“Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” Do you know who dared lay a charge to God’s elect? The same man who wrote those words in Romans 8:33, the apostle Paul! “I warned those who sinned before and all others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them, since you seek a proof that Christ is speaking in me…” (See 2 Corinthians 13:2-3, English Standard Version). Note well what Paul cites as proof that Jesus Christ was speaking through him to the brethren – he condemned their sinning! Not only did Paul lay a charge against God’s elect for sinning, Jesus did the same. To the brethren in Thyatira, Jesus warned “I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works” (Revelation 2:22). To the church in Sardis, Jesus warned, “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you still have a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:1-6 English Standard Version).
Many do not have the ability to receive what Jesus, or His apostles and prophets, said as they embraced error long, long ago. Having been taught that the sins of one’s entire life are forgiven and blotted out at the moment of their justification, they believe no sin can be charged against them from that point forward. They are then spiritually blind to the plain truth you have just read in 2 Corinthians 13 and Revelation chapters 2 and 3 as well as a host of other Bible texts. There are going to be a lot of surprised Christians on God’s great judgment day. They will be standing before their Lord wearing filthy, polluted garments. I fear Demas will have a lot of company standing beside him. (See 2 Timothy 4:10 with Hebrews 3:12 and James 4:4). Brethren, God help you to understand and accept what you have just read.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley