God showed me the most amazing thing yesterday. Many who say they are Christians are always learning but never able to come to the real knowledge of the truth of God, because God is not teaching them.
When a person really belongs to God it is God who is teaching him.
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I John 2
4 He that saith, I know HIM, and keepeth not HIS commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth HIS word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in HIM.
28 And now, little children, abide in HIM; that, when HE shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before HIM at HIS coming.
abide: means ... live in the scriptures, doing the instructions
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So if it is God teaching us, why do we need apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers?
Though we already know the truth for it is God who has planted truth in us, by the Holy Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of Truth, it is good to have that truth of God confirmed by ministers of God and by other children of God.
It gives us strength and confidence in ways of God. And it helps us to understand what to do concerning the very many today who come saying they are of God when we see them failing to live by the scripture and go another way. They trouble us continually.
And if possible we would be drained by them and pulled down by them and by the grief and by the trouble which comes from them.
The apostle Paul says: "from such turn away." (II Timothy 3:5)
Also Paul says:
Titus 3
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
(Don't keep trying to teach them for God is not teaching them and they are unstable as water, running this way and that way. Leave them alone when you see they cannot understand though you speak many words to them.)
II Timothy 3:7 (They are) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Peter says
II Peter 3
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.
We will never be able to live in peace with them. Speak the needed word to them once or twice and when they refuse to rejoice in that word and fail to live in that word, walk away from them knowing they are subverted sinneth of themselves as Paul told Titus in Titus 3. Their blood is not on your hands. Let them go. If God is not speaking to them, you certainly can't make them know and understand the truth. You will only go down with them by continuing to try to "save" them. Also you will end up being troubled by them and when Jesus returns for the church you will not be in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Just leave them alone. Don't keep trying to speak with them. Walk away and live in peace, sharing things of God with others who are being taught by the Spirit of God as you are.
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II Timothy 3
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
(They are in the churches, in the congregations ... and ministers of the congregations today.)
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Jesus says: Concerning the end times.
Matthew 24:4-5 Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in MY name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:4-5 Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in MY name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
They come saying "Jesus is Lord" ... because they say they are Christians, they can deceive many.
Paul tells us:
I Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
So we must watch them for evidence of whether or not they really are Christians.
We can tell by what they say and by what they do, and especially how they handle scriptures.
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