• Click on Title and Scroll down to access - Introduction
  • STUDY LESSON 101: REPENTANCE
  • LESSON: 102: FAITH
  • LESSON 103: BAPTISMS
  • LESSON: 104 A, B & C
  • LESSON 105: SALVATION
  • LESSON 106: LIFE & DEATH
  • LESSON: 107 HEAVEN & HELL
  • LESSON: 108 SIN
  • LESSON: 109 TRINITY
  • LESSON:110 GOD THE FATHER
  • LESSON:111 GOD THE SON
  • LESSON: 112 GOD THE HOLY SP[IRIT
  • LESSON:113 MAN (Anthropology)
    • LESSON: 114 ANGELS & SPIRITS
    • LESSON: 114 ANGELS & SPIRITS
  • LESSON:114 DEMNS & 115 SATAN
  • LESSON: 116 ESCHATOLOGY (End Times)
  • APPENDIX A: VICTORY (booklet)
  • APPENDIX B: LOVE STORY
  • APPENDIX C: THE SAMARITAN RESPONSE
  • LEVEL TWO: INTRODUCTION
  • LESSON 201: STEPS TO MATURITY
  • LESSON 202: LORDSHIP OF CHRIST
  • LESSON 203: RENEWING THE MIND
  • LESSON 204: DISCIPLESHIP
  • LESSON 205: GOD'S DWELLING
  • LESSON 206A: PRAYER
  • LESSON 206B: PRAYER
  • LESSON 207: LOVE
  • LESSON 208: Spirit Soul & Body
  • A PRAYER FOR jULY 4TH
  • A SENSE OF FOREBODING
  • ACCOUNTABILITY
  • ALL AUTHORITY
  • AMERICA MUST REPENT
  • ANOTHER LEGALIZED SIN
  • AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE
  • AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH
  • BEING MADE A VESSEL
  • BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS
  • BE CAREFULL WHO YOU LISTEN TO
  • BLIND TO THE TRUTH
  • CALLED OF GOD AND ......
  • CARNAL CHRISTIANS - Part 1
  • CARNAL CHRISTIANS - Part 2
  • CHRISTIAN WARFARE
  • COMPARING CHILDREN
  • CREATED IN HIS IMAGE
  • DARKNESS IN CHURCHES TODAY
  • DARKNESS vs LIGHT
  • DECEPTION
  • DECLARING THE KINGDOM
  • DEPENDENCE ON GOVERNMENT
  • DISCERNING THE WIND
  • DISCERNMENT
  • DIVINE GUIDANCE
  • DRIFTING INTO DARKNESS
  • ETERNAL VALUES
  • EXPERIENCEING HIS PRESENCE
  • FEAR - WHY?
  • GO AND SIN NO MORE
  • GOD STILL PERFORMS MIRACLES
  • GODLESS CHRISTIANITY
  • GOD'S PRESENCE
  • GOD'S SABBATH REST
  • GOD'S TIMING
  • GOD'S WORD IS ETERNAL
  • GOVERNMENT
  • GROWING TO MATURITY
  • HARVEST TIME IS ALMOST OVER
  • HE THAT HATH AN EAR
  • HIS ENEMIES - HIS FOOTSTOOL
  • HOW CLOSE IS CHRIST'S RETURN
  • HOW DISTRACTED ARE YOU
  • HOW TO SHIELD YOURSELF
  • I DREAMED OF TREASURE
  • IDENTIFYING ANTICHRIST
  • IMMORALITY IN THE CHURCH
  • IS THE DEVIL IN HARRY POTTER
  • IT IS TIME FOR GOD TO......
  • JESUS SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN
  • KINGDOMS IN CHAOS
  • KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD
  • KINGDOM THINKING
  • KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH
  • KNOW THE POWER
  • LET THE LIGHT SHINE
  • MAINTENANCE
  • MANY REFUSE TO REPENT
  • MYSTERY BABYLON
  • NECESSARY DISCIPLINE OF A CHILD
  • NOT ALL CHRISTIANS ARE BORN AGAIN
  • AN OMINOUS PROCLAMATION
  • ON BEING A WITNESS
  • POOR, BLIND & NAKED
  • PRAY AFTER THIS MANNER
  • PRAYER THAT CHANGES THINGS
  • PRAYING FOR ENDURANCE
  • PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT
  • PREPARE FOR THE LAST DAYS
  • PROOF ISLAM IS OF SATAN
  • PROPHESY GOOD TO US
  • PSALM 91: TRIBULATION PSALM
  • REASON TO WATCH & PRAY
  • RECOGNIZING TRUE MINISTRY
  • REJECTING TRUTH
  • RELEVANCE OF THE LAW
  • RELIGION vs TRUE CHRISTIANITY
  • REPENT MEANS CHANGE
  • RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP
  • SATAN'S STRATEGY EXPOSED
  • SELFISHNESS
  • SHALL DO EXPOITS
  • SHEDDING INNOCENT BLOOD
  • SIN AND GODLESSNESS
  • SPIRITUAL DECLINE
  • STRONG DELUSION
  • STUFF
  • SURVEILLAENCE
  • TAKE A STEP BACK
  • THE ENEMY WE DON'T SEE
  • THE BIBLICAL GOD
  • THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD
  • THE CHILDREN OF GOD vs ....
  • THE CHURCH & TRUTH
  • THE COMING OF JESUS
  • THE CONFLICT OF THE AGES
  • THE CURRENCY OF HEAVEN
  • THE GATES OF HELL
  • THE GOSPEL THAT PLEASES
  • THE GREATEST OF THESE
  • THE ABSOLUTE POWER
  • THE HORROR OF ......
  • THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS .....
  • THE LAST DAYS
  • THE MARRIED WIDOW
  • THE ORIGIN OF CREATION
  • THE OTHER CHURCH
  • THE REFORMATION CONTINUES
  • THE RISE OF LAWLESSNESS
  • THE SECULAR CHURCH
  • THE SEVEN CHURCHES
  • THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LOVE
  • THE THREE HOLY SPIRITS
  • THE WALKING DEAD
  • WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE
  • THE WORKS OF GOD
  • THREATENED WITH DEATH
  • THE TIMING OF EVENTS
  • TO FEAR OR NOT TO FEAR
  • TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH
  • THE TRAGEDY OF ICABOD
  • TRIED BY FIRE
  • TRUE RICHES
  • TRUTH vs DECEPTION
  • TWO KINDS OF WISDOM
  • TWO NATURES IN CONFLICT
  • TWO KINDS OF ENEMY
  • UNCLEAR PROPHETIC WORDS
  • UNDERSTANDING THE LIBERAL MINDSET
  • WHAT HINDERS GOD
  • WHAT BECAME OF THE NEPHILIM
  • WHAT DOES JESUS HATE
  • WHAT GOD WANTS
  • WHERE IS YOUR TRUST
  • WHY A MINISTER FALLS
  • WHY CHRISTIAN DECLINE
  • WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE
  • WHY DO THE HEATHEN RAGE?
  • WHY GOD MADE MAN IN HIS IMAGE
  • WHY IS AMERICA IN DECLINE
  • WHY IS THE CHURCH IN DECLINE
  • WHY NO JUDGMENT ON THE WICKED.....YET
  • WHY PEOPLE REJECT TRUTH
  • WHY PEOPLE WORSHIP FALSE GODS
  • WHY PRAY
  • WHY THE CROSS
  • WHY THE LATTER RAIN
  • WHY THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS
  • WHY WAS JESUS BAPTIZED
  • WONDER OF THE SEED
  • YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER
  • YIELDEDNESS
  • YOUTHFUL LUSTS
  • YOUR BEHAVIOR REVEALS .....
  • DO NOT BE DECIEVED
  • WHEN ARE WE CAUGHT UP
  • WHERE IS THE POWER
  • REAL SURVIVAL GEAR
  • UNITY IN CHRIST
  • VISION OF TWO CHURCHES
  • WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
  • WHY SEXUAL PERVERSION EXISTS
  • WHEAT AND THE TARES
  • ON BEING SONS OF GOD
  • WHAT KINGDOM DO YOU DESIRE
  • WHAT IS THE GREAT AWAKENING
  • THE GREAT AWAKENING - Part 2
  • TWO HIGHWAYS OF LIFE
  • PRAYING FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY
  • WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN POLITICS
  • WAS JESUS LATE?
  • WHY THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH
  • WHY DID JESUS COME
  • WHY IS THE CHURCH IN DECLINE
  • WHY CHANGE IS COMING
  • CLARIFYING THE GREAT AWAKENING
  • YOU WILL FACE THE JUDGE
  • FAILURE OF THE PRIESTHOOD
  • WHAT DOES "LORD" MEAN
  • THE ULTIMATE LOSS
  • THE WAY YOU THINK
  • WHAT IS REALITY AND TRUTH
  • THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY
  • WHY IS PATIENCE IMPORTANT
  • WHERE WAS GOD WHEN ......
  • WHY MANY WON'T BE SAVED
  • SECTARIANISM IN THE CHURCH
  • WHY SO MUCH DARKNESS
  • INCREDIBLE DECEPTION
  • THE VALUE OF SALT
  • WHY THE PARABLE OF WHEAT AND TARES
  • WHO IS IN CONTROL
  • We Are Wonderfully Made By God
  • STUDY OF DIVINE POWER
  • TOTAL REDEMPTION
  • THE HARVEST IS RIPE
  • THE PENALTY OF UNBELIEF
  • WHAT PRECEDS THE RETURN OF CHRIST
  • WHO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN HEAVEN
  • THE ERROR IN THE GRACE MESSAGEE
  • FINAL CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
  • HAS AMERICAN BECOME WORSE
  • WHY CELEBRATE PENTECOST
  • WE HAVE BEEN INFILTRATED
  • IS A FAMINE COMING?
  • THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS .....
  • DEALING WITH LEFTIST PROGRESSIVES
  • MAN'S KINGDOMS vs GOD'S
  • MOTIVATION TO PRAY
  • PRIDE - WHAT GOD HATES
  • SEEING IS BELIEVING - OR IS IT?
  • WHY THE DISCIPLES HAD GREAT SUCCESS
  • REVIVAL vs ENTERTAINMENT
  • FACING DEATH
  • AFFLICTION
  • THE CONSEQUENCE OF BITTERNESS
  • THE REALITY OF HELL
  • TIME OF TRAVAIL
  • IN HIS IMAGE
  • BELIEVERS ARE SONS OF GOD
  • EXPOSING A FALSE DOCTRINE
  • EXPOSING A FALSE DOCTRINE - PART 2
  • THE POWERLESS CHURCH
  • WHAT IS ATONEMENT
  • UNGODLY COUNSEL - BEWARE
  • BEWARE FALSE PROPHETS & MINISTERS
  • THE GREAT DISCONNECT
  • WE HAVE A SERIOUS FUEL SHORTAGE
  • WHY SO MUCH CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT
  • PROOF OF A DIVINE CREATOR
  • THE DANGEROUS PROSPERITY DOCTRINE
  • SPIRITUAL WOLVES
  • OUR WORLDLY STRUGGLES
  • UNEXPECTED AND UNPREPARED
  • WHAT GOD IS
  • EVERTHING IS BEING SHAKEN
  • NO EXPIRATION DATE
  • WHY JUDGMENT BEGINS AT THE HOUSE OF GOD
  • WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
  • THE STATE OF THE UNION
  • HOW AWESOME IS GOD
  • SELF PRESERVATION
  • A HOUSE DIVIDED
  • WICKED vs SINNERS
  • PREPARED FOR THE LAST DAYS
  • WHAT'S LACKING IN CHURRCH LEADERSHIP
  • WHAT A PRIVILEGE
  • WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDED
  • GOD'S LOVE RESTORES WHAT WAS LOST
  • WHY TRIALS AND TESTINGS
  • SIGNS OF THE TIMES
  • SPIRITUAL WARFARE
  • WALKING IN VICTORY
  • HAS THE EZEKIEL 38 WAR BEGUN
  • ON BEING A SERVANT
  • UNPREPARED FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD
  • BOOK - THE OTHER CHURCH
  • LUST IS A HUMAN PROBLEM
  • THE POWER OF GOD
  • WHAT CAUSES APOSTASY
  • MAN: GOD'S BELOVED MASTERPIECE
  • WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR AMERICA
  • WHAT HINDERS GOD'S POWER
  • APOSTASY
  • WHAT TIME IS IT?
  • WHO OR WHAT IS BABYLON
    • THE TWO SIDES OF GOD
  • WHY SATAN PRODUCED GIANTS
  • WHY ALL THE CORRUPTION
  • THE AWSOME RESPONSIBILITY OF A PASTOR
  • THE DESTRUCTIVE SIN OF COVETOUSNESS
  • COMPARE KING DAVID & JESUS
  • WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN THE GARDEN
  • THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD
  • HEAVEN IS NOT FOR SINNERS
  • AN APPOINTED DAY
  • SPIRITUAL WARFARE WILL INTENSIFY
  • JESUS TELLS OF SOWING SEED
  • BLIND TO THE TRUTH
  • BLIND TO THE TRUTH - part 2
  • HOW SHALL THE BELIEVER LIVE?
  • WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT "WOKE" AMERICA
  • IGNORANCE OF DEMONIC ACTIVITY
  • THE END IS NEAR
  • WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?
  • WHAT IT COSTS TO LIVE AS A CHRISTIAN
  • THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD
  • REAL TREASURE
  • PREPAREING THE WAY OF THE LORD
  • PREPARING THE WAY OF THE LORD - Part 2
  • COMMUNION - THE LORD'S SUPPER
  • LIFE CONSISTS OF TWO COMPONENTS
  • LOVE: FOUNDATION OF THE KINGDOM
  • MISPLACED TRUST
  • CELEBRATING PENTECOST TODAY
  • ENDURING FATIH
  • DON'T READ THE BIBLE......
  • IF MY PEOPLE......
  • HUMAN NATURE ISN'T HUMAN
  • LIGHT AND LOVE
  • World In Upheaval
  • IS YOUR FAITH GETTING WORN OUT?
  • TO SERVE OR BE SEREVED
  • TO SERVE OR BE SERVED - Part 2
  • WHAT WILL IT TAKE
  • WARNING ABOUT REVIVAL
  • PERILOUS TIMES ARE HERE
  • LIFE - PHYSICAL vs SPIRITUAL
  • LIVING FOR CHRIST IN A HOSTILE CULTURE
  • ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - AN OPPORTUNITY
  • CORRECTING OUR WORLDLY LOVE
  • UNBELIEF AMONG CHRISTIANS
  • WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON
  • INTIMACY WITH CHRIST
  • LEARNING TO STAND IN THE EVIL DAY
  • THE CHURCH IN THE LAST DAYS
  • GOD HEARS A DESPERATE CRY
  • BABYLON IS FALLEN
  • TECHNOLOGY - The Modern Tower of Babel
  • THE CONSEQUENCE OF FALSE MINISTERS
  • THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVE
  • GREAT EXPECTATION
  • SOWING THE GOSPEL AS SEED
  • WHAT YOU THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE - INS'T
  • DECEPTION IS GOING EXTREME
  • GOD KNOWS IT ALL
  • INSIGHTS ON THE BOOK OF JOB
  • WILL YOUR LOVE BE TESTED
  • GOVERNMENT IN DARKNESS
  • APPROACHING HARVEST TIME
  • INSTRUCT YOUR CHILDREN
  • Apostasy - PART 2
  • THE IMPORTANCE OF PATIENCE
  • THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD
  • BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS
  • THE UNRECOGNIZED CHRIST
  • TRANSGENDERISM - A DEATH SENTENCE
  • REBUILDING JERUSALEM'S TEMPLE
  • WHAT IS A LIVING SACRIFICE
  • THE CHURCH OF THE ITCHING EAR
  • THE DEVIL'S MISTAKES
  • BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS - Part 2
  • THE CONSEQUENCE OF IDOLATRY
  • EMBRACING TRIBULATION
  • CALLED TO SEPARATION
  • CONSEQUENCES OF ENVY AND STRIFE
  • WHY GOD SENT JESUS
                                                                  
                                                             
IMMORALITY IN TODAY’S CHURCHES


          I have had contacts over the years with those who have traveled the country visiting churches to promote certain ministries.  These contacts have reported to me about a horrifying level of sin and corruption in many churches, especially in the leadership and pastors.  If the leadership in such churches has a morality problem what then becomes of the people under their leadership?  This information has troubled me deeply; therefore I need to address this issue as the Lord has laid it upon my heart.

            The apostle Paul gave a stern warning of conditions that would be experienced in churches before the return of Jesus Christ.  He even described these specific grievous conditions for us:

2 Timothy 3:1-4 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

          You may question, “How do you know Paul was talking about conditions in some of the churches in the last days”?  Paul identifies this in the last part of verse four where he identifies them as lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.  Then he continues in verse 5 where he says:  “ having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:”   My question to you is, “Where do you see a form of godliness”; certainly not in the world, or on TV, or in the movies, or in the streets; or out in public.  You only see a form of godliness in many of today’s churches.  And what did Paul instruct you to do in such a church,  “from such turn away”.

          Why would Paul instruct us to get away from such a church?  Because all the behavior traits he identified will lead you into sinful acts and a godless, selfish, fleshly lifestyle; which is totally contrary to the Life of Christ that should be evident in every believer.  


          The following is another warning that Paul gave to the church at Galatia about sinful lifestyles:
Galatians 5:19-21 –  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: …….

          In order to more fully understand what is considered sinful behavior that Paul addressed, the following detail is provided:

             Adultery – cheating on your spouse or any affair outside of your marriage
             Fornication – all sexual sins and impropriety, including sex before marriage
             Uncleanness - impure acts, including sexual thoughts, imaginations and fantasies
             Lasciviousness – debauchery, immorality, including pornography
             Idolatry – Idolizing personalities or objects, spending time, money or devotion to
             Witchcraft – involvement in the occult and tampering with evil powers, Satanism
             Hatred – being ill disposed toward others by actions, attitude and language
             Variance – selfishly disagreeable, a troublemaker, unaccommodating
             Emulations – to exalt self above others by putting them down
             Wrath – intense anger, rage, taking vengeance
             Strife – fighting, quarrelling
             Seditions – stirring up trouble, rebellion against recognized authority
             Heresies – espousing false teachings
             Envyings – covetous of what others have
             Murders – killing of innocent victims for selfish reasons, abortions
             Drunkenness – intoxication (from either alcohol or drugs), getting high, losing inhabitions
             Revellings – excessive partying (clubbing) or marry-making,

       Paul was so concerned about these behaviors that he repeatedly declared these things to this church in the past, and as he goes on to say in the rest of verse 21:  of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past,

          Now here, in the rest of verse 21, is the severe warning Paul gave:  that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  Everyone needs to understand that sinful behavior is not allowed in the Kingdom of God.  And if you are still doing any of these sinful behaviors it shows that the Spirit of Christ is NOT in you; and you are deceived if you think you are going to heaven while living a life motivated by and pleasing to Satan.  This matter is so important that this same warning is referred to several times in the New Testament as follows:

Matthew 7:21 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.   Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 18:3 – and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as (innocent and faithful)  little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 6:9 –  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 22:14-15 – (Jesus, speaking of those who enter into the Holy City, the Heavenly Jerusalem),  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

          Paul then goes on to instruct what it is that God is looking for in each of us in order to become a true Christian and living a godly lifestyle:

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

          It is important to understand that “The Fruit of the Spirit” is the character and nature of God.  It was this nature that man was created with – in His Image and likeness, and that it was all lost when sin entered mankind in the Garden in Eden.  Upon accepting and acknowledging Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for all sins, you become “born again of the spirit” , and this fruit of the Spirit is the evidence that Christ is living in you and you have repented of sin and have put away your old sinful ways, referred to as “the flesh, the old man and the old nature”.  Paul identifies this in verse 24:

Galatians 5:24 -  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

          And he says a similar thing to the Romans and Ephesians:

Romans 13:14 – But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Ephesians 4:22-24 -  that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

          This fruit is also spoken of by Jesus who said that it is only available by being intimately associated with him.  He used the example of a branch being intimately tied to a tree (vine) so that the life of that tree can flow through to that branch and produce the desired fruit.

John 15:1-5 –  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

          The fruit referred to here is the Fruit of the Spirit which is the character and nature of God which was fully present in Jesus Christ.  It is definitely not referring to man’s works or efforts because Jesus said that the branch cannot bear fruit by itself. 

         Here it is also revealed that there are testings and trials that we experience in order to prune us (the branches) to trim off what does not belong, and to allow the fruit to grow and increase with the hindrances removed.  Please recognize that those that do not produce any fruit are cut off and burned because the life of the vine is not in them. 

John 15:6 -   If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

          This speaks of the very issue that this article is presenting which is SIN and IMMORALITY in many of today’s churches.  Please understand, just because you go to church does not mean you are going to heaven.  Just because you go through the religious routines and rituals does not mean you are going to heaven.  Just because you have a position in your church does not mean you will go to heaven.  God is looking to bring those unto Himself that are truly His Sons and Daughters; those in  whom Christ is seen; those whose lives have been changed from worldly to Godly; those who have the Fruit of the Spirit; those who have truly repented and fled from sinful behavior and asked for forgiveness.

          In Matthew is another illustration that Jesus used to make a similar point about those who do not get to go in when the Bridegroom comes.

Matthew 25:1-12 – Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

           Please note why the five foolish virgins were not allowed in:  Their light went out.  In the Book of Matthew Jesus said we are to be the light of the world which means to have His light shining in us so others can see.  This also speaks of the Fruit of the Spirit; His life in us.  If it is not in us we are not fit to be with Him in heaven.

John 9:5 –  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Matthew 5:14 –  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

        Perhaps it is time for you to do some soul searching and make sure Christ is evident in you and seen by the way you live.  Are you qualified to go to heaven?  Remember, Jesus also said:

Matthew 7:13-14 -  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

          Living a godly life WILL put you at odds with this world, as Jesus said.  Living as the light does attract attention, but you need to stand firm so you can  reap the eternal reward that God has planned for you.

          One possibility regarding the five foolish virgins is that they knew of Jesus and that He is to return, however they didn’t really know Him.  To know of Him is not the same as actually knowing Him and having a relationship with Him.  Consider what Jesus said about a certain category of preachers:

Matthew 7:21-23 –  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

          This refers to those who could be among the foolish whose light went out because they were doing their own thing, called iniquity.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.