Shalom dear doves,

Our first sin was when we turned away from God's Word to believe this
seducing lie: "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not
surely die." Gen 3:4

And now each day we are exhorted to ...

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another
daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through
the deceitfulness of sin." Heb 3:12,13

Yes it is ...

"... sin, because they believe not on me." John 16:9

Perhaps this is why God planned with Abraham, (and with us too), to
bring us back to believe His Word. "For what saith the scripture?
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
Rom 4:3

But true faith leads to obedience just as vain faith, (i.e. unbelief),
leads to disobedience.

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God,
and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the
Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she
had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is
dead also." James 2:23-26

So *IF* we have come to true faith in the true Jesus, we will obey and
follow Him, (i.e. we will follow His Holy Word ... and not our own
sinful lusts, ... nor those of the world, ... nor the lies of the
devil.)

"No man can serve two masters ..." Matthew 6:24

Now it is not on the basis of any of our good works that we are saved,
as scripture also teaches us, because ... it is God Himself who is
given to us, to work in us, both to will, and then to do, His good
pleasure.

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure." Phil 2:13

So by faith in His faithful Holy Spirit in us, we are to put to death
the the deeds of the flesh ...   "For if ye live after the flesh, ye
shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the
body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they
are the sons of God." Rom 8:13,14

But if anyone does not have the Spirit of God living in them, then
that one does NOT belong to God, "... if any man have not the Spirit
of Christ, he is none of his." Rom 8:9

So ... in faithful love for His child, it may be that God will " ...
deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that
the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." 1Cor 5:5

Since His Word clearly indicates " ... that the unrighteous shall not
inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves
with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1Cor 6:9,10

So Baruch HaShem, that NOT ONE of those who He has given to His Son,
will be lost, even if HaShem uses demons to destroy our flesh, ... to
bring us to true repentance, before we die.

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh
to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to
do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the
Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I
should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And
this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the
Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise
him up at the last day." John 6:37-40

But today ...let's hear Him fresh again ... and truly believe Him:
(truly, indeed, His Spirit is ready and willing.)

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed
is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt 26:41
"Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is
ready, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38

We better NOT be found among these when He comes  ...

"Be not deceived:
neither fornicators,
nor idolaters,
nor adulterers,
nor effeminate,
nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves,
nor covetous,
nor drunkards,
nor revilers,
nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God."

And worse, ... let's not be so iniquitous to not call sin what God
calls sin ... for example ...  if one is divorced and remarried while
the first lawful spouse is still living, then God calls that adultery.
 "So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man,
she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is
free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be
married to another man." Rom 7:3

Surely, this slide down into sin has led to where we cannot clearly
see what God says about homosexuality ...

We have become soft on our sins ... as prophesied, as part of that
falling away from true faith, in the last days.

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come,
except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be
revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself
above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God
sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." 2 Thes
2:3,4

Can we be a true friend to God, like Abraham was, if we DON'T follow
His voice like Abraham did?

But as Jesus said, it may be that the reason we do NOT hear His voice,
is because we are NOT His sheep.

But scripture would not leave anyone who really wants to be saved
without hope ...

"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel
unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared
unto every good work."
 

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the
name of Christ depart from iniquity.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver,
but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to
dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a
vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and
prepared unto every good work.

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity,
peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But
foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender
strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle
unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those
that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance
to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover
themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him
at his will.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For
men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without
natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers
of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but
denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are
they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with
sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to
come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres
withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt
minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no
further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs
also was.

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,
longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which
came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I
endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that
will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men
and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been
assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 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.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who
shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work
of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2 Tim 2:19 - 4:5

... some pretty clear marching orders to us all.

Let's hear His trumpet call ...

and find Him, as Abraham did,

our very own Shield and Exceeding Great Reward.

Shalom shalom,

David