Our Savior’s Words
Recently, I was meditating on the question of how many people are saved vs deceived. Then the definition of being saved by Jesus’ words in John 12 and 14 came to me with such clarity that I didn’t have before. Jesus said (John 14:6) I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. When he said “I am the way”, it means His way of living, that is the way of doing and saying things. Whoever come to the Father through Jesus means doing and saying things in the same way as our Savior did.
Jesus’ way of life is in a few verses, John 12:50 (NIV) I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” And John 14:31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. He doesn’t do anything of his own, John 8:28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. This is clearly Jesus’ way of doing his Father’s will, and whoever come to the Father in the same way as Jesus did will be accepted.
Love, faith and the will of God
Jesus said in John 14:23-24 “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. His teaching is simple and clear, follow him, imitate him. John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
He explained believing him means imitating him, John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. The works Jesus have been doing is exactly according to the Father’s will. It is written, 1John 2:6,17 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. … The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Jesus explained this in the sermon on the mount, Matt 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
In order to do God’s will everyone has to take up his own cross as it is written, (Mark 8:34-35) When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
Apostle Paul put it this way, Rom 6:11-13 (NIV) In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
Rom 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
To imitate Jesus doing our heavenly Father’s will is not possible by ourselves. Even to pick up one’s own cross and deny the self are not easy, we have to ask the Holy Spirit to show us, teach us and guide us. All these prayer examples are written in the book of Psalms.
Deceived by own self-confidence
It took me around 20 years to learn that praying in the Spirit means to pray the Psalms. After repeating psalms many years, I realized that the key is to ask our only one teacher, the Christ to teach me everything. This is the only way to avoid being deceived by men, and is done by praying in the Spirit. And praying in the Spirit is to pray after the scriptures, especially the Psalms. God’s true servant who are filled with the Spirit will help, but they are not easy to find. When looking back, it’s my self-confidence blocked deeper understanding beyond many scriptures’ face value. For example;
- Jesus said in John 14:26 (NIV) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
- Again in John 16:12-13 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
- 1John 2:20 (NKJV) But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
- 1John 2:26-27 (NKJV) These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
The above word of God all pointed to the Holy Spirit, he can teach us all things. He is always available if we put our focus on him. But there many people try to deceive us, including our own pride. We have wasted lots of time by listening to men’s opinions, doctrines and theologies. These false teachings subtly introduced different gospel that are contrary to the Bible. The following points are just some of them;
- Removal of clear definition of sin so that people does not even know they live in sin and thus have no idea about what to repent. All false teacher will not speak about repentance, righteousness and holiness. They hate God’s Word “Be holy, because I am holy.”
- Dismissal of the confessing sins, that quietly lead people with many nu-confessed sin, gradually slide into lawlessness, which is exactly the opposite of the word, (1John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.“
- Hiding the cost and necessary requirement of following Jesus, to become his disciples, causing new believers unable to learn anything from the Lord. Contrary to Jesus’ word, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
- Entice people into relying on men and man-made doctrines rather than listening to the Lord’s voice through the Holy Spirit, resulting in the flock’s total ignorant of God’s will. Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life,
- Twisting of certain scriptures to create false assurance of salvation so that no one ever think about repentance and so become spiritually dead or lukewarm. The deceivers did exactly the opposite of what apostle Paul’s teaching; 2Cor 7:8-10 (NIV) Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. …… not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. Beware, fake believer has no sorrow for sin. They caused many who have attended their local church for decades, but has not become sorrowful as God intended, they never experience “godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation”.
- Shallow conversion by man-made doctrine like sinner’s prayer etc. which lead many produce very little fruit or non. causing the flock to forget Jesus’ word in John 15:5 to 7, I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.“ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. It’s not that hard to understand, if what we desire is not done, we did not abide in Him and His words did not abide in us.
Every individual has different understanding of many scriptures, there are many questions essential to our faith. The most important one is how to do God’s will. In order to do, one has to hear His voice, but the answer seems hidden. Lots of people are deceived because they don’t seek God through prayers for answer and guidance. Below are a few of them that many people try to avoid, or afraid to see the truth;
- What does it mean to be holy? The scripture says “Offer your body as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship” but how to practice it?
- How to take up the cross and deny the self daily, in order to follow Jesus? Is it enough that I try my best to follow Him?
- How to hear the Lord’s voice in order to know His will? If I don’t hear His voice, can I still do God’s will?
- What is the godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation? What do I need to repent?
- How to abide in Jesus? Can Jesus’ words abide in me, if I spend more time on earthly things than Him?
- How to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith?
Take heed the warnings
It is written; 1Tim 4:1(NIV) The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Tim 4:3-4 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
2Cor 13:5-11 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority–the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
It is written; “every one that is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found“, that time is now. Don’t assume you know the truth, unless you can hear God’s voice clearly. The time is running out. Remember it is written before it’s too late, Jer 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. And, Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Beware, man-made doctrine and theology may only lead people astray. Now let’s pray psalm 31, 32, 105 (AKJV);
In you, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in your righteousness.
Bow down your ear to me; deliver me speedily: be you my strong rock, for an house of defense to save me.
For you are my rock and my fortress; therefore for your name’s sake lead me, and guide me.
Pull me out of the net that they have laid privately for me: for you are my strength.
Into your hand I commit my spirit: you have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy: for you have considered my trouble; you have known my soul in adversities;
And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: you have set my feet in a large room.
Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: my eye is consumed with grief, yes, my soul and my belly.
For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
I was a reproach among all my enemies, but especially among my neighbors, and a fear to my acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
But I trusted in you, O LORD: I said, You are my God.
My times are in your hand: deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Make your face to shine on your servant: save me for your mercies’ sake.
Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called on you: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for them that fear you; which you have worked for them that trust in you before the sons of men!
You shall hide them in the secret of your presence from the pride of man: you shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Blessed be the LORD: for he has showed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before your eyes: nevertheless you heard the voice of my supplications when I cried to you.
O love the LORD, all you his saints: for the LORD preserves the faithful, and plentifully rewards the proud doer.
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy on me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.
I acknowledge my sin to you, and my iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
For this shall every one that is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come near to him.
You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall compass me about with songs of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go: I will guide you with my eye.
Be you not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near to you.
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusts in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, you righteous: and shout for joy, all you that are upright in heart.
O give thanks to the LORD; call on his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Sing to him, sing psalms to him: talk you of all his wondrous works.
Glory you in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face ever more.
Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
O you seed of Abraham his servant, you children of Jacob his chosen.
He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
He has remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.