Oftentimes the prayers of the elders, or of other Christians, are necessary as we seek the wisdom to identify the root of our problem and the strength to turn away from our lusts and idolatry. We are to confess our sins one to another and pray one for another that we may be totally delivered—spirit, soul, and body.

One of the principal works of redemption is the continuing deliverance of the saint from the bondages of the spirit, soul, and body. The Holy Spirit assists us as the written Word of God teaches us the difference between good and evil.

The following passage is but a small sample of the numerous admonitions in the New Testament. They are to be observed strictly as being the Word of God. To ignore them is to forfeit our right to the Tree of Life, even though we have received by faith the blood of the Lord.

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:22-27)

This passage continues into the next chapter. There are many similar verses throughout the New Testament.

To observe these exhortations is equally important with receiving the blood atonement. Paul, the principal teacher of the grace of God, has warned us clearly that believers who continue in sin will never inherit the Kingdom of God; they will never eat of the Tree of Life to the extent required to enter through the gates into the city, into Heaven.

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21)

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. (Ephesians 5:5)

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:18,19)

The above three passages are addressed to the believers, not to the heathen. The Christian churches including Pentecostals, Charismatics, and most other evangelical assemblies are in grievous deception concerning the role of God's commandments under the new covenant. They are trusting in the blood for their redemption but they are not obeying Christ's commandments. They have made the blood of Calvary an alternative to godly behavior.

The God of Heaven never intended that the blood of the cross be a substitute for godly behavior!

To be continued.