Many read the book of Jonah, how God dealt with the prophet to warn and save the city of Nineveh, and they do not realize that God never changed. He requires the same obedience from His children, those who have received Jesus and were born again. Salvation is not just a matter of believing in Jesus and making a confession of faith. It is a transformation where you become hidden in Christ, by denying yourself and taking on Jesus so that you are no longer seen, but only Him who has come to dwell in you.
Jesus calls us to follow Him and become children of God that will inherit the kingdom of God and have eternal life. Many are called, many respond and start the journey but few are willing to endure and stay with Jesus until the end. The price is so high that few are willing to pay it. Many believe that they are already saved and assured of eternal life, but they have been deceived by satan to believe the false gospel and lies that are preached in the world today The truth is not hidden. The words of Jesus are plain and simple but brutally harsh and stark, as they are written in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Following Jesus is a straight and narrow way, the road of discipleship and absolute obedience to Jesus, denying yourself, picking up your cross and following Him every day, until the end. It is a road where you do not follow your own mind, ambitions, desires and thoughts. You follow Jesus, under guidance of the Holy Spirit and do as He directs. Reading through the book of Acts it is obvious that the apostles did not haphazardly go out and evangelize. They were directed by the Holy Spirit. They operated under the authority of the Holy Spirit.
Walking with God means walking with FIRE. We read in Acts 5 about Ananias and Sapphira, husband and wife, who lied to the apostles and were struck down dead, under judgment of the Holy Spirit. The fear of God came on the people.
The Holy Spirit teaches discipline and utter obedience. His discipline and correction can be severe, and those who do not respond to correction are cut off and burned. We can only bear fruit for the kingdom of God if we remain in Christ do what the Holy Spirit He tells us to do. The Holy Spirit requires absolute dedication and obedience. “Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? James 4:5.
The disobedient and those who do not respond to correction will perish. I have for the last two years been under the judgment of the Lord. Since Jesus called us, my wife and me, we have been full time witnessing for Jesus. We used to live in the country and about 3 years ago we moved back to the city, close to the children. They bought a house and we started spending some time with them, still daily doing our work on the internet, witnessing for Jesus. Jesus warned me to cut it off and focus fully on the kingdom, which was difficult to do, because the children were close by and were always inviting us over. They were remodeling their house and we would help. We felt that we were still doing the Lord’s work, but He was not satisfied. I became very sick and was diagnosed with rectal cancer. I was on the mend after many surgeries, chemo and radiation when I fell sick again, this time I was diagnosed with cancer in the lung. Our grandson was born when I first went in for surgery and during my recovery we used to baby sit him some days, when his mother started working again. We were still doing the Lord’s work every day during this time, we never let off. However I had disobeyed the Lord and was not totally focused on His and His kingdom as I should have been. That is why the cancer spread to my lung. I have refused chemo. The oncologist admitted that they can do nothing for me. I am in the hands of Jesus. I am being punished for my disobedience. I just thank Jesus that He did not cut me off yet, but has given me this opportunity to repent and correct my ways. I am house bound now. I am in severe pain and have been taking strong medication. I am in so much pain that I can hardly walk. The medication has affected my balance and I cannot walk without a walker. My wife is looking after me full time and she herself is also afflicted. When we were in disobedience helping our children with their house she injured herself while raking stones. She has severe pain in her groin and she limps, she drags her left leg along.
We can no longer go over to see the grandchildren, but they can visit us. We are back where we ought to have been, fully focused doing the Lord’s work. I am hardly able to sleep more than an hour at a time, because of pain, but being awake so much, I pray more and listen to Jesus. Neither does my wife sleep much, because if I move, she checks on me. and prays with me.
I have not been complete in the sight of my Lord. He has rebuked me and is purifying me, correcting me. He is giving me understanding, pruning me. He has shown me things in me that are not right. I thank Jesus that He did not cut me off. He is showing me mercy’ The pain that I am enduring is nothing compared to the fires of hell. There is much work to be done. Many souls are lost every day. If the Lord so wills, He will pick me up, heal me and use me to bring many souls into His kingdom.
God’s discipline on His children is SEVERE. He wants to FIX us and work PERFECTION in us. All His ways are loving kindness. He will never leave us, nor forsake us. He who began the good work in us will complete it if we yield to Him, stay with Him and obey Him until the end.
May Jesus bless you.
finalcall07 