Christian

The Gift

What is the gift of eternal salvation? Romans 6:23 KJV, tells us, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV calls it the … unspeakable gift.

Is it free? Romans 5:18 KJV says, Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

So what is the free gift? Jesus left his Heavenly throne in Heaven to come down to the Earth to live as a man. He showed us how to walk in the light and to live sinless before the Lord. He went to death on the cross showing us how to live our own lives. He became the sinless sacrifice for our sins when he died, the Lamb of God slain for our salvation. His resurrection further demonstrated who he truly was. It became the example to us of regeneration to a new man after water baptism and being born again.

It was indeed a free gift. Jesus completed his offering to the Lord God Almighty, Jehovah, and to us. He died to show us the way.

How do I accept the gift? You accept the gift by believing Jesus was the only begotten Son of God who died as our sacrificial atonement before the LORD. John 3:16 The Gift is complete when you believe  and are baptized. Mark 16:16.

You have accepted the gift. Upon acceptance, the gift is complete. What now? Like any other gift you can cherish the gift, you can despise the gift, you can even throw it away. The purpose of God’s great gift is to cause us to conform our life to mirror Jesus’ life. Honor Jesus’s sacrifice by not sinning. God will help you walk in the light. Where there is temptation God will provide a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV says, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

After water baptism God gave us a way to receive forgiveness for our sins. 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.

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

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Christian, Inspirational

Clean

According to a DJ on WayFM, Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good, he came to make dead people alive.

I think both of these are correct. He came to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive. But above all he came to make dirty people clean.

Water baptism is for the forgiveness of past sins. 1 John 1:9 is for the forgiveness of sins after baptism. His mercy is for those who both confess and forsake their sins. Proverbs 28:13.

To go to Heaven you must be found clean. Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Do you believe Jesus can strengthen you so that you don’t sin. Do you believe Jesus can help you walk perfectly before the LORD?

Do you really believe in Jesus?

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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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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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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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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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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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