Be Not Deceived
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BY EMANUEL MYERS.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.”— Galatians 6: 7. After a careful consideration of this text, and beholding the awful blinding work of deception being imposed Upon dear souls throughout the earth, I feel it my duty to take this opportunity to speak to as many dear souls as possible at once on this line. Brethren, if God’s Word be the standard (which it is) by which to determine our fitness for heaven, we are sure that nothing but an experience of perfect holiness will ever enable us to stand approved before God in that great day. We must build on the rock; unless the foundation be sure, our building is certain to fall. See Matthew 7: 26, 27. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”— Proverbs 16: 25. Unless we start right at the very first our labor will be in vain.
We believe it to be our duty to see to it that our every-day life measure to the Word of God in every particular; even in thought, word, and deed. Unless we know beyond a doubt that the Word is a living reality within our very souls, and further know we have met and do meet the requirements of the Word, as fast as made known to us, in the fullest sense of obedience; unless we know this to be our experience, we are deceived. To start right means much, but to keep right means more. And right here is where we wish to sound to all a most solemn warning on this very point. We might start on the Bible line on the true foundation, which can only be done by real Bible repentance, meeting the requirements of the Word such as:
Forsaking your way. Isaiah 55: 6, 7.
Confession. Proverbs 28: 13; 1st John 1: 9. Restitution. Ezekiel 33: 14, 15; Luke 19: 8. Forgiveness. Matthew 6: 14, 15.
But, dear ones, it is possible we may start right and get a real experience, and through lack of real vigilance or careful and close watching on our part, give the enemy some inroads into our experience, and thus not keep right. Many dear souls are overtaken on this line. Many seem to think as soon as they get right with God they can sit quietly down and the Lord will take them through, but this is a mistake. Christ said, “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.” We must pray or fall; pray without ceasing. If we neglect secret communion with God, we will lose ground fast.
Is it reasonable to believe that we need to pray less now than when first saved? Do we not realize the sweet approval of God on us as at first? If not, why not? Can we say we have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward man? An accusing conscience is a sure sign of guilt. Be not deceived. Know thyself. Let us remember that only those virgins that had oil in their vessels were able to make them shine. It takes the oil (grace of God) to produce the light. Let us not go on with an empty profession as the five foolish virgins did. I have known dear ones in the past overtaken through neglect of duty after having been made to see their condition; just simply beginning their profession again without meeting God’s requirements for salvation. This will not do.
Be not deceived. If salvation be lost, it is lost through disobedience in some form. From this it is plain to be seen we must again seek the favor of God through repentance; make wrongs right with God and our fellow man, if there be any. And right here let us bear in mind if we have wronged the brethren in a manner to lose their confidence, confidence can never be restored until the wrong is righted on our part. If we have wronged by speaking evil we must ask forgiveness or abide without salvation till we do. Forgive and ye shall be forgiven means much. The language here simply implies we must forgive to be forgiven; both forgive and ask forgiveness. The word forgive as taught in the New Testament is a word of deep meaning. By searching the Word we find it must be clearly from the heart. Matthew 18: 35. We have an example of true forgiveness in 2nd Corinthians 2: 7, 8. “So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest peradventure such an one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” By this language it will be plainly seen that forgiveness is two-fold: first, The forgiving and forgetting all past wrongs; secondly, confirming your love toward the one forgiven, or in other words treating him as though he never had wronged you. Anything short of this is not true forgiveness. We must treat others as God treats us. Be not deceived. If we are living in known disobedience, we will reap the reward of the disobedient. We need not think we are deceiving God. If such is our life, we are the ones deceived; for God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. Dear ones, we must live to the Word. Any unwillingness on our part to measure to the Word forfeits our right to eternal glory. Walk in the light lest darkness come upon you. Let us see to it that our experience is what the Word demands, or we will be left without excuse in the great final reckoning day. Heaven is worth fighting for and cheap at any price. Then let all be true.
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