JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(1st John 3:4-10) “Everyone who sins breaks the law… in fact, sin is lawlessness”.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the severity of sin… and by that I mean the seriousness of its effect on our relationship with God.
The Apostle of John, or the “beloved disciple” (also known as the “Apostle of Love”) counters
errors in the early church by showing that “habitual persistence in a lifestyle of sin”, is contrary to
the purpose of Christ’s appearing.
Now a days, in our liberal society of selfishness, worldliness and carnal life styles… the Apostle John would probably be dubbed the “Apostle of judgementalism”.
How is it that any time we are faced with questions about our sinful lives and activities we are quick
As in the early church and likewise today… many Christians reject the law of God and deny their own sinfulness and or nature to sin.
Jesus came not to destroy the law (Matthew 5:17-19)… but to fulfill all the law and take away the judgment and penalty for sin (1st John 3:5)
Christ was sinless that He might pay the ransom and remove the penalty for our sin (2nd Corinthians 5:21) and obtain victory over sin and death.
If Christ had removed sin altogether, then no one who lives in Him would ever sin again or make it a practice of willful sinning.
But the great truth of the Gospel is that Christ removed the guilt, the judgment, and the penalty for sin… taking it upon him self in our place so that we could experience Gods forgiveness.
Todays Christian leaders are leading Christians morally astray by not teaching about the reality of sin and standing up to it.
Christ and sin are not compatible.
It is absurd to claim to be righteous without practicing righteousness.
It is impossible to be a Christian and live a lifestyle of rebellion.
John says, “let no one deceive you”.
In the gospel, deliverance from the penalty of sin is coupled with deliverance from the power and corruption of sin.
If we compromise regarding sin and Satan, we put ourselves at enmity with God.
The one born of God bears His name and therefore must reflect a life of deliverance from the power
I have to ask you, are you truly a child of God?
Something to think about!
Good day!
Now a days, in our liberal society of selfishness, worldliness and carnal life styles… the Apostle John would probably be dubbed the “Apostle of judgementalism”.
How is it that any time we are faced with questions about our sinful lives and activities we are quick
to say, “you can’t judge me or who are you to judge me”?
But the truth of the matter is that we all sin from time to time.
That’s a given and a well known fact.
And the truth is that when we love one another, we will correct one another, we will question one another, we will do our best to encourage one another to rise above sin.
And all of us need friends who will lovingly challenge us and question our motives.
Its called spurring one another on unto righteousness.
(Romans 3:10) says… “there is none righteous no not one”.
(Romans 3:23) says… “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”
The beauty of salvation however, is that when we come to Christ and ask God to forgive us of our sins… we are then “made righteous”… “just as though we had never sinned”.
And it’s a forgiveness that washes us continually… because Christ, (as our intercessor), is now
But the truth of the matter is that we all sin from time to time.
That’s a given and a well known fact.
And the truth is that when we love one another, we will correct one another, we will question one another, we will do our best to encourage one another to rise above sin.
And all of us need friends who will lovingly challenge us and question our motives.
Its called spurring one another on unto righteousness.
(Romans 3:10) says… “there is none righteous no not one”.
(Romans 3:23) says… “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”
The beauty of salvation however, is that when we come to Christ and ask God to forgive us of our sins… we are then “made righteous”… “just as though we had never sinned”.
And it’s a forgiveness that washes us continually… because Christ, (as our intercessor), is now
seated at the right hand of God ever interceding for you and I. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
The problem comes when we say we have no sin, or we deny our sinful activity.
(1st John 1:8) says that when we sin, we should come to God, confess our sin, and He will forgive
The problem comes when we say we have no sin, or we deny our sinful activity.
(1st John 1:8) says that when we sin, we should come to God, confess our sin, and He will forgive
us of our sin… and He does that because of the cross and the death and resurrection of Christ…
Sin is universal… and will remain so until Jesus completely eradicates it when the devil and all of
Sin is universal… and will remain so until Jesus completely eradicates it when the devil and all of
His demonic forces are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10)
The Apostle John says that if we say that we’re sinless, then we are liars.
Sin is willful rebellion against God’s commandments and law, which identifies or reveals sin and is integral to the gospel of Gods grace and forgiveness.
Paul talks about this in(1st Timothy 1:8-11)… “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious”…
Lawlessness is a repeated theme in Scripture… and there is a contrast between the destiny of the righteousness and lawless.
In our scripture text this morning from (John 3:4-10) John is pointing out this contrast in vivid detail.
The Apostle Paul as well talks about the need for us as believers to lay aside lawlessness or sin, and trade it for Good works that destroy the works of the devil (Ephesians 2:10)
in 1st, 2nd and 3rd John… John, (the Apostle of love), speaks strongly against lawlessness and sin
The Apostle John says that if we say that we’re sinless, then we are liars.
Sin is willful rebellion against God’s commandments and law, which identifies or reveals sin and is integral to the gospel of Gods grace and forgiveness.
Paul talks about this in(1st Timothy 1:8-11)… “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious”…
Lawlessness is a repeated theme in Scripture… and there is a contrast between the destiny of the righteousness and lawless.
In our scripture text this morning from (John 3:4-10) John is pointing out this contrast in vivid detail.
The Apostle Paul as well talks about the need for us as believers to lay aside lawlessness or sin, and trade it for Good works that destroy the works of the devil (Ephesians 2:10)
in 1st, 2nd and 3rd John… John, (the Apostle of love), speaks strongly against lawlessness and sin
in the lives of the believers and the church that he is pastoring.
And it is his love for the church… and for its members that make up the church, that he passionately pleads with them not to sin… and if they have sinned, to humbly confess their sin so that they can experience the full forgiveness and blessing of God. (1st John 1:9)
Confessing our sins is not something we do once and for all, but it is an on going daily practice that leads to a strong and healthy relationship with the Lord Jesus.
It keeps us from becoming “lukewarm” in our relationship with God.
That’s another reason Paul wrote to the Corinthian church to “let a man examine himself” and see if there be any sin in their lives (1st Corinthians 11:28)
Unfortunately the world perpetuates the lies of Satan, and excuses sin as nothing more than personality issues.
And it is his love for the church… and for its members that make up the church, that he passionately pleads with them not to sin… and if they have sinned, to humbly confess their sin so that they can experience the full forgiveness and blessing of God. (1st John 1:9)
Confessing our sins is not something we do once and for all, but it is an on going daily practice that leads to a strong and healthy relationship with the Lord Jesus.
It keeps us from becoming “lukewarm” in our relationship with God.
That’s another reason Paul wrote to the Corinthian church to “let a man examine himself” and see if there be any sin in their lives (1st Corinthians 11:28)
Unfortunately the world perpetuates the lies of Satan, and excuses sin as nothing more than personality issues.
As in the early church and likewise today… many Christians reject the law of God and deny their own sinfulness and or nature to sin.
Jesus came not to destroy the law (Matthew 5:17-19)… but to fulfill all the law and take away the judgment and penalty for sin (1st John 3:5)
Christ was sinless that He might pay the ransom and remove the penalty for our sin (2nd Corinthians 5:21) and obtain victory over sin and death.
If Christ had removed sin altogether, then no one who lives in Him would ever sin again or make it a practice of willful sinning.
But the great truth of the Gospel is that Christ removed the guilt, the judgment, and the penalty for sin… taking it upon him self in our place so that we could experience Gods forgiveness.
Todays Christian leaders are leading Christians morally astray by not teaching about the reality of sin and standing up to it.
Christ and sin are not compatible.
It is absurd to claim to be righteous without practicing righteousness.
It is impossible to be a Christian and live a lifestyle of rebellion.
John says, “let no one deceive you”.
In the gospel, deliverance from the penalty of sin is coupled with deliverance from the power and corruption of sin.
If we compromise regarding sin and Satan, we put ourselves at enmity with God.
The one born of God bears His name and therefore must reflect a life of deliverance from the power
of sin.
But the reality is that Christians do stumble and fall into sin.
Paul did as well, and it caused him great agony of soul.
In (Romans 7:24-25) He cries out in that agony… "What a wretched man I am!
Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind, am a slave to God’s law… but in my sinful naturea slave to the law of sin”
In this cry you have the words of a man who has come to the end of himself.
He has in the previous verse of this text, described how he had struggled and wrestled in his own power to obey the “holy law of God”, and he had failed.
But in answer to his own question, he now finds the true answer and cries out… “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:25) and from there he goes on to speak in (Romans Chapter 8)… of what the deliverance is that he has found.
I want from these words to describe the path by which a man or a woman can be led out of the spirit of bondage to sin… into liberty or freedom in Christ.
What sets apart true believers is that “we confess our sins and repent regularly.”
What brings freedom to believers is… when we confess our sins and repent or turn away from them.
And that is something we might have to do regularly… until they no longer have hold on our soul.
Sin that is living and settled in our character, of which we do not struggle against, may indicate that we are not even born of God.
I can’t say anything more to this subject to make it any clearer or any plainer to understand
If you call yourself a believer, and you sin willfully, disregarding the disciplines of Gods word… and you are not sorry for your sin nor willing to admit that it is sin… but you excuse it and cover it up,
But the reality is that Christians do stumble and fall into sin.
Paul did as well, and it caused him great agony of soul.
In (Romans 7:24-25) He cries out in that agony… "What a wretched man I am!
Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind, am a slave to God’s law… but in my sinful naturea slave to the law of sin”
In this cry you have the words of a man who has come to the end of himself.
He has in the previous verse of this text, described how he had struggled and wrestled in his own power to obey the “holy law of God”, and he had failed.
But in answer to his own question, he now finds the true answer and cries out… “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:25) and from there he goes on to speak in (Romans Chapter 8)… of what the deliverance is that he has found.
I want from these words to describe the path by which a man or a woman can be led out of the spirit of bondage to sin… into liberty or freedom in Christ.
What sets apart true believers is that “we confess our sins and repent regularly.”
What brings freedom to believers is… when we confess our sins and repent or turn away from them.
And that is something we might have to do regularly… until they no longer have hold on our soul.
Sin that is living and settled in our character, of which we do not struggle against, may indicate that we are not even born of God.
I can’t say anything more to this subject to make it any clearer or any plainer to understand
If you call yourself a believer, and you sin willfully, disregarding the disciplines of Gods word… and you are not sorry for your sin nor willing to admit that it is sin… but you excuse it and cover it up,
I have to ask you, are you truly a child of God?
Something to think about!
Good day!
(Hebrews 6:1) “… let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works…”
Over the last couple of days I have been meditating and studying on “the foundation of repentance” in the life of the Believer in Christ.
Now it is a fact… that without “repentance from dead works”, with out sorrow over sin… there is no victory in the life of the believer.
In (John 3:18-19) Jesus said “this is the condemnation that has come upon the world… that men loved darkness”… with this statement He is referring to our “works”.
The Apostle John defines sin saying, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1st John 3:4).
The words “work” or “works” are translated from the Greek word “ergon”.
The word “ergon” is defined in the context of believers as “a deed” or “an act”.
Godly works are deeds or actions clothed in humility not in self righteousness,
Such works are the result of faith and putting into motion activities of faith in our lives.
Activities that reflect “the light of Christ”… not the darkness of the world.
The book of James defines godly works, the deeds or actions God accepts, as “obedience to Him” (James 1:21-27) and James (2:8-26).
James specifically defines “works” as actions or deeds, and tells us to be a “doer of the work” (James 1:25)
Jesus taught His disciples to “set a good example” by letting their light shine before all men (Matthew 5:16).
Their examples were “good works”... that is, are, and were "obedience" to God’s physical moral and ethical laws.
Paul expounds the concept of “good works” as the “fruit of the Spirit” which are thoughts and actions that are opposite of the “works of the flesh.”
These good works… produced by the Holy Spirit in us are… “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
The opposite of good works however are “ungodly works”
They are works, deeds, activities motivated by the flesh and the carnal nature of humanity.
They are deeds that break His physical, moral and ethical laws.
In (Galatians 5:19-21) Paul uses the term “works of the flesh” to define unacceptable works… “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like”
Paul also uses the word “works”… to correct those who believed they could be justified by their actions.
Paul shows that obedience to ritual law or for that matter, any law… could not make them upright or righteous before God.
Paul uses the phrase “works of the law” to describe such attitudes and actions.
He explains that the only way to be justified (forgiven of sins so one may be upright before God)… is by faith in the sacrifice of Christ.
Only the blood of Christ can remove sins… obedience to law cannot do that.
So we have good works, ungodly works and then there is “dead works”.
“Dead works” are defined as “such works as deserve death”… works of those who were dead in trespasses, and dead in sins, and dead by sentence of the law, because they had, (by these works) broken the law”.
It’s what Paul talks about in (Romans 6:23)… “The wages of sin is death”.
Sin is breaking God’s 10 Commandments that were handed down to Moses by God… and the penalty was everlasting death if the sinner refuses to repent of the sins.
Not that we obey the commandments to win the right to go to Heaven.
But we obey the commandments or try to… because we love God.
But the bible teaches that we will never be able to completely obey all the commandments in our own strength.
No… the law or the Ten Commandments were given to us as a “schoolmaster” or “guardian”… to bring us to Christ.
(Galatians 3:24) Paul explains… “Let me put it another way.
The law was our guardian until Christ came.
It protected us until we could be made right with God through faith in Christ”.
Any other way of appeasing God is dead works, because it is accomplished in our own strength… by our own works… by our own self righteousness… and that is dead works.
If there was any other way we could be free from sin… then Christ would not have had to die and the cross would have been redundant.
Repentance from dead works is not just a one time act… but it is ongoing.
I am so focused on this topic because I see a world today that says they want to walk with God, they want to be partakers in the Heavenly Kingdom, yet there is little respect in overcoming the sinful works of darkness in their ongoing lives of professed faith.
They have no victory in their ongoing lives of faith… because they are filled with dead works, and the darkness of this world.
It is one thing to a pray a prayer of faith and have belief in Christ… it is another to repent of your sins and continue to live a life of repentance and sorrow for sin.
The Apostle John warns Believers in (1st John 1:8-10)… “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us”
Therefore, due to sin, everyone has “dead works” that must be repented of and forgiven by God.
“Dead works” must be continually repented of and overcome after conversion.
Its called fighting the good fight of faith!
It’s called submitting to the leadership and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Paul wants every believer in Christ to understand there is a time when we need to move on to maturity… and begin to limit our activity of living in and with, “dead works”.
Any time we live outside of the Word of God as the absolute… or the instructions there of… we are living unto dead works.
We must… I say again we must… if we want to be mature in Christ and be more than conquerors in Christ… we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us with an on going sorrow over sinful self-righteous attitudes that shackle us… and allow Him to change our hearts from the inside out.
Repentance, (true sorrow for sin), leads the way to that conversion in the life of the believer.
Once again… “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1st John 1:8-10)
And true repentance is ignited by humility…
Good day!
(Hebrews 6:1) “let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works…”
Over the last couple of days I have been meditating on the act of “repentance” in the life of the Believer in Christ.
Now it is a fact, that without “repentance”, there is no true victory over sin.
The commandment in (Act 16:32) in response to the question “what must I do to be saved” was and still is, “repent and be baptized for the remission or removal of your sins”.
Repentance is the key that begins the “born again” experience.
Yet mankind in his own self-righteousness and prideful arrogance, continually ignores any willingness to submit to God or admit any wrong doing before God.
The theme of the book of Hebrews is “the superiority of Christ”, verses the Old Testaments “sacrificial system of works” or works of the law.
The Jews believed that keeping the Old Testament Law of Moses was the only means of remaining upright with God.
Those are dead works!
They relied on the “sacrificial system” and strict law keeping” to somehow pay for past sins and “justify them-selves” before God.
The attitude was and still seems to be “see God we did this for you, now we deserve eternal life”
This misguided concept was difficult to overcome even among converted Jews and many early believers... and in fact is still held to today.
Within the pages of the Book of Hebrews, the author endeavors to explain and convince his Jewish audience why the New Covenant that was introduced and sealed by the Blood of Jesus Christ, is far superior to the Old Covenant.
They had to be reminded that the concept of justification, by “law keeping” was not possible.
Faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the only way to have our sins forgiven.
Keeping God’s laws is essential, but law keeping can never “forgive sin” or redeem anyone.
Christians can never be justified by any form of works, even good works.
(Ephesians 2:8), “for by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves but it is the gift of God”.
Faith in Christ is the Key that unlocks Gods forgiveness and deliverance form the judgment and penalty of sin.
In the book of (Hebrews 9:14) we are reminded that temple rituals had their purposes, but that “the blood of Christ” is the only way to “cleanse our conscience from the dead works of sin”
Animal sacrifices could never forgive sin or cleanse the conscience… nor do “sacrificial good works” on our part.
It is a matter of “what’s in the heart”, and the only way to change the heart, is to bring it to God in repentance and let Him transform, renew, restore and revive the heart of man.
The instruction in the book of Hebrews is not limited to a Jewish audience at the time of the original writing.
This book of Hebrews was written for the Church “the Bride Of Christ “as well.
Everyone has “dead works” that need forgiveness.
Anything entered into outside of Faith in Christ... is dead works.
Though “dead works” often precede our conversion to Christ, they can plague us after conversion as well.
Repentance from dead works applies to everyone.
So “what is repentance” you ask?
Repentance is sorrow for sin!
Repentance is a change of attitude, mind and actions toward sin.
Repentance is directed toward God, sincerely asking Him to forgive our sins and then determining, with God’s help to change the direction of our life.
Those who repent, come to a place in life where they recognize their personal sins and understand that Christ died so that those sins can be forgiven.
They ask God to forgive them and help them change.
Awareness of sin and the willingness to repent, or have sorrow for your sins (your transgressions), is the beginning of deliverance from your sin/sins!
Repentance is a change of attitude, mind and actions.
Repentance is sincerely asking God to forgive our sins and then determining, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to change the direction of our life.
There are three kinds of works found in the New Testament.
Good works, ungodly works and dead works... we’ll look at them tomorrow.
But for today, let me ask you this.
Are you truly wanting to “walk with Christ”?
Do you truly want Him to be “Lord of your life”?
Do you want to be “more than a conqueror in Christ”?
Then you need to be sorry for your sins… lay down your pride, admit the hold that “ongoing sin” has in and on your life… and repent.
Turn to God, acknowledge and confess these sins and activities, and let Him begin to help you change from the inside out.
“If any man be in Christ He is a new creature, old things pass away and behold all things become new” (2nd Corinthians 7:14)
Sorrow for sin, “repentance” is the key!
Good Day!
Though “dead works” often precede our conversion to Christ, they can plague us after conversion as well.
Repentance from dead works applies to everyone.
So “what is repentance” you ask?
Repentance is sorrow for sin!
Repentance is a change of attitude, mind and actions toward sin.
Repentance is directed toward God, sincerely asking Him to forgive our sins and then determining, with God’s help to change the direction of our life.
Those who repent, come to a place in life where they recognize their personal sins and understand that Christ died so that those sins can be forgiven.
They ask God to forgive them and help them change.
Awareness of sin and the willingness to repent, or have sorrow for your sins (your transgressions), is the beginning of deliverance from your sin/sins!
Repentance is a change of attitude, mind and actions.
Repentance is sincerely asking God to forgive our sins and then determining, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to change the direction of our life.
There are three kinds of works found in the New Testament.
Good works, ungodly works and dead works... we’ll look at them tomorrow.
But for today, let me ask you this.
Are you truly wanting to “walk with Christ”?
Do you truly want Him to be “Lord of your life”?
Do you want to be “more than a conqueror in Christ”?
Then you need to be sorry for your sins… lay down your pride, admit the hold that “ongoing sin” has in and on your life… and repent.
Turn to God, acknowledge and confess these sins and activities, and let Him begin to help you change from the inside out.
“If any man be in Christ He is a new creature, old things pass away and behold all things become new” (2nd Corinthians 7:14)
Sorrow for sin, “repentance” is the key!
Good Day!
(2nd Peter 3:9) “For God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”.
The words "repent," "repentance," and "repented" are mentioned over 100 times in the Bible.
Jesus talked much about repentance and it was the theme for much of the disciples messages to the people of the New Testament.
The Greek word translated “repentance” in the New Testament means “to change one’s way of life, as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness”.
Since it is not natural for carnal man to desire to make the changes necessary to obey God (Romans 8:7) "The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God… it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so",
Then God must lead us to understand the need for repentance… (Romans 2:4), “realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance"
This is the starting point of a commitment to “a new way of living” and to the transformation of the human heart and mind from carnal to spiritual (Acts 3:19… Romans 12:2)
The Bible shows that initial repentance is a significant, personal, life-changing “decision”… that leads to profession of faith in God belief in Christ and the finished work of the cross, baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37-39)
Repentance is characterized by an understanding of the;
#1) “seriousness of sin” (Romans 6:23…Ephesians 2:1-3)
#2) “a deep desire to be forgiven” (Psalm 51:1-3…(Hebrews 9:14)
#3) “A determined commitment to change behavior and thoughts in order to stop sinning”… in other words “a want to” to change our lives.
With out “a want to” their will be no desire or commitment to change. (Matthew 3:8… Acts 26:19-20)
The apostle Paul emphasized that “godly sorrow”, verses (the sorrow of the world), produces genuine repentance… which results in permanent changes that ultimately lead a person to salvation.
(2nd Corinthians 7:10) “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation not to be regretted… but the sorrow of the world produces death”.
Paul says, "Look at what this Godly sorrow produced in you!
Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves.
Such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong.
You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right."
In (Mark 1:14-15) Jesus “Gospel message”, includes a call to repentance… which leads to a change in direction, turning from the natural pursuit of sinful human values, to obedience and seeking the Kingdom of God.
Jesus used current events of His time to emphasize that a person’s life is futile and random until he or she comes to repentance and begins to pursue the Kingdom of God (Luke 13:1-5).
After His death and resurrection Jesus instructed His disciples to teach “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47) - (Matthew 28:18-20).
Jesus was willing to be beaten and die a horrible death to pay the penalty for our sins.
That awesome sacrifice reinforces the seriousness of sin and the thankfulness we need to show to our merciful God for His forgiveness.
Repentance is an on going frame of mind.
We don’t hear many messages preached from the pulpits of churches today because it is an uncomfortable topic challenging the way people are living.
Challenging sin in the lives of those that sit in the pew is often a road to a “pink slip” for many pastors, (dismissal from a job).
Most of those whom are involved in a faith ministry such as ours tend to refrain from preaching "the need for repentance" because it is an unpopular message, one that doesn't elicit "a giving response" in the offering plate.
It is one of the reasons that Jesus rebuked the church at Sardis in (Revelation 3:1-6).
She had forgotten why she came to Christ in the first place and He calls her to remember and repent.
What is repentance? Is it just a single decision that leads to good works?
No, as I mentioned already, repentance must be an ongoing frame of mind, recognizing that overcoming sin is a lifetime effort.
Whenever we fall short of full obedience, we need to be forgiven.
In (Colossians 3:1-10) Paul calls on those who, through repentance, have been baptized, and have received the Holy Spirit to “put to death the sinful ways of the “old man” and to “put on the new man.”
In (Romans 7:13-25) Paul vividly describes our battle to overcome our nature and inclination to sin, and explains that our only hope is through Jesus Christ, by whom we can be forgiven (Romans 7:24-25).
After initial repentance and baptism, there is a “continual need” for an awareness of potential sin…an awareness that bring us back to the heart of God and His continued forgiveness as we humble ourselves again in repentance and the seeking of Gods forgiveness.
(1st John 1:8-10) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us”.
God wants all to come to repentance and to continue in repentance as we face temptation and yes… if we are honest, we will admit we still often fall into sin.
As long as we continue to live in these fleshly carnal bodies we will be faced with the temptation to sin… and we will fail…
But we have an advocate interceding for us… Jesus who is seated at the right hand of the Father continually advocating for our right standing with God.
(1st John 2:1) “If any man sins”… (this is after initial repentance)…
“we have an advocate with the father… Jesus Christ”
And He is there because of our attitude and our humble willingness to continue to repent.
Ultimately, it is God’s plan that everyone will have the opportunity to receive the gift of salvation, beginning with the personal experience of repentance and baptism.
As Peter wrote, God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Because of the “old nature” that lives within all of us, we all struggle and are in a battle to defeat the “old man of sin”.
Repentance is the dagger thrust into the heart of sin… that will ultimately lead us to victory in Jesus.
Overcoming sin “cannot be accomplished” in our own strength!
It is the laying down of our pride and honestly admitting we have a problem… that brings us to the “overcoming power” of the Holy Spirit with in us allowing Him to take up residence and help us in the constant battle over sin.
If you truly want to know Christ in all of His glory, and you truly want to be an overcoming Child of God… then you need to understand the hold that sin has on you and you need to fight “the good fight of faith” by repenting… telling God your sorry… and asking Him to come into your life and give you the strength to overcome sin with the help of the Holy Spirit.
But here is the main obstacle that we all face.
Do we really want to walk in Holiness with God, or does the lure of the world still hold you in it’s grip.
You can’t serve two masters, (Matthew 6:24) you must make up your mind who you are going to serve.
Repentance is the key!
Good Day!
It is one of the reasons that Jesus rebuked the church at Sardis in (Revelation 3:1-6).
She had forgotten why she came to Christ in the first place and He calls her to remember and repent.
What is repentance? Is it just a single decision that leads to good works?
No, as I mentioned already, repentance must be an ongoing frame of mind, recognizing that overcoming sin is a lifetime effort.
Whenever we fall short of full obedience, we need to be forgiven.
In (Colossians 3:1-10) Paul calls on those who, through repentance, have been baptized, and have received the Holy Spirit to “put to death the sinful ways of the “old man” and to “put on the new man.”
In (Romans 7:13-25) Paul vividly describes our battle to overcome our nature and inclination to sin, and explains that our only hope is through Jesus Christ, by whom we can be forgiven (Romans 7:24-25).
After initial repentance and baptism, there is a “continual need” for an awareness of potential sin…an awareness that bring us back to the heart of God and His continued forgiveness as we humble ourselves again in repentance and the seeking of Gods forgiveness.
(1st John 1:8-10) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us”.
God wants all to come to repentance and to continue in repentance as we face temptation and yes… if we are honest, we will admit we still often fall into sin.
As long as we continue to live in these fleshly carnal bodies we will be faced with the temptation to sin… and we will fail…
But we have an advocate interceding for us… Jesus who is seated at the right hand of the Father continually advocating for our right standing with God.
(1st John 2:1) “If any man sins”… (this is after initial repentance)…
“we have an advocate with the father… Jesus Christ”
And He is there because of our attitude and our humble willingness to continue to repent.
Ultimately, it is God’s plan that everyone will have the opportunity to receive the gift of salvation, beginning with the personal experience of repentance and baptism.
As Peter wrote, God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Because of the “old nature” that lives within all of us, we all struggle and are in a battle to defeat the “old man of sin”.
Repentance is the dagger thrust into the heart of sin… that will ultimately lead us to victory in Jesus.
Overcoming sin “cannot be accomplished” in our own strength!
It is the laying down of our pride and honestly admitting we have a problem… that brings us to the “overcoming power” of the Holy Spirit with in us allowing Him to take up residence and help us in the constant battle over sin.
If you truly want to know Christ in all of His glory, and you truly want to be an overcoming Child of God… then you need to understand the hold that sin has on you and you need to fight “the good fight of faith” by repenting… telling God your sorry… and asking Him to come into your life and give you the strength to overcome sin with the help of the Holy Spirit.
But here is the main obstacle that we all face.
Do we really want to walk in Holiness with God, or does the lure of the world still hold you in it’s grip.
You can’t serve two masters, (Matthew 6:24) you must make up your mind who you are going to serve.
Repentance is the key!
Good Day!
(Galatians 2:20) “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”
So how does Jesus Christ live in us?
Does He take charge of us in that we are little robots whom respond to His every dictate?
What is “our role” in having Christ in us?
In answering these questions, we have to ask another question?
That is, what does it mean to be converted?
Most dictionaries define converted or conversion referring to something that has been changed from one form of use to another.
So then a converted person is someone who’s life has been made available for Jesus Christ to live in him or her through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
When we have God in us, we grow and change to develop the same character and motivations that Jesus has.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
So again I ask, “what does Paul mean” by this statement “Christ lives in me”?
Does Christ take charge giving us no will in the matters at hand?
Of course not!
He doesn’t live our lives for us? He doesn’t make our choices for us?
No… what He does is move into our lives, He makes our bodies and our hearts a place where He can live and move thru us.
The Bible makes it clear that we are to be “the temple and abode” of God (2nd Corinthians 6:16)
But how do God and Christ live in us... and the answer to that is “through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 8:9-11)
In discussing this with His disciples Jesus said in (John 14:16) “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth (or the Holy Spirit).
The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know him, for He lives with you and will be in you”.
(Luke 24:49) Jesus said "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Therefore, the degree to which God and Jesus Christ “dwell in us”… depends on the degree to which we allow or follow, the leading of God’s Spirit… and allow His power to conform us… to change us and we actually become like God the Father and Jesus Christ in nature... conformed to... or to become images of Christ in character, spirit, attitudes, and love.
That is why we must walk as He walked.
This is why we must copy, imitate or practice “walking in the Spirit” as Paul talks about in (Galatians 5:16-23)
What all the scriptures on this subject reveal… is that Jesus Christ will be in us only as we “seek” to make His way of life our way of life… to walk as He walked… to live as He lived.
Lets be honest folks and ask our selves the question, how much time do I give to really seek to allow God to live in my life?
How much time do I commit to seeking Him and knowing Him?
Again the scriptures on this subject teach us that Jesus Christ’s life will be in us… only as we seek to make “His way of life our way of life”.
To walk as He walked, to live as He lived… (1st John 2:6) “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also, to walk just as He walked”.
The Bible also calls this “putting off the old man and putting on the new man" (Ephesians 4:22-24)
The more we pursue or allow the Holy Spirit to lead us... the more we become like Christ, the more
His life will be in us and thus, the more He lives in us.
But that “process” is completely in our hands... under our will and control!
God wants us to “choose” to live as Jesus lived by our free choice.
This involves humility and earnest seeking to become like Jesus Christ so His life becomes our life, His nature becomes our nature.
God’s desire is for us to be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29)
But God will not force us to live this way.
It is a matter of our free choice that we hold in our hands.
What must come from us is… “the want to.”
We have to “want to”, we must “seek” to have Jesus Christ’s life in us, and for Him thru the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the help we need to achieve that end.
The desire to change is the only thing we bring to the table.
As we read in (Philippians 2:13), “For it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for His good pleasure”
This means we must cry out to God, be focused on God, be dependent upon God for the help we need to change.
John said, “In Him was life and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4)
Jesus is the light… but to often humanity rejects the light and chooses darkness in stead.
We must choose the light… we must choose Christ… we must allow the light to live in us! (John 3:16-21)
Jesus Christ’s life illuminates the path… or the way God wants us to live.
(John 14:6) “I am the way, the truth, and the life”
He calls us to the path, but we must want to get on it.
If we do, He will give us all the help we need to grow.
But that “process” is completely in our hands... under our will and control!
God wants us to “choose” to live as Jesus lived by our free choice.
This involves humility and earnest seeking to become like Jesus Christ so His life becomes our life, His nature becomes our nature.
God’s desire is for us to be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29)
But God will not force us to live this way.
It is a matter of our free choice that we hold in our hands.
What must come from us is… “the want to.”
We have to “want to”, we must “seek” to have Jesus Christ’s life in us, and for Him thru the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the help we need to achieve that end.
The desire to change is the only thing we bring to the table.
As we read in (Philippians 2:13), “For it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for His good pleasure”
This means we must cry out to God, be focused on God, be dependent upon God for the help we need to change.
John said, “In Him was life and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4)
Jesus is the light… but to often humanity rejects the light and chooses darkness in stead.
We must choose the light… we must choose Christ… we must allow the light to live in us! (John 3:16-21)
Jesus Christ’s life illuminates the path… or the way God wants us to live.
(John 14:6) “I am the way, the truth, and the life”
He calls us to the path, but we must want to get on it.
If we do, He will give us all the help we need to grow.
But again, only if we seek it.
He will not force the help on us.
Nor will He “arbitrarily” make the changes needed for us.
Unfortunately many seem to believe Jesus just takes over or that He will do “everything” for us, that He will be our private genie in a bottle.
Unfortunately people, don’t put an “earnest effort” into “seeking to change” to become like Jesus Christ.
This the heart and core of Christianity.
Jesus said in order to experience the Kingdom of God we must be born again!
It’s called transformation!
Changed lives!
The heart and core of Christianity is the fact that we have been changed.
“If any man is in Christ He is a new creature, old things pass away and behold all things become new”. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)
When we diligently seek to change… to become like Jesus Christ… to have His life formed in us…
Our “attitudes must change”, our “want to” must change, our “desires” take on a new focus.
(2nd Corinthians 13:5) “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith… test yourselves…”
And what will the test reveal?
It reveals that we are no longer concerned as much about the horizontal as we are about the vertical!
Jesus Christ does not seek to “possess” us as the Bible describes demons possessing people.
The Christian life involves using “free will” and developing “Christian character” through an act of our own free will.
“Christ living in us”… yes, but He does so only to the degree that we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us…
As the Bride of Christ, we become one with Him, and we can walk together.
God is looking for not only “a clinging bride” but also a walking partner.
From the very beginning, God had a relationship with Adam and Eve that found them "walking in the garden in the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8).
God created man for the enjoyment of a “walking relationship” that involves companionship, dialogue, intimacy, joint decision-making, mutual delight, and shared dominion.
God longs to walk with you… which is why His arms of grace have been pulling you into a closer walk with Him, but its your choice!
Good day!
(Psalm 37:23) “The steps of a man are established by the Lord”
Yesterday I talked about the metaphor “opening and closing doors” often used by believers of God concerning our success and failures in life.
As if God is some “cosmic doorman”… making our decisions for us.
Today’s scripture text that I have chosen assures believers that God will guide and direct the affairs of those who love Him.
The foundational message of this Psalm is love and trust in God.
Those who delight in the Lord will seek to know Him through the study of His Word or the Bible… (Psalm 119:97)
We are taught that the Lord also provides us with a “Helper,” the Holy Spirit (John 14:16)
Whatever situation believers face, they can decide rightly or make good choices… based on what they know of the Lord through His Word as well as the leading or direction of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Choices… that is one of the compelling messages of the scriptures from the Old Testament thru the New.
We love and trust the Lord to work all things to our ultimate good (Romans 8:28)
(Psalm 37:23) promises that “if we walk according to God’s ways… He will take care of us no matter what happens”.
(Psalm 37:23–24) says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord when he delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”
Its true… the Lord provides direction in the lives of those who love Him.
Those who delight in the Lord will study His Word and seek to live in a way that pleases God.
This does not guarantee "always-pleasant circumstances ", or even that we will not experience failures or setbacks and fail and fall into sin.
But we do learn and know that God’s ways are for our best.
When we are living unto Him or for Him, we can trust Him and His sovereign care, but we are also required to make choose how we walk or how we live.
We are required to make choices and to adopt responsibility as mature children
(Psalm 119:105) says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
God’s Word, the Bible, shows us who God is and provides guidance on how we should live... and that outcome is based on the choices we make.
In (Joshua 24:15) the people were told “Choose ye this day”… that same instruction is given to us as well today/
How we should live… is not dependant or blamed upon God opening and closing doors… but by the choices we make.
Regular reading and study of the Bible leads to wise decisions based on its precepts.
The Psalmist compares the guidance of God’s word to “a lamp” that lights our path in life… following its precepts, shows us the proper way and helps us avoid missteps.
(Proverbs 3:5-6) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Note… “opening and closing doors” for us is not the offer… but giving us the ability to walk an unhindered path and to make choices along that way is what is intended.
The foundation of (Psalm 37:23) is to trust in the Lord.
This is also the message of (Proverbs 3:5-6).
God wants us each to grow in maturity and make the right choices that result in us fulfilling our destiny in Him.
God is our “Omniscient Creator”, He knows us better than we know our selves.
(Romans 8:28) expresses God’s sovereignty and providence in our affairs… “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
“Those who love God” are those who “delight in his way” (Romans 8:28… Psalm 37:23)
In both scriptures, God’s providence is at work in the lives of those who love Him.
The Bible teaches us God’s ways and therefor gives us options or choices to help us to decide rightly… in other words, “make good choices”.
(2nd Timothy 3:16–17) states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
That “training in righteousness” helps us navigate life or “make good choices” that pleases our Lord and benefits us.
We may have concerns… but we don’t worry as unbelievers do.
We know that our perfect Heavenly Father is our guide and He guides us thru His Word and by the Holy Spirit as well.
In (John 14:15-17) Jesus promises, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
The Spirit teaches us and helps us remember what our Lord has taught us in His Holy Word (John 14:26… John 16:13)
God is sovereign and directs the affairs of His children in accordance with His perfect will (Romans 8:28… Romans 12:2)
He does not open and close doors as such… but He gives us choices to make!
We are not robots with limited cosmic programing… responding to a cosmic doorman making decisions for us!
(Psalm 37:23) specifically refers to those who “delight in God” and desire to follow His Word… that’s you and I His children… believers in Christ.
God has given us all we need to abide in Him as He abides in us (John 15:1–17).
We can "swing for the fences" as we seek Him for wisdom in all of our circumstances (James 1:5).
When we are rooted/grounded in God’s Word… when we have the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, when we avail ourselves of the wisdom of brothers and sisters in Christ… we will know what to do… how to live… what are good choices… and we can trust God with the outcome.
It’s all part of growing up in Christ… growing unto maturity!
Good Day!
(James 1:2-5) “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds”
I hear a lot of people in faith communities talking about open and closed doors, like God is a concierge at an apartment building.
The phrase “He opened the door” or “He closed the door” gets tossed around a lot.
Yet I’ve come to realize that although God does order our steps, (Psalm 37:23)… we have agency or responsibility over the moves we make and or choices we decide on.
We turn to God for answers, direction and purpose in our lives and He gives us Jesus all over again.
Our faith isn’t a puzzle to be solved… it’s a path to be followed.
But how?
Sure, I get the concept about open and closed doors… but we are not robots that only move as if he was directing some tactical directive.
I’m just not sure I accept the premise that God is playing “red light, green light” games, telling us to advance or go back, in every situation.
While I do think God cares intimately about our hearts ambitions… goals and dreams when we’ve offered them up to Him… I don’t think He’s necessarily some cosmic bellman standing at the door, opening and closing it.
While I hesitate in embracing the thought of God opening and closing doors like some cosmic bellman… I do believe that He presents opportunities for us to “choose” and as we make choices… He does give us direction and advice/divine wisdom to make the choices that will ultimately unfold for good or evil as we make the good choices.
It’s all a part of growing up or growing unto maturity.
If you’re a musician or a singer and you play or sing badly, I wouldn’t be too quick to say “God shut the door on my career.”
It’s a hard truth, but maybe it’s time to get some singing lessons and get better at singing.
What I’m saying is that it’s easy to conjure up “divine intervention” for poor performance, but you can’t be blaming God for your own mistakes or failures.
Too often I think we like to blame God for the poor choices we make by saying “God closed the door”.
Let’s not fall for misdirection of responsibility or lack of obedience!
And instead, lets get busy getting better.
Does God engage in our lives in unseen ways… most certainly!
Who knows how many guardian angels have put them selves between you and a bad outcome?
But hitting a couple of road bumps doesn’t always mean God is trying to send a secret encrypted message to you.
Maybe what we tried just didn’t work out the way we hoped, so failure leads us in another direction… and as we takes steps in another direction… God does lead us in the way or order our steps as it were.
However what I have come to learn and really believe is that in God’s timing and in His economy, nothing is ever wasted… not our pain, nor our disappointments, nor our setbacks… even our mistakes and our failures.
These are simply tools that can be used later as a recipe for our best work.
Today’s scripture verse says it best… “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:2-5)
Thankfully, God isn’t tapping His pencil on a scorecard, scrutinizing our every move until we get it right.
But He is with us while we navigate life’s difficulties.
We all mess up … and I might admit, far too often.
But that doesn’t mean we quit, nor does it mean that God closed a door.
But we must use the information and the mistakes we have experienced as lessons to keep moving forward!
I read that it took Thomas Edison 1000 try’s before he perfected the common light bulb.
Can you even imagine that?
You or I would have probably given up after the 4th or 5th try and say it can’t be done!
So let’s keep moving ahead with our eyes on Jesus rather than caring about how we look to everyone else.
If we keep it about Jesus, He promised that we’d come to know more about Him while we’re figuring out and learning a few more things about ourselves.
Some things we try will work, others won’t… it’s that simple!
So I’m making it my goal to learn what I can from the successes or set backs I experience and move on.
Our failures don’t name us… God does.
So lets all make the following prayer our prayer today… and realize that God does have a plan for you and it may well be a specific plan, as Jeremiah talks about, in (Jeremiah 29:11)
“Dear God, help me remember that failure is just part of the process, and it’s not just OK… it’s better than OK.
Thank You for never keeping a record of my strikes and always helping me dust myself off so I can swing for the fences again.
And thank you for loving me always, no matter what…
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
(Galatians 6:9), “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Good Day!