Most people will do anything and everything you want them to do, not initially of course. Offering them what they want, threatening to remove from them what they have, subtle persuasions or pain will reveal the truth of these words to them. Except of course when you speak this verse to them.
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matt. 25:41)
The Almighty does not just offer eternal life to those who trust in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, He threatens them with eternal damnation if they do not. And that inference that was just offered to you, that word “threatens” in context of that sentence, the way and form it was offered you may not like, is not a threat, it is a promise.
“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
And the words of eternal death.
But that promise of eternal suffering is rarely enough for them, for even if they were shown the truth, even if they knew the reality of hell, they would not serve in love, but only because of the fear of being cast into that place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is called forced attrition, and it is how everyone who believes they can lose or have their salvation removed lives their lives, they refuse to accept that once we are justified in Christ, we are forever a part of the family of God, and all instances of sin against our Father in heaven are dealt with as a family matter.
And so, they will do everything and anything to stay, so to speak, in His good graces, for if they do not, these threats will become a reality.
“If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (Heb. 6:6)
The Roman Catholic cult, along with all other religious organizations that teach works for salvation are well versed in these lies, these threats, continuously dangling the hope of salvation before the faces of those they deceive by teaching them that they must obey because of that threat, by teaching them that if they try hard enough, if they put forth their best efforts to be righteous, the Most High will accept them as righteous. And they will do anything they are told to do because of fear. Feigning love and calling it obedience. To all these institutions and those who sit in their assemblies, Ephesians 2:8-9 is a lie.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
“And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:40)
Do you fear your Father in heaven, or do you fear your Father in heaven?
If He gives you more, do you offer thanksgiving, if He removes all you have, do you do the same? Is there a threat of hell, of the fires of eternal damnation and separation from His love hanging over your head, or do you believe in the promises of your eternal salvation, in the assurance that you are today hid in Christ, the righteousness of God in Christ, and always will be?
Do you serve in fear, or because of fear?
Offer them the things of this world, and they will follow you, take away what they have, but again offer them promises, and they will continue to follow. Tell them what eternity will be like for them if they do not heed the calling of the Living God, and they will hate you.
“And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:31)
There were those who saw our Savior in the flesh after He rose from the dead that still refused to believe.
Will you do everything He asks you to do, will you offer everything you have, all that you are, your entire life to Him? Will you continue to do so no matter the circumstances or the possible consequences to yourself?
