Bible Studies

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The Sophomore’s Rut Part Two

There are many professing Christians who believe that they have “earned,” and are therefore entitled to receive the blessings of God, both in time and in eternity, as a result of their “religious” activity, relatively good behavior, and good deeds, but have no clue as to what the actual Biblical life of post salvation discipleship is all about, or what is the purpose for it.

Many would have to think long and hard to recall when the last time it was that they shared the unadulterated Gospel Message with an unbeliever, or a principle of edifying Bible Doctrine with a fellow believer, outside of their own little circle or comfort zone. Some even join the ranks of critics who make fun of, or bad-mouth, the more outspoken, mature believers, that do.

In this the devil is well-pleased.

Advancing disciples, who have cell phones, tablets, and computer-access to the Internet and social media, already have the logistical means at their disposal, and the opportunity to use such technology, to participate in the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20), evangelizing and or edifying others, within and well beyond their personal periphery.

We are not all called to be pastor-teachers, but one would be surprised how just a few evangelizing or edifying words in a social media post can change the earthly lives and the eternal destiny of others.

Luke 12: 48(b) reminds us that to the one who is given much (opportunity), much will be required of him or her, when we give an account to God (Rom. 14: 10-12/2Cor. 5: 10), of what we did with our post salvation spiritual lives that GLORIFIED Him.

The devil, his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil, and the people he has deceived, are certainly making their best use of such means of communication to counteract the Great Commission, and or to promote their own agenda, based on human viewpoint.

Sad to say, but the truth is that weak believers are not interested in the cost of discipleship regarding the adversity that comes along with taking a public stand for Christ.

When the MESSAGE of what one has to say cannot be refuted, the opposition has no other option but to attack, discourage, and hopefully silence the MESSENGER.

Scripture has an ominous warning for professing Christians who decline to take a public stand.

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words (unadulterated Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine) in this (spiritually) adulteress and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His father with the holy angels (Mark 8: 38 NASB2020).”

Professing Christians can go on and on for hours, discussing the same old things, the latest gossip, or what human viewpoint has to say about current events or trends, but as soon as divine viewpoint is brought into the conversation, there is an eiry silence that fills the room, and someone will quickly change the subject.

. . .

The integrity of one’s salvation can never be improved or diminished. Eternal life is an unearned, undeserved, but permanent and irrevocable (Romans 11: 29) GIFT that God bestows on all who make a one-time decision to believe, when they are presented with the unadulterated Gospel Message.

However, the quality of one’s post (after) salvation spiritual life can be compromised, resulting in one receiving divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6) here on Earth, and the loss of the reward (1Cor. 3: 15) and privileges (Rev. 2/Rev. 3) in Heaven that are reserved for those who were advancing disciples, here on Earth.

Advancing disciples do not do what they do, to be rewarded.

They do what they do as an expression of the love that they have for God (John 14: 15).

Note that along the road to spiritual maturity, when one is not moving forward, evidenced by his or her not becoming more and more conformed to the likeness of Christ (Rom. 8: 29), he or she is sliding backwards!

Again, one’s salvation is never in jeopardy (Rom. 8: 1), but the quality and production of one’s post (after) salvation spiritual life can be severely compromised.

Being born-again has already settled the question of WHERE the born-again believer will spend eternity, but the quality of one’s post salvation spiritual life determines much about HOW a born-again believer will experience eternity.

Heaven, and all of eternity future, will not be the same experience for all born-again believers, as this experience goes hand in hand with the level of spiritual maturity one reached, while here on Earth.

Some born-again believers will experience eternity future with great reward (Matt. 5: 12) and privileges (Rev. 2/Rev.3), whereas some will experience eternity future with only some reward (2John 8).

Some will experience eternity future with NO reward, at all (1Cor. 3: 15)! 

After spending a lifetime with a “good enough” attitude about God and the things of God, could it be that at the 1Cor. 3: 12-15 event, it will be the time for such believers to experience a “good enough” response from God?

Being a sophomore in the spiritual realm is a VERY critical stage in one’s individual walk with God. Note, I said one’s walk, not one’s relationship.

All born-again believers are forever saved, but only advancing disciples will experience an intimate, 24/7, conscious awareness of the presence of God, fellowship, and walk with the Lord.

When advancing disciples find themselves in a rut, evidenced by the fact that they are not moving forward, they will desire to determine what they have to do, and then DO it, to remedy their situation. An advancing disciple is never satisfied with “good enough.”

End of Part Two

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