2 Peter 1, Part 9

 Blind and in danger. 

Welcome. If you have been with us for the past 8 weeks, you know that we have been doing an in-depth study of 2 Peter 1. We have been going through it word for word, and really diving into not only what it says, but the meaning behind it. I encourage you to check out the whole study in the archives if you missed any. Today? Today is going to be heavy. It really is. It may even be a bit offensive to some of you. It may go against what you heard in Sunday School. It may go against what you have heard from your last church, family member, or elsewhere. It may go against what you choose to believe. But I, especially in these types of messages, beg you, to read them for yourself. Read the Word of God. Pray about it. See it for what it actually says.

What are we going to talk about today? Losing your salvation. Yup. Is it once saved always saved? Or can you, once saved, actually lose your salvation? Remember, we are going through 2 Peter 1 and we have gotten to this passage.

"For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:9-11

Now, what are the qualities that Peter is referring to?

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8

Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Read that again. This is what we will be talking about today.

"For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins."

Why is this a big deal? Because it begs the question of once saved always saved? If that is the case, then what's the problem? But is that true? Look what Jesus called the Religious leaders of the day. If anyone was saved it was surely the rulers of the synagogues, and religious elites, right?

"Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit." Matthew 15:14

He called them white-washed tombs.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27.

He also called these people, the children of the devil.

"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44

This should tell us that even though these people were religious, and they were the leaders of the religions at the time, they were NOT saved. Ok, if we see that, I hope you do, then what about those that are truly saved, can you lose your salvation?

Look what Peter tells us in the next chapter.

"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." 2 Peter 2:20-21

In other words, it would be better if you were never saved, to begin with. That once you are, you then know and understand the truth. If you turn away from that truth, you become even worse off than you were before. Jesus puts it this way.

"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits eviler than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation." Matthew 12:43-45

When you are not saved, there is nothing preventing you from being controlled by your flesh or even evil itself. You belong to the world. To sin. To death. To the devil even. But once you are saved, all that is put to death, and the evil is cast out. However? According to Jesus? Evil can and does return, and when allowed, the state of the person is far worst off. Look here in Hebrews.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 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 10:24-31

Read that again and highlight it if you need to.

"For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,"

"There no longer remains a sacrifice for sin." Now do not misunderstand. We all sin. As long as you have a repentant heart and are trying to overcome that sin, all is good. But if you chose to sin, and say something like, "Hey I'm saved, I can do whatever I want," or "I do not have to do what God tells me to in His Word," Then there is no longer Jesus's sacrifice for you. Look what it says.

"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?"

If you accept Jesus. You allow His blood to be your blood, His sacrifice to be your sacrifice, and His death, to be the substitute for you, then you decide that you do not want to follow what the Word says, and you choose to accept sin or justify sin, or just go on sinning, then you are "Trampling under foot the Son of God, and profaning His blood." Does that sound like once saved always saved? God, is talking to the saved. He is talking to the Church. The body of Christ. Can you lose your Salvation? It would appear, the answer is, yes. It seems that the human concept of once saved always saved is not a truthful saying.

It does make sense if you think about it. If you come to me, and say, please adopt me into your family. I agree. However, I tell you to be a part of my family, I will require from you the same as I would require from all my children. If you are a faithful and good child, you, as with all my children, will inherit part of my vast estate and fortune. You will receive all the same things that my own children will receive and you will be loved as one of them.

However, you decide to stop coming to my house. You decide to go off and do your own thing. You decide to forsake me and my family. That is totally your choice. By doing this though, you are disqualifying yourself from all my blessings and promises. I can not bless you, help you, or even love you if you are no longer with me. As in all things, the choice is yours. As it says in Revelation 2:4-5

"But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."

Once saved always saved? That is an entire church God is talking to here. This is what Peter is talking about, and we went into an in-depth study of these qualities. Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Why? Because if you work out your faith, exercise your spirit, and train it to learn and grow in these qualities, then and only then,

"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

And they will keep you from going blind and forgetful of your walk in life. Stay focused on God.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Let your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, comment, questions, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!!

2 Peter 1, Part 7

 Godliness

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Welcome. We are currently going through 2 Peter 1. We are doing this in-depth study nearly word for word. If you have been with us you know we went through the greetings and the "For this very reason" or the reason we need to listen to what Peter is telling us here. Last time we talked about steadfastness. If you are following along it looks like this.

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness,

We talked about the reason why, faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, and standing firm. If you missed anything up to now you can go back in the archives and get caught up if you so choose. Today, we are going to talk about godliness.

What does that even mean? The world says this

Godliness = the quality of being devoutly religious; piety: "a man of great godliness"

What does the Bible say? It tells us there is a vast difference between being godly and worldly.

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." Psalm 1:1-3

What it is saying here is that you have choices to make. You can go along with the world, agree with the world and live the worldly way, or you can pick this up {Holding up the Bible} and read it. Live the way God tells you to. Look here.

"If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in their minds and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, " 1 Timothy 6:3-6

This is why it is so very important that you never take what anyone, even me, or your local Pastor, says as absolute truth and facts. Look it up yourself. Read this {Holding up the Bible} If I or anyone else tell you something that is not in here, or it does not go along with what this says, it is a lie.

Not to pick on anyone here but some examples? Don't eat meat on Friday. Not here. Praying to this or that Saint? Not here. Worshiping Mary? Not here. Killing non-believers? Not here. Keeping women down as lesser people? Not here. Racism? Not here. Any other way to God or heaven without Jesus? Most definitely NOT here. Accepting sin and living to let live? Not here. Not doing anything following your conversion? Not here.

Simply put, if you read the Bible, pray, and spend time with God, you will know the truth when you hear it. You will be able to test the spirits.

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this, you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."

We have entire churches today, TV Ministries, local churches, and secular outlets, all agreeing that sin is good and good is sin. They talk with beautiful words that are designed to make you "feel" that they are right and compassionate, and good. Do not fall for the lies.

"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this, we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error." 1 John 4:1-6

Please do not misunderstand. Being "godly" or living a life of godliness is NOT being holier than thou. It is not attempting to force your will or beliefs on others. This is not what it is about. It is about your one-on-one relationship with God. It is about a relationship with your daddy. As a matter of fact, we are warned against even dealing with people like that.

"Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." 2 Timothy 3:5

Before you can be concerned with anyone else, you have to get right yourself. Pray, read, and spend time with God.

"I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1

Does this mean we should not share the gospel? Of course not. We should share the gospel as often as God gives us the opportunity. That is our obligation, at least one of our obligation, as a child of God. However, if you are not prepared? I would not recommend it. Look here.

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," 2 Timothy 3:12

That does not say "may." That does not say "some." Read that again.

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," 2 Timothy 3:12

If you are not prepared and well equipt, you may fall for lies and attacks and become unfruitful for the kingdom of God. You would be like those that Jesus calls "rocky grounds," or those amongst the thorns.

"As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." Matthew 13:20-22

Being godly, or living in godliness, is all about you and your relationship with God. Does this mean you are perfect? No. Of course not. Does it mean you are better than anyone else? No. Of course not. Does it mean you are holier than others? No. It means you got yourself right with God. You spend time in preparation and you spend time with God. You learn and grow and try to keep yourself unstained from the world. Then you can follow through with the next thing Peter talks about here.

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection,"

Join us next time when we dive into "brotherly affection." Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, comment, questions, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until Next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord.

2 Peter 1, Part 2

 We are freed, blessed, and obligated. 

Hello, welcome today. Today we will be continuing our in-depth study of Peter's letter to the Jewish Christians, and as we discussed last time, this includes us, in 2 Peter 1. I encourage you to read all of 2 Peter 1 for yourself if you have not yet, but we will be concentrating on 2 Peter 1:3-4

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." 2 Peter 1:3-4

I know that is a really long sentence packed full of information there. It is also very good news, and we should take it as such. Let's start at the beginning.

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,"

Who? God. Who? Jesus. Who? The Holy Spirit. They are all three, yet they are all one. Here is a really short message about the Trinity.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning, is God, and as we read in 2, His Spirit. Where was Jesus?

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was at the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made." John 1:1-3

Then?

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Jesus, Himself told us plainly.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." John 8:58

Where do we come in? And if there is still any doubt in your mind.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:15-21

Then in verse 23, we read this.

“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

First Jesus kept saying "I" When talking about the Holy Spirit. He said "I" Then in verse 23? Read that again. "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and WE will come to him and make OUR home with him." What is He saying? Remember, OUR means three or more. Jesus said WE will make OUR abode with him. The very real person Jesus, the very real person Holy Spirit, and even God Himself will live in us.

This is the "divine power," a better "life." As a matter of fact, Jesus even tells us this.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. " John 10:10

This is the "divine power," a better "life." This is "godliness,"

Not because of us. There is nothing we can do to achieve this. This is all about God. All about Jesus. Where do we learn to become closer to God, and learn more about who Jesus really is? The Holy Spirit.

"through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises,"

It is ONLY through Him that we can receive His promises. There is no other way. No religion can save you. No good work can save you. No amount of anything, without Jesus, can do anything for you. Simply put,

"And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:12

If you leave out God, how do you imagine being able to come to God? Even Isaiah told us who Jesus will be. He said this.

"For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

We all know John 3 16-18

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

Simply put, WHOEVER, ANYONE, EVERYONE, all-inclusive. Anyone that accepts Jesus is adopted into the family of God and into Salvation. WHOEVER, ANYONE, EVERYONE, that does not accept Jesus, does not make it to heaven. He who has the Son has life, and he who does not have the Son has not. It is only through Him

"so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Paul puts it this way in his letter to the Romans.

"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact, the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness." Romans 8:7-10

If you want the assurance of "salvation," "blessings," "divine power," and a better "life," with ANY hope to have any kind of "godliness," it is only through Jesus and the knowledge of God's Word. There is no other way.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS the Lord of all!