Are we getting better or worse?

[Woody]

My question is:

Are the true followers of Christ getting more holy as the last days approach? Or is there no evidence of this and in fact are the followers of Christ getting worse.

I assume the later.

I think that we are SO Un-Holy that the Spirit of God has to withdraw because it just can't stand our evil presence.

We certainly need a Saviour.

[rush4hire]

Some get better and better. Some get worse and worse.

[color:#BF0000]Rev. 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

The righteous get more righteous. The filthy get more filthy. Until there is a marked distinction between the two groups. This is a separation between the wheat and the tares:

[color:#BF0000]Matt. 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

It's hard to tell them apart, until the harvest.

[color:#BF0000] 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was.

Folly manifested. That's a promise. You will be able to tell the difference soon. What else is manifested? Keep reading:

[color:#BF0000] 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me.

3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

And back to the bad guys. They get worse and worse:

[color:#BF0000]2 Tim. 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

And back to the good guys. The ones you know and trust.

[color:#BF0000]2 Tim. 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];

And ultimately, what's it about?

[color:#BF0000]2 Tim. 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The scriptures will make you wise and even perfect. And furnish you for all good works. Jesus comes to give His reward to each according to his works. Is your works or deeds that set you apart:

[color:#BF0000]John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

The light is the pure gospel, "the simplicity that is in Christ", (2 Cor. 11:3). The darkness is the ever complicated, ever confusing, "profane [and] vain babblings,", (1 Tim. 6:20), of false teachers who are "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth", (2 Tim. 3:7), which "if a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work", (2 Tim. 2:21), which promise a smokescreen to cover evil deeds. The wheat go to the one, why the tares go to the other. Thus, we have a separation before the judgment.

[Robert]

Some get better and better. Some get worse and worse.

[color:#BF0000]Rev. 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

You are righteous "in christ"...you are holy "in Christ"...you are filthy outside Christ...you are unjust outside Christ. Got christ...got reward (eternal life)....Don't have christ...got death.

No use to make it overly complicated, Rush.

[rush4hire]

At first it was that simple, before the name of Christ became so popular. Now we need to be more specific, because the whole world claims to "have Christ". Yet, it can still be simplified like this.

What is the difference between Christ's true disciples and those that claim the name of Christ, but are not really His:

[color:#BF0000]Luke 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Matt. 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matt. 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Those who call themselves Christ's disciples, but are not, just refuse to depart from iniquity.

[color:#BF0000]2 Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

[Joe_in_RP]

This is not new. Nor is is because Jesus is coming soon.

Neh 9:30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples.

NIV

But it is easy to see God people.

(Mat 7:16 NIV) By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

BTW The Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the general population, but not God's people as defined by the fruit. It is becoming stronger in them.

[Woody]

Quote:

The Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the general population, but not God's people as defined by the fruit. It is becoming stronger in them.

Where ARE God's people if this is true? I am a lookin but don't see much fruit.

[Joe_in_RP]

Where are you looking? The world is a big place. In your location (and my current location) there is not much fruit. But whose fault is that? Is that because of God or our choices here. Are we caught up in selfishness? What is the one thing that people are so stingy with? Its time. I was at a store this week and overheard a woman talking to a manager. Whatever is the fastest. People today have very selfish plans for their time. It is sad.