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| A Beggar Being Ignored By Prospering Christians -"Faith Without Works Is Dead!" CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE |
NOTE: All Scripture References Are
Quoted At The End Of This Article
If you are a believer in Yahshua or Jesus, you believe that this statement is true: "Salvation is by Grace, not of Works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:1-10). Indeed, true Salvation is by the Unmerited Divine Favor or Grace that's given to those who know that they are terrible sinners in need of a Savior. They also know that the ONLY way that they can know how to identify sin and flee from it is through knowing Yahweh's Moral Law (Romans 3:19-26).
After being convicted of sin through the Law, sinners must want to repent or TURN AWAY from their sins (Acts 2:38), and they must believe that they are in need of a perfect Savior. Furthermore, they must know that there is only ONE Savior or Messiah, and He is called Yahshua the Messiah. But if you're not showing good works inspired by the Holy Spirit in you, it's evidence that your salvation is either not legitimate or is incomplete, and that you are not born again yet (Acts 8:12-17). Being born again is a gift of believing in Yahshua or Jesus that seals us with the Holy Spirit for the day of our redemption. As the Apostle Paul wrote:
Ephesians 1:13-14 ~ “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”This statement about how we are sealed with the Holy Spirit when we believe in Yahshua sounds clear and simple enough. Unfortunately, however, it has been abused because some people lack understanding of what it means to BELIEVE in Yahshua so that we can be sealed and counseled by the Spirit of God. Belief in Yahshua is not just the act of recognizing that we need a perfect Savior, and that Yahshua - as the Incarnate Son of God - is the only one that will do. According to the Word of God, believing in Yahshua means that we not only believe that He is the Son of God that was born of a virgin, but that He also lived a perfect life, never sinned, and was tortured and died a criminal's death to pay for our sins once and for all time. It also means that we believe that Yahshua rose from the dead with a literal flesh and bone body (See Luke 24:39), that He was spiritually empowered with amazing strength and everlasting life, and that He imparts the gift of the Holy Spirit only to those who truly love and follow Him (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, quoted at end).
I am emphasizing that last point on the nature of a saving type of belief because Yahshua explicitly stated that His true disciples love Him so much that they keep His Commandments (John 14:15-21). Yahshua also said that His Commandments call us to to love our Heavenly Father Yahweh fully, to love ourselves fully, and to love others as we love ourselves in Christ (Matthew 22:36-40). If we're doing that, or at least moving toward being more like that, then we'll be striving to be kind, merciful and compassionate toward everyone, and we'll be striving to not do any deliberately bad things to our spirits or bodies, or to the spirits and bodies of those around us. In other words, their true belief in Christ will be evident in their good works.
This is WHY James the brother of Yahshua truthfully said that "Salvation Without (Good) Works Is Dead" (James 2:14-17). In other words, you may say that you're saved, and that you believe in Yahshua, but then you don't show it. Instead of living in a sober-minded and kindhearted fashion, you choose to continue living the way that you always have, and you do not change your carnal ways at all. This is a clear sign to anyone who is observant that you still love this fallen world that Satan rules with its overbearing passions and lusts for power, prestige and pleasure (1 Corinthians 3:1-5).
It is also a sign that you do not value your Heavenly Father's graciousness in forgiving your sins, or the gift of salvation that His Son Yahshua suffered and died to give to you. Indeed, Yahshua was a PERFECT atonement sacrifice, and He paid your death penalty for sin so that Yahweh could give you everlasting forgiveness (Hebrews 9:11-15). So, if you are a Wise Virgin (more on this in a bit!), then you'll be so much in love with Yahshua for His loving sacrifice that you'll be striving to be more like Him. This means that you'll be striving after the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and striving to bless others with the gifts that Yahweh blesses you with (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). But if you're a Foolish Virgin, it means that your salvation is not living or active. Therefore, it's useless, and it's as good as dead!
If you say that you're saved, but you're focused on the pleasures and trails of this life, and you are not looking for the return of Yahshua or Jesus as He commanded, then you are going to be spiritually asleep. So, even if you did receive the Holy Spirit initially when you believed in Yahshua, then you are not listening to the Spirit's voice, and you are not growing in your faith (John 14:22-27). As a result, you are not going to be ready when Yahshua comes for His Bride in the Rapture.
Also remember the Foolish Virgins in the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, whose spiritual lamps did not have enough OIL, or fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:1-13; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11). What many people overlook is that these Virgin attendants of the Bride of Christ are Virgins because they are saved, and so Yahweh sees them as spotless lambs. Otherwise they would not be called Virgins, but Harlots! But the Foolish Virgins are taking their salvation for granted by not watching for Christ's return, and striving to live a life that is pleasing to Him. That is why they get shut out of the Wedding Banquet, which is going to be held in Heaven:
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| Foolish Virgins Are Shut Out of the Wedding Banquet - Click Image To Enlarge |
But the Foolish Virgins will be left behind due to their waywardness. As a result, they will be refined in the fire of the Great Tribulation, and they will have to suffer many hardships, and possible martyrdom. Sadly, the Foolish Virgins are too spiritually asleep to know or care when the Bridegroom will return. So they aren't going to be ready, and Yahshua said that He will return at an unexpected time. So only those who are watching will be caught up to Heaven in His rescue operation!
Again, believers need to remember that the Rapture is NOT a gift of salvation. It is a gift given to believers that show deep love for the Father, Son and Spirit, and also who show much love for fellow believers - even those who are wayward - by showing them how to please Yahweh with their obedience to His Moral Law, a knowledge of which will encourage them to regularly perform unselfish acts of mercy and lovingkindness.
In closing, I encourage all believers to read the other articles that I have linked to at the end of this article. It would also be wise for all to become familiar with the important scriptures quoted after the list of articles on this page that stand as proof to the doctrinal accuracy of this article.
AS YAHSHUA SAID: WATCH!
With Love From
Your Sister In Yahshua
Helena Lehman of the
Pillar of Enoch Ministry
http://pillar-of-enoch.com
IMPORTANT COPYRIGHT NOTICE:This article is the Copyrighted written work of Helena Lehman, and it cannot be used in any digitally written blog or printed book without the express written permission of Helena Lehman, or an officially designated representative. Contact information for Helena can be found on the following web page at her Pillar of Enoch Ministry web site at: http://pillar-of-enoch.com/contact.html
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RECOMMENDED FURTHER READING:
RECOMMENDED FURTHER READING:
WHAT COMMANDMENTS MUST BELIEVERS
KEEP UNDER THE NEW COVENANT OF GRACE?
pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-commandments-must-believers-keep.html
SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS, THE
DESTROYER OF THE CHURCH!
http://pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2013/08/spiritual-blindness-destroyer-of-church.html
ABIDING UNDER THE SHADOW
OF GOD'S WINGS OR TALLIT!
http://pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2017/09/abiding-under-shadow-of-gods-wings-or-tallit.html
HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE ONCE SAVED,
ALWAYS SAVED (OSAS) DOCTRINE
https://pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-to-understand-once-saved-always-saved-doctrine.html
THE ALL-SURPASSING POWER
OF THE BLOOD AND BODY OF THE MESSIAH
https://pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2018/10/all-surpassing-power-of-blood-and-body-of-messiah.html
KEEP UNDER THE NEW COVENANT OF GRACE?
pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-commandments-must-believers-keep.html
SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS, THE
DESTROYER OF THE CHURCH!
http://pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2013/08/spiritual-blindness-destroyer-of-church.html
ABIDING UNDER THE SHADOW
OF GOD'S WINGS OR TALLIT!
http://pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2017/09/abiding-under-shadow-of-gods-wings-or-tallit.html
HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE ONCE SAVED,
ALWAYS SAVED (OSAS) DOCTRINE
https://pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-to-understand-once-saved-always-saved-doctrine.html
THE ALL-SURPASSING POWER
OF THE BLOOD AND BODY OF THE MESSIAH
https://pillarofenoch.blogspot.com/2018/10/all-surpassing-power-of-blood-and-body-of-messiah.html
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Please Visit My POEM Ministry Web Site;
The Home of My Language of God Book Series:
Use This Link To See Book Covers and
Read Book Reviews, Synopses, and Excerpts:
Use This Link To Purchase My
Language of God Series Books:
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The Pertinent Scriptures That Inspired This Article:
Matthew 22:36-40 ~ “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus (Yahshua) said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 25:1-13 ~ The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins ~ “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
John 14:15-21 ~ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 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. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 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 14:22-27 ~ “Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus (Yahshua) 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. 24 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. 25 These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 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. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Acts 2:38 ~ “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Yahshua the Messiah) for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:12-17 ~ “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (Yahshua the Messiah), both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Adonai Yahshua). 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 3:19-26 ~ “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ (Yahshua the Messiah {or Anointed One}), to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Messiah Yahshua), 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Yahshua).”
1 Corinthians 3:1-5 ~ “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?”
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 ~ “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
Ephesians 2:1-10 ~ “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 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, 3 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, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Messiah Yahshua), 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus (Messiah Yahshua) for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Hebrews 9:11-15 ~ “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”
James 2:14-17 ~ “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
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Please Visit My POEM Ministry Web Site;
The Home of My Language of God Book Series:
Use This Link To See Book Covers and
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