSE NARRATIVE BUILT ON A MISINTERPRETED TRUTH.

Yes, God is JEALOUS. In order to understand this we need to understand the world "jealous." God is not ENVIOUS of what we have, He is jealous in the sense that He is God, He is our Creator, He is the only Sacrifice for our sin, He is our Sustainer, He is the King of kings and Lord of lords and the only Lawmaker and the only Judge, and since He loves us, He has the right to be loved in return, He has the right to be honored, He has the right to be obeyed. In fact, since it is by Him we live and move and have our being we OWE HIM our total devotion. God is jealous over us in the way that a loving husband is jealous over his wife. She should love him above all others and in fact should not love any other or give herself as a wife, as a woman, to any other man. God wants from us what rightfully belongs to Him. He is the only One worthy of our love, devotion, faith, obedience.

OPRAH SAID
Oprah apparently gave this story as her supposed "explanation" for rejecting the God of the Holy Bible, but it was really her excuse for her own infidelity, ingratitude, selfishness, disobedience, rebellion, idolatry.

GOD'S WORD SAYS
Here are some of the passages that address the jealousy of God.
Exodus 20:3-6
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Exodus 34:12-16
12 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:
13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;
16 And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.

Deuteronomy 4:23-24
23 Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.
24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Deuteronomy 5:7-10
7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

Joshua 24:19-20
19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.

1 Corinthians 10:20-22
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

I Also Wrote
12/20/18 GOD IS RIGHTEOUSLY A JEALOUS GOD
God is a jealous God. He does not share His glory with others, but rather condemns those who steal it.
AND THAT IS GOOD AND JUST.

DIVINE JEALOUSY IS A FAMILY TRAIT
Paul set the standard for all other ministers of the gospel concerning godly jealousy over God's people. We should love and protect our people from the doctrinal wolves who are seeking to destroy God's people.
2 Corinthians 11:2-4
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Likewise, we should guard our own minds, hearts, relationships, lives against the allure of the prince of darkness, whether it comes through preaching, teaching, testimonies, books, songs, singers, celebrities.
Charles Wesley's lyrics spoke to this and should be our own prayer.
I want a principle within
Of jealous, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin,
A pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel
Of pride or fond desire,
To catch the wand'ring of my will,
And quench the kindling fire.
From Thee that I no more may part,
No more Thy goodness grieve,
The filial awe, the fleshly heart,
The tender conscience, give.
Quick as the apple of an eye,
O God, my conscience make;
Awake my soul when sin is nigh,
And keep it still awake.

01/27/22 DON'T BE BLOWN OFF COURSE BY AN ILL WIND

01/27/22 DON'T BE BLOWN OFF COURSE BY AN ILL WIND

Here are two extreme and aberrant camps in Christendom:

The Brainiacs (or, as I refer to them, LETTERALISTS) because they think they understand the meaning of the letter of the Word from a supposed intellectual advantage,

and

The Feeliacs (or as I refer to them, EXPERIENTIALISTS) because they think they have the spiritual leading from supposed special revelation.

One group cannot see the forest for the trees (the big picture because they are focused on the details),

and

The other group cannot see the trees for the forest (the details because they are focused on the overview).

Or...

One group cannot see the personal, experiential reality of God's revelation because they insist on a detached, formulated view of God's word,

and

The other group cannot see the precision and finality God's revelation because they are listening to other authorities (humans and spirits).

As they have focused on their respective positions they have moved away from the true word of God and developed systems of thought contrary to the revelation of God.

This is to be expected in these days, since we know there will be a great rise of false doctrine, false teachers, false prophets, a different Jesus, and different Spirit and a different gospel.

This is why believers today must have a total dedication and surrender to Christ and His word, which includes study, submission, prayer, holiness of heart and life.

We are human. God built into the human nature REASON and EMOTION, as well as Conscience, Desire and Will. When we let any one part of our being take over our whole being we become warped and bent. We must submit our entire being to God if we want to become all that God wants us to become.

01/27/22 SOME DARE CALL IT FAITH

01/27/22 SOME DARE CALL IT FAITH

We were driving over to west Morehead this week and came to a stop when a school bus, (traveling east) stopped to discharge some students. The high school student exited and walked in front of the bus, crossing the highway.
Yes, he had the law on his side.
Yes, the bus had signs and signals out.
Yes, I was stopped and waiting.
Yes, all other traffic was stopped.
HOWEVER, the student stepped from in front of the bus without looking in either direction. He never looked.
A vehicle could have come around me and hit him.
A vehicle could have passed the bus from behind, hitting the boy without ever seeing him.
The boy could have been hit and even died.
There are some things that we cannot control, but there are some things, for which we are responsible.
The student's failure to look was not really faith in the laws, in the bus and driver, or in the other traffic. It was foolish presumption or it was empty headed action.

Sometimes Christians exercise foolish presumption and call it faith.

I don't live in fear of The World, The Flesh or The Devil, I live in faith, trusting God with every area of my life. Living by faith in Christ means living in loving obedience to Christ. Living by faith is living under Divine guidance.

I realize that there is a healthy fear, such as the fear of God, also a proper fear of danger, whether natural or contrived, whether intended or circumstantial.

Faith does not make us unconcerned about danger. A Cavalier view of some dangers is not faith but foolish presumption.
Faith does not challenge danger; though faith charges into danger as it follows God, even into the jaws of danger, when God directs.
Faith does not always keep the obedient child of God safe from the negative effects of danger.
Salvation delivers believers from fear of judgment, fear of death, fear of loss.
Salvation does not guarantee deliverance from the temporal (earthly) losses or suffering.
Remember, not all fear is cowardice. Cowardice is the fear from which God delivers us. The opposite of Cowardice is not Cavalier Presumption, but Divine Wisdom and active faith.

This is true in the sudden, unexpected, in-your-face moments of danger and in the obvious, bold presence of danger.
Faith is not presumption, neither is it acting foolishly (acting without God).
God puts healthy fear within us. Without healthy fear we would mindlessly expose ourselves and others to unnecessary and destructive dangers.

With this being said, we need to know what the Bible says about submission to the will of God; what God expects from us in time of danger, conflict, adverse situations.

Don't fall for the lie that YOUR WORD OF FAITH creates or re-creates your world, or immunizes you from trouble, trial, testing and temptation.
While we should guard out hearts and mouths, we must not think that we can, "Positive Confess" ourselves out of the difficulties and dangers of life.
Even God did not Positive Confess us out of sin; He took action, based on His own love, justice and mercy.
We cannot Positive Confess ourselves out of a fallen world. Our only victory comes by faith in His word and submission to His will.
A Biblical confession of faith is not the same as the popular (but erroneously called) Word of Faith.
The lie of the WoF movement has infiltrated the lives of shallow, self oriented, lazy Christians. It takes time, energy, commitment to know and to do the will of God in the various issues of life.

I believe, preach and teach a victorious life, but it is victory over our difficulties and trials in this present evil world, in accordance with the nature and salvific work of God, regardless of the cost and regardless of the path we must take.
I won't make much money preaching this and I won't tickle any itching ears, but I am telling you truth, which is verifiable in the Word of God.

01/26/22 EXPOSITIONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL

01/26/22 EXPOSITIONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL

There is an expositional and an experiential reality to the word of God.
They are the two sides to the same coin. God revealed truth and God wants us to experience and live in the reality of His truth.

Some folks focus on the letter of the word and ignore the spiritual application of the word while others delve into the experiential and ignore Divine revelation in the word of God.

Each side lines up against each other, thinking they represent God and His truth, not realizing they are fighting against God and His truth, and destroying others in the process.

01/24/22 IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

01/24/22 IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

Setting up The Net House for get together.
Listening to great Gospel music (Isaacs, but FB muted the little bit of chorus in the background).
Mediating on full salvation from sin through Christ.
Celebrating victorious living.
Rejoicing in His Spirit.
Looking heavenward.

Titus 2:14-15
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

01/23/22 BOASTING IN CHRIST

01/23/22 BOASTING IN CHRIST

When a Christian gives witness to being Saved, he is admitting that he was lost in sin, but through faith in Christ, he is Forgiven, Born of the Spirit of God, and Transformed. It is not a claim to inherent worthiness or self-righteousness.

When a Christian experiences and testifies to Entire Sanctification (aka Atonement Perfection, Believer's Perfection, Bible Perfection, Christian Perfection), that person is not claiming to be flawless or Absolutely Perfect. That person is not claiming self-righteousness or personal accomplishment. That person is acknowledging that he has been saved and cleansed from all sin by God, through God's Son, God's Word, and God's Holy Spirit, as God promised.

 

Paul prayed that the God of peace would end the internal spiritual battle for the believers at Thessalonica by Sanctifying (purifying, cleansing) them, wholly (entirely, through and through, completely).

 

Paul also prayed that God would preserve (keep, maintain) those believers, blameless (faultless, unblameable) unto (for, until) the coming (presence, return) of Christ.

Paul assured them that the same God Who called them to be pure, holy, righteous, and to live blamelessly, will actually make it a reality in their lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

 

01/23/22 THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION BELONGS TO GOD

01/23/22 THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION BELONGS TO GOD

GOD GAVE THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION TO THE CHURCH TO BE EXERCISED ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL.

Jesus put the message and ministry of forgiveness into the hands of His Church (Matthew 16:19; Luke 17:3-4).

Matthew 16:19

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Luke 17:3-4

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Jesus gave Church discipline to the Church (Matthew 18:15-20).

Matthew 18:15-20

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 

 

God put the ministry of restoration into the hands of the Church (John 20:23).

John 20:23

23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Jesus gave the Church the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19).

2 Corinthians 5:20

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Christians are His ambassadors, beseeching sinners to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).

2 Corinthians 5:20

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

God appointed the Church to be the pillar and support of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

1 Timothy 3:15

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

The Church is under God's orders.

Christians are under God's orders.

The Church is God's messenger.

The message is God's message.

The Church does God's bidding.

God sends, enlightens, enables, leads, emboldens the Church to do His work.

01/22/22 THE GIFT IS FREE BUT RECEIVING IT IS COSTLY

01/22/22 THE GIFT IS FREE BUT RECEIVING IT IS COSTLY
(but not as costly as refusing the gift)

We can't earn our salvation because it can only be obtained as a gift.

John 1:12

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

However, we can't be saved if we don't present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God.

Romans 12:1

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

We must count the cost, deny ourselves, die to sin and to the world and the carnal self, and follow Christ's steps daily (doing no sin, but living in righteousness).

Luke 14:28-33

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 16:24-26

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Romans 6:11-14

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Galatians 5:24-25

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 6:14

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Luke 9:23-25

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

1 Peter 2:21-24

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

01/22/22 NO LOITERING ALLOWED FOR CHRISTIANS

01/22/22 NO LOITERING ALLOWED FOR CHRISTIANS

If, like Paul, you are saved and pursuing Christ, and if you are hoping to attain to Resurrection Perfection (aka Glorification, either through resurrection or transformation at the rapture) and if you are pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God, then you should be busy about the work God is calling you to do and you should be equipping yourself for the work God is planning for you do in this present evil world. There is no time to loiter, and there are more than enough volunteers to answer the call to worldly endeavors.

Philippians 3:7-21
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

01/21/22 HERE ARE THREE GOOD QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

01/21/22 HERE ARE THREE GOOD QUESTIONS TO ANSWER WHILE WE SIT AROUND OUR VIRTUAL CAMPFIRE

If you wanted to prepare yourself to excel in a chosen area:

1- Who would you want to be your coach:

2- How soon in your life would you start training:

3- How much time would you dedicate to your training per day, per week?

I know, I left out the most important question. I did that on purpose.

(just in case anyone was wondering)

Thank you.

01/21/22 RAIN OR SHINE, THE VICTORY IS MINE

01/21/22 RAIN OR SHINE, THE VICTORY IS MINE

This cold weather coming in with such bluster reminds me and Martha of former days when the wolf would show up at our door: cold weather no fuel, no food, and living on a very limited income. Our income was a little over half of the national average, and I wasn't Jean-Paul Getty when it came to finances. We sometimes had to literally pray for the next meal and heating fuel.

Martha never complained. We never regretted our hardships. We still go through trials and we expect difficult times in these troublesome days ahead, but we do rejoice in times of plenty. As Paul said,
Philippians 4:11-13
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

We have had moments of hard trial but relatively little compared to many other people. But the days ahead are going to bring heavy testing. We need to be prayed-up, look up if we want to be ready to go up.
Titus 2:11-15
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

01/21/22 MAKE TRUTH YOUR FOUNDATION

 01/21/22 MAKE TRUTH YOUR FOUNDATION

Have you ever noticed how many people who call themselves Bible believers, are often the ones who resist, reject and ridicule the directives from Christ to be perfect in love, to be holy and righteous and pure, and to keep His commands? Then they accuse us of not knowing or believing the Bible.

It is either that they are deceived or they just want to keep on sinning. Interesting how people who claim to accept the sovereignty of God raise excuses against the rule of God and deny the power of God to save His people from their sins.

People from any doctrinal background can live contrary to God's rule and Biblical revelation. A commitment to a sound theological system does not save anyone, but a commitment to an unsound theological system will lead people to sin, death and the Lake of Fire.

1 Timothy 1:1-11
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
2 Timothy 4:1-8
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
1 Timothy 6:3-6
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:11-16
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Titus 1:1-4
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

01/21/22 SINS FOR WHICH WE CANNOT BE FORGIVEN AND

01/21/22 SINS FOR WHICH WE CANNOT BE FORGIVEN AND FROM WHICH, WE CANNOT BE CLEANSED
DO NOT FIND YOURSELF IN ANY OF THESE SITUATIONS

THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
Matthew 12:31-32
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Mark 3:28-30
28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Hebrews 10:28-31
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Jesus spoke of a specific sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit) as being unforgivable.
There are two things to realize concerning this terrible sin:
It is ultimately associated with cutting off the ministry of the Holy Spirit from your life,
It is a sin that is deliberate and final.

Continually refusing to accept the work of the Holy Spirit, when He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment can lead to final rejection and ridicule of the Holy Spirit. Though a person can repent of disbelief in Christ and rebellion against God's rule, if that person persists in disbelief and rebellion, there will be no forgiveness or redemption. Suffice it to say; if you realize that you have sinned against God, and you regret sinning, and you fear eternal punishment, then you are not under the condemnation of this particular sin. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

FAILURE TO REPENT IS FORFEITURE OF REDEMPTION
Jesus and other New Testament writers addressed the sins that lead to final apostasy, such as rejection of Christ, denial of Christ, including disbelief in Christ, and disobedience to God's rule). Though we may confess, repent, and be forgiven of these sins, if we do not confess and repent we cannot be forgiven.
To live in persistent disbelief and rebellion is to renounce God's plan of salvation, which results in the loss of a right relationship with God and eternal life. FAITH, Biblical faith, is essential to salvation.

UNFORGIVING
Jesus taught that we must forgive others who sin against us if we expect to be forgiven of our sins. Persistently refusing to forgive others for their sins against us disqualifies us from God's forgiveness.
Matthew 6:14-15
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

DISBELIEF AND DISOBEDIENCE
Disbelief in, and disobedience to Christ disqualifies us from salvation. God has sovereignly required faith in Christ and obedience to Christ as conditions of receiving the free gift of salvation. To not believe and to disobey is a deliberate rejection of God's salvation.
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17 For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.
18 He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.
John 3:36
36 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.

APOSTASY (returning to sin, going back from God)
After being converted, a person returns to sin and refuses to repent. God convicts them to return and to repent, but failure to come back to Christ not only disqualifies that person from salvation, but it also intensifies the weightiness of the rebellion.
(though I used this passage in another category, it is also appropriate here)
Hebrews 10:26-31
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.
28 A man that hath set at nought Moses' law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses:
29 of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

ASSURANCE AND SECURITY IS FOUND IN TRUSTING JESUS
Of course, living close to Jesus and walking in His steps, keeps us on a current, up-to-date relationship with God. Remember what John said,
1 John 2:1-6
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

01/20/22 HERE ARE THE 16 AREAS OF PERFECTION I REFERRED TO IN MY VIDEO

01/20/22 HERE ARE THE 16 AREAS OF PERFECTION I REFERRED TO IN MY VIDEO
(In my original post [5588 words] I included a Greek and Hebrew word study, along with other pertinent material. In this post, I only give the sixteen points [1369 words]. I have included the link to my full article, for those who might be interested.)

Sixteen Areas Of Believer’s Perfection
(the numbers in parenthesis are the Strong's numbers for the word, "perfect" and its derivatives).
1) Perfect In Love
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect (S 5046), even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (S 5046).
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness (S 5047).
1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected (S 5048): hereby know we that we are in him.
1 John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected (S 5048) in us.
1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect (S 5048), that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect (S 5048) love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect (S 5048) in love.

2) Perfect In Mercy
Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is only reasonable that we are exercising perfect mercy when WE ARE AS MERCIFUL, AS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS MERCIFUL.

3) Perfect In Holiness
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting (S 2005) holiness in the fear of God.
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, WE WERE CHOSEN TO BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME, and this is PERFECT HOLINESS.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, GOD PROMISES TO SANCTIFY (MAKE HOLY) BELIEVERS WHOLLY, COMPLETELY, ENTIRELY, THROUGH AND THROUGH. THIS IS PERFECT CLEANSING.
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is self-evident that PERFECT HOLINESS IS THE RESULT OF "DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUST" AND "LIVING SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY, AND GODLY IN THIS PRESENT WORLD."
1 Peter 1:15-16
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is self-evident that being holy, as God is holy and being holy, in ALL MANNER OF BEHAVIOR IS PERFECT HOLINESS.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to be more perfectly cleansed from sin, than to be CLEANSED FROM ALL SIN.

4) Perfect In Righteousness
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to be more perfectly cleansed from unrighteousness, than to be CLEANSED FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to be any more righteous than GOD IS RIGHTEOUS.

5) Perfect In Purity
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to be any more pure than GOD IS PURE.

6) Perfect In Conscience
Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, a person’s conscience cannot be any more perfect than BEING VOID OF OFFENSE TOWARD GOD AND MEN.

7) Perfect In Christ Likeness
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to be any more perfect than to be CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF JESUS.

8) Perfect In Christian Walk
1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to behave or live our lives any more perfectly than WALKING AS CHRIST WALKED.

9) Perfect In Obedient Thought
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to have a more perfect thinking pattern than to BRING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.

10) Perfect In Spiritual Mindedness
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to have a more perfect mind than to HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST.
Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (S 5046), be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

11) Perfect In Forgiving Others
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to forgive more perfectly than FORGIVING EACH OTHER AS GOD FORGIVES US.

12) Perfect In Unity
John 17:22-23
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect (S 5048) in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

13) Perfect In Consistent Service
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to be more consistent in service to God than being STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD.

14) Perfect In Christian Graces And Growth
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (S 5047); not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

15) Perfect In The Will Of God
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect (S 5046), will of God.

16) Perfect Deliverance
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
DLG notes…
Though the word, "perfect" is not used in this verse, it is impossible to be saved more perfectly than to be SAVED TO THE UTTERMOST.

I then gave a link to the full article (Nov. 2, 2014)

01/20/22 IT REALLY IS AS SIMPLE AS THIS (Introduction to a video)

01/20/22 IT REALLY IS AS SIMPLE AS THIS
(Introduction to a video)

In this video, I address the popular misconception that Paul denied and denounced Biblical Perfection in Philippians 3.

Paul did not deny that Christians can, and should experience personal, present, Biblical Perfection (aka Atonement Perfection, Believer's Perfection, and Christian Perfection) in this present evil world.
He did not deny that he had been perfected in love or in righteousness or in holiness or in purity of heart or in conscience.
He said that he had not yet been made perfect through the resurrection from the dead, which I will call Resurrection Perfection (Glorification Perfection, Afterlife Perfection).

That is right. He was saying that he was not yet perfect in Resurrection Perfection. In fact, he acknowledged that he was perfect and that other believers were perfect, and therefore all believers can be perfect, in specific areas of the Christian experience.

This is not about Absolute Perfection or Angelic Perfection or Adamic Perfection or After Life Perfection. It is not a self attainable perfection or a perfection that cannot be lost. The Perfection which God provides for us is best designated as Atonement, Biblical, Believer's, Christian. It is the norm, the expected, the miraculous, the Divine work of God, which is part of normal salvation. It is the life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit by the believer who leans not to his own understanding but brings every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

The next time you hear someone erroneously refer to Philippians, to prove that Paul denied God provides a present-day Perfection, you will know the truth and not be sucked into their maelstrom of confusion.
Read the passage as I share this video.

(I put breaks between different points Paul made in this passage.)
Philippians 3:7-17
(7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

(8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

(9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

(10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

(11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

(12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
(13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
(14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

(15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

(16) Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
(17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

01/20/22 GOD ENABLES VICTORY OVER ALL SIN

01/20/22 GOD ENABLES VICTORY OVER ALL SIN

Christendom is in a "sinning religion" mindset today. People who claim to be Christians and are lauded as "great teachers" of the faith have led believers into deception and sin by saying that Christ and His salvation does not actually save from sin, but only saves from the penalty of sin.

In a discussion with one of these leading sin merchants, I was told that Matthew 1:21 does not mean that Jesus saves His people from their sins. Here is what God inspired (infallibly instructed) Matthew to write.
Matthew 1:21
(21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
This is God's word.

This is the first statement in the New Testament addressing the ministry of Jesus.
This is not an obscure, enigmatic, doubtful comment or verse. It says what it means and it means what it says.

Still, there are popular "Christian" leaders who say that God forgives people but God does not save people from the power or pollution of sin.

The Scripture clearly says that God, through the salvation in Christ, not only forgives but He cleanses, and delivers from the power and pollution of sin in this present evil world. God delivers us FROM SIN, He does not deliver us IN sin, or THROUGH sin, or BY sin. God does not deliver us from sin through DEATH. Death is the last enemy, not the final deliverer. Salvation is salvation from sin in this present time, this evil world.

The same God Who forgives and cleanses us from a sin also gives us victory over and delivers us from that sin. In fact, as long as we have a living faith in Christ, evidenced by an obedient walk with Christ, we are continually reconciled to God, cleansed from all sin, and enabled to live victoriously.

The merchants of sin and death deny Christian victory over sin by twisting Scripture, weaving false theological narratives, and following in the deceptive steps of Satan in the Garden of Eden, when he told Eve that she would not die if she ate of the forbidden fruit.

Genesis 3:1-5 (parenthetical notes are mine)
(1) Now the serpent was more subtle (cunning, crafty) than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
(notice Satan turned from the redemptive nature of God, referring to Him as Elohim rather than Yahweh and then he misquoted God.)
(2) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
(3) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
(It does not appear, according to the Biblical record, that God told the first couple not to touch the forbidden fruit. While it may seem to be a minor point, it would be a crack in the foundation which would lead to disobedience).
(4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
(the blatant lie, which would be followed by Satanic "reasoning.")
(5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

(Again, Satan mixes truth with deception, making deception palatable. In fact, Satan completely contradicts the truth of God. If the first couple had not eaten of the forbidden fruit, that is, if they had not disobeyed God, they would have been confirmed in the likeness of God. But disobedience to God did bring death, separation from God.)

Remember, the lies of sinning religion are designed by the father of lies to lead us to disobedience and therefore to separation from God (death) and eternal torment.

If someone is telling you that sin does not separate you from God, remember Eve.
If someone is telling you that you cannot be victorious over temptation and sin, remember, Jesus came, "to save His people from their sins."

01/19/22 GOD'S PLAN FOR TOTAL CLEANSING

01/20/22 GOD'S PLAN FOR TOTAL CLEANSING

Christ can and does forgive every regenerated child of God of every confessed and repented sin.

Those who are justified by faith have peace with God.
Those who are saved have no condemnation.
Those who are walking in faith and therefore walking in the light, are forgiven and cleansed of every sin.
Even those who deny holiness of heart and life, go as far as to errantly say that God forgives, "future sins," at the time of justification. Interestingly, some people believe God provides all-inclusive (perfect) forgiveness in this life, but they do not believe God provides all-inclusive (perfect) cleansing in this life.
Those who are alive in Christ and following Christ daily are assured that they have eternal life. Eternal life is only offered to and experienced when a believer is in a present faith relationship with Christ. We are children of God by faith.
The Bible teaches that God cleanses from all sin, in this life. But remember, there is a cleansing that takes place at the time of our conversion and another aspect of cleansing that takes place at the time of our consecration.

The cleansing at the time of our conversion is:
Cleansing from every sin we have committed;
Cleansing from a guilty conscience;
Cleansing from a life of sinning.

The cleansing at the time of our Entire Sanctification is a cleansing or out heart from the Old Man, aka Carnal or Fleshly Mind, Double-Mindedness, Sin (as a condition or nature), Law of Sin and Death.

The fact that God uses two events to cleanse us from all sin does not mean that there are two separate salvation experiences or that God's cleansing at conversion is a failed cleansing. It means that there is one complete salvation experience that includes two parts: first, cleansing from sins (words, thoughts, and deeds) and second, cleansing from sin (as an inherent attitudinal condition).

God's salvific work takes place in two phases and is consistent with other God events, such as:
God revealed Himself in the Old Testament.
God revealed Himself in the New Testament.
God made man as a physical being.
God created man as a spiritual being.
God created man in two steps;
(as male),
(as female).
Jesus came the first time as a Child, a Lamb, a Shepherd, a Suffering Servant.
Jesus will come the second time as a Conqueror, a Lion, a King, a Judge.

The two acts of cleansing are actually two parts of His cleansing us from all sin. Each part accomplishes a specific work. It is like removing the bad FRUIT from our lives, (adultery and lust, murder and hatred, stealing and coveting, lying and duplicity) and then removing the ROOT (inherent cause of rebellion).

God's plan of salvation has always included CLEAN HANDS (what we do) and PURE HEARTS (what we are). God's word has always proclaimed clean hands and a pure heart. Salvation has always provided clean hands and a pure heart. The problem is that some preachers renounce this great Biblical truth and some other preachers denounce this glorious truth.

Matthew 5:8
(8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Hebrews 12:13-15
(13) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
(15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
James 4:7-8
(7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
1 Peter 1:22-23
(22) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
(23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.