Let us consider the promises to the overcomer, in Revelation, Chapters Two and Three. The rewards to the overcomer are those spiritual endowments, opportunities for service, and closeness to God we expect every Christian to receive upon his death.

Christ speaks to each of the "seven churches which are in Asia" and mentions the "deeds" He has found acceptable. After this He warns them concerning the practices among them He does not find acceptable.

Christ never once advises the churches they need not be concerned over the sin found among them because God is not beholding their conduct. Neither does He ever comfort them with the concept that by identifying themselves with Him they are viewed as overcomers by the Father.

The opposite is clear. The Lord Jesus warns the churches of the consequences of their unsatisfactory actions and at the same time promises them eternal life and glory if they will overcome the problems in their midst.

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:23)

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (Revelation 2:26)

What we are teaching here is so obviously scriptural that to ignore it and continue to believe we are righteous because Christ is righteous is to willfully receive not the love of the truth. God will send strong delusion upon those who turn away from the teaching of godliness.

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (II Thessalonians 2:11,12)

"Who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." The reason we love not the truth is that we take pleasure in unrighteousness. Divine judgment falls on us when we make an excuse for our ungodly behavior instead of repenting and turning to the Lord for forgiveness and cleansing. Rejecting light and embracing unrighteous behavior brings spiritual blindness upon us.

The Lord Jesus is walking among the lampstands today. Those whose ears have been opened will hear the Lord and follow Him out of the present babylonish confusion.

The Commandments of the Lord Jesus in the Gospels Do Not Apply to Christians

Here is an abominable teaching indeed! How such a perversion could gain any ground among Christian believers is a mystery.

Are we to say the Sermon on the Mount, that venerable portion of Christian literature, does not apply to Christians? Do you believe this? I certainly do not! This horrid viewpoint proceeds from the fantasy that there is an abstract spiritual endowment termed "grace" that removes the believer from the world of reality and deposits him in a beautiful mansion in the spiritual Paradise. He is brought into the Presence of God, the saints, and the holy angels independently of any change in his personality and behavior.

To be continued.