Holding Fast That Which We Have Received
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31
So many have been led to believe that all they have to do is ask Jesus to forgive them of their sins and that's all there is to it. Please, may we understand, once we have received forgiveness for our sins and accepted Salvation for our souls, the "story does not end" there.    Do not sin any more--STOP sinning!    For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 10:26. What is "knowledge of the truth"? Remember what Jesus told Thomas in John 14:6? "I am the way. the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:32,36. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:20,21. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:7,8. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17. (Living Bible: Remember, too, that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin. New International: Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. I John 3:15,16. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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. Matthew 7:17-21. Let your life be a witness of Jesus Christ. Not only will your witness of Him increase your faith, and strengthen you in your daily life, but it will show the world that you are not ashamed of your Savior. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32,33. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Luke 14:23. Read and study your Bible, the written Word of God. It will strengthen and sustain you. You will gain wisdom and knowledge through studying God's Word, learning how to "rightly divide" it. We are instructed to Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. I Peter 2:1-3. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. II Thessalonians 3:13. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1,2. Remember this: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31. These are all marvelous scriptures that exhort ("to urge by strong appeal, to impel to action") us to not slack off just because we've "met" Jesus through Salvation. We are to then get to "know" Him. And we get to that "knowledge" of Him through our daily walk with Him, by not letting go of that which we have gained: Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Revelation 3:11. Holding Fast That Which We Have Received... All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. Job 27:3-6. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. I Thessalonians 5:14-22. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:12-16. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:38,39. As the Holy Spirit spoke unto the Church at Thyratia, we would do well to remember: But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. Revelation 2:25,26. And as the Holy Spirit spoke unto the Church at Sardis: Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Revelation 3:3-5. Let us grow in Grace and Knowledge in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, ever holding fast that which we have received of, through, by and in Him. May God bless you abundantly!
(all emphasis on scriptures, such as bold, underline or uppercase, is mine) "Holding Fast That Which We Have Received" Copyright © 2000 by Patricia Sikes. All rights reserved.
		A story is told about Mr. Holman Hunt, regarding this painting of his. When he was ready to unveil it for the first time, he invited his family and friends to be the first ones to see it. As they absorbed its powerful message, one friend reportedly asked, "It's beautiful, but didn't you forget something?" When Holman inquired what he had forgotten, the answer was, "The door has no handle on it." The artist stated simply, "No, I didn’t forget the handle. When Jesus knocks on the door of your heart, the handle is on the inside."
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelation 3:20,21. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. II Corinthians 1:20.
Now I Belong To Jesus
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