The Perseverance of Our Faith Part VII of VII Bible Study

The Perseverance of Our Faith Part VII 

  

 

Scriptural Reading:

Hebrews 10:39

³⁹ But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Perdition: Destruction (olethros) ruin.

Study the following passages of scriptures:

2 Thessalonians 1:8-12

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
⁹ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
¹⁰ When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
¹¹ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
¹² That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A person who draws back, does not obey the gospel teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The result of unrepented disobedience is punishment of everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. 

Those that believe to the saving of the soul, are believers that believe unto righteousness.  Doing what is righteous in God's eyes according to the gospel of his Son, Jesus Christ.   Through God 's grace (mercy) we are able to received forgiveness of sins and have received the power of the Holy Ghost to become sons of God after we repent of our sins, and are baptized with water and the Spirit.  Then God can be glorified in you, because Christ now lives in you, which is the work of faith by the power of the Holy Ghost.
 

2 Peter 2:20-22

King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
²¹ For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
²² But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Be careful, sisters and brothers in the Lord, to never turn back.  God has made a way of escape for you through his Son Jesus, so don't be entangled with the world. All that is in the world is the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.  Be happy, Jesus has overcome the world and he has given you power through the Holy Ghost to overcome the world, just as he did. 


...but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Study the following scriptures:

Acts 16:30-32

King James Version (KJV)

³⁰ And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
³¹ And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
³² And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.


Matthew 21:32

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

 

Romans 10:10

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

 
As you can see from studying the above passages of scripture to believe is an action.  When we believe, we repent.  When we believe unto righteousness, it means doing what Jesus taught us to do.  We cannot say we believe, when there is no evidence of it.  Faith, which is believing, faith without works is dead. Abraham believed God, he put his faith into action.  Believing is an action not just a thought. We believe to the saving of our soul.

 

Study the following scriptures:

 

Matthew 24:12-14

King James Version (KJV)

¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

We cannot turn back.  Only those that endure to the end shall be saved.  Remember the Children of Israel in the wilderness. Those that turned back in the hearts to Egypt, died in the wilderness.  They did not enter into the promise land.  Sin/iniquity cannot remain or abound in your heart, it will cause your love for Christ to grow cold.   

Mark 16:15-19

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁵ And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

¹⁶ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

¹⁷ And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

¹⁹ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

The above scripture describes a believer.  Have you been baptized?  Do these signs follow you?

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-3

King James Version (KJV)

15 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

 

1 Peter 4:18

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

We must strive to enter into the Kingdom of God.  We must work out our salvation.  We must believe to the saving of our soul. When we believe the Word of God, we will put the word into action in our lives.  We must be doers of the word not just hearers of the word.

 

1. Matthew 3:2
   
   And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
   Matthew 3:1-3
2. Matthew 3:8
   Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
   Matthew 3:7-9 
3. Matthew 3:11
   I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
   Matthew 3:10-12
4. Matthew 4:17
   From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Encouragement:

• Repent
• Bring forth fruit
• Believe unto righteousness (unto doing right in God's sight)
• Crucify flesh
• Do not turn back
• Endure unto the end to be saved

I pray this bible study has been an encouragement to you. 

Heavenly Father, in the name of your precious son Jesus, thank you for your holy word. Thank you Lord, for your son Jesus and the price he paid for our sins to give us the hope of eternal life.  Lord because you are a Holy God, help us to never take your grace for granted.  Stir our hearts to strive to be like Christ, let us not take sin in our lives lightly.  Give us a heart to repent of our sins and conform to Christ.  Help us to strive to enter in at that straight gate that leads to life.  God bless us to persevere in our faith, that you will be glorified in our lives.  Amen.

Our next bible study will begin October 1, 2013.  Details to follow.

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The Perseverance of Our Faith Part VI of VII Bible Study

The Perseverance of Our Faith Part VI of VII

Scripture Reading:

Hebrews 10:38 

³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

 

Now the just shall live by faith: just:  (dikaios) was first used of persons observant of dike’: custom, rule right”.  The English word “righteous” was formerly spelt “rightwise” i.e., (in a) straight way.  In the NT it denotes “righteous” a state of being right or right conduct, judged whether by the divine standard, or what is right.  Said of God, it designates the perfect agreement between His nature and His acts (in which He is the standard for all men). 

 So you’re probably asking yourself, “Can I be just/righteous?”  “Yes you can.”  We studied this in an earlier session: You must be born again of the water and the spirit and then you receive power to become a son of God.

 

Let’s study some scriptures:

1. Genesis 6:9

These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

2.    Genesis 18:19

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

3.     Hosea 14:9

Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

4.     Habakkuk 2:4

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

5.     Zephaniah 3:5

The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

6.     Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

7.     Matthew 1:19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

8.     Matthew 5:45

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

9.     Matthew 5:45

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

10.  Luke 2:25

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

11.   Acts 10:22

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

12.   Romans 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

13.   Romans 2:13 **

(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

As we can see from the above scriptures:  Noah, the Lord, Joseph, Simeon, Cornelius were all just/righteous. (Read Genesis Chapters 6 – 10) In the days of Noah the earth was like it is today, people were wicked and the imaginations of the thoughts of their heart was only evil continually.  God repented that he made man and decided to destroy man from the face of the earth.  But Noah a just and perfect man (Genesis 6:5-9) who walked with God and he found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

The Lord caused is to rain upon the earth until it flooded the entire earth, but Noah and his family was saved from the flood.  God saved this just man because he was righteous in his sight and he knew Noah would instruct his children to obey God. 

As we have studied the Word of God in this study we know, that the doers, those who obey God are justified, not the hearers only.

³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

In part V of this study we learned in Hebrews 11, our faith chapter about the lives of the people that demonstrated great perseverance of their faith. They lived by their faith.  We also must live by faith and we must persevere as our Faith Heroes did in Hebrews 11.  We cannot turn back. Don’t even look back.

How do you draw back or turn back from God?

      By not obeying God after you know the truth of the Word

      By desiring your past sinful life

      By desiring your past bondage

      By not obeying God’s instructions

Let’s look at the Scriptures:

1. 1 Samuel 15:11

It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night.

Saul was anointed King of Israel; God gave Saul instructions to destroy Amalek completely, he did not obey God’s instructions.  Previously Saul has usurped the priest office, which was not lawful for him to do, Samuel reproved him.  Later Saul confessed he transgressed the commandment of the Lord (I Samuel 16:24-35). 

 

Although Saul did confess his sin, because he rejected the Word of the Lord, the Lord rejected Saul as king over Israel.  (Read I Samuel 8 – 16.  Saul’s life does not end in chapter 16 read on for further study.)

Zephaniah 1 (Read)

Acts 7:38-40

King James Version (KJV)

³⁸ This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

³⁹ To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

⁴⁰ Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

Do you see yourself in this passage of Scripture?  What has God brought you out of or used someone to help you out of and you returned back to the bondage in your heart? What god have you replaced God Almighty with?

Genesis 19 (Read the entire chapter)

¹⁷ And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

²⁶ But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

 

We must realize when God says something to you, giving you instruction, it is a command and you must obey him.  God gave instruction by the mouth of the angel: “look not behind thee”.  Very simple instruction, do not stay in all the plain, escape to the mountain so they would not be consumed by the fire that would consume Sodom.  Sodom was a wicked city filled with homosexuality.  God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah by raining fire and brimstone down on them.

 

Lot’s wife looked back as they ran from the destruction.  God plainly said “look not behind thee”. We are reverence God when he gives us instruction.  She disobeyed his instruction and she became a pillar of salt. He is a just God and must be feared and reverenced.  We must obey the Lord; we cannot take disobedience (sin) lightly. 

Luke 9:61-62

King James Version (KJV)

⁶¹ And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

⁶² And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

 

I’ve often pondered over this scripture.  The Lord let me know when we make up our mind to follow him, no matter what he tells us, we must obey him.  Even if we don’t understand, we need to learn to obey him and trust him and all of his instructions.  This young man wanted to go bid his family farewell, but the Lord told him, if he looks back, he is not fit for the kingdom of God.

Remember when Saul disobeyed God, he was no longer fit to be King.  We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  We cannot take God for granted because we are under grace.  Hell is the eternal punishment for disobedience.  Ezekiel 18:20  The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Study the scriptures below:

2 Peter 3:8-10

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Corinthians 10:5-7

King James Version (KJV)

⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

⁶ And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Hebrews 11:14-16

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

 

Philippians 3:12-14

King James Version (KJV)

¹² 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.

¹³ 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,

¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

After studying this section of Hebrews and supporting scriptures, we can see how we can persevere in our Faith.  Without faith it is impossible to please God. We cannot look back.   In order to inherit eternal life we must have faith and God has given us what we need to persevere in our faith.  His Holy word is our “Life’s Instruction Manual”.  When we follow this manual, we will have the victory! We must trust and believe in God’s Holy Word.  Jesus said his words are Life.

  

The Perseverance of Our Faith Part VII of VII Coming soon…..

Scripture Reading:

³⁹ But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

 

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The Perseverance of Our Faith Part V of VII Bible Study

The Perseverance of Our Faith Part V of VII

 

 

Scripture Reading:

Hebrews 10:35-37 

³⁵ Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

³⁶ For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

³⁷ For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

In verse 34 Paul was bound for the gospel sake.   Matthew 5:12, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, tells us to rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.  As Paul suffered for the gospel sake, we need to be sure to keep our confidence in the faith and remember the reward that God has promised us.  The Lord told us, we will suffer in this world.  Therefore, since we know this, this should stir up the gift (Holy Ghost) that is inside you, helping you to have the perseverance to endure your afflictions, trials, tribulations, disappointments because you know the promise of your reward.

 

In I Peter 4:13-14, But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14)If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

 

Christ has told us, if we suffer with him, we shall reign with him.  2 Timothy 2:12

An excellent example of not casting away confidence (faith) to receive a promise is Abraham.  Abraham received a promise from God twice, that he would have a son.  The promise was fulfilled years later.  (Read Genesis Chapters 11-25) As you read about Abraham, take a look at the time line, from the time the promise was given to the time the promise was fulfilled.  It takes patience to keep your confidence (faith) to obtain a promise. 

³⁶ For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

³⁷ For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Hebrews 6:13-15

King James Version (KJV)

¹³ For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

¹⁴ Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

¹⁵ And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

 

Answer these questions by scripture:

 

1)      How many years did it take for Abraham to receive the promise?

2)      Was there a time that Abraham wavered in his faith?

3)      What situation are you currently facing that you need to have patience?

4)      In your situation, do you see how allowing patience to have her perfect work in you will strengthen your confidence (faith)?

 

Now that we’ve taken a look at Abraham’s life from reading Genesis Chapters 11-25.  Let’s go back to Hebrews 10: ³⁷ For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Just as God did come to give Abraham the promise, so shall Christ return as promised.  Each and every day as we look forward to Christ return, we need to remember, after we have patiently endured, we shall receive our promises.  God has made each and every one of us promises along with the promise of eternal life.  The promise of eternal life should help you persevere in your faith.

 
It is wise to keep the “Promise of Eternal Life” before your eyes as you go through life’s challenges and disappointments.  I have personally found this helps me to persevere in my faith.

As we read Hebrews Chapter 11, commonly referred to as the Faith chapter, we can see how important our faith/confidence is. 

Faith

      involves future hope and present realities not seen

      the hope of the resurrection

      the return of Christ

      the glorification of the saints

      the forgiveness of sins through Christ sacrifice

      the present intercession of Christ in heaven

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

³⁶ For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

As we go through the challenges of life, the scripture reminds us:

James 1:2-4

King James Version (KJV)

² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations

³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Romans 5:3-5

King James Version (KJV)

³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

As we can see from scripture, temptations and tribulations are good for us.  Look at the benefits that are reaped according to the scriptures above.

 
As you study Hebrews 11, our faith chapter, study the lives of people that demonstrated the perseverance of their faith. 

 
Let’s look at another example of faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen.” Noah moved by faith to build an ark to save them from a flood that was coming.  Noah had never seen rain. Read Genesis 2:5-6  and Genesis 6-8 chapters.

 
Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah:  Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God….13) And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14) Make thee an ark of gopher wood; ….17) …I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, …

 
When Noah heard God say he was going to flood the entire earth, this took faith to believe in something he had never seen.  Noah had not seen rain, nor had he seen a flood.  God gave Noah specific instructions in Chapter 6 of Genesis. Noah obeyed God in verse 22) Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him so did he. (Do you obey God when he tells you to do something that you don’t understand?)

 
Hebrews 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (M)

 
“The perseverance of our faith makes us an heir of righteousness.”

 
 

The Perseverance of Our Faith Part VI of VII Coming soon…..

Scripture Reading:

Hebrews 10:38 

³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

 

 Contact Evangelist Waters:

www.PureGoldEvangelisticMinistries.com

 Follow my Bible Study Blog:

www.PureGoldMinistries.blogspot.com

Follow the Weekly Prayer Blog:

www.PureGoldEvangelisticMinistriesPrayer.blogspot.com