5 Minute Lessons on the Kingdom of God
I Give Unto Them Eternal Life;
And They Shall Never Perish
(John 10:28)
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Why do the Apostles spend so much time warning Christians (that shall never perish), of the dangers of sin, the hardening of their hearts, and departing from the Living God? (Hebrews 3:12‑14; 2:3; 3:6; 10:26; 12:25; James 5:19‑20; 2 Peter 2:20; 1:10‑11; 3:17).

Didn't Jesus say,
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)
"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing..." (John 6:39)

Yet a large portion of Scripture gives warnings to Christians.

When a seed is planted, it soon begins to grow and we can see the signs of life that have been started. Jesus tells us in Luke 8:13, there are some who begin the journey of faith and later fall away. It may have seemed like they had life, but it never bore fruit. 
"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." (Luke 8:13)

The seed of the word sprang up and began to grow, which looks like a Christian with signs of life, but the life only endured for a while. There are many verses that state a true Christian continues in the faith (Colossians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 15:2).

The reason the Apostles warn Christians about this is because the people they address claim to be Christians, but evidently they do not express the life of Christ or His teachings. 
"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing..." (1 Timothy 6:3)

These people that claim to be Christians, but don't follow Him (Mark 8:34; John 10:27‑28) are in your church. How do I know that? Because they were also in the early church (Acts 20:29‑30; 2 John 1:9; Galatians 2:4; Jude 1:3‑4; 3 John 1:9‑11). These people are religious. They may have cast out demons, prophesied, saw miracles, said, "Lord, Lord" and used the Christian terms and names. They may have eaten with you in your fellowship meals, but they have forsaken the right way and have gone astray (2 Peter 2:15; Matthew 7:20‑23; 2 Peter 2:13). They followed the err of sin and iniquity (Matthew 7:23), but you could not argue with them that they are not Christians.

It's amazing to me that sometimes the Scriptures describe a believer only by the works and deeds they have done or by what they do (see Matthew 25:31‑46; Romans 2:5‑11; Matthew 7:21; 1 John 3:3; 1 John 3:7‑8). These Christians show an active life of ongoing repentance and faith! 
"16You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. 19So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions." (Matthew 7:16‑20 New Living Translation)
Questions
  1. Read Matthew 7:20 (NLT).
    "Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions." ‑ Matthew 7:20 (NLT)
    Fruit or actions expose people for who they are.
    True or False
    Answer
  2. Read Acts 3:19 (NLT).
    "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away." ‑ Acts 3:19 (NLT)
    Repentance is not perfection, but a change of course and direction.
    True or False
    Answer
  3. Read Romans 3:20‑22 (NLT).
    "20For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

    21But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are."     ‑ Romans 3:20‑22 (NLT)
    Works of the law can never save you, only Jesus can.
    True or False
    Answer
  4. Read Romans 2:2 (NLT).
    "You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act." ‑ Romans 2:2 (NLT)
    We cannot judge people, we can only judge their fruit.
    True or False
    Answer
  5. Read Matthew 7:21‑23 (LB).
    "21Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22At the Judgment many will tell me, 'Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.' 23But I will reply, 'You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.'" ‑ Matthew 7:21‑23 (LB)
    The reason this religious person was turned away from God's Kingdom was:
    1. they had not repented
    2. they practiced iniquity, lawlessness, and evil deeds
    3. they were a member of the wrong church
    Answer
  6. Read Acts 26:17‑18 (NLT).
    "Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me." ‑ Acts 26:17‑18 (NLT)
    Read Hebrews 1:8‑9 (LB).
    "8but of his Son he says, 'Your Kingdom, O God, will last forever and ever; its commands are always just and right. 9You love right and hate wrong; so God, even your God, has poured out more gladness upon you than on anyone else.'" ‑ Hebrews 1:8‑9 (LB)
    How can you be in God's kingdom and not accept His rule and His reign?
    Answer
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We would love to hear your feedback on these lessons and how you use them in your own study or in discipling others. If you have any thoughts, stories, testimonies, comments, or questions we would love to hear them!








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