“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 trust and 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, that is the real you, which is as 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. “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”” Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV)
- 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. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:10, 13 (NKJV)
- FIVE FOLD/ EIGHT FORLD MINISTRIES: Ephesians 4:11-13(NKJV); 1 Corinthians 12:27-31(NKJV) This is again the popular saying that Jesus gave five-fold miniseries because people started avoiding the spiritual ministries holding on to the passages in Ephesians, but not those in 1 Corinthians where same Paul who wrote these two letters talking about that there are Eight-fold ministries, in which 4 of them are spiritual; and the whole Body of Christ never brought it out and so all forgot about them. So by the guidances of the Holy Spirit I present to you the Eight-fold ministries the Bible is talking about— “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.” I Corinthians 12:28 (NKJV)
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.