Reviewing the basic principles of God’s truth (as given in His Word) is spiritually helpful to believers of all ages, experience, and maturity. The gospel plan of salvation is offered to everyone of every age, nation, language and people (Revelation 14). God’s truth can be known by reading God= s Word (and being enlightened by the Holy Spirit). (2 Timothy 3:16), A All Scripture is [inspired by God] and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (NLT) says it, "is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right."

When a person becomes a believer and accepts the Lord Jesus into their heart, they start life over again with new values and goals. The believer (at that point) goes from spiritual darkness to spiritual light and from the control of Satan to the power of God. Many things begin to happen (which can be surprising) but we must remain in God’s will by the power of His Spirit. Satan does not want to lose anyone, so he will fight any believer who has given their life to Christ.

There is much false teaching being given today, so every believer must be alert. There are many radio ministers who may have a huge listening audience, but their doctrine and teaching must be correct, uncompromising, and according to God’s Word.

Jesus said, A Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law...a man= s enemies will be the members of his own household,@ (Matthew 10:34-36). A person= s family can become their spiritual enemy. It was like this all through the Bible and beyond. First century believers faced serious persecution.

Jesus said, A Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad [exceedingly glad, KJV], because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you,@ (Matthew 5:10-12).

The opposition can be in many forms, but regardless of the type (or the pressure), we must always stand up for what is right and persist in making God-honoring choices (concerning activities, music, programs, entertainment, where we go and who we are with). In all decisions we must prove our love for Christ by obeying Him first and always, (and not allowing ourselves to be pressured by anyone to do things or to go places that would defile our conscience.

It will be worth all the persecution ever met when the time comes to give an account of our life to God. A No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him@ (1 Corinthians 2:9). We prove that we love God when we stand up for what is Scriptural (concerning fellowship, entertainment, apparel, and other life issues). When those around us say or do things contrary to the teaching of Christ, we must not join them.

Jesus said, A Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,@ (Matthew 5:10). Everyone must know that anything endured in this life (and then to be rewarded with eternal life) will be worth it all. (11-12), A Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be [exceedingly] glad, because great is your reward in heaven.@

Whatever we do, wherever we go, (and in all that we say), let it be always for our King. Amazing love, how can it be, that our King would take our place on the cross even before we showed any love for Him! How could that be! Except it be real and divine love in action to draw us close to Him.

A total commitment to Christ is a most necessary commitment to make, but it does not stop there. We must remain faithful to God to the very end to be saved. (Matthew 10:22) , "Everyone will hate you because of me. But whoever holds out to the end will be saved."

A one-time profession of faith must be accompanied by an everyday walk by faith. A statement of faith is necessary, but the believer must move beyond a stated faith to an active faith (like Abraham). "You notice that his faith was co-operating with his actions, and that by his actions his faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And Abraham believed God, and his faith was placed to his credit as righteousness,’ and he received the name of `God's friend,'" (James 2:22-23).

If there are no fruits of repentance, there would be the danger of withering spiritually and eventually being thrown in the fire. It is a struggle against sin (Hebrews 12:4) and an on-going battle with the most dangerous enemy we will ever face. Whether we are a new believer (or many years in the faith), we will be tested and we will (some day) come to the end of our life on earth, at which time we will face the righteous Judge of everyone (Hebrews 9:27).

The disturbing facts are that most people will end in the lake of fire. A Broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it,@ (Matthew 7:13). If our name is not found in the book of life, we will be A thrown into the lake of fire,@ (Revelation 20:15). A lake of flames is a real place with real people suffering in it. The unsaved and unbelieving will be in conscious torment forever and ever.

There is an escape, but it is only by faith. That is why so many miss it. No one wants to live by faith today. > Put it on paper= they say, and ‘give me some proof that I will get what is coming to me.= The world says to purchase a life insurance policy and lay up money for the future, but God= s Word says something quite different. (Luke 12:20-21), A > You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself! This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.= @

With all the warnings to find the narrow way out of this world, you would think that many would be at least looking for it, but many are deceived, most people love money, and many just keep going their own way, so the majority will find themselves in hell fire unless they heed the words of Acts 20:21, to "turn to God in repentance and have faith in the Lord Jesus.@

Basics for all believers are found in God= s Word so Bible reading should be the first thing on the agenda each morning. The Bible is God speaking to us, and He wants us to turn away from the world, turn back to Him, and to place our faith in His Son. That is all He has ever asked of anyone.

We must be willing to die for Jesus and to never be ashamed of our faith in Him. (Luke 9:26), A If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.@

Another basic truth for the believer is that once they have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, the battle for their soul begins. We must keep in mind that most people are lost and most will be destroyed by the second death (Revelation 2:11). That is not an encouraging statement, but it is the truth from the Word. The majority of people in the world will not be overcomers in the faith.

The believer must know that it is not just a one-time profession of faith. A commitment to Christ is first and basic, but that is when the battle for the soul begins. The Apostle Paul warned (1 Corinthians 15:2), A By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.@ After confessing our sins (1 John 1:9) and being made righteousness before God, we must continue to believe to be saved. The apostle warns that it is possible to believe in vain (by not holding on to God’s Word).

We must make a profession of faith in Christ, but then be prepared for an on-going battle with the devil. Every believer must continue to be faithful to God through all tests, trials, and temptations. We can be overcomers in the faith (because God supplies the power through His Spirit). If we endure in the faith, we will not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11). If we maintain heart purity, we will see God (Matthew 5:8).

If God has placed His hand of conviction upon us, we must be willing to submit to His will and make any changes necessary to be in His will. Many then did not enter into God= s rest because of unbelief (vs 16). Jesus said that His followers will be persecuted, but we must always represent Him and never turn away. The first century Christians were promised (Acts 1:8), "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses."

Because of our stand for what is right and being committed to do God’s will in our life, we may be left out of some things, but that is something every Christian has to deal with. Our human responsibility is to follow Jesus, not the crowd. (1 Timothy 5:22), "Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure."

If other people want to sin and disobey God, that is their choice. Our first priority and only responsibility is to God. To continue to spend time with (and go places with) people who are not committed to Christ, will result in spiritual harm. "Evil companionships corrupt good morals," (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Entertainment, music, reading material, and close companions can all have a huge influence on us, so our choices concerning them must be God-honoring and Christ-centered choices. Romans 8:13-14 says, "If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

If Eve had avoided the tree with the forbidden fruit, she would not have been tempted, but she went near it, was tempted, and sinned. The believer should avoid places of temptation. "Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived," (James 1:14-16 WEY). (NLT) "Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters."

We are all in a long-distance race and a serious battle with the devil. He is out to deceive, defeat, and destroy anyone who is not aware of his evil intentions. We are never to be ashamed of our faith in Jesus (Luke 9:26). The apostle says (2 Timothy 3:12), "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." The persecution is often minor like being mistreated, left out, ignored, or criticized. The Christians in Hebrews 11 suffered serious persecution but they were all commended for their faith (39) and promised great rewards for enduring.

Regardless of the pressure or temptation to do things (go places or act in ways that would not be faithful to Christ), we must listen to the Apostle Paul who said, "I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man," (Acts 24:16). We must persist in doing good to have eternal life (Romans 2:7), and not grow weary nor give up to reap a harvest (Galatians 6:9).

†††