In order to appreciate victory we must first clearly identify and recognize what it is that we need the victory over and why we need this victory. Notice what the Bible says about the last days.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves... TIMOTHY 3:1,2 ---> Perilous means dangerous (ADEL) Why are the last days so dangerous ? The Bible tells us why. “...men shall be lovers of their own selves...” The rest of this verse continues with a description of various manifestations of selfishness.
It is selfishness which makes the last days so dangerous and it is selfishness in all of its varied forms that we need the victory over; by the grace of God selfishness must be overcome. (Revelation 21:7)
The Bible teaches that the transgression of God's law of 10 commandments is sin. (1 John 3:4)
All sin is selfishness. Satan's first sin was a manifestation of selfishness. (Read Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:13-17) He sought to grasp power, to exalt self. A species of insanity led him to seek to supersede God. And the temptation that led Adam to sin was Satan's declaration that it was possible for man to attain to something more than he already enjoyed, possible for him to be as God Himself. The sowing of seeds of selfishness in the human heart was the first result of the entrance of sin into the world. God desires every one to understand the evil of selfishness, and to cooperate with Him in guarding the human family against its terrible, deceptive powers. The design of the gospel is to confront this evil by means of remedial missionary work, and to destroy its destructive power by establishing enterprises of benevolence. (Philippians 2:5-8/ Matthew 16:24/ 2 Corinthians 10:5/ Micah 6:5)
God does not employ compulsory measures; love is the agent which He uses to expel sin from the heart. No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed. Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift. The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save. Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says, All these are for man. Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven. His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me. (Psalms 37:4/ John 6:37/ Romans 8:32/ Psalms 43:4/ 1 Peter 1:8)
Notice this point with care... All self‑exaltation and self‑admiration are the result of ignorance of God and of Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. (Proverbs 9:10/ Isaiah 57:15/ Romans 1:28-31/ Philippians 3:7,8)
The antidote for this is found in these words...
"Pride and self-worship cannot flourish in the soul that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary."
Selfishness is written on the human heart in plain, unmistakable characters. Selfishness is the root of all evil. Selfishness lies at the foundation of all sin. Thus we conclude that selfishness is the principle which excludes one from heaven. “Human selfishness is the barrier to eternal life.” (Mark 7:21-23/ Jeremiah 17:9/ John 3:5/ Matthew 18:3/5:8/5:3,10/ Mark 10:15/ 1 Corinthians 6:9,10/ Galatians 5:19-21/ Rphesians 5:5)
The principle of selfishness is deadly and will lead to the time of trouble. “Selfishness is a deadly evil.” (Proverbs 18:12/ Ezekiel 31:10,11/ Revelation 18:7/ Daniel 5:22,23,30/8:25) Those in the world, having lost their connection with God, are making desperate, insane efforts to make centers of themselves. This causes distrust of one another, which is followed by crime. The kingdoms of the world will be divided against themselves. Fewer and fewer will become the sympathetic cords which bind man in brotherhood to his fellow man. The natural egotism of the human heart will be worked upon by Satan. He will use the uncontrolled wills and violent passions which were never brought under the control of God's will. For of whom a man is overcome , of the same is he brought in bondage . (2 Peter 2:19) (Romans 6:16/ Isaiah 2:11,17/ Matthew 24:10/ Zechariah 14:13/ Jeremiah 30:7) This will be the result at the close of human probation when the Holy Spirit is finally withdrawn from those who have rejected the work of the love of God in their lives ...(Matthew 12:31,32/ Revelation 22:11)
To be continued...
It is not the will of our heavenly Father that so many would be deceived concerning salvation and eternal life in these last days. While GOD loves everyone and will forgive anyone HE does not change our character against our will or without our cooperation.
A Christ-like character is the only kind of character that could enjoy heaven and a Christ-like character is the only kind of character that could be trusted in heaven.
We are given a life-time, (be it long or short) to cooperate with God in developing a Christ-like character for eternal life in heaven. It begins with the new birth experience.
Ask Jesus Christ to come into your life today and to begin the work of changing you for heaven. Confess your sins and acknowledge your need of Him. He loves you and wants the privilege of enjoying friendship with you forever.
Let's pray...
Heavenly Father, I am a sinner and have lived a selfish life and broken your commandments. I believe that you love me and have proved it by allowing your Son Jesus Christ to be crucified on the cross for my sins.
I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins because He loves me.
I believe that Jesus Christ was resurrected and will give me power over sin because He loves me.
I believe that Jesus Christ will come again and deliver me from the presence of sin because He loves me.
Please cause me to be born again right now and bless me with new motives, new desires and new purposes. Help me to grow more and more like my new Lord and Savior from day to day.
In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Welcome to the family of God !
Have a great weekend and may the Lord keep and bless you.
T.K.
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