THE EXCEPT (or unless) OPTIONS
While we are in this world of testing, we are faced with, "EXCEPT" or "UNLESS" options. Here are a few passages that address our choices in life. Notice that these choices begin at salvation and continue through our life of faith.
While we are in this world of testing, we are faced with, "EXCEPT" or "UNLESS" options. Here are a few passages that address our choices in life. Notice that these choices begin at salvation and continue through our life of faith.
PASSAGES and COMMENTS...
These passages are taken from various translations that use the words EXCEPT or UNLESS. Making the wrong choice in any of these testings results in disaster.
These passages are taken from various translations that use the words EXCEPT or UNLESS. Making the wrong choice in any of these testings results in disaster.
BELIEVE IN CHRIST ALONE or DIE IN SINS
John 8:24
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am 'he', ye shall die in your sins. (ASV)
DLG note... There is no other escape from sin than Jesus Christ.
John 8:24
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am 'he', ye shall die in your sins. (ASV)
DLG note... There is no other escape from sin than Jesus Christ.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. (WEB WEY NIV)
DLG note... There is no other way to a right relationship with God than through Christ.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. (WEB WEY NIV)
DLG note... There is no other way to a right relationship with God than through Christ.
REPENT or PERISH
Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (KJV ASV WBS)
DLG note... Either REPENT (change your mind about sin, change your direction in life, turn from sin) or be separated from God forever.
Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (KJV ASV WBS)
DLG note... Either REPENT (change your mind about sin, change your direction in life, turn from sin) or be separated from God forever.
NEW BIRTH or LOSE KINGDOM OF GOD
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (KJV ASV DBY WBS)
DLG note... A miraculous, God empowered, transformed new beginning is fundamental, essential to entering the Kingdom of God.
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (KJV ASV DBY WBS)
DLG note... A miraculous, God empowered, transformed new beginning is fundamental, essential to entering the Kingdom of God.
REMEMBER AND REPENT or LOSE YOUR LIGHT
Revelation 2:5
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (KJV ASV DBY WBS)
DLG note... Individually, believers who fall must repent again, turn again, and do the first works of salvation again (believe, confess, obey) or they will lose their light. This is also true in the corporate sense for churches.
Revelation 2:5
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (KJV ASV DBY WBS)
DLG note... Individually, believers who fall must repent again, turn again, and do the first works of salvation again (believe, confess, obey) or they will lose their light. This is also true in the corporate sense for churches.
EAT AND DRINK CHRIST or BE LOST
John 6:53
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (KJV ASV WBS)
DLG note... Constant spiritual feasting on Christ is the only way to maintain spiritual life.
John 6:53
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (KJV ASV WBS)
DLG note... Constant spiritual feasting on Christ is the only way to maintain spiritual life.
ABIDE/HOLD FAST or BE BARREN/CUT OFF/BURNED
John 15:2-6
(2) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
(3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
(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.
(5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (KJV ASV WBS)
(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.
DLG note... Believers who do not produce spiritual fruit (including the Fruit of the Spirit), we will be removed from Christ. Believers who do not experience purification of the heart will no longer produce spiritual fruit. Believers who do not choose to abide, continue, remain in Christ will not produce spiritual fruit, but will instead be cast aside, withered, cast into the fire and burned. Notice, it is not the believers failed works that are cast into the fire of judgment, but the believer. Our choice is either Holy Spirit fire or hell fire.
John 15:2-6
(2) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
(3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
(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.
(5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (KJV ASV WBS)
(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.
DLG note... Believers who do not produce spiritual fruit (including the Fruit of the Spirit), we will be removed from Christ. Believers who do not experience purification of the heart will no longer produce spiritual fruit. Believers who do not choose to abide, continue, remain in Christ will not produce spiritual fruit, but will instead be cast aside, withered, cast into the fire and burned. Notice, it is not the believers failed works that are cast into the fire of judgment, but the believer. Our choice is either Holy Spirit fire or hell fire.
EXAMINE/PROVE YOURSELVES SAVED or FAIL THE TEST AND BE REJECTED
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (KJV WBS)
DLG note... Those who do not prove themselves faithful during testing will be rejected (reprobate).
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (KJV WBS)
DLG note... Those who do not prove themselves faithful during testing will be rejected (reprobate).
REJECT FALSE DOCTRINE or BE TURNED FROM THE GOSPEL
Galatians 1:6-7
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--
7 that is not another, except there be certain who are troubling you, and wishing to pervert the good news of the Christ; (YLT)
DLG note... Those who turn from following Christ will be followers of a false gospel and therefore not be saved.
Launch Out and Hold Fast,
Pastor David L. Gould
Galatians 1:6-7
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--
7 that is not another, except there be certain who are troubling you, and wishing to pervert the good news of the Christ; (YLT)
DLG note... Those who turn from following Christ will be followers of a false gospel and therefore not be saved.
Launch Out and Hold Fast,
Pastor David L. Gould
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