A True Believer

A True Believer

A different approach.

Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

First we must discern the times we live in, in order to know what the Word/Jesus prophesied about today's church.

Rev 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the
Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful
and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor
hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither
cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased
with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not
that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do
not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see.

Verse 18 means you will suffer as Jesus did here on earth, and you should be looking through the eyes of the Sprit and not by your way of seeing things.
Jesus was perfect, and if you love Him you will also be rebuked and chastened. Who today accepts a rebuke or chastening?

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be
zealous therefore, and repent.  (We must repent!)
Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man
hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and
will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Do you believe we are in the last days? Have these greatly increased? Famines, earthquakes, unusual weather (Climate change), wars and rumors of wars, people who are lovers of self rather than lovers of God, knowledge greatly increasing, unnatural affection (homosexual activity greatly increased), children disobedient, times as in the days of Noah, violence, those who want to hear only good and what they can get, instead of God's wrath for sinners, Israel becoming a nation…

Now let's look at what Jesus prophesied about today's Christians.
Rev 3:17
Rich on earth = man's doctrine, a lie according to God's Word.
Rev 3:18
Gold tried in the fire = God's truth, rebuked and chastened  from the Lord, and is zealous for God's Word, and REPENTS!
Rev 3:17
Earthly rich man = "wretched", "miserable", "poor".
Rev 3:18
Spiritual/Godly rich man = Storing and knowing your treasures are in heaven.

Rev 3:17
Earthly rich man = spiritually blind, no Spiritual understanding.
Rev 3:18
Spiritual/Godly rich man = follows by faith and not sight, eyes covered with "eyesalve". Obedience to God's Word.
Rev 3:17
Earthly rich man = Naked, not a righteous man. Not dead to self so that Jesus may live in him. Not clothed in "white raiment"
Rev 3:18
Spiritual/Godly rich man = Clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Putting on the armor of God or "white raiment", meaning an intimate knowledge of the Word. Giving up the things of this world to fully follow Jesus.

What are some of the biggest lies being taught in today's church?
1) Christians are to be rich and healthy, and a positive confession of things, thinking they are gods and can make good things happen. LIES! Most preach today how if you are a Christian everything will be wonderful.
Rich, Healthy, and Positive Confession are not God's Truth for us here and now. We are to be dead to our wills and wants, and ONLY seek His will for our lives, which was determined by God before the foundations of the world. You can't say it's God's will for everyone to be healed, because we don't know what is best, and the greatest outcome for the perfect will of God. How are we to pray? THY WILL BE DONE!!!
God's Word, which is God (Jn 1:1-2, 14), warns everywhere about earthly riches, and that not everyone will be physically healed. Just look at the lives of the Prophets, Apostles, and Disciples? Were they wealthy? Did they use Positive Confession to make their lives better? Were they all healthy? More importantly did Jesus teach these things? NO!!!

"Positive Confession", which is witchcraft, thinking you can
force God to do something by repeating His Word. This is
dangerous, wrong, and very evil. No one can make God do
anything, except what He pre-determined before the
foundation of the world for each and every person who will
follow Him. One thing is certain, there are no examples of
anyone doing this in scripture, which proves it wrong. Two, if
we are dead and it is Jesus who lives in us, why would we
tell God what to do? Even Jesus said, "not My will, but Thy
will be done". God's Word, which is Jesus, is not a magic
book to think you can tell God what He needs to do here on
earth. Doesn't it say:
Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the
mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints
according to the will of God.
Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose.
Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to
be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brethren.
Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Whose mouth do we live by?
Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

What about perfect health for the Christian?
2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2Co 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities (SICKNESS), in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 What is God's will for us?

1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
1Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God's Will (Obedience to His Word)

1) Follow and do what is good, for you and all (II Th. 1:8).
2) Rejoice in the Lord always (Ps. 32:11).
3) Pray without ceasing (Prov.3:6).
4) In all things give thanks to God (Ps. 30:12).
5) Don't put out the Holy Spirit. Don't say no to good (fruits of the Spirit) and do evil. (Luk. 6:33-35)
6) Don't despise prophesying (Prophecy will never conflict with the Word of God. II Pet. 1:21),
7) Prove everything and hold on to good (Rom. 12:2).
8) Don't do anything that even appears evil (I Tim. 3:9).

Do this, and you will be blameless at His coming!
This is what a true follower looks like.

1Co 4:9  For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles
last, as it were appointed to death (but alive in Jesus): for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
1Co 4:10  We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in
Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable,
but we are despised.
1Co 4:11  Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and
thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain
Dwelling place;
1Co 4:12  And labor, working with our own hands: being
reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1Co 4:13  Being defamed, we in-treat: we are made as the
filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto
this day.
1Co 4:14  I write not these things to shame you, but as my
beloved sons I warn you.
1Co 4:15  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in
Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I
have begotten you through the gospel.
1Co 4:16  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Who can say this about there life today?

Vs. 9
…appointed to death…   …made a spectacle unto the world, angels, and men…
Vs. 10
…fools for Christ…    …weak…    …despised…
Vs. 11
…hungry…   …thirsty…   …naked…   …buffeted…   …no home…
Vs. 12
…labor with hands…   …reviled…   …persecuted…   …suffer…

Vs. 13
…defamed…   …filth of the world…  …off scouring(outcast)…  

Why is he writing this?
Vs. 14
TO WARN US!!!

Vs. 15
There are many who say they come in the name of Jesus, but to deceive you with lies. Example: To be "Healthy, Wealthy, and using witchcraft like "Positive Confession".

1Ti 6:3  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

1Ti 6:4  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

1Ti 6:5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Follower of Jesus:

Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Luk 9:24  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

1) Deny self = Disown self (Your life no longer belongs to you, God's will be done)
2) Take up your cross = Knowing, as Jesus said, "you will suffer as I have suffered", doing the will of God.
3) Follow Me = Jesus is the Word that was made flesh. Obey it!

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

If you follow what a man has taught you, you are a follower of man! NO eternal reward!

If you are a follower of Jesus, then you know and follow His Word. Eternal Life, if you continue and "overcome".

Godly riches are Spiritual understanding, walking and living in truth...

How do we obtain this?

  2Ti 2:15  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Psa 119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
How should we live, and what should we watch out for today?

1Ti 6:5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and
destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness:
from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is
certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith
content.
1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which
drown men in destruction and perdition (HELL).
1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which
while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and
follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

God's will is for all to live Godly, being a testimony with the lives they live, and by being bold and witnessing without compromise, or fearing you might offend someone. Fearing you might offend someone is the same as being ashamed of your God and its truth.
Fear God and obey His commandments!