Adam and Eve Saved from Sins Adam's Sin Salvation Death thru Sin Sinful Nature Result of Sin Heaven or Hell? Starting Point Slippery Slope God Judges Consequences Written in Heart Born Again The Way Believe Covered by Blood Reconciliation Renew your Mind Promise Justification Remain in Him Crown of Life Say to Mountain

Obey and remain in His love (John 15:10)

Jesus spoke a parable about a farmer sowing seed (Mt 13:3-23). The seed is "the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven" (:11). The soil is the one who "hears the message" (:18) and "hears the word" (:20). There is the one who "received the seed . . . and understands it" (:23). In the disciples' case Jesus prayed, "'I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them'" (Jn 17:8). But in the parable Jesus cautioned that trouble, persecution, worries or wealth could counteract the word. Hebrews warns "we must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away (2:1). The apostle Peter said that the prophets were "searching intently" (1Pe 1:11) but "we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it" (2Pe 1:19). The apostle John said "we proclaim to you what we have seen and heard" (1Jn 1:3) and "this is the message we have heard from him and declare to you" (:5). "See to it that you do not refuse him who is speaking" (Heb 12:25). Hebrews points out that "this salvation, which was first announced, was confirmed to us by those who heard him" (2:3). What Peter and John taught is official doctrine. Jesus advised let "'my words remain in you'" (Jn 15:7) and for them to "'remain in me, and I will remain in you'" (:4). He also said "'If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love'" (10). He warned the church of Ephesus, "'You have forsaken your first love'" (Rev 2:4) and instructed "'do the things you did at first" (:5). "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Heb 2:3).

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