The Apostle Paul is speaking: "If you will read the preceding verses you will understand what I mean. I told you your body is dead because of sin but your inward nature is alive because God has ascribed righteousness to it. Then I wrote that if God's Spirit is living in you He plans on making your dead body alive in the future by His Spirit that is in you. This is the resurrection from the dead, our central hope.

"But if you insist on living according to your sinful nature the spiritual life that is in you will dwindle away. You will run out of oil, according to the Lord's parable. Then there will be no eternal life in you to make alive your body. You will lose your chance at eternal life and immortality! You will destroy your own resurrection by your conduct. You will have no white robe with which to clothe yourself.

"I told the Galatians the same thing, that if they insist on sowing to their flesh they are going to reap corruption, not eternal life."

Paul, we have been taught that no matter what we do we cannot lose our eternal life.

"Why don't you read my epistle again, particularly the sixth chapter. It sounds like people are taking your crown!"

Repaid according to our deeds.

I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. (Revelation 2:21-23—NIV)

One of the main Evangelical teachings of our day is that no Christian will suffer at the Judgment Seat of Christ. This is a terribly destructive doctrine because it removes the fear of God from the churches.

Look at the passage above.

To whom is Jesus speaking? To the angel of the church in Thyatira.

There was immorality in the church in Thyatira, probably a strong spirit of partying.

Now, why did the Lord speak so harshly to these believers when they all were "standing in grace?" Maybe Christ was just going after the angel. Perhaps it was the angel who was living in immorality and Christ's words do not apply to the believers. Could this be the explanation?

Jesus is calling for repentance. Do you know the Spirit of God is calling for repentance in the United States of America? Do you know what else? We have no doctrinal basis for repentance. God sees us only through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. To repent is to cast aspersions on the perfect work of God. Of what is there to repent? Christ's own righteousness that clothes us?

Obviously something is amiss because we all can feel the call to repentance.

How much more fruitful would be the Spirit's call to repentance if our doctrine were not confusing everyone!

To be continued.