Gerald E. Weston

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Just What IS the True Gospel?

Why is the true gospel of Jesus Christ neglected in professing Christianity? Why do we hear instead a different gospel from that taught by Jesus, His apostles, and first century Christianity? Why is the message Jesus proclaimed for three-and-one-half years ignored and forgotten?

The answer to these questions is simple. A substitute gospel entered the professing Christian world shortly after the early church began, and the true message of Jesus Christ has been supplanted ever since. But how can that be? Surely the messages heard throughout the land on Sunday mornings must be the same as Jesus proclaimed. Sadly, it’s not true!

Many of you viewing this telecast read your Bible. You know what that message is that Jesus proclaimed… or do you? Is it possible even you have been deceived? I give you this challenge today: Look into what the Bible says and compare it with the message you think Jesus preached during His ministry, because I can almost guarantee that the true gospel of Jesus Christ has not been preached in the denomination you grew up in.

Does that sound too brash, too arrogant to say? Is it too politically incorrect to tell you the truth? As we often repeat on this program, don’t believe us just because we say it. And don’t believe your minister or priest just because he says it. Prove it for yourself, right out of the pages of your Bible. So if you want to hear what the true gospel is, stay with me. I’ll be back in five seconds.

If Anyone Teaches a Different Gospel…?

A warm welcome to all of you from all of us here at Tomorrow’s World. The true gospel that Jesus taught is not being preached in mainstream professing Christian churches! Now I know that is a bold statement and I don’t expect you to believe it without biblical proof. If the gospel you’ve been hearing is not the same as that proclaimed by Jesus, and if I can prove [it] to yourself from the pages of the Bible, what will you do about it? Think about that. A Christian is supposed to be one who follows Christ, so who will you follow? Christ? Or a popular denomination, a charismatic teacher, family tradition? Will you continue attending the “Church of your choice,” if it’s not proclaiming the gospel brought by Jesus, or will you take another path? This is a serious question that may call for courageous action.

How important is it to understand, and believe, not just any gospel, but the true gospel? Notice what Jesus said at the very beginning of His ministry, as recorded in Mark 1:14–15:

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14–15).

Yes, that’s a command straight from Jesus: “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” But how can you believe in something if you’ve never been taught what it is? Oh, but YOU are not deceived. YOU know what that message was! Don’t be too sure, because you’re not hearing it in mainstream Christianity.

So, what is that message? Do you care to know? Or are you comfortable with a counterfeit, just as the first century Corinthians were? Notice how the Apostle Paul soundly corrected them for their careless attitude in 2 Corinthians 11:3–4.

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! (2 Corinthians 11:3–4).

Wow! A different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel! If the Corinthians could be deceived, to whom the great apostle to the Gentiles was sent, how about you? Is it possible that you, too, could be fooled? Could you be worshiping a different Jesus and believing a different message from the one He proclaimed during His three-and-a-half year ministry? Paul did not care about political correctness. He called out these deceivers for what they were in verses 13–15:

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).

No, these ministers did not look evil, but they appeared as ministers of righteousness. And do we think it is any different today? There are a lot of charismatic preachers in our world. Many are kind-hearted and do lots of wonderful works—feeding the poor, carrying on campaigns to “bring people to Christ,” but here is what Jesus said in Luke 6:46:

But why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46).

Notice He also said this in Matthew 7:22–23:

Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:21–23).

Many people claim Jesus to be their Lord and Master. It’s easy to claim Him as Master, but not so easy to live as though He were your Master. The Apostle John dealt with the same issue of people professing to know Christ, but living their own way. Have you ever been asked, “Do you know the Lord?” How do you answer that question? Here is how John answers it in the second chapter of his first letter:

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:3–6).

Now circling back, what were the two commandments Jesus gave at the beginning of His ministry?

Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

But how can you believe in something you never heard?

Seek First the Kingdom of God…

I understand that it is shocking to hear that the true gospel of Christ is not taught in professing Christianity today. That is why I’m challenging you to prove it to yourself from the pages of the Bible. The Apostle Paul said that anyone preaching another gospel is under a curse. Therefore, it’s vital for you to know exactly what it was that Jesus and the first century apostles taught.

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent” (Luke 4:42–43).

Yes, for this purpose He was sent, and the message He was to proclaim was the Kingdom of God. So what IS the Kingdom of God? Do you know? Does it matter? Absolutely, according to the Apostle Paul! Here’s what He wrote to the people of Galatia, chapter 1, verse 6:

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6–8).

So what was it that Paul taught? Was it the same gospel Jesus proclaimed, or was it a different message? At the very end of the book of Acts, where we find the Apostle in Roman custody, long after he brought the truth to the people of Galatia, here’s what we read in chapter 28 and verse 23:

So when they [that is, the Jews in Rome] had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening (Acts 28:23).

Notice that while he taught them about Jesus and how He was the fulfillment of many prophecies, his testimony involved the same message Jesus was sent to proclaim—the Kingdom of God. Now notice verses 30 and 31—the last two verses found in the book of Acts:

Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him (Acts 28:30–31).

So what exactly IS this Kingdom of God that Jesus and the early apostles taught? Some think of it as a nice sentiment—something set up in the hearts of men. Many think the church in today’s evil world is the Kingdom of God. Others think it is about going to heaven. And as outrageous as it may sound today, some people once thought the British Empire was the Kingdom of God. None of these are correct.

But the kingdom Jesus proclaimed was not a sentiment in one’s heart. It was not about going to heaven. It was not the church. And, it was not about Christianity taking over the world. It was a message about a very real kingdom set up on this earth, with a king, with territory, subjects, and laws.

A Real and Lasting Kingdom

So far, we’ve only looked at a few of the dozens of scriptures proving this point. We’ve seen that a substitute gospel was extant even in the early years of the Church, but the true gospel was, without a doubt, about the Kingdom of God. It’s time to see what exactly is the Kingdom of God.

It is self-evident that a kingdom is a government which must have four elements:

A King
Subjects
Territory
And Laws

Does the Bible tell us about such a kingdom? The answer is, yes, it does! Beginning in Daniel 2 where we read of an unusual dream given to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The prophet Daniel was given understanding and explained to the king that the giant image he saw in his dream represented four great empires that would arise in the area of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The first was that of Nebuchadnezzar’s Chaldean empire. Then history shows it was followed by the Medo-Persian, the Greco-Macedonian, and the Roman empires. This last empire would continue in one revival after another until the end of the age when the God of heaven would set up a Kingdom. Let’s pick up the story in verse 44:

And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever (Daniel 2:44).

These same four kingdoms are described in Daniel 7, but instead of a giant image of a man, they are depicted in greater detail in the form of four wild beasts. And again, the last one continues down to the end of the age. Daniel 7:27:

Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him (Daniel 7:27).

Jesus elaborated on this kingdom in His parables. And as we have already seen earlier in this program, He said:

I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent (Luke 4:43).

Do you realize, my friends that Jesus gave us the answer to all four elements of this divine kingdom? He explained:

Who would be the king of the kingdom
Who the subjects of the kingdom would be
Where the kingdom would be located
[and] What would be the laws governing the kingdom

In the remainder of this program, let’s look at each one, beginning with Who would be the King of the Kingdom. The prophet Isaiah prophesied of Him in this famous passage found in chapter 9:6–7:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this (Isaiah 9:6–7).

This was a clear reference to the One who would come to set up a literal government on earth. Many passages point us to none other than Jesus Christ as that King, but let’s look at one of them. When Jesus appeared before Pilate, he asked Him a very direct question, and Jesus gave a very direct answer. John 18:37:

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” [and] Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world…” (John 18:37).

Jesus Christ the King of Kings

One of Jesus’ most famous parables is found in Luke, the 19^th chapter. He gave it in response to a misunderstanding. Let’s notice it, beginning in verse 11:

Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately (Luke 19:11).

There was no question that He spoke about the kingdom to be set up—it was only a matter of when. So in response to their lack of understanding, He begins by representing Himself as a nobleman on a mission:

Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return” (Luke 19:12).

Notice that He states here that He would receive a kingdom and return. We read of Him being crowned in a future coronation ceremony in Daniel 7:13–14:

I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed (Daniel 7:13–14).

Now back to the parable of the minas. What are His servants to do until He returns? Are they to live out their lives with nothing to do? Or are they (are we) expected to grow in grace and knowledge and to do His work? Let’s notice Luke 19 once again, beginning in verse 13:

So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, “Do business till I come….” And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, “Master, your mina has earned ten minas.” And he said to him, “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities” (Luke 19:13, 15–17).

Yes, Jesus was born to become a king. He came 2,000 years ago proclaiming the message about His coming Kingdom and to give His life a ransom for many. He gave parables showing that we can be born into that Kingdom by the resurrection from the dead and we can rule with Him. We must be changed from physical to spirit, as clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:50:

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption…. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:50, 53).

One must be born into the Kingdom of God, no longer flesh and blood. But then what? Where are those cities that God’s servants will rule over—the ones spoken of by Jesus in the parable of the minas? Are those cities in heaven? Not according to your Bible! Not according to Revelation 5:10:

And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10).

Who will they rule over? Who are these subjects? Notice in Zechariah 14:

And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16).

Read all of Zechariah 14 and you will see that these subjects will be flesh and blood human beings who survive the great tribulation and the day of the LORD. These are not servants of God up in heaven, but carnally minded individuals who will learn God’s perfect way and also have a chance for salvation, just as we have. In summary:

The King of the kingdom will be Jesus Christ—Luke 19:12
The territory will be here on earth—Revelation 5:10
The subjects will be flesh and blood humans—Zechariah 14:16
And the laws of God will govern Christ’s Kingdom—Matthew 19:17

If you found this video helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide Do You Believe the True Gospel? Just click the link in the description to order. It’s that easy.

And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you can watch more videos on different Bible topics.

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you understand this world, through the pages of the Bible.

Thanks for watching! See you next time.

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

The True Definition of a Christian

I hope you are not offended by this question, but “Are you a true Christian?” Are you absolutely sure about your answer? And, if so, how do you know? How does the Bible define a Christian? Does it say there are requirements? And, if so, what are they? Is there more to it than repeating the “sinner’s prayer”?

Please be patient with me as I ask another personal question. Is it possible you could be deceived? After all, doesn’t the Bible say that Satan has deceived the whole world? But how can that be when the world’s largest religion is professing Christianity? And what about Jesus’ warning to beware lest we be deceived?

On today’s program I’ll be exploring, according to the Bible, what is a true Christian? Now stay with me as I’ll be right back to give you four signs of a true Christian and reveal the best one-verse description of what it means to be a Christian.

A Savior in Christ, a Guide in the Law

A warm welcome to all of you from all of us here at Tomorrow’s World, where we look to the Bible for answers to life’s most important questions. We also tell you not to believe us just because we say it, but believe what you see in your very own Bible. And, of course this advice applies to other ministers as well. Believe what you read in your own Bible!

On today’s Tomorrow’s World program, I’ll be giving you four signs of a true Christian, and I’ll also reveal the best one-verse description of what it means to be a Christian.

Most people have regrets over things they’ve done. They instinctively know that some things are wrong. Furthermore, they know that they are guilty of doing wrong. So how does one undo the wrongs he or she has committed?

Some turn to doing good works to erase their past—volunteering at a homeless shelter, giving money to feed the poor, or becoming a warrior against climate change. But does that make them a Christian? By that standard, secular humanists and atheists could be considered Christians. But are we saved by good works? Paul explained in Ephesians 2:8–9:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8–9).

It takes more than good works to be a Christian, but is God against good works? Absolutely not! Notice the next verse:

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

No, God expects good works from those who are saved through faith. Others think that they can be saved by observing ritualistic laws, such as vain repetition of memorized prayers. Again, what do the scriptures say? Breaking into a thought, Paul wrote in Galatians 2:16:

… knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified (Galatians 2:16).

There is only one name and one way that we can be saved, and that name is spelled out in Acts 4, beginning in verse 10:

… let it be known to you all… that by the name of Jesus Christ… this man [that had been healed] stands here before you whole…. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:10, 12).

Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ. Therefore, Sign #1 is:

Sign #1: A true Christian recognizes Jesus as his Savior

This leads us to our second sign of a true Christian:

Sign #2: A true Christian keeps the law of God

A misunderstanding occurs as a result of not knowing the meaning of justification. While justification is needed for salvation, justification does not mean salvation. Justification means our past sins have been forgiven. But what is sin? Dust off your Bible and look it up in 1 John 3:4…

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4, King James Version).

Now let’s go back to the passage I quoted earlier in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, a verse that is often quoted by those who teach that everything has been done for us and that we no longer need to keep the law. As with other passages used to abrogate the law, this one is taken out of context. Galatians the second chapter, once again, and verse 16:

… a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified (Galatians 2:16).

Was Paul advocating the abolition of law because of grace? Not at all, as we read the verses that follow.

But if, while we seek to be justified [have past sins forgiven] by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God (Galatians 2:17–19).

Therefore, while a true Christian has faith in Christ’s sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin, he also recognizes that he is obligated to stop sinning and keep the law of God. Frankly, friends, the whole concept of doing away with the law of God is ridiculous. Why would anyone go back to do the very things for which Christ died to pay the penalty of on our behalf? Most rational people understand that a Christian should not murder, commit adultery, steal, worship idols, etc. What it comes down to with those who are against law, is which laws, and they have an aversion to the next sign of a true Christian.

Real Obedience to Christ—What Is It?

Here it is in,

Sign #3: A true Christian walks in Jesus’ footsteps

How many professing Christians today believe what Jesus taught and walk as He walked? In other words, lived as He lived. Do you realize that believing in Christ and obeying Him are two different matters? Many people dismiss obedience. Yet, how long will someone keep his job if he doesn’t do what the boss tells him to do? Dear friend, consider this statement in Luke 6:46:

But why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46).

Lord means boss or master. The disconnect between what Jesus instructs and what people actually do is found in Matthew 5:17–18:

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:17–18).

Jesus then went on to show by examples how the Ten Commandments are even more binding than before. After explaining the spirit of the law against murder, He then gave this example regarding adultery:

You have heard that it was said to those of old, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.” But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:27–28).

James, the brother of Christ, tells us that we cannot break off one commandment from the others. Notice what law, what group of commandments he refers to in this context.

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “DO NOT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law (James 2:10–11).

Clearly, James is speaking of the Ten Commandments as a whole. You cannot break one without being guilty of breaking them all. And one of those commands is to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, and that brings us to Christ’s example and whether we are going to follow it. Are we going to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, or the footsteps of apostate Christianity and that of the sun-worshiping Roman Emperor Constantine? The New Testament record shows us that Jesus kept the seventh day Sabbath. It is true that He violated some of the humanly devised restrictions the Jews put on the day, but nevertheless, He kept the Sabbath as intended by God, and as shown in many scriptures. And three times, He declares Himself,

Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28; Matthew 12:8; Luke 6:5)

Not once does He call Himself Lord of Sunday, or Lord of the first day of the week. Furthermore, we see that He observed the biblical Holy Days and Festivals of

Passover (Matthew 26:18–19)

Unleavened Bread (Luke 2:41, 43)

The Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2, 10)

And,

The Last Great Day (John 7:37)

We’re often told that the Sabbath day was changed to Sunday and these annual Sabbaths were done away with the death of Christ. There are clever justifications, human reasonings, twisted scriptures, and scriptures taken out of context, but what is the example of Jesus’ followers after His death and resurrection?

Paul kept the Sabbath day with Gentiles (Acts 13:42, 44)

Paul also taught the Gentiles of Corinth to keep Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread (1 Corinthians 5:7–8)

Jesus’ followers kept Pentecost (Acts 2:1)

The Day of Atonement was a time marker for Luke, who wrote the book of Acts (Acts 27:9)

These are only samples and there are many more scriptures supporting this. The point is that Jesus’ followers walked in His footsteps. They kept the same laws that Jesus kept. That is why Jesus’ beloved apostle John tells us in chapter 2 and verse 6 of his first letter:

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:6).

Becoming an Overcomer

We read in Revelation 12:9 that Satan has deceived this whole world, and that includes the majority of what is thought of as Christianity. And that should not surprise students of the Bible, as that warning comes from Christ himself, as well as Paul, Peter, John, and Jude.

As we’ve seen,

Sign #1: A true Christian recognizes Jesus as his Savior

Sign #2: A true Christian keeps the law of God

And,

Sign #3: A true Christian walks in Jesus’ footsteps

Now we’re ready for another important sign to look for in true Christianity. This sign is similar to the previous two, but it needs to be emphasized as it will determine eternal life or eternal death.

As already shown, sin is the transgression of the law. That is the Bible definition of sin as shown in 1 John 3 and verse 4. Of course, the very term sin is a term originating in the Bible. Our second sign of a true Christian is that he keeps the law of God, but let’s take that one step further. We know that there was only one human being who lived perfectly, and He gave His life to pay the penalty for our sins. Through faith in Christ’s shed blood we DO have that forgiveness, but does that mean we have it made, that we really don’t have to overcome the pulls of our nature?

Sign #4: A true Christian must overcome sin

When a young man came to Jesus asking what good thing he could do to have eternal life, what was Jesus’ answer? Read it in Matthew 19:17:

But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments (Matthew 19:17).

Notice that He did not tell him to acknowledge the commandments, but to keep them. Why is it then that some believe, by their actions, and some by their words, that overcoming the pulls of our flesh, and of the mind, are not necessary for salvation? Forget the clever justifications. What does the Bible tell us? Note this stern warning from the Apostle Paul to the Church of God at Corinth:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9–10).

The next verse shows that some in Paul’s audience HAD these problems before coming to the truth:

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Notice, that Paul says that such WERE some of you. In other words, they were no longer caught up in those behaviors. They were overcomers. Notice also, that they were justified—their past sins had been forgiven through Jesus Christ. They were washed, as it were, by the blood of Christ. And they were therefore sanctified or set apart.

At the very end of the Bible, God explains that unrepented sin would keep one out of the Kingdom and condemn him to the second death. Again, these are not sins of occasional weakness that are sincerely repented of and covered by the blood of Christ. But, we must nevertheless, with the help of God, overcome our weakness, as Revelation 21 tells us, beginning in verse 6:,

And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega…. He who overcomes shall inherit all things” (Revelation 21:6, 7).

Notice that. This is not something we can remove from the Bible. It is,

He who overcomes [that] shall inherit all things…. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:7–8).

Yes, the Alpha and Omega—that’s Christ according to Revelation 1:11— and He says we must overcome sin if we want to be in His Kingdom. This is not easy, and we don’t overcome all at once. But Christianity is a way of life, of overcoming and following in the footsteps of Jesus, so let’s not come up with clever excuses, reasonings, and arguments around obedience to God’s law! Instead, for example, someone addicted to pornography must become un-addicted—he must overcome it.

This admonition to overcome is found in the letters to all seven of the Churches mentioned in Revelation the second and third chapters. Let’s notice just one of them—the Laodiceans are mentioned there in chapter 3, verse 21:

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne (Revelation 3:21).

Baptized Into the Life of Christ

Before closing this program, I want to reveal what my former college professor, and my predecessor in this Work, said is the best one verse description of a true Christian found in the Bible. But I want to first read a scripture that sets the stage. Paul explains baptism in Romans 6, verses 3 and 4,

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4).

Yes, baptism pictures a death. It shows us what Christ did for us and reminds us of what we must do in response to His sacrifice—put to death our old carnal self. We must figuratively die, be buried in a watery grave, and then come up a new person. Now here is that single defining verse of a true Christian—Galatians 2:20:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20, King James Version).

We are crucified with Christ at baptism—that’s what baptism pictures. Nevertheless, we live, yet it is not our old sinful past that comes up out of the water, but Christ living in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, which is given by the laying on of hands. And it is the faith of (not in, but the faith of) the Son of God that we live by. It is Christ living in us that makes us a true Christian.

If you found this video helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide What Is a True Christian? Just click the link in the description to order. It’s that easy.

And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you can watch more videos on different Bible topics.

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you understand this world, through the pages of the Bible.

Thanks for watching! See you next time.