Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13
In the above Scripture we are admonished by the apostle Paul to work out our own salvation. But notice he says with ‘fear and trembling’!
Are you working out your salvation with fear and trembling?
Not, to be harsh, but are you taking time each day to read and study God’s Word – or are you trusting in some preacher or teacher to tell you what God says? Are you allowing God to teach you by his Word and by his Holy Spirit, or are you trusting in someone elses preaching or teaching alone?
Here is the WARNING!
If you don’t know the whole Word of God for yourself, you could very easily be deceived!
So many of the messages of preachers and teachers today seem right. They quote Scriptures from the Bible . . . but is what they are teaching you the truth? If you know the Word of God, and are paying close attention, and pray for discernment – you may very well find that what they are teacing is not quite right, or they may even leave things out – important things that could even be salvation issues!
Have you ever heard or experienced:
- “Those Scripture verses are not for us today.” ?
- “This is a special revelation, outside of the Bible.”?
- Scripture quoted out of context, or portions totally deleted – that really change the meaning?
- Words and terms used continually that are not in the Bible?
- Strange “supernatural experiences” ?
You should be able to confirm everything someone teaches in God’s Word.
In Matthew 7:15 Jesus taught us:
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
The apostle Peter warned us in 2 Peter 2, that false prophets and teachers will be among us and that they will “secretly” introduce destructive heresies – and that many will follow their shameful ways and bring the truth into disrepute.
Notice it says MANY will follow their shameful ways!
In 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 the apostle Paul teaches us:
For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
We have been warned throughout the Word not to be deceived. Satan came to kill, steal and destroy God’s children. More than anything, the devil wants to steal your salvation and take you to hell with him!
So I encourage you today – get a real Bible. Put away your electronics. Start reading the Bible from cover-to-cover. Know what it says – let God teach you. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling!
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
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