Be deliberate to put God's word in you. He will guide you in all!
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
God supplies by his grace all the power we need to live for Him (Titus 2:11-14, Romans 6:1-2, 12-15, 1 Peter 4:1-3, 2 Peter 1:2-11, James 4:6-10). His grace saves us from the power of sin.
Be willing to dig deep (Luke 6:48) as you build a solid foundation of God's word in you. And by the grace of God you will be overcoming sin. Don't go with a mindset that anything is going to be quick and easy as Jesus has said to "strive [make every effort] to enter through the narrow door..." (Luke 13:24). But as you draw near to God and do so wholeheartedly (that's the key), He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
Please read:
Is Repentance Just a Change of Mind?
Repentance, along with faith in Jesus, is the way through which we come into a relationship with God and receive the healing our soul needs (cf. Luke 5:31-32, Acts 20:20-21).
Please listen to these messages:
Salvation From Sin - video
You Are Accountable to Repent - video
Resist Temptation & Break Free from Addiction - video
Connecting with God through Jesus (Book)
Struggling with Sin? (video playlist)
Please use this as guidance for prayer:
How To Pray
Be encouraged and may you find the new life in Jesus Christ and peace (Romans 6:4, 8:6)!
What's your take on the story of Zacchaeus? Or even many other stories in the Bible about how they apparently attained salvation? The text doesn't go into anything about people's own struggles. It's always about turning to "doing what's right" from doing wrong in relation to affecting other people. I mean, Jesus could've said, Zach, you have a lot of money, and you probably have some concubines. You better get rid of them. You better not have visited a prostitute (I say this because Zach was a "sinful man" according to the religious). Sure, Jesus did say to take your right eye out if it causes you to sin. But then why aren't any of us doing so? Why hasn't anyone else done so? Was Jesus really talking about gauging your eye out? Or cutting off the hand? I have many questions. Hence, I plan to attend a synagogue and make some Jewish friends.
ReplyDeleteI just noticed your comments, sorry for the delayed reply. Struggling with sin isn't a biblical concept. Rebellion is. "Struggling with sin" could just be seen as struggling to love God with all one's heart, mind, soul and strength and one's neighbor as oneself as He has commanded. And answering the call to repentance would take care of that.
DeleteThe account about Zacchaeus gives a clear example of repentance with deeds worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8, Acts 26:20). The account of the sorcerers who turned to God and burned their books (Acts 19:19) is another one. It's a point of agreement with God about turning away from evil and committing to faithfully pursue what is right in God's sight (righteousness). I recently addressed taking out the right eye in my post 'What Would Jesus Do?' (on this blog). I wouldn't say none of us are doing so, but it's certainly very few that are following the teachings of Jesus. And false teachings from impostors (e.g. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15) are the culprit, notably the absence of preaching repentance or the preaching of a twisted version of that that leaves a door open to ongoing sin. The issues run deep.
I have reservations about you attending a synagogue to have your questions about "the Way" (cf. Acts 9:2) answered, however. But I think it's fine to make some Jewish friends. Your mind is in the right place with the questions you are asking. But remember that you are called to follow Jesus, not others who profess to be following Him.
I recommend to you the messages on this playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQKBVZh0-tlJO5dOtTlgquNnmVCkHDCkx
Test what you hear against the scriptures and what you have come to understand about following God's ways.
I listened to the first clip and on the 2nd now, but I don't agree with what this man is saying. I used to agree with what this man says. And what he says is what most charismatic pastors say. It's NOT wrong. But it's missing the mark. Nobody is preaching that we are saved by living right. We are saved by what Christ did for us. That's the ticket that was purchased for those who believe. This man makes a straw-man argument by stating that living right won't help with attaining salvation, but that we must follow Christ. This is what everyone says. But they have no idea who Jesus Christ is other than that man who existed 2k years ago. God's Way, Logos, existed far before He came on earth. When we say we "follow Christ", it means we subscribe to God's Way. God's Logos. God's Wisdom. Solomon asked for this Wisdom. Queen of Sheba sought after this Wisdom and she was saved. John the Baptist told the Jewish-religious-crowd-by-faith-alone that they need to do the right thing. And not to think they are saved because they are of Abraham (of a religion or doctrine). Jesus told the Jewish lawyer to love God and love people, and gave an example of the Samaritan. The Samaritan was a despised offshoot of Judaism. It's like mainline Christian vs Mormons in comparison. So according to Christ, this Samaritan is a good example. Jesus tore down doctrinal barriers by giving an example of the Samaritan. So what exactly is God's Way? It's shown in the Bible. Rarely do we see that God's Way is about not doing something (unless you are a Jew under the law). But it's about doing something. Believe it or not, it's living life according to God's inalienable truths, principles, and values in faith. It's about good works in love. Did I say "works"? yes I did. NOT religious works of doctrine. Works founded on inalienable principles and values of God. His Way of doing things. When preachers say, "saved by faith alone and not by works", they don't even know what that really means. Paul wasn't talking about good works. He was talking about works of the law. Doctrine. Specifically, the religious doctrine of Judaism. So when ANYONE seeks to do what's right and pursue justice & mercy, they are on the Way. God's Way. If they pass away without knowing about what Christ did, they can be debriefed afterwards. But the point to life is that we seek God's Way. Salvation is something people who are found in the Way can obtain. If a Buddhist person pursues what's right, had mercy towards people, and humbly sought the Way, he would be saved. Why? For the same reason why Zaccheaus was saved:
Delete5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man[a] came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Remember, that Zacchaeus wasn't even accepted to the Jewish circle. He wasn't Catholic or Protestant. The examples go on and on in the Bible.
Thanks. I will review the first video for the weakness you have pointed out and will evaluate its place in what I am sharing as a whole.
DeleteHowever, inasmuch as being a Buddhist involves practicing idolatry, I cannot open to the idea that a Buddhist can be on the way of the one true God and still identify as a Buddhist. Being a Catholic or Protestant isn't much different other than claiming an attachment to Jesus while doctrines of men negate his teachings. There is a mutual exclusion between Jesus (the way) and other ways rooted in human wisdom. I cannot argue about what may happen after death, but we can have the assurance that God is just.
Yes, my point to what I was trying to convey is that God IS just. Otherwise, how were people who existed prior to Jesus coming to earth saved? This is my point. But not just my point. It's in the Bible over and over, but we are missing it. From what I am seeing in the Bible, doctrine doesn't save us--whether the doctrine is Mormonism, Judaism, or even Christianity. It's our heart and how we pursued God in Love. The Way, Truth, Light. But I am also not saying what I'm saying here is 100% correct. I'm just saying this is what I am seeing in the Bible thus far. Nobody has 100% of the answers IMO.
DeleteI wan to share with you this testimony by someone named Choby Siau. I ran across it a short while ago: https://youtu.be/RMihqyiXQK4
DeleteDoctrine matters. Jesus came into the world as a light to teach the way to eternal life. That way is called a difficult way that few find (Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-24). It's a life and death matter that the world is dealing with because of sin and the deception of Satan that keeps the whole world in some form of idolatry (1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9).
Delete1 John 2:9-11
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
didachē (G1322)
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G1322&t=KJV
I also understand that people who are being saved now are considered "firstfruits" (James 1:18, Revelation 14:4-5), and the wicked (unsaved) will be sent to punishment (Matthew 13:40-42, Matthew 25:46). The sacrifice of Jesus that we today look back to could be looked forward to by Abraham and all who have served God before the sacrifice of the cross (John 8:56). It's their faith that made them partakers of that sacrifice on their behalf as much as does our faith today. It had to happen at a point in time, but Jesus is also said to have been slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), if I read that right. I don't claim 100% correctness in my understanding and have questions, too.
But with this I wish to end our exchange on this topic because like you I am not close to question God's justice, although my understanding lacks in some areas. So, I will focus on Jesus' call to all men everywhere to come to repentance and faith in Him (Acts 17:30-31, Acts 20:20-21). I have an urgency to do that.
Thanks for the testimony.
Just to add, not trying to justify sexual sin. I confess that I was confused in this area (of sexual sin), but through your YouTube ministry, it’s helped me to get a more proper perspective. Bottom line is, if sexual sin pushes us away from intimacy with God... why would anyone in their right mind stay in that sin? What an amazing grace it is to hear from God Himself! I want that relationship over anything this world throws at me.
ReplyDeleteBrother, I am glad my ministry on YouTube has helped you. All the praise be to God! Any sin creates a separation between us and God. His grace is power given to the humble to say 'No' to following ungodly ways. That implies an agreement with God to begin with to not (no longer) call evil good and good evil (cf. Isaiah 5:20). So, it's indeed wisdom turn away from sin/evil in repentance and to stay away from evil, knowing it's the way that leads to death. That's what the Bible teaches.
DeleteHi. Do you know of any testimonies that share the "before & after" life of Christian(s) who came out of habitual sin? There are tons of materials on sexual immorality, but I really don't see anything on the contrast of a Christian person's life before and after they got out of habitual sexual sin... Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteI mean, not just, "I was in sin, but now I learned how to not do so...". But rather on how his/her life changed from being free from the sin. It's obvious to me that God doesn't just tell us not to do something for the sake of not doing, but there's almost always a side effect reason why God doesn't want us doing something...
DeleteHi brother. Yes, I can share my testimony:
Deletehttps://yestothetruth.blogspot.com/2018/10/saved-from-greed-testimony.html
And this is a playlist of testimonies that generally reflect a before and after as in Titus 3:3-7 (one of my favorite scriptures):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQKBVZh0-tlLsSebgl9THMeiOpsvCvZeS