1 Peter 4: 18 – And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

I am about to cut a typical Bible commentary I found on my ESV Bible Study program to pieces. Called the Holy Spirit Will Help You Die written on June 10, 1984 Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19 Topic: Death Dying.  As it is all based upon carnal, natural understanding, of Bible, theology and a dubious doctrine, which is meant to “tickle the ears of the reader”  with what most want to hear.

It is written in a historical context, as in having a “historical faith” all while attempting to show how even today, it would still be applied, to a believer suffering for the Lord.  I earnestly believe, it was written with the best of intentions, yet in ignorance of a greater truth. It is an attempt to show how suffering is normal for the believer, and to be reassuring to those who suffer, that they do not suffer in vain. At one level this commentary is acceptable; but at the deeper level of spiritual understanding of the things of God, it misses the mark, for the author does not understand how the Holy Spirit functions in a believer’s life, and how they are transformed from a child of the Devil, to one who is “given the chance to become” a  son, or daughter of God, by walking in the atonement, and being changed into his image.

We know Christ, in “Spirit and in Truth”. Not by natural understanding.

• First off, much theology today teaches, that when one comes to Christ for salvation, they are “locked in”, and cannot be condemned upon their death.  They confuse scripture like; no one can snatch them out of my hand; with say being conformed to his image for example.
• Secondly, the ungodly is talking about the “broad roader” who refuses to follow Christ, by taking the narrow way, like the disciple, which leads to life. The ungodly is referring to a person who may start with Christ, (as in the parable of the sower and the seeds, with the different sorts of ground); yet refuses to be conformed to Christ’s image, as a condition of their heart; (rocky, shallow, the cares of life choke off the roots) as a result, the ungodly will not allow their flesh to be crucified, and made into a new creation by God, through the sanctification process.Of course the “good ground” allows the seed a deep root system, which produces much fruit; and is an example of the righteous, a true follower and disciple.
• Thirdly, the sinner is one who has never been elect of God “towards” salvation, regeneration, or sanctification. They will not always appear, nor act as “degenerate pagans” either. Often these people can take on a “form of Godliness” by appearance and talk, yet this does not make them of God; only moral, often having “Christian ethics” and as a result have been blessed by God. The “Bible” instructs the actual child of God, (for whom it was written) – to avoid such as these.

This is why the theologian is quick to point out: Let’s be care full (condemnation) is not what the verse says -“If the righteous man is scarcely saved” —> he is saved * interjects the author ~  yet the last three words are merely theological opinion, based on poor doctrine in my view. It is pure DRIBBLE I say; within this contexts, and the author has no authority to add this to the text, as far as I’m concerned!

YES, LET”S BE CARE FULL INDEED!
This scriptural text, (1 Peter 4:18) most assuredly IS speaking about condemnation, for those who are not found to be (abiding) “in Christ” upon their death. And THIS doctrine – is what one ought to be most careful and concerned about! 

Isn’t it odd that “my interpretation” of this text, would be in total and blatant contradiction of what the author has written? The reason for this is because the author of this commentary is a false brother, and has written his theses as an “enemy of the Cross”!  Despite how moral or concerned for the truth, as the texts might appear.

If he has started with Christ, he refuses to be conformed to Christ’ image, in putting himself to death, so that he might be raised to newness of life. He is an ant-Christ, whom John talked about, (starting with us, but not finishing). He is busying himself using scriptural texts; to try and justify himself before God, rather than being put to death, and raised to newness of life spiritually. Being found IN Christ IS our only hope of not being condemned.

Do you see what is going on here? If the author had known the truth (Christ), he could have never written such a counter intuitive piece; as the Holy Spirit would have admonished him, with great conviction, that he was indeed wrong!

Most Bible commentary today is done without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit; therefore it can be understood by the natural mind, which runs counter to the things of God!

Theology and Religiosity are always based on walking independently of God’s leading in human pride; and runs counter to humbling oneself, before the Holy Spirit of God. As a result, they will not recognize their great need of Christ; and that “no good exists within them naturally”. So, they can only move independent in thought, and movement to Christ. This normally will always be the result, unless the Lord be pleased to “quicken the truth to them”, as when the King James Bible was translated (as an example).  Natural man “cannot understand this“, as they are not spiritual, and spiritual things will always appear as folly, to the natural mind.

This is why we must have the mind of Christ, as for understanding everything that is spiritually real or true; it is imperative that we “allow” the Lord to lead us, just like that of a little child – and not a proud, intellectual, stand alone scribe; who will fight the truth of God in spirit, at every opportunity.

The Holy Spirit is what quickens you to live in Christ; however, you may resist him, even unto your own spiritual death! As He is life, the supernatural power, and authority given by God, through Christ by grace, to allow those who have clearly committed to follow him, into all truth by faith.  God will never force his will upon man, we must be attentive to our Lord, and learn to walk with him into maturity. It is the man or woman who actually loves God more than anyone, (even their own life) who has been made manifest in their flesh; nor anything of this world, including status, education, wealth, who will seek the truth, that they might be saved, and who will find it!

Yet, a disciple will be marginalized, and persecuted by those of a “different spirit” than themselves. The true follower of Christ in Spirit will be hated by those who are without him; simply for being who they are, and loving and moving with Christ naturally, as they are a new creation, and alien to this world: And the world’s people feel it, especially the false brethren!

The needs of the world and its peoples are but secondary to loving and moving in Christ -as directed- might I interject. And it is natural for the child of God to function and move in such a way. Yet most who have started with Christ have become enemies of the cross (of crucifixion), and false alternatives or (anti-Christ’s), as they will not enter, and don’t want others to enter either!  Jesus said, “Most would not be able to enter into the kingdom of heaven” this is also why it is written: (they that sin have neither seen him nor known him) “now” and be found in his righteousness.

This is what 1 Peter 4:18  actually is being spoken about, as most will not pay the personal cost, and finish the race set before them, by being transformed by the renewing of their minds, and being found in Christ, Jesus and redeemed upon their  deaths.  This is why Jesus told his disciples to enter in the narrow way; as they had asked him – “Master, are there few that be saved?”

This article is not a feel good, and easy assurance assessment, of 1 Peter 4 verse 18, because it is not rooted in making people feel good about themselves; but rather is rooted in the seriousness of what this verse is speaking about. The personal sacrifice of one’s “old self” unto DEATH; to be redeemed with the “new self” and has cost God, his only begotten son, given out of the Father’s great love for us. This sacrificial lamb is available to those elect who would follow, Christ in Spirit and in Truth; because they love him more than life itself. Will you pick up your cross and follow our Lord, or is a comfortable life in this world more important to you?

Sadly, most will choose the ladder; and even write Bible commentaries about the one they will not be submitted to, and transformed into newness of life.

Published on Sep 4, 2014

Published on Sep 4, 2014

AndrewBostom.org September 29 2008

Geert Wilders, chairman Party for Freedom, the Netherlands.

Speech at the Four Seasons, New York September 25, 2008

In a generation or two, the US will ask itself: “Who lost Europe ?” Here is the speech of Geert Wilders, Chairman, Party for Freedom the Netherlands , at the Four Seasons in New York , introducing an Alliance of Patriots and announcing the Facing Jihad Conference in Jerusalem .

Dear friends,
Thank you very much for inviting me.
I come to America with a mission. All is not well in the old world. There is a tremendous danger looming, and it is very difficult to be optimistic. We might be in the final stages of the Islamization of Europe. This not only is a clear and present danger to the future of Europe itself, it is a threat to America and the sheer survival of the West. The United States as the last bastion of Western civilization, facing an Islamic Europe.
First, I will describe the situation on the ground in Europe .. Then, I will say a few things about Islam. To close I will tell you about a meeting in Jerusalem ..

The Europe you know is changing.

You have probably seen the landmarks. But in all of these cities, sometimes a few blocks away from your tourist destination, there is another world. It is the world of the parallel society created by Muslim mass-migration.
All throughout Europe a new reality is rising: entire Muslim neighborhoods where very few indigenous people reside or are even seen. And if they are, they might regret it. This goes for the police as well. It’s the world of head scarves, where women walk around in figureless tents, with baby strollers and a group of children. Their husbands, or slaveholders if you prefer, walk three steps ahead. With mosques on many street corners. The shops have signs you and I cannot read. You will be hard-pressed to find any economic activity. These are Muslim ghettos controlled by religious fanatics. These are Muslim neighborhoods, and they are mushrooming in every city across Europe . These are the building-blocks for territorial control of increasingly larger portions of Europe , street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood, city by city.
There are now thousands of mosques throughout Europe . With larger congregations than there are in churches. And in every European city there are plans to build super-mosques that will dwarf every church in the region. Clearly, the signal is: we rule.
Many European cities are already one-quarter Muslim: just take Amsterdam , Marseille and Malmo in Sweden .. In many cities the majority of the under-18 population is Muslim. Paris is now surrounded by a ring of Muslim neighborhoods. Mohammed is the most popular name among boys in many cities.

In some elementary schools in Amsterdam the farm can no longer be mentioned, because that would also mean mentioning the pig, and that would be an insult to Muslims.

Many state schools in Belgium and Denmark only serve halal food to all pupils. In once-tolerant Amsterdam gays are beaten up almost exclusively by Muslims. Non-Muslim women routinely hear ‘whore, whore’. Satellite dishes are not pointed to local TV stations, but to stations in the country of origin.

In France school teachers are advised to avoid authors deemed offensive to Muslims, including Voltaire and Diderot; the same is increasingly true of Darwin . The history of the Holocaust can no longer be taught because of Muslim sensitivity.

In England sharia courts are now officially part of the British legal system. Many neighborhoods in France are no-go areas for women without head scarves. Last week a man almost died after being beaten up by Muslims in Brussels , because he was drinking during the Ramadan.

Jews are fleeing France in record numbers, on the run for the worst wave of anti-Semitism since World War II. French is now commonly spoken on the streets of Tel Aviv and Netanya , Israel .. I could go on forever with stories like this. Stories about Islamization.

San Diego University recently calculated that a staggering 25 percent of the population in Europe will be Muslim just 12 years from now. Bernhard Lewis has predicted a Muslim majority by the end of this century.

Now these are just numbers. And the numbers would not be threatening if the Muslim-immigrants had a strong desire to assimilate. But there are few signs of that. The Pew Research Center reported that half of French Muslims see their loyalty to Islam as greater than their loyalty to France . One-third of French Muslims do not object to suicide attacks. The British Centre for Social Cohesion reported that one-third of British Muslim students are in favor of a worldwide caliphate. Muslims demand what they call ‘respect’. And this is how we give them respect. We have Muslim official state holidays.

The Christian-Democratic attorney general is willing to accept sharia in the Netherlands if there is a Muslim majority. We have cabinet members with passports from Morocco and Turkey .

Muslim demands are supported by unlawful behavior, ranging from petty crimes and random violence, for example, against ambulance workers and bus drivers, to small-scale riots. Paris has seen its uprising in the low-income suburbs, the banlieus. I call the perpetrators ‘settlers’, because that is what they are. They do not come to integrate into our societies; they come to integrate our society into their Dar-al-Islam. Therefore, they are settlers.

Much of this street violence I mentioned is directed exclusively against non-Muslims, forcing many native people to leave their neighborhoods, their cities, their countries. Moreover, Muslims are now a swing vote not to be ignored.

The second thing you need to know is the importance of Mohammed the prophet. His behavior is an example to all Muslims and cannot be criticized. Now, if Mohammed had been a man of peace, let us say like Ghandi and Mother Theresa wrapped in one, there would be no problem. But Mohammed was a warlord, a mass murderer, a pedophile, and had several marriages – at the same time. Islamic tradition tells us how he fought in battles, how he had his enemies murdered and even had prisoners of war executed. Mohammed himself slaughtered the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza. If it is good for Islam, it is good. If it is bad for Islam, it is bad.

Let no one fool you about Islam being a religion. Sure, it has a god, and a here-after, and 72 virgins. But in its essence Islam is a political ideology. It is a system that lays down detailed rules for society and the life of every person. Islam wants to dictate every aspect of life. Islam means ‘submission’. Islam is not compatible with freedom and democracy, because what it strives for is sharia. If you want to compare Islam to anything, compare it to communism or national-socialism, these are all totalitarian ideologies.

Now you know why Winston Churchill called Islam ‘the most retrograde force in the world’, and why he compared Mein Kampf to the Quran. The public has wholeheartedly accepted the Palestinian narrative, and sees Israel as the aggressor. I have lived in this country and visited it dozens of times. I support Israel , first, because it is the Jewish homeland after two thousand years of exile up to and including Auschwitz , second because it is a democracy, and third because Israel is our first line of defense.

This tiny country is situated on the fault line of jihad, frustrating Islam’s territorial advance. Israel is facing the front lines of Jihad, like Kashmir, Kosovo, the Philippines , Southern Thailand, Darfur in Sudan , Lebanon , and Aceh in Indonesia . Israel is simply in the way, the same way West-Berlin was during the Cold War.

The war against Israel is not a war against Israel . It is a war against the West. It is Jihad. Israel is simply receiving the blows that are meant for all of us. If there would have been no Israel , Islamic imperialism would have found other venues to release its energy and its desire for conquest. Thanks to Israeli parents who send their children to the army and lay awake at night, parents in Europe and America can sleep well and dream, unaware of the dangers looming.

Many in Europe argue in favor of abandoning Israel in order to address the grievances of our Muslim minorities. But if Israel were, God forbid, to go down, it would not bring any solace to the West . It would not mean our Muslim minorities would all of a sudden change their behavior, and accept our values. On the contrary, the end of Israel would give enormous encouragement to the forces of Islam. They would, and rightly so, see the demise of Israel as proof that the West is weak, and doomed. The end of Israel would not mean the end of our problems with Islam, but only the beginning. It would mean the start of the final battle for world domination. If they can get Israel , they can get everything. So-called journalists volunteer to label any and all critics of Islamization as a ‘right-wing extremists’ or ‘racists’. In my country, the Netherlands , 60 percent of the population now sees the mass immigration of Muslims as the number one policy mistake since World War II. And another 60 percent sees Islam as the biggest threat. Yet there is a greater danger than terrorist attacks, the scenario of America as the last man standing. The lights may go out in Europe faster than you can imagine. An Islamic Europe means a Europe without freedom and democracy, an economic wasteland, an intellectual nightmare, and a loss of military might for America – as its allies will turn into enemies, enemies with atomic bombs. With an Islamic Europe, it would be up to America alone to preserve the heritage of Rome , Athens and Jerusalem ….

Dear friends, liberty is the most precious of gifts. My generation never had to fight for this freedom, it was offered to us on a silver platter, by people who fought for it with their lives. All throughout Europe , American cemeteries remind us of the young boys who never made it home, and whose memory we cherish. My generation does not own this freedom; we are merely its custodians. We can only hand over this hard won liberty to Europe ‘s children in the same state in which it was offered to us. We cannot strike a deal with mullahs and imams. Future generations would never forgive us. We cannot squander our liberties. We simply do not have the right to do so.

We have to take the necessary action now to stop this Islamic stupidity from destroying the free world that we know.

Please take the time to read and understand what is written here, Please send it to every free person that you know, it is so very important.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/wilders.asp

http://europenews.dk/en/node/14505

Published on Aug 20, 2014

Truly sickening…..but what is the truth? How does one have a ‘lesbian Christian’? What about ‘adulterer Christians’? And ‘murderer Christians…’?

Unfortunately, I have now had to justify the above video, with people who are claiming to be followers of Christ, Jesus.

Beloved,people like this are apart the false Church; whom the scriptures warns us about in the end days.  

2 Timothy 4:3-4 > 3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4) and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  

Here is the only response, which I have been led to give…

This post is the scriptural response to the Wicked Vicky Beeching … campaigner for sin against God” video…

Ephesians 4: 17-25

 The New Life 

17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self,6 which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you us speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

 

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Published on Jul 29, 2014

So many make this mistake, don’t do it. If God has given you an experience, how are you going to give that to someone else? Are you not trying to supplant the gift and grace of God, and be an amateur Savior?

 Very true; only God can give sight to the blind. It is amazing to me, how many I have known in my life, who DO NOT hear me when I have spoken, and have not even acknowledged me as a person… I never understood this behavior, I thought “what is wrong with me”? It was not me, however; they would not hear – it was Christ in me, they hated and rejected by spirit….AMAZING stuff!  

“Without Sin?” Video

Pelagianism, also called Pelagian heresy, a 5th-century Christian heresy taught by Pelagius and his followers that stressed the essential goodness of human nature and the freedom of the human will. Pelagius was concerned about the slack moral standards among Christians, and he hoped to improve their conduct by his teachings. Rejecting the arguments of those who claimed that they sinned because of human weakness, he insisted that God made human beings free to choose between good and evil and that sin is a voluntary act committed by a person against God’s law.
From: Encyclopedia Britannica

• If we walk in the Spirit, only then we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

One wonders at the rapid stripping of the church, religion that is going on. It is being systematically destroyed, I wonder if it is not simply because of the removal of the general sense of the presence of God, by the LORD.