I originally wrote this in response to this cartoon being posted on Facebook.
I explain below how this cartoon is false teaching, and what the Bible really says — and how ‘ONE’ will happen “that the world will know!”
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(source)
Actually, there is a target we must all hit, a test we must all pass, as Paul did himself, running his race to win, working out his own salvation through fear and trembling.
Jesus said in John 15 that we, the BRANCHES must abide in the VINE, connected to Him, bearing fruit (“apart from Me you can do nothing” – v. 5), or we’ll be *cut off*, cast into the fire and burned. We must stay connected to Him, where *He wants our joy to be full!*
“*If* you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love…. I have spoken these things to you, *that my joy may remain in you*, and *that your joy may be made full*. This is my commandment, that you *love one another, even as I have* loved you.” (John 15:10-12)
The cartoonist quotes Paul in Romans 3, where Paul was saying we’re not justified by works *of the law* (“apart from the works of the law” – v. 28). Paul then goes on to say in Romans 8:1 that in order to have “no condemnation” we must abide in Christ, not walking according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit:
“There is therefore now *no condemnation* to those who are *in Christ Jesus*, who don’t *walk* according to the flesh, but *according to the Spirit*.”
He then states that we must abide in Christ to overcome to be true children of God:
“For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if *by the Spirit* you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are *led by the Spirit* of God, these are children of God.” (8:13-14)
“..we are children of God…, joint heirs with Christ; *if indeed we suffer with him*, that we may also be glorified with him. (8:16-17)
Paul practiced what he preached. He worked out his own salvation with fear and trembling, running his race to win, making sure he lived in “no condemnation” by ALWAYS being right with God and men, so he was able to publicly say:
“Herein I also practice *always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men*” (Acts 24:16).
When a group of people live this way, able to worship God in Spirit and in truth, the long-prophesied revival, ’ONE’ will happen “that the world will know” — Jesus prayer in John 17:
“Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, *that they may all be one*; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be *one in us; that the world may believe* that you sent me. *The glory* which you have given me, I have *given to them; that they may be one*, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be *perfected into one; that the world may know* that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.” (17:20-24)
This could easily happen in Anchorage this year, if we make sure we’re right with God and men and women.
By His grace, we can be ‘ONE’ “that the world will know” — no longer in the doldrums — overcoming together!
Praise Jesus!
– Jeff
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