The Journey to Salvation and the True Teachings of God
Greetings to all seeking wisdom and guidance. The journey to salvation is a deeply personal one, marked by a commitment to aligning one's life with divine teachings. In various spiritual traditions, water baptism is seen as a symbolic cleansing of sins, a sacrament that brings cleansing and renewal. Similarly, receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is often viewed as a sign of spiritual anointing and empowerment.
As I delved deeper into the Holy Scriptures, particularly through the teachings of Apostle Gino Jennings, I found myself burning with a newfound passion for understanding God's word. His emphasis on following and writing down these teachings provided a roadmap for my spiritual journey. These teachings were so compelling that I found myself listening to them day and night, eager to grasp the principles of holiness and the distinctions between truth and falsehood.
The Trials and Temptations of Faith
My journey was not without its challenges. Working for the Brent Council brought its own set of trials, and the devil seemed to target me from all angles. However, prayer and steadfast faith proved to be my armor against these attacks. As I prayed fervently, God provided calm and peace, allowing me to navigate both personal and professional trials. He guided me through a process of belief system restructuring, focusing me on the challenges that lay ahead. Through this transformation, I was reminded of my unique calling as someone chosen by heaven.
One key aspect of this journey was the awareness that everything—our mind, body, soul, and spirit—belongs to God, and he is a jealous God who loves and protects his children. This realization brought both a sense of responsibility and a deepened sense of purpose. It necessitated a reevaluation of some of the things I enjoyed and a willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good.
The Call to Follow God's Path
As I strode along the path of faith, it became clear that salvation is not merely a passive state of being. It is an active journey of aligning one's life with God's principles and teachings. The true test of faith is not merely in holding strong beliefs but in the daily practice of living according to those beliefs. It is about absorbing the light of revelation and bringing it into the world by sharing the gospel and seeking harmony with God's commandments.
It is only when Jesus personally calls someone that true salvation is secured. Until then, one can only be sure they are on the path to salvation by their ongoing commitment to prayer, spiritual study, and living according to the principles of the Bible. There is no shortcut or easy way out; it is a journey that requires discipline, perseverance, and a willingness to follow where divine guidance leads.
The Misinterpretations and Distortions in Scripture
Unfortunately, many teachings have been distorted over the centuries. For instance, instead of the peaceful verse from Isaiah 2:4, many have justified war and violence, misinterpreting "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation" to allow for justifiable violence under the guise of self-defense or conquest. This misinterpretation is clear in verses like Exodus 23:23, Numbers 31:16-18, and Joshua 6:20-21, where killing is condoned in the name of deity.
The true teachings of the Bible, such as "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17), are often overshadowed by these distorted interpretations. Other pivotal teachings, like the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28, Deuteronomy 11:26-28, Deuteronomy 4:40, Deuteronomy 6:24-25, Deuteronomy 7:12-15, Deuteronomy 8) have become skewed, leading some to believe that God's chosen people are predestined regardless of their actions. This belief contradicts the teachings of Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah, and the prophets, who warned of the consequences of turning away from divine guidance.
Moses, in particular, was insistent on the importance of obedience and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. In Deuteronomy 31:27-29, he warned of resistance to God's ways, stating, "For I know that after my death you are sure to become utterly corrupt and to turn from the way I have commanded you. In days to come disaster will fall on you because you will do evil in the sight of God and arouse his anger by what your hands have made."
It is crucial to return to the original teachings of the Bible, which are a call to all, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, to live justly and humbly before God. The true essence of being "chosen" is not about special status but about the commitment to walk in the ways of righteousness and justice. This message is outdated in some interpretations but remains vital for all who seek to know and follow God's will.