Abiding in Christ - Different Aspects
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1. Christ Came To Take Away Sin
2. Christ Submitted and Formed Righteous Character
3. We Are Born Sinners
4. Don't Despair in Sin - Come to Jesus
5. Surrender of Will is Required
6. Daily Seeking Christ (Not Once Saved)
7. Christ is the Power of Change
8. New Birth is Immediate Transformation
9. Obey God in Love
10. Obedience is Required to Enter Heaven
11. Judged By Our Actions That Reveal Our Heart
12. Always Growing in Christ - But Not Sinning
13. Sanctification is Act of Lifetime: Daily Obedience
14. Conquerors Through Christ in Every Situation
15. Three Angels Message: Obey in Faith
16. Christ in the Home
17. False Christianity
18. Definition of Sin
19. Sin is Allegiance to Satan and Requires Death
20. True Repentance Forsakes Sin
21. Grace of God is No Excuse to Sin
22. Christ's Robe of Righteousness Doesn't Cover Sin
23. Danger of Progressively Sinning Less
24. Danger of Unknown Sin
25. Love for Mankind Warns of Sin
26. World Hates and Persecutes Righteousness
27. What to Do with Questions
28. I Don't Know a Perfect Christian
29. Heathen Don't Have Excuse
30. The Big Picture
31. Conclusion
1. Christ Came to Take Away Sin
Daniel 9:24 70 weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness.
Matthew 1:21 And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has appointed 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.
Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
John 1:29 Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
1 Timothy 1:15 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1 John 3:8-9 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
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2. Christ Submitted and Formed Righteous Character
John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Christ, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. [Christ never sinned, yet was still made perfect]
Hebrews 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Hebrews 5:7-9 Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
Luke 22:42 Saying, “Father, if it is Your will, remove this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
1 Peter 2:21-23 Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth,” who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
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3. We Are Born Sinners
Job 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil.
John 15:5 Without me ye can do nothing.
Romans 3:10-12 There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God, they have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.
Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death?
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
Romans 10:3-4 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him: nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
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4. Don’t Despair in Sin – Come to Jesus
2 Chronicles 30:9 For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.
Ezekiel 18:30-32 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!”
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Mark 10:26-27 And they were greatly astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But looking at them Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord… is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
1 John 2:1 These things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
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5. Surrender of Will Is Required
Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone 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 will find it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Mark 14:36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Luke 14:33 Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
John 7:17 If any man wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
2 Corinthians 5:15 He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
6. Daily Seeking Christ (Not Once Saved)
Psalm 61:8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows.
Luke 9:23-24 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”
1 Corinthians 15:31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Hebrews 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.
7. We Simply Abide in Him
Isaiah 45:24 Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength.
John 14:5-6 Thomas said to Him, “Lord,… how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
Romans 16:25-26 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.
Hebrews 10:16 I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them.
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption – that, as it is written “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Colossians 2:9-10 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 2:24 Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
2 Peter 1:1-4 To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:.… as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Jude 1:1 To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
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8. New Birth is Immediate Transformation
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Daniel 4:27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous.
Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Matthew 18:3-4 Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest.
John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 3:3-7 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old?...” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
Acts 2:37-42 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.
Romans 6:3-7 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Romans 6:11-18 Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
Romans 6:19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
Romans 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
Romans 7:4-6 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another – to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sin which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
Romans 8:1-6 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:9-10 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Romans 8:13-14 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Ephesians 2:1-5 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.
Ephesians 4:21-24 If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 5:8-9 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth).
Philippians 2:15 That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:23 Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.
1 Peter 2:24-25 Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:7-10 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,”and “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
1 John 2:12-14 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
9. Obey God in Love
Deuteronomy 7:9 Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.
John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.
John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
Ephesians 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Philippians 2:13 For God is at work in you, both to will and to do for his good pleasure.
1 John 2:5-6 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
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10. Obedience is Required to Enter Heaven
Psalms 24:3-4 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.
Matthew 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 7:24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 19:17 If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.
John 15:10,14 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love…. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.
Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified.
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
Galatians 5:16 Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Ephesians 1:4 Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
Ephesians 5:27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Philippians 1:10-11 That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 2:15 That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Colossians 4:12 That you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
1 Timothy 6:12-14 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things… that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing.
Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who calls you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
1 John 2:3-6 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in Him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 3:3 Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3:6-9 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous…. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
1 John 3:24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
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11. Judged By our Actions That Reveal Our Heart)
Psalms 62:12 Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work.
Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.
Jeremiah 17:10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
Luke 6:43-45 For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit…. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.
Romans 2:6-8 Who will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness – indignation and wrath.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
James 2:12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. [Liberty from sin. Romans 6:18]
Revelation 2:23 All the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
12. Always Growing in Christ - But Not Sinning
Proverbs 4:18-19 The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 5:26-27 That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. [Christ never sinned, yet was still made perfect through sufferings]
Hebrews 5:8-9 Though He was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
13. Sanctification is Act of Lifetime: Daily Obedience
Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
2 Chronicles 29:5 Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place.
John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived…. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
1 Thessalonians 4:4 That each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 Because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
14. Conquerors Through Christ in Every Situation
Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Deuteronomy 31:8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.
1 Chronicles 28:9 If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
Job 12:13 With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding.
Psalms 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.
Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Mark 10:26-27 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But looking at them, Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
John 10:3-5 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
John 14:16-17 And He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 16: 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.
Romans 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor power, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 14:4 Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
James 1:2-5 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
1 Peter 1:5-7 Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:1-4 To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ .…as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakes of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.
2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations.
1 John 2:27-28 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. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.
15. Three Angels Message: Obey in Faith
Revelation 14:7 Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.
Revelation 14:8 Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Revelation 14:9-12 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
16. Christ in the Home
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Proverbs 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.
Isaiah 49:24-25 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.
Isaiah 54:13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Jeremiah 31:16-17 Thus says the Lord: “Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future, says the Lord, that your children shall come back to their own border.
Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
Matthew 12:25 Every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
Matthew 18:10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
1 Corinthians 13:1-7 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.
James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous.
17. False Christianity
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, ”I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
Luke 13:23-24 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
Acts 20:29-30 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
1 John 2:4 He who says “I know Him”, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in Him.
1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.
18. Definition of Sin
Romans 14:23 Whatever is not from faith is sin.
1 John 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin.
James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
James 4:17 To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
19. Sin is Allegiance to Satan and Requires Death
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins shall die.
Ezekiel 33:11 Turn, turn from your evil ways! for why should you die?
Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the Lord with your words; yet you say, “In what way have we wearied Him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”
Matthew 7:26-27 Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.
Matthew 18: 8-9 If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
John 3:20-21 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.
John 8:34 Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
Romans 6:2023 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death…. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.
Romans 8:6–8 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Ephesians 5:3-7 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Hebrews 3:18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?
Hebrews 4:6 Those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience.
1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:10 In this the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Hebrews 3:12 Beware, 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 “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
James 1:14 Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
20. True Repentance Forsakes Sin
Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Ezekiel 18:30-31 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?”
Matthew 9:13 I do not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
21. Grace of God is No Excuse to Sin
Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man – and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Romans 6:1 Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
1 John 3:6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin.
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Jude 1:4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
22. Christ's Robe of Righteousness Doesn't Cover Sin
[Christ’s robe of righteousness is exactly what it says. It is His righteousness given to us - we will live a righteous life. God is not a liar – He cannot call us righteous while we sin. When we sin, we must first throw off His robe, depart from Him, and choose our sinful desire – which is Satan.]
Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty.
Matthew 10:26 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?
Ezekiel 36:25-27 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Ephesians 5:26-27 That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived…. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Revelation 7:14 These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.
Revelation 19:8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
23. Danger of Progressively Sinning Less
Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sins.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
1 John 2:3-6 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.
1 John 3:8-9 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
24. Danger of Unknown Sin
[What happens if there is unknown sin in heaven? Satan’s unknown sin brought ruin to heaven the first time, and Eve’s unknown sin brought ruin to earth. Sin must be completely eradicated in our character here on earth or there will be unknown sin in heaven again, and heaven will be ruined again. We can only be safe by distrusting self, abiding in Jesus, and trustingly obeying forever.]
Leviticus 5:17-19 If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity. And he shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish from the flock, with your valuation, as a trespass offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him regarding his ignorance in which he erred and did not know it, and it shall be forgiven him. It is a trespass offering; he has certainly trespassed against the Lord.
Psalms 139: 23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness.
Luke 12:47-48 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few.
John 7:17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine.
John 8:12 The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
John 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Colossians 2:9-10 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
2 Peter 1:3-4 As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and of precious promises, that through these you may be partakes of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
25. Love for Mankind Warns of Sin
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Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Ezekiel 3:18-21 When I say to the wicked, “You shall surely die,” and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Luke 21:14-15 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 4:31 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 20:27-31 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
Acts 26:17-18 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Colossians 1:27-29 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
2 Thessalonians 3:15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
2 Timothy 1:7-8 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
26. World Hates and Persecutes Righteousness
Matthew 5:10-13 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 24:9-13 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
John 15:18-20, 16:2 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
2 Timothy 3:12 All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1 Peter 2:20-23 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”, who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.
1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
1 John 3:12 Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.
27. What to Do With Questions
Proverbs 3: 5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.
Isaiah 55:6-9 Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
John 13:7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
28. I Don't Know a Perfect Christian
Genesis 6:9 Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
Daniel 6:21-22 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.
Luke 1:74-75 To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
Colossians 1:21-23 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight – if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
1 John 3:6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that He was righteous.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
29. Heathen Don't Have Excuse
Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
Romans 2:13-16 (For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
30. The Big Picture
My study above involves dissecting the Bible passages and Ellen White quotes and categorizing them – so I could better understand each aspect of abiding in Christ. However, I believe it is important to look at the big picture – to then put all those parts together so they align. Each one is true by itself, but they are also true when put together. The more I read the Bible, the more I find it all points to the Gospel: Abiding in Christ. The following passages are areas where the big picture is seen:
The Sanctuary Service Throughout Scripture (especially Day of Atonement)
Matthew 5 - 7 Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 13 Parables Used to Describe Salvation
Matthew 25:1-13 Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
John 3:1-21 New Birth Conversation with Nicodemus
John 15:1-17 The True Vine
Acts 2:37-43 Disciples Convert 3,000
Romans 6 - 8
1 John
Sanctuary
Outer Court: Justification (Being made right with God)
Enter His courts with praise – We enter God’s presence with praise and thankfulness for who He is
When an individual sinned they brought their lamb to be sacrificed – Our individual sin killed Jesus. We need Jesus as our personal Savior, for His blood to cleanse our sins
Sinner cut the fat out to be burned – we must separate sin from our lives
Sacrifices were made morning and evening for congregation – we are to worship God morning and evening
Priest washed in laver – Christ cleanses us after we repent of our sins
Holy Place: Living the Sanctified Life
Table of Showbread – we are to multiple times a day spend time in God’s Word
Candlestick – through the Holy Spirit, we are continually receiving God’s light and imparting it to the world
Altar of Incense – we are continually offering prayers to God
Most Holy Place: Judgement of God
Ark of Covenant – God’s law is His throne/character and the covenant between us
Mercy Seat – The Lord gives mercy to those who confess and forsake sins, even though we deserve death
Before Day of Atonement – 10 days spent searching life for any hidden sin – we must be searching to eradicate all sin
Day of Atonement – 1 sin would cause death – when Christ comes all sin must be confessed and eradicated
Matthew 25:1-13:Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
10 Virgins – all with pure doctrine
Took their lamps – all reading the Bible
To meet the bridegroom – all preparing and looking for Jesus’ return
5 wise – Whoever hears and does God’s sayings
Matthew 7:24
5 fools – Whoever hears and doesn’t do God’s sayings Matthew 7:26
Foolish took lamps with no oil – Had their Bible and some Holy Spirit
Wise took lamps and vessels with oil – Had their Bible and extra Holy Spirit in their vessels
While bridegroom delayed they all slept – We are ALL sleeping and not as awake as we should be as Jesus waits
Foolish didn’t have enough oil to go into the wedding – Had partially followed Holy Spirit, but not completely
How do we get more oil? We lose oil (Holy Spirit) by not obeying when He speaks; we gain oil by obeying Holy Spirit when He speaks
Foolish virgins returned and cried to open door. Jesus said, “I do not know you.” There wasn’t an abiding relationship.
31. Conclusion
Sin is the most dangerous thing on planet Earth. It kills everyone it is in. As God is love, Satan is sin. We were all unfortunately through our unfaithful father Adam, born with a sinful nature. Every act of our sin is allegiance to Satan and is further reproducing his character within us. To “Christians," Satan has very cunningly taught us it is ok to believe in the law, but just realize it isn’t possible to obey. By doing this, we are deceived: believing we are saved, when our hearts and works testify we are lost. Our hearts and works testify whose nature we have – who we follow. God kicked sin out of heaven and Eden the first time, and He won’t let it back in a second time. This all sounds terrible and you may wonder why I even say this. Because we have avoided this. We haven’t stopped to see our terrible condition. And that is why we haven’t become converted; we haven’t changed. We haven’t seen our need for a Saviour, and so we haven’t searched for a Saviour. To be converted, we must realize the truth of who we are and our need of a Saviour.
But there is excellent news: Christ came to this world to take away sin – that IS the gospel! He came to save a wretch like me! God offers to live inside of me and live His victory through me TODAY! When He is abiding in my heart, I am His holy temple. When He is in my heart, I cannot sin – for He cannot sin. He becomes the power of victory in my life to both rescue me and keep me from sin! And he has prepared Heaven in which there is no sin, sorrow, or heartache. It is a promise – for eternity! If I allow Him to live in me and create a new heart and mind in me, I will live a meaningful and powerful life here on Earth. And when He comes back to take His children home, I will go to live in that heavenly country with Him face to face!
The way to come to Christ is the simplest method, and yet the hardest. Simple because we just have to give up. Hard because we must be willing to give up and surrender moment by moment to Christ. It begins with true repentance: seeing how awful we are, repenting, and choosing to die to self and let Christ live within us. This isn’t a once in a lifetime conversion – this is a daily consecration through reading His Word, talking to Him, and committing to trustingly listen and obey His voice. If we step away from Him and sin – we must acknowledge it as sin that separates us from Christ and grows us into the image of Satan - but we can repent while there is time! – for we have a Mediator!
Christ is Righteousness. Christ is Love. Everything in and of myself is evil. I cannot produce one act of righteousness or love. I need to abide in Christ. I need Christ to take control of my heart and mind and change it. But He does that only if I will Him to – each moment of the day. Satan will dangle before me crafty lies, distractions, and the thought of self to try and get me off track. The Holy Spirit will guide me, and if I listen and obey – I will experience victory after victory. That is sanctification: moment by moment abiding and living out His righteousness.
While abiding in Christ I will always be growing. It is as a school teacher who prepares her students for one level at a time. They love to listen and learn. At each level they are given a test and pass with 100%. They are then moved onto the next level of knowledge. And it continues for all time. The other growing that needs to occur is that in my sinful flesh, I have neural pathways that have been formed in sin. This has produced my character of sin. When I first come to Jesus, it is difficult (but possible) for me to put to death the flesh and surrender my will to Christ in obedience. Each time I obey, I am slowly putting to death the previous neural pathway and forming a new neural pathway of righteousness. The more I do this, the more it is my desire and habit to obey. Adam before sin, and Christ who lived sinlessly, needed to form a righteous character through obedience. We must also form righteous characters from obedience so we will not ever want to sin again.
Christ is waiting for His harvest to ripen so He can come to Earth and take His children home. Today is the day of salvation. Today I choose to reject the crafty lies and believe the powerful truth of the gospel – of Jesus Christ Himself. Today I choose to let Him move in and cleanse my temple – to kick the devil out. Today, and moment by moment, I choose to humbly submit to Jesus. I desire to grow in Him more and more each day, and fall greater in love with Him for all eternity.