Q: Most dont follow the Bible

Q: The teachings of the Bible... Does it really matter? It seems even most religious people don't follow them.

Re: topic on the Lord's Prayer and generally about prayer, and what appears to be hypocritical lives of Christians.

A:  

The prayer isn't for religious people tho. It is only those born again. Prayer is communicating with God and aligning to His will. The Lord's Prayer is an example of how to pray to the Father [God]. God only hears the prayers of the redeemed. The prayer is likely known by 85% of the country due to vbs (Vacation Bible School) and a large majority went/going to church w grandparents and parents. So it is also similar to the 10 Commandments. People know "of" them. See: NeedGod.com 

Q:  God only hears the redeemed? I'm not so sure of that. What about if the redeemed, "slip back"? That being said, I've seen many so called Christians "not" following the 10 commandments.

A: good questions. 

1. God's Word is clear on that. He doesn't hear the prayers of those who are not His. (a1)

[* I do not have the references hyperlinked yet but they are in the footnotes below, after you read thru.]

2. Anyone whom God has saved, is permanently saved (a2). There's usually a misconception around how it works when someone (a believer) goes "off the path", so it looks like they walked away from God or are being hypocritical. But Jesus was clear no one will take anyone [redeemed] from His hands(b), and that all who will be saved were written in the Lambs Book of Life before the foundation of the world was created(c). So we also see that believers are saved sinners who wont be perfect (till enter Heaven)(d) and can then understand that while a believer is walking and growing in the faith(e) and living in this life, they can stumble or go off path(f); you may recall Jesus leaves the 99 to bring his 1 strayed sheep back (g). Scripture also speaks of God disciplining believers(h), and directing or allowing certain things to strengthen their faith [and  it also brings them closer to Him relationally](i). Similarly to being raised by our earthly father in love(j). There are a lot of shadows/ examples/parallels between the "spiritual" things and "earthly" things for our understanding/grasping of "spiritual" matters which Scripture reveals to a believer, that the unsaved do not fully grasp, but God may open their eyes to some knowledge (which might be part of Him drawing them to himself) (k). But whatever they learn, they are responsible for that light he has given them. 

3. There is another misconception that Christians follow the 10 Commandments, as if legalistically. They live in righteousness and they strive to live rightly "in the Spirit", again the above noted #2 that they aren't perfect and, that they do not "live" in or wallow in or love sin:(l). They now live "in righteousness" (m)by the new nature (n) they received when God gave them Spiritual life  (at conversion)(o). They are not enslaved to the old sinful nature (p). 

It is true that their new nature leads them(q), and that they hate sin(r), but they are tied to this old rotten body that is stained by sin(s), and they have freedom to do what is right and can still do what is wrong (t) [it isn't until they are perfected and given a righteous perfect eternal body that they'll be rid of the problems in this one] (u). 

4. Jesus was clear also that, not everyone who claims to be a Christian is one(v). Most are not. There is a narrow path(w), and most choose to go their own way (x). Even those who make up a god or jesus they are more comfortable with, to their own peril 🙁, (y).  [But for the former (v-x) we are told to examine ourselves to ensure we are saved.] (z)

Bible Verses referenced:

(a1):

- John 9:31 - "We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him."

- Psalm 66:18 - "If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear;"

- Proverbs 15:29 - "The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous."

(a2) This is called the Doctrine of Eternal Security, and that teaching comes directly from the Scriptures. Typically spoken of as "once saved always saved", note the first and third verse on the next footnote as well. 

Ephesians 1:13-14 - "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory."

1 Peter 1:3-5 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." The last part of that verse is noting that it will be revealed to everyone on that day that a believer are indeed his redeemed. As other parts of Scripture note there are many who profess to be saved, but are not and are instead false converts. Ex: How would we know the winners of an Olympic game and celebrate their victory if they are not placed in the winners circle and given their crown (trophy) and put on display for "all" to see. That is the concept, also it is to celebrate entering the next chapter (eternity).

John 6:37 - "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out." - Jesus

1 John 5:11-13 - "And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."

(b)- John 10:27-29 - "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

- John 6:39-40 - "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." [Belief here is around "all" that the Bible says of Him, and includes trusting in Him for their salvation. It is not a flimsy basic belief one might have that someone exists]. 

- Romans 8:38-39 - "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

(c) 

- Revelation 13:8 - "...everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain."(*)

- Revelation 17:8b - ...And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world..."(*)

(d) 

Philippians 1:6 - "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:12-14 - "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Romans 7:18-19 - "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with... difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."

1 John 1:8-10 - "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us." [This talks both about the unsaved, the false convert who is unsaved but like Judas appeared to be a disciple, and points to conversion based on God's provided way of salvation. This here is about a one time event, but other Scripture related to the believers walk in faith in this life (on the topic of sin after being saved) is found in various places, and I have linked the FAQ about that under "Dragging the Old", if you have interest in wondering about that. It is a pretty interesting short read. 

And the perfect body and perfected nature is foretold and promised for eternity:

Philippians 3:20-21 - "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 - "Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality."

2 Corinthians 5:1 - "For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

1 John 3:2 - "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." We shall be as He is; eternally perfect, righteous and Holy. 

Romans 8:23 - "And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - "So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body."

(e) 

- 2 Peter 3:18 - "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

- Hebrews 6:1 - "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,"

Colossians 3:10 - "and have put on the new self who is being renewed..."

1 Peter 2:2 - "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation."

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 - "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that...[you obstain from sinful things and] you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."

Philippians 3:12-14 - "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

2 Peter 1:5-8 - "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Colossians 1:9-10 - "... that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

(f) notes d, e and f here are related. 

- James 3:2 - "For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well."

Psalm 37:23-24 - "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand."

Micah 7:8 - "Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, 👉I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, 👉the Lord will be a light to me."

1 Corinthians 10:12 - "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall."

Galatians 6:1 - "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."

Proverbs 24:16 - "For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity."

Psalm 145:14 - "The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down."

Note: If we were perfect at salvation, we would not have to strive forward, grow in sanctification and conquer sins (having victory over them). But because we are dragging the old (noted in link), but have the new nature and God dwelling in us, we are able to do this (live rightly), with his guidance and in his strength. We are weak and powerless over sin in our life if God is not in the process of perfecting us and working in us. But it is active striving against it. Unlike the unsaved who might have morals or values, they love sin and don't have freedom from the sin nature to live in righteousness. No one has that ability apart from or unless they are born again. Many believers already matured in the faith (at their current point in their walk), and that means they have conqured some sins and learned how to successfully do it, while trusting God and loving righteousness, and have an ongoing pursuit of it. 

(g) 

- Luke 15:4-7 - "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 

(h) 

- Hebrews 12:5-6 - "and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.'"

- Revelation 3:19 - "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."

John 15:2b - "every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit."

Hebrews 12:11 - "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

Just as our earthly father disciplines and redirects us, so too does the Heavenly Father for believers.

(i) 

- James 1:2-4 - "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

- 1 Peter 1:6-7 - "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

(j) 

- Hebrews 12:7-11 - "It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

On the love of the Father to his own. 

1 John 3:1 - "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Romans 5:8 - "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Zephaniah 3:17 - "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

1 Peter 5:6-7 - "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

Romans 8:38-39 - "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Psalm 103:13-14 - "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." He knows we are weak because of the stain of the Fall and he knows we need help and guidance and he provides that to us.

Psalm 23 is a important and well known part of the Bible that speak of God's provision, guidance, protection, and comfort for His people, just as a shepherd cares for his flock. (* linked at the end of the page below). 

(k) While the primary context of spiritual enlightenment and understanding in the Bible is often directed to believers, there are a few verses that suggest that God can reveal Himself and give understanding to those who are lost or seeking Him:

1. Matthew 13:11 - "Jesus answered them, 'To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.'"

2. John 1:9 - "There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man."

3. Acts 17:27 - "that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."

4. 2 Corinthians 4:6 - "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

These verses suggest that God can give understanding and enlightenment to those who seek Him, even if they are not yet believers. But even their seeking is of God drawing them. However, it is important to note that the ultimate goal of this enlightenment is to draw them to faith in Christ and salvation.

God reveals and give light or understanding & knowledge to people, and gives more light to those he is drawing and those who are saved. It is another reason you are reading this, because God drew you here today to investigate it, share some of it with you, and give you "some light", of which I hope gives you more and it leads to Him. 

Psalm 36:9 - "For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light."

Psalm 119:130 - "The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple."

Daniel 2:22 - It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things

Matthew 5:16 - "Let your light shine before men [believers] in such a way that they [the unsaved] may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven."

John 1:4-5 - "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." *Spiritually blind, unless God opens their eyes.

John 8:12 - "Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'"

James 1:17 - "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

These verses emphasize that God is the source of all light and knowledge, and that He reveals Himself and His truth to those who seek Him. They also suggest that as we grow in our relationship with Him, He continues to give us more understanding and insight.

(l)

 "But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in old [way]." - Romans 7:6

"For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace." - Romans 6:14

"But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." - Galatians 5:18

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." - Galatians 5:13

"For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.' Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, 'The righteous man shall live by faith.'" - Galatians 3:10-11

"But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." - Galatians 4:4-5

"For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." - Galatians 2:19-20

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." - Romans 10:4

"For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace." - Galatians 5:4

"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way " - Romans 7:6

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God." - Romans 7:4

"For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." - Romans 6:14

"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." - John 1:17

"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." - Galatians 5:1

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." - Romans 10:4

"For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace." - Galatians 5:4

"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." - Romans 7:6

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God." - Romans 7:4

"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." - John 1:17

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, so we could be justified by faith." Galatians 3:24

"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." - Galatians 5:1

However we do live under the Law of Christ, which is basically freedom from sin and ability to live righteously, loving one another. See the Law link below on that and more on the topic of the Law, [(see top part) and the ⭐ link, there].

(l) Remember the context of believers being free from the Law, the judgment of sin and living in liberty of the Law of Christ, while walking growing in sanctification... so some verses appear to say one thing but are saying another (when taking the topical biblical teaching as a whole). We cant just take one verse and make a doctrine of it, not misinterpret it against the whole of Scripture. 

Believers not living in sin:

1 John 3:9 - "No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

Romans 6:2 - "May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?"

1 Peter 2:24 - "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed."

1 John 2:3-6 - "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. [However] The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He [Jesus] walked."

1 John 3:6 - ...no one who [lives in] sins has seen Him or knows Him. *People can't "believe" in Him because they lack the spiritual understanding of Who He is, unless God reveals it to them. Those who are not His therefore do not and cannot "know" him. They have no relationship with Him. 

1 John 5:18 - "We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him." * this sounds difficult to comprehend, but a deeper study on this verse will help. 

Romans 8:5-9 - "For those who are according to the flesh [sin nature] set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those [born again] who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you [believer] are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."

Notes on the condition of the unsaved and who believers used to be. 

Ephesians 2:1-3 - "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the [Satan &] of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience [unrepentant unconverted still chained in the sin nature and enslaved to Satan]. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest [of the world]."

Romans 3:23 - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; [those who commit sin] will not inherit the Kingdom of God."(*)

John 8:34 - "Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.'"

1 John 3:8 - "The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil."

Galatians 5:19-21 - "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

2 Peter 2:20-22 - "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, 'A dog returns to its own vomit,' and, 'A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.'"

(m) many of the above verses include how believers live in righteousness now. 

[Having been saved from your sins and given a new nature Corinthians 6:11 reminds believers

"Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."

(n) of believers living in righteousness, besides prev listed verses, 

Romans 6:18 - "and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."

Romans 8:4 - "so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 5:21 - "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Ephesians 4:24 - "and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."

Philippians 1:11 - "having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Colossians 1:10-11 - "so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously."

Titus 2:11-12 - "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age."

1 Peter 2:24 - "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed."

1 John 2:29 - "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him."

1 John 3:7 - "Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous."

1 John 3:10 - "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother."

1 John 3:24 - "The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."

(o) about God giving spiritual life:

John 3:3-6- "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'... That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.'"

Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us[who are in the Lambs Book of Life], even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)."

Colossians 2:13 - "When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions."

Titus 3:5 - "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."

1 Peter 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

(p) in addition to the ones already noted about believers not enslaved to the old nature any longer,

Romans 6:6-7 - "knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 👉for he who has died is freed from sin."

Galatians 5:1 - "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."

Colossians 3:9-10 - "Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him."

Ephesians 4:22-24 - "that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 👉and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."

Ephesians 2:1-5 - "... But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)."

Titus 3:5 - "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Romans 8:1-2 - "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."

2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

(q) besides the already listed ones, being led by the Spirit and the new nature:

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." - Romans 8:14

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16

"But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." - Galatians 5:18

"So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." - Romans 8:12-13

"For the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mindset of the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God." - Romans 8:6-8

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

(r), (s) & (t) believers hate sin:

I was just talking today to someone who had confusion on this topic, and I explained it this way... 

Jesus said to repent and believe the Gospel.  Repenting is a one time thing. You acknowledge your sinful crimes against the Holy God, go repent to Him and trust that you are forgiven because you placed your trust in Christ who paid your penalty on the cross. Jesus did say go and sin no more, but we know from Scripture that believers sin. Even Paul said he hated that he still does it. We become more holy day by day as we go through sanctification; starts at conversion and goes till we die. Then we are perfected when we enter Heaven. And will recieve perfect eternal body as well. 

The difference is believers who live in the righteous nature do not enjoy sin, they are grieved by it when they do it, and work to conquer and have victory over it. The unsaved dont care if they sin, because it is their nature. Scripture even says they plot or plan out their sins as well. 

Romans 7:24, Paul writes, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" He is struggling with and hates the fact he still sins. 

Romans 7:25, provides the answer to Paul's cry for deliverance: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin."

And reminds us that Jesus as our mediator regarding sin:

1 Timothy 2:5-6 - "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time."

1 John 2:1-2 - "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world."

Hebrews 7:24-25 - "but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

Hebrews 9:15 - "For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance."

Romans 8:34 - "who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us."

Ephesians 2:13-16 - "But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity."

Colossians 1:19-20 - "For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."

Other verses on believers hating sin:

Romans 6:11-14 - "Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."

2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

Galatians 5:24-25 - "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

Colossians 3:1-2 - "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."

1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Romans 12:9 - "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good."

1 Peter 2:24 - "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed."

Galatians 5:16 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."

Ephesians 4:22-24 - "that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."

James 4:7 - "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

Colossians 3:5-10 - "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him."

1 Thessalonians 5:22 - "Abstain from every form of evil."

2 Timothy 2:22 - "Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

(u) some were already noted in about receiving a new glorified body in Heaven:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord."

1 Corinthians 15:51-53:

"Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality."

1 Corinthians 15:42-44

"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body."

1 Corinthians 15:49

"Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly."

2 Corinthians 5:1-4

"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life."

Philippians 3:20-21

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself."

(v)  not everyone who claims to be a Christian is truly one:

- "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." - Matthew 7:21

- "They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." - Titus 1:16

- "For many are called, but few are chosen." - Matthew 22:14

Jesus said, "Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’" Matthew 7:22-23. Those will be thrown into eternal Hell. 

- "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate...And I will welcome you, says the Lord. “ - 2 Corinthians 6:17

- "But whoever denies Me before people, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 10:33

- "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." - 1 John 1:6

(w) Certainly, here are some NASB verses about the narrow path:

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." - Matthew 7:13-14

"Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." - Luke 13:24

"And someone said to Him, 'Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?' And He said to them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.'" - Luke 13:23-24

"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." - Luke 13:24

"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - Matthew 7:14

Not only is the biblical Jesus that narrow gate, but you cannot enter it unless you come through the Gospel. 

(x) verses that refer to people choosing to go their own way:

"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12

"In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes." - Judges 17:6, Judges 21:25

"All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." - Isaiah 53:6

"Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward." - Jeremiah 7:24

"So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk in their own devices." - Psalm 81:12

"You have planted them, they have also taken root; They grow, they have even produced fruit. You are near to their lips But far from their mind." - Jeremiah 12:2

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." - Romans 1:18

"But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust." - James 1:14

"For all of them seek their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 2:21

(y) 

warn against making a false god or idol. Whether in the mind or made of wood or stone 

Exodus 20:4-5 - "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me."

Acts 17:29 - "Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man."

Isaiah 42:8 - "I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to graven images."

Jeremiah 10:14 - "Every man is stupid, devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols; for his molten images are deceitful, and there is no breath in them."

Leviticus 19:4 - "Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the Lord your God."

1 Corinthians 10:14 - "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."

1 John 5:21 - "Little children, guard yourselves from idols."

All other gods are false gods, even among manynin so called Christiandom there are false churches and cults with a false God and false Jesus, one they madebup and prefer over the Biblical true God. We must not deviate from the only true God and Savior revealed in Scripture, otherwise we are believing a lie, following doctrines of demons, violating God's Law, and wasting our time on something false. 

(z) Self examination of professing believers: 

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5

This verse is part of a larger passage in which the apostle Paul is urging the Corinthians to examine themselves and ensure that they are living according to the teachings of Christ. He is encouraging them to evaluate their own faith and actions, and to make sure that they are truly following Christ and not just going through the motions of religion.

The phrase "test yourselves" means to scrutinize or examine oneself, to see if one's faith is genuine and if one is living in a manner consistent with that faith. This self-examination is an important part of the Christian life, as it helps believers to stay on track and avoid straying from the path that God has set for them. But also ensuring they indeed are saved.

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Hope this has been helpful 🙂

*gptchat helped me collect several of the verses 😊 to get this over to you as quickly as I could, but I still had to search for some references as gptchat wouldn't know certain ones I was looking for on the topic. Others I knew by heart and could add, but gotchat is helpful if instructed for short searches, "According to the Bible, [insert question]." And GotQuestions.org has a more robust answer library where things are explained more clearly [by topic or specific question]. 

*While God's Word doesn't change and I have every intention to keep the Scriptures pure, I did adjust a verse or two to not overwhelm you and keep the references pointed to the topic/concept/point. If you want to see the full verse you can look it up and read the section before and after it, 👉and possibly a chapter before and after [which gives greater clarity on that portion of Scripture, as always when reading the Bible]. Those verses are indicated with an asterisk. 📎Here it is likely in connection with saved/unsaved talk or/& about things of the end times [future coming Tribulation era (of judgments and calamities that will befall those unsaved and left behind on earth, for 7 years, prior to Judgment Day]. 

It was kinda neat the references covered A-Z 😂. I did not realize in that short answer that there would be 26 references 😁. The Bible does contain a lot 😉. It is one reason why conversations on social media do not allow for even simple discussions and referencing (due to space) and it's why offsite links to info is the best way to communicate or provide answers. 

******

* footnote:

Psalm 23 on the key points.

****

Final call to action: 

James 4:13-14, which says: "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." - Proverbs 27:1

Hebrews 3:15 "As has just been said: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did [before].'"

Seize the day, cease this chance while it is available. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Get right with God right now, because you do not even know if you will be alive in 5 minutes or even tonight. 

160k people die every day. 

If you died right now, without Jesus as your Savior you are doomed, so ensure you are Heavenbound. 🙏

2 Corinthians 6:2

"For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."

There is urgency to the call of receiving salvation via the Gospel. I is of great importance because it affects you for eternity. We dont know when we will die, or Jesus return and the end is ushered into the Judgment Day. That is why Today is the day of Salvation, right this moment. 

Matthew 24:42-44 - "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will."

Luke 12:40 - "You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."

2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

Felix put it off, and he died in his sins. Acts 24:25 - "But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, 'Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.'"

Most know of John 3:16 but they do not read the whole passage, God has a warning attached.

John 3:16-18 

"16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." 

John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'" Mark 1:15

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31

"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3:19

We share the Gospel not just because Jesus made us messengers of it but because we genuinely care and want you to be saved and in Heaven too.

2 Corinthians 5:20 - "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Have you obeyed the Gospel yet, you can, today, right now. God will hear your first prayer; of repentance, trusting in Jesus, and gratitude of salvation. 

If you did, this verse can apply to you. You must persevere in the faith to the end, to prove you did not believe falsely in vain, but have obtained eternal salvation having been born again by God. 

Luke 15:7 Jesus said, I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents 

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." - Luke 15:10

"And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." - Luke 15:9-10

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus said, "I have not come to call the [self] righteous, but sinners to repentance." - Luke 5:32

 Believers Resources

God bless. 

If you read this far, it means you now know more about the Bible, God, Jesus, Salvation and the Christian life, than the majority of non Christians do. I hope it helps, and has led you to salvation. 

I am on my way out of this world soon, and will get to Heaven likely before you, as i have incurable cancer, but one thing is for sure, I would love to meet you there! 

******

What is the number one reason people do not read the Bible? 

"And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil." - John 3:19

And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 👉For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 

John 3:19-20

God already knows all our thoughts, words and deeds from our entire life. We cannot hide from him. It is better to come clean, and be reconciled, and gain what he wants to give us: blessings and an inheirtance for eternity. 

Yes we still walk in this sin stained world, but we know our home is in Heaven.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait (*)- Philippians 3:20

This verse emphasizes that as believers in Jesus Christ, our true citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await the return of our Savior. It reminds us that our ultimate home is not on this earth, but in the heavenly kingdom of God.

Jesus said: for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. - John 14:3

Make sure you are saved so you will be there.  Matthew 25:1-13 warns: 

"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour."

This speaks of believers being ready for the Lord's return, but also the ones who delayed salvation and were not ready, and it was too late for them.