# 2: Hard-edged Bible Verses

The following, taken from the New International Version of the New Testament, is a seemingly secluded list which vividly displays a number of Bible verses that demand action. They make up only a few of the rules that govern the unpopular second part; therefore, it is most often ignored, explained away or watered down by organized Christianity. True Christians have a solemn responsibility to obey these commands without leaning on modern-day alibis.

The following is a test to determine if someone or an organization is a genuine Bible-believer. These Bible verses are the ones that are most frequently negated by a majority of religions. Are church-going people and others being tricked? This is a good section to copy. Taken verbatim from the New International Version Bible:

2nd Corinthians 13:5. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith: test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”

Luke 14:33. "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."

1 Corinthians 10:24. "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others."

Matthew 5:44. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Luke 6:35. “But love your enemies, do good to them. . ."

1 Corinthians 11:1. (The apostle Paul speaking) "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

Matthew 5:24. "Be perfect."

Matthew 19:23. ". . . I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven."

1 Corinthians 15:58. ". . . Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. . . ."

Luke 16:15. "What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight."

1 Corinthians 15:2. ". . . hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain."

1 Corinthians 16:22. "If anyone does not love the Lord [displayed by obedience to all that He commands] a curse be on him." [emphasis added].

Luke 6:20. ". . . Blessed are you who are poor . . ."

Luke 6:27. ". . . Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you . . ."

Luke 12:33. "Sell your possessions and give to the poor."

2 Corinthians 13:11. "Aim for perfection . . ."

Luke 9:23. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself . . ."

Luke 14:26. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple."

Galatians 5:14. "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Ephesians 5:1. "Be imitators of God . . ."

Philippians 2:3. ". . . consider others better than yourselves."

Philippians 2:5. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus . . ."

Colossians 3:2. "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

1 Thessalonians 2:4. "We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our heart."

1 Thessalonians 5:17. ". . . pray continually . . ."

Luke 11:23. "He who is not with me is against me . . ."

Luke 13:24. "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. . . ." [emphasis added].

James 4:4. ". . . Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

1 Peter 1:14. "Be holy, because I am holy."

1 Peter 2:21. ". . . Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

1 John 3:9. "No one who is born of God will continue to sin . . ."

If there is an active desire to live in obedience to the preceding commands, which are not suggestions, the result will be mixed blessings, among other things that are described in the following verses.

John 3:36. "Whoever rejects the son [as displayed by the way one lives] will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." [emphasis added].

Ephesians 5:1. "Be imitators of God. . ."

Philippians 2:3. ". . . consider others better than yourselves."

Matthew 10:36. "A man's enemies will be the members of his own household."

Mark13:13. "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

James 2:5. ". . . Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love him?"

2 Timothy 3:12. "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." [emphasis added].

Luke 6:24. "But woe to you who are rich." Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition. The meaning of rich: 1) having more than enough of material possessions. There are many other verses in the New Testament where God never has a good word to say about the rich, but always bad-mouths them.

1 Corinthians 15:19. "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." What should Christians be doing that would make people pity them? Definitely not what they are doing in this modern culture. Do you personally know any Christians that you pity?

Luke 19:27. (Christ speaking) "But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me." Well, excuse me! I thought you loved everyone—am I being factitious?

John 16:33. "In this world you will have trouble."

Luke 12:51. "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division."

2 Corinthians 5:17. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." [a superhuman spiritual being].

Luke 6:26. "Woe when all men speak well of you."

Matthew 17:20. ". . . if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Luke 18:8. "However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" The answer is clear; since we don't see any mountains being moved or other such thing being done by so-called Christians, the answer is no. Most likely, Christ will not find much, if any, faith on earth. Oh, but you may say, "I am saved, born again and filled with the Spirit." You think so? Does the above test prove it?

Luke 12:19. "And I will say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat drink and be merry.' but God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. . . ."

Luke 18-22. "A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? . . .’ Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." [emphasis added] As one can plainly see, there are prerequisites to eternal life, but only to confirm faith.