The Temptation to Shift, Part 2 (TMF:2575)

Friday, March 21, 2025

Peace to Live By The Temptation to Shift, Part 2 (TMF:2575) - Daniel Litton
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The temptation to shift. For sure, there are a lot of those temptations, aren’t there? Why, this was the ploy, or enticement, that Satan laid out before Jesus at his time of tempting. Recall? Satan presented Jesus with the ability to have all the kingdoms of the world right then and there. No wait. No cross (assuming Jesus had knowledge about the cross at that point in time). If we say he did, think how tempting that would of been. We know it would have been tempting because we see later that Jesus asks the Father if the cup my pass from him. He wants to see if there is any other way God’s will can be accomplished in saving the world. He doesn’t want to endure the cross. Yet, we are aware in this instance, that there was no other way. God refused his request, and Jesus faithfully went through the torment of it all. But to continue on this conversation, Satan also worked through false teachers in the early church in order to try to get Christians to shift “from the hope of the gospel.

The Temptation to Shift, Part 1 (TMF:2574)

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Peace to Live By The Temptation to Shift, Part 1 (TMF:2574) - Daniel Litton
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How we behave, then, and what we do, could have a direct impact on the importance of our careers in the next life. And, going back to social status, remember the other familiar passage: “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19, 20, ESV). Having said all that, let’s not miss the last part of the verse, which says, “not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.” The temptation to shift. For sure, there are a lot of those temptations, aren’t there? Why, this was the ploy, or enticement, that Satan laid out before Jesus at his time of tempting. Recall? Satan presented Jesus with the ability to have all the kingdoms of the world right then and there. No wait. No cross (assuming Jesus had knowledge about the cross at that point in time). If we say he did, think how tempting that would of been.

Why is Character Development Important? (TMF2573)

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Peace to Live By Why is Character Development Important? (TMF2573) - Daniel Litton
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A person could try to say, “Well, why does it matter whether I develop my character in life if I am going to just be made instantaneously perfect when I enter the next life?” The belief is present among this individual that the character development in the Christian is really just ceremonial, like prayer can be viewed. After all, if we are made perfect upon entering the next life, it could in fact be seen as pointless. And this is where the loss of rewards is brought up. In Luke 12, starting in verse 47, Jesus makes the following point: “And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:47,48, ESV). This passage from our Lord appears to indicate there will be different status’ among people in Heaven, in the very least that people will be entrusted with more in the New World.

The Believer Losing Salvation? Part 2 (TMF:2572)

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Peace to Live By The Believer Losing Salvation? Part 2 (TMF:2572) - Daniel Litton
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Traditionally, there are the Calvinists who say once saved always saved. Then there are the Arminians who say you’re saved unless you give up the gift of salvation yourself. Less traditionally, there are the Molinists, who would say that everyone who is saved will persevere to the end. And then there are the Open Theists who say it’s not yet determined, that it’s really up to you. So it depends on which view is taken, but the point is that our behavior in this life matters greatly in how we are presented before God at our judgments. We definitely want to get into Heaven, and we really don’t want to incur a loss in any rewards when we get there. A person could try to say, “Well, why does it matter whether I develop my character in life if I am going to just be made instantaneously perfect when I enter the next life?” The belief is present among this individual that the character development in the Christian is really just ceremonial, like prayer can be viewed.

The Believer Losing Salvation? Part 1 (TMF:2571)

Monday, March 17, 2025

Peace to Live By The Believer Losing Salvation? Part 1 (TMF:2571) - Daniel Litton
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Now comes the dreaded part, or feared part. Let’s back up a little bit in the verse. It says, “to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.” Let’s focus on the word “present.” Is Paul saying that if the believers do not continue in the faith that that will not be presented as “holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” Or, is he saying they will not be presented at all if they shift from the hope of the gospel they had heard. This is the great debate. So, in essence, it is one keeping their salvation versus one losing it. The answer to this question—truth be told—is based on what position a person takes as far as their view of salvation and keeping that salvation. Traditionally, there are the Calvinists who say once saved always saved. Then there are the Arminians who say you’re saved unless you give up the gift of salvation yourself. Less traditionally, there are the Molinists, who would say that everyone who is saved will persevere to the end. And then there are the Open Theists who say it’s not yet determined, that it’s really up to you.