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Are all sins equal?

https://www.incpu.org/are-sins-equal.htm

https://www.incpu.org/are-sins-equal.pdf

 

This world pushes a lot of lies. Surely you’ve noticed at least a few of them. But, when was the last time you reviewed the variety of lies that you noticed that the world is pushing?

 

Of interest, what’s most interesting about the “new lies” is that they are slightly altered version of the same old lies. Yeah, there’s nothing new under the sun – the same sins and lies that satan and his fellow demons tempt you and me with are the same ones that he has always tempted people with.

 

This study has 4 parts.

 

Part 1: intro, foundation

9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

 

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:13-14)

 

12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. 13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:12-17)

> That was the 3 levels of spiritual maturity (“little children” “young men”(and women), and (spiritual) “fathers”(and mothers). Then God has the apostle John explain the 3 categories of sin, and the same categories satan tempted Jesus with in Matthew 4 and the parallel passages.

 

As you can see, God’s Scriptures have a lot to explain about sin – and satan and his pagan world systems are always trying to get you *out* of the Bible, and to lessen and erode your understanding of pure, 100% understanding of right and wrong, holy-fear wisdom vs shallow-hearted obeying rules, pure light and darkness, error and fact, truth and fiction/lies/deception. God’s Word is the only source that is 100% honest in all things that it covers – even in the little details. And God has answered all of the major topics that satan and his demon and human co-conspirators come up with. You’ll find it all in God’s Book – it’s not just one book divided in 2, but 1 Pure and Holy Book all the way through. And no, it’s not missing any pages! True enough that it does need to be translated more accurately and more honestly and deeply so it reflects the original texts better – Hebrew, Aramaic (a form of Hebrew), and Greek. But don’t rely on the Vatican to be honest about anything – ever. They weave in lies in everything they touch. They even write false translations to confuse you about what God really said. Not to mention they change definitions on everything – from pretending the “pope” has replaced Christ here on earth, to pretending Mary was perfect and the queen of Heaven and never had more children, to pretending that Peter was infallible and the first “pope”, to pretending that a pagan-led Catholic “priest” can forgive you sins, or that you should pray to the “saints” instead of God, through Jesus… and on and on. And that doesn’t even begin to discuss all of the many sins, crimes, sabotage, s*xual assaults and sins (and the abortions to hide those sins) that the Vatican and her Catholic leadership covers up, or her Italian mafia – the Jesuits (100% Catholic infiltrators and spies and saboteurs, 0% Hebrew/Jewish at all).

 

Speaking of which, that brings me to our topic of the day – are all sins, really equal? Let’s see what God has to say about that.

 

In Romans 1, God through Paul explains that there are clear levels of sins and the associating judgments – all sins are crimes against the Holy God, but some have more of God’s wrath against them than others. In the abbreviated text below, you will see below that God makes a distinction between lying and envy, and s*xual sins – and the different depths of s*xual rebellious choices.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek…18 For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves… 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due…. God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” (Romans 1:16-32)

 

There is so much packed into this text, from God through Paul, that it would take its own study, or really, its own series of studies, to unpack. And I think someone on this team is working on that study into Romans 1 more, so stay tuned for a future study. For this Bible study, let’s just take a few highlights.

 

Notice, there are 4 levels there, and each has at least a thousand steps/choices.

Level 1 – normal level of hearing God’s conviction and including the range of hardening of heart until they refuse to glorify God and refuse to be thankful to God for anything.

Level 2 – “became futile” they live foolish and chase a deeper level of sin “fun”, choosing rebellion against God instead of trying to learn holiness and purity

Level 3 – “God also gave them up” God gives them over to more of their vile passions for sin and s*xual sins and immorality

Level 4 – “For this reason God gave them up” God gives them over to all levels of s*xual impurity and vileness, even to the deepest levels of depravity and demonic activity, occult, and satanic sacrifice.

 

A few more points to study:

1) Notice, also, that the gospel message that Jesus preached is effective for saving both Gentiles and Jewish people from the condemnation and eternal punishment of sin.

2) Those who reject God’s call for repentance and covenant salvation, are not just rejecting a “good offer”, they are rejecting God, and hardening their hearts in sin. I want to develop that a little later.

And, 3) there are levels of rejection and hardness of heart. Before we dive deeper into Romans 1 here, and look briefly at the four levels, let’s first look at Jesus’ foundational truth, found in the “Parable of the Soils”.

 

13 And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word.” (Mark 4:13-14) This parable is *the* foundation to the understanding of sin and the power of the gospel, as what is the gospel that saves.

> You can find that gospel study here:
http://www.incpu.org/what-is-the-gospel(updated).htm

 

16 "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. 18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."” (Matthew 13:16-23)

 

As you see clearly in that passage, there are levels to each category: 1a) hardened heart unsaved soil, 1b) shallow-heart unsaved soil, 1c) thorny loves-this-world-too-much unsaved soil, 2a) faithful soil who produces righteousness and teaches 30-fold what he/she has received (30 times), then 2b) faithful soil who produces righteousness and teaches 60 fold what he/she has received (60 times), and 2c) faithful soil who produces righteousness and teaches 100 fold what he/she has received (100 times).

 

But there’s another thing to glean from in this passage too, at least in the context of this study. There are many steps per soil. No one quickly rejects sin and becomes a genuine follower of Christ – that’s why Jesus commanded us to “count the cost”.

26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it-- 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. 34 "Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"” (Luke 14:26-35)

 

Many around us who claim to be followers of Christ are “almost saved” and there is an eternally significant difference between genuinely saved through the salvation covenant of the blood of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit proven by a measured spiritual growth, and those who are “almost saved” – meaning the 2nd and 3rd soils. The confusing thing about the second and third soils is that they are trying to decide if salvation is worth everything to them or not – meaning, if they love their sins more than eternal salvation.

 

Part 2: levels of rewards and judgment

Now, all of that was to lay the ground-work, in very brief form, to get to my main study – are all sins equal. Let’s see what Jesus and His Word say about levels of judgment and rewards.

 

 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:43-48)

> notice: many stripes, few stripes

 

15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of Hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15)

> False teachers who make their students twice as hard as themselves and twice the more condemned as themselves. Which is why God puts such a heavy warning on those who preach a false gospel (James 1:8-9), on those who are false teachers (James 3:1), and on those who lessen God’s commands and teach others that some sins are “okay” (Matthew 5:19-20).

 

19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:19-20)

> Again, notice the levels of Heaven and Hell/Lake of Fire here. “least in” = “deeper in Hell/Lake of Fire”, and “great in” = “higher level of leadership in the holy leadership in Heaven, and the eternal Kingdom”.

 

At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will destroy His enemies – satan, the murderer and father of lies, and all who join in his wicked rebellion.

20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the Lake of Fire burning with brimstone.” (Revelation 19:20)

> The false prophet of satan and antichrist are going to be sent alive deep into the Lake of Fire

 

10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)

> devil cast into the Lake of Fire to the same or similar depth in the Lake of Fire, forever. In Isaiah 14, God explains that He will send satan to the lowest part of the Lake of Fire: “15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.” (Isaiah 14:15)

 

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

> Notice that all rewards earned will be tested by fire, and the low-quality works will burn up, leaving only ashes. There are many varieties of how much wood, hay, and straw and it’s different for each person, (based on their words, actions, choices, motives), as well as different levels of gold, silver and precious stones (as well as crowns, mentioned in other passages: 1Thess 2:19; 2Tim 4:8; James 1:12; 1Peter 5:4; Rev2:10).

 

This passage is referring to believers in Christ – all going through a very thorough judging by Jesus Christ, all of their works examined.

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.” (2 Corinthians 5:9-11)

> As you can see, again, very thorough judging of honest followers of Christ to see who is worthy of what position of authority in God’s eternal Kingdom, or if they are saved so as by fire – no rewards, rewards are lost because of self-motives mixed in with good deeds.

 

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the Heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

> This passage is only referring to those are unsaved, those who never gave their lives to Jesus and came through the “blood of the covenant” into genuine salvation covenant, with the seal of the Holy Spirit and measured growth.

 

Part 3 – levels of hardness of heart
vs. levels of covenant with God in righteousness

Now, we get to part 3 of this study – levels of hardness of heart and wrath of God, vs, blessings from God through trials and refinement that results in holy-power from God.

 

Remember, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for several reasons: murder and violence, s*xual sins of all types, including immorality with demons, satanic sacrifices, baby sacrifices, and other occult things. God judged them with fire and brimstone for all of that.

20 And the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know." 22 Then the men [holy angels in the form of men] turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD [Jesus, pre-incarnate].” (Genesis 18:20-22)

4 Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men [holy angels] who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally."9 And the people of the city said, "Stand back!" Then they said, "This one [Lot] came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them." So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. 10 But the men [holy angels] reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 And they [holy angels] struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door… 24 Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the Heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.” (Genesis 19:4-5, 9-11, 24-25)

 

God explained it more in the New Testament:

6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly…” (2 Peter 2:6)

6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:6-7)

 

What is the point? God’s wrath abides on all who reject God’s offer of grace through repentance, and they are “storing up wrath for the day of wrath” (Romans 2:5) – that word “storing” is the word for “collecting” and “accumulating”. And while we’re on the topic, there are 3 categories of sins in the Bible that hold the death penalty from God. We need to note those, because those sins are extra dangerous to our souls, and they are the ones that satan tries to sell and re-sell and re-paint as “just normal”. As you’ll see below, those 3 categories are 1) murder, 2) s*xual sins, and 3) witchcraft and sorcery.

 

5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds": 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 2:5-10)

 

Another proof that God hears the cries against evildoers who abuse others for selfish wants

4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. (James 5:4)

 

Below are passages that explain how the 3 sin-categories have death penalties from God, whether the country or people enforce them or not. Keep in mind that the only nation in history that carried these out, was the nation of Hebrew/Israel when they were ruled by God (as King and Judge), and that was before Jesus came. With that said, you will see below that God does still expect governments to execute some form of justice and punishment on these types of sins.

 

>> 1) Illegal Murder (not killing, not judicial execution – unlawful murder). God established government to judicially execute someone who illegally and unlawfully murders another person, so as to stop the pattern of illegal/unlawful murder. Execution is not wrong, but illegal/unlawful murder is always wrong.

6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man. 7 And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth And multiply in it."” (Genesis 9:6-7)

12 He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. 13 However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.” (Exodus 21:12-13)

9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" 10 And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:9-10)

 

Even the apostle Paul had this problem, because he wrongfully judicially executed followers of Jesus *before* his conversion to becoming an honorable follower of Jesus. And because of this, Paul had extra trouble in his life, because he wrongfully judicially executed the innocent.  (See 2Corinthians 11) So, you’ll see in Paul’s life that the consequences were lessened in a way, but still there, but his soul was saved through Jesus Christ and God protected him despite many trials.

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight." 13 Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.” (Acts 9:10-19)

 

>> 2) S*xual sins (all types and categories)

19 "Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 22:19)

Leviticus 18 and 20 explain very clearly a wide variety of sins s*xual sins that carry a death penalty from God. And those sins are what Jesus was specifically referring to in *His* millstone judgment.

3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8 If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. 10 "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in Heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in Heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:3-11)

 

>> 3) Witchcraft or sorcery

This is to mean intentionally consulting demons (enemies of God) to try to attack God or attack followers of Jesus, or conjure up lies that will deceive people into following satan to get their sin wants. “18 "You shall not permit a sorceress to live… 20 "He who sacrifices to any god, except to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.” (Exodus 22:18, 20)

26 'You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying.” (Leviticus 19:26)

9 "When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. 14 For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners…” (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

 

Keep notes of conclusion on this important piece

Now just because someone has done any of those sins, doesn’t mean they are condemned to Hell and the eternal Lake of Fire. The more they have gone into any of those sins, though, the more wrath they have hanging over their head like a cloud of judgment, awaiting to be attached in a righteous trial or at God’s Throne at the end of all things. However, with that said, when someone confesses their sins to God and gives their life to Jesus, the harshest penalty for those sins has been resolved in Jesus Christ, because of His holy sacrifice in our place (Colossian 2:14). But, as you saw with the apostle Paul (and even David in the Old Testament), just because their soul gets saved, doesn’t mean they are absolved of all consequences from their previous actions… but they can overcome the consequences, through Jesus Christ and His Word, with the power of Holy Spirit.

 

Again, I repeat, that despite that fact that seemingly no people carefully enforces these commands of the Lord, doesn’t mean that God gave up His commands and holiness – it just means that they await the final judgment, and sadly, evildoers spread and teach their evils until then, and sadly many seem to learn evil, and then have to unlearn it the hard way.

 

Part 4 – the remedy, how then shall we live?

1) Repentance

Repentance is first and key. Vital. Recognizing that God was not making arbitrary rules, but was giving rules to save us from pain and turn our souls from evil to righteousness is the start. God has allowed many u-turns. You are not beyond his grace. If you choose to harden your heart in sin, God will not force you to change your mind, but He will seek to help you see the error of your ways in hopes that you might come to repentance.

 

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

 

Cry out to Him for mercy. He will hear you – even if you’ve hardened your heart for years, you might still be able to get into  Heaven, so as by fire – with at least your soul saved, though all that you did is burned up in eternity.

13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."” (Romans 10:13)

 

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:13-14)

 

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

 

2) Covenant

Make a covenant with Jesus to live for him all your days, and let Him teach you and change you from the inside, with His Holy Spirit.

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom." 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:26-30)

 

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."” (Mark 8:34-38)

 

3) If you are truly grieved over your sins with honest regret, you will automatically seek God’s presence and start walking in humility, seeking God’s grace, and learning to walk holy. If you haven’t already done so, give your life to Jesus, and ask Him to grow you, daily.

15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.(1 Timothy 4:15)

 

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-11)

 

3) Read and think about God’s Word daily.

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)

 

9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! 12 Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes! 13 With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.” (Psalm 119:9-16)

 

33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:33-34)

 

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:5-12)

 

4) Clean house

Throw out your Trash Vendor (TV). Break up your anti-Godly DVDs, CDs, books, magazines, etc. Burn anything you own that directly ties into the demonic occult. Smash any carvings or idols you have – throw them out. Be intentional about replacing those things with Bible on MP3/CD and/or a lot more Bible readings. Start a home-church, instead of going to your favorite 501c3 that promotes and excuses sins.

 

36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts 2:36-45)

 

18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.” (Acts 19:18-20)

 

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:10-13)

 

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." 1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 7:1)

 

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:16-26)

 

5) Stand up to evil, become a Biblical protector

John the Baptizer called out Rome’s Arab king over Israel, Herod, for stealing and marrying his brother’s wife (Mark 6:16-19), and Herod and his mistress hated him for it and wanted to murder John to silence him, but God protected John. (Luke 3:19). But John just kept preaching and teaching, and calling all people to repent and walk holy. John knew how to preach effectively to everyone in a way that could lead them to repentance, empowered by the Holy Spirit. John taught Roman soldiers, tax collectors, rabbinical students, and many other types of people how to walk holy. And you know what? Jesus personally gave John the Baptizer the highest commendation he gave to any human, as being “more than a prophet”. Be like John the Baptizer, or other prophets and righteous judges of God.

20 When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?' " 21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. 22 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." 24 When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' 28 For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." 29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.” (Luke 7:20-30)

 

Jesus Himself commanded you and me to judge – yes, judge. He commanded us not to judge by appearances, but to judge with right judgment.
24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."” (John 7:24)

 

God commands us to stop having fellowship and giving approval to evil deeds, but rather to expose them – not in detail about some of the vile things they do in secret, but to boldly call out the perverts and predators and abusers.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of [the specific details of] those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.” (Ephesians 5:11-13)

 

More verses on what it means to be a Biblical protector:

17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. 18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool… 23 Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them…” (Isaiah 1:17-18, 23)

> True of Israel then, true of many pagan nations today, including the satanic false “Christian” leaders in the US, *and* the false “Jewish” leaders in Israel, today.

6 With what shall I come before the LORD, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you? To do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:6-8)

 

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word." 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:1-7)

 

43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:43-47)