SIN - WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
In the modern day church sin is not a big issue any longer. You seldom hear it preached about and you don't hear that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God who came to die for the sins of the world. It just isn't relevant any longer, so it seems.
People are being 'transformed' and finding the 'Christ within' by various methods such as contemplative prayer, soaking prayer, yoga, meditation (not the meditation mentioned in the Bible), and many other methods; using drums, candles, and some churches even have their own labryinth.
Finding their own 'Christ consciousness' within, sin seems irrelevent to this practice. Instead, people are finding their own personal spirit guide to lead them into 'truth', and of course it is recognized and accepted that everyone has their own 'truth'. Using these various 'methods' to reach god - small g - they don't NEED a Saviour.
Those who continue to believe in the Authorized King James Bible and the literal word of God as preserved therein, are now being seen as the 'enemy' of Christianity! Now it is the Eccumenical Movement that you must be a part of. It is fast becoming a 'One World Regligon' that everyone wants to be a part of or else they are being absorbed into it and aren't even aware of what is happening. Satan is very subtle.
So, what ABOUT sin? Well, THAT was the REASON Jesus Christ died on the cross. But, now, that cross is no longer important either, since it is now being preached that there are many paths that lead to God and that Jesus Christ isn't the only way. The problem is that it is a god spelled with a small 'g' they will find, and not the living God, the Creator, God the Father. Doesn't it seem a bit strange, too, that a big fuss is made over how He CAME into this world, celebrating a tradition' called Christmas that actually had nothing to do with the birth of our Saviour, and they want to keep him a helpless baby in a manger. There is a big fuss made over Easter, which is another 'tradition' which again, had nothing to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. YES, of course, we believe that Jesus was born of a virgin....it was prophesied. YES, of course we believe in his death and resurrection, also prophesied. NOTE: You might want to read the blog about Jesus being in the grave three days and three nights which also proves the fallacy of Good Friday, another popular 'tradition' of man.
But, WHY did Jesus Christ come into the world? Not to give us a 'reason for the season', but to call sinners to repentance! To save that which was lost!! Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (NIV - Mark 2:17 leaves out 'to repentance'). THAT was why He was born...not so we could have a REASON for the SEASON!! His death was to pay the penalty that had to be paid for sin and He took it upon Himself to suffer and die in our place. His resurrection was NOT so people could color Easter eggs and buy their children baskets full of candy eggs and goodies and have Easter egg hunts and have FUN!! Chicks and bunnies....symbols for fertility that honored the Queen of Heaven, the goddess Ishtar, another name for Easter. The resurrection was to show the VICTORY that He had won over death! The devil had been defeated! Jesus had taken the sting of death upon Himself. These so-called Christian traditions are meaningless to God and make His word of none effect just as He said.
Satan is SO subtle! People LOVE to give their children a good time and share the fun with them. So, these so called 'traditions' are just such FUN that people don't see any harm in them and they don't want to deprive their children of such activities when all the others kids and families are doing it. Even the CHURCH does it!! So, people don't bother to find out where these 'traditions' came from and they don't even consider that both of these 'traditions' with their Santa Clause, and Easter Bunny take the eyes completely OFF of Jesus Christ and are actually nothing but carry overs of the old Pagan traditions dressed up with Christianity! Speak of Christmas and Easter and most children immediatly think of Santa Clause, presents, and the Easter bunny and more goodies and fun! Actually, so do most adults!! Even I grew up celebrating these things and had no idea about Jesus Christ for it was a godless home. If people weren't so blind they would SEE what has happened, and they would protect their children from such activities if they are trying to raise their children as followers of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your traadition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
There are some famous Christian leaders who have even commented that you can get to heaven without Jesus Christ! Of course, THAT would mean you get to heaven without GOD!! Now, HOW can you explain THAT? We KNOW that Jesus Christ is very God manifested in the flesh....HOW can you get to heaven without HIM!!
Sin is the transgression of God's law which is spelled out very clearly in His preserved word. The pulpits host homosexual pastors of whom are living in open sin with their 'partners', homosexual members accepted without any lifestyle change...fornication...members living together as a couple with no legal marriage performed, some even having children, BUT they ARE in church which seems to be ALL that is necessary. Adultry, pornography, and on and on the list goes...not to forget about abortion among Chrstians which is more and more common, and the divorce rate is as high, maybe higher than among the unsaved! Of course, when you are finding famous evangelists having affairs with other well known women evangelists, etc., people just kind of shrug it off today!! Can't be so bad if THEY are doing it!
So, WHAT is the church there for? At this point, your guess is as good as mine! No sin, no heaven, no hell...WHY do people even bother to go? Somehow it seems to smooth over their sinful lives and make them feel better about themselves, after all, they can't 'help' what they are doing...maybe they were even 'born' that way EXCEPT there is no MEDICAL EVIDENCE to PROVE this fallacy!! And of course, the doctrine of ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED is prevalent...well IF you ARE TRULY SAVED AND BORN AGAIN you WON'T BE SINNING!! SO, OF COURSE YOU ARE ALWAYS SAVED! A TRUE CHRISTIAN WILL SIN LESS AND LESS BECAUSE THEY HATE SIN!! But, this doctrine is being to used to JUSTIFY SIN!! Christians CAN fall into sin, BUT they won't be LIVING IN SIN. It won't be a common thing among them....they will REPENT and continue striving to obey God....look at the sin in the church today and even among pastors and other religious leaders!! One well-known TV preacher said he has so much of the Holy Spirit that he could 'be with a woman' and it wouldn't even be wrong!!! Well, is THAT what the sheep are supposed to be FED?
I read one article that says that those writings in the Bible are for another time and they are outdated. OUTDATED? Excuse ME!!
Is God OUTDATED? Seems to me He says that He knows the end from the beginning. All his prophecies we have seen come to pass and what haven't already come to pass are happening now before our very eyes!! God says He is the SAME yesterday, today, and for ever...He changes NOT!! So, how outdated is THAT!!
Hebrews 3:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
*LET'S LOOK AT SOME MORE SCRIPTURES:
Modern Christianity doesn't seem to want to obey the gospel, and they certainly show no desire to KNOW Jesus Christ...at least on HIS terms, but that is the ONLY way they will ever know Him.
2Thessalonians 1:6-9 (6) Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; (7) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
People don't have any fear of the Lord nowadays...well, God has that one covered, too!! Isaiah 29:13,14 (13) Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is taught by the precept of men: (14) Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marverlous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: fo the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prodent men shall be hid.
Old-fashioned, out dated? That remains to be seen.
People and their ways have changed and that Bible 'stuff' isn't for today's modern society...or is it?
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 (9) The thing that hath been, is that which shall be, and that which is done is that which shall be done: And there is no new thing under the sun. (10) Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already of old time, which was before us. (11) There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
*NOTE: Maybe the problem ISN'T with GOD!! Maybe it is with those who DON'T READ HIS WORD, bcause they have rejected it as being OUTDATED!!
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and knowledge.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 14:29 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Last but not least: Proverbs 2:1-5 (1) My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; (2) So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; (3) Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; (4) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; (5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
As we saw, in Isaiah 29:13, people are not taught the fear of the LORD any longer. Preachers do not teach their flocks to fear the LORD any longer and the flocks have followed Baal...they have been deceived.
2Timothy 4:3,4 (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
People are just told God is LOVE and He will forgive them because of that...NO! They can ONLY be forgiven by the BLOOD of His only begotten son, Jesus Chist, shed for them on the cross. Sin HAD to be paid for. God is a righteous and a holy and a just God and He MUST exact a penalty for SIN. Jesus took OUR place and suffered OUR punishment. We MUST REPENT AND BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST...He is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No man comes to the Father except by Him. Many corrupted versions of the Bible just say you must believe but don't say WHAT it is you must believe!! They have REMOVED the rest of this scripture!! See the NIV...John 6:47,,,see for yourself! The Authorized KJV says, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. The words 'on me' have been REMOVED in the NIV!! This opens the door for 'whatever' or whoever' as long as you just 'believe'. TAKE HEED!!! PAY ATTENTION!!
SIN DOESN'T SEEM TO BE SUCH AN ISSUE WHEN YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT HEAVEN AND ETERNAL LIFE OR HELL....OR EVEN THE NEED FOR A SAVIOUR...
Again, we must let the scriptures teach us.
What ABOUT sin? Is it STILL an issue in the New Age Church? Well, THEY don't seem to think it is, but let's see what God, who does NOT change, says about this issue.
Maybe one reason for the change in attitude is also that they don't talk about having ETERNAL LIFE any longer. They talk alot about 'finding your purpose'. They don't talk about HELL. The forgiveness of sin by the shed blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ IS necessary IF one wants eternal life. His word makes it CLEAR that there IS something after death...Hebrews 9:27 And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
We must go to God the FATHER, not the god 'within', not the Christ consciousness 'within', not a priest, not a church, not some religion. We must go to God the Father through the Son Jesus Christ. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. BUT, people are looking for an 'experience', a 'feeling', not eternal life, not a relationship with God the Father that can only be gotten through the Son. So, look at the deception!! People seek God, but don't relize they are going to find a god with a small 'g' and Satan is more than happy about that!! People don't see the need for Jesus the Son of God as the mediator between them and the god they are seeking...the word of God says in 1Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ.
Sadly, peop[le are no longer seeking God the FATHER but just a 'god' with any name since they believe that all paths lead to 'god' and of course, they do...but NOT to the God of our Salvation and Eternal Life...Jesus Christ the only BEGOTTEN Son of God. They have another Jesus. They don't worry about offending him and they have grown comfortable in their sin.'
But, they haven't KNOWN God because their sins have separated him from them!! Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
BUT, what about those 'born again' believers who DO believe in the true and living GOD and take His preserved word -Authorized KJV-seriously? They have a diffeent view of sin: THEY READ AND BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS!!
Romans 6:1,2,6,11,12,16-18 (!) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? (2) God forbid. How shall we who are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (11) Likewise recokon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death; or of obedience unto righteousness. (17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Yes, we know we are always capable of sin as long as we are in this flesh, but praise God, we also know of His promise to help us and that He is always making intercession for us as long as we will repent of any sin. We will not knowingly or deliberately sin! We will hate sin more and more as we walk in the light!
1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above tht ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Romans 8:27,34 (27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ who died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
We have to learn to walk in the light as he is in the light and to resist the devil. 1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
A CHRISTIAN MAY FALL INTO SIN BUT HE DOESN'T LIVE IN SIN
True bon again Christians HATE sin and will struggle against it with all that is within them...Hebrews 12:1-4 (1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (4) Ye have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Truly, there have been many saints who have given their lives rther than to deny Jesus Christ..they saw beyond this present world and saw that heavenly kingdom and believed that promise. That promise is still for us, today, who will hold fast to the faith once delivered unto the saints.
The saints, the true children of God KNOW this world is not their home!
Hebrews 13:12-14 (12) Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate, (13) Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (14) For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
John 14:2,3 (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that, where I am, there you may be also.
Jude 3,4 -all of chapter (3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the comon salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is NOT a game...you are gambling with your eternal life if you continue in sin. REPENT and BELIEVE on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and obey Him. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
YES! there IS a hell...
Matthew 5:29,30 (29) And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee: for it is profitable
for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (30) And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Luke 16:19-31 (19) There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. (20) And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, (21) And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (22) And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; (23) And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (24) And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (25) But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. (26) And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (27) Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house. (28) For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (29) Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. (30) And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. (31) And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. *NOTE: Well, one DID rise from the dead! Sadly, there are those who still will NOT believe.
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Jesus IS the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE!! Don't let the devil deceive you! SIN will NOT be overlooked...REPENT and BELIEVE on JESUS CHRIST today!!
You have heard the TRUTH, you have been shown the WAY...now it is YOUR CHOICE...will you BELIEVE on JESUS?
Is YOUR name written in the BOOK OF LIFE?
Study done for Treasure Keepers Kenya
Discipleship Ministry
by Mama Jo
January 2014