Bible Studies

Part Two

In many cases, before the construction of a Biblically-edified soul structure (1) can begin, the demolition of the former one must first take place.

Some denominations and sectors within the Christian Community are more culpable than others, but as one advances in Biblical discipleship, he or she will become more and more aware of the erroneous traditions of men that have infiltrated and grown deep roots within the Christian Community at large.

Such Scripture as in Matt: 24: 24 and 1Tim. 4:1 warned us that such apostasy (false teachings and practices) would infiltrate the Christian Community at large throughout its history, and that it will reach its pinnacle just before The Rapture (2) takes place, bringing about the prophesied end to the Church Age (3).

There was a long time (Old Testament) period involving thousands of years when the plan of God for the human race did not yet call for the introduction of the Church Age.

When the time came, the Church (that God designed) was established at the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem, Israel (4), a few weeks AFTER the Ascension (5) of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is a future dispensation known as the Great Tribulation, when the Church will NOT be here on Earth. The Church, having been raptured away, will return to the Earth seven (some teach 3 ½ ) years later, with the Lord Jesus Christ at the Second Advent.

In the meantime, as long as the Church, and we as individual members of it, are here on Earth, 2Cor.13: 5 self-examinations will reveal to us what adjustments in our doctrine and practices are needed to take place, if we are to continue to follow the Lord (6) down the road of Biblical discipleship, learning (7) 2Pet. 3:18) and applying (8) the Word of God, to all that we think, do, and say, 24/7.

Making such adjustments will often generate Luke 14: 26 scenarios, putting our individual commitment to the life of discipleship to the test.

Jesus taught that our obedience is an expression of the love that we (should) have for Him (9).

Having a love for other people, other things, ourselves, our plans, that is greater than the love we (should) have for God and or the things of God, disqualifies us from becoming or remaining in discipleship (10).

This is where many would-be disciples draw the line and abandon the call to post salvation discipleship. By the grace of God, such deserters do NOT lose their salvation, but will, in Heaven, forfeit the reward (11) and privileges (12) that are reserved only for those who became “overcoming” (advanced) disciples, here on Earth.

The life of discipleship is not required in order to obtain or to retain salvation. However, discipleship is required if the born-again believer is then going to identify and execute the type of post salvation spiritual life that God has in mind.

Salvation is a gift that cost us nothing. It was secured by making a one-time decision to believe when presented with the unadulterated Gospel Message.

But discipleship can cost us much more than what many “Christians” are willing to pay.

 “Every good work” of 2Tim. 2: 20 refers to all of the DIVINE good that God wants to accomplish (13) through each individual believer during the course of his or her post salvation spiritual life.

The devil has two objectives in mind for EVERY soul that God creates.

The first objective is to have the individual live and die without ever being born again. When this objective succeeds, God is denied full glory that He would have otherwise received. Once this has been achieved, the devil and those who do his bidding, couldn’t care less about what becomes of the ones he/they have used (14).

(1) Matt.7: 24-27 (2) 1Thess. 4: 16, 17 (3) Matt. 24: 14 (4) Acts 2 (5) Acts 1: 9 (6) Matt. 16: 24-26 (7) 2Pet. 3: 18 (8) James 1: 22 (9) John 14: 15 (10) Luke 14: 26 (11) 1Cor. 3: 15 (12) Rev. 2: 7, 10, 17, 26/Rev. 3: 5, 12, 21 (13) John 15: 5 (14) Matt. 27: 4

End of Part Two