Christian, Inspirational

You Already Know

While principalities of darkness and people work to obfuscate, change, and confuse the meaning of repentance, you already know the truth. You know in your heart what repentance means, because repentance is a matter of the heart.

Repentance means to be sorry for your sin, desiring to turn from evil behavior unto righteous living with a Holy God.

You know inherently that you need to be cleansed of past sins. Which is why after learning of the grace of God and good news of salvation, we seek out confession and water baptism.

Proverbs 28:13 KJV says, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. And 1 Corinthians 11:31 KJV tells us, For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

The heart convicts, while the mind and spirit can produce change. Call upon the Lord. God himself will help you walk in the light.

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Christian, Inspirational

Sin and Accountability

This morning on WayFM, Wally said God forgives you the moment you ask.

There is no direct verse that says this, so what does the Bible say concerning sin:

1 John 1:9 KJV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

You can certainly ask God for forgiveness, but can you truly confess to God, who already knows everything? I think confession is to another person, whether priest, spouse, friend, or acquaintance. In addiction programs they call this an accountability partner. If you’re embarrassed to confess your sins to another, maybe that embarrassment will keep you from being a habitual sinner. It may even save your soul.

The Bible also says charity covers a multitude of sins. In 1 Peter 4:8 KJV,
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

My own personal definition of charity is love in action.

The Bible also says in James 5:20 KJV.
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

This is high incentive to preach the Gospel and tell others about Christ the Messiah, who died on the cross for our sins.

Why does all this matter?  Hebrews 10:26 KJV says, For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins… .

If we want forgiveness we need to apply all these things in our lives and strive against continuing in sin.

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

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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, Inspirational

Doer

I just heard on Three Cosmic Messages Earth’s Final Conflict, “We do not follow God’s Commandments in order to be saved, but because we are saved.” I have heard a similar message before: “We are not saved by our best efforts”, “Jesus finished the work on the cross.”

To be frank, these statements are misleading. In fact they aren’t far from the false doctrine “once saved, always saved”. They imply there is nothing we have to do on our part.

I’m not convinced Jesus is finished working. If he were finished, why do we yet pray?

Jesus dying on the cross is an offer of salvation. What must we do? Accept by believing in accordance with John 3:16, be baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Mark 16:16.

What else must we do to be saved? What does the Bible say?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Romans 2:13 KJV (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

And let’s not forget 1 John 1:9 and Proverbs 28:13. If we err and sin these verses instruct us on how to be free.

Finally, with belief, we are saved by our best efforts in Christ who gives us both strength and guidance that we may walk in the Light. And when we need help with our efforts, we call upon the Lord. Roman’s 10:13.

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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

Why your Bible translation matters!

I believe in and promote the King James version Holy Bible.

I do not say that Salvation cannot be found in other translations.

I do say Damnation can be found in other translations.

Here are two examples I’ve come across in the last few weeks:

In John 3:16 one and only son

In KJV one and only begotten son

Why does it matter? Our hope like angels is to be the sons and daughters of the most high God. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 KJV Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

If God has one son, we and angels should lose hope. Yet the correct translation includes begotten to indicate Jesus was born of God and through miraculous conception Mary.

1 John 1:9 when are sins are revealed in his light he is faithful to forgive

1 John 1:9 KJV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The KJV correctly places the onus of confession on us, not mere happenstance or accident.

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

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