Watchfulness of believers

Desires come from the heart

Proverbs 4:20–23 KJV 1900

My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

Watchfulness for dangers

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 KJV 1900

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

See also Pr 4:23

The danger of false teaching

Matthew 7:15 KJV 1900

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Calvanist or Reformed Theology

"Total depravity", also called "total inability", asserts that as a consequence of the fall of man into sin, every person is enslaved to sin. People are not by nature inclined to love God, but rather to serve their own interests and to reject the rule of God. Thus, all people by their own faculties are morally unable to choose to trust God for their salvation and be saved (the term "total" in this context refers to sin affecting every part of a person, not that every person is as evil as they could be).[74] This doctrine is derived from Augustine's explanation of Original Sin.[75] While the phrases "totally depraved" and "utterly perverse" were used by Calvin, what was meant was the inability to save oneself from sin rather than being absent of goodness. Phrases like "total depravity" cannot be found in the Canons of Dort, and the Canons as well as later Reformed orthodox theologians arguably offer a more moderate view of the nature of fallen humanity than Calvin.[76]"

Unconditional election" asserts that God has chosen from eternity those whom he will bring to himself not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in those people; rather, his choice is unconditionally grounded in his mercy alone. God has chosen from eternity to extend mercy to those he has chosen and to withhold mercy from those not chosen. Those chosen receive salvation through Christ alone. Those not chosen receive the just wrath that is warranted for their sins against God.[77]"

Limited atonement", also called "particular redemption" or "definite atonement", asserts that Jesus's substitutionary atonement was definite and certain in its purpose and in what it accomplished. This implies that only the sins of the elect were atoned for by Jesus's death. Calvinists do not believe, however, that the atonement is limited in its value or power, but rather that the atonement is limited in the sense that it is intended for some and not all. Some Calvinists have summarized this as "The atonement is sufficient for all and efficient for the elect."[78]

"Irresistible grace", also called "efficacious grace", asserts that the saving grace of God is effectually applied to those whom he has determined to save (that is, the elect) and overcomes their resistance to obeying the call of the gospel, bringing them to a saving faith. This means that when God sovereignly purposes to save someone, that individual certainly will be saved. The doctrine holds that this purposeful influence of God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted, but that the Holy Spirit, "graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ." This is not to deny the fact that the Spirit's outward call (through the proclamation of the Gospel) can be, and often is, rejected by sinners; rather, it is that inward call which cannot be rejected."Perseverance of the saints" (also known as

"perseverance of God with the saints" and "preservation of the believing") (the word "saints" is used to refer to all who are set apart by God, and not of those who are exceptionally holy, canonized, or in heaven) asserts that since God is sovereign and his will cannot be frustrated by humans or anything else, those whom God has called into communion with himself will continue in faith until the end. Those who apparently fall away either never had true faith to begin with (1 John 2:19), or, if they are saved but not presently walking in the Spirit, they will be divinely chastened (Hebrews 12:5–11) and will repent (1 John 3:6–9).[79]

The danger of temptation

Matthew 26:41 KJV 1900

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

See also Dt 4:15; 1 Ki 2:4; Lk 12:15; Lk 17:1–3; 1 Co 10:12; Ga 6:1; 2 Jn 8

The danger of neglecting the word of God

If you are not reading the Bible daily, you heart isn’t right with God

Deuteronomy 4:9 KJV 1900

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;

See also Jos 22:5; 1 Ki 2:3; Heb 2:1; Heb 12:25; 2 Pe 1:19

Watchfulness for blessings

Ps 25:15; Ps 59:9; Ps 123:1–2; Ps 130:5–6; Is 40:9; Mic 7:7; Lk 2:25; Lk 2:36–38

Watchfulness and prayer

Colossians 4:2–3 KJV 1900

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

See also Mt 26:41; Mk 13:33; Lk 21:36; Eph 6:18; 1 Pe 4:7

Watchfulness for the return of Jesus Christ

Matthew 24:42–44 KJV 1900

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

See also Mt 25:1–13; Mk 13:32–37; Lk 12:35–40; Lk 21:32–36; 1 Th 5:4–8; Re 16:15

Watchfulness for opportunities to serve the Lord

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

See also Eph 5:15–16; Col 4:5–6

Meeting the needs of others

Ephesians 6:18 KJV 1900

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

See also Mt 26:36–40; Ga 6:10; Tt 3:1

Contrast with the watchfulness of unbelievers with evil intent

Psalm 37:32 KJV 1900

The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.

See also 1 Sa 18:9; 1 Sa 19:11; Ps 10:8; Je 20:10; Mt 26:16; Mk 3:2; Ac 9:24

Warning against neglect of watchfulness

Revelation 3:2–3 KJV 1900

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.