Preparations for Entering a Holy City

 “Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning." (I John 2:7)
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The command to "walk perfect before me" is not a new thing, nor is it "a thing of the past (Ecclesiastes 1:10). When examining the scriptures, we can see that this command existed not only in the old testament, also in the new testament (Matthew 5:48). It was a requirement of God throughout history, from generation to generation.
 
An Unchangeable God with Unchangeable Requirements
 
Since we serve an unchangeable God, that means his word has not changed, and what he requires of us has not changed. He is still holy, and therefore, still expects that His children, whomever they are, to be holy - whether they are from the old covenant or the new, whether they are from the last generation, the now generation, or the generation to come. Every born again and professed believer of Christ Jesus our Savior, the Son of God is expected to “walk upright” as new creatures, in the presence of a Holy and Righteous God.
 
The question that should be pondering in the mind of every professed believer of Christ is this - why was this repeated so many times? Just as, why does the pastor constantly remind the people to give, or pay tithes? And why do physicians constantly remind their sick patients to take their prescribed medicine? There is a reason.
 
An Invitation with Instructions to the Kingdom of Heaven
 
God has provided, and is still providing every possible means to help us “work out our salvation,” that we may be fit to enter the kingdom of heaven (Philippians 2:12). A Holy City of which there will absolutely be no unrighteousness within it – “Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (I Corinthians 6:9-10). This is the unadulterated word of God.
 
He didn’t lead us this far to leave us. He didn’t extend to us the invitation to salvation, to leave us without instructions in how to prepare ourselves for entering into His Holy Kingdom. He left us with a training manual and a life coach, the Holy Spirit, whom Christ promised to leave with us. By this, we see the sincere love and unselfishness of our Father in Heaven, and that He is not trying to hurt us, but help us.
 
No Excuse or Exemptions from God’s Requirements
 
The important message here is, don’t act as if what God requires and expects from you as a new creature in Christ Jesus, is a new thing. He knows what you know, and what you truly do not know. And what’s more, He even knows if you truly love Him, because, if you sincerely do, keeping His commandment would not be an issue, neither would there be any excuse not to – “Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?...Lord, you know all things, You know that I love you” (John 21:17).
 
Embrace the arms of grace reaching out to you, in every way possible to help you meet the requirements, for entering the “Holy City in Heaven,” where our Lord is waiting to welcome you with open arms. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 
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Supporting Scriptures
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• Ecclesiastes 1:10
• Matthew 5:48
• Philippians 2:12
• I Corinthians 6:9-10
• John 21:17

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Copyright © 2017 by Gale Wilcox. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages quoted are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.