Reality Check: Christians and Sin?

It is important to note the wonderful benefits we have in Christ. Paul states in Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places IN CHRIST. One such blessing is the forgiveness of our sins” (Ephesians 1:7). As we have discussed, we will have to discipline members of this congregation in due time, but may we ALL understand that we ALL make mistakes (sin) and need to get things right while we have the time.

When we are baptized for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38), in order to be saved (Mark 16:16), God takes away every sin we have ever committed (Acts 22:16). He wipes our slate clean (1 Corinthians 6:11). He gives us a new beginning and we are born again (John 3:3,5) and we are raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4).

But after we have been baptized and God has taken away all of our sins, what do we do when we commit other sins? How do we get forgiveness of these sins? For the answer to this let us look at the Epistle of First John. First John was written to Christians who had been baptized for the forgiveness of their sins, just as you and I have been.

1 John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Here this verse says we must be doing two things so that the blood of Jesus Christ will continue to cleanse us of all our sins. 1) We must “walk in the light”, that is we must be following God’s word in the Bible. 2) Also must “have fellowship one with another”, that is we must be regularly worshipping God in His church and working with other Christians. The original Greek word that is translated “cleanses” in this verse means that there is a continual cleansing going on. Herein lies the problem with those who have become unfaithful in their worship. Because they are not having fellowship one with another, they are no longer receiving forgiveness of their sins.

Then we continue to read the next verse 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We must repent and ask God to forgive us, and He will. When we stand before the Lord on Judgment Day we will have no sins and we will go to Heaven. This is very comforting to know that we are being continually cleansed.

Can You See the Difference? (Part 3 of 3)

Since some say it makes no difference how we worship God, then why should it make any difference whether we worship God? Yet, Jesus said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). Further, Jesus spoke out against man satisfying himself in worship and not God: “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9).

The apostle Paul warned men that give little regard to what the word of God teaches concerning the worship that they had better be careful or else they could actually be worshipping the devils instead of God! He said, “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils” (I Cor. 10:20).

Since some say it makes no difference how we are organized, then why should it make any difference whether we are organized? Yet, the New Testament church was organized by duly appointed representatives of Christ called apostles: “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:22-23). The writer of Hebrews pointed out the reason for elders to have a position of supervision or oversight within a local congregation: “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).

Seeing the difference in the name we wear in religion, what we believe, the church of which we are a member, how we are baptized, our giving, our attendance, how we worship, and how we are organized are vital to our acceptance before God and our spiritual maturity. Whether we are saved or lost eternally and whether those we love are saved or lost hinges on whether or not we truly can see the difference.

Can You See the Difference? (Part 2 of 3)

The prophets said God would place salvation in Zion: “I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory” (Isaiah 46:13). Ezekiel wrote, “And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all” (Ezekiel 37:22).

Significant proof that they were talking about the church of Christ emerges in Hebrews: “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect…Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:22-23, 28).

Since some say it makes no difference how we are baptized, then why should it make any difference whether we are baptized? Yet, the voice of inspiration insisted, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). In addition to that passage Colossians 2:12-13 says, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.”

Since some say it makes no difference what we give, then why should it make any difference whether we give? Yet, faithful giving is the proof of the sincerity of our love for Christ. Paul made this plain when he wrote, “Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God…I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love” (2 Corinthians 8:4-5, 8).

Since some say it makes no difference if we forsake some of the assemblies of the saints, then why should it make any difference if we forsake all the assemblies of the saints? Yet, forsaking the assembly of the saints is a willful sin against God: “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. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:25-26).

Can You See the Difference? (Part 1 of 3)

Seeing the difference between truth and error can be challenging sometimes, so perhaps a selection of contrasts will help bring the truth to light. Peter commanded the content of the communication God expects concerning his truth: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).

Since some say it makes no difference what name we wear in religion, then why should it make a difference whether we wear any name in religion? Yet, there is no salvation outside the name of Christ. Acts 4:12 reads, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” And, Philippians 2:9-11 urges everyone to respectfully submit to the name of Christ: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” From antiquity the prophets made clear the importance of being united in this one name: “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9).

Since some say it makes no difference what we believe, then why should it make any difference whether we believe? Yet, unbelief will condemn the soul. The Lord said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). The writer of Hebrews also said, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

Since some say it makes no difference what church we are members of, then why should it make a difference whether we are members of any church? Yet, the church of Christ is the fullness of Christ: “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23).

The prophets said God would place salvation in Zion: “I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory” (Isaiah 46:13). Ezekiel wrote, “And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all” (Ezekiel 37:22).

Strength from Brokenness

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you; that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. Luke 22:31,32

Having suffered the pain of sorrow (and maybe having stumbled in our faith), we are stronger for having had that experience — if we respond to it in the right way. Like a broken bone that is stronger at the spot where it was mended, we can gain strength from our brokenness.

Our chosen response to suffering is what makes the difference, of course. And choosing correctly is not easy. There are two opposite dangers that must be avoided. On the one hand, we must stay away from self-pity, but on the other, we must steer clear of self-righteousness. When we’ve been broken by some experience in life, we tend to veer back and forth between these extremes. With practice, however, we can learn to respond to heartbreaks with reverence, gratitude, and humility — and when we do, we find that hardships help us more than they hurt us.

In what sense, though, can we say that broken people are stronger? Well, for one thing, those who’ve had their hearts broken are often wiser and less vulnerable to certain temptations. After Peter had denied the Lord three times and recovered, he would have been more vigilant in that particular area for the rest of his life. But not only that faith, hope, and love are often more real to those who’ve been tried by fire. Job, for example, was a man of considerable faith before his ordeal, but after it was over, he found that his faith was a finer thing by far (Job 42:5,6).

Not everybody has to be broken by sorrow in order to learn spiritual strength; some are wise enough to learn from others’ ordeals (Proverb 21:11; 22:3). Nevertheless, there can be no question that those who are the strongest spiritually are often those whose hearts have been torn apart and then mended. Life in this world is hard; we must be frank to say. It is ugly, and it is dangerous. We’re never more than a step away from sorrow or shame, and the weight of the world may not be something we can bear without breaking.

The victory is ONLY in Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:57-58), who died for us, that we might have life eternal. The choice is up to you. Don’t leave this world without HIM.

I am Focused on Heaven in 2025

Happy New Year to all the members of the Miami Gardens church of Christ. 2025…a year we have never seen! We are thankful to God that HE has allowed us, despite ourselves, to see another year. As Christians, we must also be looking forward. We should not dwell upon or worry about past failures. Neither should we sit back and rest upon or gloat over past accomplishments. The child of God never reaches a point where he does not need to continue to grow. He never reaches a point in his service to Christ where he has done enough. Diligence in both these areas must always be given to make “our calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10-11). The following are some questions that all of us need to ask ourselves to see if we are what we should be in the sight of God or if we need to change our attitudes.

The following are some questions that all of us need to ask ourselves to see if we are what we should be in the sight of God or if we need to change our attitudes.

  • Do I study the Bible diligently? Bible classes and sermons do not supply all the needs of the Christian to grow as he should. Personal, diligent study on his part is essential if he is to gain the knowledge of God’s word necessary to function and mature as he should.
  • Am I present at every service that I am able to attend? Attendance is usually a barometer of faithfulness. Each must ask, “Are worship assemblies important to me or do I let just anything or anyone keep me from them?” The assemblies are important enough for Christ to be there (Matthew 18:20), what could be more important to you?
  • Can I be counted on to support the efforts of this church? Am I concerned about my brethren and my relationship with them? Each Christian needs to be actively involved in the work of the church in any way he can. No one is to be passive and depend upon others to do the work. If one possesses a proper love for the Lord and his brethren, he will want to work and do his part. He will also seek to be aware of his brethren who need his help materially, emotionally and spiritually and do what he can to meet those needs.
  • Am I really concerned about saving the lost? God’s desire is that all should be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). His desire is so strong that He sent His Son to earth to save all who believe and obey Him (John 3:16; Hebrews 5:8-9). The Christian is to have that same desire. If he does, he will do what he can personally to take the gospel to the lost.

Do you see some things in which you may be lacking? If so, resolve to change and set things in order so we ALL at the Miami Gardens church of Christ can be Focused on Heaven in 2025!

Resolutions

The practice of making New Year’s resolutions has become a yearly tradition for many Americans. This affords individuals the opportunity to “start over” in many aspects of their lives.

As the New Year begins there will be those who will make resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, and exercise regularly just to name a few. These matters are well and good, but Christians (who make resolutions) need to give more serious consideration to spiritual matters (cf. 1 Timothy 4:8).

The practice of making resolutions is not unknown in sacred writings. The Psalmist had several resolutions which he lists in Psalm 101 that are worthy of our attention.

  1.  “I will sing of mercy and justice” (Psalm 101:1).
  2.  “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way” (Psalm 101:2).
  3.  “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart” (Psalm 101:2)
  4.  “I will set no wicked things before mine eyes” (Psalm 101:3).
  5.  “I will not know a wicked person” (Psalm 101:4).
  6.  “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land” (Psalm 101:6).

Each of the resolutions listed can easily be applied to Christian living today. They deal with such matters as attitude, conduct, example, influence, and friendships. They embrace life in the workplace, the home, the school, the community, and yes, even the church.

If you are thinking of making resolutions, may I suggest that you consider the resolutions of the Psalmist. You certainly will be the better for it.

The members in particular at the Miami Gardens church of Christ must RESOLVE to DO what the Lord commands of us.

This begins with our commitment of our time, talent, and resources. Let us all be faithful stewards in 2025.