Without Blemish

Ephesians 5:26-27 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

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Imagine having a beautiful white robe and this is given to you as a free gift. Most of us know how hard it is to wash white clothes. The Christian walk has a great reward for those who do the will of God AND keeps himself pure and unspotted from the world. Just like clean whites, on spot, blemish or wrinkle can ruin the entire look.

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

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It's not only doing all the good deeds but also avoiding the way the world walks. God has a standard and the common place "God understands" won't cut it. Can't have God and the world. Either Love God and reject worldliness or Love the world and reject godliness.

NO HALF WAY HOUSE!

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

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The scriptures do not say "the love of the Father is not fully in him", it says it's not there. How do you know you really know God?
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1 John 2:3-6 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

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A Christian walks like Jesus. Not a rapper, or a DJ or pop-culture, insurance broker, new age philospher. They walk how Christ walked. That's as simple as it gets. A Christian imitates Jesus. "What did Jesus do? I want to be just like him." 

It's not just about outward appearance either. What is in our hearts? Do we look Christian and do Christian around our peers. What about alone time? What do we take into our hearts and minds? Does it bring it closer to God or does it feed the flesh?

Philippians 4:8-9  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Unfortunately we've gotten to the point where to cater to membership or exuberant church sizes (God be praise where there is a church who rejects all worldliness, and maintains a large size. We rarely, if ever hear of these), we promote something that is not all Jesus... oh no, we add some materialism to it. Touch it up with some of the current trends and fashion and we get "Come just as you are... no need to change... too much..."

Reminds me of all the "AWESOME WONDERFUL MINISTRIES" that are out there. They give to the poor, they preach messages that reach millions, heal the sick and cast out devils ALL in the name of Jesus Christ.

It's amazing and wonderful, GLORY to GOD... But here's what Jesus said... and I want us to seriously ponder on it...

Matthew 7:21-23 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.

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Picture the millions of self-proclaimed Christians in the world. Only a FEW will enter...

Matthew 7:13-20 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 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.

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How do we know that the preachers in front of us are sheep or wolves? Observe their works... do they speak the truth? Are we convinced in our heart that they do? Or is the word of God our FINAL authority?
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You will NOT know a preacher speaks the truth unless he speaks the Word of God. 
How do you know he speaks the Word of God? You have to read it for yourself. Be a BEREAN. Examine the scripture daily to see if these things they preach are so. Don't take my word for it. Look into things yourself.

Do the messages they preach make you comfortable or do they help you to understand just how serious this walk is?

There is NO DOUBLE STANDARD when it comes to God. 

He loves us, He really does. But how will we respond to that love? Accept His ways or choose ours?
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Deuteronomy 30:19-20 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

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If I remember correctly, the same God of grace and mercy now, is the same God of justice and truth then. God doesn't change. There is mercy to them that fear Him. He's still slow to wrath and plentious in mercy.
I know we're not perfect but He still has a standard. It's really by His mercies why we eat and breath everyday

But when He executes judgement on that final day... no man can stand up before Him and say it was unfair. God bless.