REMAIN ON GUARD IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES – PART 2
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from the Afrikaans Version: Bly in alle omstandighede op julle hoede – Deel 2
Translator: Lynda Botha
I continue with the second part of this letter regarding the following question someone asked me:
"In order to become a child of God, would I only need to repent and get baptized, and then I am saved?
Or are there other obligations a child of God should undertake to be able to enter the Kingdom of God? "
Now I want to start this letter off with a question:
How is it possible that someone can say that they have a personal love relationship with this Jesus Christ (which I have acquainted you with in part one of my letter) and knowingly sin without being concerned about it, that you don’t want to do whatever you can, to fix what you have done wrong?
And when you cannot fix it, it would be such a terrible burden within your heart that you would work as hard and as fast as you can so that you'll never do that sin again.
Remember what Jesus said to the adulterous woman?
JHN 8:10 “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
JHN 8:11 “No Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”Although many people are full of religion, most of them are without a love relationship with God.
Yet they call themselves Christians because they were baptized and, in many cases, even catechised. They consider themselves on their way to heaven although they live like the other people around them and in some cases might even be more in the wrong than the non-Christians around them. But because they consider themselves Christians, they think that everything will turn out well for them in the end. What does the Word of God say to people who have adopted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour?
We repent.
We have turned our back on our old life.
We are dead to the life we once knew.
GAL 2:20 “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
ROM 6:4 “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”
Now I'm undertaking this journey through life on the narrow road to Heaven and there is satan, the god of evil, who constantly persists to throw me off the narrow road, onto the broad road to hell.
MAT 7:13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.”
MAT 7:14 “But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”
There are things I need to do if I don’t want to be in danger of becoming a victim of satan.
Because he is just waiting for a chance to devour us:
1 PET 5:8 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
1 PET 5:9 “Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”
Therefore, we should never assume that after our repentance and even after being baptized that we are on the way to Heaven.
There is always the danger that satan can devour us:
1 PET 5:8 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
There is a huge wonderful fact that is proclaimed in the Word of God and that is:
Our Lord will never let Satan rip me out of His hand.
He created us according to His image and His image included that I, just like Him, have own free will.
He wants me to stay with Him, but should I wish to leave His arms, although He would try to change my decision, He will never keep me with Him against my will.
Therefore, the Word of God constantly reminds us that there is evil that we should guard against.
If I’m not on guard, as I have previously mentioned, despite everything I once done in my life and how I lived, there is real danger that I will not be able to enter Heaven.
Remember the 5 foolish bridesmaids:
You can read their full story in Matthews 25:1-12 but I will quote the following four verses of that story for you:
MAT 25:10 “But while they were gone to buy oil (the 5 foolish bridesmaids), the Bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.”
Do you see who went with Him to the marriage feast?
MAT 25:10 “.. those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.”
Then the following tragedy happened at the end of this parable and take note what Jesus said to the crowd immediately afterwards:
Matthews 25:11-13
11 “Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside calling, “Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!”
12 “But He called back, “Believe Me, I don’t know you!”
13 “So you too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of My return.”
As I always say, and I’ll say it again:
If Jesus says:
MAT 25:13 “So you too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of My return.”
Then it means despite my repentance, baptism, and everything else, that there could come a time in my life when I’m not "keeping watch” and can then end up in hell instead of heaven.
MAT 25:10 “..Then those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.”
Therefore, we need to be vigilant at all times and how do we do it?
Luckily God’s Word gives us advice in this regard and with this I conclude my letter to you:
EPH 6:1: “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm.” (Not to be devoured by Satan.)
If we do not follow the next scripture, the chances are very, very good that we will not remain standing:
Ephesians 6:14-18
14 “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness.”
15 “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.”
16 “In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil”
17 “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
18 “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
We therefore clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ. He is our absolution, righteousness, good news, faith, salvation and the Living Word:
ROM 13:14 “Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”
(If you want to read more about God’s armour, I will gladly send it to you upon request or alternatively you can read it on the website under the section e-mail ministry.)
Greetings,
Sakkie