A Continual Process

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: (2) And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. (KJV)  

When one thinks of salvation, an eternity with God, no more pain, sorrow, or tears, it is comforting to know that someday when we leave this realm there is a much better life waiting for us in the next one. Some think that salvation is a one and done process, all one needs to do is walk up to some alter, recite some prayer, and then they are saved, set for this eternal place in heaven that so many speak of. There are those that would even go so far as to say ‘once saved always saved’, eternal securities is another term used as well. Before you jump on that ear tickling feel good bandwagon, it would do you well to look at what the word of God says, and what the conditions of this salvation truly are if you plan on being an inheritor of the kingdom of God. A simple word like ‘if’ which means on the condition of, can add a whole new eternal meaning to the true plan of salvation. So if you read Deuteronomy 28, the first 14 verses sound great, describing all the blessings that will come upon not only the hearers, but the doers as well. But it doesn’t end there.  

Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: (KJV)  

Remember Church, God’s people, this Bible is written to us, the blessings are real and available, as well as the curses. If you read the rest of Deuteronomy 28, you see that life from this point on is rather unpleasant and is a death sentence to those that continue on this path, no matter who they are, or even the fact that at some time in their life they made a commitment to God. You are a child of God, adopted into the family of Christ; salvation is not a ticket to sin, or a free pass to live like the devil. As sure as there are blessings, be aware the curses are still in play and no one is immune to them; just a matter of which path you choose to walk.  

John 15:6-7 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (KJV)  

Call this an endurance race; once you have entered you need to follow the instructor and His instructions if you wish to inherit eternal life. You need to observe all the terms and conditions of Father’s last will and testament given in His word, the fine print if you would, so that you realize that having made this commitment now it’s time to follow through. Looking at verse 6, the branch is withering, drying out. At some point it was actually a part of the vine, but was cut off from the source of life. Note to Church, if you are not sure what is cast into the fire, Revelation 20:15 explains it. Think of a job, if you went to the interview, and you like the job and the benefits, and was hired and told to start on Monday, and you didn’t show up till Friday, what makes you think you’re going to get a paycheck? So why would people think we can do that to God? Simply put, if you don’t make salvation a way of life, a total commitment to the things of God, expect to reap what you sow; and don’t think that you are above the law of faith, God does not play favorites no matter who you are or who you think you are.  

Romans 11:21-23 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. (22) Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (23) And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. (KJV)

It would be my pleasure to just write of the blessings and joy of the Lord, but I would not be able to speak on behalf of our Lord if I did not remind the Church of the flip side as well; so give heed to the voice of the Lord, so that you don’t fall from grace.  

Colossians 1:21-23 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (22) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (23) If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (KJV)

Jesus Christ was sent by God to bring His message of salvation, the plan of reconciliation, not only what allows you access into this plan, but how to maintain this relationship as well. So will you continue in this plan so that you can remain blameless without fault in His sight, and receive the reward of inheritance?  

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (KJV)  

By staying in the word continually, you will be a follower indeed, doing the will of our Father. It is knowing the truth that will continually set one free from the bondage of the flesh and allow the Spirit to take over in an area that has hindered our walk in the past.  

Hebrews 3:14-15 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (15) While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (KJV)

What are you holding true to; will you let God be true and mans’ doctrines be the lie, or are you following a crowded slippery slope leading to destruction? You may have started this race with good intentions, but will you finish strong or drop off?  

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (KJV)  

It may not be a popular path, but it is the only one that leads to our eternal home. Are you in it for the long haul?  

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.