"WHEN DID WE DECIDE THAT WE WERE SOVEREIGN?"

Pastor Walter L Smith III and Pure In Heart Int'l Ministries, Inc. - PIHIM

John Locke, a famous Political Philosopher developed the concept of limited sovereignty. According to him the sovereign derives its power from the people or governed and thus his sovereign is subservient to the society. = HOW THE PEOPLE RELATE TO GOVERNMENT IN THE U.S.

**Ultimate Sovereignty

= Belongs to ALMIGHTY GOD

**Limited Sovereignty

= Belongs to those Created in HIS Image and after HIS Likeness

Traits of People with High Risk of Developing Addiction

Nevertheless, there are traits that can be recognized in people who have a higher risk of "becoming addicted to psychoactive substances", rather than just being able to moderate behavior around these types of substances. People with this higher addiction risk include those who are:

• Related to others who have developed addiction
• Experiencing other mental health disorders
• Adventurous and risk-taking
• Disconnected and cautious
• Obsessive and compulsive
• Apathetic
• Unable to self-regulate
  

COMMENTARY ON Hebrews 10:31 — In Hebrews 10:19–25 the author provides important content that believers should be attentive to. Because those who have believed in Jesus have been cleansed by Him, they can confidently approach Him and hold fast to the hope He provides (Hebrews 10:19–23). Because of the finality of His work and the certainty we can have in Him, we should be encouraging each other to love and good deeds and making effort to be together as believers (Hebrews 10:24–25). It might seem strange that, in a section focused on building the confidence of the believer as to his eternal destiny and the certainty of his redemption in Christ, the writer would remark that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).

The writer explains that, if we continue to sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:26)—in other words, there is no additional sacrifice that can be made. Jesus' sacrifice was once for all and sufficient (Hebrews 10:19–23). The believer should have confidence in that. But if there is continual, willful sin, then the believer's confidence can be shaken. It is appointed that after death there is a judgment (Hebrews 9:27), and willful sin makes looking forward to that judgment fearful rather than joyful. Consider, for example, the description of this judgment in 1 Corinthians 3:10–15. There is a testing of the believer's works by fire, and if the works are burned up, even the believer suffers loss—although he does not lose salvation (1 Corinthians 3:15). So the willfully sinning believer looks forward to that judgment with fear rather than with the confidence that he should have (Hebrews 10:27).

The writer illustrates the seriousness of such a sinful walk by reminding readers of the consequences of this kind of sin under the Mosaic Law—death (Hebrews 10:28). If the person under the Mosaic Law was judged so severely, how much more penalty would a person deserve who has trampled the blood of Christ and insulted the Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10:29)? Yet, it is important to note that the writer does not say the believer will die or lose salvation; he simply questions what the believer would deserve. God is the judge, and vengeance belongs to Him (Hebrews 10:31). Indeed, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).

Because of God's character, He won't ignore sin—and there is judgment even for believers, even though that judgment is not about salvation, but about rewards (or lack thereof). The writer of Hebrews challenges believers not to throw away their confidence, because there is great reward (Hebrews 10:35).

A clear conscience before God allows one to look forward to the day of judgment with confidence, whereas a believer with willful sin gives up that confidence—even though his position is secure, that future judgment day approaches, and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31). Because we cannot shrink back to destruction after being declared righteous by God (Hebrews 10:39), we ought not to continue in sin because God will deal with it, and that inspires fear and not the confidence that we are designed to have as believers. WS-3

Walter L. Smith III (WS-3)

CEO/Principal

WS-3 Enterprises & Associates, LLC.

(www.WS-3.com)

https://ws3enterprises.blogspot.com

Corporate Line: (424) 359-9180

California Office

Walter L. Smith III

1732 Aviation Blvd #945

Redondo Beach, CA 90278-2810

**Leadership Greater Rochester, Class of 2018!

**Gallup Strengths: Positivity, Learner, Connectedness, Responsibility, & Activator

This message is intended only for the use of the address and may contain information that is CONFIDENTIAL. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this in error please erase this email and all its attachments and notify us ASAP. Thank you.