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Matthew 3,8-10

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8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance! (...) 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

 

Matthew 7,19-23

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19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, "Lord, Lord", shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" 23 And then will I profess unto them, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity!"

 

Jesus explains that faith is about doing the will of GOD the Father, which He reveals to us in the Bible. Only those who wholeheartedly obey GOD's commandments will ultimately be saved. This has nothing to do with so-called "righteousness of works," but is the consequence that must follow GOD's grace. A confession of faith in Jesus alone is not enough; neither is simply invoking his name. Faith in Jesus must be accompanied by a profound change of life, which becomes visible in our words and actions. The Bible refers to this comprehensive transformation as spiritual rebirth. A person who is not spiritually reborn and who continually transgresses GOD's commandments does not belong to Jesus. They are finally denied access to the kingdom of heaven.

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Matthew 10,32 f.

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32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

 

2nd Timothy 2,11-13

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11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

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Whoever believes in Jesus must also confess his faith before others. Only then will Jesus also confess his faith before GOD. This requires courage and the willingness to suffer for Jesus and, if necessary, to die for his faith. Anyone who denies their faith in front of others out of cowardice will also be denied by Jesus and thus lose their salvation.

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Matthew 24,11-13

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11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

 

Jesus exhorts all believers to remain steadfast in the face of trials and temptations that every Christian encounters throughout his or her life. Only those who maintain their faith until death or the Lord's return can be saved.

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Matthew 25,26-30

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26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27  thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Luke 12,45 f.

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45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

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The parable of the talents or pounds is about believers. Only such people are referred to as "servants" in the Bible. Every person who believes in Jesus receives resources and gifts from GOD, which they are to use to serve others and win people for Christ. Jesus expects his servants to be zealous and dedicated to GOD's kingdom, both within and outside the church. Anyone who selfishly wastes their resources and gifts or leaves them unused  and instead lives like a godless person will be cast out from GOD's people and thus cannot share in the eternal inheritance that GOD promises to His children.

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John 15,4 + 6

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4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (...) 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  

 

Jesus calls all believers to abide "in him." This is the prerequisite for us to bear abundant good fruit in our lives, which pleases GOD and is a visible testimony to our faith. This is not possible without our connection to Jesus. Being "in Jesus" means obeying his commandments. Those who willfully or consistently disregard Jesus' commandments cannot remain united with Jesus but must expect to be damned for all eternity.

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Galatians 6,7 f.

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7 Be not deceived; GOD is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

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Those who are unwilling to repent and change their attitudes risk hardening their hearts in the long run. Anyone who professes faith in Jesus while simultaneously living in sin is deceiving themselves. GOD, however, cannot be deceived, for He knows the heart and thoughts of every person perfectly. In the end, GOD will reward each person according to their deeds. This means that those who live according to the flesh will end in eternal damnation.

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Ephesians 4,30

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30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of GOD, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

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Those who continually sin grieve the Holy Spirit. This means that the Holy Spirit's work is hindered, preventing GOD's work in us from reaching its goal. This can lead to us to eventually no longer producing good fruit and thus no longer having spiritual life. At the same time, there is a danger of falling back into old sinful habits and behavior patterns that lead us ever further away from GOD. To avoid such a gradual apostasy, we must take sin seriously and not compromise with it. It is also important to recognize the causes of our own transgressions and resolutely resist all temptations.

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Romans 8,8 + 13

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8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please GOD. (...) 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

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James 1,13-15

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13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of GOD: for GOD cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

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James 4,4-8

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4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with GOD? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of GOD. (...) 7 Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to GOD, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

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Because GOD hates sin, He takes no pleasure in people who live according to the flesh and unhesitatingly follow their sinful desires. Pride and sin contradict GOD's holiness and are part of this fallen world in which we live. Those who are proud and despise GOD's commandments reveal themselves as friends of the world and, at the same time, make themselves enemies of GOD. This means, conversely, that anyone who wants to belong to GOD must learn to be humble and overcome fleshly desires. Those who fail to do this cannot be saved.

 

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Romans 2,4

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4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of GOD leadeth thee to repentance?

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Ephesians 5,3-7

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3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of GOD. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of GOD upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

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Hebrews 10,26-29

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26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of GOD, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

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Colossians 3,5-10

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5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 for which things' sake the wrath of GOD cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.

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The Bible gives us a serious warning that anyone who sins intentionally (i.e., willingly and without repentance) forfeits GOD's grace and is ultimately excluded from the Kingdom of GOD and eternal life. Believing in Jesus requires a determined repentance from the old way of life. The fact that GOD does not punish every sin immediately shows how kind GOD is and how much patience He has with us. GOD's kindness, in turn, is meant to move us humans to repentance. If we refuse to repent, sooner or later there will be consequences for us. Anyone who disobeys GOD's will will be struck by His righteous anger. Therefore, every person is called upon to put their life in order before GOD while they have the opportunity. For GOD's patience has limits.

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Matthew 5,29 f.

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29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

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Jesus doesn't demand that we mutilate ourselves in the literal sense, but rather calls us to resist sin with all our strength and determination. This warning is especially true in the context of adultery, which is a particularly serious sin in GOD's eyes. Even though GOD is very merciful and can forgive sexual infidelity, as in the case of David and the adulteress in the Gospel of John, we should always be aware of the consequences of our actions. Nowhere does it say that GOD forgives every sin. If GOD is unwilling to forgive (see Ananias and Sapphira), that person will end up in "Gehenna" (= lake of fire).

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1st Corinthians 3,16 f.

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16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of GOD dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of GOD, him shall God destroy; for the temple of GOD is holy, which temple ye are.

 

GOD does not tolerate sin in His Church. Therefore, anyone who intentionally allows the church—which is the temple of GOD—to be defiled by sin without taking action must expect consequences that may even include the loss of their soul's salvation.

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John 8,31-36

 

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31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

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2nd Peter 2,19-22

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19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

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Jesus came to free us from the bondage of sin. Every sin a Christian commits damages his relationship with GOD and weakens him spiritually. If he sins continually, he remain a slave to sin. However, anyone who has become free and falls back into old sins without immediately purifying themselves is worse off than an unbeliever. Consequently, they face the same fate as all unbelievers.

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1st Corinthians 9,23-27

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23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

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Paul compares the life of a disciple to a race that must be completed. Only the one who reaches the finish line will receive the crown of victory—eternal life. To do this, we must orient our entire lives toward GOD and His Word, while resolutely resisting everything that can cause us to stumble. Paul saw the constant danger for believers of straying from the narrow path and being rejected by GOD, a danger he himself was no exception to. To this end, the apostle's letters contain numerous admonitions and warnings to believers to take discipleship seriously and to abstain from worldly desires with all their might.

 

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