Have We Counted The Cost To Follow Jesus?

Today we find ourselves looking at the warnings in 2 Timothy. One thing I have come to see is many believers read the New Testament and automatically apply the salvation scriptures to themselves. In a day of ear tickling preachers the teachers reinforce this idea. This is very dangerous as we are told to "make our calling and election sure", in 2 Peter 1:10. It is very easy to ignore the many scriptures that warn us about staying in the faith. 

Paul encourages and blesses and warns. It is very dangerous to take the encouragement and ignore the warnings. This has been going on for centuries. 


2 Timothy 1 ISV

11For the sake of this gospell I was appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles.m 12That is why I suffer as I do. However, I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he has entrusted to men until the day that he comes.o 13Hold on to the pattern of healthy teachings that you have heard from me, along with the faith and love that are in the Messiahp Jesus. 14With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, protect the good treasure that has been entrusted to you.

15You know that everyone in Asia has abandoned me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, for he often took care ofq me and was not ashamed that I was a prisoner. 17Instead, when he arrived in Rome he searched diligently for me and found me. 18May the Lord grant that he finds mercy on the day he comes again.r You know very well how much he assisted me in Ephesus. (Please note that Paul did not say in verse 18 that he knew Onesiphorus would have mercy because he said "the sinners prayer" or because of anything else. Paul clearly does not put a stamp of approval on him. Paul even warns Timothy in verse 13 to "hold on  to the pattern of healthy teachings that you have heard from me".)

James also follows the pattern of encouragement followed by warnings. In verse 18 we receive encouragement. Then in the rest of the verses we find very serious warnings. I have come to see the warnings are priceless and to protect us from ruin. I not only love the gospel, but I love the Messiah who gave us all of the warnings. I treasure the warnings and am fearful for our generation who is listening mostly to ear tickling preachers. 

James 1 ISV

16Do not bef deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights,g in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow. 18In accordance with his will he made us his children by the word of truth, so that we might become the most important of his creatures.h

19You must understand this, my dear brothers. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20For human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.21Therefore, rid yourselves of everything impure and every expression of wickedness, and with a gentle spirit welcome the word planted in you that can save your souls.

22Keep on being obedient toi the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves. 23For if anyone hears the word but is not obedient to it, he is like a man who looks at himself in a mirror24and studies himself carefully, and then goes off and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the one who looks at the perfect law of freedom and remains committed to it—thereby demonstrating that he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of what that lawj requires—will be blessed in what he does.

26If anyone thinks that he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but instead deceives himself,k his religion is worthless. 27A religion that is pure and stainless according tol God the Father is this: 

• to take care of orphans 
• and widows who are suffering, 
• and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

What do we do in the face of all of the warnings? We know that we do not earn our salvation for it took the wrath of God on his son Jesus to accomplish that. We must protect our eyes and ears from filth. The TV and worldly music war against our souls. Both are destroying lives and souls. Repent and get into the scriptures, Obey what God says to do. Jesus told us that he is the vine and we are the branches. If we abide in him and he abides in us we will bring forth fruit for the kingdom. As Paul says in verse 27, seek a stainless and pure life. If you sin, repent quickly and get back on track. The Holy Spirit will lead you in to overcoming. Don't give up. Never give up! He is coming soon.!!