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Why Is Sin Wrong and Harmful?
1. We willingly sin against our knowledge of God. (See whole chapter of Romans 1)
a) We know that God exists, yet wanting to live our lives the way we want we push Him from our thoughts.
Romans 1:18-19 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven (we can see the effects of sin, ex. Death) against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.”
God’s existence has been “clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuses (Romans 1:20).”
b) We cannot plead ignorant of God’s law, because it is written on our hearts. Despite this knowledge, we sin as if we had never been given a law.
Romans 2:15 “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them”
1John 3:4 “Sin is lawlessness.”
c) We sin even though we know that it invokes our condemnation.
Romans 1:32 “Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”
2. Sinning against our knowledge of God is an insult to God.
a) All sin is ultimately against God.
Psalm 51:4 “Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.”
b) All sin is out of hostility towards God, making you an enemy of God.
Colossians 1:21 “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds…”
Ephesians 2:3 “…Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind.”
c) Walking in sin is an active forsaking of God.
Jeremiah 2:19 “Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts.”
Jeremiah 17:13 “O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.”
d) Sin shows our lack of appreciation for God, and all that He has granted us.
Deuteronomy 32:18 “You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth.”
Romans 1:21 “For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him.”
e) Sin is often a preference and love of other things over and above God. Sin is finding satisfaction in places other than God. It is a pursuing of other things, while forgetting about God.
Hosea 2:8,13 “And she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry, and went after her lovers and forgot me, declares the Lord.”
Psalm 52:3 “You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right.”
Jeremiah 2:13 “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”
Jeremiah 2:31 “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.”
f) Sin shows that we find fault with God, and do not trust that His laws and ways are good for us.
Jeremiah 2:4 “What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless.”
Psalm 52:7 “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!”
Psalm 78:21-22 “Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath…because they did not believe in God and did not trust in his saving power.”
3. Sin is hurtful to other people and can make us hurtful creatures.
Matthew 10:17 “But beware of men.”
Here is Jonathon Edward’s comment on this scripture, in which Jesus is addressing his disciples before he sends them out. “What is that that Christ bids them beware of? Why, ‘tis men. They be not wild beasts; they are men. Christ don’t confine himself to a particular sort of men. He don’t say, Beware of the Jews, or beware of men that han’t the light of the Scriptures, or beware of the Gentiles, or beware of thieves and robbers, beware of barbarians, Scithians, and the more barbarous sorts of nations- “But beware of men.”
a) Sinning against other people, is sinning against God who made man in His likeness.
James 3:8-9 “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.”
b) Sin destroys relationships between people.
Galatians 5:14-15 “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
c) Living in and practicing sin, even in the heart, will lead to more hateful sin. You risk becoming a very injurious person.
2Timothy 3:2-5 “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
4. Sin is hurtful for you, even in this life.
a) If you live in unrepentant sin you will have no lasting relief from your guilty conscience.
Psalm 32:3-4 “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.”
b) Sin will bring you shame.
Romans 6:21 “But what fruit (benefit) were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed. The end of those things is death.”
c) The pleasure of sin is fleeting, and will always leave you feeling empty.
Hebrews 11:25 Moses was “choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God that to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”
Job 20:5 “The exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment.”
d) If you persist in sin you will have no peace, particularly not peace with God.
Isaiah 57:21 “There is no peace,” says my God, for the wicked.”
e) You will reap what you sow, to some extent in this life, but even more so in eternity.
Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
5. All who commit sin are guilty before God, and “the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).”
a) If you die in your sin, you must face the God you have offended.
Hebrews 10:30-31 “For we know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine: I will repay.” And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
b) He will judge you and deal retribution according to your deeds, and your response to the gospel.
Romans 14:10-11 “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
Romans 2:5-8 “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgement will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience and well-doing seeks for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self seeking and do not obey the truth buy obey unrighteousness there will be wrath and fury.”
2 Thessalonians 1:8 says that the Lord Jesus will come “in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
c) Sinning will lead to your eternal damnation in a place of everlasting punishment called Hell.
Revelations 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”
Mark 9:47-48 “And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with to eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”
My desire is that no one who has taken the time to read this will remain condemned.
John 3:18 “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
If you have read this, and know in your heart that you do not know Christ in a saving relationship, please take time to read the following gospel presentation I have written.
Maybe during reading this article, the Holy Spirit has impressed upon you that you are not in a right standing with the Lord. You have felt deeply of your need to be forgiven in a saving sense, so that you may be spared the judgement to come and that you may know and love the Lord Jesus. I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to share the gospel clearly with you. I pray the Lord will guide you to Himself, at the foot of the cross.
Let’s back up and start at your understanding of “goodness.”
Do you consider yourself to be a good person? Not just by your own standards, but by God’s standards. His standards can be found in the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are also written on our heart and conscience, so that we may know the difference between right and wrong. God has given us these laws because he created us, loves us, and knows what is best for us. He also commands us to obey His commands so that our lives would not dishonour Him. Let’s go through some of them as a test to see if you would be good in God’s eyes. You can answer to yourself.
How many lies do you think you’ve told?
Have you ever stolen anything?
Have you ever used God’s name in blasphemy like “omg” or used Jesus name to curse with? Exodus 20:7 says “The Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.”
I am sure you have never murdered anyone. But the Bible says “Everyone who hates his brother (which just means another person) is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in them (1John 3:15).” Have you ever hated anyone? Have you ever called someone an “idiot?” Jesus says to call someone a fool is to be in danger of the fires of Hell (Matthew 5:22).
The Ten Commandments say that you must not commit adultery, and when Jesus came He said “everyone who looks at a woman (or man) with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:20).” Have you ever looked with lust?
We just went through only five of the Ten Commandments. I know that I, in essence, have violated every one of them. What about you? If you stand before God on judgement day will he consider you innocent or guilty?
Many people have several reasons why they think God will still say they are innocent. The most common two ideas I hear, I will address.
Idea 1: “Ok sure I’ve done a lot of bad things, but I think my good will outweigh my bad. Therefore God will let me enter Heaven.”
Imagine that someone has murdered someone close to you. That murderer feels sorry for the bad
thing they did, so they make many efforts to make up for it. When they get to the court they say “Yes Judge, I did murder that innocent person. But I also washed your car, donated blood, gave money to orphans, and helped an old lady cross the road. Therefore I think you should let me go.”
The judge will say that is irrelevant to what the criminal is convicted of! It also insults the judge’s sense of justice. God is a just judge and He will punish sin wherever it is found. He is not a crooked judge who can be bribed by the good deeds with think we have to offer Him.
Therefore God cannot let you into heaven because you think that your good deeds outweigh your bad. The truth is, because God is Holy, He cannot dwell with sinners in Heaven. And for Him to just declare a sinner righteous because of a few good things they think they’ve done, would make God an unjust judge and an abomination to Himself.
Idea 2: “Well I know God will let me into heaven because He is very loving and very forgiving.”
You are correct that God is very loving and very forgiving, but He is also just and full of wrath towards sinners. Just because a judge is kind, doesn’t mean he should by any means let convicted criminals go. That doesn’t work on earth, and even more so, it will not work in Heaven.
The Bible says that “the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)”, and “the soul who sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:4).” It also warns that “the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death (Revelations 21:8).” So what we earn and deserve for our sin and hostility towards God is eternal death in Hell.
In the same token however God’s heart says “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekiel 18:23)”
So then, how has God made eternal life possible?
God knew that it was impossible for us to accomplish the righteousness He requires to enter into eternal life. So “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4-5).”
Jesus lived a perfect life. He was “tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).” Jesus Christ came with a mission. As the apostle Paul said “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost (1Timothy 1:15).” When he was nailed to the cross, he took the terrible punishment that we deserved! Look at these most sorrowful yet wonderful words.
Isaiah 53:5-6,10 “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Yes he was crucified by the hands of sinful men, but who ultimately ordained His death? Look at verse 10 and stand in awe: “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin.”
Jesus was willing to save us, not only baring the wrath of man, but much more necessarily He bore the wrath of God for our sin.
2Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
“What must I do to be saved?” – Acts 16:30
If you are already experiencing sorrow over your sin, and a recognition that all sin is against the Lord, then you are on the right track. If not, cry out to the Lord and pray for Him to break your heart over your sin! Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Upon this conviction, confess your sins to God Almighty. Take your trust off of your own good works, and rid yourself of the notion that you are a good person. Be like the tax collector who “would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying “God be merciful to me, a sinner (Luke 18:13)!”
Place your trust instead in the sacrifice that Jesus made to remove your guilt and your transgressions. Ask Him to wash away your sin, and make you new. Psalm 51:7 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
In John 6:37 Jesus said “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
Find a Bible teaching church and get in fellowship with other believers. Don’t let repentance be a “one time thing” but “bear fruit in keeping with repentance (John 3:8).” Jesus Christ is to be “our life (Colossians 3:4).” Read His word. Seek Him. Know Him. He is worthy of your all.
May God be gracious to you, and bless you, and make his face to shine upon you (Psalm 67:1).
There are 13 comments on this post
VERY GOOD CHAR!
In John 8:1-12 when the Pharisees brought in the woman; "this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act." It was there intention to catch Him with something they could use against Him. Jesus being the loving, wise and compasionate man He was asked her accusers which one of them was without sin?
Then He showed them what His whole purpose was about. After they all left and none were left to condemn her, He told her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more"
Then He must have walked where the others had gone to. It nexts says in verse 12:
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
So, we should repent and "sin no more" so we can walk in the light with Him. I am not worried about heaven or hell, but pleasing Him. All that He has done for me it is the least I can do. Here God, take my life, talk all of me. I didn't want it, but it was never mine to take or use. It is and always will be His. Even if I wanted Him to or not. That is what most people don't understand. God can do ANYTHING he wants with our lives. He's brought Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian empire to invade Jerusalem. God even told the Israelites years before it all happened. He even told them that Cyrus of the Persian empire would be there savior and after 70 years they'd be allowed back to Jerusalem.
Still, despite all of that I know He could do TO me. It is all for what He's done FOR me that I love Him and want to serve Him. John 14:15 "If you love me, keep My commandments"
Heaven or Hell? All I can say is that I am a goat who Jesus, only God knows who the sheep are.....
Hi! I'm on my way out the door but I want you to know I got your comment. I'm going to respond asap but I was hoping you could help me understand where your coming from a bit better. Do you profess to be born again? If you do, do you believe that you can have assurance of salvation? I also agree that God is in sovereign control of history, and individual peoples lives. He has written the book before the world began. I am wondering also what church background you come from if you do attened church? Do you understand that even though God is in sovereign control over our lives we are still held accountable for our every action, and even for our belief or lack there of in Him? I just want to know a bit better where your at. Thanks alot for responding, I have just been so busy I haven't had alot of time to do much on here the past week. Thaks again.
Charlene
Hi Tim! I'm sorry, I was just reviewing my comments and I realized that you are the same person who commented awhile back, saying that you were a fellow believer. Sorry that I didn't realize you were the same person, my mistake. I think I was confused by your last comment, because you said "I am a goat." I wasn't sure if your thinking was like some people I have known, who think of themselves as a goat, and make the mistake of using the sovereignty of God as an excuse to not obey Christs command to repent. I don't think that is what you are saying though. Am I right to assume that you mean that you were once a "goat" or in other words, outside of the faith, but that now you could join in saying "He is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand (Psalm 95:7)?"
I also agree with you that our aim should be to please God, regardless of whether or not we go to Heaven or Hell. But yet again, without faith it is impossible to please him (Hebrews 11:6), so it is of utmost importance that we know whether or not we have faith. It is even wise to be afraid of Hell (mainly, prior to conversion), since it is the God whom we should fear who puts people there. We should fear it, yet it should not be our primary reason for turning to Christ. We should come to Christ primaraly FOR Christ, the person and our God. But Jesus Himself said "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28)."
The truth of impending condemnation is an absolutely necessary component of the gospel. The reason I say that is because sinners must understand that they are condemned before they can fully understand and appreciate that Christ took the condemnation that belonged to them.
Anyways, there's more I could say but I'm not sure if you are in agreement with what I said or you might not! I wasn't sure so I'm sorry if I'm being confusing. Let me know your thoughts if you get a chance. And I'm still wondering if you believe it possible to have assurance of faith, because I was confused by your comment that only God knows who the sheep are. Thanks for your comment and again sorry for all of my confusion!!!
Charlene, first of all I attend Church of Nazarene regularly. It is a church that believes in Holyness. That is with the Spirit living within us it is possible to live a holy, righteous life without sin. I love the people there. It is a nice loving fellowship and I feel the spirit strongly there. Yes, I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and love Him very much for all He's done for me in my life, even after all my sins.
I do not believe my salvation is guaranteed. Though I've accepted Christ I believe it is a two way convenent. Though I've sancitfied my life to God I must remain diligent in his ways and maintain a righteous life according to His will. It is possible for people to backslide or grieve the Spirit and lose their salvation. I believe that every moment of our life should be to honor God, to live it in a righteous manner.
We are asked to be humble and portray humility. I believe it is awful arrogant of me to presume my own salvation. Wouldn't I be judging myself? Yes, there are many assurances and promises about salvation within the bible, but there are also warnings!
Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Mat 7:22-23 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
So we see that there will be many who claim to be Christians and believe themselves worthy of salvation, yet not find it. I do not want to be one of them. Not for fear of going into the lake of hellfire, but for fear of letting Him down.
Today it seems God blessed us with 15 inches of snow and still accumilating. Thank you Lord!! I shall enjoy this snow and the warmth of the indoors and spend it in honor of Him and complete some things on this site I've been wanting to do for Him.
Timothy
Hi Tim! Thanks for responding and answering my questions. I thought by reading some things on your blog, and your last comment that your stance was as you said. This used to be my way of thinking too. I thought I had "accepted Christ" as a teenager, and saw the following years after that as "backsliding." Several teachings have helped me to have a better understanding of what had happened in my life durring that time period. I now know that I hadn't become a Christian and then "backslidden" or "lost my salvation," but rather I had experienced what you could call a "false conversion." I would really recommend you watch this video, which had an enormous impact on my life at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4253981354315335400#
I really hope that it could be a blessing to you.
Have you ever listened to Paul Washer? http://www.heartcrymissionary.com/resources/sermons/paul_washer
If you scroll down you can listen to an entire series he has done called "Biblical Assurance Series." You will see a text that I pray would cause you to search this subject out more, so that you could know whether or not you have faith. 1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." The entire book of first John is written for the purpose that you might examine the fruit of your life to see whether or not you are saved.
If you don't have time for that whole series, scroll to "examine yourself" which is just one sermon based on 2Corinthians 13:5 "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?"
The Bible does not teach us that it is arrogant to claim to be born again. It is arrogant for a person to assume that they have faith in God because of their own wise choosing, or because they have cleaned themselves up enough to be fit for salvation in God's sight. Our righteousness rests in Christ alone, and in Him we can have complete assurance that our salvation has been purchased with his blood.
The scriptures that you have written, are deffinately fearful verses, and they should be. I don't want to be one of those people either. That's part of the reason why we should examine our lives to make sure we are in the faith. But Matthew 7 is not teaching that God is going to reject some people who actually were at some point Christians. There is a wide path that leads to Hell and a narrow path. The door to the narrow path IS Jesus. John 10:9 "I am the door. If anyone enters by me he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." I'll come back to John 10 in a moment.
So anyone who has ever entered on to the narrow path, had to come through Jesus because there is no other way on to it. That path is going to Heavan. The wide path is where all people who have nothing to do with Jesus walk. But what Jesus is getting at with the following words of warning is that not everyone who calls themselves a Christian, or who even appears to do the work of Christ IS a Christian. The fruit of their life will show that they have never been born again. When they come before Jesus they cling to their good works "did we not prophesy...did we not cast out demond and do mighty works?" And they cling to this instead of to their only hope for salvation, the death of and the person of Jesus Christ. It's not that they've lost salvation. Tragically it is that they never had it at all.
There is SO much to say, which I suppose is why I keep giving you other resources because it is overwhelming. Here is a link to sermons from the church I attend.
http://www.valleyheights.ca/site/audiodownloads.asp?sec_id=985
My Pastor preached through Matthew 7:21-23 (regarding those to whom the Lord says "I never knew you"). Scroll down to "Don't Deceive Yourself; Not Everyone Will Enter." And the following sermon is "Don't Deceive Yourself, Examine Yourself."
If you would like a list of scriptures that discuss this topic (false conversion) than please let me know.
I hope you don't mind if I ask some more questions about things you have said. I hope you can tell that I am not trying to be confrontational, I sincerely want these truths to be life changing and precious to you.
"there will be many who claim to be Christians and believe themselves worthy of salvation." I know you weren't saying whether or not that was legitimate or not. Do you believe that there is anything a person can do to make themselves more worthy of salvation?
Also, I've seen a few places where you say that you have "sancitfied my life to God." How does a person sanctify their life to God? How does a person become righteous?
"Though I’ve sancitfied my life to God I must remain diligent in his ways and maintain a righteous life according to His will." So if you fail to maintain a righteous life, than when you die will you go to Hell? How much righteousness do you need? Jesus said "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). Is that why your church believes its possible to live a life without sin? So if you fall short, even a little then, you must be destined for Hell. Even if you managed to reach "a holy life without sin" (which you can't), what about all your past sins? They still need to be accounted for on judgement day. I am really wondering how far this teaching goes, and what scriptures you use to back this up.
What do you think that Jesus death accomplished? Did He actually purchase salvation or only make it possible?
Most importantly of all Tim, I am just really wondering how you believe a person can be saved. If you ignore all these other questions, that is the one thing I'm really wondering. I'm going to write to you again about John 10 and John 6 too because I know this is long, and I feel like I haven't even done the subject anything close to its due. Let me know if something is unclear, if you have questions, anything. May the Lord reveal Himself to you in greater glory.
Charlene
It sounds a bit like Tim believes in faith + works Charlene. That's a very Catholic belief.
Great blog!
Charlene,
I don't worry about my salvation. God has done so much for me after all the things I've done in sin. Not only that He took notice of a mere man such as myself, but one that has also done the things I have done in my life. He still loved me enough to help and touch me. As I do not deem myself even worthy of His notice or attention, I love Him for the simple fact that He loved me enough. The bible says it is for God to know who gets written in the Book of Life and who goes to the lake of hellfire. I would not want to be presumptious enough to tell God that I am one to be written into the Book of Life. I just pray daily to Him that He helps purify my heart so that I can better server Him and do His will, not to keep me pure so I can be in heaven. The Pharisee thought they had it all figured out also and were assured their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.......
As for Dave, faith+works is God's word in James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Then in James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
So James shows us that faith and works alone does not profit us.
We should shy away from using labels on people. Dave, I would say since faith+works is written in the bible as such it would be a godly belief. We have been warned to use labels. Paul speaks in 1Corinthians 3:4-8 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
I have read men's interpretations of the bible. Though I rely upon the Spirit promised to me by Jesus to show me the truth. As Paul warns us again in 1Corinthians 2:5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
I do not share the gospel and proclaim my assured inheritance in the kingom of God. I share the gospel and proclaim the joy, comfort and peace I have found within myself given to me as an undeserved gift from God. Should he deem me worthy enough to allow me a place in His kingdom I would gladly praise and serve Him for eternity.
Though my father passed away in 1998 and unless he found Jesus within the last few days of his life I don't suspect he accepted Jesus and his gospel. I have prayed to God and asked should He find me worthy of heaven if He would let my father go there instead and let me take his place in the lake of hellfire. LOL, even if I were assured a place in His kingdom I have gladly offered it up out of love for another. I chose to take the humble approach.
We are also taught that even as children of God we can also be taught by discipline. Though one accepts Jesus as their savior they can also backslide as mentioned all throughout the bible. Mostly in the books of the prophets, but mentioned in the New Testament as well. For many believe in the once saved always saved theory. In that they can accept Jesus as their savior but continue with their sins as long as they ask forgiveness. But we are expected to have trials and persecutions within our lives. One, as God allows us to be disciplined as told in Hebrews 12:5-14 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that [we] may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
Two, in 2Timothy 3:12-13 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Again, lots could be said here. Although the words you said in your first paragraph might even be said sincerely and humbly, they are not biblical. It is a biblical mandate to be concerned about your salvation. You seem to be ignoring the scriptures from 1John 5:13, and 2Corinthians 13:5, and speaking contrary to them. So does 2Peter 1:10 "Be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure."
Isaiah 55:6-7 gives a command: "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near, let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." As I said, you sound like you are trying to look at this thing humbly, and not seeing yourself as worthy. But that way of thinking is NOT contrary to coming to Christ in repentance. Upon recognition of your unworthiness you are commanded by Christ to repent. Luke 13:3 "No, I tell you; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
Christ is not reluctant to give perishing sinners forgiveness! You must come to Him for this! Not because you are worthy, but BECAUSE you are utterly unworthy and in Him alone is all forgiveness for your filthy stains. He forgives all who come to Him in repentance and faith. John 6:37 "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." Matthew 9:13 "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous but sinners."
If you have not repented and put your trust in Jesus Christ, and if indeed you are not saved, then it is impossible to do the thing you speak of as most important: to love God. The unredeemed person cannot love God. Isaiah 64:6 "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment." Your so called righteous deeds are nothing but filth if you offer them to God as if they could make you more worthy of loving or saving. God gave His son Jesus Christ, and to offer up any other thing as an addition or "help" to salvation, it is a filthy rag. That is the truth of the Bible. There is nothing in you or that you could in do in yourself that is love to God or pleasing to God.
Romans 14:23 "For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."
Romans 8:8 "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
Therefore it should mightily concern you that you may not have saving faith, because all of these efforts of yours may prove worthless and condemnable on the day of judgement. I am not trying to be hard with you, for the sake of being hard. This is a matter of life or death, and it is essential that you understand this.
I understand why you say what you say with regards to James 2. But lets look at this. It is not possible for the word of God to contradict itself, or oppose itself. There are apparent contradictions, and these we need to work through biblically.
James 2:14,17 "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?... So also faith by itself, if it does not have works is dead."
So we can conclude that if faith is not met with works, it is dead. In other words, it is not faith at all and since there is no faith there is no salvation either.
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
So: were are saved by grace through faith. It had absolutely nothing to do with us, nor was it brought about by our works. It is a gift, so that we can never boast in salvation. I urge you to read that over and over again.
Again Romans 4:4-5 "Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trust him who justifies the ungodly his faith is counted as righteousness."
So if you work and so in a way "earn" or make youreself more "worthy" of salvation...than salvation is not a gift, it is simply what you earned. This is contrary to scripture. Rather, if you do NOT work, but simply TRUST in Christ for your righteousness (by this I do not mean for your righteous deeds. I mean that you trust that His own righteous merit can be yours because of what HE accomplished already on the cross, having nothing to do with you)- than your faith in Christ shall grant you your righteousness.
So how can we reconcile James 2 with Ephesians 2 and Romans 4? Certainly the do not contradict. What James is saying here is similar to what I have been trying to explainn to you about true and false conversion: If a profession of faith is not FOLLOWED by good works, that profession of faith is false and useless. It cannot save, because it is NOT faith, nor was it ever. True faith will ALWAYS be proceeded by works.
Matthew 7:18-21 "A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heavan, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heavan."
James 2 cannot be teaching that works actually helps to accomplish salvation. They simply act to show proof that salvation has occured. James 2:18 "I will show you my faith by my works."
This should explain to you why I can believe "once saved always saved" without living a life of sin. If I continue in a life of sin I prove that I have never been saved, and have reason to fear. People who use this excuse have a very poor understanding of the doctrine.
Tim, I can't adress everything that is said he for lack of time and because I do not want to be overwhelming. I am very concerned for you and I am praying for you. "Should he deem me worthy enough to allow me a place in His kingdom I would gladly praise and serve Him for eternity." You may be assured that this will never ever happen, no matter how relentlessly and sincerely you strive, because there is nothing in you or me that is worthy of an inch of heaven.
You absolutely must bring all of your sin and unworthiness and your nothingness to the cross of Christ. All that you have to offer Him is your sin, and so with your sin run to Him. Let not verse 3 be true of you but rather verse 4- Romans 10:3-4 "For being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."
Tim, He bore our sin in His body, and took for us the judgement and condemnation from God that was rightfully ours.
John 5:39-40 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."
Don't refuse any longer. Simply go to Him, confess and forsake your sin, and even your sinful attempts to be worthy before Him. If done not in faith it is sin. Ask Him to grant you saving faith. Put your trust, not in what you can do, but what He has done in dying for sinners and taking upon Himself the wrath of God. He will do a deffinate work in a truly repentant and faith filled heart. He will not take His spirit from you, nor let you fall away from Him. Ezekiel 36:26-27 "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues and be careful to obey my rules."
He gives eternal life, not temporary life. John 10:28-29 "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
It will not depend on your strength or your faithfulness. Rather, God will gaurd your life and your salvation. 1 Peter 1:4-5 (we will awake to) "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation."
Do not ignore what the scriptures plainly say. Seek these things out dilligently, and come to Christ today. May He truly redeem your heart.
LOL, my heart is redeemed. But I do not live in righteousness for righteousness' sake, so that I can say "Look at me, I am a Christian." I do not live in it at all by my own will, but by His will and His strength and the gift of the Spirit He's given me. I do it because I love Him for what He's done for me. Not out of anything more that I would gain. He's done more that I would have ever expected.
There are many biblical examples of righteous men disobeying God. We have examples with Saul, God's chosen who continued to disobey God. So God withdrew His favor from Saul and chose David. Then even David became unrighteous and broke God's commandments and God punished Him. The fruit of his sins would not live. Then David turned back to God feeling shame and remorse.
But, I am not here to argue scripture. People of faith have no need of that. There are many people who praise men of God rather than God himself. People who tell of this person's books or that persons books. I just talk of one book, God's book. That is the only one He tells us to turn to for answers. We just need to rely on Him to give us the wisdom and knowledge He'd want us to gain from His living words.
I do not claim to be righteous or a christian. I just claim to love God and what He done for me through His son Jesus. I live to please Him, obey Him, to try to know him, to server Him. To server others is to serve Him. I do not strive to know everything but that which He desires me to know. It is not my understanding which I see or believe things, but what He deems me worthy to know.
Many try to portray a righteous life and show good works, but they lack the faith. They do so for their own purpose, not His. And many people claim faith, but don't live a righteous life. They lack the works. For some the faith and works come instantly or easy. For others the faith comes first and God teaches us by many means how our faith should reflect in our works. One of those means is discipline through trials and He does it for His good.
His yoke is easy and His burden light....if you love Him it is nothing to accept what He wishes for your life, for this life is nothing but a vapor. He desires us to live our lives for Him and to do that we must depend on Him to show us what He would have us do.
I am sorry I may not be as eloquent in my expressions of my thoughts and love for Him. Many times my passion for Him overcomes my thoughts of grammar or word usages, lol. But all that I am I thank Him for being that way. All the bad things in my life I thank Him for putting me through them to bring me to the point that I am at in His service. It has made made me the man He wanted me to be today. I don't question His methods or His results.
I agree with a lot of what you are saying. But I am still confused about one thing. You said "my heart is redeemed." But than you say "I do not claim to be... a Christian." If your heart is redeemed than you are a Christian. You cannot be one and not the other. You are either redeemed or you are not. You say you will not call yourself a Christian, but yet you claim to love God. As I said before, if you are not a Christian than you do not love God no matter how your heart might tell you that you do. You still have not explained how this can be reconciled.
Simply...have you come to Jesus? Have you recognized that in Christ alone is our righteousness? If so, you can claim His righteous merit as your own, through faith in Him. Faith that He died to pay the punishment you deserved for your sins. That is the gospel. Do you believe and obey the gospel? Is all your faith, and hope and trust in Christ? To confess so, is not boasting if you recognize that even faith is a gift that only God can grant. All glory goes to Him for both all faith, grace and salvation.
1Peter 4:16 "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." And I would say, let us glorify God in all things by our profession to be His followers (if we are so): Christians.
we need to be bold and courageous to share our faith with a dying world like the apostle Paul.
Acts 26:28-29 "And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that no only you but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am."
This is not something to brush over and think to yourself 'those who say they are Christians and have righteousness in Christ are proud.' Examine yourself. What are you going to offer God when you die? If you have nothing of your own to bring, than all you have to offer is the gift that only He can give: Jesus Christ, His righteousness. If you do not come to Christ for salvation, and freely accept the gift of grace than you do not love Him, and your profession to love Him is false. I don't know your heart, your life, or your experiences. But I know the gospel, and I know that God calls all people everywhere to repent and trust in Him.
You cannot "please Him, obey Him, ...try to know him, to server Him" apart from salvation in Christ. You need to know whether or not your saved. You need to know if you have indeed come to Him or not.
1John 4:10 "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." I agree, we do not live righteously for righteousness sake, or so that people can see us and praise us. That is just filthy rags. We live righteously by Christ and for Christ, but we cannot do so if we have not embraced His love in the person of Jesus. We don`t do this by looking at His death and appreciating it, we do this by casting ourselves upon the blood stained cross and crying out for God to forgive us our sins. We embrace Him by not just enjoying His teaching and appreciating the things He has done for us, but by trusting that He can and actually will save us whenever we repent and trust in Him. We cannot love Him if we do not embrace salvation in Him. I wish I could express this more fully. I just want you to know if you know Him savingly.
1John 4:17 `By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have CONFIDENCE for the day of judgement, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.`
Tim! Charlene has done a great job at explaining the truth of the matter. We cannot possibly know your heart, but one thing that greatly concerns me is your use of things like " Should he deem me worthy enough to allow me a place in His kingdom...:
This kind of talk frightens me, as it has a flavour of self- righteousness. I mean it sounds like you are saying God may look at you and decide you are a good enough person to obtain eternal life. If that is what you are saying, you do not understand the gospel rightly. Like Charlene said; all you have to offer God is your sin! You must cast yourself upon Gods mercy, by acknowleging your utter bankruptcy when it comes to being righteous. What you need is imputed righteousness. That is when you confess your unworthiness, turn from all your sin (including self righteousness) and trust in Christ alone to save you from what you deserve. When you do this God will impute, that is apply the righteousness of Christ to your account, so that God does not have to judge you as a law breaker. God is holy and just and must punish all law breaking. Even one lie is worthy of eternal punishment, because of the one whom we have offended.