Tag Archives: Sin

The Bridge Over Troubled Waters (The hand Up is the Same Hand of Out)

by

0


Footbridge near Stumble Wood This bridge is on...

Footbridge near Stumble Wood This bridge is on a path (No. WC347) from Halden Lane to Stepneyford Lane. It passes over stream feeding into Stumble Wood (on the left). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Past the beginnings of a relationship with Jesus, the Glorious King of Kings, a man will find places where he falters and tumbles back into the sins he thought were left in the dark dust of the past.  He will look down at his feet as he walks and smile with joy at the steadiness of his gait.  But sometimes he finds himself tripped up by lust, greed, lies, pride, or ignorance.  It has happened to me countless times.  And I know it happens to the very best of saints.  How should the beginner be surprised if it happens to him?

There is something about this which needs to be spoken.  It is one thing to remain in sins and never seek a way out through Jesus.  When we are in that state of affairs we should expect no help when we fall.  For we are as those who are still sitting in stench and the fall we experience is nothing more than the slip of our hand as we try to readjust our sitting.  The tumbles I am speaking of happen to those who have come some distance from that stench and have learned to walk on legs of righteousness given to them by the Lord Himself.

You will slip from time to time.  Take that as a given.  So I would advise my brothers and sisters to do this:  When you are able to walk make a considerable distance from the possibility of slipping.  Add some speed to your ways so that you move as far away from sin as possible.  Now, when you slip it will not be a pattern of behavior.   It will be simply a part of the experience we share in Christ.

There is a vast difference between holding on to some sins so that you continually revert to them, and stumbling because of things which remain in hidden in your mind.  If your heart is clean and your desire to serve Him is pure, you will find His reaction to your stumbling and tripping a great deal different than what you tasted as you began this walk.

Regardless your understanding of what I have written here, take heart.  He has seen what you desire in regard to holiness.  He has witnessed your ways with perfect and knowledgable eyes.  The Lord you trusted to take you from where you started is quite able to take you from where you are.  Do not let your faith be shaken.  Get up.  Dust yourself off.  Go to Him.  Give thanks for what He has done.  Ask for understanding, wisdom, and strength.  And start walking again!

Just Wait

by

0


A typical Deutsche Bahn railway station clock

A typical Deutsche Bahn railway station clock (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What do you do if you’ve been caught up in a sin?  Confess to God and wait for Him.  It is not your eternity that can be manipulated by your own will.  It is the will of God you’re seeking.

Don’t lose faith in your waiting.  Remain solidly trusting.  Just wait.  The Lord will not reject His people forever.  We are set to the task of learning how to live under the rule of the Most High God.  Restoration after a sin is not something we can conjure up from our own words.  God is looking for a renewed interest in His ways within us.

And what if the sin we have done is one of those that have repeated far too often?  What then?  Again, sit and wait on the Lord after you have confessed it to Him.  Let Him be Lord, even of your restoration.  He has promised that He does not give as the world gives.  This requires a great deal of patience from us.  He knows what He is looking for.  And after a time He will restore you.  Do not forget that the unforgivable sin is that of complete denial of His intervention.  He cannot forgive an unrepentant heart.  That heart will not accept His gift.  But that is not the heart you have now.  Look how you yearn to be restored to Him.  Just wait and be silent.  Like a little child who has been punished, accept your spanking and be patient.  His love for you is not that of man.

Rights or Obligation?

by

0


Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven, as in the r...

Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven, as in the reconciliation of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 33, after Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, illustration from a Bible card published by the Providence Lithograph Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A “right” can be established if the proper means has been gained.  An obligation really doesn’t care whether you want to meet it or not, it remains against you until the contract between you and the obligation expires.  A “right” never dispels as long as the giver of that right remains.

Sometimes people who have lived a relatively “righteous” life will look down on a drunk (or worse) who has gotten a handle on life’s prerequisites.  And when the sinner begins to live a “righteous” life and speaks about it openly the “righteous” folk will come to detest him.  You would think they would embrace the sinner gone “good”.  But that is rarely the case.  The sinner is embraced by the perceived righteous if he has some quality that they themselves admire.  But if he has worn out his bodily welcome he is shunned and laughed at as a fool.

I can see why the “righteous” think they alone have the corner on speaking about what is right.  After all, they have worked hard to guard against the kind of behavior that the sinner allowed to swamp his boat.  But there comes a place where their perceived right becomes judgment against others.  To them, their “rights” are being usurped by an illegal citizen of their ranks.

But the obligation to speak belongs to the sinner more.  He has been lifted from certain death to a place of understanding.  He knows the ground he has covered.  He knows better what it is to be filled with wickedness.  So he has an obligation to warn others.  Not to mention that he is likely far more thankful for being set loose from his former life.  So the very fact of his thankful heart compels him to meet his obligation to speak about what is “righteous”.

“But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (from Luke 7:36-50)

Pride of Man-vs-Joy of Salvation

by

3


Sculpture - head of Jesus Christ

Sculpture – head of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I step out on the back porch, again, to consider the difference between pride and joy.  Pride is of the flesh.  But joy in understanding the Lord’s ways is acceptable.  While the world walks in darkness there is no time or room for the pride of man; that is to say an internal boasting that I know more than others.  Even in our time of reflection before the Most High God it is wise to consider the difference between the pride of man and the joy that we receive from His Grace.  All of us who come to know the Lord were, at one time, full to over flowing with sin, disgrace, shame, and wickedness of every kind.  It is by Grace we are saved.

I am stunned at the consistency of the war within us.  And I am reminded that, in this place of testing, this war against sin will not cease.  My heart is encouraged to pick up the battle afresh.  To render to God what is God’s while I kill the flesh by the power of Christ Jesus in me.  Never, in this place, will a man be rid of the things that plague his walk with God.  They are at the very door of our house.  As it was said to Cain, it is now said to each of us: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must  master it.” (Genesis 4:7)

So I say with all the saints (those being sanctified, transformed, by the power of God in Jesus), “I will rise in the early morning before it is light.  I will find a solitude among the trappings of this world of chaos.  And I will seek the Lord that I might rid myself of the things that have and will destroy me.  I will raise up to kiss the face of He who has kissed me.  And I will learn from Him to do the perfect will of eternity.  Sin will not have me!  For I am being made a son in the house of my Father.  And all this is to the Glory of Jesus, my Lord, Master, King, and Desire!”

Amen.

Ignorance Can Kill

by

0


English: An XOXO brand purse.

Image via Wikipedia

A little boy lived on a farm.  One day he came up to his dad and asked, “Dad, is it ok with you if I steal grandma’s purse?”  The dad looked at his boy with a straight face, hiding the amazement within him.  “Why would you ask me something like that?”  The dad asked.  The boy answered, “I was tempted to do it.  I think I even want to do it.  And I thought I’d ask you if it’s ok.”  The boy said.

There are certain things we KNOW God doesn’t want us to do.  How often have I found myself pleading and pleading with God to help me resist temptation.  I would guess others have also.   Here’s the meat of the issue:

Why do we beg for something the Lord has plainly told us is not ok with Him?  And why do we beg for strength to overcome?  The issue here is the begging.  Begging does not have the same strength as a simple belief that God is willing to help.  He has promised to give such things to those who love Him.  It is not His will that we sin.  It is His will to overcome sin.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

He wants us to live life full of “wins”.  And He is anxious (if that is possible) to see that “Winning attitude” appear in all of His children.  Let’s get our head on straight.  Are we so immature in Christ Jesus that we can’t make out the difference between temptation and a test?

Let’s Get Real Here

by

2


English: Millstone in Broechem.

Image via Wikipedia

 

I know this is a lot of words.  I only say that because I know the lazy approach people have to learning today.  If it isn’t a short text on your cell phone, you’re not likely to read it.  I’d say I’m sorry.  But I’d only be sorry that you’re too lazy to read the entire thing.  All the more is your personal loss.  “Come on!  You can do it!”  I promise you, it’s worth it.

Two men appeared in the police station at 11:02 am.  The first went to the desk and said, “I have murdered 12 people and I am here to turn myself in and make a full confession.  I accept what’s coming to me.  I want to solve this issue.”  The police processed the man and took him to the rear of the station to be questioned.  In the course of the next year the man was tried, convicted and put to death.

The second came up to the desk and said, “I am innocent of any wrong doing.  You say that I am wanted for murder.  But I came in here to tell you it’s a lie.”  They took his information and took him also to the rear for interrogation. In the course of the next year the man retained a great lawyer and was pronounced innocent.  Later on, however, he was right back into the same lawless behavior as before.  He was killed in an attempted robbery on March 23rd at 11:03 pm that next year.

What’s the difference between the two?   Don’t look at the obvious.  The first knew that he was sick and needed to begin the process of healing, both for his sake and the sake of society and the families involved.  Was he scared?  Of course he was.  But he did what needed to be done.  In the end, we can say he was not a coward.  The second appeared to clear his name, regardless the truth of the matter.  Was he scared?  Maybe, but he was pretty sure he could beat the systems of man.  He had money and knew a man who was wicked enough to defend him.  Both are dead.  But only one of them could possibly be called righteous.  Because he had done what was right.

I present these two people to make a point that many miss.  Look at this scripture.

 

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.

 

The scripture comes from Matthew.  Jesus is making a point that most people never quite understand.  Mention this text in a group and you’ll hear a variety of responses.  Some gasp at the thought of plucking their own eyes out, or cutting off their hands.  Others will be enjoying their own lusts because the word adultery provoked them to wicked thoughts. And some will laugh at the ridiculous nature of the proposition.  “Surely the Lord doesn’t want us to maim ourselves to get rid of temptation.”  Come on now!  We all know what he was talking about.

It is to the last I will respond.  You’re right!  God does not want that kind of sacrifice.  And, let’s be real.  How is not having an eye or a hand possibly have a positive effect on lust? You’ll still have a brain.  And isn’t that where the problem really is?   And how will the ensuing pain and trauma help you?  Not to mention that you will have caused those around you far more trouble than is necessary.  Your body doesn’t have a mind of its own that is separate from the single brain in your head. Nobody has two or more brains.  You don’t find the source of lust in your eyeball.  And it’s not your hand that desires what you shouldn’t EVER desire.  The lust is in the heart (mind, desire, rebellion, and folly).  I realize I could be wrong here.  If any of you has a brain in your index finger, or some other unexpected spot on your body, please show it to me and I’ll retract this idea of a single brained humanity.  Please, no doctored photos.  I’m looking for proof that you have more than one brain.  (Legalize provided here to promote the ambiance of truth over these words)

Instead of trying to conquer your sins by your own strength, no matter how radical your plan might be, submit your whole body, mind, and soul to God. How?  Do what the first man did.  Present yourself to God and confess everything.  Admit everything you’ve done and wait for the verdict.  Admit that you’re guilty!  Be ready to die for what you have done.  Get your house in order and prepare to be put to death.  A fake or incomplete submission to God does absolutely no good.  A “cutsie” little prayer is just that, “cutsie little words”.  Surrender yourself entirely and willingly.  Then get ready to be surprised.  God is not what you think He is.

What have you done, in this age of porn that has rendered success?  Look at the TV, billboards, magazines, smut on the radio, and the talk of wicked men and women all around you.  Look at how enticing they all are.  The world is bent to destroy you if you let it.  And without God’s help, you’re a fool just standing still for wickedness to come pick off.   If you are a man, I know what you face.  Women are taught from childhood to dress themselves in enticing ways.  And they’re all over the place!  This was not God’s desire for woman.  But it is what presents itself before us.  If you are a woman, you’ve been misled to think that you can play that game without consequences.  WRONG!   Women, you might not even consider that you’re adding to the troubles of men.  But isn’t this because you haven’t thought it through?

In this point, I urge all Christian men and women to consider the plight of those trying to escape this horrible sickness of soul.  Consider how you appear for the sake of others.  Do you really need to dress like that?  Do you really need to look enticing in order to be acceptable?  Isn’t it God’s desire that all women do such things only for the sake and pleasure of their husbands?  If you feel that you need to play dress up to be acceptable then keep it between you and your husband! Otherwise, present a godly woman to society.  Let that be enough.  And men, do you really need to tempt that woman with that “come on” look?  Did you really need to tempt anyone to be acceptable? Do you absolutely need to allow your tongue (or any other body part) to entice others?   Dress yourselves for the sake of the Holy God you serve.   Have mercy on the weaknesses of those around you!  Woe to those from whom temptation comes.  What was that God said about a millstone?  The guy who remembers that part about the millstone is likely on his way to the bottom of the ocean.  And like the dog in the bean commercial, he’s not telling anybody.  You think this is too harsh a statement?  Do you think the use of the word “enticing” is out of place?  Don’t listen to the lies you’ve been taught.  You too, submit yourselves to God’s inspection.  He will show you what I’m talking about here.

Ok, enough preaching to the choir.  Let’s get back to the item at hand.

What are you going to do to rid yourself of a temptation that you’ve not been able to crush?  Who can rescue such a man or woman?  GOD CAN!  It is only God who can change the central problem.  Only God knows the exact place in you that is causing this difficulty.  How can man change his heart of an animal (And worse, because an animal does not sit up all night pondering how to satisfy unnatural behavior.) to that of a godly man?  Don’t look to anything else for help.  Don’t go in for man’s means.  In the remedy of this problem, psychology is psycho.  They promise that they can fix you up.  LIE!  The doctors and nurses that treat you can’t see the central part of you that God can.  And you’ve had absolutely NO effect on the problem. Why give your hard earned money to a people who can’t deliver what they promise?

Lust is a crazy animal.  It has no regard for what you desire in the way of healing.  All it wants is to destroy. All it wants is everything it can get.  And if left unchecked, you will commit murder on top of a lust for flesh.   GET OUT NOW!   And don’t think that you’re too good of a person to resist the end result of unchecked lust.  You’re just as able to murder as you are to commit sexual immorality.  Laugh if you will.  It is your laugh that proves I’m right.  Think about it.

You are about to face a rather nasty side of the Living God.  And all for nothing.  You could have listened and allowed Him to conquer this problem years ago.  Do you know what John 3: 18 has to say?  “The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.”  Did you know that you are already condemned?   Do you think to yourself that you are able to stand the judgment of God?  It’s already been convened.  You’ve been judged lacking and are to be destroyed.  And, unlike that second criminal, you won’t be able to manipulate the judge.   All men, without the sacrifice of Jesus and the cleaning only He can do, are going to be destroyed.  Before you is the answer.  Turn to Him and He will cause you to live a life worthy of entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Eternity is a long time to be dead.  Ok.  Now you’ve heard it again.  Now go do it.

And folks, don’t miss this point:  What I’ve just said applies to ALL sins!  We will give account to a Holy and Righteous God.  I can tell you a truth, you don’t want to appear before Him unwashed of the crimes that He now holds against you!  Oh!  How you will wish that you had turned yourself in!  How desperately you will wish that you had submitted yourself to Him so that He could teach you how to live a godly life.

Heaven isn’t a fairy tale.  Heaven is an eternal, clear, pure, and certain reality.  What you are here is going to be what you are there.  Want more proof of what I’m saying?  Here:

Rev 21:8 “But to the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells, idol worshipers, and all those who lie, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the second death.”

 

Father in heaven, I have written this.  It is my hand and mind which have understood these words.  I submit myself to you for cleansing.  Do with me as is fitting.  May Your Holy wisdom and understanding strike what is wicked within me, lest after preaching to others I too encounter the promised banishment.  You are not joking about these things.  Of all the serious nature of serious things in this world and the world to come, we take Your word as the singular truth.   In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.