Where is the line drawn?

Brothers and Sisters,

I would like to discuss some facts that are talked about in scripture. We must remember a few things. Though God IS merciful, He is also holy, righteous and severe. Though He does love us, He will bring judgment and correction into our lives.

In the Old Testament, we see Esau being given ONE CHANCE. He threw away his birthright for a bowl of stew. Yet when the time came for that blessing, though he sought repentance he was NOT granted that repentance. Along with this, we see the wife of Lot being given ONE CHANCE. She chose to turn away from the salvation offered by the Lord and looked back to Sodom, thereby sealing her fate!

King Saul was granted a few more chances. As I recall, he disobeyed God three times and THEN Samuel was sent to him, telling him the judgment of God was that the kingdom had been torn from his grasp. In this particular scene, it is explained to us that God demands 100% obedience or it is NOT obedience. (Please see I Sam 15) But then David was granted a number of failures and he repented from each of them. What is strange is David actually committed murder and adultery and all Esau did (at least from what we can see) is not give honor to the birthright that was always given to the firstborn.

Do we REALLY KNOW WHY? Do we REALLY KNOW where the LINE is DRAWN?

Look at what Jesus said>>>>

Mat 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. Mat 7:14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. [Deut. 30:19; Jer. 21:8.]
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves. [Ezek. 22:27.]
Mat 7:16 You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration].
Mat 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits.
Mat 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Mat 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?
Mat 7:23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. [Ps. 6:8.]

The above passage comes from the end of the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus is telling us all that we are to be living in the manner He just explained in that Sermon.

Please, do NOT think I am saying that either we obey or are cast out, I am not. Yet, what is it that Jesus IS saying? Where IS the Line Drawn? Do any of us really know? Jesus says there will be FEW who really find salvation. Do we agree with Him? Look at those verses from Mat 7 and see what Jesus says about those who are truly His and those who are NOT and will be cast into the fire!

There is a demand from Jesus for OBEDIENCE, yet at the same time He is on occasion merciful to those in abject sin. Other times, He immediately judges, though the results of His judgment may take years to manifest.

Today, there are a great many who preach that it does not matter how we act, once we pray that prayer, we are on our way to “heaven”. There are also many who preach that we are not to walk in sin, but God forgives us no matter what we do or how often we sin. The only stipulation seems to be that in their hearts, they do not want to sin.

There are some today who preach that God is a harsh task master and He makes great demands upon us that we MUST obey. They do not allow for grace in the least. It appears that some people think I am one of these, but they have not asked me to clarify myself but have only assumed that to be true.

NONE of these attitudes/teachings are scriptural.

Let me quote a short passage from the book, “The Lost World” by Michael Crichton, page 7.

“What makes you think human beings are sentient and aware? There’s no evidence for it. Human beings never think for themselves, they find it too uncomfortable. For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told—and become upset if they are exposed to any different view. The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity, and the characteristic result is religious warfare. Other animals fight for territory or food; but, uniquely in the animal kingdom, human beings fight for their ‘beliefs.’ The reason is that beliefs guide behavior, which has evolutionary importance among human beings. But at a time when our behavior may well lead us to extinction, I see no reason to assume we have any awareness at all. We are stubborn, self-destructive conformists. Any other view of our species is just self-congratulatory delusion. . .” (emphasis added)

I have emphasized several sentences above and would like everyone to pay attention to them. Please, I am NOT saying that Michael Crichton is a prophet or infallible; let’s not go there, ok? The fact is there are many things that are absolutely true that are stated by others besides the people of God. The only thing is, we must sift through the truth from the falsehood.

The sentences above are quite true in general of the human race. Unfortunately, they are also true of much of the Church, or at least those who CLAIM to be part of the Church. There are some who become so upset by certain topics that they will react unfavorably to things written that do not agree with them EVEN IF THOSE THINGS ARE TRUE AND 100% FROM THE SCRIPTURES! They do not want to face them!

As Crichton says above, the characteristic human trait is NOT awareness BUT CONFORMITY! As long as they conform to those around them, they are happy, even if they are WRONG, they do not care, nor will they face it, they just want to belong to something and somebody. ANYTHING that threatens that belonging or conformity is the enemy, and they will do whatever they can to denounce it, detract from it, destroy it, and make it not apply to them just so they do not have to change the way they believe and live. They are happy with their lives and they want things to remain the same with no rocking of the boat.

Unfortunately, this is NOT in keeping with TRUE CHRISTIANITY! That is exactly what Jesus did when He came; He rocked the boat and the result was the reaction the Pharisees gave Him. Today when Jesus comes in His people and manifests His life through those who are submitted to Him, they do the exact same thing>>>> THEY ROCK THE BOAT and those around them, in general, do not like it.

Does anyone here KNOW where the Lord draws the Line of salvation? I would like to see it drawn.

BUT it MUST be in agreement with ALL the scriptures that speak of salvation OR IT IS ONLY MAN’s idea, NOT GOD’s!

Some may I ask what do I mean? So I will give us all just a few requirements from the scriptures for salvation.

Heb 5:7 In the days of His flesh [Jesus] offered up definite, special petitions [for that which He not only wanted but needed] and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was [always] able to save Him [out] from death, and He was heard because of His reverence toward God [His godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father].
Heb 5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered
Heb 5:9 And, [His completed experience] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him, [Isa. 45:17.]

1Co 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.

1Jn 3:4 Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God's law by transgression or neglect--being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will).
1Jn 3:5 You know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away [upon Himself] sins, and in Him there is no sin [essentially and forever].
1Jn 3:6 No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him--deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him]. 1Jn 3:7 Boys (lads), let no one deceive and lead you astray. He who practices righteousness [who is upright, conforming to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action, living a consistently conscientious life] is righteous, even as He is righteous.
1Jn 3:8 [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].
1Jn 3:9 No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God's nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.

Now despite what some people may say, there is NOT ONE INDICATION IN THESE VERSES that tell us they do NOT mean EXACTLY what they say. In other words, they ARE TO BE TAKEN AT FACE VALUE; LITERALLY! Just because our own walk may NOT agree with them is NO CAUSE for us to assume they are symbolic. There is NO SYMBOLIC language in them at all.

So, this means that WHOEVER is truly SAVED will live a life that is in absolute agreement with these verses. This is NOT something we GROW INTO. I John is quite clear that it cannot be growth for he tells us that whoever practices sin has not see Him or known Him or even had an experiential acquaintance with Him!

Let us get consistent with the scriptures, my friends. If someone has had an experiential acquaintance with the Lord Himself that results in true salvation, THEY WILL NOT PRACTICE SIN HABITUALLY! (NOTICE>>>This does NOT mean they are sin-free, but they are not sinning on a regular basis! This completely disarms those who claim I and others like me are preaching sinless perfection)

I also must say this>>> As I said introducing this article, David was involved in much sin. At the same time others were involved in much less sin yet God rejected them and accepted David. Do any of us know why? REALLY? Where did God draw the line? Why was David accepted and Saul rejected? Why was Esau rejected and Jacob accepted? Remember, Esau did want to repent and WAS UNABLE TO DO SO, but David was granted repentance.

We may attempt to try to justify those answers, but truly the proofs will escape us, for we do not truly know why or understand. Here is the point of all of this.

We must preach the ABSOLUTE TRUTH that AGREES 100% with the scriptures. If we say all you must do is believe, because of so much false teaching on this subject we must explain what it means to believe according to the Bible. It means what those verses above say. We will believe, trust, adhere to the Lord in ABSOLUTE SUBMISSION of our lives to Him so that everything about us completely changes, we are NOT our own anymore, we cannot willfully commit sin and say we belong to Him for that violates the above verses.

Notice this, my friends. We cannot say we have even been saved at all unless I John 3:6 is true in our lives. For it takes the TRUE POWER of God and the Holy Spirit in us to bring us into HIS salvation. That agrees with all the scriptures as well.

Am I saying that all will live this way? NO! I have not in my past even though I now believe this to be true.

What is the difference? We cannot believe (I refer to biblical belief) something we have not heard nor have faith in something we do not believe. Therefore, if we have never heard this before, we cannot believe it nor have faith in the Lord to accomplish it in our lives. God does NOTHING unless it is by faith.

Are there those who have had great blessings poured out on them, have been delivered from terrible sins, live completely changed lives from when they first believed and have never heard this? I am sure there are. We cannot speak to God’s sovereignty in the dealing of individual lives. HOWEVER, we also cannot expect God to go against His Scriptures when we stand before Him. If we live our lives in violation of the above verses (and others as well) especially after we have been told, we no longer have ANY truth to stand on for the scriptures tell us that we will NOT ENTER HIS KINGDOM!

Now, brothers and sisters, I am NOT here to choose or judge who enters and who does not. I am only here to warn anyone who will listen. If any choose NOT to listen, that is their affair. They will have to explain to the Lord when they stand before Him why they did not obey Him. That is their choice.

To all who are willing to hear, who choose to listen and take this to the Lord, I tell you do not believe me! Do not take my word for it. I am nothing. I am nobody. I could be just as wrong as the next person and I am quite sure that some here think what I just said to be very true. (they may think I am the most wrong one lol) I do not care what you think about me! That does NOT matter!

What does matter is HOW DO WE THEN LIVE if these scriptures are true? I believe them to be true. In fact, I KNOW they are TRUE and ANYONE who does NOT live their life in agreement with them COULD very well face the Lake of Fire. But once more, that is what I believe.

The obligation everyone has who has read this article is to forget about everything else you have ever been taught. Forget about your teachings, doctrines, understandings, beliefs, ways, traditions, and everything you hold dear. If you allow them to keep you from the Lord in any way, you will one day wish you had not. So, put them all down. Forget about them.

Cannot the Lord teach us by His Holy Spirit HIS ABSOLUTE TRUTH? If you do not believe this, go your own way. But if any do believe we can and will be taught by the Holy Spirit, then make the way clear for Him to do so. Let nothing, no teaching or doctrine or anything else stand in the way. Be willing to lay aside absolutely anything that does NOT agree with Him. EVERYTHING! Do not allow ANYTHING to deter you. Refuse to allow any pre-conceived notion or idea to keep you back from obeying the Lord.

I do not want you to agree with me. I only want you to obey Jesus Christ. If we come into agreement with the TRUE JESUS CHRIST, will we not all then agree with each other? Can He not teach us HIS TRUTH? Not what WE think is true, but HIS ACTUAL TRUTH? Does NOT the Bible say this? Is that NOT part of the reason the Holy Spirit was sent to us, to teach us ALL HIS TRUTH?

Well if the Holy Spirit will ONLY teach HIS TRUTH and we all learn from the Holy Spirit, will we NOT then agree? Yes my friends, we will or we have NOT heard from the Holy Spirit.

So, go to Him. Lay down everything. Deny ourselves completely. Everything we have held dear, all of those teachings and doctrines that have been in our lives for so long. Put them away. Allow the Holy Spirit to re-teach us, to bring us to the place where we agree absolutely with Him in all things. If the Holy Spirit teaches us that doctrine WILL AGREE WITH THE WHOLE BIBLE. If our doctrine does NOT agree with the WHOLE BIBLE, then it is NOT from the Lord at all! Once more it is very simple, not necessarily easy, but it is simple.

I warn all who will listen because the scriptures say whoever violates the principles in those verses will NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD! I did not say that, Paul did; and John, and Peter, and the writer of Hebrews, and Jesus!

We all will have to stand before the Lord one day. Are you confident that if your life does not agree with these verses you will Enter His Kingdom? What do you base that idea on? What I mean is this. If we know our lives or our doctrines (or both) do not agree with what the Bible says, how can we honestly say we are even saved?

I did not really want to go there brothers and sisters, but it seems the Lord does. What do you base the idea of your salvation on? Is it based on what you think is correct OR is it based on the WHOLE BIBLE? If you say such and such scripture, what about those above? Do not they apply also? There are others as well and they are in agreement with those I have quoted. So, what do you base your salvation on? How do you KNOW you will be saved? Just because you prayed some prayer? Where is the passage that tells you to do that? I know what the Baptists and other evangelicals say, I was there for many years. There is a GREAT ASSUMPTION that when we pray what is commonly called the salvation prayer, we are truly saved. But where does the Bible say this?

What do you base your life in Christ on? If you say one verse, does it agree with this verse?

1Jn 2:6 Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

Is that not what we say salvation is all about, abiding in Christ Jesus? According to the Bible, if we really abide in Christ, we WILL WALK AS HE WALKED ON THIS EARTH; WE WILL CONDUCT OUR LIVES AS HE CONDUCTED HIS! Is that how we live? If not, then how do we KNOW we are saved?

How? What do we base our salvation on? DO we pick and choose which verses we are to apply to our lives or do we believe the WHOLE BIBLE? If we say we believe the WHOLE BIBLE then we MUST also include I John 2:6; I Cor 6:9-10; Heb 5:9; I John 3:4-9; Mat 7:13-23; and many more.

I am sure there are some here who will attack me for writing this. They do not want to face His Truth. They will do whatever they can to discredit me so that they can then ignore what I have written. But then, I tell you all once more>>>DO NOT BELIEVE ME! Go to the scriptures and see whether or not you agree with ALL GOD HAS TO SAY! Do our lives agree with what HE SAYS is necessary for salvation? Do we agree with Paul in I Cor 6:9-10? Do we really? Do we apply those verses to ourselves or only to others?

Some may choose not to believe, agree, or even check out what I have said. That is their choice. But I do say this again, if there is something in what I have written here that agrees with the scriptures that give anyone a pause on the order of, could this be true? Then lay down everything and go to the Lord. Ask HIM to teach you by the Holy Spirit. See what HE has to say.

If we cannot trust HIM to lead us into THE LORD’s ABSOLUTE TRUTH, then how can we even claim the name of Christian in the first place?

If any so choose to be like the Bereans and be more noble-minded as the scriptures say, please meaningfully pray>>>>

“Father God, in the precious name of Jesus Christ I come to You. I do NOT know if what Brother Dirk has said is true or false. However, there are scriptures here that call my life and my walk into account. I do not know if what I believe or have been told by ANYONE is true or false. Therefore, I choose to believe YOU ALONE! Even above what I think, believe or what anyone else has EVER told or taught me. I choose to submit myself to the Holy Spirit and TRUST that whatever He shows me now as I look into Your scriptures will be YOUR ABSOLUTE and TOTAL TRUTH. Even if what You show me goes completely against anything and everything I have ever been taught or believed, I choose to lay it aside and TRUST YOU NO MATTER what that means. Open my eyes, my ears, and my understanding by Your Holy Spirit, keep the evil one away and show me ONLY Your Truth! May I be conformed to the very image of Christ Jesus by THY Holy Spirit. Thank You for all of these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ.” (this is only a model prayer, only a type of example or principle to use)

WHERE IS THE LINE DRAWN? Only the Lord truly knows. Are we willing to go to Him and find out what HE SAYS about us personally? I believe that we all must be very careful; as Paul says to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Regularly taking our lives to the Lord and finding out DIRECTLY from HIM if HE says our lives are where they are supposed to be. Are we willing to do this? Are we willing to go to HIM now and find out if we are abiding in Christ Jesus or if we are only deceiving ourselves? I think it might be a good idea to know this now instead of when we stand before His Judgment Seat.

I pray that ALL who read these words would hear the Love of the Lord and come to Him who is well able to save to the uttermost!

A bondslave in Christ Jesus, Dirk