“This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him, we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.
If we deny him, he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.
But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”” 2 Timothy 2: 11-16, 19(NLT)
The above verses are very clear to understand God and our own selves. The Lord needs people who are sincere in their hearts and are pure so that God can work with them to establish His Will in this world. If we are reckless and refuse to change, you will not be of any use to Jesus. Our job is to read the word dividing it correctly and not relate ourselves to the weaknesses that are written but should relate to the powerful life that the saints before us had.
e.g. “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”” Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38 (NLT)
Here I see many people give up and will not make any good change with the excuse that their body is weak; whereas they should see that the spirit can make the body move, because in the spirit you are strong as Jesus when you are born again. The above verses are exactly same in both the accounts given in those 2 gospels. In some accounts they are different and preachers themselves settled for lesser and not for fullness. e.g.
- GREAT COMMISSION: Matthew 28:18-20(NLT) ; Mark16:15-18(NLT) They settled for the account in Matthew 28 to quote the Great Commission instead of Mark 16 which is more powerful. Some translations are trying to eliminate also, because here in Mark Jesus clearly explains if you are a believer these signs will follow you. And those who are preaching did not have those signs so they conveniently avoid such truths.
- ASK, SEEK, KNOCK: Matthew 7:7-11(NLT) ; Luke 11:9-13(NLT) This is written in 2 gospels to ask, seek, knock what? The Holy Spirit: which is clearly mentioned in Luke 11 whereas the preacher’s use the account in Matthew 7, so that they do not emphasis on the Holy Spirit for which Jesus said you have to ask, seek and knock. Because many pastors and preachers themselves have not received the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Make sure you read and study the Bible yourself to find out; whether you are following all that the Lord Jesus asked to do. We cannot be less concerned about our spiritual life. This material world’s achievements are of no use to go to the spiritual world after the life here is over. Do not depend on the teachings available in your church or internet. Find out for yourself where do you stand? These truths were revealed to me when I myself studied the Word with the help of the Holy Spirit.