What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 14 – Variance

Good morning, Reader! Today’s word is not used in everyday language. We know of it and we understand an overall meaning for it. However, when it is used in the context of the new Christian faith of that era, we come to see that it was being used in relation to conflicts within the faith. Some would bring their Jewish roots into the Christian faith and would try to add to the faith or take away from it. It must have been very difficult to have been raised in the Jewish religion of works and then come to Christ by faith and not of works (Eph. 2:8-9)

I have that background as well. I was not raised Jewish but was raised Catholic and the same foundation of salvation by works was ingrained in us from birth. The concept of salvation by faith and not of works was, and at times still is, difficult to fully absorb. Even after I have been saved for nearly 43 years, I still have to fight off the thoughts of having to “do” certain things in order for the Lord to love me. He loves me despite of my actions. I naturally want to “do” work for the Lord, but it does not involve working for my salvation. Jesus took care of that when He nailed all my sins to the cross! (Col. 2:14) It is similar to the love that parents have for their children. No matter what their children do, their love for them will never end and nothing separates that love.

Friend, if you are truly born again, nothing will separate you from God’s love. Why? Because verse 39 says that it is because we are in Christ Jesus! We have been born-again and 1 Peter 1:23 says that we are born of incorruptible seed by God’s Word and His Word lives and abides forever!

So what is this variance that existed in the early Church, and is still going on today? Let’s look at Noah Webster’s definition:

VA’RIANCE, n. [See Vary.]

1. In law, an alteration of something formerly laid in a writ; or a difference between a declaration and a writ, or the deed on which it is grounded.
2. Any alteration or change of condition.
3. Difference that produces dispute or controversy; disagreement; dissension; discord. A mere variance may become a war. Without a spirit of condescension, there will be an everlasting variance.
4. At variance, in disagreement; in a state of difference or want of agreement.
5. In a state of dissension or controversy; in a state of enmity.

As the early Church was in its infancy, I’m sure it was difficult to spread the words of the Apostles in a timely manner. It was by word of mouth through preachers that were moved through the Holy Spirit of God to preach and write the Scriptures. I can imagine the strife it stirred up in those religious Jews when they found out that some of their traditions were fulfilled through Christ according to those preaching the Christian faith. I’m sure it caused quite a bit of contention within the Church itself. Paul spoke of these contentions in 1 Thess. 2:2.

Today, we see strife and contention in the Church over the color of carpeting to put on the floors in the Church building. There’s fighting and backbiting amongst so called believers. This does not show the love of Christ. We are to love one another as He loved us! (1 John 3:16) If we loved the brethren enough to lay down our own lives for them, there would be no variances, contention or strife, amen?

But let’s look at the condition of the world in the light of this sin. There is a LOT of strife today. The definition of variance specifically speaks volumes. The anger that arose when the Supreme Court sent the abortion issue back to the states is a prime example. The sin of variance digs deeper than just an opinion. It involves:

1. …something formerly laid in a writ; or a difference between a declaration and a writ, or the deed on which it is grounded.
2. Any alteration or change of condition.

What once was declared as a contract or covenant now is ignored. I think of our blessed Constitution and how the left is trying to trash it to achieve a socialist and communist agenda. Little by little our Country’s foundational beliefs are being chipped away. The devil’s evil agenda is moving forward and people are buying it hook, line and sinker! I also think of this latest effort to silence U.S. citizens and the rest of the world by using Covid to lock us down. Internal strife arose between believers as to whether they were vaxed or not vaxed. These things should not be so. If we, as believers, are warring amongst ourselves, then the devil has succeeded in causing division in our churches and showing the world that believers are actually no better than the unsaved. The light we are supposed to be is not shining. (Matt. 5:14) The salt we are supposed to be to cause the unsaved to thirst after the things of God has lost its flavor. (Luke 14:34)

But let’s look at it from the viewpoint of “inheriting the Kingdom of God.” This sin will prevent entrance to God’s Kingdom. It seems that everyone is at variance with someone. Variance is another word for strife and we see it all around us. We have riots in the streets over civil liberties. There are racial conflicts which are being driven by leaders and rich people who want to cause civil unrest so they can take control. There are people who will be held accountable for this sin. Those who partake in it are furthering the devil’s agenda and will one day stand before God at the Great White Throne and have to account for their sins. (Rev. 20:11)

Do you see the severity of this sin? It may seem minuscule to you but it is not according to God’s Word. It will be judged when you stand before God and you will be found guilty. The books that are opened at the judgment will cover every sin you ever committed and every opportunity you were given to be born-again. God judges you on all your sinful acts and deeds that will be recorded in those books and you will see that the scales for your life will be found “wanting.” (Daniel 5:27) Jesus Christ will open up the Book of Life to see if your name is written in it. But because you were not born-again (John 3:3, 3:7), your name will not appear in that book. (Rev. 20:11-15)

Friend, there will come a time when it will be too late for you to repent. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved; you will remember each time you laughed it off and ignored it. Please Reader, repent and accept Christ into your life. (Act 16:31, Rom 10:9) I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!