If Indeed The Dark side

If Indeed (The Dark Side)

By Russ Kujawski

 5/24/18

Colossians 1:23  

if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

 If indeed:

IF: The Greek is ei: Outline biblical usage: if, whether

Strong’s definitions: if, whether, that, etc.:—forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether.

For being such a small word it has a lot of power taking this conjunction and used primarily as a particle of conditionality it can have grave consequences.  If you don’t do this something bad can happen, if you do this something good can happen. If, If, If.

Indeed: Greek is: ge  Outline of biblical usage: indeed, truly, at least, even, seeing that.  It indicates that the meaning of the word to which it belongs has special prominence, and therefore that the word is to be distinguished from the rest of the sentence and uttered with greater emphasis

Lets get a little context on Colossians 1 :23

Colossians 21-23

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he (Jesus) has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Prior to this scripture 15-20 speak of Jesus as the image of God v15, That Jesus created all things vs16, Jesus is before all thing and they are held together by him vs17, Jesus is the head of the body and the church, the first to rise from the dead, preeminent to everything vs18, everything was reconciled to him through his death and resurrection v20 note I added the resurrection for without it then his death would be meaningless.

If indeed we continue in faith, There it is “If  indeed” or “If truly” we are steadfast, not shrinking from the message then what? Vs 22 we will be presented as Holy, blameless and above reproach be for him. That’s great news 

What about the other side of “If indeed”{the dark side} we don’t continue in faith, not being steadfast, and shifting away from the gospel. Then what? This is the point when you need to acknowledge if you can loose your salvation or not. The argument of once saved always saved or they were never saved to start with. I don’t necessarily agree with either argument.  So what does scripture say. Here is a new word to look at before I make an attempt to answer the question,  If Indeed we don’t continue in faith then what?

The word is Enlighten Greek =photizo  this is a verb  so an action takes place when someone is enlightened. Biblical usage to give light, to shine, to enlighten, light up, illumine to bring to light, render evident to cause something to exist and thus come to light and become clear to all, to enlighten, spiritually, imbue (inspire or permeate) with saving knowledge, to instruct, to inform, teach, to give understanding to.

"enlightened" occurs 3 times in 3 verses in the ESV.

1.       Eph 1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

2.       Heb 6:4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit,

3.       Heb 10:32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,

All these verses the word “enlighten” has the idea of saving knowledge and belief . So in it’s context these are brothers or sisters in Christ that are being spoken of. These are indeed Christians. If a Christian goes to the dark side of “if indeed” and does not remain steadfast and shrinks away. Then what? The rubber is about to hit the road. Some will disagree dogmatically some won’t.

The dark side of “If Indeed”

Heb 6:4-6

4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

MY thoughts on these verse’s: This is one section of scripture that shows me if a believer goes to the dark side of “If Indeed” that there salvation is in jeopardy. Why do I say that? Because of verse 4 “is impossible” after they have come to a saving knowledge, and have participated in what happens when you have salvation  and verse 6 “fallen away to restore them again to repentance, ” So again is their salvation in jeopardy?  

Looking at a couple of verses in 1 Corinthians it speaks of building a foundation ,what is your foundation built on?  If one has come to repentance then falls away was their foundation built on things of the world instead of things of God. In 1 Corinthians 3 it tells us that our works the things we have built on will be tested by fire.

1 Cor3: 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

The sub title of this section of scripture  in the ESV is “Divisions in the Church” I think this can also be used for those who have fallen away. They will be judged, their works will be refined by fire. If their foundation is being built on perishable things instead of the imperishable that which is Christ then it’s no wonder they fell away. But here is the interesting part verse 15 “If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”  This section of scripture can give you the idea that if someone was doing works to further the kingdom of God  and for some odd ball reason they fall away .The works that they have done will be tested by fire and what is burned up will be gone but they may indeed still  be save through the fire.

Final thoughts:

The light side of “If Indeed” we remain faithful and  steadfast we will be presented as Holy, blameless and above reproach before him. The dark side of “If Indeed” it is impossible to return to faith once we have walked away from it for we are re crucifying Christ again. When I say walk away I’m speaking of a complete about face God isn’t even a sparkle in your life. Not a momentary failure in your walk of faith. Again we are not the final judgement God is. Your works will be tested purified with fire in the final Judgement and maybe just maybe you will be saved thru the fire of Judgement. I do want to be clear I’m not saying you will be saved because of works , and I’m not saying once saved always saved . I am saying there is a possible chance that if you go to the dark side of if indeed you can possibly lose your salvation, or just barley make it thru the flames of purification in the final judgement.

 Do you really want to chance it?

meaning of this

What does this scripture tell you?

Heb 6:4-6

4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Remain Faithful

Remain Faithfull

By Russ Kujawski

4/13/18

 Followers remain faithful to the Lord whether doing so is easy or hard. On my blog {russ-biblethoughts.blogspot.com} there is a picture of Jesus holding a baby on it, it say’s ”I never said it would be easy I only Said it would be worth it. Don’t lose faith” It’s been dangerous for people to be Christians in most of the world many have died because of their Christianity. Yet Christianity spread throughout the world mostly in locations where Christianity isn’t allowed. In the USA it’s been easy being a Christian at least in it’s first 200 years of existence. The USA was founded on Biblical morals and principles. In 1962 something happened “On June 25, 1962, the United States Supreme Court decided in Engel v. Vitale that a prayer approved by the New York Board of Regents for use in schools violated the First Amendment because it represented establishment of religion.” Then in 1963 “June 17, 1963 – the Supreme Court declared school-sponsored prayer and Bible readings unconstitutional.” The 10 Commandments have been removed from schools and court houses plus other public displays. And like any great nation that removes God from them, that nation will fall. As the USA has been driving more and more to becoming a woe nation allowing immoral behaviors to become OK to allowing unethical acts to be OK. Society is changing rapidly and even some of the mainline (Supposedly biblical churches) are bending to the desires of society. They are now a Christian church by words but their actions show the evil one has infiltrated the church.

   Isa 5:20Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

The tile of this writing “Remain Faithfull” in todays society its of utmost importance to remain biblical and not bending to delete parts of scripture that make you feel uncomfortable or that shows your sin. And goes against society’s practices.

 Remain faithful: Seek

How do we remain faithful? Mat 6:33 I think most church goers know this verse.

Mat 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

I’m preaching to myself here. Start your day seeking God and his will for you his righteousness. Starting your day off in the word of God is a great way to start. I know that when I do my days are better handled than when I don’t start of in the word. The problems of the job will still be there dealing with un-rully customers will still be there but how I handle it will sure be different. So seek first GOD!

Here is something some say :I put on the armor of God daily” { Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.}

This verse tells us the armor of God will help against the schemes of the devil, that means it will help us remain faithful.

Side note: my issue with saying I put on the armor of God daily is nowhere does it say in this section of scripture about taking off the armor of God. If reading that section of scripture daily as a reminder that your protected then that’s all good.

So far here are two helps to remain faithful, seek God first and put on and leave on the armor of God. Now let’s continue.

Here is a question is it easier to remain faithful during time’s when things are going well or when things are falling apart? I think when things aren’t going quit right and seem to be falling apart is when people draw closer to God, why because their hope is taken off themselves and redirected to the LORD. In him is were we are renewed and strengthened. 

Isaiah 40: 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

During our weakness we may say something like “Why is this happening Lord?, strengthen me” In our weakness we cry out to the Lord we seek answers, that truly only the Lord can give. In our calling upon the Lord during our weakness, during trials that seem to expose our weakness, we will be made strong we will perceiver.

Romans 5:1-6 5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.    

Remaining faithful in our suffering produces endurance, character, and hope because we have the Holy Spirit in us. When we are not in trials or suffering we need to remain faithful even more so. We can possibly become self-reliant, or say look what I’ve done, self-centered. Not giving God the glory for your success, for your peace. This isn’t a blanket statement there are some who give God the glory for their success and their trials, They have remained in him they have abided.

Remain faithful ( Abide)

John 15:1-11

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

There is a lot in this section of scripture I will be just touching on some of it.

For starters Jesus is the true vine he is the center of the Christian faith, we as biblical Christians are the branches, Branches produce more fruit when pruned. God the Father is the pruner, He will cause trials in your life so that you will produce more fruit. Just want to be clear I’m speaking of trials not temptations God does not tempt us.{James1:13} During the pruning if we abide in Christ that is remain faithful we will produce more fruit, apart from Christ we don’t bear useful fruit. By not abiding or remaining faithful you will be thrown out like a dead branch and burned

Here are some thoughts on verse 6 { If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a dead branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.}

1. This could be speaking of those who never abided in Christ, never accepted his redemption for them. They will be thrown into the fire of hell.
2. This could be speaking of those who once abided but when trials came along they fell away and God allows them to go their own way of destruction.
3. This could be speaking of Those who where abiding but during trials started falling away and God brought them home and they went through judgement their works are burned up. Yet they enter Heaven thru the fire.

Your opinion on this will depend on your thoughts on salvation, if you can lose it or not.

I myself Only God can truly Judge the heart,

By abiding in Christ ,remaining faithful we will prove ourselves his disciples. We will bear much fruit thru the works that have been set before us to do. Thru abiding in Christ we can have complete Joy. In Christ.

The things of this world, our life situations will always be there will come in harsh at times and leave, will seem to smooth out and get congested. No matter the situation you’re in remain faithful. Your just one breath ,one heartbeat away from eternity.

Remain faithful: Prayer

When we talk to God that’s prayer. Its how we communicate to God our thankfulness, our praise, seek guidance, needs , and desirers. Prayer can take on various forms. You may be in your car just talking to God. As scripture tells us in Matthew 6:6 go into a room and close the door when you pray. You might pray with many or you might pray with one. The point is take it to God and listen and watch for the answers. Just a little warning you need to be willing to accept the answer you get from God even if it’s not the answer you want. Remember pray His will be done not my will. There are I think 3 basic answers to Prayer, No, Not now, and Yes. God knows what’s coming down the road.

Remain faithful: Study The Word of God

To remain faithful you need to know what it is that Gods word say’s so that you can rightly discern what it is God is saying . 2Ti 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

From the movie  A Few Good Men came an iconic phrase “ you can’t handle the truth”

Studying the Word helps you to understand to rightly handle the truths of God’s Word. It will let you know how to remain faithful. It will tell you what is true and what is not. You need to study God’s Word for yourself, so you are capable to counter those who teach a misleading teaching or doctrine that leads to more ungodliness. 2Ti 2:16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

Just to give one example of a false teaching. It has been said by some “ you’re not healed due to your lack of faith” really! Yes faith can and at times does play a part in our healing. There are many verses that speak of healings that happen with out faith being displayed or belief in Christ as the savior. Matt 4: 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.

What does this verse say? The gospel was proclaimed, and healings happened, his fame spread, and the ill were brought to him to be healed. It doesn’t say they believed and then were healed, it doesn’t say they had faith and were healed. If anything they had hope that he could do for them what he had done in the past. To say your lack of faith is why your not healed is not necessarily true. Maybe your sickness is some sort of trial, maybe your sick because your sick. But how are you to know if I’m right or anyone else is right, does my understanding of scripture or someone else’s help you to remain faithful. Unless you study God’s word and get that understanding of his word remaining faithful will always be a task a hardship at best.

Remain faithful: Practice

James 1: 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

James 2:22 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;

Remaining faithful takes practice. Like anything in life practice is needed to become proficient in what you do. I’ve been an electrician for 30 years and I’m still learning. Being a Christian is still relatively easy in today’s society (in the USA), but being a BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN takes practice, it takes participation, it takes a willingness to learn, to be corrected, here is something it takes that most say they don’t have enough of TIME.

As James say’s” be doers of the word” or as The NASB puts it “Prove yourself doers of the word” James is telling us to be active in the word to be participants. Not putting into practice what you have heard then you will easily be turned away from faith or be miss directed into a false faith.

Remain Faithful: Be a beacon.

Psalms 119: 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

One of the definitions for light in this scripture is “light of instruction” God’s word give us instructions on how to remain faithful it lights our journey in Christ. As Christ is the light of the world as he states in John 8: 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

  Jesus is the light of this world and if we are true biblical Christians then we have that light and we need to let that light shine, we need to be a beacon, a light house, a warning to those who are in darkness. Matthew 5: 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Having come to Christ and have put off the old self(old nature) and put on the new self (new nature) that is in the image of Christ, then we have the light of Christ. We must not hide it We need to be a reflection of Christ like the moon reflects the sun so we should also reflect the Son.

Word play: in Psalms 119:115 it says “your word is a light unto my path,” John 1:1 say’s “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word is God”. We know that the Word mentioned in John is no other than Christ himself, and he has always been with God. This is probably a stretch and I wouldn’t take this to the bank. Christ is the light of the World and the word gives light unto the path then is Psalms in some way speaking of Christ?

Final thoughts:

Below I have a list of practices that we as biblical Christians should be and maybe even a stronger term is needed MUST be doing in order to remain faithful. They are not in any particular order but # 1 is indeed #1 Seek first God. The rest are futile without GOD.

1. Seek first God
2. Keep the armor of God on
3. Pray
4. Study God Word
5. Put into practice Gods word
6. Be a beacon unto the world reflecting the light of Christ.

As I said in the beginning of this study I’m speaking to myself just as much as I’m speaking to you.

God Bless

The Word

Word play: in Psalms 119:115 it says “your word is a light unto my path,” John 1:1 say’s “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word is God”. We know that that Word mentioned in John is no other than Christ himself, and he has always been with God. This is probably a stretch and I wouldn’t take this to the bank. Christ is the light of the World and the word gives light unto the path then is Psalms in some way speaking of Christ?