Tag Archives: Sin

Christian

Wages

Jesus did not die on the cross so that you don’t have to obey God and keep his laws.

Salvation is truly a gift of God, no argument there. But of late I’ve heard two teachers (one on Twitter and one on CBN) say that you don’t have to keep the law and salvation is not because of obedience. These statements are simply not true.

Romans 6:23 KJV For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You can’t disregard the first part of this verse and accept the second. The wages of righteousness is salvation. Conversly, if you continue in your sin, you will die. To say it plainly this means spiritual death. You will not enter Heaven, your eternal destination is the lake of fire.

Standard
Christian

By His Stripes

Have you heard “by his stripes we are already healed”?

Most preachers and teachers today use this as a verse to say God doesn’t want you sick. They use it to talk about healing from physical illness or diseases, even going so far as to say it is a promise of God.

I interpret it differently. I believe we are to place value on each stripe and wound laid upon Jesus when he was scourged. If we truly appreciate his suffering, the healing referred to in “by his stripes we are healed” is healing from sin and death. We stop sinning and learn to walk in the light. In other words we strive to live righteously because Jesus suffered and was crucified showing us exactly that, how to live for God.

If you are seeking physical healing, seek it in accordance with James 5:14-15. If you want to truly be healed, appreciate our Lord’s sacrifice and turn from sin.

Standard
Christian

Fearless

One of the ladies on WayFM offered a short sermon during the morning show. She proceeded to tell the listeners that fear of God means respect and awe similar to the way we feel about the Grand Canyon.

I tell you no. Fear means fear.

Philippians 2:12 KJV … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Matthew 10:28 KJV And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Fear of the second death helps keep me on the straight and narrow. If you’re a sinner may I suggest fear first, in addition to holding God in respect and awe.

If you truly want to be fearless, love God and keep his Commandments.

1 John 4:18 KJV There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Try

I really do not care for defining sin as missing the mark. To me it seems to make light of sin. It is not a game or sport.

Yet, I thought of a reason to appreciate this definition more. If you’re aiming for the mark using an archery or weapon example you’re trying to hit the bullseye.

Yoda once said Do or Do Not, There Is No Try. This might work for some, but I’ve always found to accomplish you must first try.

Try. Aim for the mark. Practice not sinning, until it becomes second nature.

Standard
Christian

Who We Are

You’re probably going to think I have something against Kathy Lee Gifford. Actually I’m a bit of a fan – I really enjoyed the music video “oratorio” The God Who Sees with Nicole C. Mullen.

That being said, she has a penchant for being wrong. On her most recent promotional tour she has a clip on TBN which goes something like this: Why do we think it’s our job to tell others how they should live out their faith? After befriending them, if they ask, then give your advice. Tell them in love as the Bible instructs.

So why is Ms. Gifford wrong? Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19-20 KJV, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We are Christians. If we teach the commandments, by necessity we’re going to tell you what your doing wrong. After we remove the log in our own eye we have the right and duty to try to remove the mote in yours.

Keep in mind, 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV, which says, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

12/21/21 Author’s Note I’ve been rethinking this post. Perhaps I am being too hard on Ms. Gifford. Her version of evangelism is still evangelism.

Standard
Christian

Grey

The Bible warns us of those that like to cause confusion. In fact, Isaiah 5:20 KJV says, Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Preachers and teachers attack and argue with the word of God on a regular basis, usually a result of interjecting their own conscience. How can they read you the exact words of the Bible and then serve you up a watered down or simply wrong meaning. Perhaps they don’t call black white or white black, but they can cause much harm spreading the grey. A few recent examples follow:

  • When the Bible says Job was perfect, Job 1:1 and Job 1:8; it doesn’t really mean he was perfect.
  • When the Bible says for willful sin there remaineth no more sacrifice, Hebrews 10:26; it doesn’t mean wilful sin but rather a rejection of the gospel.

Perfection with Christ’s help is possible. Don’t let anyone dissuade you from trying. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:48 KJV
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

And when the Bible says to fearfully expect judgment when you sin willfully that is exactly what the Bible means. Don’t trample the blood of Christ and disrespect his sacrifice with willful sin. Hebrews 10:26-29.

Standard
Christian

Sin No More

In my previous post I spoke to Mary Magdalene’s fictional backsliding in The Chosen.

Anyone who has been dispossessed of devils or who has started to walk in the light and shun their sin should keep in mind one specific teaching of Jesus.

In Matthew 12:43-45 KJV, Jesus taught,
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. [44] Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. [45] Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Sin no more is not just good advice, it may make the difference between eternal salvation and eternal damnation.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

A More Excellent Way

Should we fear the Lord? Does fear mean terror or simply to hold in awe?

Once again, this Sunday, another preacher said we are to hold the Lord in awe and reverence. God doesn’t want us to be afraid of him, the preacher continued, He is simply too kind of a God to want us to fear Him.

Well, that’s what most preachers say these days, but what does Jesus say?

In Matthew 10:28 KJV, Jesus said, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

What else does the Bible say? In Philippians 2:12 KJV, Paul says, … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

So what does this mean to us? Fear actually means fear. It means to be afraid. It’s still a good idea to hold God in awe and reverence, but if you are not walking in the light, it is also a good idea to actually fear the Lord, who can send you to Hell for all eternity.

So what is the better way? 1 John 4:18 KJV says, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Unfortunately people including preachers want to skip a step. Those who are still sinning are not and cannot be in perfect love with the Lord. In fact if you are still sinning you should absolutely fear the Lord. It may cause you to turn from sin and save your soul.

There are many verses concerning fear of the Lord, especially in Psalms and Proverbs. If you love the Lord and keep his commandments you are walking in perfect love. Be faithful till the end and there is no need to fear. Salvation is ours!

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV says … Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Proverbs 9:10 KJV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Standard
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.

Standard
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.

Standard