Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. Hebrews 12:3-17

That we are “justified” means that He saved us from the penalty of death for our sins. He redeemed and purchased us with His blood. (Acts 20:28, Rom. 3:25, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:19-23, 1John 1:7, Rev. 5:9, Heb. 9:22) When we received Him as our Savior and Lord, that was the beginning of our walk with Christ on the narrow path–BOTH the path and the journey end when we see Him face to face. (Matt. 7:13-14, Rom. 6:4) IF He lives IN us, there will be continual CHANGE (sometimes subtle and sometimes dramatic) from the inside out. (Rom. 12:1-2, Rom. 8:5-14, 2Pet. 1:5-12, Philipp. 2:12-16) We are human works in progress–we slip and stumble, but we get back up again instead of living in the gutter, practicing evil instead of good. (Philipp. 3:17-21, John 8:31-34, Col. 3:3-11, 1Thess. 5:22, 1Pet. 1:14-19, Jer. 4:22)

The Bible warns about false teachers in the end times telling people with itching ears what they like to hear–that they can have one foot in the world and one in heaven. They teach that grace is a license to satisfy the lusts of the flesh. People who insist that God does not expect repentance are deceived and deceiving. (1Tim. 4, 2Tim. 3, Jude 1, Gal. 5:13-19, Rom. 13:11-14, Rom. 16:17-19, Luke 24:47) Some make up new rules, along with their own ways to make penance for breaking them–wanting to keep Jesus an “obedient child” forever. (1Tim. 4, Matt. 23:9, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 11:27-28, 2Cor. 5:16, Heb. 1, Col. 2:8-20, Heb. 9:25-28) False prophets have bad fruit, but the true children of God have His Spirit within them bearing good fruit. (Matt. 7:15-27, John 15:6, Heb. 6:4-12, Eph. 5:1-27, Matt. 18:1-10) Read your Bible so that you can recognize counterfeit teachings! (John 5:39-44, 1Tim. 4:11-16, 2Tim. 2:14-16, 1Cor. 1:10-13, 2Cor. 11:1-4, Gal. 1:6-9)  It is “another gospel” if it relies on anything other than the Bible for authority, whether to add “rules” or to take them away (and this also applies to discounting or avoiding various sections of the Bible). (Rev. 22:18-19)

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:17-20

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:3-12

There is forgiveness and cleansing every single time we commit any sin and come to Jesus with it in repentance. (1John 1:5-2:6, 1John 3:4-10) Why would the apostles write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that we should take care not to walk in such a way that He will be angry with us when He returns if that is an impossibility? (Heb. 10:39, 1John 2:28-29, 1Pet. 4:1-5, 1Pet. 4:17-19, Ezek. 9:4-11, Mal. 3:13-4:3) If He doesn't care whether or not we obey Him, then why all of the exhortations to do so? (For those who say much of this only applies to Israel, don’t forget about the “one new man” and how we are “grafted in” to Israel. God doesn’t hate their sin and love ours. (Eph. 2:14-15, Rom. 11) This doesn't mean we should live in fear every moment that God will disinherit us–it means that IF we LOVE Him, we will seek to please Him by OBEYING Him. (John 14, John 15, 1Cor. 2:9-10, Jam. 1:12-16, 1John 4:16-5:3) If we KNOW Him, then we'll accept that His words and promises are all true and that we can trust Him. 

There are no additional "hoops" for believers to "jump through" to receive forgiveness than confessing (to God or another believer) and repenting, but if we expect to enter Jesus’ glorious kingdom, then we won’t make a habit of soiling the pristine white garment He gave us and carelessly leaving it that way. (Rev. 3:4, Rev. 21:7-8, Rev. 22:14-15, 2Pet. 2, esp. v. 22) Jesus said the disciples were clean because of the Word (John 15:3, John 6:63), but they still needed to have their feet washed to be PART of Him. (John 13:1-18, esp. v. 8) Jesus cleansed the temple at the beginning of His earthly ministry, but He still needed to cleanse it again at the end. (John 2:13-17, Matt. 21:12-13) WE are the temple now. (1Cor. 3:16-17, Heb. 3:5-6, Matt. 13:41-43) 

His ONE perfect sacrifice FINISHED the work, but each individual is not saved by it until they believe. (Heb. 9:25-28) His blood covers the sins of those abiding IN Him by wearing the garment He gave them, and allowing Him to wash them (Matt. 22:11-14, Mark 14:50-52, Rev. 16:15, Eph. 5:25-27, Rev. 19:7-8, Rev. 19:11-16, 1John 1:6-10). Don't forget Jesus is our High Priest. (Heb. 7) In the Old Covenant, God said no one should come before Him empty-handed. (Ex. 23:15) In the New Covenant, we bring Him a LIVING sacrifice of ourselves. (Rom. 12:1, John 4:23, John 8:31-36)

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:4-12

If we are offended by the idea that repentance is expected of believers (of people who ARE SAVED, not as a way to save ourselves), we need to ask ourselves why? Did we get this from the Bible as a whole or from select snippets? Did we trust someone who is raking in a fortune and getting famous by tickling the ears of sinners who love the world? (2Tim. 4:1-5, John 12:25, 1John 2:15-17, Jam. 4:4, 1Thess. 2:3-12, Jude 1:16-19) Do we want to find a way to excuse our sin rather than overcoming it? Are we ashamed of the parts of Jesus' message that the unsaved world doesn't like to hear and it's easier to just go along than rock the boat? (Mark 8:38, Matt. 5:10-19, 2Tim. 3:12-17)

God has offered the previously LOST Gentiles the opportunity to become His children by believing in His Son. (1Pet. 2:9-12, Rom. 11:11, Eph. 3:6, Col. 1:27-29) We Gentile (non-Jewish, sometimes referred to as “Greek”) believers and Jews in this age who have not been “blinded” to the gospel (Rom. 11:25, Eph. 2:11-22) are purified by the blood of Jesus and zealous for good works. (Eph. 5:22-33, Col. 1:9-12, Heb. 13:16, Gal. 6:9-10, Titus 3:8, 3:14) We are supposed to understand what our purification cost Jesus and seek to remain holy with the help of His Spirit. (1Pet. 1:14-19) We are to produce fruit of that same Spirit and walk as He commanded, because He is both Savior AND Lord. (Matt. 3:10, Matt. 21:43, John 15:1-10, 2Tim. 2:19-26, Gal. 6:7-10)

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15

So the point is not to scare people who haven't done anything wrong (i.e. deliberately sinning and refusing to repent - Heb. 10:24-39, John 5:14, 1Cor. 15:33-34, 2Cor. 12:20-13:2), but to remind us all to stay awake and be ready when He returns. (1Thess. 5:5-11, Matt. 24:42-25:30, Rev. 16:15) What does it mean to keep watch? (Luke 21:34-36) The Bible gives us MUCH guidance, both a simplification to show how uncomplicated it is, and specific, practical examples. It's not a set of rules, but a way of life. (Acts 2:42-47, Acts 22:4-5, John 13:34-35, John 15:12-21, Eph. 4:11-32) If we actually LOVE God and WANT to please Him, in gratitude for the precious GIFT of our salvation, we will be thankful for His instructions and heed them. He hasn't left us on our own to guess what He desires of us. We can be GLAD that not only has He done this for us by having His will for us recorded and preserved, but His Spirit indwells us–we are TEMPLES of our great and glorious God–WOW!!! (John 14:15-17, Rom. 8:9-11, 1Cor. 3:16-17, 1John 3:24, 1John 4:13, Rom. 8:13-17) He empowers us to overcome this sick, dying world. What a miracle! I'm in awe of Him, aren't you? Let's show it by responding appropriately to all that He is and has done so that we'll be prepared for what He's going to do next. Amen?

THE BELIEVER’S IDEALS OF VIRTUE AND GODLY BEHAVIOR

For our mutual edification and reminder, I've compiled many of the Bible's guidelines for God's people to follow. I'm sure it's not complete, but it's a good start for each of us to use in examining our own lives for fruits of the Spirit, of true faith. (2Cor. 13:5) (These are not in particular order except for the first couple on the "do" list.) God knows we’re weak and we all slip. He offers His strength and forgiveness, but warns us not to let sin harden our hearts against Him or there may come a day when we no longer hear His voice prompting us to return to Him. (Rom. 1:18-32, Heb. 3:7-13, Heb. 12:14-28, 1Thess. 5:19, Eph. 4:30) None of us knows when our last day on earth will come. Don’t play games with God and with your eternal soul!

He keeps us safe from external dangers that would try to tear us from Him, but He gives us free will to remain in His love and abide in Jesus. (John 6:39, 10:27-30, Romans 8:35-39, 2Cor. 4:7-11, 16-18) If we sincerely desire to please God and hold fast to Him, we WILL receive the help we need from Him. (Rom. 14:4, Heb. 4:12-16) This is one of the reasons for continuing to gather together, so that we can help bear one another’s burdens, hold one another accountable and watch out for each other. (Gal. 6:2) This is one of the reasons for continuing to gather together, so that we can hold one another accountable and watch out for each other. The adversary is seeking to destroy, but we put on the armor of faith and resist him so that he'll flee. (Eph. 6:11-20, Jam. 4:7-10) Part of that armor is SUBMITTING to God and accepting His help when we face temptation. He won’t allow us to be tempted beyond our endurance.

We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 1 Corinthians 10:8-23

I’m sure there must be many lists like this online of behaviors for the children of God to practice and those that should be avoided, but I find it more helpful to study it for myself. So now having done so, I will share my efforts with you:

(Please note this outline was expanded on August 2, 2018. Also see my article "Our Conduct.")

DO:

CONCLUSION

There’s a song by Love & The Outcome called "Heart Like You" that summarizes very nicely what the personal attitude of believers should be. (I can't give a blanket endorsement to this husband and wife duo, Chris Rademaker and Jodi King, since I don't know anything about them or their musical ministry, but there is so much Scripture packed into the lyrics of this particular song.)