Continue in the Confession

‘But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou SHALT confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and SHALT believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou SHALT be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' (Romans 10:9,10 KJV)

Shalt, or shall, indicates simple futurity: expressing the future tense. Although this passage has been taught primarily as a place of entrance into God's salvation, confessing the lordship of Jesus Christ and his victory over all flesh, especially in questionable circumstances, brings light for your devotion to God through Him, keeping and refining you in it. The victory in confession of the Lord Jesus will be found in the doing of it, speaking wisely, because wisdom understands that we must proceed.

Forasmuch then, and Inasmuch

‘FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.'

(1 Peter 4:1-5 KJV)

'Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice, INASMUCH as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.' (1 Peter 4:12,13 KJV)

Forasmuch and inasmuch (insofar) that we may be GLAD also, rather than not-as-much and out-as-much as one may desire to position themselves.

Sojourn Likewise: Being Born Again

‘Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind. be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your SOJOURNING here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: BEING born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.' 

(1 Peter 1:13-25 KJV)

Being (having the state, quality, identity, nature, role specified) of the incorruptible seed!

Perfect and Entire: Accuracy to Destination

‘James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.'(James 1:1-4 KJV)

Most have experienced the benefit of a navigation system. The system will determine your most direct route. If you detour, the system will direct you to 'return to route guidance', ending your diversion, unless you decide to 'cancel route guidance'. Each consideration to divert from route guidance requires a return to guidance. Eventually and hopefully, we recognize the benefit of staying with the guidance.

'And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

(Hebrews 6:11,12 KJV)

The Faith Once Delivered

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

(1John 5:20-21 KJV)

'And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.'

(Matthew 3:16-4:1 KJV)

The temptations began with the devil coaxing Jesus, on two occasions, regarding steps He could take in His own power, and one which Satan could do for Him. (Matthew 4:2-10) Jesus response was only: 'It is written.' Of God, of course.

'Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the FAITH which was ONCE DELIVERED unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.'

(Jude 1:1-4 KJV)

How many have been coaxed to use their own abilities, or fallen by what the kingdoms/glories of this world seem to provide, while in the wilderness? The common salvation which Jude discusses, results from faith which was once delivered unto the saints: the testimony of God's Son, Jesus Christ.

Luke 16:1-4 KJV

‘And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.'

Surely in this example the steward came to a crossroads: his response was resolve to further his error by making friends with debtors instead of requesting mercy and correction for his wastefulness. When our lacking stewardship is called into question, how should we respond? When the steward proclaimed that he couldn't dig, and was ashamed to beg, should we take it that he wouldn't dig, and was ashamed to ask earnestly for that which he lacked in stewardship?

Understanding this is a parable, shouldn't we rather desire to dig to uncover what is lacking and ask earnestly for mercy when we are falling short?

Overthrown, or Victorious in the Wilderness

‘Moreover, brethren, I would not that should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.'

(1 Corinthians 10:1-5 KJV)

'Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou shall dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceedingly high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.'

(Matthew 4:1-11 KJV)

'Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.'

(1 Corinthians 10:11-13 KJV)

Jesus was victorious in the wilderness as he allowed the Holy Spirit to quicken the Father's will, separating from the temptation of Satan. The way to escape!