John's first epistle contains many proofs of ones' salvation. We can look at these verses and line up our lives by what the bible is saying to us, and determine if we are truly born again Christians or not.
John says that if we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8 NASB).
Many people today would fit into this category. It has grown common to call things that the bible clearly defines as sin, something other than sin. Many people engaged in homosexuality insist that what they are doing is not sin. They say that they were born with this preference. They go so far as to say that God made them this way. This is blasphemy of a most horrid kind, to actually lay the blame for sinful behavior on the holy God. In their eyes, they have no sin, and are deceived.
It is popular to turn to psychology for the answers to the evil that lies within the heart of man. If we can convince ourselves that thieves are kleptomaniacs, mass murderers are insane, liars are habitual liars and cannot help themselves, we take the responsibility off of ourselves. Drunkards are said to have a disease, and smokers, drug users, and gamblers have addictions, not sinful habits that they will not give up. This is saying we have no sin. Sadly we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Worse yet we are calling God a liar, and His word is not in us (1 John 1:10).
Our Churches today are filled with people who are living in wickedness, but have cast off all responsibility. To our shame, Pastors and leaders have accepted this line of reasoning, and instead of showing an individual their guilt and need for the Savior, they accept and tolerate their sinful lifestyles.
These are individuals who have explained away the fact that they are sinners. Instead of confessing their sin, they have covered it.
The bible says that if we confess our sins we will be forgiven and cleansed from our sins (1 John 1:9). To confess is to agree with God that our sins are wicked, that we are responsible, and that we have offended Him with our rebellious behavior. God is just, and we are not.
One who feels this way will repent, that is give up their sin for God's sake! This is the opposite of denying the sinfulness of our lifestyles so we can feel good about ourselves while we persist in our rebellion against God.
This brings us to the question, "What kind of Christian are You?" One who claims that God made them the way they are, that his or her wrong behaviors are diseases or addictions that they are not responsible for has not entered through the strait gate (Matthew 7:13). They are on the broad road to destruction.
It is a narrow way that leads to life, found by few (Matthew 7:14). Are you an individual who has owned up to sin before God with a broken heart? This is what God is looking for (Psalm 51:17).
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Light and darkness.
Many individuals claim to be Christians. They are sincere, they really believe that they are saved. While it is true that some of them are indeed serving Christ, many of them are sadly deceived.
We can know for certain that we have passed from death to life. We do not have to be deceived in this vital matter. If we have truly been born again, our lives will show the proof of our salvation.
John wrote to believers so that they would know that they had eternal life (1 John 5:13). In this epistle, he mentions several things that distinguish between the true Christian, and the false.
Just as gauges can show us if an engine is running alright, or a fuel tank is full of fuel, our actions also show us the true spiritual condition of our hearts.
There are several "indicators" mentioned in the first epistle of John. Lets look at one.
John tells us that God is light and there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5). This is true. God is holy, perfectly upright and sinless in everyway. There is no hint of sin in His character at all. No mixture of light and darkness, sin and righteousness, He is free from all sin.
Now, if we say we have fellowship with God, that is to say we are Christians, that we know Him, that we follow Him, that we pray to Him and he hears us, yet we walk in darkness (practice sin), we are lying (1 John 1:6).
An individual who claims to be a Christian, yet who lives a sinful lifestyle, does not have fellowship with the God he claims to know! As Paul writes,
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. Therefore come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty."
2 Corinthians 6:14-18NASB
Can you see that to be in fellowship with a holy God, we must come out from our sinful lifestyles and separate ourselves unto Him? Paul's reasons that we are the temples of the living God. If we would have Him to dwell in us and among us as Christians we must separate ourselves from the defilement of sin. Plain and simple, if we come out of sin, that is to give it up, He will be a father to us, and we will be His children.
How can this be if we stubbornly refuse to submit to God, and instead pursue our sinful habits. There can be no fellowship, no relationship, and we are self deceived, still dead in our sins.
1 John 1:7 tells us that if we are walking in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and experience the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus. We are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:14-16). Just as God is upright in all of His conduct and dealings with man, so we too are to be upright and holy in all of our conduct.
As God is honest, we too are to be honest. As He is loving, we too are to be loving. There is no immorality in God and there must be none in us as well. God is not covetous, and we cannot be either. Get the picture?
Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Look at the sins mentioned here, and note that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God! Paul mentions fornicators and idolaters, and adulterers. The effeminate and homosexuals are also excluded from God's kingdom. He names drunkards, thieves, swindlers, and revilers. These are people who are spiritually dead. This is what we were, but we were washed and sanctified, that is cleansed from this sinful way of life (1 Cor 6:11).
If we are born again, truly saved, we are no longer walking in sin! We are new creations in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:17). Our lives are changed. We don't live in the same way we once did. The new birth is a supernatural birth wrought by God, that transforms our conduct from the inside out!
This is one way that we can know if we are truly saved. Do we walk in darkness, or do we walk in the light? How about your life? Like a battery indicator, are you charged, or drained, spiritually dead?
We can know for certain that we have passed from death to life. We do not have to be deceived in this vital matter. If we have truly been born again, our lives will show the proof of our salvation.
John wrote to believers so that they would know that they had eternal life (1 John 5:13). In this epistle, he mentions several things that distinguish between the true Christian, and the false.
Just as gauges can show us if an engine is running alright, or a fuel tank is full of fuel, our actions also show us the true spiritual condition of our hearts.
There are several "indicators" mentioned in the first epistle of John. Lets look at one.
John tells us that God is light and there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5). This is true. God is holy, perfectly upright and sinless in everyway. There is no hint of sin in His character at all. No mixture of light and darkness, sin and righteousness, He is free from all sin.
Now, if we say we have fellowship with God, that is to say we are Christians, that we know Him, that we follow Him, that we pray to Him and he hears us, yet we walk in darkness (practice sin), we are lying (1 John 1:6).
An individual who claims to be a Christian, yet who lives a sinful lifestyle, does not have fellowship with the God he claims to know! As Paul writes,
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. Therefore come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty."
2 Corinthians 6:14-18NASB
Can you see that to be in fellowship with a holy God, we must come out from our sinful lifestyles and separate ourselves unto Him? Paul's reasons that we are the temples of the living God. If we would have Him to dwell in us and among us as Christians we must separate ourselves from the defilement of sin. Plain and simple, if we come out of sin, that is to give it up, He will be a father to us, and we will be His children.
How can this be if we stubbornly refuse to submit to God, and instead pursue our sinful habits. There can be no fellowship, no relationship, and we are self deceived, still dead in our sins.
1 John 1:7 tells us that if we are walking in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and experience the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus. We are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:14-16). Just as God is upright in all of His conduct and dealings with man, so we too are to be upright and holy in all of our conduct.
As God is honest, we too are to be honest. As He is loving, we too are to be loving. There is no immorality in God and there must be none in us as well. God is not covetous, and we cannot be either. Get the picture?
Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Look at the sins mentioned here, and note that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God! Paul mentions fornicators and idolaters, and adulterers. The effeminate and homosexuals are also excluded from God's kingdom. He names drunkards, thieves, swindlers, and revilers. These are people who are spiritually dead. This is what we were, but we were washed and sanctified, that is cleansed from this sinful way of life (1 Cor 6:11).
If we are born again, truly saved, we are no longer walking in sin! We are new creations in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:17). Our lives are changed. We don't live in the same way we once did. The new birth is a supernatural birth wrought by God, that transforms our conduct from the inside out!
This is one way that we can know if we are truly saved. Do we walk in darkness, or do we walk in the light? How about your life? Like a battery indicator, are you charged, or drained, spiritually dead?
Friday, October 24, 2014
The Gospel!
My Daughters are pretty excited to bring the gospel to the people who drive by our house tomorrow!
Salvation is found only in Christ Jesus. The message is clear, we must repent and trust in Jesus. The news is good, He will forgive us and set us free from sin!
Thursday, October 23, 2014
To Those Who Fear the Lord.
"But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings"
Malachi 4:2a
Monday, October 13, 2014
Now is the Acceptable Time.
No one is guaranteed tomorrow. No one is guaranteed the next breath. If God is now calling you to repentance, it might be the last chance you have.
Behold now is the acceptable time, behold now is the day of salvation.
(1Corinthians 6:2)
Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts.
(Hebrews 3:7-8,15)
If the Holy Spirit is now convicting you of sin, take heed. If you ignore Him, you might never hear His voice again.
These are sobering words. This is serious business. Your eternal soul hangs in the balance.
Now is the time. Do not let it go.
Behold now is the acceptable time, behold now is the day of salvation.
(1Corinthians 6:2)
Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts.
(Hebrews 3:7-8,15)
If the Holy Spirit is now convicting you of sin, take heed. If you ignore Him, you might never hear His voice again.
These are sobering words. This is serious business. Your eternal soul hangs in the balance.
Now is the time. Do not let it go.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Confession of Sin.
The Bible tells us that one who conceals his sin will not prosper, but the one who confesses and forsakes his sin will find compassion (Proverbs 28:13). If we confess our sins, God is faithful, and righteous to forgive us, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).
These are wonderful promises to the one who is weary of his or her load of sin. Jesus said " Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30NASB).
So what does it mean to confess one's sin? Who do we confess our sin to?
To confess our sin is to admit to our sin. It is to aknowledge our guilt. King David suffered the agonies of a guilty conscience as long as he tried to conceal his sin (Psalm 32:3-4). He acknowledged his sin, that is, he owned up to it, and confessed it to the Lord, and found relief (Psalm 32:5). He did not hide anything. He was open and honest with God.
True confession of sin takes the side of God. God is the offended party, and we are the offenders. A truly brokenhearted person understands that they have grievously offended God. They realize that He is just and fair in His dealings with us, and that we deserve the just penalty of His broken law. Such an individual will not try to excuse their sin, lessen it, or attempt to justify themselves in the eyes of God.
A truly broken individual will not seek God's mercy for selfish reasons. They are not confessing their sin because they want to avoid the consequences, whether the consequences are felt in this world or the one to come.
Many individuals desire forgiveness to escape hell and to enter heaven. While it is true that a born again child of God will spend eternity in the glorious presence of God, escaping the deserved sentence of hell, this is a mere selfish reason for confessing and repenting of our sin. We are only looking out for our own selves, and not considering that we have offended God.
A true confession of sin is to God, for His sake, and not for what it can get us. Look at David once again. See what he says about his sin in Psalm 51:4. He is taking God's side against himself. He freely admits that his sin was against God, and God was perfectly just in pronouncing judgment against him.
The prophet Daniel confesses his sin and the sin of the nation in a similar way. He sides with God against the nation, taking the blame and accepting the consequences of sin(Daniel 9:4-20). Read this portion of scripture carefully and notice how he justifies God, and lays the blame where it belongs.
Paul speaks of the sorrow of the world that leads to death, and godly sorrow that leads to repentance unto life (2 Cor 7:10). Godly sorrow is our response to God when we realize that rebellion is at the heart of our sin. Our sinful acts flow out of a heart that refuses to submit to God and His law (Mark 7:20-23; Romans 8:7).
It is our stubborn rebellion that grieves God, and separates us from fellowship with Him. This must be confessed and repented of, not for what good might come to us, but for God's sake, because we have treated Him shamefully and with contempt. Anything less is merely us looking out for ourselves in selfishness. We are still in rebellion against God, we are still in charge of our own lives.
While we agree with David that our sin is against God (Psalm 51:4), there is that aspect of our sin that affects others as well. When we lie it affects others. When we steal we take something that belongs to another. Our gossip hurts he reputations of other individuals. Murder, disobedience to our parents, adultery and other sexual sins, all hurt and offend the people around us, and for this reason we must confess to those we have offended as well.
The Old Testament law made provision for restitution to those who were affected by the sin's of the offender (Leviticus 6:1-7). They were to bring restitution as well as interest when they came to offer the sacrifice for their transgression, or the priest would not offer the sacrifice on their behalf.
Likewise we too are to confess our sins to each other (James 5:16). To the extent our sins have affected others, we must seek restoration through confession and restitution.
Jesus requires this (Matthew 5:23-25). According to this we must do what is in our power to be restored to one we have offended. We are to give this priority, even over our worship to God.
Jesus met a man named Zaccheus, who was a tax collector. Tax collectors in that day were often corrupt and took advantage of people. They became wealthy through dishonest means. Read the account in Luke 19:1-10. See the reaction of Zaccheus? He promised to restore with interest, whatever he had taken dishonestly (Luke 19:8). He showed a true repentance, because a thief who keeps what he stole is still a thief, no matter what kind of confession of sin, or prayer for mercy they have made. He was a man who was truly repentant of his sin and, his restitution proved it.
A person who is truly filled with a godly sorrow will seek to confess to those he has offended, desiring to do whatever is in his power to undo the damage done by his sin.
I understand that there are some things that cannot be fixed, there are some things that are honestly forgotten, and there are some things we are unable to restore, but the principle remains. We are to do whatever we can, whatever lies within our power, wherever possible to be made right with those we have offended.
To refuse this shows that we are filled with pride. We are not sorry, we do not desire to change, and deep within our deceived heart (Jeremiah 17:9-10) we do not desire to submit to God, through Jesus Christ. Our repentance is false. Our confession is shallow and fake. How can we expect a just God who is righteous in everything He does, to forgive us if we will not do justice? What does God require? He requires justice and mercy (Amos 5:14-15, 21-24; Micah 6:8; James 1:27, 2:12-13). God opposes our pride, but will give grace to the humble (James 4:6-10).
If we confess our sins with a true heartfelt confession, no excuses, everything open before God, willing to do what we can to be right with those we have offended, we can trust that God in His mercy will forgive us and cleanse us for the sake of Christ Jesus. We must turn from the root of our sin, that rebellion of the heart against God's rightful rule in our lives, and in humble submission give ourselves wholly to Him.
These are wonderful promises to the one who is weary of his or her load of sin. Jesus said " Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30NASB).
So what does it mean to confess one's sin? Who do we confess our sin to?
To confess our sin is to admit to our sin. It is to aknowledge our guilt. King David suffered the agonies of a guilty conscience as long as he tried to conceal his sin (Psalm 32:3-4). He acknowledged his sin, that is, he owned up to it, and confessed it to the Lord, and found relief (Psalm 32:5). He did not hide anything. He was open and honest with God.
True confession of sin takes the side of God. God is the offended party, and we are the offenders. A truly brokenhearted person understands that they have grievously offended God. They realize that He is just and fair in His dealings with us, and that we deserve the just penalty of His broken law. Such an individual will not try to excuse their sin, lessen it, or attempt to justify themselves in the eyes of God.
A truly broken individual will not seek God's mercy for selfish reasons. They are not confessing their sin because they want to avoid the consequences, whether the consequences are felt in this world or the one to come.
Many individuals desire forgiveness to escape hell and to enter heaven. While it is true that a born again child of God will spend eternity in the glorious presence of God, escaping the deserved sentence of hell, this is a mere selfish reason for confessing and repenting of our sin. We are only looking out for our own selves, and not considering that we have offended God.
A true confession of sin is to God, for His sake, and not for what it can get us. Look at David once again. See what he says about his sin in Psalm 51:4. He is taking God's side against himself. He freely admits that his sin was against God, and God was perfectly just in pronouncing judgment against him.
The prophet Daniel confesses his sin and the sin of the nation in a similar way. He sides with God against the nation, taking the blame and accepting the consequences of sin(Daniel 9:4-20). Read this portion of scripture carefully and notice how he justifies God, and lays the blame where it belongs.
Paul speaks of the sorrow of the world that leads to death, and godly sorrow that leads to repentance unto life (2 Cor 7:10). Godly sorrow is our response to God when we realize that rebellion is at the heart of our sin. Our sinful acts flow out of a heart that refuses to submit to God and His law (Mark 7:20-23; Romans 8:7).
It is our stubborn rebellion that grieves God, and separates us from fellowship with Him. This must be confessed and repented of, not for what good might come to us, but for God's sake, because we have treated Him shamefully and with contempt. Anything less is merely us looking out for ourselves in selfishness. We are still in rebellion against God, we are still in charge of our own lives.
While we agree with David that our sin is against God (Psalm 51:4), there is that aspect of our sin that affects others as well. When we lie it affects others. When we steal we take something that belongs to another. Our gossip hurts he reputations of other individuals. Murder, disobedience to our parents, adultery and other sexual sins, all hurt and offend the people around us, and for this reason we must confess to those we have offended as well.
The Old Testament law made provision for restitution to those who were affected by the sin's of the offender (Leviticus 6:1-7). They were to bring restitution as well as interest when they came to offer the sacrifice for their transgression, or the priest would not offer the sacrifice on their behalf.
Likewise we too are to confess our sins to each other (James 5:16). To the extent our sins have affected others, we must seek restoration through confession and restitution.
Jesus requires this (Matthew 5:23-25). According to this we must do what is in our power to be restored to one we have offended. We are to give this priority, even over our worship to God.
Jesus met a man named Zaccheus, who was a tax collector. Tax collectors in that day were often corrupt and took advantage of people. They became wealthy through dishonest means. Read the account in Luke 19:1-10. See the reaction of Zaccheus? He promised to restore with interest, whatever he had taken dishonestly (Luke 19:8). He showed a true repentance, because a thief who keeps what he stole is still a thief, no matter what kind of confession of sin, or prayer for mercy they have made. He was a man who was truly repentant of his sin and, his restitution proved it.
A person who is truly filled with a godly sorrow will seek to confess to those he has offended, desiring to do whatever is in his power to undo the damage done by his sin.
I understand that there are some things that cannot be fixed, there are some things that are honestly forgotten, and there are some things we are unable to restore, but the principle remains. We are to do whatever we can, whatever lies within our power, wherever possible to be made right with those we have offended.
To refuse this shows that we are filled with pride. We are not sorry, we do not desire to change, and deep within our deceived heart (Jeremiah 17:9-10) we do not desire to submit to God, through Jesus Christ. Our repentance is false. Our confession is shallow and fake. How can we expect a just God who is righteous in everything He does, to forgive us if we will not do justice? What does God require? He requires justice and mercy (Amos 5:14-15, 21-24; Micah 6:8; James 1:27, 2:12-13). God opposes our pride, but will give grace to the humble (James 4:6-10).
If we confess our sins with a true heartfelt confession, no excuses, everything open before God, willing to do what we can to be right with those we have offended, we can trust that God in His mercy will forgive us and cleanse us for the sake of Christ Jesus. We must turn from the root of our sin, that rebellion of the heart against God's rightful rule in our lives, and in humble submission give ourselves wholly to Him.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
The Danger of Pride.
Pride is the downfall of sinful man. It is that attitude of heart that says "I will do whatever I want to do, no matter who it hurts, or how much it offends God".
A proud individual is actually a "god" unto themselves, as they reject the rightful authority of God in their lives.
The scriptures tell us that God is opposed to the proud (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). It is impossible for a proud individual to receive grace! I will repeat this! It is impossible for a proud individual to receive grace!
As long as an individual persists in the stubbornness of his or her heart, as long as they continue to rebel against God and His word, they cannot find grace. their heart is unable to receive it, and God cannot in His righteousness give grace to one who refuses to submit to Him through Jesus Christ.
I say submit, because that is what true Christian faith requires. It requires a laying down of our rights, a laying down of our stubborn hearts, a laying down of our pride.
The bible says we must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6). God gives grace to the humble, not the proud. James instructs us to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts (James 4:8). He is not telling us that we are somehow able to save ourselves. He is telling us that we must repent! We must humble ourselves, that is to surrender, lay down our stubborn hearts, turn from our sinful rebellious ways, and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
As long as we exalt ourselves above God, we are proud, and cannot receive grace. It is the humble who find mercy. Look at the words of Jesus from the sermon on the mount. Those who mourn, who are poor in spirit, the pure in heart, and the gentle, are the ones who are blessed (Matthew 5:3-8).
Jesus is saying the same thing. If we desire to belong to the kingdom of heaven, we must change. As we are we cannot enter in. That is why He said we must become as a child (Matthew 18:2-4). He is telling us that our pride must go. We must in humility repent of our sinful pride and lay down our life for Him (Mark 8:34-36). It is not about us, but Him!
As James says, we must draw near to God with a true heartfelt sorrow for our sin, and turn from it (James 4:8-9).
He stands ready to forgive and receive you into His kingdom. Will you lay down your pride?
A proud individual is actually a "god" unto themselves, as they reject the rightful authority of God in their lives.
The scriptures tell us that God is opposed to the proud (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). It is impossible for a proud individual to receive grace! I will repeat this! It is impossible for a proud individual to receive grace!
As long as an individual persists in the stubbornness of his or her heart, as long as they continue to rebel against God and His word, they cannot find grace. their heart is unable to receive it, and God cannot in His righteousness give grace to one who refuses to submit to Him through Jesus Christ.
I say submit, because that is what true Christian faith requires. It requires a laying down of our rights, a laying down of our stubborn hearts, a laying down of our pride.
The bible says we must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6). God gives grace to the humble, not the proud. James instructs us to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts (James 4:8). He is not telling us that we are somehow able to save ourselves. He is telling us that we must repent! We must humble ourselves, that is to surrender, lay down our stubborn hearts, turn from our sinful rebellious ways, and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
As long as we exalt ourselves above God, we are proud, and cannot receive grace. It is the humble who find mercy. Look at the words of Jesus from the sermon on the mount. Those who mourn, who are poor in spirit, the pure in heart, and the gentle, are the ones who are blessed (Matthew 5:3-8).
Jesus is saying the same thing. If we desire to belong to the kingdom of heaven, we must change. As we are we cannot enter in. That is why He said we must become as a child (Matthew 18:2-4). He is telling us that our pride must go. We must in humility repent of our sinful pride and lay down our life for Him (Mark 8:34-36). It is not about us, but Him!
As James says, we must draw near to God with a true heartfelt sorrow for our sin, and turn from it (James 4:8-9).
He stands ready to forgive and receive you into His kingdom. Will you lay down your pride?
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Empty Religion.
The Prophet Amos was sent to a people who were religiously offering the required sacrifices, they worshiped God with singing and instruments, and even longed for the day of the Lord to come.
This was God's chosen people Israel, but they were not pleasing to God. Their worship was empty, God detested their sacrifices (Amos 5:21-23). They longed for the day of the Lord. In their minds that was when their enemies would be punished and they would be vindicated by God. They were wrong! God, through Amos, told them that it would be a terrible, dark day for them (Amos 5:18-20).
The nation had turned away from obedience to the will of God. They practiced injustice, and transgressed God's law. (Amos 5:7, 10-12). They thought that because they were the chosen people of God, all that mattered was the outward forms and rituals of worship.
Jesus tells us of individuals who will one day stand before Him and be rejected. These individuals call Him Lord! They think they are saved! They claim to have done great things for Him, But He rejects their empty profession (Matthew 7:21-23). These people were not in subjection to the will of God. They were lawless, they had cast off restraint.
Many people today believe that they are Christians based upon baptism, confirmation, or church membership. They may have even said a sinners prayer at one time. Many look forward to the return of Christ, just like the people in the days of Amos the prophet, but sadly they are not ready!
Rituals, forms of worship, external works no matter how religious they seem to be do not impress God. God desires our hearts. He desires our lives to be lived in surrender to Him. The one who obeys Him, is the one who loves Him (John 14:21-24).
James says that true religion is a religion that looks out for the needs of the truly needy, and to remain unstained by the world (James 1:27).
What kind of religion do you claim as your own? Is external only, or does it spring from your heart, expressing itself in love toward God and your fellow man?
Your eternity depends on this!
This was God's chosen people Israel, but they were not pleasing to God. Their worship was empty, God detested their sacrifices (Amos 5:21-23). They longed for the day of the Lord. In their minds that was when their enemies would be punished and they would be vindicated by God. They were wrong! God, through Amos, told them that it would be a terrible, dark day for them (Amos 5:18-20).
The nation had turned away from obedience to the will of God. They practiced injustice, and transgressed God's law. (Amos 5:7, 10-12). They thought that because they were the chosen people of God, all that mattered was the outward forms and rituals of worship.
Jesus tells us of individuals who will one day stand before Him and be rejected. These individuals call Him Lord! They think they are saved! They claim to have done great things for Him, But He rejects their empty profession (Matthew 7:21-23). These people were not in subjection to the will of God. They were lawless, they had cast off restraint.
Many people today believe that they are Christians based upon baptism, confirmation, or church membership. They may have even said a sinners prayer at one time. Many look forward to the return of Christ, just like the people in the days of Amos the prophet, but sadly they are not ready!
Rituals, forms of worship, external works no matter how religious they seem to be do not impress God. God desires our hearts. He desires our lives to be lived in surrender to Him. The one who obeys Him, is the one who loves Him (John 14:21-24).
James says that true religion is a religion that looks out for the needs of the truly needy, and to remain unstained by the world (James 1:27).
What kind of religion do you claim as your own? Is external only, or does it spring from your heart, expressing itself in love toward God and your fellow man?
Your eternity depends on this!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
The Revelation of Sin Through the Law.
The law is that commanded Word of God given through Moses on Mount Sinai, with such terrible voice, with such a storm, thunder, and lightning, (Exodus 19:16-20:1; Hebrews 12:18), That the children of Israel could not bear it, but they said to Moses, speak with the Lord, and do not let the Lord speak with us, so that we do not die. Yes Moses himself was afraid and terrified, which indicated the severity of the law. For it points to sin and condemnation, (Romans 4:15), since it requires of all people perfect righteousness of the internal person, (Deut 6:4, Matt 22:37), the entire nature created holy and of high understanding, full of the true knowledge of God, and in addition, a holy, pure heart which is zealous in the love of God.
Thereafter the law condemned the internal impurity of nature, that is to say, the damage and loss of the created wisdom and knowledge of God and the inherent righteousness and holiness of heart, (Psalm 51:12; Eph 2:1). Again, it condemned the bad desire and inclination against God's law, (Romans 3:20, 7:7). So whoever reads the law with a veiled outlook, (2Cor 3:16), that one must tremble and become humble before God's wrath, just as with Israel. Yes as Moses himself is depicted for us, (Exodus 20:19; Heb 12:19).
And that is why the law was given from God, not that it should bring persons to perfect righteousness, salvation, and eternal life (For out of the works of the law no flesh may be justified), Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16, but that they through the revelation of sin should learn to fear God, know themselves, humble themselves under the powerful hand of God (1Peter 5:6), and also be prepared to accept Jesus Christ, the only Savior, with a repentant heart, (1Tim 2:5), and to seek and hope for salvation through His grace and merit alone, (Ephesians 2:13; 14:14, 15:8-11).
Since the law now teaches the knowledge of sin, (Romans 7:7), and the fear of the Lord comes out of such knowledge, that beginning of all wisdom, (Eccles 1:16), without which no one can be justified, and out of the fear of the Lord comes a broken, defeated, and humbled heart, (Psalm51:17), which is well pleasing to God, therefore the law serves partly for the new birth. since no one can be born or made alive, and no one can believe the gospel unless he first genuinely repents, just as the Lord Jesus Christ himself testifies, for he taught the people repentance first, (Matt 3:2), and after that faith, and he has also thus commanded his apostles so to do, (Luke 24:46).
Taken from The Writings of Dirk Philips
Copyright 1992 Herald Press
Scottdale, Pa.
Pages 358-359
Thereafter the law condemned the internal impurity of nature, that is to say, the damage and loss of the created wisdom and knowledge of God and the inherent righteousness and holiness of heart, (Psalm 51:12; Eph 2:1). Again, it condemned the bad desire and inclination against God's law, (Romans 3:20, 7:7). So whoever reads the law with a veiled outlook, (2Cor 3:16), that one must tremble and become humble before God's wrath, just as with Israel. Yes as Moses himself is depicted for us, (Exodus 20:19; Heb 12:19).
And that is why the law was given from God, not that it should bring persons to perfect righteousness, salvation, and eternal life (For out of the works of the law no flesh may be justified), Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16, but that they through the revelation of sin should learn to fear God, know themselves, humble themselves under the powerful hand of God (1Peter 5:6), and also be prepared to accept Jesus Christ, the only Savior, with a repentant heart, (1Tim 2:5), and to seek and hope for salvation through His grace and merit alone, (Ephesians 2:13; 14:14, 15:8-11).
Since the law now teaches the knowledge of sin, (Romans 7:7), and the fear of the Lord comes out of such knowledge, that beginning of all wisdom, (Eccles 1:16), without which no one can be justified, and out of the fear of the Lord comes a broken, defeated, and humbled heart, (Psalm51:17), which is well pleasing to God, therefore the law serves partly for the new birth. since no one can be born or made alive, and no one can believe the gospel unless he first genuinely repents, just as the Lord Jesus Christ himself testifies, for he taught the people repentance first, (Matt 3:2), and after that faith, and he has also thus commanded his apostles so to do, (Luke 24:46).
Taken from The Writings of Dirk Philips
Copyright 1992 Herald Press
Scottdale, Pa.
Pages 358-359
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