Without Excuse

“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Prov. 20:11). “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Cor. 7:1). “But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden” (Gal. 6:4,5). “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:13,14). “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened… and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Rev. 20:12). Friend, the scripture says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). When we stand before God, we are very much going to need for the report of our lives to show that indeed our works were pure in the love of God. Otherwise we will not be “accounted worthy to obtain that world [the new earth]” (Lk. 20:35). For regarding that world of glory we are told, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie” (Rev. 21:27). Whether we go to the judgment with pure works or not, is solely our own decision. Jesus died and rose again to make the soul cleansing power of God’s holy Spirit available to us, which alone can purify anyone from sin (I Cor. 6:11; II Thess. 2:13; Tit. 3:5; I Pet. 1:22). True faith in what Jesus has done for us brings forth the baptism of that same Spirit in one’s life (Jn. 7:38,39; I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:14; Acts 2:33).

True faith in Jesus continues to make one pure from sin, through the ongoing humble and honest perseverance of those who continue in their ‘first faith’ (Mat. 24:13; I Tim. 5:11,12; I Tim. 6:10-12,17-19; Heb. 3:14; Heb. 4:1,11; Heb. 10:39; I Pet. 1:4,5; I Jn. 3:2,3). The scripture is also clear that anyone who does not receive the Spirit of God does not belong to him (Rom. 8:9). It is just as evident that RECEIVING the holy Ghost is the same thing as being BAPTIZED with the Spirit, with the accompanying sign of speaking in other tongues (Jn. 16:7; Jn. 7:38,39; Acts 1:4,5; Acts 2:4). It is also clear by the scriptures that anyone who DOES receive the holy Ghost and DOES NOT CONTINUE to persevere in the purifying power of the Spirit till the end of their life, WILL NOT BE SAVED! (Mat. 7:21-23; Mat. 24:12; Lk. 21:16; Jn. 15:5,6; I Cor. 9:27; Heb. 12:14-17; II Pet. 2:20,21; Jd. 1:5,12; Rev. 22:19). Friend, when we stand before God and give account for the deeds that we have done in this life, there will be no excuses accepted, and there will be no mediator to arbitrate for us. Jesus is mediating between God and men NOW, giving all of us ample opportunity to send our sins before us to judgment now (I Ti m. 2:5; I Tim. 5:24). We will either have been perfected in God’s love, or we will be lost eternally (I Jn. 4:18; Rev. 21:8). The point here is this: Do not hold to doctrines that make excuse for sin to remain in our lives, and do not make excuses for your shortcomings. Those simply are not traits that accompany salvation. The choices in our lives are our own, and ultimately we will either overcome through God’s love everything and everyone that would cause us to be in sin, or we will fall under sin and be separated from God (Rev. 21:7). The elect of God do not make excuses, nor do they look for them. They are too occupied with being honest before God, and getting everything right with him and keeping it that way. They are also too busy looking out for the good of others to allow any ill feeling or thought to linger, that others are not doing them right. Amen.