Will You Be Weighed in the Balances and Found Wanting?

[Gibs]

This will be a short read from EGW as most are SDA's here. Scriptures to bring out the same though are abundant.

"No Time for Vacillation.--Purity of life and a character molded after the divine Pattern are not obtained without earnest effort and fixed principles. A vacillating person will not succeed in attaining Christian perfection. Such will be weighed in the balances and found wanting. Like a roaring lion, Satan is seeking for his prey. He tries his wiles upon every unsuspecting youth. . . . Satan tells the young that there is time enough yet, that they may indulge in sin and vice this once and never again; but that one indulgence will poison their whole life. Do not once venture on forbidden ground. In this perilous day of evil, when allurements to vice and corruption are on every hand, let the earnest, heartfelt cry of the young be raised to heaven: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" And may his ears be open and his heart inclined to obey the instruction given in the answer, "By taking heed thereto, according to thy word." {CG 466.2}

All are accountable for their actions while in this world upon probation. All have power to control their actions if they will. If they are weak in virtue and purity of thoughts and acts, they can obtain help from the Friend of the helpless. Jesus is acquainted with all the weaknesses of human nature, and, if entreated, will give strength to overcome the most powerful temptations. All can obtain this strength if they seek for it in humility. {CG 466.3}

The only safety for the youth in this age of pollution is to make God their trust. Without divine help they will be unable to control human passions and appetites. In Christ is the very help needed, but how few will come to Him for that help. Said Jesus when upon the earth, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have lifeIn Christ all can conquer. You can say with the apostle, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Again, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection." {CG 467.1}

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[phkrause]

He still does that to us Old Timers. :(

[Gibs]

To all really though PK as you noticed I think it is a message especially to the young whom the times are the most perilous for. Worldly wonderments of sin to get into and made to look kosher to them. It will get the most for sure, Satan is very artful and has most of the old timers too, sad to say!

1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[phkrause]

I get that its a message to young people, because that's the best time to get to them. But I'm just adding that it still goes on as we age.

[Woody]

No. I will not be found wanting. My salvation is based on a guarantee by the Lord our Saviour.

I AM redeemed.

[Gibs]

The great trouble today the way is so much more narrow and "strait gated" that few will find it as they are led down the broad road with the flow of the world.

Mt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Mt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

All because of the following who preach smooth things for itching ears,

Mt 7:15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

No folks, Jesus there isn't just spoofing, deceiving, you, that is the truth!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[CoAspen]

Do you ever see a glass as half full or is it always half empty?

[Gibs]

Well if it is still half full of the water of life He gives and you drank the first half, better drink down the last half!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Robert]

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat....

You need to look at the context:

Matt 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ....

What does the narrow gate have to do with false prophets who come in sheep's clothing, but are wolves?

Phil 3:2 Watch out for those dogs (wolves), those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh (they demanded circumcision & the keeping of the law - see Acts 15:5). 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--

What does it mean to have confidence in the flesh?

Read on:

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for the righteousness under the law, faultless.

So having confidence in the flesh is having confidence in one's performance - one's keeping of the law. It's pride - spiritual pride.

Let's read on:

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

What's God's will? To accept Christ as our righteousness.

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

Works of iniquity is the flesh trying to act good in order to receive a reward. It's not agape, but self-righteousness.

So the narrow gate is too small for our spiritual pride...our denominational pride...our boasting of our law performance. That's the context.

[Gibs]

False teachers, prophets keep people deceived and on that smooth wide road to destruction instead of getting them to get off it through that "strait" scraping off gate and onto that narrow way.

Smooth things man for all the itching ears that want to hear they can be saved the way they are. No falling on that Rock and being broken and obedient to Him as the only Master, nosiree.

Preach it to me in the extreme liberal is the call and the false shepherds are johnny on the spot and love the pay.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world

[Robert]

Smooth things man for all the itching ears that want to hear they can be saved the way they are.

Sorry, that's not true...that's not the context.

BTW, are you keeping the law as Christ kept it? If not, are you saved even though you are imperfect?

[Woody]

Quote:

BTW, are you keeping the law as Christ kept it? If not, are you saved even though you are imperfect?

Most excellent question. However - I doubt you will get an answer 'cause it eats away at his theories.

[Gibs]

All can keep the law as Christ kept it and none have any excuse! Each can have His power in them to walk as He walked. In actuality we have an advantage. How is that, you say?

It is because now as the evil ones see Him dwelling in you they know they are defeated foes. Christ beat them and they know well He will beat them again dwelling in you. 1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

God calls for your affections, for your cheerful obedience and devotion to Him. You now have a short time of probation, and you may improve this opportunity to make an unconditional surrender to God. {BEcho, September 19, 1898 par. 1}

Obedience and submission to God's requirements are the conditions given by the inspired apostle by which we become children of God, members of the royal family. Every child and youth, every man and woman, Jesus has rescued by His own blood from the abyss of ruin to which Satan was compelling them to go. Because sinners will not accept of the salvation freely offered them, are they released from their obligations? Their choosing to remain in sin and bold transgression does not lessen their guilt. Jesus paid a price for them, and they belong to Him. They are His property; and if they will not yield obedience to Him who has given His life for them, but devote their time and strength and talents to the service of Satan, they are earning their wages, which is death. Immortal glory and eternal life is the reward that our Redeemer offers to those who will be obedient to Him. He has made it possible for them to perfect Christian character through His name, and to overcome on their own account as He overcame in their behalf. He has given them an example in His own life, showing them how they may overcome. "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." {BEcho, September 19, 1898 par. 2}

And again!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.