ITS MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY !?

 🚦

 It’s My Way or the Highway!?      🛻

Gary Burnett -February 3, 2026         🚚      
 


I have often wondered and grieved over the fact that so many people in every country of the world, once they get a license to drive a vehicle, will conduct their driving skills in such a way as to ignore the road rules, and engage in driving their vehicle in a manner that, not only endangers their own life, but also endangers or harms the lives of other road users.      🚗

Just look at your country’s road statistics!
And this in spite of every effort by road authorities to warn, inform, enforce and exemplify the consequences of bad conduct.
And this is not including the chance mishaps and mistakes being made by us all.          🚌

There seems to be so many parallels between how we use Our Roadways, and the way each human chooses to travel the Highway of Life.  But just in this one area of our religious convictions let me explore these parallels for our edification.

When we start learning to drive, it is hoped, the driving instructor would emphasize the 3 C’s of safe driving habits.
Care
Consideration              🚜
Courtesy

Not all of us learn things from the same sources, the same teachers, the same rule books or at the same speed. But over time even our experiences should impress the value of these 3 things in our lives. In an ideal world! But we don’t live in an ideal world, do we?

                          

 Even so, care for those about us, consideration for theirs, and our, situations in life, and showing courtesy even when we think we are right, should make negotiating our way in life satisfying, steady and purposeful.

So, when we have the opportunity for dialogue with others over our religious beliefs, why are humans so belligerent?

The arguments for the Trinity doctrine or for a Unitarian understanding share the same base material of ancient records of Scripture. The same as road vehicles share basic principles of design and function. Just because I drive a family car built by General Motors Holden in Australia, doesn’t make my choice better than someone driving a Fiat in Italy, a scooter in Thailand, or a
Mack truck in USA.

 We all share the same obligation to obey the road rules
and etiquette.

Some vehicles are better fit for purpose, I grant you, but that doesn’t give anyone a license to ignore or disobey what should be expected of everyone, no matter which country you are from.
It is easier to get along when we are all traveling in the same direction.   Common ground in discussion keeps things congenial, smooth going. But debate about differing ideas and opinions will always occur in life. Indeed, this is how we have learnt about things that would otherwise have been covered up in superstition and mythology. And so, some of us wish to change lanes when
situations and circumstances call for it.

Does this give anyone the right to refuse another such a move?
Does this give anyone the right to insist on making that move?
Driving in my country expects anyone wishing to change direction to indicate this intention within suitable time and distance before making that change. This then gives the other road users the choice to allow them entry into their lane, or not, to show courtesy, or not, to consider the safety of others around them, and be prepared for unexpected consequences to avoid a crash (All road users
should be of the mind to avoid collisions).       🚔    🚑

The believer in Jesus from Nazareth, Palestine, also believes in the creator God, who Jesus called “his Father in heaven”. This believer also considers Jesus to be special, special in his coming into human history according to the records in the Hebrew Scriptures, special in his actions (using his Father’s power to heal people and perform other supernatural actions), special in his teaching (including the oppressed and marginalized persons in his society with love),
special in fulfilling the Father’s will, (going all the way to dying on a Roman cross), special in being resurrected to be alive again (appearing to his disciples and family members and as many as 500 at one time, according to Paul), special in his ascension into the sky (presumably then entering heaven to sit at the right hand side of God, his Father) special in sending the Holy Spirit that energized his fearful, grieving followers to missionary zeal and proclamation of
this Jesus being the King of God’s Kingdom.

All these “specialties” Trinitarians and Unitarians will agree upon.

To say “You can only understand these things about Jesus in one way” is to say, “You can only build a family car like a Mack truck!”
The faithful allegiance some have for the Trinity or Unitarian beliefs is like the allegiance shown by some between Ford or Holden cars here in Australia. I dare say other countries have similar rivalries. The arguments put forward for both ideas about God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are very well researched, very well analyzed, very well supported with scripture references, and very well published, so that “me,” an ordinary person just wanting to get along with other people in an orderly, peaceful life and please our Father in heaven, does feel overwhelmed by the technical and emotive expressions of faith. Add to this the rhetoric that derides, downplays, criticizes and condemns the loyalty or preference for one idea over the other, and I am likely to go buy a Toyota as my next car!    

                                                   

Wouldn’t we have wanted to see a better outcome than when John Calvin finally did meet up with Michael Servetus?

                                                                                     

 Driving along the road in my Holden car and someone driving a Ford car passes me to get in front of me doesn’t make them a bad driver just because they are driving a Ford car. But if, in this action, that driver creates a dangerous circumstance risking the life and health of other road users, then they are going to be criticized, yes? Even so, that does not give me the right to get out of my car at the next stop and smash their rear window with an iron wrench! And then incite other drivers to come and smash up the rest of his car!  

And then, there is the opportunity to be re-educated as a driver.  👮

For people who wish to enter a new profession of work (think of emergency service workers or machinery operators) there is the need for further education in the way they should know and follow driving rules, for safety and specialist reasons. Adult driver education improves upon what skills and techniques one thinks they knew from their past driving experiences. One can attend schools,or simply listen to, and observe, those already improving their driving attitudes
and actions.     👫

Jesus came along to teach us about our most precious possession- our relationship to our heavenly Father.

 “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me”- John 14:6. 

He has shown us the way to drive (live) our lives, reflecting God, our Father’s image; He has taught us the true knowledge and understanding about our relationship to God as our Father, and our responsibilities towards those around us; He demonstrated the real life as a Son of God, for us to follow his example closely.

I have spent 55 years of my life pondering and querying things to know ‘the truth’ about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In that time I have met, read about and listened to many, many other people doing the same thing. We have all had different journeys to follow. But what has been the important lesson for me is that CARE, CONSIDERATION & COURTESY will most likely see me home
safely.

Respect different opinions with careful acknowledgement, consider the evidence provided and then decide if you agree or disagree, and be prepared to agree to disagree, and then give others your courtesy for them to not follow you, as you might not wish to follow them.

Our heavenly Father wants us all to get home safe!   🌇 

ARE WE WITNESSING THE DOWNFALL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ?

 When watching the news the saints are well aware of the extreme bias we see from both the liberal and conservative outlets.  The conservatives present President Trump as a man who can do no wrong while the leftist media portray Trump as a man who can do no right.  I have lived over 70 years and I never witnessed the kind of division that exists in the United States today. Even during the civil war and the race riots the problem was not one that truly threatened the nations survival to the same degree and in the same way.  We are seeing blatant disregard for existing federal laws by Governors , Senators , the House, judges, mayors and institutions like colleges and universities and Hollywood.  Isaiah 3:12   

People from all walks of life have in my opinion have lost their minds.  1 Timothy 4:2   

The cost of having illegal aliens in this country involves higher taxes to care for them because most of them can’t keep themselves, stress that is overwhelming in medical care to treat them, and loss of lower income jobs by citizens displaced by illegals who will work for much less money.  Proverbs 5:10  

Then there are the criminals, rapists, murders, thieves and drunks on the highways killing and maiming innocent people, child molesters and vicious gangs involved in drugs and prostitution.  Ecclesiastes 8:11  

It should be obvious to anyone with a sound mind that no nation can long endure conditions like this.  There is only one answer to this problem but it won’t be used until it’s too late.  Joshua 1:18   Deuteronomy 17:12  

I believe there is a strong possibility that the U.S. is headed for another civil war.  

The citizens of the nation for many years in high schools, colleges and universities have not been taught history and civics and are being taught by their teachers to hate their own country.  The U.S. has over the years been infiltrated and invaded by people from other nations who are not here to become true citizens loyal to the U.S. but rather bring their home nations ways to the U.S. and exploit what it has to offer rather than assimilate.  

The founding fathers of the U.S. could never have foreseen conditions that the nation currently faces.  The constitution under these circumstances is actually used against what is best for the nation by those who want to destroy it.  Most citizens of the nation are to stupid to vote and are swayed by things that are irrelevant, have very short memories and have no knowledge of the issues facing the nation.  There is also developing a trend toward socialism and communism with the people electing to office people of this persuasion.  

I do not see any easy solution to all the problems that exist and that threaten to destroy the country.

I am not a political person and do not participate in all this madness.  My citizenship is recorded in heaven and I am an ambassador of the kingdom of GOD. 

 The U.S. and all other nations are in great stress from various factors that eventually will culminate in a worldwide collapse like a house of cards in a tornado. Matthew 24:5-8   Luke 21:25 

 What GODS elect are witnessing is the result of many years of moral decay and rebellion against GOD.  This is what the small group of GODS elect that I fellowship with has known would happen for many years, at least since 1996. 

On this blog are articles that go into more detail about what is happening now and how it is all going to be ended.   

WHAT IS THE TRUE CHURCH LIKE

 What is the true church like, how is it different from the churches in the world?  

1. The true church is not trying to fulfill the great commission.

2. All the saints are scattered to various places on Earth and they do not know each other unless there is a small fellowship of them in a particular area.

3. Only the true church knows the truth of GOD.

4. The world does not know of the existence of the elect saints. 

5. The true church has no human ministry as was in the first century church. The true church today is not a building or place of worship to attend. It is people, GODS people.

6. GOD and Jesus control and operate the true church.  There is no human ministry.

7. Only GOD determines who will be in HIS church.

8. The total number of saints in the true church is 144,000 composed of people from all walks of life beginning with righteous Able and ending with whoever it is that will be the last one called and chosen.

9. There will be in the future a small remnant of the 144,000 alive and remaining on Earth when Jesus returns. 

10. The true church existed before Jesus was born and is symbolized in Leviticus 23:17 by two loaves of bread baked WITH LEAVEN. Leaven is symbolic of spirit good or evil.  Jesus used this symbol of leaven in Matthew 13:33 where the three measures of meal, separately leavened with the Holy Spirit, represented the saints before Jesus and afterwards up to his return, the millennium and second resurrection. 

11. All of the true church saints, converted after human ministry was removed by GOD, receive the Holy Spirit first then are baptized in the name of Jesus only. 

12. Because there are no human ministers GOD teaches HIS saints through Jesus. This is done by revelation, GODS spirit, through Jesus to our human spirit.  The saints hear a voice in their minds or thoughts that guides them into the truth. That truth they had no knowledge of before.  It is by epiphany, a sudden profound realization of clarity about the truth of GOD that the saints of GOD receive from GOD.  This means that all of GODS saints are prophets and prophetesses.

13. The elect saints of GOD do not participate in the political affairs of nations because they have been called out of this world spiritually and their citizenship now recorded in heaven. They are ambassadors for the kingdom of GOD on Earth, lights in a world of darkness. Once led to the light the saints never go back to darkness.

14. Self defense or the defense of others is part of loving your neighbor even if you must use force and even if that force causes the death of the attacker. GOD judges us by the thoughts and intents of our heart (minds or human spirit) and HE knows that it was not our desire to harm or kill but rather we were expressing GODLY love to protect and defend others from evil. To do nothing and stand by while people are being hurt or killed by an evil person is not love. 

15. The true church understands the origins of pagan traditions and holidays celebrated today by false churches in the guise of a holy event.  The true church keeps no days at all for spiritual reasons.

16. Members of the true church realize that all good works come from GOD. They yield their will to GOD so that HIS will is done.  Jesus did the same thing.

17. The true church strives to follow the 2 great commandments - Love GOD and love your neighbor as yourself. Matt 22:36-40.

18. The true church is not under the Ten Commandments but is saved by Jesus from their condemnation because of sin unto death.  Jesus took our place and died for us. The rest of the carnal world, Jew and Gentile alike,  are yet under the Ten Commandments and condemned to death.

There are more things that identify GODS elect saints but these 18 listed above show how different they are from the carnal world.  

If any of you elect saints have something to add please make a comment……..

GOD IS …

 GOD is…

GOD is an eternal spirit.  Human beings are not, we do have the hope of everlasting life, we have a beginning but GOD had no beginning.  HE is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient.  HE is the creator of all things seen and unseen.  Because all things exist by HIS will all things belong to HIM.  It is GODS right to do whatever HE desires with what HE has created.  GOD gave all and if HE wills HE can take all away.  There are human beings that think they can judge GOD by saying how cruel HE was in the Old Testament writings and pointing to the slaughter of many people including the flood of Noah among other things.  In this they demonstrate their ignorance.  There is no fear of GOD in their eyes.  As the supreme being GOD has the right to do whatever HE does and it is not evil or wrong.  If HE was as evil or unfair as some may think then why are these blasphemers still alive?  The same GOD they falsely accuse is the GOD that gave them life.  GOD knew in eternity that they would do this but created them anyway.  GOD does not create life evil, those HE creates choose evil.  Free will is an absolute necessity in GODS will for humanity.  If HE created us in HIS image and HE has free will then we do also.  The scriptures declare that GOD is love and this is the image HE desires to be in us.  GOD wants us to love HIM by our free will choice.  If love is not by free will then it is not genuine.  This type of love can’t be forced or demanded by law it must be freely given between GOD and us.  You cannot legislate love.   We love GOD because HE first loved us.  Rather than judging GOD in ignorance you should love HIM , even in ignorance. 

Job 34:14-15  Elihu knew his GOD and that men are unwise and ignorant to judge the MOST HIGH.

Paul also understood,  Romans 9:14-20   King David understood, Psalm 104:29-30  and James, James 4:14 

Your next breath is in GODS hands and it is HIS right as the CREATOR to do as HE wills with HIS creation. 

 

 

 

Trusting A.I. to Tell You the Truth is a Serious Error

SRB 29 Jan 2026​

Will you belief that a computer program will always provide a total and complete true response? As you can see in the following responses to six questions that I posed to A.I. at Grok.com, the “truth” in scripture is blended with the opinions of man.

If I had not asked the other questions, I would not have received the important truths it finally provided.

What must I do to have everlasting life with God?

According to the Bible (primarily in the Christian New Testament), everlasting life with God is received as a gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned through human effort or good works alone.

Your question closely echoes inquiries posed to Jesus in the Gospels, such as the rich young ruler's: “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get everlasting life?” (Matthew 19:16 NIV). Jesus first directs him to the ten commandments (do not murder, commit adultery, steal, give false testimony; honor parents; love neighbor as yourself). The man claims compliance, but Jesus tells him: “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” The young man leaves sad because of his great wealth. This illustrates the impossibility of perfectly fulfilling God's requirements through personal merit or wealth-reliance; Jesus later notes it's hard for the rich to enter God's kingdom, but “with God all things are possible.”

In a parallel account (Luke 10:25-28), a lawyer asks the same question, and Jesus affirms loving God fully (heart, soul, strength, mind) and loving one's neighbor as the summary of the law that leads to life—but this points to the need for heart transformation beyond rule-keeping.

The clearest direct response from Jesus to “What must we do to do the works God requires?” is in John 6:28-29 (NIV): “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

The foundational promise is John 3:16 (NIV): “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

The New Testament consistently teaches salvation by grace through faith, not works: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast”

(Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). Verse 10 adds that believers are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works,” which God prepared in advance—meaning works are the fruit/outcome of genuine faith, not the root or means of salvation.

In practice, according to Christian teaching (especially Protestant/evangelical emphasis on sola fide or “faith alone”):

Recognize your need: All have sinned and fall short (Romans 3:23); no one is good enough on their own (echoing Jesus' reply that only God is good).

Repent: Turn from sin and self-reliance toward God.

Believe/trust in Jesus: Accept His death on the cross as payment for your sins and His resurrection as victory over death; believe He is the Son of God and Lord.

Confess: Romans 10:9 (widely cited) links confessing “Jesus is Lord” with heartfelt belief in His resurrection to salvation.

Receive the gift: Everlasting life begins now in relationship with God through Christ (John 17:3) and continues forever.

Genuine faith produces good works, obedience, love for God and others, and perseverance (James 2:14-26 emphasizes that “faith without works is dead,” meaning dead or nonexistent faith lacks evidence; works demonstrate living faith).

Christian traditions differ slightly: Many Protestants stress faith alone (grace + faith, works as evidence).

Catholic and Orthodox teachings often describe justification as involving faith cooperating with works/grace and sacraments (e.g., baptism, Eucharist) as channels of grace. The core across orthodox Christianity remains: everlasting life is in Christ, not self-achieved merit.

This is not about religion or ritual checklists but a personal relationship restored through Jesus. Pray directly to God, confess your need, ask for forgiveness through Christ, and commit to following Him (reading the Bible—start with the Gospel of John—prayer, fellowship with believers). Many recommend talking with a pastor or trusted Christian mentor for guidance. If exploring, other faiths (e.g., Islam emphasizes submission to God, five pillars, good deeds weighed on Judgment Day) have different paths to the afterlife.

The biblical Christian answer centers on faith in Jesus as the way to God (John 14:6)

Can one who is not a disciple of Christ Jesus have everlasting life?

According to the Bible and mainstream Christian teaching, eternal life with God is exclusively through Jesus Christ, and no one can have it apart from Him. Jesus Himself declared: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NIV). This is reinforced in Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

These passages emphasize that Jesus is not merely a way but the way—His atoning death and resurrection provide the only basis for forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. Without connection to Christ (through faith in Him), there is no everlasting life with God; instead, Scripture describes separation from Him (e.g., John 3:18, where unbelief leads to condemnation already).

Key Biblical Principles

Faith in Christ is required for everlasting life (John 3:16; Romans 10:9–10).

All people are sinners and fall short (Romans 3:23), so no one earns everlasting life through good works, moral living, or other religions apart from Christ's work.

Those who reject or do not believe in Jesus remain under God's wrath (John 3:36).

Variations in Christian Interpretation

Christian traditions differ on exactly how this exclusivity applies, especially for those who never hear the gospel (e.g., people in remote areas or before Christ's coming):

Exclusivism (common in evangelical Protestant circles): Salvation requires personal, conscious faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Hearing and responding to the gospel is necessary. Those who never hear face judgment based on their rejection of general revelation (God's existence shown in creation and conscience—Romans 1:18–20; 2:12–16), but they are not saved without explicit faith in Christ. No one is saved apart from Christ, even unknowingly.

Inclusivism (held by many Catholics, some mainline Protestants, and others): Salvation is only through Christ's redemptive work—no other means exists. However, God can apply Christ's atonement to those who, through no fault of their own (invincible ignorance), never hear the gospel but sincerely seek God, follow their conscience, and respond to the light they have (e.g., Vatican II teachings; some appeal to Romans 2). They are saved by Christ without explicit knowledge of Him in this life, though all who are saved are ultimately united to Him.

Pluralism (less common among orthodox Christians): All religions lead to God equally—this view is generally rejected as incompatible with Scripture's clear claims about Jesus' uniqueness.

The core across nearly all orthodox Christianity (Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox) is that no one has everlasting life with God apart from Jesus Christ—His is the only name and work that saves. Even in inclusivist views, people are not saved by their own religion or goodness but by Christ's grace extended in ways known only to God.

Ultimately, the Bible urges response to the gospel: everlasting life is offered freely through faith in Jesus. If someone asks this question sincerely, the invitation remains open—repent, believe in Christ, and receive everlasting life (John 5:24). For those wrestling with the fate of the unevangelized, Scripture stresses God's justice, mercy, and desire for all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4), while calling believers to share the good news.

Must a person have God's spirit within in order to be saved?

Yes, according to the Bible and mainstream Christian teaching (especially in evangelical Protestant traditions), a person must have God's Spirit (the Holy Spirit) dwelling within them to be truly saved. The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer is not optional or a later "second blessing"—it is an essential mark and reality of genuine salvation.

The clearest statement comes from the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:9 (NIV): "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ."

This verse draws a sharp line:

If the Spirit of God (also called the Spirit of Christ) lives in you → you belong to Christ (you are saved).

If anyone does not have the Spirit → they do not belong to Christ (they are not saved).

Paul equates lacking the indwelling Spirit with not belonging to Christ at all.

Supporting Scriptures

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV): "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance..."

The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee given at the moment of believing—proof and assurance of salvation.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV): "For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

This "baptism" by the Spirit unites believers into Christ's body at conversion.

Titus 3:5 (NIV): "...he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit..."

Salvation involves regeneration (being born again), accomplished by the Holy Spirit's renewing work (echoing John 3:3-8, where Jesus says one must be "born of water and the Spirit" to enter God's kingdom; spiritual birth requires the Spirit's agency).

The Holy Spirit's role is central: He convicts of sin (John 16:8), enables faith, regenerates the heart (making spiritual life possible where there was spiritual death), and indwells permanently as God's presence in the believer (1 Corinthians 6:19—"your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit").

Important Clarifications

The indwelling Holy Spirit is universal for every true believer from the moment of salvation—not something earned later through works, deeper commitment, or a separate experience (though being "filled" with the Spirit is an ongoing command for obedience and power—Ephesians 5:18).

No one can be saved without the Spirit's work: He draws people to Christ, regenerates them, and seals them. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9), but that faith and new life are applied by the Spirit.

Evidence of the Spirit's presence includes conviction of sin, love for God and Scripture, growing fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and assurance (Romans 8:16—"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children").

In short, you cannot separate true salvation from having God's Spirit within. If someone has genuinely trusted in Christ for forgiveness and everlasting life, the Holy Spirit has already come to dwell in them. If you're questioning this in your own life, the Bible invites simple, sincere faith in Jesus—He promises the Spirit comes with that faith. Pray, confess your need, trust Him, and rest in His promise. Many find assurance grows as they walk with Him through Scripture, prayer, and fellowship.

Who are the "Elect" of God?

In the Bible, the "elect" (or "chosen") of God refers to those whom God has sovereignly selected for salvation, relationship with Him, and everlasting life. The Greek word eklektos (and related terms) means "chosen," "selected," or "picked out," often implying a purposeful divine choice. This concept appears throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament (where Israel as a nation is frequently called God's chosen people—e.g., Deuteronomy 7:6-8; Isaiah 42:1) to the New Testament (where it applies to believers in Christ).

Key Biblical Descriptions

Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV): "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."

This highlights election happening "before the foundation of the world," rooted in God's will and love, not human merit.

Romans 8:28-30 (NIV): This "golden chain" links foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification—showing God's initiative in salvation for the elect.

1 Peter 1:1-2 (NIV): Peter addresses believers as "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father," emphasizing God's advance knowledge and purpose.

Other references: Jesus speaks of "the elect" in contexts like end-times deception (Matthew 24:24—"if possible, even the elect") and prayer (Luke 18:7—"his own elect who cry out to him"). Paul endures hardship "for the sake of the elect" (2 Timothy 2:10), and they are described as those who will obtain salvation in Christ.

In the New Testament, the elect are ultimately believers in Jesus Christ—those redeemed by His death and resurrection, indwelt by the Holy Spirit (as we discussed earlier), and destined for everlasting life. They are God's chosen people, the true "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16), including both Jews and Gentiles who come to faith.

Main Christian Interpretations of Election

The Bible clearly teaches that God elects/choses, but Christians differ on how this election works, particularly regarding human free will and God's sovereignty:

Calvinist/Reformed view (unconditional election): God sovereignly chooses specific individuals for salvation based solely on His good pleasure and will, not on foreseen faith, works, or merit (Romans 9:11-16 emphasizes this—election before birth, not based on anything good or bad). Faith is the result of God's electing grace; the elect will inevitably believe and persevere.

Arminian/Wesleyan view (conditional election): God elects based on His foreknowledge of who will freely respond to the gospel in faith (1 Peter 1:1-2; Romans 8:29—"those God foreknew he also predestined").

Election is conditioned on foreseen faith; God's grace enables all to respond, but people can accept or reject it. The elect are those who choose to believe.

Other perspectives: Some (e.g., corporate election views) see election primarily as God choosing Christ and then the group "in Christ" (the church), with individuals entering by faith. Catholic teaching often aligns closer to a cooperative view (grace + free response). Across orthodox Christianity, however, the elect are those saved through Christ—no one is saved apart from Him.

Practical Assurance

A common pastoral answer (shared across many traditions) is: If you have genuinely trusted in Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sins and everlasting life—repenting, believing in His death and resurrection, and following Him—you are one of the elect.

The doctrine isn't meant to cause endless introspection or doubt but to give glory to God's grace and assurance to believers (Romans 8:33-34: "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? ... Christ Jesus who died... is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us").

The Bible urges focus on responding to the gospel rather than speculating on hidden decrees: Believe in Jesus, and everlasting life is yours (John 3:16; 5:24). If this resonates with your ongoing questions about salvation, the Holy Spirit, and everlasting life, know that God's invitation is open—come to Christ, and He will not cast you out (John 6:37).

Is obedience to the teachings of Christ Jesus necessary to be a disciple of Christ?

Yes, according to the Bible, obedience to the teachings of Christ Jesus is necessary to be His disciple. Jesus Himself ties true discipleship directly to abiding in (continuing in, holding to, obeying) His word and commands, not merely professing belief or initial interest.

Here are the clearest statements from Jesus:

John 8:31-32 (NIV): "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"

Jesus addresses people who already "believed" in Him, yet He qualifies true discipleship with the condition of abiding/continuing in His word. This abiding involves ongoing obedience and perseverance in His teachings—not a one-time decision but a sustained life response.

John 14:15 (NIV): "If you love me, keep my commands."

Jesus links love for Him (a core mark of discipleship) directly to obedience.

John 15:14 (NIV): "You are my friends if you do what I command."

Friendship with Jesus (intimate discipleship) is conditioned on doing His commands.

Luke 14:27 (NIV): "And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

Carrying the cross symbolizes self-denial, sacrifice, and costly obedience—Jesus says without it, one "cannot be" His disciple.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) (the Great Commission): "...make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

Making disciples inherently includes teaching obedience to Christ's commands—discipleship is defined in part by this obedience.

Broader Biblical Perspective

Discipleship is not optional for followers of Christ; Jesus never invited people to a casual belief without commitment. Being a disciple means being a learner who imitates and obeys the Teacher (Luke 6:40; 9:23—"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me").

Obedience is evidence of genuine faith and regeneration, not the means of earning salvation. Salvation remains by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), but true faith produces obedience (James 2:17-26—"faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead"; 1 John 2:3-6—"We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands").

No one obeys perfectly in this life (Romans 7), but true disciples show a pattern of growing obedience, repentance when failing, and reliance on the Holy Spirit's power (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Galatians 5:22-23). Persistent, unrepentant disobedience calls genuine discipleship into question (1 John 3:6-9).

Practical Implications

Obedience flows from love and gratitude for Christ's saving work, not legalistic fear. It's empowered by the Spirit within believers (as we discussed earlier). If someone claims to follow Jesus but consistently rejects or ignores His clear teachings (e.g., loving enemies, forgiving others, making disciples, sexual purity, generosity), Scripture challenges whether that person is truly His disciple.

The invitation remains: Come to Jesus in faith, receive forgiveness and new life through Him, and then follow in obedience as a disciple. If you're examining your own walk, focus on abiding in His word daily (reading the Gospels, praying for strength to obey), repenting where needed, and trusting His grace covers your growth. Many find community with other believers helps in this lifelong journey of discipleship.

One you reach this point, if you still trust A.I., go to Grok.com and ask “Does the Bible Say that Jesus is God?” Did you get the truth or the opinions of man?

HEBREW 6:1

 Hebrews 6:1 contains in only a few words a great message.  “Therefore, let us set aside, without forgetting them, the basic principles or the elementary doctrines of a babe in Christ, and go forward into maturity and not retreat backward into the works of darkness requiring again repentance from those dead works and rebuilding faith to GOD.”   Hebrews 6:2  “these being instructions about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and everlasting judgment. We can do this if GOD permits.” 

In the years since we received the Holy Spirit of the FATHER we have grown in HIS spirit, the Elijah spirit that guides us into all truth. John 16:13  This spirit of the FATHER will restore all things to us, the truth lost to the carnal world.  Matthew 17:11  If this did not take place GOD would destroy the Earth. Malachi 4:6   The first Elijah was the Tishbite, the second Elijah was John the Baptist who prepared a people for the first advent of Christ and the final Elijah to prepare a people for the second advent of Christ.  Neither of the first two Elijah’s restored the truth of GOD to the church over the centuries since it was perverted by Satans  churches.  The first two Elijah’s were empowered by the last Elijah, the spirit of GOD and the last Elijah is the spirit of GOD.  Notice it says, “HE shall restore all things” this means the truth was lost over the centuries since Jesus and the Apostles preached it.  In each generation since in the seven churches listed in Revelation the spirit of this Elijah was working but was not always as successful in all of them.  There have been chosen and elected saints from all the time after Christ in these seven churches.  There has always been a few in every generation because the gates of hell would never prevail over the church. Matthew 16:18  In the end time there will be two churches of GOD coexisting but separated because the Laodiceans have become lukewarm but the Philadelphians are true and faithful to their election.  GOD set an open door before the Philadelphians, a door to truth in doctrines and guidance by the spirit of the FATHER. The only one who can open or close this door is the FATHER.  None of GODS elect saints should become so involved with this world to seek its pleasures or riches as the Laodiceans have but keep themselves unspotted from all this and remain in GOD and Christ.  This is why it is important to listen to Hebrews 6:1-2 and not remain a babe but rather become a mature saint growing in the spirit.  The carnal world teaches a gospel about the person of Jesus but is ignorant of his gospel and part of the proof of that ignorance is their belief that Jesus is GOD, the second person of a trinity.  We saints are not of this world just as Jesus was not of this world.  The Laodiceans knew these things but the allure of the world seduced them and now in order for them to be in the kingdom they must suffer martyrdom.  

Combine this article about growing in the spirit with the previous article about spiritual warfare to acquire a firm grasp of what our spiritual condition should be.  Jesus said, “He who has ears let him hear”, the spirit says to us, “He who has an ear let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.”  

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

 The scriptures describe our struggles against our sins as warfare. This warfare does not involve fleshly weapons but are of the power of GOD and are capable of destroying sins stronghold over us. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5  The goal is to take captive our evil thoughts and destroying them and all remaining thoughts are obedient to GOD.  

Our warfare is not against the Satanic human puppets of this world but against their puppeteers, the rulers of darkness in this world.  We wrestle against these spiritual forces of wickedness with the spiritual armor of GOD.  This armor is GODS truth, GODS righteousness, the gospel of peace and the gift from GOD of our faith that we can know Satans devices, realize when his evil thoughts come into our minds and extinguish his flaming arrows before we are enticed by them which is sin. We stand our ground with the hope of our salvation promised to us in the word of GOD.    Ephesians 6:10-17  James 1:2-3,12   James 1:13-15   GOD does not tempt us, Satan is the tempter.  Satan knows our weaknesses and GOD uses Satan as a tool to bring out these weaknesses so that we are forced to deal with them using all the weapons of spiritual warfare that our FATHER has given us. GOD ALMIGHTY, is purging our human spirits of sin.  This is the spirits of justified humans being made perfect. Hebrews 12:23 

The ancient holy days of unleavened bread symbolized this process in the physical act of removing yeast or leaven from the Israelites homes. The lesson the Israelites were to learn was that they cannot deleaven themselves but in ignorance they remained in the unleavened bread of malice and wickedness while casting out the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  1 Corinthians 5:8  Remember, leaven is a symbol for spirit, good or evil.  The saints fulfill these days by casting out Satans leaven , 2 Corinthians 5:7 , and becoming a new lump, that first measure of meal leavened by the woman, Matthew 13:33   

Our trials and tribulations we experience is us fulfilling the symbolism of the days of unleavened bread .  Rather than being depressed or anxious about this we should rejoice as James told us because we know GOD is in us working in us to overcome.  We will contend with sin and engage in spiritual battles the rest of our lives but we know that Jesus Christ has already won the victory for us all.  Satan wants us to grow weary, cause us to doubt and be depressed so that we think , “GOD never chose me look at how I sin, I might as well give up.”  When you begin to have these thoughts remember the things that Jesus the Apostles and Lee says, “If GOD is for you, who can be against you ?”  Remember, “HE that began a good work in you is able to COMPLETE IT IN THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS.”  We rejoice in our trials knowing GOD is with us in them and as long as we do not desert the battle and go AWOL we will be victorious.  This too is using the talent given us and not burying it.  “He who is faithful in little is faithful in much.”  

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, hold your head high, you are already called the sons of GOD.  ENDURE TO THE END AND YOU WILL HAVE SALVATION, THE CROWN OF LIFE.