Rudy Baga's blog titled "There are two shackles around the ankles of many Christians"(Monday Aug.13), is a must read. I have linked to his blog. With apologies to him, I would like to try and reinforce his article.
1 John 1:9 has lead to a huge misunderstanding. It reads, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This one verse has lead many Christians to think that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven. Note that I said "Christians". These are ones who have already confessed, agreed with God that they were sinners in need of His grace, and received it.
Now, if it's true that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven, then can I assume that all unconfessed sin will not be forgiven? Again I am referring to a Christian. Can I assume that Jesus' blood only covered my sins up to my "birth from above" and after that I have to confess for the sins I commit afterward to be forgiven? If I have one unconfessed sin, I'm going to hell. Is that your understanding?
For the sake of this article I would like to define confession as I believe most Christians would define it. I believe most would define confession as asking forgiveness of sins committed.
[That is not the definition and if you read Rudy's blog, he defines it for you. He says, "First of all the word for “confess” in the original Greek, means to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent, (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). This gives a little different feel than what we typically think of with confession."]
I only bring this up because of a conversation I had the other night. The person I spoke with believes unconfessed sin will land you (Christian) in hell!! I am talking about a born again Christian women who has been a believer for a long time!
When I disagreed with her she immediately asked if I believe in the doctrine of eternal security (once saved always saved). The implication was that I believe a person who has professed faith in Jesus can live a sinful lifestyle and still go to heaven. I was misunderstood. However I am in good company because Paul was misunderstood too. Read Romans chapter six. Verses one and two state, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"
True born again believers do not want to live a sinful lifestyle, 1 John 5:18. I am not saying that they don't sin. When Christians sin they can be comforted that Jesus took care of it, 1 John 2:1.
Why do Christians want to be in control of their salvation? Why can't we be comfortable with the work that Jesus did? (I had a pastor friend ask me that question.) As a Christian, did you provide the way of salvation, restoring your relationship with God? Did God not call you? Wasn't it God's work? His plan? His Son? His Spirit? His Word? What makes you think you have to sanctify yourself?
Christian! ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM!!!! Use your freedom to serve. Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, bretheran; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another."
Christians do not need to ask for forgiveness to be forgiven. He remembers our sin no more. Read Psalm 103:11,12. Read Isaiah 1:18. Read Romans 8. However, just like our earthly parents, we feel bad for being disobedient to our Father (one who is "unsaved" wouldn't care). We say I'm sorry ,not for forgiveness, but for peace of mind, or a restored relationship, and we move forward in our walk with Him.
This article didn't quite go in the direction I had planned. I'm guessing that is a good thing. Even so, as always, let me know what you think. God bless y'all real good.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Lead From the Front
It's amazing, the things I hear that cause me to stop and think. This past Sunday I heard a preacher on the radio say something to the effect of, lead from the front not from behind. That statement really grabbed my attention.The idea is that it is better to lead from the front by example than to lead from behind with a whip.
I decided to discuss it further with my Wednesday night group this week. Two incidents from the Bible came to mind. The first was the woes to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 and the other was Jesus washing the disciple's feet in John 13.
In Matthew Jesus says of the scribes and Pharisees to, "...practice and observe whatever they tell you - but not what they do. For they preach but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others." Later He says, "..you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in." Are you feeling the love? Are you familiar with this side of Jesus? Wait, there's more.
In verse 23 He goes on to say, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel." You need to go to your Bible and read this. He calls them whitewashed tombs full of dead people's bones, unclean, serpents, and a brood of vipers. Then he asks, "..how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?"
Paul in Galatians asks, "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected in the flesh?" We were once "slaves" to the law. We were in "bondage". Does this conjure up images of a slave master standing over you with a whip to keep you in line? In Christ we have been set free!! Amen? Paul goes on to say in Galatians 5:12, "For I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves." How's that for love and tolerance? He's angry!
Leading people from behind with rules, regulations, and restrictions will not work.
Read Colossians 2:16-23, it refers to those things as "human precepts and teachings".
Paul goes on to say, "seek the things that are above", and "Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth."
Jesus lead from the front. Take a look at John 13. This is a familiar passage. This is where Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus finishes the washing and asks them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example."
Paul lead from the front. 1 Corinthians 4:16 says, "I urge you then, be imitators of me." Again in chapter eleven, verse one, he says, "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ." In Philippians Paul tells them to "join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us."
Timothy was encouraged to lead from the front. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Are you leading from the front? Are you not only following Jesus' example but setting an example for others? Are you loving, merciful, gracious, and kind? Are you a servant? I'm not just talking about serving other believers but also those outside the church. Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus?
I know there's a time to be firm. We cannot tolerate sin in our lives or the lives of other believers. Jesus was firm with the ones who should have known better. We should be too.
I didn't reach this point in my faith because someone stood over me with a whip ready to strike the moment I stepped out of line. I don't have to look over my shoulder, I only need to gaze toward the front. God bless y'all real good.
I decided to discuss it further with my Wednesday night group this week. Two incidents from the Bible came to mind. The first was the woes to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 and the other was Jesus washing the disciple's feet in John 13.
In Matthew Jesus says of the scribes and Pharisees to, "...practice and observe whatever they tell you - but not what they do. For they preach but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others." Later He says, "..you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in." Are you feeling the love? Are you familiar with this side of Jesus? Wait, there's more.
In verse 23 He goes on to say, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel." You need to go to your Bible and read this. He calls them whitewashed tombs full of dead people's bones, unclean, serpents, and a brood of vipers. Then he asks, "..how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?"
Paul in Galatians asks, "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected in the flesh?" We were once "slaves" to the law. We were in "bondage". Does this conjure up images of a slave master standing over you with a whip to keep you in line? In Christ we have been set free!! Amen? Paul goes on to say in Galatians 5:12, "For I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves." How's that for love and tolerance? He's angry!
Leading people from behind with rules, regulations, and restrictions will not work.
Read Colossians 2:16-23, it refers to those things as "human precepts and teachings".
Paul goes on to say, "seek the things that are above", and "Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth."
Jesus lead from the front. Take a look at John 13. This is a familiar passage. This is where Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus finishes the washing and asks them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example."
Paul lead from the front. 1 Corinthians 4:16 says, "I urge you then, be imitators of me." Again in chapter eleven, verse one, he says, "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ." In Philippians Paul tells them to "join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us."
Timothy was encouraged to lead from the front. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Are you leading from the front? Are you not only following Jesus' example but setting an example for others? Are you loving, merciful, gracious, and kind? Are you a servant? I'm not just talking about serving other believers but also those outside the church. Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus?
I know there's a time to be firm. We cannot tolerate sin in our lives or the lives of other believers. Jesus was firm with the ones who should have known better. We should be too.
I didn't reach this point in my faith because someone stood over me with a whip ready to strike the moment I stepped out of line. I don't have to look over my shoulder, I only need to gaze toward the front. God bless y'all real good.
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