You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'Uncategorized' category.
Do not vote for Hillary Clinton for President unless you prefer to live in a communist society and have all your freedoms taken away. She is absolutely the scariest and worst candidate running for President. Click on this link to see just how evil she really is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YPUo7Cj084
I feel the need to complain about the primaries. My complaint is something that has bothered me for a very long time. I just don’t understand why the primaries cannot be conducted the same way the actual Presidential race is done. It bothers me that the states hold their primaries separately for the most part (except for “super Tuesday”).
As it stands now, my choices on the Republican side are between Romney and McCain. I don’t really want to vote for either of them, but now I have no others to choose from. The man I wanted to vote for was Fred Thompson. I do not consider myself to be a Republican. I consider myself to be a strict conservative Federalist. I seek someone who follows the same principles that Reagan did. Unfortunately, there has not been one person who met that standard, but Fred Thompson was the closest and I believe is the most honest as well.
I believe that government in general needs to stay out of the lives of the people as much as possible.I think the national government is way too big and is constantly overstepping the restrictions that are in the constitution. I also believe that the three branches are not as equal as they were meant to be and that is a problem.
All that is a bit off topic though. My complaint is that I am not able to vote for the person I really wanted to vote for in the primaries because of the ridiculous way in which the primaries are held. Why can’t it be done like the actual Presidential race? That way, no other states are influenced by the earlier result of the states before them and there is no “domino” effect (well, except for the problem of the media declaring a winner way too soon and the time zones being a factor as well). At least I would be able to vote for the one person I think would be the best choice for the party I support.
I can’t stand McCain so I am sure to vote for Romney now, but it really bothers me that these are my only real options. I don’t like Huckabee at all either and don’t trust him, so neither he nor McCain will get my vote in the primaries. Unfortunately, even if McCain is the Republican representative to go against the winner of the Democrat primaries, I will be forced to vote for him. I believe that no matter who represents the Republican party, they will be head and shoulders above Hilary or Obama.
Welcome to my new blog site. I decided to open a blog site with WordPress because a friend of mine did and I liked what I saw in her blog site. It might take me a little time to get used to all the features here and utilize the ones that I like, but I am excited about this new location. I hope that my blogsite will get more attention.
I look forward to writing here and will do my bext to write every day or almost every day. In the past, I have mostly posted Bible lessons, but I have decided to keep my Bible lessons at my multiply site and focus on general posts here. But if I have a Bible lesson that I really want to share with as many people as possible, I might post it here as well. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to get to know other bloggers here as well.
In our first section, we looked and what the Bible reveals about God’s grace. Now let us see what the Bible reveals about our faith. I am hoping that this will help us all to understand exactly what faith is so that we can then learn how God’s grace and our faith work together in saving us.
The first thing we see about faith is that we can have different amounts of it (Matt.6:30 and 8:10). This next characteristic might surprise some people, but faith can be seen (Matt.9:2). We also learn that faith involves confidence and that doubt enters when we have little faith (Matt.14:31). Yet, even a small amount of faith can make us able to do great things (Matt.17:20 and 21:21). Faith was an important part of the Law of Moses as well (Matt.23:23).
We can be full of faith (Acts 6:5). We can also be obedient to faith (Acts 6:7, Rom.1:5, 16:26). Paul and Barnabas exhorted Christians to continue in the faith, explaining that we must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). We learn that there is also a door of faith that can be opened to those who have not yet heard the gospel message (Acts 14:27). God purifies our hearts by faith as well (Acts 15:9).
Local churches are to be established in the faith (Acts 16:5). Faith in Jesus Christ is to be testified to all (Acts 20:21). It sanctifies us (Acts 26:18), and we live by it (Rom.1:17). Next, we learn that we can only obtain the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ which is to all who believe (Rom.3:22). This verse indicates that there is a difference between saving faith and mere belief (mental ascent).
We also learn that our redemption is in Jesus Christ and He is our propitiation through our faith in His blood (Rom.3:25). Let me pause here to share the definition of the word “propitiation”. It means atonement or render favorable. As the word is used in Romans, what Paul is saying is that Jesus was our atoning victim. He took our place when He died on the cross. Why? It is simply because the wages of sin is death. Yet, as Paul explains, He is only propitiation toward those who have faith in His blood.
In our next passage, we learn that there is a law of faith (Rom.3:27) and we should boast only in this law of faith. We are justified by faith as well (Rom.3:28) and through faith we make void the law [of Moses](v.28). There are also footsteps of faith that we are told to walk in (Rom.4:12). It is also possible to make faith void (Rom.4:14). As we continue to read Romans chapter 4, we also learn that being an heir of God’s promise [eternal life] depends on our faith and rests on grace (Rom.4:16).
Next, in chapter 4, we see that Abraham’s faith was seen in his trust that God could still give him a son in his old age (vss.18-22). And chapter 4 concludes by explaining that our faith will be counted as righteousness for us as well (vss.23-25). As Paul continues, we learn that through Jesus Christ, we gain access to the grace in which we stand (Rom.5:2).
Paul sheds some light as to why the nation of Israel did not attain righteousness through the law [of Moses]. In Romans chapter 9, he explains that it was because they did not pursue righteousness by faith. (Rom.9:30-33) The stumbling block set before them was Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross (v.33).
We next learn that there is a word of faith to be proclaimed (Rom.10:8) and that faith comes through hearing and hearing, through the word of Christ (v.17). In chapter 11, we see that the Jews who did not believe were broken off from God’s family tree and non-Jews who believe are grafted in because we stand fast in our faith. But Paul also warns us not to become proud, but fear (v.20). Why? It is because there is a real possibility that we can be broken off as well if we do not continue in our faith, which puts us in God’s kindness (v.22). Those who were broken off can still be grafted back in as well if they do not continue in their disbelief. And in Romans chapter 14, we learn that whatever is not done by faith is sin (Rom.14:23).
Another important aspect of faith is explained in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5. We walk by faith (II Cor.5:7) and we labor in it as well (vss.8-10). This is actually a little redundant because walking by faith is basically saying all we do is to be done by faith(Gal.2:20). Paul also exhorts us to examine ourselves to determine whether we are in the faith and also to prove ourselves (II Cor.13:5). Another word for “prove” is “test”. Paul then asks if we are aware that Jesus is in us and then states – “unless indeed you fail to meet the test” (ESV). I encourage you to study this entire chapter very carefully. It is an important one regarding saving faith.
In Galatians chapter 3, we learn that we receive the spirit by the hearing of faith (Gal.3:2) and miracles were also done by the hearing of faith (v.5). We also see that we receive the “promise” of the Spirit through faith. Now we need to understand what the promise of the Spirit is exactly. If you carefully read the rest of chapter 3, Paul answers that question as well. The promise is our eternal inheritance. We all become God’s children in Jesus Christ, by faith (v.26).
In chapter 5, we learn that faith must work through love to matter to God (v.6). Next, Paul compares the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit (vss.17-27) and faith is among the fruits of the Spirit. Our faith in Christ Jesus is what allows us to have access to God in confidence (Eph.3:12). We next learn that Christ is in our hearts by faith (v.17). There is also only one faith (Eph.4:5), and this means there is a unity of the faith as well (v.13). Paul also compares our faith as a shield that is able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked (Eph.6:16) and a breastplate (I Thess.5:8).
Philippians chapter one has Paul exhorting them to strive together for the faith of the gospel. Colossians 1:21-23 shows us the importance of continuing in the faith. Paul then states that those who are baptized are raised with Christ through the faith of the operation of God (Eph.2:12). We learn in I Timothy that it is possible for us to “shipwreck” our faith (I Tim.1:19); it can be denied (I Tim.5:8), cast off or abandoned (v.12), and wandered or erred from as well (I Tim.6:10). It can even be overthrown (II Tim.2:18). Paul even predicted that some will depart from the faith in the latter times (I Tim.4:1) and teach doctrines of demons.
If anyone thinks that there is no effort on our part in faith or gaining eternal life has either not read this passage, or has ignored it.
1 Tim.6:1
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
There is clearly effort on the part of man in God’s plan of salvation. So it should also be clear that there must be a difference between works of man or of merit, and works of righteousness or of God. 2nd Timothy 4:7 is similar in proving that there is definitely effort on the part of man. In Hebrews we learn that the word of the gospel will not be beneficial to anyone unless it is mixed with faith (Heb.4:2).
The verse that is most often turned to when someone seeks Bible definition of faith is Hebrews 11:1, which is presented below:
Heb.11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
But it really would help one’s understanding of faith to study the entire chapter. There is example after example of true faith in that chapter and each involves acting upon what is believed. In the beginning of the next chapter, we learn that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Chapter 2 of James also sheds light on faith. Study the whole chapter carefully. Faith is made complete through works (Jas.2:22) and man is not justified by faith alone, but works mingled with faith (v.24).
Faith is our response to God and we will learn in part three how God’s grace and our faith work together in God’s plan of salvation. I pray that as we continue through this three part lesson, we will all have a deeper and more accurate understanding of how we are saved by grace, through faith.
In the ninth century BC, Elisha was one of God’s most influential spokesmen and one of the greatest of God’s prophets. His influence was great both on those of his own generation and on men down through the centuries. He shared a very close and personal relationship with God and this
affected everything that he said and did.
A very revealing story is revealed in II Kings. Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there. Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice (meaning many times). Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.”
Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha….So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.(II Kings 6:8-18, 23 NKJV).
In this reading there are two sentences that stand out and become our text: “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” These sentences were needed by the servant of Elisha on that day; they are needed by all of God’s children today. Let us explore them and see just what meaning they may hold for us.
More Than the Eye Can See
Even today, we often feel that we face fearful odds in the world about us. Evil is very rich, very powerful, and deeply entrenched. First of all, irreligion is very strong in the world. Godless Communism has under its control the majority of the people on earth. They seek to destroy every trace of religion. Muslum extremists seek to kill all who are not Muslim extremists as well. Atheism and Evolution are gaining strength as are many other false religions. Faith in God and Christ are seen by many as silly superstitions. More and more political leaders and those in charge of major Universities seek to downgrade religion. Then, think of the millions who wear the name of Christ but who do not know him nor his church in the pure New Testament way. Another of the great discouraging influences in our world is the moral weakness of mankind. Even good people, well informed people, often sink in their behavior to the level of animals. Lust, hate, greed, envy and strife are common even in the enlightened twenty-first century. We are faced with fearful odds and sometimes when we compare our visible strength–limited numbers, wealth and influence–with these vast forces that are against us, we become discouraged and feel that the battle is hopeless.
But–The Early Christians
It is at this point that we need to turn our eyes back to the first century and visualize the situation faced by those with whom Christianity began. Discouragement seems obvious and overwhelming when we realize that even the divine Son of God was not accepted by his own people, but rather was crucified. When the twelve apostles were left to establish the church and to launch the Christian era, even one of their own number had to be written off as a traitor. They were immediately met by Jewish antagonisms and persecutions. They also faced the strong negative influence of an absolute Roman dictatorship. The emperor claimed to be divine and demanded the allegiance of every subject throughout the empire. What a negative climate for the establishment of the Christian religion! Also, paganism was universal and triumphant. The mystery religions were known everywhere. Their temples were large, magnificent buildings in every major city. All across the Roman world these mystery religions had blinded the people’s eyes to the true God and his worship. What chance did Christianity have?
On the surface, measured with the eye of human reason rather than with the eye of faith, the establishment and spread of Christianity was hopeless. However, there were forces at work that could not be seen with the natural eye and these forces entirely changed the picture. Imagine the apostle Paul coming into Athens. So far as the record goes, he was alone. As he walked through the streets he observed the hundreds of idols and altars to the various gods and goddesses. When he lifted his eyes to Athens’ crowning-hill, the Acropolis, he observed the magnificent Parthenon, which, with the other temples that surrounded it, was built for the worship of a pagan deity. What chance had he to change all of this? Remember, too, that his gospel was a strange sounding story in itself. How convincing would it be to tell the
people that the only living God had sent his only begotten Son into the world and that he had lived in lowly Palestine for a third of a century. How convincing would it be to tell them that this Messiah had been a carpenter in the small city of Nazareth, that he had no wealth, and no illustrious following? What would the pagans think when told that his own people, led by their religious leaders had called for his crucifixion and that the Roman soldier had nailed him to a cross? Yet, amazingly, some did believe. Dionysius, the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others.
A little later Paul entered the equally pagan city of Corinth. On its crowning hill was another great temple served by many priests and also using a thousand priestesses, or harlots, in the practice of its religion. What chance had Christianity in this setting? Yet, just a little later on, the apostle Paul wrote these inspiring words to the church that had been established in the shadow of this pagan temple, “Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (I Cor. 3:21-23). In some strange way the future belonged not to paganism, nor to the Roman dictatorship, nor to the strongly entrenched Jewish religion, but to the lowly Nazarene and his humble followers. Again, “those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Our tendency today is to look at the world about us through the eye of human reason, and to forget the realm of the spirit. David made this mistake by trusting in his own strength rather than in the strength of God. In his own human pride, he called for the numbering of Israel. Later he discovered that his strength lay not in numbers, but in the power of God and said; “I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O LORD, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly” (II Samuel 24:10). In contrast to David, Gideon trusted in the strength of Jehovah. With an army of 32,000 he was ready to march to battle against the Midianites. God told him that the army was too large, so 22,000 were allowed to go home, but even the 10,000 that remained were too many. The army was further reduced to 300 men. These men then conquered the hosts of Midian; the power was clearly God’s power. (Judges 7).
When we contemplate the forces about us that are hurtful to the religion of our Lord, we need to look beyond our own strength and remember that there is an unseen power that makes all the difference. Like Elisha’s servant, we need to remember, “those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Spiritual Blindness
Some people go through life blind to the beauties of nature. The hills, the valleys the streams, the trees and the flowers that beautify our world are hardly seen by them. They are so preoccupied that the beauty of the world about them is wasted. There are others who see and appreciate the beauties of nature, but are blind to the God who created and sustains nature. They marvel at the intricate delicacy of a flower, but fail to appreciate the God who created that beauty. Similarly, there are those who are blind to spiritual matters. These are many in our day for whom prayer, Bible reading, and worship have little meaning. The reality of Christ, of God, and of heaven has somehow passed them by. They would consider the “fruit of the spirit”, listed by the apostle Paul in Gal. 5:22-23, of little importance. “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control,” are qualities of weakness rather than strength in their eyes. Those who are blind to spiritual values consider themselves the strong men of our world. They build highways and bridges, dig tunnels under our rivers and even under the English Channel. They walk the steel girders of our skyscrapers. They sail the great dreadnaughts of the sea and march men into battle. They are the strong men of the world in contrast to the weak who believe and trust in spiritual forces. But it is they who are blind, and we need to pray that their eyes may be opened that they may see that the eternal values and the lasting strength are not of physical might, but the invisible strength of the spirit. Everything material gets old, worn out and/or obsolete.
Unfortunately there are Christians who, like Elisha’s servant, are blind to the reality of spiritual things. Even preachers and teachers and
elders sometimes make decisions upon the basis of sight rather than the basis of faith. The spiritual forces cannot be seen and measured by our human eyes and minds. In the days of Moses, God led His people to the southern boundary of the Promised Land and they sent
twelve spies to report on the condition of Canaan Ten brought back the report that the people were giants and their cities well fortified. They concluded that the unarmed host of Israel was no match for the inhabitants of the land. (Num. 13-14). God turned this faithless host of Israelites back to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Their mistake was simply that they trusted the eye of human reason rather than the eye of faith. The two spies (Caleb and Joshua) who saw with eyes of faith were the only ones still living when they finally entered the Promised Land.
Occasionally we read or hear, “God has no hands, but our hands, no feet but our feet, no eyes but our eyes, no ears but our ears, no tongues but our tongues.” Don’t you believe it. God has infinite power beyond any power that we may possess. We can understand why these words might be written in trying to encourage people to do their best for the Lord, but in a deeper sense we need to realize that God’s power is infinite and that it is not limited to our weak service. He has a power that we know not of. We need to pray the prayer of Elisha “O, Jehovah, open our eyes that we may see.
Conclusion
As we live our lives, we must come to realize that the things of the spirit are more important and more lasting than the things of the flesh. We come to realize this best when we stand face to face with death by the side of an open grave. When we have laid to rest a beloved companion, a father or mother, or a child, we realize with a clarity impossible at other times the meaninglessness of the material things about us. Houses and lands no longer seem very important at a time like this. Earthly ambitions and achievements seem equally meaningless. Only the things of the spirit matter.
For those who have had eyes to see it, there has always been hope for the triumph of right. God’s infinite spiritual power has changed the blackness of night to the brilliance of day. Ask Moses, ask Daniel, ask Paul, and the host of God’s servants who have triumphed through faith. Let us pray, O Jehovah, open our eyes that we may see “… that “those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
One area I believe that many Christians struggle is the area of guilt and repentance. It is one of the most difficult things for us is to forgive ourselves when we sin. Sometimes it is because some sins have great consequences and in our eyes are worse than others. Other times, we do not really understand what repentance is and falsely assume we have repented when we have not.
Guilt can be a good thing that helps lead us to change our behavior and do the right thing. This is what happened on the day of Pentecost. Once the crowd became aware that they crucified the promised Messiah, they were “cut to the heart”. (Acts 2:37) Their guilt caused them to realize there was something they should do to obtain forgiveness from God.
Guilt can also be destructive. The only other time I believe the phrase “cut to the heart” or “picked in the heart” is used in the New Testament is found in Acts chapter 7. I want to look more closely at this passage.
Acts 7:54-58
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Notice that in this instance, their guilt caused them to become angry. They even became childlike at one point by crying out with a loud voice and stopping their ears. Have you ever been confronted with a trespass and reacted like this? I know you have not ever stoned anyone, but you probably got angry and didn’t want to hear it. I know that I have responded like this at one time or another. We don’t like it when someone points out our errors or sins. Unfortunately, the truth does hurt sometimes.
Satan can use this newly discovered sense of guilt to destructively work against the new Christian’s life and his/her freedom in forgiveness. Unless this new Christian grows and develops in his/her understanding of what God did and is doing for him/her in Jesus Christ’s death, guilt can potentially be a destructive factor.
The conscience does not come to life in a Christian to destroy the Christian! It is a protective device, not a destruction device. Its purpose is to guard the Christian against evil and to declare the need for the Christian to repent [acknowledge his sin and redirect his life] when the need for repentance exists. Consider this passage from the book of Hebrews:
Hebrews 9:13,14
For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
This whole book’s main goal is to point out the superiority of the New Covenant and Christ’s sacrifice over the Old Covenant system. This shows the superiority of Christ’s cleansing blood compared to the blood of bulls and goats. We must remember that Christ’s blood cleanses our consciences “from dead works to serve the living God.” We have this cleansing as long as we continue to do our best to serve the living God. Our redemption should be all the motivation we need to keep living our lives for God.
The writer of Hebrews knew the peace of a cleansed conscience. Consider Hebrews 13:18. The focus of the message of Hebrews is not on “what a good man the author is.” The focus of the message is on what a good, wonderful, and absolutely complete Savior God provided us in Jesus Christ. The author is a man of good conscience because he understood what God did and does in Jesus Christ.
I look at Paul as a prime example of someone who understood just how much he was forgiven and how it motivated him to dedicate the rest of his life to spreading the gospel. He endured many difficult situations and never lost his faith and drive to serve God. He wrote the majority of the New Testament as well. He called himself the chief of sinners. Does this mean that he never forgave himself for persecuting the church prior to his conversion? No, but he pointed it out to make people aware that if God forgave him, He would forgive them as well.
I know some people that are not Christian think that they can never be forgiven because their sins are so great. They know they need forgiveness, but they just can’t imagine a God who can and will forgive them and accept them into His family.
The goal of being a Christian IS NOT to “earn” or “deserve” salvation. Romans 7:18-25 reveals the futility of that approach. This is not an affirmation that Christians do not need to be obedient to God. It is the affirmation that obedience must be based on the proper motive. The motive is not the self-deception produced by the false conviction that “I” earn or deserve “my” salvation because of “my” obedient acts. The motive is a declaration of appreciation for what God did and does for “me” through the death of Jesus Christ. The hopeless despair of Romans 7:18-24 suddenly became the hope of assurance of Romans 7:25 and 8:1!
I do not trust “my” accomplishments of obedience for “my” salvation. “I” trust God’s accomplishments in Jesus Christ’s death! Trusting “me” is the magnification of personal guilt! Trusting God is the peace of forgiveness based on His love for “me.” “My” faith must never be in “me” but always be in God. Faith in God produces peace because a cleansed conscience rests. Faith in “me” produces the unending guilt of a distressed conscience agonizing over the person’s unworthiness and failures.
So here is another problem to forgiving ourselves. Sometimes we think that we are earning our salvation. We begin to constantly do an internal check list. Okay, I have done this and that and I do not do this and that, so I am a good Christian today. But when we dwell on our actions or lack of actions, this can cause us to feel guilt. Have I prayed enough? Have I read my Bible enough? Did I lust in my heart? Did I gossip?
God’s grace is not dependent on us being perfect in every way. We can only be MADE perfect IN Christ. His blood perfects us continually. John tells us that if we confess our sins, God will cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He said just prior to that, some other things important for us to remember regarding cleansing.
Just prior to verse 9, John wrote some other important factors regarding the cleansing of Christ’s blood.
1 John 1:6-8
If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
We must WALK in the light and NOT in the dark. Can we walk that walk
perfectly? No. Yet if our hearts are focused on pleasing God and doing our best to walk in the light, Christ will make us perfect and complete. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in the promises of God. Jesus’ blood will continue to cleanse us from ALL sin. There are many times when we might not even be aware of some sins we commit. We cannot ask forgiveness or confess a sin that we are not aware of, but Christ will cleanse us of them as long as we are walking in the light. We need not worry about whether or not we are going to go to heaven when we die. Our confidence MUST be in Christ and not ourselves.
So now I want to ask, what do you think is involved in repentance? Is repentance just feeling sorry for a sin and asking God’s forgiveness? It is much more than just being sorry and asking for forgiveness.
Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;
In the above verse, it is clear that repentance involves a turning FROM something and TOWARD something. We are to turn from a sin and toward God. If you lied to someone, you need to change your mindset and seek to stop lying and live by Christian standards. If you slandered, or were involved in gossip, or envy, or any sin, your goal is to turn from the practice of that sin and back to Christian standards. If you are struggling with a guilty conscience and never feel “saved” or “forgiven” it is most likely because you have not yet truly repented of the practice of a sin. It is either that, or you do
not truly understand God’s grace and trust more in yourself than in God.
Here is another excellent verse on repentance.
Acts 26:20
but declared both to them of Damascus first and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
This was Paul’s testimony of his first efforts to preach the gospel message after he was converted in Damascus. He told those to whom he preached, to turn to God and do works “worthy of repentance.” So when you have repented, your focus should be to do works worthy of repentance. Does this mean we must earn our forgiveness? Not at all. If our heart’s desire is to truly repent, we must show that we want to stop doing evil and do things that please God. It shows our love for Him and the forgiveness that comes from God’s grace. I pray this helps many and to God be the glory!
Immersed Into Christ, Joe Norman
Hi to all,
I am so sorry that it has been so long since I posted here. I will really try to keep this more regularly done. Anyway, my son wants to move in with me this Fall. He mentioned it just after I moved into this new apartment here in north Dallas. I was obviously very happy about it, but was not sure how my ex would respond. Now that she has responded, I realize I did have some idea how she would respond and she was true to form.
My son told her he wanted to move in with me in the Fall about two weeks ago. In spite of this, she did not contact me at all and did not even mention it the next time she saw me face to face. So I contacted her and it turns out that she claims she was not sure how to approach me with her list of concerns about him living with me. The truth was more likely that she was not wanting to deal with it and was probably hoping to avoid a confrontation with me until it was too late to get him set up for school here.
So I asked her what concerns she has and she tells me for one thing, she is concerned about my depression. I told her that I have felt much better since moving to the Dallas area. Then she says she is worried about whether or not I can keep my job and not have to move suddenly. I told her that the main reason I chose to move here instead of Waco is because I knew I could get a better paying job here and get employment fast. If I had tried to move to Waco again, I doubt I would have a job even now. I was unemployed for almost 3 months in Waco the last time I found myself looking for work there.
I also said I have family nearby and friends here already and really love the congregation that I worship with as well. She then said she is afraid that I will talk to our son about things I shouldn’t regarding my feelings about her and all. She said that I wrote something in my step-daughter’s graduation card that made her very uncomfortable. I told her that because my relationship with my step-daughter has been almost non-existent, I just wanted to express to her that in spite of the fact that her mom and I split up, I love her like a daughter and really want to be there for her as much as I can. I wrote that I missed her and hoped she knew she could always call me or come visit anytime. Is that inappropriate? I told her that I don’t talk to our son about the fact that his mom and I will never get back together again, because he is smart and already knows that. He expects her to marry her current boyfriend soon and so there is no need to talk about it. Although, I did ask him if he would be okay with his mom marrying her new boyfriend once…but she did the same thing. She talked with him about the possibility that she would marry this guy. So I am not sure what concerns her about what I talk with our son about.
She was on her way to her second job and so she said she would try to talk with me more about all this later. She wanted to know if our son found he was not liking school up here and living with me, could he move back in with her? What a stupid question! I would not force him to stay here if he wanted to move back in with her. She makes me very upset to say the least. It is not like I don’t have concerns of my own. In fact, I think my concerns about him living with her are much bigger than her concerns about me.
She has pretty much stopped attending church altogether and the man she will most likely marry is not a Christian. He claims to be, but he is Pentecostal and doesn’t really attend regularly. In fact, I don’t think he attends at all anymore either. Also, according to our son, his mom and his half-sister use curse words on a regular basis now around the house. That was not at all acceptable when I was there. She also has no problem with letting my step-daughter drink alcoholic beverages, stay out all night with her non-Christian boyfriend…and other guys and girls she is friends with from school. It seems to me that there is no moral compass in that home anymore and I don’t like the idea of my son living in that environment. He needs to attend church regularly and have Christian influences in the home environment. I do not curse, nor do I watch inappropriate shows on TV. I also provide my son a good example in my daily practice of reading my Bible and studying to prepare Bible lessons, etc.
My ex has a real talent for making me feel worthless as a person and re-opens wounds from the divorce easily too. Yet, when I stop and think, I have much more important and valid concerns about her than she does about me. I am doing fine here in Dallas and really believe that this is only the beginning of bigger and better things in my life. To have my son with me most of the time is an added bonus as well. Well, I had better stop this rambling post and get going for now, but I will write again very soon I promise.
I have been told many times that it is wrong to judge others. The funny thing about it is that the people who tell me not to judge others are very judgmental of those they think are being judgmental. So where do they get this idea that we should not judge others? What does the Bible reveal about judging others?
Matt.7:1-6
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
In this passage above, it is Jesus who is speaking. Most people who say you should not judge others get this idea from the very first verse of Matthew chapter 7. But they really should read the rest of the passage to fully understand what Jesus was actually teaching. What is important is the standard you use when judging others. Jesus is teaching against poor judgment and being hypocritical in our judgment of others. He says that we will be judged by the same measure we use in judging others. He also says to take the log out of our own eye so that we can see clearly enough to remove the speck out of our brother’s eye. Now let’s see what else the Scriptures teach regarding judging others.
John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Here is another quote from Jesus. He had just healed a man on the Sabbath Day and the Jewish crowd was condemning Him for healing a man on the Sabbath. Jesus was explaining to them that their judgment was not good, but they should judge with right judgment. Clearly it is possible to judge others with right judgment. Here is another passage to consider.
I Cor. 5:9-13
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler–not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
Paul was writing to the church in Corinth. He clearly states in verse twelve that it is those inside the church we must judge and that we must “purge the evil person” from among us. God judges those who are outside. Here is one final verse to leave with you.
Rom. 16:17 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.
Paul was writing to the church in Rome and he instructs them to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine they were taught and to avoid them. We are not able to see the heart of man as God and Jesus are able to do. We can only judge others by observing what they say and do. It is because of this fact that we must be careful when we are judging others, but we cannot avoid judging others altogether. We have to determine who is lost and who is a fellow Christian so that we can know who needs to be taught the Gospel. We have to determine who is a wolf in sheep’s clothing among us as well. When someone is teaching or preaching, we must search the scriptures to determine if what they are teaching is really the truth.
Satan wants us to think it is wrong to judge others at all. This is just another sneaky way that he can pervert the Lord’s church and lead many astray. Be watchful and be careful how you judge others. The measure to be used is the Word of God. We cannot know for sure who will go to heaven or hell, but we can know who needs to know about Jesus and how to be a true Christian. May God bless us as we strive to live our lives in a manner pleasing to Him.
Another goose bump performance by Jordin Sparks. I think she has a real shot of winning this season and I will probably purchase her albums. Amazing at only 17 years old.
Here is a clip of my favorite tenor of all time. I have wanted to sing like him since I first heard him sing. I think I was 9 years old the first time I heard him. My dad loved his singing too and was the one who introduced him to me. Mario Lanza was his stage name and he was truly brilliant.
Recent Comments