Testimonies are the kind of examinable things that are accepted every day in courts of law. They are presumed to express a reality experienced by a witness. Rejecting a testimony without consideration is akin to suppressing reality or facts because of the way they are being communicated. It's like, for instance, a judge would refuse to hear witnesses that are ready to testify in a case because there is no video evidence supporting what they would be testifying about. But these witnesses can be examined, their backgrounds can be checked, their motives can be evaluated, and then a right judgment can be exercised. These are all ways that a person seeking to establish the truth could employ, versus demanding a kind of evidence that is not part of the precise case at hand to begin with. And taking that later course would mean rejecting evidence that is available albeit through the admission of a testimony.
Spiritual truth, in particular, can only be apprehended by faith, not by any scientific method. That's the path to know God, beyond knowing about God through the evidence of the things He has created. An explorer who sincerely wants to learn about sea mammals doesn't start out denying that the sea is a thing and heading toward the forest. Likewise, advancing that nothing exists that has been created by God is intellectual dishonesty that stops the genuine pursuit of truth without giving the appearance of insincerity concerning such pursuit. It's elementary fact suppression to clear the way to assert that there is nothing that can be known or demonstrated about God. And from that follows the conclusion that God cannot be known or does not exist. But faith comes from what is heard about God.
What is heard about God is itself a testimony. Those who can testify that they know God will also hold true that He has communicated to mankind through a precise form: his word. The Bible is a record of God's communication to mankind through the writings of his servants. And He has laid out the precise way to approach Him:
"Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness [that's repentance], receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word [that's faith], and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. (James 1:21-22)
... "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:6-8)
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, instructing us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for Himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14)
Humility is key in one’s approach to God (that's a personal trait rather than a scientific apparatus). That statement can be evaluated for its investigative worthiness. A truth-seeker should not simply accept any statement as true. That is not what faith is about. But carefully considering the thing heard is the path to have any kind of faith. That implies trusting the message-bearer or, at the least, giving him/her the benefit of the doubt. That will be the way to progress to what will be personal, irrefutable, evidence of God’s existence: knowing Him because He has been pleased to reveal Himself to you who sought Him on his terms, that is, according to his word.1
Jesus who is the Word of God that appeared in the world in the form of a man was seriously challenged for his claims while He walked on the earth. This can be learned from what is written about Him in the Bible. Jesus made this statement to people who had their doubts, as you may have yours about Him today: “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.”2 Thus, taking Jesus at his word is then a clear path to have proof that what He taught is true and not myths to add to the many that are already being propagated on the earth, even through formal education. And taking that route has its requirements.
A prerequisite to seeking to know the provenance of Jesus' teaching and what that would imply is the humility to recognize God’s sovereignty. And that’s already beyond the question of his existence. Hearing that God’s existence is being called into question is, for a servant of God, like being married and hearing the denials of others that one has a spouse or knows anything about the intimacy attached to having such a spousal relationship. Thus, coming to know God, there is a way to that; but needing to establish that He exists is not God’s concern for anyone who doesn't know Him yet.3
The attitude of a person who decides to approach God is therefore important. Jesus does refrain from revealing Himself to the random person who wants to check Him out. There is no seriousness in such an approach, while what He is looking for is a relationship like a marriage founded on love and faithfulness. The readiness to be in total submission to the King of kings cannot be excluded. Denominations do start by people who take the Christian name and embrace what they like about the teachings of Jesus or simply twist them. So, the truth must be sought, and it will be found by those loving it; it will save them.4 A good and honest heart is necessary to move forward.5 Therefore, when God opens the door for a relationship with Him, He expects reverence and that one offers to Him a heart that is ready to obey Him in all. That's a sacrifice. That's the real giving of one's life to God. And that's the only way to come to know God intimately - not unlike a husband knows his wife and vice versa. God will only come to be on the throne of one's heart where room has been made for Him in response to the way He has commanded that He should be approached: through repentance and faith in Jesus.
[You know] how I did not hold back from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:20-21)
1. John 14:21 2. John 7:16-17 3. Romans 1:19 4. John 8:31-36, 1 Timothy 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 5. Luke 8:8, 15
Whereas professed Christians may be open about their various addictions, sexual sins, dishonest behavior (lying, cheating, stealing, etc.) that they struggle with, virtually no one is signaling a struggle with an idolatrous relationship with money in some form. It must be worthy of note that Jesus singled out Mammon to say "no one can serve both God and Mammon" —that is idolatry. But it's like Jesus had no reason for such a concern with his followers having their hearts divided between God and Mammon. It comes down to one's deep affections and where one really puts his or her trust, in God or in possessions or so-called buying power in this world, for instance, either power one has or thirsts for. Rich and poor can have Mammon as their master (comp. Revelation 13:16), in which case they are either rich or want to be rich in treasures that are passing, that moth and rust do consume, and that thieves do break through and steal (Matthew 6:19). Such loved or desired 'abundance' is worth nothing as far as God is concerned (comp. Revelation 3:17). +Even when one is not driven by a rush to amass material wealth, if money stands as the actual "savior" in any situation and God himself is obscured in his quality of being in control of any situation, then that, too, is idolatry.+ So much hurts God's sensibility when our trust isn't "really" in Him, and our love is for the world rather than Him, according to his word.
You may not know where you really stand until God sends a fiery trial to test you (e.g. 1 Peter 4:12).
Be careful what your eyes are set on, and by extension, what occupies your heart and mind. Have the right mark on your forehead that symbolizes your mind. And be careful about what you do with your hands as a result of what's captivating your eyes/heart/mind. Have the right mark on your right hand that symbolizes your deeds/actions (the things you do).
What you speak is a good indicator of what's in you: Luke 6:43-45 43 For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
2 Timothy 2:19 However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Matthew 5:29-30 29 And if your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to go into Gehenna.
Matthew 6:22-24 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness. 24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Mammon.
John 8:12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Luke 12:15 He [Jesus] said to them, “Beware. Keep yourselves from all covetousness, for a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.”
James 4:4 You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1 John 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 The world is passing away with its lusts [desires], but he who does the will of God remains forever.
Mark 8:34-38 34 He [Jesus] called the crowd to himself with his disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it. 36 For what does it profit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what will a person give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
John 14:15 If you love me, keep my commandments. Luke 6:46 Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say? Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. John 14:21 The one who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him. 1 John 2:3-6 3 And by this we know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that says, I know Him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: by this we know that we are in Him. 6 He that says he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not burdensome. 1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. 1 Jonh 4:20-21 20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 This commandment we have from Him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.
One
must seek God personally about masturbation. The following thoughts
about masturbation are shared from the perspective of an unmarried man.
One thing is sure: it
can't be something that
controls a person in any manner. An addiction to masturbation
exposes it as an idol in a person's life. It has a place
in the person's heart that should only belong to God. In some
circumstances, masturbation can exist as a 'savior' in a person's
circumstances. The person's attachment to masturbation is as such certainly sinful.
Remember also that self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23), and that the Bible speaks a great deal about putting to death the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24, Colossians 3:5, Romans 13:14).While I do not regard the act of masturbation as a "work of the flesh" to be added to the list in Galatians 5:19-21, God has made me understand that being in bondage to this behavior, being addicted to it and dependent on it for something that it provides, contradicts walking in the freedom that is in Christ.
Also, considering
that most people cannot conceive masturbation without the stimulation
of sexual imagery, it follows that those who sin in their
thoughts through what they are watching or imagining while they
masturbate cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Such must draw near to God
and cleanse their hands and purify their hearts (James 4:8). Even if
they do not have what could be called an addiction, such would still be under the power of sin (John 8:34) working through the law of sin and death (Romans 7:23 vs Romans 8:2) rather than under the power of God.
Romans 8:5-6 5 Those
who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh
desires; but those who live according to the Spirit have their
minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Being under God's care and guidance, there is no need for an unmarried person to be
driven by fear and engaging in sexual activity with anyone for the sake of proving sexual compatibility or assuring oneself of one's sexual performance. These are worldly concerns,
not the concerns of a child of God with a renewed mind (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16b; Colossians 3:1-2). And of course, taking pleasure in unrighteousness through any form of sexual immorality is not a fruit of the Spirit but a work of the flesh that disqualifies a person from inheriting the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-23). And those sins begin in the heart (Mark 7:21-23). The
discipline of keeping one's flesh in subjection cannot be ignored by any
follower of Jesus who is a new creation who has been fully empowered
through Him who strengthens him/her to do just that. It’s actually a
life and death matter to not heed the instructions from the Bible to crucify the flesh.
Romans 12:1-2 1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is
the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.
If one desires the greatest intimacy with God, and a secure walk on the difficult way to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-24, 1 Peter 4:18), that person must heed the instructions of the Bible and pay attention to walk according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit
and not be controlled by any cravings of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). May all this be
understood before positions are taken for everybody on whether the act of masturbation
itself is a sin or not.
Romans 14:23b ... Anything that is not done in faith is sin.
For instance, God's grace allows to: -resist the urge to release
sexual tension through masturbation (and pray as needed for God to
allow a strong sexual desire to naturally subside, even quickly) -regard sexual deprivation as
a non-issue, especially as an unmarried person, until the time appointed by
God for lawful sexual union with one's spouse if one has been called to marriage -say 'No' to sin, sexual or otherwise -turn down enticements to lust after random people's bodies and entertain sinful sexual fantasies in one's mind -consecrate one's mind and body to one's future spouse in honor of God's promise of such spouse (e.g 1 Corinthians 7:4 observed by faith).
Titus 2:11-14 11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12
instructing us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly desires, and to
live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13 looking for
the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and
Savior, Jesus Christ; 14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem
us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own
possession, zealous for good works.
Lastly, those who regard masturbation as a solution and turn to it in a less than ideal
situation, either as a single or a married person (e.g. prolonged
singleness, physical separation from a spouse, illness of a spouse, etc.), may they be willing to submit to God, depend on Him and hope in his lovingkindness (Psalms 147:11, 145:19, Psalm 27:13-14) rather
than to take matters into their own hands and not fully involve Him in
every detail of their lives.
James 5:13a Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
John 11:40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see God's glory?"
Hebrews 11:6 Now
without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to
God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him. Matthew 7:7-11 7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and
it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who
seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is
there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then,
being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask
Him!
Be in prayer about any situation you want to change.
Philippians 4:6-7 6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16
Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks,
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
The following are scriptures calling people to repentance or describing what God expects in making that call. Isaiah 1:16-18 16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. 18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson,They shall be as wool. Isaiah 55:6-7 6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. Jeremiah 8:6 I listened and heard, But they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, Saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his own course, As the horse rushes into the battle. Ezekiel 14:6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. Ezekiel 18:20-23, 30 20 The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he has committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he has done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? says the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Ezekiel 33:11 11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ Acts 8:22-23 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. James 1:21-22 21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness [that's repentance], receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word [that's faith], and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. James 4:8-10 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. Read Jonah 3:10 to learn what Jesus was saying that the people of Nineveh can teach to our generation about repentance. REPENT OR PERISH Luke 13:1-5 1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Matthew 21:28-32 28 But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, 'Son, go work today in the vineyard.' 29 He answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind, and went. 30 And he came to the other, and said the same thing. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into the Kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you did not even repent afterward, that you might believe him. So, Jesus taught that the people who believed John the Baptist's message repented and that showed that they believed him. Jesus sent his apostles to preach repentance to all nations: Luke 24:46-47 46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." On the day of Pentecost, people asked Peter and the other apostles what they must do to be saved and he answered to them: Acts 2:37-38 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not given to those who do not repent to turn from rebellion in sin to obedience: Acts 5:30-32 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” The apostle Paul preached repentance: Acts 17:30-31 30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to everyone by raising him from the dead. Acts 20:20-21 (you know...) 20 how I did not hold back from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks (Gentiles) repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 26:19-20 19 "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds." Many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1). Don't listen to them and make the fatal mistake of either dismissing repentance or getting repentance wrong. 2 Timothy 2:15, 19 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, correctly handling the word of truth. 19 However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work [not sin!]. Repent! Obey Jesus! Turn away from sin! Be saved! More: Romans 2:4-7 4 Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:”... (speaking for both Jews and Gentiles - verses 9-10) 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow leads to repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world leads to death. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Corinthians 12:20-21 20 For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you do not desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots; 21 that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, 25 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will. Hebrews 6:1-6 1 Therefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, 2 of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put Him to open shame.
PS: Comment on the understanding of repentance being a daily endeavor
That understanding is strengthened by the belief that being a slave to sin (John 8:34) has no end and that repentance does not in fact usher a new life (Romans 6) and a new walk in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:17-24). In Luke 15, Jesus gave three parables to show what repentance is supposed to accomplish: a return to God, reconciliation with God to be forgiven of past sins, and passing from lost to found and from being dead to being alive. The last parable is the well-known
parable of the prodigal son who returns to his father. Remark that once
he did that, his father made a feast for him. So, he was not going back
to his same old paths that had dishonored his father the very next day to be lost
again and find himself at a place where he needed to repent again for the same sins and
return to his father over and over (and perhaps have a feast made for him each time). No!That would be a mockery of his father (a figure representing God). All this is to say that repentance, in the Bible, as a means of coming into a relationship with God, is
not a daily endeavor. It accomplishes a reconciliation with God and
then it's fellowship with God, walking in the light (1 John 1:5-7) going forward —not going backwards from that (Luke 9:62; Luke 17:32; 2 Peter 2:20-22). And by his grace (Titus 2:11-14; Romans 6:1-2, 12-15), one can indeed stand, walk with God and not go back to old sinful ways. The way forward is to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
PSS: Comment on how many times a person may repent People who are backslidden are called to repent to make things right with God (because they aren't). And since they were once saved from sin (John 8:36; Romans 6:5-7, 14, 18), they must have repented already once to get into a relationship with God in the first place. This was the case for the five (out of seven) churches that Jesus told to repent in Revelation 2:5, 2:16, 2:22, 3:3 and 3:19. They all received a warning to repent, and that meant they were facing a life and death situation because of their backsliding. They had to repent or they would eventually perish/be destroyed (not be saved). So, their backsliding wasn't a normal nor an expected situation. And it does not warrant that any believer today would need to be talking about being saved (set free from sin) and foreseeing multiple future instances of repentance right from the start of their relationship with God. That's not the picture to have of neither repentance nor salvation. Going back to sin after having repented and being saved from sin is not the plan. And this lines up with Jesus' words in John 8:35, saying that a slave doesn't remain in the house forever. That goes also for someone who was saved/freed from sin and went back to being a slave of sin by his/her own doing, selling him/herself back to sin.
People do fall away from the faith, from being previously in it and failing to endure to the end (Matthew 10:22, Hebrews 2:1-3, Hebrews 10:38-39, 2 Peter 2:20-22). And for those who are unable to repent an nth time (e.g. Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-29, Hebrews 12:17), there won't be any change of destination for them from the present time to the time of Jesus' return and of the final judgment. There is a point of no return for someone who would come to know God and believe a lie of the devil and turn away from that spiritual intimacy with the most blessed almighty God.
Exhortation to get out of debt (a message for who has ears to hear it). _______
If you can afford to make minimum payments to your creditors, take no pride in that. While you may think you are "taking care of business" because you have a job and can make your payments, your creditors whom you may call "business partners" are not your friends. Most don't think that they have given you "help" by letting you borrow from them. Debt is not "good" and they don't want you out of debt. So, some don't hesitate to send you "pre-qualified" offers to tempt you are the "right" time. They do bet on your failure as a borrower, even if they do not see it happen often enough. It hurts their business to see you come out of debt. How can they be your friends?
They say you know who are your friends in tough times. Well, that is also true for lenders who are happy to "have your business" in your good times. You may even think they've "got your back" in this life, but you would be thinking wrong. It's what it is. And trouble comes to those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 55:20). Creditors are not pets to feed for the rest of your life.
Therefore, have it in your mind to get out of debt. That's a matter you need to go before God with. And proceed God's way. If you've surrendered your life to God, your finances also immediately become his business. Let Him be involved. If you have gotten yourself into debt for foolish reasons (because many traps are laid out in the world to that end precisely), or because you were in a situation where you didn't see any other option, know that it's not God's will that you remain in debt as his servant. It's not God's will, being in a relationship with Him, that you are spending much time crunching numbers when you could be spending time meditating on his word, being in fellowship with Him and getting to know Him always more intimately. Maybe your "it's complicated" relationships with creditors is not the life God has for you at all. Even if He may have you stay in such a place for a time and for his purposes, learn your lesson and grow. It's not your destination because his word does not say so.
Psalm 91:3
Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence.
By all means, seek freedom from debt. But don't google your options. Walk with God in the way of his servants. Be praying and dare to not run to what everybody does or rely on your "plan" without having heard from God. Seek God and wait for his clear direction, wherever it may take you. Trust in Him for all.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
Know that God knows everything about your finances, down to every cent that comes your way or that you spend. Let go of any pride you may have in this area and let God be in control. All that you have, you have it because God has allowed you to, and you are accountable to Him for what you do with it. That includes your money and also your job (what allows you to work and have an income). Even your physical strength, intellectual abilities and talents belong to God. How is He more pleased to have you use those things? This is the time to ask Him, if you never had. It's time to trust Him for who He is, Yahweh Jireh, your provider. What do you or can you trust Him to provide for you? It's time to exercise your faith and see results that will glorify God. See what comes out of your prayer life!
It's worthless to get comfortable in being the minimum payment man or woman of God for the rest of your life. You can surely get an excellent credit score in this world that way, all the while you're lacking in storing up treasures in heaven because maybe you are spending all your life as a slave to lenders and ignorant of what God can do in your life, including your finances. You can maintain good credit by making your minimum payments, but that credit score you are working for has more to do with your credit spending and payment behavior than to being an indicator of your character when it comes to money (e.g. whether lenders can actually trust you to pay them back). Whether you are honest to pay back what you borrow cannot be set in stone in a credit report, and no creditor will care once you miss or are late for one payment. Your good credit bubble will burst in no time and God alone will remain who knows your heart on whether you do care to pay back what you have borrowed or not. People will quickly assume the worst of you, so God'd better be the one you have your trust in at all times. Likewise, whether the love of money is in your heart won't be the concern of who wants to get money into your hands quickly as a loan (for whatever purpose), but even a good credit score will not get you right with God. So, seek what God's will is and work with Him to bring it to pass in every area of your life.
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
While you think you are "financially stable" or able to "get by" somehow while carrying debt, make it a priority to seek your way out of debt. What is financial stability, anyways? Can God teach you something that is not from the books written by people who do not know God? How much do you want to be on the same page with God about your finances or everything else for that matter?
For sure God is not in the money lending business Himself. If anything, God will be the borrower from those who give in obedience to his will. Consider this word:
Proverbs 19:17
He that has pity upon the poor lends unto the LORD; and that which he has given will he pay him again.
So, God is eager to get his people out of debt when they seek his ways.
And while God owns the silver and the gold, He wants to be Himself the treasure of his children and does not promise material wealth to his servants. He does bless whom He wills with earthly riches according to his plans and purposes but his promise is to attend to the needs of his children, whatever they may be in his plan for their lives. He does not promise to make them rich with what is perishing. False teachings about that abound, so know God's word and do not be led astray. Storing up treasures in heaven is what God wants to see his children have in their minds to do. He does not want their minds to be on the passing things of this earth.
Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
How is your eye concerning these matters? Are you seeing as God sees?
Matthew 6:22-24
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be sound, your whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Mark 8:36-37
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own life? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?
1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.
Luke 12:15
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.
Psalm 139:23-24
23 Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. 24 See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
The more entangled a child of God is in the things of this world, the less freedom his or her heart has to serve God and speak his truth and shine his light! So, it's important to not be weighed down with the cares of this life, including the financial debts one may carry.
This message does not make the assertion that borrowing is a sin, however, whether it's money or containers (cf. 2 Kings 4:3, comp. Matthew 5:42, Romans 13:8). But it may quite well be sin if that borrowing is not done in faith (Romans 14:23). A child of God must be led by the Spirit of God concerning all things (Romans 8:14). Therefore, this message is not addressing the question as to whether one should borrow or not borrow, but assumes borrowing has occurred already and makes the case to be so minded as to clear all debts. Whether a debt was contracted before or after one had become a child of God, he or she must be led according to God's will and wisdom concerning money and debt and everything else. Finally, this message is also not in itself a program to get out of debt but a call to get with God's program about one's finances.
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Ephesians 5:11-17
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever does make manifest is light. 14 Therefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. 15 See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Psalms 40
1 [To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.] I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 3 And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is that man that makes the LORD his trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O LORD my God, are your wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are toward us: they cannot be recounted in order unto you: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; my ears have you opened: burnt offering and sin offering have you not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do your will, O my God: yea, your law is within my heart. 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not restrained my lips, O LORD, you know. 10 I have not hid your righteousness within my heart; I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation: I have not concealed your lovingkindness and your truth from the great congregation. 11 Withhold not your tender mercies from me, O LORD: let your lovingkindness and your truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me: my iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head: therefore my heart fails me. 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. 14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. 15 Let them be desolate as a reward for their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. 16 Let all those that seek you rejoice and be glad in you: let such as love your salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. 17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me: you are my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
