Stand Strong…”this is a fight we’re in“
Many people of faith “have made a thorough mess of their faith.” What a scary thing — to be messed-up with God.
Have you ever felt that, that terror — the terror of a God Damn! Being God Damned! What if God still has me all damned to eternal darkness? 1
19-20 “…There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith….”
– 1 Timothy 1:15-20 The Message
“This is a fight we’re in“
This is not a walk in the park. This experience of living on earth is a test. That’s how the Bible puts it.
We have but a short time here. When on earth I’m done and gone — I want something good to show for it. Don’t you? So Paul said (to us all):
“…do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.”
I do not plan to arrive at the pearly gates with my clothes burning and smokin’! I’m a workin’ more on myself. Got a lot to do still! (Philippians 3:12-14)
15 But if any person’s work is burned up [by the test], he will suffer the loss [of his reward]; yet he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has barely escaped] through fire. – Verse 15 of 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
“Hell is a hot damn!”
– See: A God Damn
My life
My life is my “works”… the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that I have streaming from inside my soul like gold dust when I die and go to Heaven. How I act while waiting for His return:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.
– Galatians 5:22-23
I actively press on [a]so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.
The reality is we all are always incomplete while on this planet. That reality causes a lot of problems. – Source: Waiting for “the real real”
By His grace I’m fighting the good fight, looking to Jesus — the Author and Perfector (Finisher KJV) of my faith. ”
“…I actively press on [a]so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.
– Verse 12 of Philippians 3:12-14
______________
2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity],
who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [a]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
– Hebrews 12:2 AMP
_______________
What’s really cool about fighting – the good fight? I hear there is a reward up there! His banquet table is being prepared as we speak!
The older I get, it’s like I can almost hear Michael the archangel ringing the dinner bell and Jesus hollerin’, “Come and get it! It’s time for dinner!”
“It’s a fight – to live right. But the reward is eternally worth it.”
– Source: Jesus rewards the good life
See all four in one link: Luke 18:28-30; John 3:16; John 5:24; John 6:40
FOR MORE:
“This is a fight we’re in.” This is not a walk in the park. This experience of living on earth is a test. That’s how the Bible puts it. I do not plan to arrive at the pearly gates with my clothes burning and smokin’! I’m a workin’ more on myself. Got a lot to do still!
______________
Right on the edge of trusting him forever
“Those who are people of faith”
Is your light actually darkness?
Waiting for the Rapture – mentioned throughout the New Testament
Until the Rapture Door is shut
Forgiveness for evil deeds done
Receiving the forgiveness of God through Jesus the Messiah
When on earth I’m done and gone
James 4:14 AMP
______________
Yet you do not know [the least thing] [b]about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air].
_______________
15-19 Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.
Deep honor and bright glory
to the King of All Time—
One God, Immortal, Invisible,
ever and always. Oh, yes!
I’m passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.
19-20 There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two of them. I let them wander off to Satan to be taught a lesson or two about not blaspheming.
– 1 Timothy 1:15-20 The Message
Footnotes
- I waver and am flooded with old fears. What if Jesus is not Lord and Savior of my sin drenched soul? And…
- What if I am self-deceived, a fake?
- What if I’m not all His, I’ve held-back somewhere?
- What if I died and found myself in Hell?
- What wicked way is in me that will send my soul to Hell?
- What may I have failed to see as sin, and it remains in me? I practice what the Lord condemns. I say it’s just fine, but He says not.
- I deceive myself all to Hell and I am damned.
- I’m damned all to Hell.
- What if tomorrow never comes and today I go to Judgement at His feet and He now loves me not?
- What if He puts me in a goat fold where we’re huddled fearful, in terror of this Holy, Holy God, where He tells us all, “…depart from Me— you losers, workers of wickedness, all.”
– Source: My terrors in the dark place.
Leave a Reply