The key to relationships is that we do not "force" anyone. We present the truth and leave the results to Christ. It is sin to intimidate and manipulate people to get what we want or to badger them into believing what we believe.
Those who love Christ, obey Him, speak the truth, do what they are led by Christ to do and leave the choices of others to them and to Christ.
Those who think they can influence people through intimidation and coercion, are acting in the flesh. When someone feels a need to control another person, they are lacking in love and empathy. It is selfish and demeaning. Relationships cannot be built on this kind of mean spirited bullying.
Philippians 3:18-20 "…18 For as I have often told you before, and now declare even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,…"
There are so many who are more focused on sin than they are on Christ. Yes, sin matters, but when the focus is on "not sinning "more than on Christ changing our heart, then we will fall into the trap of working our way to heaven through our own power.
No one lives their life perfectly without sin after salvation, that's why God has to discipline His children.
If we do not live our life perfectly and must be disciplined, then it doesn't matter the size of the sin, because the smallest sin keeps someone out of heaven. God can have no sin in His presence, that's why Christ's blood had to cover our sinful nature.
Even taking a piece of gum without asking, is stealing in God's eyes and will send someone to hell.
Habakkuk 1:13 " 13 Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You can not look on wickedness with favor. Why do You look with favor On those who deal treacherously? Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up Those more righteous than they?"
The sin of stealing gum is the same heart that would steal a car, or rob a store. It is the heart of rebellion and evil that keeps one out of heaven. Even if we never steal but want to, will keep a person out of heaven. God said if you so much as desire in your heart. That's why no one can get to heaven without our sinfulness covered in the blood.
We need to chastise believers for their sin for spiritual growth and to honor God. We give the gospel to the unsaved that they might become covered in the blood and for cleansing.
However, there are many who think they are saved, have never been covered in the blood and are working to keep a salvation they never earned, these are those who think they are getting to heaven by their works.
Unbelievers are going to hell, not for their sin, but for their rejection of Christ. Yes, sin sends people to hell, but because they don't have Christ.
1 John 4:3
"and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world."
Christ changes us, over our lifetime we are being disciplined and chastised for cleansing. God never stops cleansing us, if someone thinks they never sin after salvation of their Spirit, then they need to look more closely at their heart.
Romans 8:9
"However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."
The difference between the unsaved and the believer is that the believer hates their sin, they are deeply wounded and confess when they realize they have offended God.
The unbeliever is not sorry for their sin, they love it and defend it.
Those who think they have voted for a righteous man who is going to save America, have diluted themselves. He is not only a phony when it comes to his public prayers and his patriotism, he is the best of actors. I see no evidence that our president is going to bring this country back to God in a righteous way, speaking against sin and filth.
Why have we not yet seen an executive order against abortion? Why have we not seen laws against divorce and remarriage? Oh wait, that doesn't work because he is on his third marriage while having affairs in the previous ones, divorcing the wives to marry the affairs.
Who cares about a border, when abortion, homosexuality, casinos, hotels full of debauchery and everything else that is evil is not being spoken against by this regime. If borders, the economy and safety are the concern of this country, then their minds are in the wrong place.
As Christians we ought to be more concerned about holiness, righteousness and obeying God than we are about our personal freedom and finances. All the things that are a problem would be solved if people would come to Christ in brokenness. Then there would be no abortions, even if the law remained, no one would do it. The casinos would go out of business because no one would trade there. Get it! When people become born again they lose the desire for these sins, there is no need for the laws.
Romans 6:14-16 "…13 Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? By no means!…"
Trump is a billionaire, he has wheeled and dealed all his life to gain that wealth, I am convinced he did not do it all without walking all over others. Let's not forget his casinos where mostly naked women "lap dance" to get their money, where people are gambling, drinking and debauchering in his hotels daily. As long as this gets him money he cares nothing about the sin that goes on in his establishments.
Matthew 19:23-24
"23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Do not speak to me of walls, finances or freedom! When mankind becomes righteous, these other things will correct themselves.
I see no word "infallible" in the Word of God in describing any man, instead I see this:
Jeremiah 17:5 - "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD."
2 Timothy 3: 13-17
"13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
1 John 2:27 "27 And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught. "
What part of "I NEVER KNEW YOU", do we not understand. Saying we have become a Christian is not the evidence that we were born again.
Matthew 25:1-12
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. "Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. "For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' "But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. "Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I DO NOT KNOW YOU.'"
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “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. 22 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?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
I believe the virgins who had no oil in their lamps, were those who did not have the Holy Spirit. The oil represents the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 25:1-12
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. "Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. "For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' "But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. "Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'"
Those who did have the oil were those who were prepared by being in the Holy Spirit. No one can be saved, or will know the voice of God without the Holy Spirit.
John 10:26-28 "…26 But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will NEVER perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand."
John 6:63
"63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the FLESH PROFITS NOTHING. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."
Luke 4:18
18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;"
1 John 1:7
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
