The reason I write about the topic of this article is that people have been deceived into thinking it’s okay. With some of the other things in the list in the Bible passage below, people KNOW they are wrong things to do, but sometimes do them without even realizing it–or they slip from time to time–but no one is sexually immoral without “realizing it.” They do those things, often continually as that is part of their life, because they have become acceptable to society, so people mistakenly think that makes them acceptable to God. But as the article says, God does not change, and there is a reason why He hates this particular sin so much.
So the purpose isn’t to beat up on anyone, but to tell the truth out of love. There is forgiveness with repentance, but we don’t continue in the same sins after repenting of them. We all appreciate warnings about other unsafe things in our short lives, but this one affects eternity, so how much more important is it? The one promoting the lies about this being “okay” knows what he’s doing, and he hates us–don’t fall for his tricks! (2Cor. 11:13-15, John 8:44)
God loves people and hates sin. He will wash clean anyone who calls on Him through Jesus, and help them stay that way if they sincerely want to break free from enslavement to sin. It is necessary to abide in Jesus if we expect to enter His glorious kingdom. (John 14-15, 1John 1-5) Jesus warned that the door is narrow and the way is hard, and few find it. That means that the majority do not, so taking cues from those around us, from those who are on the broad path instead of the narrow, is unwise.
So the purpose isn’t to beat up on anyone, but to tell the truth out of love. There is forgiveness with repentance, but we don’t continue in the same sins after repenting of them. We all appreciate warnings about other unsafe things in our short lives, but this one affects eternity, so how much more important is it? The one promoting the lies about this being “okay” knows what he’s doing, and he hates us–don’t fall for his tricks! (2Cor. 11:13-15, John 8:44)
God loves people and hates sin. He will wash clean anyone who calls on Him through Jesus, and help them stay that way if they sincerely want to break free from enslavement to sin. It is necessary to abide in Jesus if we expect to enter His glorious kingdom. (John 14-15, 1John 1-5) Jesus warned that the door is narrow and the way is hard, and few find it. That means that the majority do not, so taking cues from those around us, from those who are on the broad path instead of the narrow, is unwise.
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 men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
What is the harm of sexual immorality, and in particular, homosexuality? Why should anyone try to tell anyone else “who to love”? Why can’t we just “love the one we’re with”? I’ll tell you. There is a DIFFERENCE between having love for someone and having sex with them. If we can’t restrict who people can sleep with, then who will protect the children (and the animals, for that matter)? Many experts believe they will be the next victims now that the issue of homosexuality has been “won.” (This is not to say that is what homosexuals want, but that each “win” for those who want sexual “freedom” moves closer to another goal on the list–where it ends, nobody knows.) The definition of LOVE should NOT be sexual, but anyone who watches television for a little while will see even in the commercials that it has been twisted. Pedophiles also say they “can’t help” their unnatural desires and would like to be allowed to act upon them. Sound familiar? “It’s not wrong if it’s consensual?” No actually, it IS still wrong, and that goes for ANYONE having intimate relationships outside of marriage (which God defined in Genesis as being between a man and a woman). Making all sexual immorality into MORALITY is NOT the answer!
People in the past who have said that evil is coming in the future from what is going at the time have always been called “crazy,” but sadly, their predictions have often come true. When “rock n’ roll” first came out, older people were shocked by it. They said it would lead to no good. Wouldn’t they roll over in their graves to see what goes on in the name of music these days? The hyper-sexual make-up for women, scant clothing and shocking bodily gestures for both genders, the overtly inappropriate lyrics, etc.? Many people expose their little children to these behaviors, letting them emulate them and idolize celebrities, and they call it “cute.” (Whereas, Jesus said whoever causes a little child to sin would be better off drowning with a millstone around his neck. Matt. 18:5-9)
The passage at the top continues as follows:
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11
So once we have been WASHED, are we meant to GO BACK to living the way we did before we knew better, before we called ourselves children of God? Are God’s children “different” from unwashed sinners, because of how they are ALLOWED to sin as often as they like? Then why would Jesus die for it if all we need to do is SAY we believe and then sin will become perfectly okay for us? There are MANY passages in the Bible explaining that is not the case, which anyone with even a shred of common sense can understand (in the same way that God didn’t design people of the same gender such that they can pro-create). (Eph. 4:17-24, 1Pet. 1:13-25, 1Pet. 4:1-7, 2Pet. 1:3-9, 1Cor. 6:9-20, Rom. 13:13-14) We do know that the Bible’s advice is for BELIEVERS, right? If the advice were for unbelievers, then that would be working for salvation; whereas, we obey BECAUSE we are saved (IF we are saved).
The passage continues as follows:
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Here is the problem for people who claim to be believers and practice homosexuality. How can people who believe that being gay is “who they are” repent of it? That is a good trick of the devil. First he said it wasn’t a sin at all, so no need to repent of it. You certainly CAN’T repent of any behavior that you do not believe IS a sin. But saying it’s “who you are” is even more impossible to repent of. That removes the need to repent beyond the shadow of a doubt, I suppose. Can’t change who you are, or can you? If it’s not possible for gay people to be rehabilitated in their aberrant thinking, then why has the devil worked so hard to make it ILLEGAL to counsel gay people who want to be straight?
As we can see by the above passage, there IS a distinction between sins. They are NOT all the same. That is because the Holy Spirit dwells IN believers and so when they defile their bodies by practicing sexual sins, they are defiling God’s temple!
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 1 John 2:28-29
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
I will say again, this whole movement against sexual purity and confusion about gender is planned and carried out by the devil. He started first with getting co-habitation between men and women (who often stay they are planning to marry) accepted. Once that was accomplished, before he even declared victory in the “homosexuality department,” he moved on to gender. The goal is to make no difference between genders, just like the goal was to blur the distinction between married or not, and make heterosexual marriage and homosexual “marriage” equivalent.
Listen, you Christian women who are marching for your “rights” (and linking arms with those who consider abortion and gender “flexibility” among those rights). You are NOT “shining your lights” for Jesus, because you are “salt that has lost its saltiness” (truth). (Matt. 5:13-16) You are working AGAINST Him in a rebellion instigated and driven by Satan. (Matt. 12:30) His goal has always been to hurt God by bringing down God’s people. Do you think he’ll stop at any point? NO! He’ll keep going. His tactics are successful in meeting the goal he’s working toward. “Did God really say” worked on Eve in the Garden of Eden, and it still works TODAY. People who profess to belong to God are a MESS, trampling on the blood of the precious Son of God and outraging the Spirit of grace, which was NEVER meant to be treated as a license to sin, day in and day out, just how the devil likes it. How sad!
Listen, you Christian women who are marching for your “rights” (and linking arms with those who consider abortion and gender “flexibility” among those rights). You are NOT “shining your lights” for Jesus, because you are “salt that has lost its saltiness” (truth). (Matt. 5:13-16) You are working AGAINST Him in a rebellion instigated and driven by Satan. (Matt. 12:30) His goal has always been to hurt God by bringing down God’s people. Do you think he’ll stop at any point? NO! He’ll keep going. His tactics are successful in meeting the goal he’s working toward. “Did God really say” worked on Eve in the Garden of Eden, and it still works TODAY. People who profess to belong to God are a MESS, trampling on the blood of the precious Son of God and outraging the Spirit of grace, which was NEVER meant to be treated as a license to sin, day in and day out, just how the devil likes it. How sad!
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:26-31
I would also like to interject here that in the opposite extreme of attitudes toward sin (among those who like to join in public protests), groups like Westboro Baptist Church are NOT true Christians. They are liars to claim they know God at all. (Titus 3:3-8, 1John 4:8) We know this because they hate, and the fruit of the Spirit is not hate but love. If they cared for the souls of the people they protest against, they would speak the truth in love. (Eph. 4:15-16, 1Cor. 13:1-3) We are not even to eat with BELIEVERS who practice sexual immorality, but that does not mean picketing with signs speaking on God’s behalf. (1Cor. 5:9-13) God absolutely does hate sin, but if He hated sinners, then NO ONE would be saved. (Rom. 3:23)
We need to remember that we are allowed to be angry at injustice, deception, evil, etc., but we must not sin because of our anger. (Eph. 4:26-27) Our attitude HAS to be that we don’t want anyone to perish (which does NOT include widening the narrow door, which we have no right to do, nor is it possible). (2Pet. 3:9, 1Tim. 2:3-6) We need to trust God that everything He does is perfect and right, and obey Him no matter what happens. That is called being “steadfast.” Jesus fulfilled the law for us to we could be declared “not guilty.” If we insist that it is our “right” to live a “life of crime” after coming to the knowledge of salvation, there will be a penalty.
We need to remember that we are allowed to be angry at injustice, deception, evil, etc., but we must not sin because of our anger. (Eph. 4:26-27) Our attitude HAS to be that we don’t want anyone to perish (which does NOT include widening the narrow door, which we have no right to do, nor is it possible). (2Pet. 3:9, 1Tim. 2:3-6) We need to trust God that everything He does is perfect and right, and obey Him no matter what happens. That is called being “steadfast.” Jesus fulfilled the law for us to we could be declared “not guilty.” If we insist that it is our “right” to live a “life of crime” after coming to the knowledge of salvation, there will be a penalty.
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:56-58
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:21-23
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:1-10
The issue of sexual purity is discussed at length in the Old Testament and STRESSED repeatedly in the New Testament. (There is NO need to discuss gender as that is taught and demonstrated by the way God designed nature itself, and anyone who claims not to understand it is a liar. As for murder (abortion), that should also be fairly obvious that God hasn’t changed His stance on it.) (1Cor. 5, 1Cor. 10:8, 2Cor. 12:21) If you like to be contentious (Titus 3:9-11), restrictions in the Old Testament about not mixing crops or textiles, or not eating certain foods, represented how ONLY they were the people of God. However, in the New Testament, salvation has been offered even to Gentiles. (Col. 2:16-17, Eph. 2:12-22, Eph. 3:6) Sexual purity is indeed symbolic of a deeper truth; however, it is NOT temporary like the food and farming restrictions were. Thus, it is included in the few requirements specified for Gentile believers below:
Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” Acts 15:19-29 (Also Acts 21:25)
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:11-14
But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:2
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Hebrews 13:4
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. Ephesians 5:3-12
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:5-10
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 1 Thessalonians 4:2-8
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. Hebrews 12:14-17
But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. Revelation 2:20-23
So how can a person claim to be heaven-bound, but WANTS to continue in homosexuality, get around this problem? (And this goes for those who want to continue in an adulterous relationship, continue living together unmarried, etc.) They must declare it to NOT be a sin, of course! People revise the Bible to say that it “doesn’t say” any such thing as homosexuality being a sin. (Hmm, who does that sound like, questioning what the Bible says? I’ll give you a hint. His name starts with S….) Some acknowledge that God detested homosexuality in the Old Testament, but they say now He’s okay with it and even “makes” people that way. This is simply not true.
Anyone who accepts edited interpretations to fit an agenda is allowing themselves to be deceived, because they WANT to be deceived. But the truth is right there for anyone to discover. God knows our hearts and minds. He alone will decide if some were truly misled or if they secretly thought it would excuse them when they avoided seeking the truth for themselves, but rather accepted lies spoon-fed to them by people telling them exactly what they wanted to hear all along. (1Cor. 4:4)
Anyone who accepts edited interpretations to fit an agenda is allowing themselves to be deceived, because they WANT to be deceived. But the truth is right there for anyone to discover. God knows our hearts and minds. He alone will decide if some were truly misled or if they secretly thought it would excuse them when they avoided seeking the truth for themselves, but rather accepted lies spoon-fed to them by people telling them exactly what they wanted to hear all along. (1Cor. 4:4)
And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Luke 12:47-48
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4:17-19
I saw a VERY disturbing video (as part of a warning about false teachers) where a “pastor” was telling those in attendance that anyone who tries to please God is going to hell (for trying to “save themselves”). I couldn’t understand how anyone could fail to recognize him as a child of the devil? Not only did his message go against the Bible, but he even made his voice sound evil, and he kept flicking his tongue like a snake! It was enough to give someone nightmares. Anyone who can sit and listen to that, and even cheer him on, has NO discernment whatsoever! Jesus said you will know them by their fruits. (Matt 7:15-29)
These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:17-22
Another way to “get permission” to do whatever you please is to believe there is “no God.” EVERYONE will find out that is UNTRUE. That is merely an attempt to make one’s own self “god,” but whoever’s name is not in the Book of Life will be thrown in the Lake of Fire. (Rev. 20:15) The Bible warns that God will let those who refuse to acknowledge Him go the way of their dark, evil heart. (Rom. 1:18-32, Matt. 15:18-19) We see this happening around us as sin goes unchecked and is even supported by law, with certain sinners being given special protection. But God is not governed by the laws of men. Everyone will find that out eventually, but better to accept it now while there’s time to change our ways.
We will all reap what we sow, and whoever rejects Jesus will be destroyed. Those who love sin more than Him will not enter the Kingdom of God. (Gal. 6:7-8, Luke 19:27, John 3:36, John 14:23-24) People who delight in impurity, along with ALL others who make a PRACTICE of sinning, refusing to repent and ask Jesus to cleanse the white garment He provided them with when they first believed, will NOT enter through the city gates and eat of the tree of life. Nor will anyone who hates their brother (fellow believer in God). (1John 2:9-11, 1John 3:15-16, 1John 4:20-21) Believers are to love even their enemies. (Mat. 5:42-48, Rom. 12:14-21)
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:5-8
And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:10-15
God does not force anyone to BELIEVE, and He doesn’t force them to OBEY, either. The answer to ANY sin that we struggle with is drawing on HIS strength. He never at any time said we had to clean ourselves up. In fact, we CAN’T. (Rom. 8:7-8) ONLY Jesus can wash us clean with His precious blood, and ONLY His Spirit within us can help us to obey Him. (Phil. 2:12-13, Gal. 5:16, Rom. 8:9-14) The fact is that the more we know Him, the more we will love Him. The more we love Him for Himself–who He is and what He has done–the more we will want to please Him by doing as He says. When we do that, He will provide us with the power from within to resist temptation. His Spirit will dwell within us, teach us and help us. THAT is how we overcome. (John 14) THAT is why ONLY those who believe CAN overcome. You must be born again, INDWELT by the Holy Spirit, to overcome. We can ONLY overcome BECAUSE Jesus overcame, and we do this by cooperating with Him rather than striving against Him as we did before we were saved.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:7-10
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:6-10
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:3-20
Notice the plural word “commandments” below. The claim that ALL God expects of anyone is that they profess belief is wicked. Again, if unbelievers can save themselves by obeying then that would be salvation by works. Salvation is FREE, but it costs your life (which has been purchased by the blood of Jesus.) (Rev. 5:9, Titus 2:11-15)
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:3-5
I have to say once more, though, that it is NOT “overcoming” to CLAIM to believe, and even to LOVE Jesus, and then “wallow in the mud” with delight or make no effort to GET UP and OUT of that puddle! (1John 2-3, John 15:8-17, Luke 6:46) How can ANYONE do that KNOWING what it cost Jesus to wash them? Read Isaiah 53, Psalm 2 and Psalm 22, for starters. Then go on to the end portions of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Be sure to start in the Garden when Jesus agonized over what He was about to suffer for US. He didn’t die so that we COULD sin. He died to save us FROM it. (Romans 6) IF we love Him, we will have the power we need INSIDE of us to RESIST and OVERCOME.
Whoever looks in the Bible for “proof” that they don’t need to repent, twisting verses and taking them out of context, will get what they deserve in the end. This is a wake-up call for everyone who likes to “go with the flow”! (1John 2:15-16, James 4:4) Changing laws to make sin legal and even accepted will not change God’s values and what He said, any more than changing a person’s gender through an operation and hormones will “correct” what God has done. Those who do these things are challenging His sovereignty, and they will ANSWER to Him for what they’ve done. If God makes mistake or changes, we’re ALL in trouble, because we couldn’t trust Him if that were the case. (Mal. 3:6, also read Mal. 3:13-4:3 to find out what happens to those who are not wise enough to obey Him, to those who love wickedness.)
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:1-6
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:14-22
“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?’” Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: “Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands? I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host. Isaiah 45:9-12
And to anyone who thinks it’s the “loving” thing to do to approve of sin and tell people what they like to hear, that is NOT loving! The loving thing would be to care more about the souls of the deceived than about wanting to seem “nice”– to be willing to risk feeling uncomfortable by saying “unpopular” things. Does your smoke alarm “hate” when it warns about a potential fire? Well, this fire burns forever. This life is SHORT. It’s NOT worth it to take chances with your soul!!! The “golden rule” does not mean letting people sin their favorite way so that you can sin your favorite way, too. The point of “not judging” is to invite everyone to come to Jesus for cleansing, not to encourage them to remain filthy. Jesus said, “go and sin no more.” (John 5:14, John 8:11) We’re not meant to pretend to be perfect while nitpicking at everyone else, but that doesn’t mean we should all throw in the towel and “leaven the whole lump.” (Luke 6:31, John 7:24, Matt. 7:1-5, Rom. 1:32, 1Cor. 5:6-13)
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. Matthew 16:26-27
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. Romans 2:1-11
NOW is the time to decide whether to worship an imaginary god, who can’t save because he (or it, for those who think “the universe is ‘god’”) doesn’t exist, or the one, true God of the Bible. He has set a date that only He knows when He will judge this fallen world. Don’t be on the wrong side of the door to the kingdom when it closes.
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:36-39
Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever. It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 1:5-23
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:1-18
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:13-29
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13:22-30
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:36-43
Jesus is not coming as a Lamb the next time. (John 1:29, Heb. 9:27-28)
Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.” Isaiah 63:2-6
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. Revelation 19:11-21
Be ready.
“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke 12:35-40
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him apart and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:42-51
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm. Revelation 11:15-19