10-18-2009, 02:13 PM
Pages: 1 2
10-19-2009, 10:37 PM
(10-18-2009 05:46 AM)graceforme Wrote: [ -> ](10-17-2009 11:17 PM)chriskjv Wrote: [ -> ]What a list.. I need to work on some of those..
Isaiah 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags....."
We can "work" all we want - we'll never measure up to God's standard of perfection - not in our time on earth. That's why God's grace is such a wonderful gift for us. We can't do anything to make ourselves righteous enough and that's why I am so thankful that God views me as righteous because He sees me through the Blood of Christ.
It took me a long time to accept this wonderful gift, and now I can't imagine anyone refusing it.
God is good ..... all the time.
All the time ..... God is good!
Indeed.. The Blood of Christ covers it all..
Jennifer
10-20-2009, 12:33 AM
WHAT IS THE ACID TEST OF REALLY KNOWING ONE IS A CHRISTIAN?
The scripture tells us, that "by their fruits ye shall know them." That a good tree cannot bring forth bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit! The acid test I am referring to is not contradictory, in any way, to the above statement, but rather it reinforces this truth of God's Word!
HOW DOES ONE ACT UNDER TRYING AND TESTING CIRCUMSTANCES?
When all is going smoothly, then all is well!
But what happens in a crises, when everything is against us and everything seems to be falling apart? If we only have "orthodoxy" then, our good works, good morals, etc. will not hold us up when these testing times come, when we need help most of all!
This I believe, is the ultimate test;
What is our behaviour, our reaction, our response, when all is against us? When we are suffering trials, tribulations and difficulties?
What do false prophets (or false brethren) have to lean on when the true test comes? There is no spiritual shoulder to cry on, no Rock, on which to lean!
True prophets (true Christians) are truly held up and are overcomers. These overcomers are no different in essence to the overcomers, spoken of in Revelation, "who are washed in the blood of the lamb" even though this is referring to the tribulation period, of tribulation saints, where there is a backward look to Calvary! There is still an analogy there, as God is the same, (He never changes, even though His methods of dealing with mankind may change) no matter which dispensation He is dealing with, as this cannot be contradicted anywhere in scripture, in fact it is supported in scripture.
This is how we prove we are real Christians!
Our speech and our behaviour will always portray what is truly in our heart, as we must remember that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jer. 17:9.
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:" Prov. 23:7
"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh." Luke 6:4.
So it is not surprising to be ignorant of what is really lurking in the depths of our hearts, when things are going smoothly and all is well!
Do we profess to be Christian because of our habits, customs and practise? We can easily have an intellectual acceptance of all God has given us in the Scriptures. We can quite easily accept it with our minds, but it may go no further. It has been said that there is twelve inches between being saved and lost. I believe there is some truth in this!
Are we bound to the truth only intellectually, because we say we don't smoke or drink or swear or even commit murder or commit adultry?
It is even possible to change our life to some degree to do good, but has our life been changed so much that our heart attitude towards God has been changed, our feelings towards sin have been changed and our desires have dramatically changed?
This is where we get to the root of the tree! If the root is good then the fruit will be good!
"YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS.
DO MEN GATHER GRAPES OF THORNS, OR FIGS OF THISTLES?
EVEN SO EVERY GOOD TREE BRINGETH FORTH GOOD FRUIT; BUT A CORRUPT TREE BRINGETH FORTH EVIL FRUIT.
A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT,
NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT.
EVERY TREE THAT BRINGETH NOT FORTH GOOD FRUIT IS HEWN DOWN, AND CAST INTO THE FIRE.
WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM."
Matt. 7:16-20.
Even though this is concerning the gospel of the Kingdom, which was offered to the Jews, where Christ was offering them the Kingdom of Heaven (the earthly kingdom, promised throughout the O.T. to Abraham and his seed, but they rejected it and crucified Him instead,) there is still an application to the church, as the principle is the same.
It is no good having a changed mind without a changed attitude towards sin and towards God!
Experiences, in themselves, no matter how spectacular, will never make us Christian!
This is where we see the difference between `religion 'and "Christianity."
"Religion, in and of itself today is, "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof...." 11 Tim 3:5.
(This is apart from the "pure religion" as spoken of by James in James, 1:27. This Epistle was written to the Jews of the dispersion, if we look at who it is addressed to. James was not contradicting Paul with the gospel of the grace of God, as Galations and Romans were not yet written. James was saying that the outworking of religious faith and service, would produce good works. I believe this was written during the transitional period.)
"Denying the power," not verbally, necessarily, but denying the power by the very actions of their life and speech. There is no power, over bondage to sin, in their lives. They are still prisoners, who have not been set free, by the cross work of Christ. There is power in the blood! In other words, they are not at liberty to do what is right. Look at what Paul, in the Epistle to the Hebrews says about Christians, or regenerated ones, "...through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will. Working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ .....Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty...." Heb. 13:20-23.
CHRISTIANITY IS, CHRIST IN YOU,
" ... the Spirit of Christ which was in them..." 1 Peter 1:11.
"For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; ...." Gal. 5:13
Those who are still in bondage do not like to see the liberty we have in Christ Jesus, "And that because of the false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage." Gal. 2:4.
"Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." 1Cor. 7:23.
Again we see our freedom. Freedom, to be obedient.
How can anyone except a born again Christian understand the next statement?
'FOR HE THAT IS CALLED IN THE LORD, BEING A SERVANT, IS THE LORD'S FREEMAN; LIKEWISE ALSO HE THAT IS CALLED, BEING FREE, IS CHRIST'S SERVANT."
We cannot, with our natural minds understand the things of the Spirit of God, as they are foreign to us, as they can only be spiritually discerned;
"FOR THE NATURAL MAN RECEIVETH NOT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD; FOR THEY ARE FOOLISHNESS UNTO HIM, NEITHER CAN HE KNOW THEM, BECAUSE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED." 1Cor. 2:14.
It is pertaining to these matters, that true Christians find they are at the receiving end of a lot of flack from professors, who "profess that they know God ,but in works, they deny Him, being abominable and disobedient unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:16.
So no matter how spectacular our experiences may have been, we must NEVER detach experience from truth, as that is where the "angel of light," Satan, comes in to deceive us!
We must never go from `experience to truth,' but from `truth to experience!'
In other words, just because a particular experience has happened to us, we must not try to use the Bible to try to substantiate it. After all, if we work backwards, like this, you can make the Bible say, whatever you want it to say, and it is only self, who is getting deceived! This is when a text out of context becomes a pretext!
No, we must always go from the Truth, (God's Word) to experience, to do what is commanded of us.
We will never do anything in your own strength either, it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit, as we have no strength in ourselves without Christ. Satan is not called "an angel of light" for nothing, you know. He does impersonate God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Many great deceptions are done in the name of the Holy Spirit, especially in the area of the sign gifts, which have been done away with, once the work of the King of Israel was done, and it was pronounced, "go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matt.28;19,20.
I had a lot more in mind to write, but I am afraid I have already been too wordy, and it may be wearisome for some, so I will finish off here , except to just touch on one more thing, which you may read for yourselves, if you are interested. That is the account of the true and false prophets regarding Elijah on Mount Carmel. This story can be read in 1 Kings chapter 18.
The false prophets had nothing when the testing time came and they were faced with a challenge. The true prophets could turn to God and the answer was given. The true prophets, or, those who are genuine Christians, will find that, when they have things which would drive them to despair, that "one gate is open and One Ear will hear our prayer."
In a crisis, there is no panic, no despair, just simple faith in God! God, the Sustainer of the Universe, Who holds us in the palm of His Hand and beneath are the everlasting Arms! What then do we have to fear? "Perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 1 Jn. 4:18. Why panic, when He promises, "and we KNOW that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose"? Rom. 8:28.
We, who now know God, who didn't know him, now know him, amidst trying circumstances, when everything is going against us, whether because of sickness or adversity of any kind, can go to directly to Him, the Sovereign, Lord God of the Universe, to get help in time of trouble.
With boldness, and confidence and assurance we can take it all to the Lord in prayer knowing that not only does He hear us, but He answers us.
We must not always expect the answer we want to hear, as He knows much better than us, what is good for us.
SO HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW GOD?
WHAT IS THE TRUE ACID TEST?
"BUT WE GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS ALSO:
KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE;
AND PATIENCE, EXPERIENCE:
AND EXPERIENCE, HOPE;
AND HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED;
BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD
IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST
WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO US." Romans 5:3,4,5.
The God, who cannot lie, said it, I didn't!
The scripture tells us, that "by their fruits ye shall know them." That a good tree cannot bring forth bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit! The acid test I am referring to is not contradictory, in any way, to the above statement, but rather it reinforces this truth of God's Word!
HOW DOES ONE ACT UNDER TRYING AND TESTING CIRCUMSTANCES?
When all is going smoothly, then all is well!
But what happens in a crises, when everything is against us and everything seems to be falling apart? If we only have "orthodoxy" then, our good works, good morals, etc. will not hold us up when these testing times come, when we need help most of all!
This I believe, is the ultimate test;
What is our behaviour, our reaction, our response, when all is against us? When we are suffering trials, tribulations and difficulties?
What do false prophets (or false brethren) have to lean on when the true test comes? There is no spiritual shoulder to cry on, no Rock, on which to lean!
True prophets (true Christians) are truly held up and are overcomers. These overcomers are no different in essence to the overcomers, spoken of in Revelation, "who are washed in the blood of the lamb" even though this is referring to the tribulation period, of tribulation saints, where there is a backward look to Calvary! There is still an analogy there, as God is the same, (He never changes, even though His methods of dealing with mankind may change) no matter which dispensation He is dealing with, as this cannot be contradicted anywhere in scripture, in fact it is supported in scripture.
This is how we prove we are real Christians!
Our speech and our behaviour will always portray what is truly in our heart, as we must remember that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jer. 17:9.
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:" Prov. 23:7
"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh." Luke 6:4.
So it is not surprising to be ignorant of what is really lurking in the depths of our hearts, when things are going smoothly and all is well!
Do we profess to be Christian because of our habits, customs and practise? We can easily have an intellectual acceptance of all God has given us in the Scriptures. We can quite easily accept it with our minds, but it may go no further. It has been said that there is twelve inches between being saved and lost. I believe there is some truth in this!
Are we bound to the truth only intellectually, because we say we don't smoke or drink or swear or even commit murder or commit adultry?
It is even possible to change our life to some degree to do good, but has our life been changed so much that our heart attitude towards God has been changed, our feelings towards sin have been changed and our desires have dramatically changed?
This is where we get to the root of the tree! If the root is good then the fruit will be good!
"YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS.
DO MEN GATHER GRAPES OF THORNS, OR FIGS OF THISTLES?
EVEN SO EVERY GOOD TREE BRINGETH FORTH GOOD FRUIT; BUT A CORRUPT TREE BRINGETH FORTH EVIL FRUIT.
A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT,
NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT.
EVERY TREE THAT BRINGETH NOT FORTH GOOD FRUIT IS HEWN DOWN, AND CAST INTO THE FIRE.
WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM."
Matt. 7:16-20.
Even though this is concerning the gospel of the Kingdom, which was offered to the Jews, where Christ was offering them the Kingdom of Heaven (the earthly kingdom, promised throughout the O.T. to Abraham and his seed, but they rejected it and crucified Him instead,) there is still an application to the church, as the principle is the same.
It is no good having a changed mind without a changed attitude towards sin and towards God!
Experiences, in themselves, no matter how spectacular, will never make us Christian!
This is where we see the difference between `religion 'and "Christianity."
"Religion, in and of itself today is, "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof...." 11 Tim 3:5.
(This is apart from the "pure religion" as spoken of by James in James, 1:27. This Epistle was written to the Jews of the dispersion, if we look at who it is addressed to. James was not contradicting Paul with the gospel of the grace of God, as Galations and Romans were not yet written. James was saying that the outworking of religious faith and service, would produce good works. I believe this was written during the transitional period.)
"Denying the power," not verbally, necessarily, but denying the power by the very actions of their life and speech. There is no power, over bondage to sin, in their lives. They are still prisoners, who have not been set free, by the cross work of Christ. There is power in the blood! In other words, they are not at liberty to do what is right. Look at what Paul, in the Epistle to the Hebrews says about Christians, or regenerated ones, "...through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will. Working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ .....Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty...." Heb. 13:20-23.
CHRISTIANITY IS, CHRIST IN YOU,
" ... the Spirit of Christ which was in them..." 1 Peter 1:11.
"For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; ...." Gal. 5:13
Those who are still in bondage do not like to see the liberty we have in Christ Jesus, "And that because of the false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage." Gal. 2:4.
"Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." 1Cor. 7:23.
Again we see our freedom. Freedom, to be obedient.
How can anyone except a born again Christian understand the next statement?
'FOR HE THAT IS CALLED IN THE LORD, BEING A SERVANT, IS THE LORD'S FREEMAN; LIKEWISE ALSO HE THAT IS CALLED, BEING FREE, IS CHRIST'S SERVANT."
We cannot, with our natural minds understand the things of the Spirit of God, as they are foreign to us, as they can only be spiritually discerned;
"FOR THE NATURAL MAN RECEIVETH NOT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD; FOR THEY ARE FOOLISHNESS UNTO HIM, NEITHER CAN HE KNOW THEM, BECAUSE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED." 1Cor. 2:14.
It is pertaining to these matters, that true Christians find they are at the receiving end of a lot of flack from professors, who "profess that they know God ,but in works, they deny Him, being abominable and disobedient unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:16.
So no matter how spectacular our experiences may have been, we must NEVER detach experience from truth, as that is where the "angel of light," Satan, comes in to deceive us!
We must never go from `experience to truth,' but from `truth to experience!'
In other words, just because a particular experience has happened to us, we must not try to use the Bible to try to substantiate it. After all, if we work backwards, like this, you can make the Bible say, whatever you want it to say, and it is only self, who is getting deceived! This is when a text out of context becomes a pretext!
No, we must always go from the Truth, (God's Word) to experience, to do what is commanded of us.
We will never do anything in your own strength either, it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit, as we have no strength in ourselves without Christ. Satan is not called "an angel of light" for nothing, you know. He does impersonate God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Many great deceptions are done in the name of the Holy Spirit, especially in the area of the sign gifts, which have been done away with, once the work of the King of Israel was done, and it was pronounced, "go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matt.28;19,20.
I had a lot more in mind to write, but I am afraid I have already been too wordy, and it may be wearisome for some, so I will finish off here , except to just touch on one more thing, which you may read for yourselves, if you are interested. That is the account of the true and false prophets regarding Elijah on Mount Carmel. This story can be read in 1 Kings chapter 18.
The false prophets had nothing when the testing time came and they were faced with a challenge. The true prophets could turn to God and the answer was given. The true prophets, or, those who are genuine Christians, will find that, when they have things which would drive them to despair, that "one gate is open and One Ear will hear our prayer."
In a crisis, there is no panic, no despair, just simple faith in God! God, the Sustainer of the Universe, Who holds us in the palm of His Hand and beneath are the everlasting Arms! What then do we have to fear? "Perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 1 Jn. 4:18. Why panic, when He promises, "and we KNOW that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose"? Rom. 8:28.
We, who now know God, who didn't know him, now know him, amidst trying circumstances, when everything is going against us, whether because of sickness or adversity of any kind, can go to directly to Him, the Sovereign, Lord God of the Universe, to get help in time of trouble.
With boldness, and confidence and assurance we can take it all to the Lord in prayer knowing that not only does He hear us, but He answers us.
We must not always expect the answer we want to hear, as He knows much better than us, what is good for us.
SO HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW GOD?
WHAT IS THE TRUE ACID TEST?
"BUT WE GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS ALSO:
KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE;
AND PATIENCE, EXPERIENCE:
AND EXPERIENCE, HOPE;
AND HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED;
BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD
IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST
WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO US." Romans 5:3,4,5.
The God, who cannot lie, said it, I didn't!
10-20-2009, 07:25 AM
Excellent post, Jennifer! There's a lot of good stuff in there, but I was especially reminded of two points:
to the quote above.
Crises don't make us who we are, necessarily, but they do reveal who we are!
Quote:So no matter how spectacular our experiences may have been, we must NEVER detach experience from truth, as that is where the "angel of light," Satan, comes in to deceive us!
We must never go from `experience to truth,' but from `truth to experience!'
to the quote above.Quote:In a crisis, there is no panic, no despair, just simple faith in God! God, the Sustainer of the Universe, Who holds us in the palm of His Hand and beneath are the everlasting Arms.
Crises don't make us who we are, necessarily, but they do reveal who we are!
Jennifer
10-20-2009, 05:09 PM
Thank you Laura, but all glory must go to the Lord, as it is His Word, not mine.
I have found all I have written above, through experience, to be absouetely true! That is why I share it with you all, although you, who have found Him, precious, I am sure, have experienced similiar things. We all have our own pathway to tread, and the Lord gives us what we need for the trials and tribulations, that we encounter. We do have great and exceeding precious promises, which when we take them by faith, and make them our own, He is true to His promis, all of them, and does bless us in our particular situations!
The above post, I must explain, was written for another forum, I am participating in, thus I have mentioned Shain's post. Sorry, if I have caused confusion here. I only wrote the post, in fact I was halfway through, when I was invited to join you all here, so I thought it may be good to paste it here, also. I will make sure, in future that it is all appropriate, but I just thought I would let you know.
I know you will bear with me, as I learn what is needed, I was totally computer illiterate only a couple of years ago, so I am a bit dumb, when it comes to anything more than emails!
Back to the subject of sin!
The Apostle Paul could proclaim, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:14.
Now, if I can only say this through love. The Lord doesn't want us dwelling on our sin. There is nothing wrong with identifying it, but then let us go on to higher things, just like you all did in opening this new forum. Only Satan wants us to dwell on our sin, past, present, or future. Don't let him get the victory here, brothers and sisters. He is out to steal your crown!
These days, more than ever before, we need to be on our guard, and not give the enemy of souls the tiniest crack in our armour! He knows he cannot get his hands on our souls, (those who are born again) as we have already been purchased with the precious blood of Christ, so we are perfectly safe there. But he will endeavour to steal our reward.
Christ has already put our sins away, when He took our places at Calvary. He has promised not to remember them more, so why should we? If we are dead, and our lives are hidden with Christ, why do we need to keep on resurrecting the old body? Let's leave it in the grave, it is dead, therefore, let us;
"Likewise reckon ourselves DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN , but alive unto God, throught Jesus Christ our Lord."
Also we have to command to "Let not sin therefore reign in your martal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts therof."
I believe if we are going to concentrate on those things that the Lord had to die for, it is not healthy. Instead let us "gird up the loins of our minds," and "cast off the works of darkness," (even though it may be only thinking about them)
This is the will of God. Let us not, keep on laying the foundation that has already been laid, but rather, let us go on to perfection, pressing toward the mark for the high calling, that instead of wood, hay and stubble, we may store up for ourselves treasure in Heaven, of gold silver and precious stones. That one day we might cast our crowns at His feet. After all it is all for Him. Isn't it worth it? I know you will all agree that the suffering here for the little while is nothing to be compared to what the Lord has laid up for those who love Him!!! This is what is God honouring!
May I suggest another list to replace the above list to hang up, as a reminder of what God wants?
Please forgive me for taking this liberty!
We, as christians do believe in positive thinking, but the Lord's way;
'FINALLY, BRETHREN,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE JUST,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE PURE,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT;
IF THERE BE ANY VIRTUE
AND IF THERE BE ANY PRAISE,
THINK ON THESE THINGS." Phill. 4:8
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded."James 4:8.
"But it is Good for me to draw near to God..." Ps.73:28.
"Submit yourselves, therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!"
Let us store up His Word in our hearts that we might not sin against him. This is our best defence against satan. Use the sword of faith, as well as all the armour.
We have already got the victory, through the blood of His cross. Let us fully claim it and live in the light of that victory! We really do have victory over sin, death, Hell and the grave. Praise God!!!!
"THEREFORE LEAVING THE PRINCIPLES OF DOCTRINE OF CHRIST,
LET US GO ON UNTO PERFECTION;
NOT LAYING AGAIN THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS, AND OF FAITH TOWARD GOD." Heb. 6:1
It is a shame to even speak of those things which are done in darkness! So let us "put off" and "put on."
You know what I mean!
I hope all these Words of God, bless your hearts, as they do mine, for His Names sake!
I have found all I have written above, through experience, to be absouetely true! That is why I share it with you all, although you, who have found Him, precious, I am sure, have experienced similiar things. We all have our own pathway to tread, and the Lord gives us what we need for the trials and tribulations, that we encounter. We do have great and exceeding precious promises, which when we take them by faith, and make them our own, He is true to His promis, all of them, and does bless us in our particular situations!
The above post, I must explain, was written for another forum, I am participating in, thus I have mentioned Shain's post. Sorry, if I have caused confusion here. I only wrote the post, in fact I was halfway through, when I was invited to join you all here, so I thought it may be good to paste it here, also. I will make sure, in future that it is all appropriate, but I just thought I would let you know.
I know you will bear with me, as I learn what is needed, I was totally computer illiterate only a couple of years ago, so I am a bit dumb, when it comes to anything more than emails!
Back to the subject of sin!
The Apostle Paul could proclaim, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:14.
Now, if I can only say this through love. The Lord doesn't want us dwelling on our sin. There is nothing wrong with identifying it, but then let us go on to higher things, just like you all did in opening this new forum. Only Satan wants us to dwell on our sin, past, present, or future. Don't let him get the victory here, brothers and sisters. He is out to steal your crown!
These days, more than ever before, we need to be on our guard, and not give the enemy of souls the tiniest crack in our armour! He knows he cannot get his hands on our souls, (those who are born again) as we have already been purchased with the precious blood of Christ, so we are perfectly safe there. But he will endeavour to steal our reward.
Christ has already put our sins away, when He took our places at Calvary. He has promised not to remember them more, so why should we? If we are dead, and our lives are hidden with Christ, why do we need to keep on resurrecting the old body? Let's leave it in the grave, it is dead, therefore, let us;
"Likewise reckon ourselves DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN , but alive unto God, throught Jesus Christ our Lord."
Also we have to command to "Let not sin therefore reign in your martal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts therof."
I believe if we are going to concentrate on those things that the Lord had to die for, it is not healthy. Instead let us "gird up the loins of our minds," and "cast off the works of darkness," (even though it may be only thinking about them)
This is the will of God. Let us not, keep on laying the foundation that has already been laid, but rather, let us go on to perfection, pressing toward the mark for the high calling, that instead of wood, hay and stubble, we may store up for ourselves treasure in Heaven, of gold silver and precious stones. That one day we might cast our crowns at His feet. After all it is all for Him. Isn't it worth it? I know you will all agree that the suffering here for the little while is nothing to be compared to what the Lord has laid up for those who love Him!!! This is what is God honouring!
May I suggest another list to replace the above list to hang up, as a reminder of what God wants?
Please forgive me for taking this liberty!
We, as christians do believe in positive thinking, but the Lord's way;
'FINALLY, BRETHREN,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE JUST,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE PURE,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT;
IF THERE BE ANY VIRTUE
AND IF THERE BE ANY PRAISE,
THINK ON THESE THINGS." Phill. 4:8
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded."James 4:8.
"But it is Good for me to draw near to God..." Ps.73:28.
"Submit yourselves, therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!"
Let us store up His Word in our hearts that we might not sin against him. This is our best defence against satan. Use the sword of faith, as well as all the armour.
We have already got the victory, through the blood of His cross. Let us fully claim it and live in the light of that victory! We really do have victory over sin, death, Hell and the grave. Praise God!!!!
"THEREFORE LEAVING THE PRINCIPLES OF DOCTRINE OF CHRIST,
LET US GO ON UNTO PERFECTION;
NOT LAYING AGAIN THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS, AND OF FAITH TOWARD GOD." Heb. 6:1
It is a shame to even speak of those things which are done in darkness! So let us "put off" and "put on."
You know what I mean!
I hope all these Words of God, bless your hearts, as they do mine, for His Names sake!
01-06-2010, 09:30 AM
A footnote in my RRB led me to think about the definition of sin and it brought this thread to mind. So I entered the phrase "is sin" into SwordSearcher with the intent of seeing how the Bible defines sin and these are the relevant verses that came up:
Pr 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Pr 24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Ro 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
1Jo 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Five progressive references defining sin, and the sixth reference given for the phrase "is sin" is 1Co 15:56:
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
That looks like a fairly comprehensive picture that the Lord's given, right there!
Pr 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Pr 24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Ro 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
1Jo 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Five progressive references defining sin, and the sixth reference given for the phrase "is sin" is 1Co 15:56:
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
That looks like a fairly comprehensive picture that the Lord's given, right there!
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