Make Every Effort! 

Today most preachers are afraid to tell anyone that 'something' is required of them to enter into eternal life. Because of the 'Not of works' doctrine so prevalent in the modern church, people are under the impression that they can 'believe' on Christ for full salvation and their conduct afterwards doesn't matter. But this is a 'connection' that scripture simply DOES NOT make. When the Bible says that you are saved by Grace through faith, not of works, Eph2:8-9, it's NOT talking about the WORKS of faith which prove that faith exists! The ONLY way your faith can be distinguished from the 'faith of devils' (Js2:19) is by what it DOES with the WORD of God. That's why Jesus said over & over again you MUST PUT it into PRACTICE lest you receive it in vain! (Lk11:28, Matt7:24-27) 

The essence of true faith is stated thus: "Eternal life will be given to those who by Steadfast Endurance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality!" Rom2:7  This is the 'Substance & Evidence' of true bible faith. 

Understand as well that salvation is the 'Work of faith with power!" 2Thess1:11, It's the Word Working in you as you OBEY it (put it into practice!) James1:21-27 After you lay aside all your wicked behavior, the Word is the received with meekness and implanted into your heart and then is able to SAVE your soul, as you DO it and not just hear it! Thus comes the EFFORT that you MUST put forth in order to inherit the Kingdom when you die. It is DONE purely by Grace through Faith, but left 'undone' will prove fatal to your soul. 

Satan's grandest scheme is to make you believe that NOTHING is required on your part to inherit the kingdom. That's why you MUST carefully examine the scriptures and grasp their FULL meaning as they guide you into eternal life. 

Two words are frequently used in scripture referring to this subject: 'Strive' and 'Diligence' They mean literally to 'Make every effort to the point of agony, against all odds, in the face of every persecution, in order to accomplish your goal!' And the focus of the 'action' rests solely on the person being addressed. Note the following passages:

"STRIVE to enter by the Narrow Gate for many I say will try and not be able!" Lk13:24 (JESUS Himself is telling you to MAKE EVERY EFFORT to enter into eternal life, for many will try and not make it! The preachers are telling you just the opposite...make NO effort! Who are you going to believe?)

"Let us therefore be 'Diligent' to enter that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience." Heb4:11 (The context of this passage is a warning and admonition to again 'Make every effort' to enter into our full salvation. There are MANY such passages in Hebrews issuing similar warnings.)

"And we desire that each one of you show the same 'DILIGENCE' to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promise!" Heb6:11-12  (here again you are called upon to make every effort with Steadfast endurance to the end. How much plainer can it be?)

"And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." Heb6:15 (speaking of father Abraham's faith. Yes! he 'believed' God & it was accounted to him as righteousness, but he also STEADFASTLY ENDURED to the end. Big difference between 'believing' and 'DOING')

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence which has great reward. For you have need of Steadfast Endurance, so that after you have DONE the will of God you may receive the promise." Heb10:35-36 (Scripture is filled with these type of passages, pointing you to eternal life! That's why you MUST know them lest you become ensnared in the trap of modern doctrine and end up in hell!)

"Pursue peace with all men and holiness, without which NO ONE shall see the Lord; Looking Diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble and by this MANY become defiled." Heb12:14-15 (The Word is used Twice in this passage, 'Make every effort to be holy and Watch lest you fall short of God's grace being defiled by sin! You WON'T hear this in your local church! Beware of doctrine that permits immoral behavior in ANY form.)

"Giving all 'Diligence' add to your faith!" 2Pet1:5 (In context, 2Pet1:4-11, this passage of scripture decimates the 'do nothing' gospel so prevalent in our churches. It not only admonishes the believer to Make Every Effort to Strengthen his faith, but WARNS him as well of the DANGER of NOT making his calling sure. An entrance into the Kingdom is assured ONLY IF you Diligently add to your faith.)

"Therefore beloved looking forward to these things, be 'DILIGENT' to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless!" 2Pet3:14 (here again the 'believer' is being admonished to MAKE EVERY EFFORT to be found by Christ in peace and blameless. The responsibility rests wholly on 'you' to keep yourself pure and ready for His coming.) 

Remember always, these things are done by Grace through Faith, a 'living' faith in God, that Works by love, purifies the heart and has Victory over the world! (Gal5:6, 1Pet1:22, 1Jh5:4) Obedience is inseparable from faith as James affirms, (James2:20-24) These things CANNOT be left undone by the believer or you will indeed become 'shipwrecked' (1Tim1:18-19) defiled by sin (Heb3:14) and NOT inherit the Kingdom.

Reject the lies of modern doctrine and SEARCH the scriptures for truth. The eternal destination of your soul depends on it.