I was just thinking that we have presented WAY MORE evidence than any one of us KNEW existed for SALVATION happens the moment we sincerely believe from the HEART, because of GOD's LOVE being poured into our HEARTS. Yet there are some that cannot except that TRUTH. Yes some have confused that Salvation and Sanctification are the same thing, when they CLEARLY are NOT; and some maybe it is their pride in there accomplishments hinder their acceptance of that TRUTH. Whatever the earthly reason that they CANNOT receive the TRUTH, their is way more to their blindness of that TRUTH, than most of us realize. I think the DEVIL and His Demons are involved in that CONFUSION.
Do you all remember how Satan tempted Jesus, by quoting Scripture.
Luke 4:3-12 (HCSB)
3 The Devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered him,
“It is written: Man must not live on bread alone.”
5 So he took Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6 The Devil said to Him, “I will give You their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want.
7 If You, then, will worship me, all will be Yours.”
8 And Jesus answered him,
“It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”
9 So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
10 For it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you,
11 and they will support you with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
12 And Jesus answered him,
“It is said: Do not test the Lord your God.”
I think while we are actively "contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all", as Jude 1:3, has stated; we are OVERLOOKING the serious NEED for Prayer to remove the evil spirits that have DECEIVED them, while they are listening to the TRUTH.
2 Timothy 3:13 (HCSB)
13 Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.
I have personally almost forgot a lesson HE TAUGHT ME YEARS AGO. Part of Spiritual warfare has always been not only to present the Truth to those who want to hear, but also to pray for that person not to be infuenced by false teaching while we present the TRUTH to him or her.
Ephesians 6:10-19 (ESV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
I have seen that kind of Prayer, work personally. A dear friend of my wife and I, Terrie was her name, was caught up in a false teacher Guru, who would smoke pot with his flock and then study the bible; so my wife and I decided to go to her apartment. It was a particular evil preacher that was teaching them that Jesus was a sinner. As we pulled up to her apartment, I told my wife we NEED to pray before we went into that Apartment. So I prayed something like this:
"Dear heavenly Father, I ask for your Help, while we present the Truth. Drive out all the unclean spirits, and evil influence from this place, and put your holy angels on the entrances, even if you have to send Michael to guard the entrances. Give us the words that you want us to proclaim, in Jesus name I pray."
I tried to explain it to her that JESUS was NOT a SINNER, as fervently as I have ever done to one person in my life. The reason I KNOW GOD ANSWERED THAT PRAYER, is how she kept going back and forth in her Bible, and stating: "I do not understand it, I cannot find one of my verses that proves that Jesus was a Sinner." She had no evil spirit in that room to guide her in the deception.
Were we successful with turning Terrie around? No,
but she certainly heard the WORD OF GOD, and then decided to leave town a few weeks later, and we have never heard from her again.
I PRAY THAT SAME PRAY FOR THIS THREAD ALSO, May GOD Answer this prayer, like HE DID ONCE BEFORE. I am sorry that I did not Remember that TRUE story sooner.
Everyone, keep PRAYING FOR THIS THREAD, until JESUS, Our Bridegroom comes to Take Us Home.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NRSV)
30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us
wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
31 in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."