Do you LOVE the Lord?
If you do, then your position in His family is to be dedicated and loyal to God, and to be part of His earthly council. If you LOVE the Lord, then wherever you are sent, you are sent with His authority to assist in His mission until the day He returns. If you claim to LOVE the Lord and take part in an assembly that permits unrepentant individuals to carouse with repentant followers, then there is no way you can LOVE the Lord. Being in a state of rebellion is being an enemy of to the Most High God. Some say they are not rebellious and I say continuing in willful sin is rebellion. Some disagree, just as an alcoholic would disagree, that they are an acholic, or prone to illicit drug abuse, saying they are not addicted to drugs. Rebellion is counter to LOVE for God and is mutually exclusive until there is repentance (a u-turn) and that rebellious nature is no longer actively dominating a person’s life.
This serves as a reminder that any place where two or more people come together in the name of Christ, it becomes holy ground. Take a moment to consider this: In Mark 6:7-13, it is mentioned that Jesus sends out the apostles two-by-two. This act holds significant purpose, especially when we consider the biblical concept that wherever two or more are gathered in Jesus’s name, they are standing on holy ground. Were the apostles, who were chosen by Jesus himself, not able to perform miraculous acts, such as healing the sick and casting out demons through the power of his name? Are you willing to acknowledge, as you are being sent out two-by-two, that you are standing on holy ground and in the very presence of Jesus himself? Are you aware of the immense power and authority that you have been granted, just like the apostles, to carry out the same miraculous works? Standing on holy ground becomes an unattainable possibility when one remains unrepentant. Imagine this scene for a moment: You find yourself in a church, where people have gathered in the name of Jesus. The congregation is united, standing together on hallowed ground. The presence of anyone who remains unrepentant will be met with great difficulty in approaching holy ground, as they will swiftly face conviction. Because of this, they would decide to leave. If those who are unrepentant choose not to depart, it can be interpreted as a sign that the Holy Spirit has indeed affected their heart. Subsequently, it becomes the collective responsibility of everyone present, acting in the name of Jesus, to guide that individual towards repentance and encourage the individual to recognize Christ as their savior and lord.
It is important to note that this segment of the story pertains to believers, not unbelievers, and should be understood as church discipline. Trouble awaits those who stubbornly refuse to repent. The biblical passage found in 1 Corinthians 5 addresses the case of a man who was living a life of sexual immorality and it stresses the importance of him seeking repentance. Refusing to comply, he was met with Paul’s order to have him delivered to Satan. The rationale for proceeding in this manner was made clear to all parties involved. It is expected of believers to take action and remove those individuals who are not willing to repent. Being expelled from the assembly was not just a mere punishment, but a forceful thrust into the dreaded realm of Satan, casting one back out into the chaotic world. According to the writings of Michael Heiser, Paul expressed his hope that the consequences for the unrepentant man would lead to the destruction of the flesh, with the goal of saving his spirit on the day of the Lord. The reference being made here is not to the physical demise, but to the demise of the worldly desires that have entrapped this individual. Regrettably, some observe that individuals who are expelled and handed over to Satan often transition to a different church, malign their previous church, gain sympathy from others, and eventually repeat the same behavior exhibited in their former church. If the described scenario is accurate, it would suggest that the individual is a lost soul who has no path to redemption. See (Hebrews 6:4-6).
From a bible commentary, we read: Hebrews chapter 6 represents a high point in the letter. The author, towards the conclusion of chapter 5, reiterated the importance of not forsaking the gospel in favor of a faith that caters to societal norms, further underscoring the potential dangers. The intended audience for this work is specifically Jewish Christians who are facing persecution. A significant number of believers who shared similar beliefs felt compelled to revert to a less-controversial form of Judaism because of external pressure. A significant portion of the material in this book adopts a good versus perfect approach. The book of Hebrews serves as a demonstration of how our relationship with Christ is the complete realization of God’s purpose.
As far as I comprehend, the message conveyed in Hebrews chapter six implies it is impossible for someone who has been sealed by the Holy Spirit to behave as described. The lack of baptism in the Holy Spirit is clear among those individuals who have fallen away, a phenomenon that is unfortunately common among professing Christians nowadays. I would like to conclude by emphasizing that in the event an unrepentant individual visits your church, it is believed that the genuinely saved members of the church would show the love of God in such a way that the visitor would feel remorseful and overcome by encountering God’s love. If a person who is unrepentant enters a congregation and does not feel God’s love, then that congregation is potentially unsaved. In the scenario where a saved individual who follows the way joins an unsaved congregation, it is highly likely that everyone present would feel a sense of awkwardness and perceive that person as someone to keep their distance from. It is unfortunate to admit, but this situation has occurred frequently and persists. The success or failure of any endeavor is never solely attributed to the individual. Those attributes are the ones that the unsaved find difficult to accept and are hostile toward.
Anyway, this can go on and one and only wish to convey that we cannot accept into our fellowship those who are unrepentant and those who are not followers of the way. Read Acts 9:1-2; 19:9; 19:23; 22:4; 24:14; 24:22. Not followers of the Pope, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Arminius, and others.
The Message of Salvation to All
Romans 10:5-13 – For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Being dedicated and loyal to Jesus (Yeshua) is an essential aspect of a believer’s betrothal stance. As the bride of Christ, believers join together in unity, while each individual remains devoted to Jesus and the entire body of believers. Our love for our Lord is unparalleled and steadfast, compelling us to remain unwavering in our faith until His glorious return.
I’ll end it here by wishing all a beautiful day in the Lord Jesus the Christ of the most high God.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
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