Randy Bell
4 May 2016

Kingdom Life Principles, StraightTalk Articles

The Power Of Encouragement: How to Strengthen Believers

Guidelines For Maturing Believers – The Power of Encouragement

It is important that every believer actively participates in church gatherings by giving Biblical testimonies, making public confessions or sharing public exhortations reinforcing truth as stated in 1 Corinthians 14:24,25. Also to “…exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” Hebrews 3:13.

Remember, exhortation is “encouragement, entreaty to serve and please God” [Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary].

Joining together only for worship is a mistake, the scripture says we need to desperately and passionately plead with each other to stay on course and not give up in our obedience to Christ.

You can be deceived and tricked by the enemy like Adam and Eve, so listen to each others’ warnings. Football coaches take their jobs seriously and push their players to excel and stay focused on the game. Players that are leaders sound a lot like the coach. So, for the sake of eternity, we need to be even more motivated to focus and stay on the narrow road for the name of Jesus.

Here are seven principles to guide your ministry toward your fellow Christian.

1. An Exhortation Must be Based in Scripture by Giving Clear and Precise Steps of Action
“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification:” [1 Thessalonians 4:1-3].

  • Clearly explain the truth of Christ’s teachings, then the steps [commandments] of how to “walk and please God.” Do not just share the emotions of an experience, specify scriptural principles instead.
  • Describe how all things, yes even what seems negative or hard, work together for good to conform us to Christ’s character.
  • Urge and encourage everyone to keep on taking the steps until full maturity is achieved

2. An Exhortation Must Assist Christians in Applying Scripture to Their Daily Lives
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is  the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit” 1 Thessalonians 4: 3-8.

  • This means you must base your exhortation on clearly understood interpretation of scripture. Do not stretch a scripture passage to fit your story.
  • Explain how to apply biblical principles to practical daily experiences.
  • Describe situations that allow them to learn specific character qualities.
  • Be careful, do not describe experiences or use examples that other believers would question, react to or be offended.

3. An Exhortation Must Encourage Other Believers to Full Spiritual Maturity
“But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that  you may lack nothing” [1 Thessalonians 4:9-12].

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24- 25)

“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:3, 12-13).

  • Remember full maturity is when a person’s focus has turned from selfishness to agape [genuine] love [See STEP 7 in the Spiritual Growth Website].
  • Explain that maturity takes time and persistence, encourage them to not allow failure to define them.
  • Describe how to follow God’s wisdom and ways by using stories from people in the Bible.
  • Do not allow yourself to be discouraged if your exhortations do not seem to be helping people, they are!
  • Like a child growing up, a Christian’s spiritual growth takes a lot of time and encouragement.

4. An Exhortation Must Explain Truth With Clear Logical Reasoning
“…holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain” Titus 1:9-11.

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer everyman”  (Colossians 4:6).

  • Explain God’s purposes clearly, soundly, and precisely.
  • Clarify the truth until it becomes reasonable to them.
  • Do not discuss unsettled matters.
  • Talking negatively about people or groups is wrong.

5. An Exhortation Must Bring Harmony Not Discord So That Spiritual Maturity Can Develop
“Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, (being of one accord, of one mind”  (Philippians 2:2).

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4: 12-13).

  • Avoid words and expressions that are offensive or inappropriate.
  • Word your exhortation to avoid putting others in a bad light.
  • Do not use names without permission.

6. An Exhortation Must Demonstrate Humility – Not a Superior Attitude
“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3).

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12). “Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (I Corinthians 10:12).

  • Your audience needs to feel encouraged, not crushed when you exhort them in a manner
  • Make sure you are not pointing fingers at anyone, use some of your own life only to explain past failure and Biblical steps to victory.
  • Do not make excuses for past failures.

7. An Exhortation must be Specific and to the Point – Not Rambling
“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter (any) thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let they words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). “Make known his deeds among the people…Talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalm 105:1-2)

  • Be sure the Holy Spirit, not your human will or selfish desires, prompts your sharing.
  • Spend enough time choosing words that communicate the clearest message.
  • Determine who present will actually benefit from what you want to say.
  • If you use personal stories,  give the short version, and emphasize what the Lord taught you.

Remember my friend…
    Always speak loud enough so that all can plainly hear
    Your message has influence on the lives of others so choose your words wisely
    Your goal is to confirm the truth of God’s Word and encourage others
    Be concise and as brief as possible out of deference for others

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Randy Bell
24 May 2016

StraightTalk Articles

Does Your Christian Beliefs Contradict Jesus?

What if what you believe and practice as the Christian way of life is the opposite of God’s will? Have you carefully followed the words and example of Jesus?

He told His followers, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” [John 15:13-15 (NKJV)]

The Lord made it clear only repentant disciples that obeyed His commands were His friends. Others… well they were his enemies! “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” [Romans 5:10 (NKJV)]

Do we dare make God’s enemies our friends?

ContradictJesus“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” [James 4:4 (NLT)]

Everyone who refuses to follow Christ’s commands is an enemy of God. Do you even know what Christ commands His followers? Is the foundation of your lifestyle and way of thinking based on Christ’s words or your own self-created quasi Christianity. Do you think you have to follow Christ’s rules or not?

The world does not!

Is it betrayal to make God’s enemies your friends?

So to deal with those questions let me first examine how Jesus treated His enemies.

1/ First, He showered them with mercy and at the same time, loved them by boldly confronting them.

He privately spoke to all people who asked about the truth of salvation and He busied Himself by reaching out to those that were sick, rejected, struggling, hurting, and sinful. He openly preached to all who would listen.

From the beginning of His ministry He preached to the lost crowds of Israel.“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [Matt 4:17 (NKJV)]

His public ministry was visible to all, but he privately went off with his friends and taught them the secrets of the kingdom of God.

2/ He continued preaching repentance to the crowds until they hardened their hearts to that message.

When the crowds got tired of hearing His call to repentance, most of those curious seekers turned into antagonists. Whether they watched or fought against Jesus they were still his enemies. So He publicly changed His teaching for His enemies.

This led the disciples to ask why the change in His message. We see this in Matthew 13:10-11 (NLT), “His disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?’ He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but OTHERS ARE NOT.”

The real followers of Jesus responded to the message of repentance and followed His commands. They were His friends and given the secrets of the Kingdom. He explained the meaning of His stories and deepened their understanding so they could continue sharing His Kingdom after He was crucified.

But the Lord’s enemies got little stories because they really were not interested in following His mission. He was clear in why the crowd did not need to hear anything else from Him.

Matthew 13:12-13 (GW) 
12  Those who understand {these mysteries} will be given {more knowledge}, and they will excel {in understanding them}. However, some people don’t understand {these mysteries}. Even what they understand will be taken away from them.
13  This is why I speak to them this way. They see, but they’re blind. They hear, but they don’t listen. They don’t even try to understand.

Jesus previously told them, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” [Matthew 12:30 (NLT)]

Sure, they still came around to watch Him do miracles and teach the kingdom stories, but most found fault and began judging and fighting against the Lord. The crowd tried to push Him off a cliff, argue, and bad mouth Him to others.

Are you afraid of this happening in your ministry or family?

You have to understand the Bible always makes a clear distinction between the DISCIPLES and the people who were the CROWD. For example, the Sermon on the Mount is clearly for his disciples, not the crowd. “One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.” [Matt 5:1-2 (NLT)]

Of course, this was outdoors in the open air and crowds would always come to listen, but not follow Jesus. But when he preached to the crowd it was different. Look closely at these words, “And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, ‘This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.’” [Luke 11:29 (NKJV)]

He CONFRONTED them repeatedly.

Another example is a confrontation with a rabbi. “The Pharisee noticed and was astonished [to see] that Jesus did not first wash before dinner. But the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside you yourselves are full of greed and robbery and extortion and malice and wickedness.‘” [Luke 11:38-39 (AMP)]

The crowds would not repent and become his disciples, but still kept gathering around Him. So did He stop confronting them with the truth about their sins?

He led His friends to join Him and also publicly confront and preach to the crowds, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” [Mark 1:38 (NKJV)] “Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.” [Matt 11:1 (NKJV)]

He did not become best friends with the community and hope someday by just being nice and quiet about their sins that they might accidentally evolve into Christians.

This is extremely important to examine. The spiritual state of our communities and country is at stake. Do we follow Jesus, or follow the will of the crowd of Christ’s enemies that still resists God?

For example here is a challenge from an American evangelist of a previous century. On December 4, 1873, The Independent published an article by Revivalist Charles Finney titled “The Decay of Conscience.”

“Brethren, our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours in a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the public press lacks moral discrimination, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the world loses its interest in religion, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact, my dear brethren; but let us lay it to heart, and be thoroughly awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation.”

Today pastors and saints think we love people into the kingdom without ever speaking because it may hurt their feelings, or we will be rejected and charged with judging. Even though that is the practice and strong belief of many church leaders and Christians today, it is contradicting the teaching and example of Jesus.

Today many demand that we must win the right to preach, and to confront people is unloving and contrary to the ways of Jesus. But our silence today has left the wicked bold in their sins, and overcome by strongholds of satanic deception. After years of this experiment, our nation is deeper in sin instead of clamoring to join the church. Their future is hell and they don’t believe it, and all I hear is the madness that we must double down and stay lovingly silent because Christianity is not about rules but love.

But the Bible says if you love them you will open your mouth and warn them!

Friendship evangelism is popular, and being friendly to the wicked is a must. But hoping after years and years of silent friendship that they will somehow be saved without the word of your testimony and the call of repentance is disobedience to Christ. Remember, Christ’s friends follow His commands.

The apostle Paul wrote, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” [Romans 10:14 (NKJV)]

Remember Jesus CONFRONTED them, “…you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside you yourselves are full of greed and robbery and extortion and malice and wickedness.” [Luke 11:38-39 (AMP)]

Whether religious or average people he boldly told them to stop their sin. “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” [John 8:11 (NLT)]

Christ loved them enough to speak the truth, and the truth is offensive to the wicked! But Jesus believes in preaching! The Bible believes in preaching! But today pastors and people seem to more and more disagree and contradict the Lord!

“Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.’ (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.)”

“Then he said, ‘That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.’ At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.” [John 6:61-66 (NLT)]

And not only did many desert him, His disciples kept warning Him people were offended by His words. “His disciples came and said to Him, ‘Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?’ But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.” [Matt 15:12-13 (NKJV)]

Today many claim the world is offended by Christians who preach repentance and follow Christ’s commands as if it is all their fault the world hates the church. Well, guess what, 2000 years ago those new disciples tried to stop Jesus offending the Pharisees and others with the truth!

And NO, the Pharisees were not the church or a picture of misguided churches who preach repentance. The Jewish rabbis who lived hypocritical lives are NOT a picture of the church but false religion without grace.

And let me be clear, the Lord knew His words were offensive and even reminded John the Baptist, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” [Matt 11:4-6 (NKJV)]

It is true, if you are silent you will not offend the unbelieving! But you will not be like Jesus or be His friend.

[bctt tweet=”It is true, if you are silent you will not offend the unbelieving! But you will not be like Jesus or be His friend.” username=”RandyMBell”]

“And when He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, ‘Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?’ So they were offended at Him.” [Matt 13:54-57 (NKJV)]

Yes, people do not want to be preached to, and they did not like it when Jesus preached to them in Israel. And yet Christ ordered his disciples to preach and not become best friends with the lost with the hope the truth might accidentally come to them. Without salvation, the mind is controlled by Satan, and only a miracle can awaken a dead man from spiritual death.

My friend, you must intentionally minister to them as a follower of Jesus. And yes some people will accuse you of hatred, judging, and even become angry just because you dare show them their need of the Savior. But that is what happened from the very beginning of the church.

“Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach.” [Mark 3:14 (NLT)] “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” [Matt 10:6-7 (NKJV)]

Jesus kept ordering His disciples to boldly speak just like He did. “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.” [Matt 10:27 (NKJV)]

Preaching the truth will offend many, it did when Jesus preached. Confronting people is the way Jesus and His apostles showed LOVE to the sons of disobedience.

The first Christians believed preaching was the crowds only hope for salvation, and obeyed this command, even when it looked like it had no immediate effect on the people by their strong resistance to their preaching.

After Christ Jesus preached for three years the Bible says only hundreds believed, not thousands or millions. But when Peter preached repentance as recorded in Acts 2, 3000 believed, and the church grew quickly for a time. But there was a strong antichrist backlash in Israel and across the world.

Acts 4:17-20 (NKJV)
17  But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18  And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19  But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

So the disciples were forced to fan out across the Roman Empire and the success rate was not as dramatic.

But that did not change the methods of Paul and others outside of Israel in later years. They still CONFRONTED sinners publicly and exposed their sin, and called them to turn and follow Jesus. Their confrontational preaching was the same as Christ taught His first disciples, who preached to crowds of strangers in Israel.

They did not waste years being best friends with the wicked of the Greek culture, but instead, quickly proclaimed the truth and trusted the Holy Spirit to work miracles. Then after preaching the gospel, Paul and the others befriended those who responded to the Gospel message and decided to follow Jesus.

Paul preached in many cities, but crowds rejected the truth and drove him out of town. Public outrage followed Paul in many cities. For example, he was taken to Athens to wait for his friends to join him.

“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, ‘What does this babbler want to say?’ Others said, ‘He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,’ because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection…”

He confronted the strangers and told them their idolatry was wrong. “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being…”

“’Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.’ And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” [Acts 17:16-34 (NKJV)]

Here are the facts, Jesus did not join His enemies, His enemies repented and joined Him. Paul proclaimed the truth and some joined him and became his friends in the faith.

The scripture says we are not to join them, they are to join us! “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? [2 Cor 6:14-15 (NLT)]

So I have to ask you again, do your Christian beliefs contradict Jesus?

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Randy Bell
10 May 2016

StraightTalk Articles

Randy Bell | What is Grace?

 

Grace: Jesus came to save man from sin
Matthew 1:21 (KJV) “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

God’s focus of love offers true grace and is designed to “save his people from their sins.” The Law reveals the sin, and Christ came to save us from rebellion to His law. True freedom or liberty is offered to all narrow road followers of Jesus.

Some have mistakenly twisted this promise to believe Christ came to free men from God’s standard of right and wrong, with the freedom to chase after sin without consequence. This is madness and living in slavery to sin.

If you were saved from drowning, you would not keep living in the state of drowning, and have the lifeguard swim next to you and pull you up every few hours. No, he would drag you out of the water to safety. Do you think the Almighty God defines “save his people from their sins” as only freeing them from the consequences of eternal hell, but leaving everyone in the misery of perpetual sin?

Not even a lifeguard will do that to a drowning swimmer. Why would anyone think God will torment people in this way?

If the plan of God is to “save his people from their sins” what would that mean? It does not say “save his people from hell” the consequences of their sin, but “from their sins.”

Sin is the destroyer of mankind. Sin is the water that drowns people for all eternity. Sin is what God hates. Sin is what God wants to save all people from, not leave them drowning under it.

False grace is the idea that God does not save us from sin, but saves us from His moral law. False grace is so destructive to mankind that God warned us in the Bible that this error would plague us until He comes back in judgment.

“Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” [Jude 1:3-4 (NLT)]

Instead, grace is the opposite of this lie! Grace propels us to live righteous lives. The Greek word is  <G5463> (chairo); graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) :- acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy). Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

We only know what is moral from God’s Word. His Law has not changed today. What was immoral in the Old Testament, was immoral in the New Testament times, and is still immoral today. NO CHANGE!

Is it time for you to leave false grace behind, along with your disobedience to God’s moral law, and find God’s freedom from sin? Jesus died to save you from your sin.

Grace: living by the power of Holy Spirit

Revelation 13:8 (WEY) “…the Book of the Lamb who has been offered in sacrifice ever since the creation of the world.”

God had a long-standing, carefully crafted plan from the very beginning to save man from his sin. God sticks with His plans. God’s love drives Him to fulfill His promises. But His plan included thousands of years to prepare the way for His son to be presented as the sacrifice for sin. This was God’s mercy to Israel until His son would be offered up for sin.

The religion He established through Moses was an elaborate set of sacrificial rituals to make known the horrors of sin. Israel lived under this ritual law to pound into their minds the evil of sin and the desperate need of forgiveness.

From the day Adam and Eve sinned, the curse of sin and death plagued mankind. People drown under their sin. Even today, without Christ, we all were drowning under this terrible living death.

But Jesus came to earth 2000 years ago to be the final sacrifice and replace all rituals. “With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.” Hebrews 9:12 (NLT)

Israel was offered salvation from two things:
1/ Slavery of sin and,  2/ Slavery of Old Testament rituals for sin

But another problem was many Jews decided the sacrifices were not sufficient and turned to legalism, the belief that salvation is gained by good works. The Pharisees were great legalistic hypocrites constantly trying to gain favor with God by a balancing act of doing certain things that they thought were good that earned them heaven and God’s favor, in spite of breaking God’s Law. The temple sacrifices were the only thing God gave them for sin, but they added legalism to try and gain their way to heaven.

The only way the Pharisees could do this was to ignore certain laws that they were breaking and emphasize the ones they liked and followed. That is why they were hypocrites.

The laws they broke were seen by Jesus and their good deeds did not erase their sin. Jesus did not condemn them for obeying all God’s laws, but for breaking His laws. They should have remembered, only a sacrifice of blood could erase their sin. They did not have faith, the law could not save them, nor did their good works help.

Today many try to define legalism as faithful obedience to God’s Word. This is false! If that was true Jesus would be legalistic! This is not legalism, this is exactly what God does and will continue to do in every Christian until all is finalized on Judgment Day.

His prophetic promise is very clear. “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27  And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT)

The sad thing is, legalism is practiced by some churches today by using rituals to try and bring forgiveness instead of faith in the cross of Jesus. There is no ritual that can do anything for you today!

The Lord Jesus proclaims to us, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19 (NLT)

The narrow road follower of Jesus has God’s grace empowering them, and does not need or trust in any rituals, nor suffers under the slavery of sin. No church needs to practice rituals. Christ died once for all.

Now we walk in the Spirit of life. Christ’s sacrifice was more than enough to completely set us free!

Grace: The law is fulfilled in each believer through the power of love

Matthew 5:18 (NLT) “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.”

“‘Till heaven and earth pass.’ This expression denotes that the law never should be destroyed till it should be all fulfilled. It is the same as saying, everything else may change-the very earth and heaven may pass away-but the law of God shall not be destroyed, till its whole design shall be accomplished.” – Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical.

Under the Old Testament Law, sin and forgiveness, blood sacrifice, and the horrible cost of sin was constantly pounded into the psyche of Israel. They were sinners, God was Holy. They could not come close to God because of their sin, which God hated. But He loved them and offered forgiveness through blood sacrifice.

Their lives were persistently reminded of sin. Sin and it’s burden were always on their minds. They were sick of sin, and killing animals over and over to cover their sin. The Old Testament rituals were a bloody circle of death and spiritual cleansing over and over and over and over. But the cross of Jesus changed everything. He was sacrificed for everyone so the ritual law was finished.

Now there is no purpose for rituals in the church. All the temple worship rituals are finished, and Christians must not copy any of them. “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.” John 19:28 (KJV)

Christ accomplished every detail in the task of paying for all sin, for all men, forever. He completely fulfilled the Bible promises and prophecy that gave us salvation from sin. God offers a New Testament to replace the old temple and rituals. A new temple is given.

“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4 (NLT)

Even the smallest detail of ritual law is over. The ritual law was fulfilled in the temple, but was finished in Christ’s body at the cross. Today, God fulfills his moral law through God’s new temples, the bodies of every narrow road follower of Jesus. As real as the old rituals were used for God’s glory, the new temples are made holy for His Word to be fulfilled in us! “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” Romans 13:8 (NLT)

Instead of rituals made by men, we live our lives in constant sacrifice, pouring out our lives by actually offering our own body, soul and spirit to serve God all day long. We pour out our lives instead of the blood of lambs and goats. No more blood is needed. This is real spiritual worship.

Have you become a true narrow road follower of Jesus? Romans was written for this very reason. “I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 (AMP)

God’s law is fulfilled in us everyday! “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Galatians 5:14 (KJV)

By God’s mighty grace flooding our souls we do fulfill the law.

Grace: the purpose of the Law and grace

What is the purpose of God’s law? Simple, to tell us what is right and what is wrong. To tell us how to love God and how to love people. God has that responsibility and authority to do this for His created world. The Law tells us what to do, and what not to do. What is good, and what is bad. “Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins…” Galatians 3:19 (NLT)

Christ did not erase the moral law, neither does grace.

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” Matthew 5:17-20 (NLT)

For example, in the Old Testament Law God commanded Israel, “No lies about your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 (MSG) Grace did not erase the Law and give Christians permission to lie today.

We see an example in the book of Acts. “But Peter said, Ananias, ‘why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?’” Acts 5:3 (KJV)

There is no change in God’s moral law. “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (NLT)

A lie is sin in the Old Testament, and a sin in the New Testament. The Law is not abolished, weakened, or changed by grace. A liar will still be judged. At Judgment Day liars will be condemned to eternal death in hell.

This is the same for the immoral, thieves, etc. Even if the United States of America declares sin is okay it does not change God’s mind. Nor does it matter if your uncle, mother or friend decides God is old fashioned and wrong. Sin is determined by the law of God and grace does not oppose or contradict the law.

“Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.” Romans 3:19 (NLT)

Any preacher, teacher, or Christian who teaches that grace allows us to “ignore the least commandment” contradicts the Lord Jesus. When you contradict Him, you deny Him. The very Greek word used means “ to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate :- deny, refuse.” – Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

What is the purpose of grace? Grace has nothing to do with God changing His mind and making excuses for Christians to continue sinning, while condemning the world for doing the very same acts. That would make God unjust and a hypocrite.

But you see, the religious leaders of Israel in Jesus’ day, were the hypocrites. They did not obey God’s law. They made a big deal about themselves being righteous, when in fact, they disobeyed God constantly. Jesus was clear, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.” Matthew 23:2-3 (NLT)

False grace makes excuses for a sinful life, in the name of being a Christian.

Grace: How to be great in God’s Kingdom

The purpose of real grace then has everything to do with changing the narrow road follower of Jesus so they can “practice and obey.” Our Lord is clear, “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 (NKJV)

Righteousness is doing what is right, not just believing in what is right. The Pharisees already tried that, and what did that get them?

Our Lord says our righteousness must EXCEED, and the Greek word used means SUPER EXCEED. This is like the difference between a penny and a billion dollars.

Grace is like a river of living water pouring through our lives pushing, shoving, and moving us to far exceed all other people by our righteous living. Remember the great promise that sets Christians apart from all of humanity is “I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Ezekiel 36:27 (NLT)

This is why the apostle John dares to say, “Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin.” This is not possible in human effort or willpower, this is a miracle! But, all those who keep on sinning do not know God. They do not know His salvation. They do not know His forgiveness. We are not just saved from hell. We are saved from sin!

Let’s read this carefully together 1 John 3:7-10 (NLT)

7  Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.

8  But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

9  Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

10  So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

No matter how much tolerance is proclaimed inside and outside the church, DO NOT be deceived. No matter how much grace is preached that is supposed to ALLOW sin to dwell in people’s lives, DO NOT be deceived. “When people keep on sinning,” even if they confess and ask forgiveness over and over everyday, they are NOT saved!

For a short time as they wrestle with repentance, this may happen. But this is not a long extended lifestyle. If your religion is made up of this enslavement to sin, you are not going to heaven, and you DO NOT know God. Those who keep on sinning BELONG TO THE DEVIL.

Christ Jesus destroys, destroys, and destroys this work of the devil in all born again believers.

Paul asks, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus …” [Romans 6:1-3 (NLT)]

The proof, the evidence, that you have met Jesus, and are God’s own child is simple, you can’t keep on in your old sins. Your new heart stops you. This new grace of the Holy Spirit inside floods you with holy desires, and powerful strength to obey the living God.

The child of the devil is a sin machine, no matter what he believes about his eternal end. That was the problem with the Pharisaic rabbis of Jesus day and the reason they tried to gain salvation by balancing their righteous acts against their unrighteous sin.

This is the huge difference between a true Christian and everyone else, because we are not sin factories anymore. That is why John writes, “But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate.” “If” is not the same as “since”! Since all the people of the world without Christ are “sin factories”, they constantly sin, rebel, and do acts of wickedness continually ignoring Christ and His commands.

But the born again are not “sin factories” and do not live in the perpetual life of sin and darkness. So “if” a Christian fails and commits a sin, but then asks for forgiveness, and repents… they are restored to life in the Spirit. But you must understand a true believer does not sin because they have to, if they sin it is a choice, an act of outright rebellion or deception and ignorance, NOT slavery.

Our righteousness is far more and greatly exceeds the “children of disobedience”. The child of God is a love machine because of the powerful work God does inside us and sticks with fellow Christians in the local church and fulfills God’s will together with His spiritual family.

Grace, marvelous “grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded…” Romans 5:20 (AMP) and “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” Philippians 2:13 (AMP)

“But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.” Romans 6:22 (NLT)

Thank you Jesus for grace! It empowers every true believer to will and work for God’s delight. We are the light of the world.

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Randy Bell
9 May 2016

StraightTalk Articles

How Do I Ask Others To Forgive Me?

Guidelines For New Believers: The Biblical Way of Asking  Forgiveness From Another

The Lord Jesus calls His narrow road followers to live a life far above what the world thinks is normal. Relationships are important to God and He demands the narrow road follower of Jesus does everything in his power to restore broken relationships. You see this in the Lord’s foundational teaching to his disciples. Read this carefully.

I-askForgiveness“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you,  abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.” [Matt 5:23-24 (MSG)]

Notice we cannot say we are okay with God when someone can point their finger at us and say, “This person offended me, they wronged me and never made it right.” Jesus demands his followers take the hard road and go back to that person.

evangelism1/ So before you ask someone to forgive you for wronging them, examine yourself. Even get help from a friend and pinpoint what you did that was wrong. Then and only then ask these important questions and carefully answer them:

  • Is there a change I need to make in my behavior? If this is a recurring attitude or bad habit, I need to address it.
  • Should I make restitution for what I did? If my action cost them something or damaged something, I need to replace or pay them compensation.
  • Have I thought through my action now and relived my offense through their feelings and viewpoint?
  • Can I say I have fully forgiven them for any wrong they did to me? Even if you feel they have been the chief problem it does not matter, you can and must answer to God for your actions.

evangelism2/ Then while preparing yourself to make things right… Choose your wording and make sure it does not imply blame to them or others? No excuses. Ask yourself, “Am I trying to justify my offenses in any way?” Remember:

  • Go over your wording carefully and make sure it does not imply blame to them or others?
  • Make no excuses for your words or deeds. Ask yourself, “Am I trying to justify my offenses in any way?”
  • Write out your words and make sure they are very specific.
  • Frame your words carefully showing genuine sincerity and humility. For example your beginning is important, “I have acted foolishly and damaged the trust of our relationship. God has convicted me that my outburst of anger towards you this morning…”
  • Next clearly say “…I was wrong…”
  • Then make sure you finish with the question, “Could you please forgive me?” Then in humility wait for their answer.

evangelism3/ These are important questions to ask yourself after requesting forgiveness…

  • Am I prepared to continue to respond correctly even if they will not forgive?
  • How can I sincerely thank them if they do forgive me?
  • Could I dare ask them to help me and reveal further “blind spots” I have that damage them and others?

evangelismSuggested Prayer to Develop a Spirit of Forgiveness

Lord Jesus, I ________________ [your name], do purpose in my heart, by Your grace, to believe that everything that happens to me You allow for a specific purpose—for my good. I know You promise me that all things, no matter how bad they seem, will work out for my good by your loving hand [Romans 8:28]. So by faith I will seek You for that purpose. I will not allow others to take [steal] my joy, by bitterness, but to forgive them as You have forgiven me.

Let these Bible verses give you support and faith in God. Memorize them and allow them to strengthen you in your days of trouble.

“…Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” Daniel 1:8

Beware “…lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15

And remember, in this context, bitterness is simply the result of not seeing suffering from God’s perspective. Use the hurts of your past to remember what it cost the Lord to forgive you.

Let’s read Matthew 18:21-35 (NKJV):
21  Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23  Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24  And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25  But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26  The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27  Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28  But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29  So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
30  And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31  So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32  Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33  Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34  And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35  So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

evangelismNo matter how hard it seems to forgive and ask for forgiveness, God demands the follower of Jesus to forgive others every wrong no matter how big it seems or how deep the hurt because every sin we have committed was an offense against our holy God. He offers forgiveness by the sacrifice of the death of Jesus.

Use the hurts of your past to know how others feel when you offend and sin against them, and let that drive you to sorrow, repentance, and restitution. Make things right so that no one can point their finger at you and say you sinned against them and never tried to make it right.

Double check and make sure the following qualities (Gal. 5:22-23) are in yourself as you determine to forgive and love those who even made themselves your enemies:

  • LOVE [God’s way is giving to others without expecting anything in return]
  • JOY [God’s way is reproducing Christ’s character]
  • PEACE [God’s way is a conscience clear of all offense to God and man]
  • PATIENCE [God’s way is responding to irritations with enduring love]
  • GENTLENESS [God’s way is the spirit of understanding]
  • GOODNESS [God’s way is Christ-like actions and responses no matter what]
  • FAITH [God’s way is fulfilling God’s purposes without knowing the future results]
  • MEEKNESS [God’s way is yielding all my rights to God]
  • SELF-CONTROL [God’s way is developing moral freedom in every circumstance]

Please, please, please remember the importance of rebuilding your relationships! Jesus tells the narrow road follower of Jesus, “go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.” [Matt 5:23-24 (MSG)] If you want a relationship with God it means you fix your relationships with others.

But if they will not forgive you, after a biblical attempt was made, then he commands, “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” Matthew 5:44-46 (NKJV)

As you see Jesus never said any of this would be easy, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT! We are “sons of the Father” of Heaven and we always do MORE than the people around us. This is why we are on the narrow road that few find or follow.

evangelism

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