Tag Archives: 1 John 1:9

Christian, Inspirational

A Race To Be Won

Have you heard Jesus did it all, it is finished, you don’t need to do anything for your salvation?

Jesus completed his race. He lived an Holy life teaching us to follow him and the Heavenly Father. He was scourged and died on the cross as the final sacrifice for our sins.

What about our race? Do we have to do anything to be cleansed in Jesus’ blood? Do we have to do anything to make it to Heaven?

If you accept Jesus as Messiah, you need to repent and be baptized (submerged in water) in the name of Jesus for the remission or forgiveness of sins in your life till that point. Acts 2:38 After baptism forgiveness of sin can be covered in love and by confession. James 5:20, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 John 1:9.

This is at the heart of the race assigned to us all: Preach the truth to others – Mark 16:15-16, Keep the Commandments – Romans 2:13, John 14:15, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Love one another – John 13:34.

As Paul hoped to finish his race well, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, so do we. Jesus completed his life and work proclaiming, “It is finished”, while on the cross, but our race as we follow him is yet to be won!

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Christian, Inspirational

Least

So yesterday I woke up thinking about the Sabbath. I was specifically thinking about a conversation I had via email with a person at Chick-fil-A. I wanted to inform the owner he had the wrong day to be closed. I believe the Sabbath is to be observed from Friday eve to Saturday eve. Leviticus 23:32.

The conversation ended with the employee asking, can we both agree Sunday is the day most people observe as to the Lord. We left the conversation there, but it’s been gnawing at me. I want to go back and ask him and the owner is the day off for the people or for God? I believe God would want the Sabbath observance on the correct day.

So that being said, how did I proceed to live my Sabbath? I bought lotto tickets, I went to McDonald’s twice for coffee, Taco Bell once for lunch, and then finally I did some shopping at Family Dollar.

Why do I tell you this? I found excuses to do each of the above things I mentioned. While I didn’t work myself other than perhaps driving I did cause the stranger in my gates to work. Exodus 20:10.

There is 1 John 1:9 and I hope I do better. I want to share in the heritage of Jacob. Isaiah 58:13-14.

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Christian

Twice Isn’t Nice

I was watching the Jim Bakker show and the guest Perry Stone was talking about how God instructed him to be baptized a second time in order to clear away things that were weighing upon him.

Bah humbug. B.S. Nonsense. People who are baptized multiple times don’t understand baptism. You can only be cleansed of your sins and baptized into the family of God once. Confess that Jesus is Christ, ask forgiveness of your sins, and be baptized by immersion in water by another in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38, Acts 19:5, Matthew 28:19.

The only mechanism to be cleansed of your sin after baptism is 1 John 1:9! It doesn’t matter if your afraid to confess. Your sins can’t be washed away in a second or third baptism.

If you’re seeking a verse that says you can only be baptized once I can’t provide one. I can say there is no example of a second water baptism of anyone in the Holy Bible. If you truly believed the first time, subsequent baptisms are futile.

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Christian

Rome

I don’t know about you, but I’m a fan of The Chosen. Have you seen Season 2, Episode 6? Mary has returned from a brief falling away concerned she has thrown away her redemption. The character Jesus responds, “Well that’s not much of a redemption if it can be lost in a day, is it?”

Honestly I think the writers got it wrong. I believe much can be lost in a day. Rome might not have been built in a day, but I do believe one can lose their salvation in a day. I believe there can be one unconfessed sin too many. I believe turning down the path of sin has a start and the end wages thereof is death.

Various verses come to mind. I think of Lot’s wife who turned back when she was told not to and died immediately. Genesis 19:26 KJV. I think she was made a striking example – warning us not to turn back to our old sins. Then there are the times Jesus healed someone or forgave them and said sin no more. John 5:14, John 8:11.

The verses that truly scare me straight are Hebrews 10:26-27 KJV For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, [27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Although my message may seem harsh my final request of you is let God judge. Don’t sit in God’s place. Don’t give up even if you feel all is lost. There still remains 1 John 1:9. If there is one sin too many, let God determine it. If you’ve started down a sinful path or returned to your old sinful ways, repent and walk in the light again and again.

Though damnation may occur in a day so can salvation. Accept the Lord Jesus as Messiah and Saviour. Repent and confess your sins. Be baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

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Christian

Enter Clean

There is much debate about when we enter the family of God.

Some claim it is with a prayer of salvation.

I believe it is at baptism. With belief and repentance it is more than a public proclamation of faith. It is the first time since being an innocent child that we are clean. We are washed in the blood of Christ and enter into the family of God born again.

How do we stay clean?

  • 1 John 1:9
  • Proverbs 28:13
  • Acts 2:21

We confess our sin. We turn from our sin. When we need help, we call upon the Lord.

Enter into Heaven clean. It’s the only way we can enter in.

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Christian

Desire Change

I really believe that confession as requested of us in 1 John 1:9 for the forgiveness of sins is best made to another human being.

I just wonder, how can you confess to God who already knows. Yet if confession to God is all you have in you, I suggest you try. Lord forgive my sins … .

Don’t let me dissuade you or cause you to give up. If your confession is sincerely seeking forgiveness from God it includes the desire and intent to change and no longer walk in sin.

In Matthew 9:12-13 KJV Jesus said … They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. [13] … I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Change and repentance walk hand in hand.

Proverbs 28:13 KJV says, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

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Christian, Inspirational

Past, Present, and Future

I’ve heard a lot of evangelists proclaim that Jesus died for all our sins, past, present, and future. This is true, but those evangelists often neglect to explain God’s full plan for forgiveness and tell you the whole truth.

Our past sins are forgiven at baptism. It’s more than just a figurative ritual. With belief you truly are washed in Jesus’ blood at baptism. With belief and repentance you are washed and become a new member of God’s family.

After baptism the idea is to walk in the light and quit sinning. Future sins should they happen are only forgiven by the act of confession. 1 John 1:9

Proverbs 28:13 KJV says, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

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Christian, Inspirational

Rust

Have you ever heard a preacher read a Bible verse and then proceed to say the opposite of the verse? Something like reading 1 John 1:9 and then saying, Does this mean you actually need to confess your sins, no, you can just ask God for forgiveness.

I was trying to think of examples because I’ve heard others. One that comes to mind is Matthew 5:29-30. The preacher says did Jesus really mean for you to pluck out your eye or cut off your hand – of course not. I tell you Jesus meant it – as he said it.

I think most of us are smart enough to pick up on a preacher saying the opposite of a verse or watering down Jesus’ words. I think there’s something inside of us that tells us – what I just heard was wrong, maybe it’s the Holy Ghost dwelling inside of us. If you’re mind, or your heart, or the Holy Ghost tells you that didn’t sound right – it’s worth further investigation and study.

Rust kills.

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Christian, Inspirational

A Future

Do I have a future in Heaven?

This question is rightfully followed by am I forgiven?

The answer is yes, you can be forgiven and have a sure hope. Read 1 John 1:9. Today, I heard a television preacher say this doesn’t really mean you have to confess. Of course it does. You cannot confess to God – he already knows. You can ask God for forgiveness, but to fulfill the requirements for forgiveness under 1 John 1:9 you need to confess.

It can be scary, but once you get past the worst ones(sins) you may find it gets easier. Here’s the thing – confession is made to another. The person you confess to may be the person you wronged, it may be to your best friend or spouse, if you committed a crime it may even be to the police. In my opinion it could even be to a stranger, but then perhaps you lose a factor of accountability.

What’s the point. If you do your part and confess, Jesus has promised to forgive. Confession is the only way to be forgiven after baptism.

And yes, that scary factor of confession is designed to cause you to sin less.

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Christian, Inspirational

Power in The Blood

There is an old hymn entitled There is Power in the Blood.

There is indeed power in the blood of Jesus, but do you know how to utilize it?

When you are baptized or born again you are immediately under the blood of Jesus, you arise from the surface of the water sin free, cleansed of sins past. Acts 22:16, Roman’s 3:25

Yet, what do you do about future sin? First strive against it, but we are human, and God provides a way to stay under the blood in 1 John 1:9!

Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood – but you do need to know how to use it!

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