Greetings brethren, friends and neighbors,

I bid you and your household shalom and pray that you are finding the necessary grace to make better choices in your lives. I pray that those who seek healing are being healed by faith. I pray those who are troubled by the many heresies in 'so-called' churches are finding the resolve and commitment to make the necessary separation from the mainstream agenda of apostasy and pick up their respective burdens (cross you bear) to follow Jesus' pattern of righteousness. This exhortation is dedicated to all whom are still struggling and suffering with the virtues of self and is seeking true resolve and witness of the power found only in a properly aligned faith in Christ. I hope that all of you who are without a 'good church' realize at some point that you are the church and it is here where you will find safe fellowship from the hungry wolves prancing about seeking to destroy the faith you have and practice. May each of you be edified by my offering and seek to share this with as many as you love and hope to inspire.

There are some with which I have recently contended, that believe free will choices are not part of the redemption equation. This I strongly argued against and have incorporated some of my recent replies to write this particular exhortation. You will see where the source of such an arrogant claim stems from. The bottom line here is that FAITH held by each individual is a wild card as it were, to which we can ascribe the obvious differences and conflicts which exist among the members in God's household. Clearly, God holds us each responsible for the faith, which we have and practice. It should also go without saying that regardless of the religious Christian context or affiliation and membership to a particular Church, a person's FAITH in God is what saves, heals, changes or transforms an individual towards a godly character and love, teaching us the fruits of God's Holy Spirit. It is His Spirit with the occasional assistance of messenger angels that guide and lead us from the slavery of sin and bondage to self. It is without doubt, the one single most important ingredient to effective relationship with the God of our Salvation. Jesus was and remains to be the most important catalyst towards becoming one in Christ and with the Father of Heaven.

We are commanded not to become judges of the law or another's faith but are to ascertain for ourselves what is the perfect remedy according to our faith and understanding of Christ's teachings and patterns. For each, every one of us will be held into account for his/her own actions and behavior and this therefore allows God to be our final judge. The best that we can do for one another is to continue to set forth-righteous examples for our fellow man. Those of us who are indeed justified according to our faith and by God's grace will bring condemnation upon those who believed not. Not our "pronouncement" of judgment against our fellow man but our practical application of being true to our faith and fearing God, that is what brings condemnation upon others. We therefore are not made judges but are of those who live out our lives by faith. Case in point was Noah who believed God and obeyed Him. Hebrews 11:6-7 "And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him. By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."

This is where I draw the line also regarding judgments made by others with respect to what the Word of God indicates. For if the eye sees clearly what the Word of God establishes then we are not living by faith but by sight alone and reliant upon our own understanding. That is precisely what Paul meant when he said, "For we are those who live by faith and not by sight alone." We are not judges and because of the dynamics of faith, many of us should choose not to be teachers for he who teaches and errs, will fall under a stricter judgment. We must maintain faith therefore in the things, which we cannot see nor understand and God's mercy is so abundant that none of us who believe should be condemning other fellow believers because we might think them to be wrong in certain areas of belief. To each his own for every man shall be held accountable for his faith. Therefore we should be as those who are all running in a race or boxing in a ring. Let each one box with aim or run as though he will win the contest. Now each one who competes in a contest has certain appointed managers or coaches who provide guidance and direction. These managers and coaches are the ones who are called to rebuke, reprove and admonish when necessary for the edification and sanctification of another. In this context, it is to the athletes benefit that he heeds the coach's advice and follows the manager's direction. But at no time are we made judges of faith pronouncing certain condemnation upon another thereby inviting condemnation upon ourselves.

The FAITH issue is also one of the fundamental reasons why Jesus indicated He did not bring peace. He said very directly that from now on there would be certain disagreements, most especially with those of our own household and among those with whom we have closer relationship. It is because the FAITH we are required to maintain is belonging to each individual and we are encouraged to bear witness, give testimony and inspire one another. This process is what brings us closer together in fellowship and allows for our mutual conformity to Christ. Though one thing being right for one man is not necessarily right for another, the two who seem opposed must reconcile their differences and receive the revelation that in the context of genuine faith, both may be justified and sanctified. In more simple terms, they must accept one another and agree to disagree, as it were. This therefore rebukes most doctrines of absolutism because faith is the wild card and there are very few absolutes associated with God fearing faith. Some absolutes are obvious but where certainty is not possible, we must equate our understanding and belief to faith alone.

Life has always been and shall always be a matter of choices while we must contend with this body of flesh in which we also dwell. I will go on record saying that anyone who believes he cannot sin after he is born again is dangerously close to an abrupt edge over which he may stumble or worse, cause another to stumble. I've written before that God never, never, ever takes away our free will. If what some say about loosing the will to choose while being filled with the Spirit is true then there is no point in us having to struggle or put forth great effort in doing the Father's will because some say the "new creature" cannot sin.

This deserves a well-grounded rebuke. As you will see, scripture clearly establishes that we "must work out our salvation with fear and trembling" and never does the Word establish that we become robots unable to exercise our free will. What glory would there be if everything we did were by a robotic response to the Holy Spirit's unction? Where in that line of thinking that we cannot sin is there room for the required discipline necessary for men who must still dwell in a wicked world? How is it that some of the Elect could be led astray if we are unable to sin after becoming a new creature? Why must Satan be let loose after a thousand year reign with Christ on earth if it were not to perform one final test for men to choose which Master he will serve or be led by? Isn't the point of making our choices so that we could be refined through fiery trials, making mistakes and being tested thereby learning to abide in and follow the path God has laid out for us? Are we not supposed to "prove ourselves doers" according to scripture? Is this not ultimately the process of sanctification, the setting straight the pathways of our feet? What point would there be to any of that if no more effort were required on our part? Was the Father "well pleased" with His Son because He was robotic in His life or was the Father pleased because Jesus made right and just choices amidst perverse and crooked generations in a world filled with temptations?

This dangerous line of reasoning leads one to supposed god-hood which is blasphemous and reminiscent of prior errors made by men of the past having been seduced by the supreme 'tempter', that serpent of old. That ultimately is according to the historical accounts, how Lucifer got his butt kicked out of Heaven because he thought he was as supreme as God and could do no wrong therefore he felt he too should be worshipped as God. I will prove that all men, including the man, Christ Jesus, have/had choices to make. And this very trial we experience is ultimately what aids us in our refining and sanctification. Anything less would make null and void the exercises we must undergo by the established pattern of Christ. You see brethren, one of the primary ingredients largely misunderstood here is the key word, discipline.

KJV 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
NAS 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline."

In both versions, the above reference to God's indwelling Spirit refers to us becoming empowered, exercising love (commitment) and practicing self discipline with regards to the choices we make. Our brains are the one organ in our body that do this, not our skin, eyes nor ears. Love, being defined by scripture, as commitment, is a matter of choice and that requires the power to make righteous choices without fear. The proof is found in 1 John 4:17-18 "Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love: but perfect love casts out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that fears is not made perfect in love." This therefore becomes evidence of our love and also of the requirement to make choices for if choice were not part of the equation, what need would there be for boldness?

The Holy Spirit guides and convicts, it does not "control". The Word of God commands and inspires, reproves and admonishes providing necessary direction in our lives but it does not restrict nor control us beyond the free will we are always allowed to exercise. Men must choose but are never oppressed from making free will choices. God doesn't force anyone into the Kingdom and neither does He force application upon us. He allows us to choose and that's the way it has always been. Choose righteously therefore brethren according to the pattern and example of Christ Jesus.

The truth is that Jesus could have sinned but chose not to because He was committed to doing the Father's will. In more simple words, He was full of love (commitment) and desired or was entrusted as an obedient Son. He was going about doing the Father's business. What Jesus demonstrated was discipline. What good is it or what would it profit us to see Christ's unblemished example if He were not free to exercise good and righteous judgment thereby demonstrating the great power of discipline made available by the Spirit which was FULLY abiding in Him? The whole story of temptation would be fruitless if there were not some significance to the power He was later going to make available to us. It is true that GOD cannot be tempted but do not forget one minor detail here. Jesus was fully man when He was on earth and His form was in human flesh. His blood was human. All His experiences were very human and He did not start showing forth the great powers of God until after He began His short lived ministry. When He finally did start exhibiting powers that few humans have ever witnessed, the power was made available at the Son's request to the Father. And how was this done? "Father, I ask that you glorify thyself in your Son." Because of the very choices Jesus made, the Father declared to the three disciples on the mountain, "This is My Son, In Him I am well pleased." Is a human father not typically pleased when his son or daughter does well in their adult lives? It is the same thing, that Jesus was being faithful to the Father. Does 'being faithful' not indicate a consistent pattern of obedient choices being made?

A man who has been seduced by the OSAS doctrine recently wrote:

"IT IS IMPOSSIBLE for the New man (new creature) to sin, because he is born of God, and as explained by the apostle Paul in Eph 4.24, he is after God created in righteousness and true holiness. The same truth was reiterated by apostle John when he said thus of those born of God (born again) ----- (1 John 3:9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

Scripture rebukes his lack of understanding here. Read 1 John 1:5-10 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

I begged him to bear with me for this was really not too difficult to grasp. There is no darkness in Him, this we understandably agree. John exhorts that we must walk in the light as He is in the light thereby achieving fellowship with Him. Please note that this is in the present tense and is active. This is not past tense but infers that we must actively choose to walk in the light thereby being cleansed from all sin as long as we so choose to continue walking in the light. Now if you say that man being filled with the Holy Spirit cannot choose to sin, you lie against the truth. If man believes such then John says we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. In fact, believing as he so stated would literally mean that the suffering Jesus endured and the sacrifices He made was in vain! "May it never be!" Rather, John exhorts another action in which we must participate in order to remain cleansed and that is being faithful to confess our sins [continually] thereby allowing the blood sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf to continue cleansing us from all unrighteousness. Now this again denotes an ongoing participation, something that we must continue striving to accomplish and that, by our daily choices.

Now I didn't want to call him a liar but the position he has taken on this was neither acceptable nor safe for the brethren to abide. Everyone of us who are genuinely "working out our salvation with fear and trembling" know that we can be deceived and mislead if we do not remain effectively grounded in the Word and the pattern established by Christ. We who are weak apart from Christ must choose daily to abide by the promptings and dictates (direction) the Holy Spirit provides. The Holy Spirit is merely our comforter and faithful guide. It is not what makes us gods! We certainly desire to be as God but this requires a life long commitment to the struggles, which we must endure. This again demonstrates that we are not robots programmed a certain way but are still very much men who must endure the long suffering associated with our own flesh and the flesh of other men, myself included not to exclude all the temptations that surround us everyday.

He further wrote:

"The birth of the new creature was after the fact of crucifixion with Christ. Why would anyone need to die again, having been crucified with Christ and risen with Him? Indeed, having been regenerated, to seek to die again to sin, would be to deny one's death with Christ.  And it is a great insult to the work of God -- our circumcision with Christ (crucifixion with Christ) -- to teach that having died to sin with Christ, we must now continue dying everyday! That would be like hanging a dead man daily!"

I replied, You are not perfected in an instant and neither were any of the first disciples. There was a process that men must undergo and I'm compelled to admit that that required process is more difficult for most of us today then it first was when Christ Jesus showed us a new and living way. Ask yourself how else can the latter Church have become so corrupt if it were not for the very reason I exhort here that men still have free will! It is our sins that keep us apart from God, on that, I'm sure you would agree. The Holy Spirit being unable to part-take in unrighteousness simply departs from the man who chooses to sin and may return upon him once his repentance is determined genuine. You must determine to crucify your conscious decisions that oppose God and earnestly desire to do the Father's will as Jesus so patterned. This is the very essence of dying daily. This is where prayers can be of great use to us. Why do you think that Jesus went out often to pray alone with the Father separate from the people? The truth is that until your body of flesh is truly dead, you cannot achieve that state of perfection you are declaring but we most certainly must and should strive for the same. You must suffer long with it my friend. That state of perfection is only made available to differing degrees by the power of God while we remain human. If we had obtained ultimate perfection while here on earth, we would be gods! This would be a great error on our part to think that we have fully arrived and are absent of sin.

The undeniable proof of how the Apostle Paul understood this is found in his letter to the Philippians 3:9-17 "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample."

Apostle Paul might actually address some more stringently on this matter of dying daily. Listen to what he says in the appropriate context of death and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:31-34 " protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.  If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame."

See also what he says regarding our natural bodies first being sown to reap what later becomes glorious. 1 Corinthians 15:40-44 "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."

This therefore proves that while we inhabit our human flesh, it is nearly impossible to become a fully glorified body because our flesh is still in its corrupted state not having yet been perfected but we are promised that we shall be perfected in our spiritual state after the first body has passed on. Our bodies are being sown with seeds of righteousness while they remain in a dishonorable state but we shall not attain that state of perfection until the first body passeth away. Paul states emphatically in 1 Corinthians 15:36 "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:"

None of Paul's strong exhortations reproving sinful thoughts and deeds would have been necessary for the "body of believers" (the Church) unless there was an ongoing need to admonish the faithful to abstain from such and press on towards maturity and righteousness. This too becomes irrefutable evidence to support that we all must suffer in striving against sin in our attempts to walk in the same light of Christ. The problem with this man's thinking was that it breeds arrogance which later breeds' contempt. This is why I said it was dangerous. You must at all times be humble in your approach towards the brethren and be mindful of the inherit weaknesses of our (your) flesh. You too are in no wise exempt from certain failings even though you may be filled with God's Holy Spirit. This is why we must be accountable to one another and is also why we are exhorted to reprove and admonish in the appropriate context. But you must be correct in your assessment and always deliver your message with patience and great humility. I begged him to not be so cocky in our assembly and be careful not to make such bold assertions while he is still in the process of being sanctified. None of us can say we have yet arrived!

Now, going back to the matter of Jesus being perfected rather than having already been perfect in flesh, the writer in Hebrews revealed something of great significance, which cannot be neglected. The writer declares that while Jesus was on earth, His stature was briefly made lower than the angels. Hebrews 2:9-11 "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"

And then later it is so stated to once again prove my stand on Jesus having to make many choices, Hebrews 5:8-11 "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing."

Jesus was not yet perfect in the flesh but He was thereby perfected because of the grace of God and of the choices He made thus pleasing the Father immensely. He learned obedience by the suffering He had to undergo! This is also what we must undergo in the process of our sanctification through Christ! This is the sum of the rebuke I am responsible for delivering regarding the errant OSAS heresy.

I begged the man to repent from his error and offensive remarks for he did not fully understand the nature of Christ. As for that matter, who does? I exhorted to him, "Please understand that I cannot permit any seeds of heresy to corrupt our fellowship and neither can I recommend your council unless we see that you are indeed well grounded in the Word. Though Christ is the Captain of my salvation and my brethren too, the ministry to which He has called me (Cephas Ministry) has also appointed me as Captain of a ship. I am Captain in my secular vocation as well as Captain in my Spiritual vocation and I am made responsible for all passengers and crew who are aboard my ship. Such is the duty of any Captain. I desired not to offend you with strong reproof but please understand that reproof was necessary and for your own good! Renew your mind, yes! But this requires effort and in no way infers that the "new creature" is incapable of sin. What I have clearly established here through scripture is that it always remains a matter of choice. GOD is sovereign and he has granted us a will which He never takes away but instead asks us to cast out our own for the sake of His perfect will. Again, this requires men to make choices.

Referring to the rest of this man's lengthy letter, I wrote:

Please be careful in making such broad sweeping statements like all Jews will be saved. I understand that all that desire salvation through Christ will be saved and this will be one day true for Jews who have been given a new heart to receive Christ. But for all that refuse Christ among the Gentiles and Jews, they shall not be saved but are promised to suffer eternally. I do give the Jews a break but this in no way diminishes my duty and responsibility to reprove, admonish and exhort the same rebuke to them as well as the Gentiles to whom I minister. I am obligated to be consistent in my strong Christ-like reproofs and I will allow no man to believe lies as long as He desires to fellowship with me. If he wants to believe lies then he is allowed to go and do as he pleases but not in my company. This is the very same method that God so employs with His indwelling Spirit. The Spirit remains with you as long as your choices are the right and just choices according to the pattern of Christ. Paul admonishes us to remove the wicked man whom is a "so-called brother," from among ourselves and have no fellowship with him. "his might be considered a case of  'tough love' but it is necessary for the sake of our own safety. These rules are not my own but that of God's true Church and is according to His righteous pattern."

As far as your statement on the "Once Saved  Always Saved" doctrine. CAST THAT FILTH AWAY FROM YOUR THINKING AS FAR AS YOU MAY THROW A STONE INTO THE SEA. Please do not make the fatal attempt at justifying errant doctrines and precepts of men attempting to make them fit into the unchangeable paradigm of truth found in Scripture. As long as God fearing men choose obedience and commitment to God through the pattern of Christ over man-made formulas of law, he shall remain saved. But here again, this requires choices and a great deal of effort and grace not the least of which is practiced in faith. You must not attempt justification of religious lies to support or defend them in any way. You are commanded by God to remain separate from them and live according to the Spirit and unchangeable Word. The OSAS enigma has done untold damage to the reasoning mind of man. The God fearing who have discernment will never accept it as truth. Don't think for a moment that you have been singled out here. Everyone who knows me well and intimately knows that I am partial to no one when it comes to being faithful in my duty to Christ. I have lost friends and alienated relatives because I refuse to shirk my responsibilities towards God. I pray that my example serves the brethren well and that as much as I am like Christ or my Apostolic brethren, I pray my brethren follow suit. Remember that life is but an array of choices and that is because of the "Liberty of Christ."

To further prove that scripture defines itself and needs no special interpretation from me, the following verse becomes the exclamation to my exhortation. Hebrews 4:15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
Oh..... Did you catch that? What did the writer in Hebrews just declare? "...but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." This is what I have been saying all along.  Jesus was tempted even as we are. Finally, I told him, “Like it or not, the WORD is my judge and also yours. But wait, let me show you another oh son of man before you try to cast me out as an agitator. Philippians 2:12-15 "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

Unfortunately, this man took on a certain air of arrogant authority and began showing me that he was not paying attention nor was he going to relent his position on OSAS and confess his error. When the matter should have been settled allowing for the judgments made by the Word of God, he persisted in wanting to carry on with his dispute and wrangle over words and precepts. Clearly it was more important for him to be "right" than for him to humbly confess his error in judgment. Yet, paradoxically, by so doing, he did what he thought he was incapable of, he sinned and this he did by regarding my faith as a lie against the truth holding his own in higher esteem above another! He regarded his own faith and self-inflated importance above others and me and wanted only to argue his point. This was clearly sin. Certainly one not deserving death but it was sin nonetheless. He also lacked the apparent humility which is evidence of a truly God fearing love.

If my case for choosing continually, even after we became numbered among the sons of God was not relevant, then why did Jesus declare the following? Matthew 8:10-12 "When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This again establishes that men will be held accountable for how we practice our faith thereby reaping from the choices we make according to our faith. You see that even the parable of the Marriage Feast declares the same for at the end Jesus declared "Many are called but few are chosen." This is simple to understand because God is no respecter of citizens and because He could not sin (by grace and obedience), He does not practice partiality in any way shape or form. Scripture states clearly that partiality is a sin! God would not contradict Himself now would He? May it never be! Now this clearly establishes that we are held accountable for the choices we must continue to make. If we are in complete harmony and obedience to God's indwelling Spirit and are able to bridle our tongues, then we are made perfect. Paul stated, "a perfect man."

Regarding "being kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation," this again does not guarantee that a man shall be perfect in obedience but admonishes that a man can be preserved through continually "trusting" (having faith) in GOD for his salvation. This again requires the liberty to keep choosing the right and just pathways of God over your own desires. If a man is sincere and his word is his bond then that man can achieve holiness through his unwavering trust (faith) and by his participating obedience (sure and practical application). If the liberty I speak of is of no relevance then why does the writer of Hebrews warn of the man who once part-took of all the heavenly promises only to fall from grace and loose his salvation? Hebrews 6:4-6 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

It is impossible to renew them again, even after they part-took in the giftings and promises of the Holy Spirit. The above reference proves more than all the others that man can choose to disobey and be removed from the power of God's Spirit. In simple words, man still maintains his free will at all times and at no time does man get forced into doing what he will not do. Man must choose and God holds man accountable for the choices he makes. Like I have said again and again, obedience is not obedience unless man is free to choose God after God's choosing of him. We are "called" and from there must "choose" to participate. Our obedience is what proves our love (commitment) to GOD showing forth fruit meet for repentance and ensures our entry and continuing participation in God's Kingdom and His righteousness. That is the eternal truth in Christ and His Word!

I stand my ground in defense of the gospel regarding the above scriptural proofs I have brought forth as a reminder. Now anyone may choose to contradict scripture and make their reasoning appear to make "null and void" God's amazing grace but I choose to accept the liberties and freedom associated with Christ and the "given" responsibilities that go along with it. I know for certain that you can be tempted and led astray in your failure to make right and just choices by ignoring the guidance and direction that God's Spirit provides. This is in part, because the flesh we still carry is "weak" and "unwilling" and from time to time, Satan may ask permission to sift us like wheat. Failure to resist him would be simple disobedience on our part. I also know that obedience is synomonous with an active and abiding relationship with God's Spirit. But God only guides the steps of men while leaving the path man takes up to his own free will. Even Proverbs say thus, "Though man may choose his path, God guides his steps."

Now, I never said that Jesus had a sin nature for we know He was sin free. He was sin free because the fullness of the Holy Spirit dwelt in Him and He was an obedient Son. He made right and just choices and obeyed the Spirit of His Father. That is the example we must abide by. Most do recognize rightly that it is possible to be free from sin and not practice such but I fear none of us have the FULLNESS of God's Spirit that Jesus possessed. We are granted portions of faith and gifts and while we are yet human, we must LEARN how to abide with God's Holy Spirit being thankful for our allotted portion. In our learning, we will make mistakes and stumble from time to time but our error is likely not purposed. In other words, we practice righteousness rather than sin. Proverbs says that "He who practices righteousness is righteous."

Therefore, in Christ, we are righteous but are not yet "perfected." We are in the process of being "perfected" but have not yet fully attained perfection. Romans 6:15-18 "What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." While we are yet babes, we press on towards maturity that we may obtain the salvation which awaits us who are protected by the power of God through our faith. This is evidenced by our obedience to follow.

At no point have I established license for man to sin. My long history reveals many appeals for man to abstain from such and recognize that submission and surrender unto God will help him to live righteously among men and in the eyes of God. That's because we who are "Spirit filled" must give way to the "direction" the Holy Spirit provides thus demonstrating our obedience and proof of our unwavering trust (faith) in God. Therefore, hear direction and me when I say that any righteousness I may attain was achieved because I gave way to God's Spirit and not because of anything I could credit myself for. I am nothing and anything good in me is GOD. My human nature would lead me to sin but my obedience to God, made possible by His empowering grace, leads me unto His righteousness. The only thing I am held into account for is the choices I make in life and as His yoke is light, so is my burden because the burden of choice I make is simply to do my Father's will. That is how simple this argument is. Romans 14:5 "One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."

The faiths, which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Truly though, would there be any reason to defend the pure gospel and rebuke, admonish or reprove our brethren if we who are Spirit filled are unable to sin? Clearly, we still struggle and much of the battle is within ourselves. When we are able to overcome the deficiencies and annoyances of self, we are better able to tackle the larger issues of life awaiting us in an ever-increasing dark world. This we must do as we press forward to maturity.

I never ever said in ANY of my letters that God was temptable but instead showed that the fullness of the Father's Spirit in Him and His willing submission and obedience as a Son made it possible for Him to demonstrate to us weaker human beings how one is able to "overcome." For He surely was faced with temptations. Jesus rightly says then that we are able to overcome because He overcame. We are called to overcome but never does Scripture indicate we accomplished this in past tense when referring to us. This is present and active and requires us to continue to "strive." It takes effort and involves our willingness but it is still by grace and through faith that we accomplish such. Apart from it we accomplish nothing worthy.

In more simple terms, we are free from sin but ONLY when we are abiding in Christ and all the Spirit's available virtue and power. Again, this does not guarantee anything to man except that he must remain obedient and this, by God's empowering grace. Disobedience separates us from God's Spirit and obedience keeps us safe in His hands. Jesus declared that not one hair of our head should be harmed but again, this is only in the context of our continued participation and willingness.
 
The Scriptural reference I provided you from the Book of Hebrews combined with all the other references I provided proves that you, any other or me can be led astray and that by our disobedience (poor choices). Yes, a man can loose out on his inheritance and salvation because of disobedience. This is the only way to look at it because men who have been called must choose to follow God's choosing of them. That is the CORRECT context because we still maintain a free will in order to continue choosing God's will. We are always free to choose but will incur stricter judgment and recompense for our error or disobedience; either direct or indirect.

Does Hebrews not further declare that God "chastens us as sons?" What profit is there if there would be no chastening? What chastening would there be if there was no disobedience? What reproof, rebuke and admonishment would there be if there was no stumbling among us? These things all exist because we are inside the "body of Christ" and not outside. God judges those on the outside and we are given to judge (allowing the Word to judge) one another on the inside. And further, does judgment not begin with the household of God first? His discipline of us is for our own good and because we are yet weak and have not yet fully attained to the righteousness of God but we are all running in a race as it were to receive our glorified bodies in the resurrection. The Word defines itself and needs no special interpretation from us.

Discipline is a requirement and applied method on God's part for man to achieve "the salvation that was waiting to be revealed in the last time." To be obedient requires discipline by grace. As I have pointed out clearly, discipline is of God and from His Spirit. Obedience is not possible apart from receiving the empowering grace and discipline of the Holy Spirit. It is of God and not of flesh. The apparent struggles and contrasts between flesh and Spirit are made evident in the following verses.

Regarding the Apostles who we know were heavily endowed by the Holy Spirit;

1 Corinthians 4:9-10 "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised."
Romans 15:1 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."
1 Corinthians 1:25-29 "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence."
1 Corinthians 2:3 "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling."
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

John 15:2-8 "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. 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. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
Some branches that are in Christ will be cut off and cast into the fire because Jesus declared it so. Jesus also stated that we will be "purged." Other words throughout scripture indicating same effect would be refined, pruned, tested and sometimes, "destroyed." This includes Jews and Gentiles. Then He declares we are made clean by the Word, which He spoke. What was the Word? The answer follows by declaring that we must abide in Him lest He abide not in us and we become fruitless. The promise here is that "if" we abide in Him, He will abide in us but he clarifies this by stating that He cannot abide in us if we are not abiding in Him. Again, Jesus stipulates and warns using the word "if." Though the word obedience is not used here, it is clearly being represented and called for. Again, obedience requires "active" choice and participation. The goodness of God leads to repentance AND self-discipline.

So that I can put this to rest once and for all, lets do a word study! This Word study will cover both the word elect (ion) and also reveal the matter of choices we must maintain and are held responsible for. Lets start with Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:4-5 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"
The real dilemma in this passage is determining how a person can know if he is one of the elect, or even if he can be given that kind of knowledge. There are two words in this passage that must be examined in order to explain the much-debated subject of God's election and predestination. The first is found in verse four, "He has chosen," referring to the Greek word, exelexato (1586) meaning, "chosen out of." In this context, the word means that at one particular time in the past, God chose individuals for salvation (Matt 24:31; Luke 18:7; Rom 8:33; II Tim 2:10; James 2:5).
The second verb in verse five is proorisas (4309) "to determine beforehand or predestinate" (cf. Acts 4:28; Rom 8:29; 9:11; I Pet. 1:2, 20). It is interesting to note that Peter referred to the concept of predestination in his sermon on the day of Pentecost. He said, (speaking of Christ), "Him being delivered by the determinate council and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands, have crucified and slain." In this verse one should note the evidence of the concept of man's free choice coupled with the responsibility for his actions. God delivered up His Son and man was given the choice of what they would do with Christ. Obviously, the record shows that they chose to crucify Him, leaving them with the responsibility for their act.

Furthermore, the teaching of Scripture is clear: Christ died for all. In I John 2:2 the writer states, "And He is the propitiation for our sins, (i.e., believers) and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." Therefore, the ministry that Christ did on the cross was for the whole world and intended for all. Repeatedly, God says, "Whosoever believeth in Him" can obtain salvation (John 3:16-18, 36; Acts 10:43). To come to Christ is an invitation to all and all that hear the gospel are responsible and without excuse to either accept or reject Christ. If one perishes in his sin, he is condemned as a result of his own choice (Titus 3:10-11). As one reflects on the salvation experience of the believer, he should note that God alone knows the point at which a person receives Christ for his salvation. This also demonstrates that a person must choose to receive Christ as their Saviour. It then also becomes evident that the believer is fulfilling God's purposes for his life, resulting in him becoming one of God's Elect.

One more note on "the all Jews being saved thing." The evidence in II Thessalonians 2:10-12 makes it clear that those who hear the gospel before the Tribulation and reject it will be doomed to spend an eternity without Christ. The only ones who can possibly be saved during the Tribulation are those who do not hear the gospel prior to that time. This applies to both Jews and Gentiles and puts holes in the theory that "all Jews will be saved."

I do not pretend to be more than I am. I will not read into scripture what does not exist. I refuse to exalt myself to such a height that I may fall so hard as to be shattered again in my life. I have been greatly humbled and it has pleased God that I responded to Him this way. In my state of weakness, He strengthened me in such a way where I do not double speak or contradict but only affirm allowing for the Word to judge. I do what I do as a relevant witness and refuse to over power another person's faith or be in judgment of it though I know the word I exhort is strong and makes some feel uneasy. Please do not feel uneasy about the faith, which I have and practice. I am merely being faithful in my application and hoping to inspire others so that more may join us in the fields of harvest. Be strong and remain faithful to Jesus.

Scribed in love and with firm commitment to Christ and all the household of God,
Your faithful brother and servant to Christ Jesus our Lord, Nicholas A. Stivers