Tag Archives: Sin

Christian, Inspirational

In The Mix

Give me the Bible
Holy message shining,
Thy light shall guide me
In the narrow way.
Precept and promise,
Law and love combining,
‘Til night shall vanish
In eternal day.

So what does the Bible so beautifully reveal to us that the above song clearly commemorates? Jesus combined the law and love, teaching us by his example how to live out the law with love. Likewise, the promise of salvation carries with it certain precepts. Salvation is a mix of you and God. It’s not Jesus’s sacrifice alone. Philippians 2:12 KJV says, … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. And James 1:22 KJV adds, But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Jesus died teaching us how to follow the Father. Although he is the ultimate sacrifice for our sin, salvation does require effort on our part. We have to accept Jesus as Messiah. We have to repent and be baptized by immersion in water by another in Jesus name or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We have to strive to not sin. We have to confess future sins after baptism and forsake them. We have to confess Jesus and teach others the Gospel. We have to remain faithful until death. And finally, as we are blessed, do it all with love.

That may sound like a long list of works. Jesus never said we could do nothing and go to Heaven, he did promise us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

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Christian, Inspirational

A Way of Escape

Despite the fact that many Christians hope to escape judgment day and some even claim that all that is left is a dispensation of rewards, the Bible says in Revelation 20:13 KJV … and they were judged every man according to their works.

Matt Crouch, owner of TBN has said several times, “It’s not about what I have or have not done, it’s what He did. ” I do not doubt he heard this in time of distress as he claims, I do doubt it was the voice of God. There will be a judgment day. And all mankind will be judged according to their works (how each man and woman lived their life, what they did or did not do).

There is no magic loophole to be found in the Bible to escape judgment.

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV tells us, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

If you hope to have a home in Heaven, Believe in Jesus Christ, Be Baptized, Confess your Wrongs, Don’t Sin, and if you are so blessed, live life with an abundance of Love.

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Christian, Inspirational

Not One Day

A central theme of the Bible is the perfection of man through and with God.

Yet, Dr. David Jeremiah says, only Jesus was perfect. It is impossible to keep all of the law, it is impossible for one month, it can’t be done, not for one day, not for one hour. (Quoted by memory, not exact, but pretty close.)

My immediate thought, you can’t go an hour without sinning, what kind of horrible sinner are you. It is true that none have lived sin free but Jesus, but if you are truly born again you are on your way to perfection – walking in the light with Jesus.

Strive to not sin for an hour, strive for a day. Eventually with Jesus help you will sin less and yes even put aside your sinful past.

1 John 5:18 KJV We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself … .

God living inside you will help you overcome and teach you to walk perfectly before him.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV 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.

To borrow loosely from a popular hymn, Not one day will I go without Jesus. No not one. No not one.

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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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Better Man

Thank goodness the gospel isn’t about working harder or getting better.

The Gospel is not about working harder. What does the Bible say?

James 1:22 KJV
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

1 John 3:8-9 KJV
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. [9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin… .

A central doctrine of the Gospel is to strive hard against sin.

The Gospel is not about getting better.

1 Corinthians 15:3 KJV
… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures… .

Isaiah 53:5 KJV
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1 John 1:7 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Another central doctrine of the Gospel is that Jesus died for our sins. He died teaching us how to follow the Heavenly Father and indeed how to be better men and women.

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Christian, Inspirational

There’s Nothing To Forgive

A few days ago I was watching DayStar television. Joni Lamb made the statement that in the New Testament we are no longer under the law. In her very next breath she talks about asking God for forgiveness.

The spirit bears witness to the truth. If there is no law, there is no sin and hence no need for forgiveness.

Live above the law – know it and keep it and you will never need forgiveness!

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Above the Law

I’ve heard sin defined as falling short or missing the mark. In my opinion the definition of sin is simple and straightforward. Sin is breaking the law. Romans 7:7, 1 John 3:4.

You’ve probably heard that someone is above the law when the law does not seem to apply to them. I believe someone is above the law as long as they don’t break it. You no longer want to be under the law in the New Testament, fine – don’t break it.

Hebrews 10:16-17 KJV This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; [17] And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

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Be Mindful

Have you heard Jesus died on the cross for all your sins past, present, and future?

I tell you:

Past sins are forgiven in water baptism. Acts 2:38. Present sins are forgiven by confession. 1 John 1:9. Future sins may not be forgiven. Hebrews 10:26-27.

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The Least Preached Verse of The New Testament

The least preached verse of the New Testament is:

Hebrews 10:26 KJV

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

This means no more Jesus, no more of his blood erasing or covering your sin, only a fearful looking to of the judgment to come.

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Open Letter to the Church of Christ

Unless your righteousness exceedeth singing a cappella you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Ten Commandments are still valid and should be followed.

God still does miracles today. There is no verse limiting God’s power to the Old Testament.

The Lord’s Prayer is still valid and should be prayed both publicly and privately.

You are a denomination. Though you claim lineage from Christ you are not the direct descendant or sole heir of God’s Church. You are a product of the Protestant Reformation the same as any other Christian denomination in existence today.

No distinction should be made between public and private sin. If you want your sin forgiven in accordance with 1 John 1:9, the sin must be confessed. Confession is made to another. It does not need to be publicly done, but their is no prohibition against this. However when you tell people they don’t need to confess their private sins you are essentially telling them to die in their sin.

Where it says wine in the Bible it means wine not grape juice. Both Jesus and Paul drank wine.

While many denominations including thr Church of Christ site 1 Corinthians 16:2 as a modern day commandment to give, it is not. It is better to be honest and declare your donations go to the preachers salary, church building expenses, and whatever philanthropy your church may do.

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