To everyone who visits and those who are regulars too,
I want to say something about one of the devil's favorite and highly successful ploys to
keep people away from Jesus. First understand that when a person is born again and
accepts Jesus as Savior it is a spiritual transformation that takes place. We are then
sealed by the Holy Spirit as a promise. Consider what we were saved from. A state of
sin. This state of sin is a state of being, not the acts of being sinful (things we do that we
call sin, stealing, lying). When we have a cold and cough we don't call the cough a cold
because it is only a symtom of the state of having a cold. If we have a cold we cough,
when we are in a state of sin we steal, lie. So then we are saved from the state of sin
and sealed, but the flesh profits nothing from this!! As the word says we are still in "this
body of sin". So then every christian is thrust into conflict with his/her body of sin as sin
tries to rule through the body and righteousness through the Holy Spirit. So as a result
of this conflict christians are seen coughing, sometimes manifesting symtoms of sin that
still struggles to rule through our flesh.
Now the devil has been very clever and used this to alienate hords of non-believers
who see the outward sign, "coughing", when the "body of sin" gains a temporary
advantage. The devil says look at him, he is sinning and he's a christian, dripping with
sarcasm. People are put off by this outward sign of what they think is hypocrisy not
understanding the meaning of what they see and the underlying struggle. This
successfully keeps a lot of people from going to church and being saved. If we could
look at our brothers and understand the struggle (and maybe they are losing the
struggle at that particular time) we would have more compassion. We have to be
overwhelmingly grateful to the Lord for our forgiveness in the face of our unworthiness.
Now what about the ones who give in to the sin and quit for a time to struggle sincerely
against the "body of sin". Well first there is grace but after a time discipline by the Lord.
God says he will not be mocked (by those who use His grace as a liscense to sin).
Whatever we sow we will also reap (in this life). So God's judgement is just. We all
suffer loss for our deeds now if our deeds are sin and we do not repent, but in the next
life salvation with our Lord.
The devil's schemes are many and some are tailored for the masses and some for
individuals. That schemer hates to see any slip from his grasp and he has the full court
press on to anyone who is getting close to turn them back from Jesus and His
salvation.
How can anyone be saved? Romans 10: 8-13
8 "But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
9 that is if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved,
10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
11 For the scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED".
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him;
13 for,"WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED".
Have a great day,
Bob |
