Many Christians believe that they possess 'spiritual immunity'. They think that because they at one point in time prayed a prayer to receive Jesus and give their life to Him, they are exempted from the ramifications of sin and judgment. However, being a follower of Jesus, requires a living and active faith in Him. Whereby a believer is vigilant against sin, unwavering in his/her obedience to God’s word, and recognises the world as an antichrist, adversarial system that is heavily influenced by Satan.
We are ambassadors of Christ here on this earth. We live in a place where a world system has been set up by our enemy, satan, and his world system is hostile to all Christians. Almost everything in our environment aims to distract us and knock us off course - or rather detour us onto the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). If it has not dawned upon us by now, let it sink in now: This is a world that is run by the spirit of antichrist. Please refer to the Scriptures below and truly consider them:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. - 2 Cor. 4:4
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, will of God. - Rom. 12:2
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. - 1 John 2:15-16
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. - 1 John 3:13
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. - 1 John 4:3
Beloved brothers and sisters, God created the earth but not the world. The inventor of the world system and all its false antichrist institutions and Babylonian ways is the devil himself. More on this in another article. The point is that our God put us in this world to turn it upside down and invade it in a hostile, wise yet guileless way (Acts 17:6; Matt. 10:16) to make Christ known to all. Not to befriend the world and hold hands with it. The world is an enemy to our God and thus it is our enemy too.
It is important to discern that this world is not our friend but an enemy that seeks to enslave us so that we would not be wholly for Christ but lukewarm and passive in the things of God. Satan does not need to completely overtake you with sin - all he needs to do is get that “little” compromise from you. Let's ask a ship how that will work out for it if it has a “little hole” on its side which allows water to continually flood it. You know what you will have? A shipwreck! Maybe not immediately but you will eventually land up with a vessel that is totally overcome by the water that surrounds it and thus cannot sail on its desired journey anymore. Scripture makes reference to those that have been shipwrecked in their faith (1 Tim. 1:19). It is a serious warning. Which leads us to the next section and point of this article.
As Christians, we need to know that we are ambassadors of the kingdom of heaven here on this earth - we are actually citizens of heaven - a royal priesthood for God's possession, called out of this dark world into His marvellous light. Scripture makes it clear that Christians are in this world but not of this world (John 17:14-15; 1 Pet. 2:9). It needs to be said that though we are Christians and citizens of heaven, we do not have diplomatic immunity. And it seems like many Christians think this and inwardly believe this. It is no surprise that this was the case in the days of the early church. The Holy Spirit led the Apostles to speak verses like 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Peter 2:17-22. Can it be that the same evil spirits and false teachings that were trying to deceive and damage the early church then are doing the same thing today?! Let us investigate.
I want you to read a few verses with me in light of what has been spoken above. If you can, I want you to read Scriptures aloud:
These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For, while speaking out arrogant words of no value they entice by fleshly desires, by indecent behaviour, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what anyone is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”
2 Peter 2:17-22
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. See then the kindness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too will be cut off.
Romans 11:17-22
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor those habitually drunk, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
The above Scriptures were all letters written by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles to the church. None of these letters were addressed to heathens or unbelievers. What compelled the Apostles to address such matters and speak such words - or rather why did the Holy Spirit feel the need to speak on this? It was the current situation of course. The believers were being deceived. They were being tricked into thinking that because they are grafted into Christ the vine and that they chose to follow Jesus at one point in their lives and give their lives to Him - they are immune to judgment and the severity of God - in other words, diplomatic immunity. Ongoing and deliberate sin is something that God warns us of. Our salvation is to save us from our sins that we would live a righteous and holy (separated from the world and all that is common) life in Christ - being conformed into His glorious image.
How can it be that when we examine the lives of many that claim to follow Christ, we see the fruits of unrighteousness and a living that mirrors the lifestyle of unbelievers - or worse!
Dear brothers and sisters, when we first met Christ and prayed the prayer of salvation - that was only the beginning of our race. In a race it matters how one finishes rather than how one started. If you don’t believe me, listen to the Lord Jesus: “And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love (agape) will become cold. But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved” (Matt. 24:12-13). Amazingly the context of this verse is false prophets and false teachers arising and deceiving and misleading many. It is a time where Jesus Himself warns that many will fall away from the faith. Now you cannot fall away from the faith if you were not in the faith to begin with. I believe that the antidote to this is found in John chapter 15 - where also there is a stern warning that is given to God’s people. As long as you abide (remain) in the vine, you will bear fruit. But there are some that for some reasons do not remain in Christ and they lose their life, wither and die. These branches are gathered up and cast into the fire.
My brothers and sisters, I believe that one of the main reasons why we think we can play with sin is because we were told a lie. The lie being that we have diplomatic immunity and no matter what we do on this earth, we will enter the kingdom of heaven. Well, let the words of the Scriptures above renew your mind and bring us to a healthy place of fear and trembling in this matter.
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling
Philippians 2:12
To keep Christ's commandments has somehow been taught as being religious or being under the law. What rubbish! What deception! What a convenient lie from the devil - who knows that your flesh is weak. Have a look at what the Lord Jesus said relating to the keeping of His commandments: The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him” (John 14:21). If we look at verse 23 in the same chapter the Lord Jesus emphasizes this by saying,
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. The one who does not love Me does not follow My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.
John 14:23-24
After reading these Scriptures it becomes very clear that the enemy is behind this plot to make Christians think that they are invincible because they have the blood of Jesus.
Beloved brothers and sisters, if there is anything in your life that is holding you back, keeping you from being on fire for the Lord Jesus, keeping you stagnant, keeping you passive and lethargic in the things of God - this thing is DEMONIC. We are here to know Christ, then abide (remain) in Him, get conformed to His image as we obey His word (Now, because of your obedience to the truth, you have purified your very souls... [1 Pet. 1:22]) and then to overcome (Rev. 3:5). The devil’s goal is the exact opposite of this.
My advice is to cut it off just as our Lord commanded in Matthew chapter 5:
but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
Matthew 5:28-30
Could the Lord Jesus make it more clearer for us?... He means what He says. Cut it out - pluck it out, or risk being given over to your lusts as we see in Romans 1:24. It is your enemy, the devil, that keeps making you undermine God’s word. It is no accident that God's severity has been downplayed by the overemphasis of His love through many sermons and messages in church. People like to hear how much God loves them and that He does not bother so much about their sin. How is it that the moment sin is addressed in a church, people get uncomfortable? Could it be because the response is, 'who is God to tell me what to do in my life'? - well at least that is the prevailing attitude it seems (a certain verse comes to mind, "These people honour me only with their words, for their hearts are so very distant from me. They pretend to worship me, but their worship is nothing more than the empty traditions of men (Matt. 15:8-9). Has not going to church, running through the motions - appearing to be godly - become a tradition to some? It is nice to appear godly to men. It has its "perks", but I am here to say that Jesus is not fooled by the act, pretence or show that many put on.
Dear saints, if sin was not a big deal to God who is the eternal righteous and holy Judge of heaven and earth then Jesus was crucified for nothing. Do you now see the deception of this world and the drugging effect that it has upon its citizens and those that drink from its wells of death (Netflix, Television, Hollywood, Entertainment, Culture, Social Media, etc...). Our God is both kind and severe (Rom. 11:22). If you worship a god that is all love and forgiveness yet does not uphold his own commandments with justice and severity, then you are worshipping an idol, a false god that is made in your own image which is not the true God. The unrighteous will not enter the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived!
The enemy is playing the same trick on many believers that he played against eve. Did God really say?...(Gen. 3:1). If satan can get you to think that God does not mean what He says in His word, then you are a sitting duck and ripe for deception. Eve was deceived by satan because she was led to believe that God did not mean what He said that indeed she will die if she eats from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Consider these sentences and phrases. Discern the spirit behind them. That pornographic habit is not that bad… You aren't harming anyone. Come on what is wrong with sleeping with the woman or man that you love - you are anyway going to get married. You are a man, you have needs and “natural urges” - you were born this way. That pursuit of success in the workplace at all costs is something to be admired not shunned. When you are rich you will be able to bless so many - think of how happy you will be and those around you. You can still go to church, but you are not a pastor - do not be too radical with your faith - be realistic. Let people believe what they want to - their wellbeing and personal life is none of your business. You should respect other religions. What will people think of you - they will think you are crazy and offensive. All LIES dear saints. The devil is a liar! People are perishing on this earth because God’s word is undermined and not taken seriously. There are clear Scriptures in God’s holy word that combats every one of these wicked thoughts and phrases that seek to damage your walk with God and ultimately destroy you. Here are some: Matt. 5:28-30; 1 Thes. 4:3; 2 Tim. 2:22; Matt. 6:24; Matt. 28:19; Rom. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6.
I am led to share something briefly on the golden calf here. Many think that the Israelites simply forsook God by worshipping a random golden cow. Yes, they did forsake God but there is an important nuance to pick up here. According to Exodus 32:8, we see that the children of Israel proclaim and truly believe that this golden calf is their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt. Note that they did not become atheists or stopped worshipping, but they still fell away because they departed from worshipping the true God who is revealed in the Bible. I mention this because you can very easily have people calling on the name of Jesus but not worshipping the true Jesus in spirit and truth (Matt. 7:22-24) The great falling away revealed in 2 Thes. 2:3 is often thought to be people that leave church, becoming unbelievers or rejecting Christ. Can it be that while these people are calling on the name of Jesus in church, they are actually worshipping another Jesus which is their falling away that Paul clearly warns of. “For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, this you tolerate very well! (2 Cor. 11:4). I truly believe that the majority of those mentioned in the great falling away will be people falling away from the faith while still proclaiming that they follow Jesus - very similarly to what we saw the children of Israel did with the golden calf. Worshipping a Jesus that is not the true Jesus revealed in the word of God. This is why you must read your Bible. Be filled with the word of God. Know the true Jesus. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).
Babylon does not say that there is no God. In fact, Babylon (Babilu) means “the Gate of god”. The important question to ask is which god? I can tell you that it is definitely not the God of the Bible. This is the same Babylon that God severely judges casts into the lake of fire (Rev. 14:8-10; 18:2, 21). If you look at an American dollar bill, you will notice the phrase "in God we trust" and right underneath on the left we see a pyramid from Egypt with an eye at the top. Again, the question should arise... "In which god do you trust?". Upon examining the United States dollar bill and all the occult symbolism on there, it becomes clear that it is definitely not referring to the God of the Bible - rather another god.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:6-9
Beloved of the Lord, if you can take anything from this message, please take this away from it. Choosing to follow Christ is not a once off decision that you made once upon a time when you were led to come to the front of the church to pray a salvation prayer. Following Christ is an active and daily pursuit whereby you are constantly pursuing Him and abiding in Him and being filled with the word of God till overflowing - where you are taking up your cross daily, denying yourself daily and obeying Him. You are not invincible and if you decide to play with snakes disregarding the serious warnings from God’s word concerning these matters, you will be bitten by the demons that you decide to dance with and there is no guarantee that you can recover. Once a ship is shipwrecked it is impossible for that ship to be recovered. It was overcome and its journey was brought to a sad end. Only those that finish a race win a prize “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Tim. 4:8).
This is why the word says that you must work out your own salvation through fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12).
Really ponder the next portion of Scripture (1 Pet. 4:17-19) in prayer before the Lord. Oh beloved saints of God! How we need to cling to Christ our Saviour with a living, powerful and saving faith! He is well able to save us and empower us to overcome sin, the world and the devil but only if we choose to abide in Him daily (John 15:4-5) - put away all that defiles us (2 Tim 2:3-4) and actually FOLLOW HIM. You are a soldier in Christ’s army. Stand strong and empowered in the Lord your God. Honour Him and He will honour you. Reject Him deliberately and He will reject you (only because He must honour your free will and the devil knows this well). If there are holes and breaches in the city's walls, fix them and seal up all open doors (legal ground given to your enemy through deliberate sin). Satan is merciless and he hates you - he will do anything, even use those who are loved ones to pervert your ways and destroy you. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you (1 Peter 5:8-10).
If you were invincible why would God go through so much effort in warning you about your enemy, the devil who seeks to devour you. It is because you are not invincible and you do not have diplomatic immunity, beloved of the Lord. The charge from our God is to be sober and be vigilant! Stand strong in your living faith and overcome in this world! There is no alternative!
Finally, I conclude with these Scriptures. Prayerfully consider them before our God.
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner (one who deliberately practices sin)? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
1 Peter 4:17-19
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12
Jesus Christ is the LORD, Jesus Christ is God.
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