Meeting the Mark!!!!

Earlier last week I got into a great conversation with the guy I'm dating about people wanting to do what they want and figuring as long as they screamed "God forgive me" that somehow that meant you we're getting into heaven. I noticed that people take God for granted. They use his grace and mercy as a reason to sin continuously but as we were talking he said something that made me want to write this blog, he clearly said "there is a mark you have to meet as a Christian". Not that I didn't already know that but I feel a lot of people that may be new in Christ may not. There are a couple of facts; God's grace and mercy endure forever, God is a forgiving God, God sent his son Jesus to die for us so we may have eternal life and salvation, God wants you in the number, he wants you to make it to the kingdom of heaven and of course you will fall, for we are all sinners BUT!!! BUT, just because God is a forgiving God and his grace and mercy endures forever doesn't mean you are to sin every hour then scream God forgive me and you are getting into the kingdom of heaven. First you're taking a huge risk because we don't know the hour or minute Christ is coming back and you may be caught out there, second if you are saved and a child of God when you sin knowingly you feel conviction which leads you to repentance. Repentance leads to forgiveness and should teach you not to commit the sin again. God is able to deliver you from sinful ways but you have to be willing also. There is a mark you have to meet if you want to get unto the kingdom of heaven. Now God will meet you half way and help you along the way through your transformation but you have to put in work too.. In the book of James 4:7-8 KJV it states:
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Like I said in my last blog there is no more riding the fence. Of course when you first come to Christ you are like a baby but as you grow in Christ you will learn how to behave as a Christian. If you don't know something is wrong then ok, you'll learn, but if you know it's wrong and you continue to do it then obviously you don't care about the consequences.  The Holy Spirit teaches us a little bit at a time but there is work you have to put in, there is a mark you have to meet. It's like getting into the best college, not just anyone can get in, you have to meet the college admission standards. It the same with getting into heaven, there is a mark you have to meet, whether you want to meet it or not is on you, as for me it's not easy but everyday I become a better Christian than yesterday, meeting that mark is my prayer each and everyday. Be blessed my brothers and sisters!!!