Another Mistaken Idea...Perfecting holiness?

 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. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 Today, I would like to address another mistaken idea that traditional religion has propagated throughout the Church. I will first cite the Biblical reference used to support this idea. This, of course, isn't to say the Word of God is mistaken, but rather the religious minded interpretation of the passage is.

7 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

 This wonderful passage has been used by some to create a performance driven relationship with God. This idea has left many believers disheartened and wounded. What is this mistaken idea? Allow me to expose it.

"Righteousness is what He did, holiness is what you do!"

 I have heard many ministers, mostly in the Pentecostal and Charismatic circles of the Body of Christ espouse this idea or variations of it. This doesn't mean other denominations haven't taught this idea. They may change the wording but the results are the same.

 Is this a true statement? According to 2 Corinthians 5:21 we've been made the righteousness of God in Christ. Our right standing before God could never be earned or achieved by our merit. Most sound minded believers understand this.  
 That said, the real concern is the concept that holiness is something we do or accomplish. This is why this is a mistaken idea. Holiness seems to be some destination that we need to arrive to. Holiness is some state we must achieve and/or maintain in order to please God. Our blessings and relationship seem to be rooted in our obedience and lifestyle. 

 Holiness is what we do? This idea presented is this. Jesus forgave your sins. Now it is your duty to cleanse yourself from any misdeeds and missteps from this point forward. Look at the passage again.

 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves...
See it is right there. We must cleanse ourselves. So the idea is when you blow it or are still struggling with addictions and bad habits you are perceived to be filthy and dirty before God. 
...perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
 You're not only dirty but now must perfect your holiness. So believers go about their lives and look to outward means to ensure they're perfecting holiness. Allow me to illustrate what this looks like in the average believers life.

 Believer hears the good news. Gets saved. Realizes they're in right standing by what Jesus did. Now the preacher says they need to focus on their holiness before the Lord. That is what is most important. Believer goes home and contemplates this news.
 So believer begins by cutting his hair and covering those tattoos. Goes to church and hears that is insufficient. So, believer quits watching certain TV shows. Goes back to church and hears that is insufficient. So believer quits listening to hard rock but still listens to country music. Goes to church and hears that is not enough.
 Believer can't understand so he quits wearing shorts and no longer wears jeans to church but a suit. Again at the church he hears that is not enough. Believer goes home and quits listening to all music but Christian music and turns off the TV. Goes to church and hears it's still not enough. He realizes it must be the nicotine addiction. He tries and tries to beat the habit. Each time he lights up he realizes how dirty and filthy he is to God. He weeps each time he finishes a cigarette. Finally, after so long he quits. Yet with all these things keeping his focus his wife feels neglected. His wife leaves and he finds himself divorced. The church then kicks him out because divorce is the unpardonable sin. Believer gives up because this Christian life is too hard...

 This happens all to often. This is why religion and tradition and legalism is so wrong and destructive to the Church. Allow me to give the good news. Righteousness is what He did and holiness is what He made you! It is not something He expects of you, it is what He has made you! 
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:24
By this will of God, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all,
...For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. Hebrews 10:10,14
Holiness is what He made us. It is part of our new nature. This beautiful passage Paul is talking about in 2 Corinthians is a simple truth. He isn't saying cleanse yourself from your sin or bad habits. For only the Blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin and wrong. 

 A better understanding of this passage we cited in 2 Corinthians is found in another translation.

7 Since we have these great promises, dear friends, let us turn away from every sin of the body or of the spirit. Let us honor God with love and fear by giving ourselves to Him in every way. 2 Cor 7:1

The word holiness in the Greek here is only found 3 times in the New Testament. It means sacred. All Paul is saying is give yourself to God. Be who you already are in Him. Holiness is not some spiritual running wheel we get on when we get saved. Running after what we never attain to. I hear so many teach we are pursuing holiness.

 I'm not pursuing what I already possess in Christ. I am what He made me. Habits and addictions reign when we don't realize how much God loves us. They remain when we don't identify with who we already are in Him. That is the key to overcoming in this life.

 This mistaken idea of holiness is something you do is not based on the Word but tradition. People believe it because they feel we still possess the old nature, (that will have to be for another post much debate there). Suffice it to say we are made righteous and perfectly holy by virtue of the new creation. We can't add to it or take away from it. 

To summarize we are already holy. To give ourselves to God is to simply rest in the finished work. To grow in our relationship with God, and not giving ourselves over to wrong thinking. We don't pray or feed on the Word in order to get God to bless us. No, we feed on the Word and pray because we love God because He first loved us. All of our blessings are rooted in the finished work and us therefore already have all the blessings we ever need (Eph 1). We just by faith freely receive what Grace already provided. 

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Walking in the New Covenant

17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17

Is the Church under the Mosaic Law III

 We've been studying about Law vs Grace and the place the Law has in the New Covenant. I want to conclude this study by addressing how to walk in the New Covenant in relation to the Old Covenant Law. I want to address a couple of issues with clarity and truth from the Word of God.

 The Law is good and just. It served a purpose

 New Covenant grace isn't about being anti-Law. The truth is the "hyper grace" folk are the ones who truly honor and exalt the Law in its rightful place. It served as a schoolmaster until faith came. The Law is good and just and holy (Rom 7). The problem with Law Covenant was no man could keep it. It in reality was designed only to stir up sin and to bring humanity to an end of itself or efforts. 

 Do you know there is wisdom in the Law? Certainly, some of the dietary ordinances had some health benefits. At the time sanitation was an issue, some of the cleansing rituals had benefits for sanitation. Circumcision has many natural health benefits even today. These are well and fine. The core issue is though none of these rituals, ordinances or "do's" and "don'ts" written in stone, will bring new life. None of these will bring salvation any closer. In comparison to the Blood of Jesus they are nothing. These things can't save you.

 Do we define sin with the Old Covenant Law?

 How do we define sin? Do we use the Mosaic Law for authority as to why we shouldn't lie or steal? We must use great caution when looking to the Law as our standard. First, because grace mixed with any portion of Law is no more grace but works. Secondly, what we in the modern Church like to define morality as is only a portion of the Mosaic Law. 

 If we look at Leviticus we can see moral codes such as not wearing garments mixed with two materials. How you raised your livestock, how you treat the land, how you pay workers. These and other things were all addressed in the moral portion of the Law.  Do you stand up whenever an elderly person walks by you? That is part of the moral portion of the Law. Looking to the Mosaic Law for morality becomes and endless list of "don'ts" that the Jews couldn't keep. That is why Jesus gave us a New Covenant. 

 I want to emphasis what Paul emphasized as to what defined sin.

9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. Romans 13:9-10

 Take note Paul referred to one Law. That is the Law of Love. James called it the royal Law. Love is the key to defining sin. God is love. He changes not. We need not the Mosaic Law to define sin because even before the Law we see, to a degree, love being the guide. 

 In Genesis we see Cain coveting the acceptance God gave Abel's sacrifice. We see Cain murdering Abel. Without any Law or code, it was understood this behavior was wrong. Cain knew it within, why did he try to conceal the matter? Joseph knew adultery was wrong without any Law or code. Why? He loved the Lord and knew it wasn't loving to engage in sexual activity with another man's wife. Stealing was also understood to be wrong, you can see that in the account of Joseph's brothers. 

 Some fighting the message of grace and New Covenant life in Christ declare strongly the Law of God hasn't ceased. The moral character of God has never changed. These leaders are referencing the Mosaic Law. They are missing it. It is not the Mosaic Law that is unceasing but rather the Law of love. Grace teaches us to live upright and Godly. God is love. Grace teaches us to love more. If we love more, we won't engage in sexual sins, or cheating or deceptive practices. 

 God gave us grace to fulfill the Law?

 This is the most unusual teaching about the Law I have ever heard. Why would grace be given to keep an obsolete system (Heb 8)? The standard of Law was perfection. No one is perfectly perfect 100% of the time. Here is why this concept is contrary to the truth.

1. The Law causes sin to abound (Romans 7)

2. The strength of sin is the Law (1 Cor 15)

3. Under a curse if you're under the Law (Gal 3)

4. Not led by the Spirit if you're under the Law (Gal 5)

5. The Law cannot perfect or mature anyone (Hebrews 7:19)

 Again I say anytime we mix Law and grace we make grace void. God is wise enough to know not to give grace to keep a system than cannot perfect or mature anyone and stirs up sin and makes one abide under a curse. So what is the relation to New Covenant life in Christ and the Law?

 The plain truth is there is no relation whatsoever. The Law has been fulfilled in Christ. That system is an obsolete system. Religious blinded men are deceived into thinking two systems are still functioning today. Let me illustrate. When we update our computers the Old programs is gone and the New updated one comes. This may not be the best illustration but it still proves a point. We operate in the New not the Old. 

 For our standard of morality or how we live allow the love of God to govern your heart. Looking to the Law only causes us to be trust in ourselves and not trust in Christ's finished work. Walking in the New is to fully rely on God. To fully trust in Christ perfect performance not our own failings and shortcomings. Rest in His faithfulness not our own. This is life in the New Covenant. It is a daily relationship with our Father. 

 To conclude, is the Church under the Mosaic Law? Absolutely not! We are under grace. Be refreshed in Christ and His everlasting love for you. 

 

Dispensers of Grace or guilt?

5 He came to save us. It’s not that we earned it by doing good works or righteous deeds; He came because He is merciful. He brought us out of our old ways of living to a new beginning through the washing of regeneration; and He made us completely new through the Holy Spirit, 6 who was poured out in abundance through Jesus the Anointed, our Savior. 7 All of this happened so that through His grace we would be accepted into God’s covenant family and appointed to be His heirs, full of the hope that comes from knowing you have eternal life. 8 This is a faithful statement of what we believe. Titus 3:5-8 

 We're in a new study concerning condemnation, conviction, and repentance. We are focusing on condemnation again this week. I want to peel this onion back if you will and gain even more understanding.

What about our mess ups, mistakes, and plain sin?

 Glad to address this. What about condemnation because we actually have missed God? What if our actions hurt others? Shouldn't we be under condemnation? Don't we deserve to be condemned? Let's allow the Word to respond. First things first:

 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Romans 6:14-15

Sin is not who we are any longer. We are under grace, not Law or performance. Grace received,  God's divine influence upon our heart, makes wrong choices and immorality unappealing. Now last time we studied the actual meaning of the word condemnation. It carries the connotation of an adverse sentence against you. There is, however, one time a Greek word is actually translated condemnation in the Epistles where it really means to be blamed. 

 In Galatians 2:11 Paul confronted Peter for allowing legalism to determine his choices instead of God's love and His grace. Paul defended his confrontation to Peter by stating he was to be blamed. The translators translated this Greek word more accurately in Galatians than they did in 1 John. The word is translated as "condemn" in 1 John and "to be blamed" in Galatians. These are the only times this word is even used in the entire New Testament. Let's look at 1 John for a moment to more thoroughly answer the question about what if we sin.
20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 1 John 3:20-21 NKJV
 This begins to the answer the question. When we miss it be it deliberately or unknowingly we are not blameless if you will. We did miss it. Here is the key, it is never God condemning you, a believer if you miss it. However, your new nature will not feel cozy or at home if you will in making bad choices or living in a manner that doesn't reflect that new nature. The New Living Translation gives us a clearer understanding of this passage.

20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 1 John 3:20-21 NLT                                                                     It is our heart reminding us who we are already in Him. In Him, we don't live contrary to our new nature. God is not, I repeat not imputing your sin or failure to you and requiring you to "pay up" for missing it. He isn't withholding His love or blessings when we miss it. His forgiveness is still ours. His love never fails even though we do. 

Why we shouldn't want to miss it

There are three reasons why we don't want to miss it continually even though we are forgiven and made new in Him. 

1. sin has consequences. This is a two-fold principle. If you break the law (commit a crime) even though God isn't holding your sin over you, civil law will. Also, you risk earning the mistrust of others around you when you live by your flesh. Secondly, there is a spiritual consequence. It is the corrupting influence of poor choices or sowing to the flesh. The flesh will "blind" you to the new creation realities the Spirit is endeavoring for us to know.
2. We won't go to hell for missing it by our deeds but our choices can display an unappealing outlook of what a relationship with God is about. In other words, your sin may not send you to hell but it may keep someone else from experiencing Heaven.
3. Confidence before God is weakened. This is what 1 John is really talking about. God is never saying you're not welcome to come to me. Our own heart or conscience may lack confidence in coming to God when we blow it. This is why we so often want to run from God instead of run to Him when we blow it.

 To sum up the question, when we miss it we should never accept or put up with condemnation. This only drives a wedge between us and our Father. Our Father is never extending condemnation towards us no matter how "deserving" we may feel we are at the moment. He especially isn't dispensing guilt and hopelessness when we feel sister so and so or brother whosoever "deserves" it. This doesn't mean that we pursue sin or wrong either. We can trust in Him and identify with our new nature and live above sin and wrong thinking. This is not to say we will never miss it. It's just saying we have the freedom in Him not to live a lifestyle of sin and wrong thinking.

Are we dispensers of Grace or guilt?

 Now as I have detailed we never want to live in a state contrary to our new nature in Him. Grace isn't about creating a "comfort zone" for living in poor choices. Paul reveals in Titus that grace teaches us to be who we already are in Him. Grace is an invite to a new and living relationship with God minus the efforts and performance driven mindsets of religion. This said we still must never be willing dispensers of guilt and shame when we see people miss it.

 What profit is it when we hurl guilt and shame to others when they are in sin? This only drives people away from God. It doesn't invite people to come and experience the Father's embrace. God isn't looking upon us with arms crossed in constant disapproval of our actions and poor choices. Here is the reality, guilt and shame in and of themselves will do nothing in creating change in the hearts of God's people. 

 Doling out guilt and shame continually to people who are missing it only produces an environment where people are left in their sin. They are so guilt ridden they feel why go further? That is the real problem with religion. All that is important to the Law minded leadership is that you feel bad. It's never about finding freedom from the bondage or habit. All that matters is that you feel guilty. As long as you feel bad God won't "strike" you down. 

 Grace on the other hands looks to set you free from bondage. Grace brings freedom to those trapped in sin. It wasn't just feeling bad for my actions that produced my freedom from an over twenty-year porn addiction. It was grace! His grace revealed to me Christ had so much better for me. Grace shined the light of God's love in my heart even in the midst of my ugliness and immoral habit. Grace revealed God's great love and goodness to me even though I didn't deserve it or could in no way earn it. Grace revealed His goodness was still extended toward me in blessings and He favored me even in my most darkened state. Grace showed me some boundaries to set up and led me to the place of total freedom where that desire is not existent any longer! Grace is what produces freedom from wrong, not guilt and shame. Fingers pointed in accusation never bring freedom and change. Only His love and mercy and goodness produce lasting change and new life.

 In summation, we are dispensers of grace never condemnation. Grace is extended in goodness even when we miss it. This grace will produce freedom and new life we can walk in daily. The cross made a difference. The cross made a way for us to live in vital relationship with our Father. Experience His peace today. I pray this has blessed you and shown you the way to lasting freedom. You're loved and you matter.

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Can we lose our salvation if we deliberately sin?

 Our sins are washed away and we are made clean because Christ gave His own body as a gift to God. He did this once for all time.    Hebrews 10:10

  In these last few articles we have been in a series entitled "Loving it, leaving it, losing it". We are concluding it today. Allow me again to explain the title. Loving it, because we love our eternally secure salvation Jesus purchased for us. Leaving it because many religiously concerned folk believe we can forfeit a free gift or freely walk away from our new identity. Losing it, because some religious tradition bound folk believe that we can sin away God's grace.

  Today I want to elaborate on one of the main passages that religion cites that we can just sin away His grace. I want to answer the concerning questions some have. What about Hebrews 10:26?

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  Hebrews 10:26-31

26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. Hebrews 10:26 NLT 

  This one passage has troubled so many. What if I have willingly or deliberately sinned? Then am I lost forever? Am I the one who has "trodden under foot" the sacrifice of Christ with my performance? Have I sinned just once to much? Is this sin I just committed gotten me removed from God's family? Doesn't seem to convey any good news to the hearer of this passage. 

  Now, Law minded legalistic believers will revel in passages such as this. They make statements like, "God wants you holy not happy." "Strong warnings are really preaching the gospel." "We need more preachers telling it like it is!" "Minister so and so is letting those sinners have it!"

  Is this the message Jesus came to bring? Is this the message of the New Covenant? The sad part is the delusion religion is trapped in. Their eyes are oblivious to the damage this type of preaching does to folk. The Word declares the strength of sin is the Law not grace preaching. When some folk believe their sin has insulted the spirit of grace and there is no more sacrifice for their sin they give themselves over to living a more sinful life. Why? Because they are already lost (in their minds) so what is the point of going further? 

 This is the danger of legalism. We have perpetuated traditions of men not rooted in the Word and caused so many to stumble and go further into bondage of addictions and bad habits. Religion just surmises that the person quit Jesus and wanted sin and darkness more. So we let people go instead of rescuing them with the truth of His grace.

 Now lets explore this passage further. Is the writer stating that if we "deliberately" sin we are lost forever? Absolutely not! The truth is each and every sin one commits is a willful or deliberate sin. If not what are you saying? Are you under the control of something else? Does satan so dominate Christians that he can literally make them do something they have no desire to do? 

 We know that's not possible because James details what happens in the process of sin. We are tempted or enticed by our own desire. If we give in then we have sinned. So the enticement comes from our own desire. These desires would be those in our thinking we have not yet renewed with the Word. This then removes the idea we can unwillingly sin. 

 What then is the portion of Scripture teaching? First, context is key. If we would just interpret the Word in context we would have more truth instead of so much tradition in the Body of Christ. As Pastor Prince says so often, when we take a text from it context we are only left with a con. 

 What is the context of Hebrews 10? First, the context is the entire Epistle. It is an Epistle written to the Hebrews, not to the Church. It is addressing two types of Jews. Ones who have received Jesus and are being persecuted for it by their brethren. It is also written to Jews who have heard the truth of Jesus and the New Covenant and have not yet made that full commitment to trust in Christ from their heart. 

 Secondly, it is in context of the entire tenth chapter. In the beginning of this chapter the writer is line upon line teaching about the New Covenant and Jesus once for all sacrifice for all sin. The writer goes into great detail to reveal that the Old was fulfilled in Christ and with the sacrifice of Christ the New has come. 

 Then the chapter goes into encouraging others into fellowship and acceptance of the New Covenant, ( The writer uses the word we throughout the chapter because the writer was obviously a Jewish believer and is identifying with his fellow Jewish brethren.) Now we get to Hebrews 10:26. What it's admonishing is Jewish brethren to fully receive this New Covenant and one time sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and not to reject it. If you reject this New Covenant and rather put your trust in temple sacrifices and afterwards decide to sin there is no more sacrifice for your sins. Therefore, you would be lost.

 If Jesus was the once for all time sacrifice, what possible sheep or dove or any other animal would cover anyone's sin today? Obviously, no animal sacrifice would be acceptable. If you trusted in temple sacrifices you would be rejecting Jesus offering and insulting the spirit of grace saying Jesus blood wasn't enough. That the Old Covenant sacrificial system is better. This is what the writer is warning against. Trust in Jesus one time offering for sin don't reject it for if you do, no other sacrifice can save you or cover your sins.

  To further illustrate the writer isn't referring to Christians, look at the last statement of the chapter ten.

³⁹ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39

Drawing back conveys the one who has heard the truth of the New Covenant and Jesus once for all time sacrifice and has rejected it. Believing unto the saving of the soul means to fully commit to Christ and put all our trust in Him from our hearts.

  This understanding sets men free from fear of losing their salvation. Is this passage then teaching if you sin you've lost your salvation? Unequivocally, without hesitation no!  In the New Covenant He said He would remember your sins and iniquities no more. So if He is not remembering our sins why then would our sin, no matter how willing cause us to lose our salvation now? The Word of God doesn't contradict itself. We can however take away a great truth to live by from this passage.

 Our salvation is through Christ alone. His blood and one time sacrifice for sins was enough. No amount of performance or good deeds on our part will count us worthy to receive anything. It is truly, Jesus plus nothing!

  In conclusion, can we ever leave or lose our salvation? Lets, quickly review what we've learned to answer this. We have seen from the Word that Jesus guaranteed our eternal security because we are forever in His hands and nothing can ever take us out. We can't leave or walk away from our salvation because by virtue of the new birth Jesus abides in us and His life is flowing through us. The new heart cannot choose to abandon God because God Himself abides in it. Also, Jesus is faithful even when we are faithless. We can't sin away His grace because where sin abounds grace much more abounds. We cannot exhaust His supply of grace and forgiveness. So can we leave it or lose it? Absolutely no, not ever! We are eternally secure in Christ. Rejoice in this glad news.

 I trust this study has blessed and strengthened you in your walk with God. Abandon yourself in Him. It is a finished work. We are forever forgiven, righteous, cleansed and accepted in Him. Let's further this grace awakening. It is all about Him! 

Can we exhaust His supply of grace and forgiveness by our sins?

Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.  Hebrews 7:25 Amplified

  We are in a series entitled "Loving it, Leaving it, losing it". We are studying our eternally secure relationship with God our Father. We have already proven with Scripture that our salvation is eternally secure. In the last few post, I revealed how we can't "leave" our salvation as many teach today. Now with this article and the next, I want to answer the objection that we can lose our salvation by our sinfulness. 

  Now let me begin with stating adamantly, I am talking about His grace. Not an excuse to enjoy and indulge in sin. If you truly know and understand grace you know sin is not part of our new identity in Him.
14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Romans 6:14
  Grace is the only way out of habitual sins and poor choices. The Law and moral codes and rules never produce the desired results of upright living. Only His grace does that. 

The Big Guy upstairs with the spiritual eraser

  Many times I have heard from religious traditional ruled believers that we can sin so much He will erase our names out of the Book of Life. To prove this, they site the book of Revelation.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:5

You see? It's right there. You can have your name removed for not overcoming. Is this really what this is teaching here? 

   Allow me to ask this. Who are the overcomers? Saved folk who just have it all together perfectly? Those who worked so hard they overcame the temptations and pitfalls of this life without sinning? Our perfection didn't save us. If we can take credit for any part of our salvation then we will have a place to boast. This cannot be the proper interpretation. Look at 1 John 5.

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5

  Who are the overcomers? Those who have received Jesus in their hearts. Revelation 3 is not a warning but rather a promise of assurance. Religion with the judgment and quick to condemn view of God turned a wonderful promise into a terror-filled warning passage. 

   Yea but what about Revelation 22:19? This is referring to unsaved false teachers trying to subvert the Scriptures. You can read here for more. New Covenant believers in Christ aren't removing or changing Scripture. Rejoice He isn't erasing any believer out of the Lamb's Book of life. It doesn't matter how many sins you've committed since you became a believer in Christ. He will never erase your name. This is the good news. We are sealed unto the day of redemption, not until the day we sin too much.

Hogs and dogs returning to mud and vomit

One of the most go to verses to challenge our eternally secure salvation is 2 Peter 2:20. In fact, this is one of those verses in the past I would use to justify a belief in a conditional salvation. It sounds very scary and tends to promote the idea we can sin away God's grace.

20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.         2 Peter 2:20

 Doesn't this passage make it seem like if we get caught up in a sin from our past again and repeat it then we are lost and can never be saved again? The idea promoted by tradition is that some have a knowledge of God, and are overtaken by pollutions of the World system from their past. Because they can't overcome the sin and temptations they've returned to the former life and are now unsaved. 

  I've even heard it said to new converts, if you leave the church and start drinking or cursing then you like a pig have returned to mud, you have gone backward on God and you need to come and get saved again. Is this the right way to understand this passage? I believe the Word of God in context will provide the truth to understand this passage.

  First, context is key. In context 2 Peter chapter 2 is detailing the depraved deception of false teachers and false teaching. So if the context is false teachers, why then would Peter change suddenly and refer to believers sinning so much they lose their salvation? 

  Secondly, having a knowledge of God doesn't equate one having received salvation. Many religious organizations have a limited knowledge of God. Some are always knocking on doors on Saturday mornings passing out literature. 

  Thirdly, where in the Word of God are God's people ever referred to as dogs and hogs? Never, we are the sheep of His pasture. We are His sheep. His sheep hear His voice. So what does this imply? A pig in mud is in its natural state. It is also natural for a dog to return to its vomit. Peter is illustrating a false conversion. No nature change has occurred. 

  It is only natural that an unregenerate man would return back to what is "normal" to him. Hearing just a portion of the gospel and rejecting its complete work in your life and, not following through with a trusting heart of faith will produce a hardening of the heart. It makes a lost one pursue the sin nature even more. This is the picture Peter is painting. This is not teaching believers are overcome and lost because they are struggling with the same sin.

Forever forgiven

We must not forget this vital New Covenant truth. We are forever forgiven. We can never exhaust His grace and goodness. We can't sin away His love and forgiveness. 

  I used to struggle to believe that a certain sin that had me in bondage would one day exhaust His forgiveness. What a weight of burden to try and carry around. I thank God for a revelation of grace. I now know and rest in the truth that we can never out sin His love.

  When you realize how much we are forgiven and that we are a righteous new creation in Him we will overcome any sin or temptation.  Let these words of the Lord comfort you.

20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. Romans 5:20

  The more we miss it the more grace is given us to overcome that junk. His love never fails even when we fail or are unfaithful. 

  I trust this post has encouraged you and comforted you. Rest in His great love for you. I pray His love and mercy overtake you this week.

Grace questions...

   When we first receive this wonderful message of God's grace for us we rejoice. We desire to express praise and thanksgiving to such a loving Savior and Father. We celebrate the freedom from the traditions of men. We experience true peace of heart and mind. 

 We also desire to share these wonderful truths with others. Some receive it with gladness. Some, who already posses imbalance and instability within, receive it in foolishness and go about establishing their own righteousness. Still others reject it flat out! They accuse you of desiring to go backwards. They inevitably pose the question that most of us who have received the truth of His grace have already been asked. 

"So, what, you mean you get to keep on sinning?" 

 This question has been posed to many in the grace revolution. Or some variation of it has been asked. Such as;
"You just desire to keep on sinning, right?" 
" So, you no longer have to repent, or acknowledge when you sin?"

 I want to respond to this question. None of the great teachers I've heard have ever promoted the idea that sin is good or ok. In fact grace is the means by which we escape the dominion of sin not find a way back into a sinful lifestyle. 

 How should we respond to all of this? Is it good to persist in a life of sin so that grace may multiply even more? Absolutely not! How can we die to a life where sin ruled over us and then invite sin back into our lives? Did someone forget to tell you that when we were initiated into Jesus the Anointed through baptism’s ceremonial washing, we entered into His death?  Therefore, we were buried with Him through this baptism into death so that just as God the Father, in all His glory, resurrected the Anointed One, we, too, might walk confidently out of the grave into a new life. To put it another way: if we have been united with Him to share in a death like His, don’t you understand that we will also share in His resurrection? We know this: whatever we used to be with our old sinful ways has been nailed to His cross. So our entire record of sin has been canceled, and we no longer have to bow down to sin’s power. A dead man, you see, cannot be bound by sin. But if we have died with the Anointed One, we believe that we shall also live together with Him Romans 6:1-8 Voice

  The grace revelation is rooted in the Pauline revelation of our right standing with God and the gospel of reconciliation. Paul expressly states this truth of grace is not intended for us to push backwards and live the life we were rescued from. 

 For sin is no longer a tyrant over you; indeed you are under grace and not the law. So what do we do now? Throw ourselves into lives of sin because we are cloaked in grace and don’t have to answer to the law? Absolutely not! Doesn’t it make sense that if you sign yourself over as a slave, you will have to obey your master? The question before you is, What will be your master? Will it be sin—which will lead to certain death—or obedience—which will lead to a right and reconciled life? Romans 6:14-16

 Take note, Paul expressly states we are NOT under the Law. We are not under the Law, period! The Law is not divided anywhere in the New covenant. It isn't divided into ceremonial, sacrificial and moral. The Law is an all or nothing standard. We are not under any law or rule or code. So does this then mean we live any way we see fit? Of course not!

 Paul here in these two passages reveals to us we have the new life of God within us. Its this already made right and perfect heart within which governs our life and conduct. Our faith in God and purchased right standing guides us in our daily affairs. So truly our standard of living is expressed in a relationship with our Father. It is not expressed in rules and codes and laws.

 The Law and any other traditional code of living does nothing to empower anyone.  It can only demand from you. It can never give you the strength to "perform" what is "required" of you. It can tell you this is the way to conduct your life. It has no power to bring lasting change within. 

 Grace supplies. It imparts within us the desire to follow the Lord. Relationship births the desire to yield to our Heavenly Father. What do I mean by yielding? Doesn't yielding mean to give the right of way? Being in relationship with the Lord translates this way; when temptation or alluring to follow the wrong path presents itself, our loving Father gently reminds us He has so much better for us. That is not law mixing or tradition of men. This is the key to living free.

 If you study Paul's admonition you find what was his biggest concern when addressing sin? Was it that the believer would lose his eternal salvation? Apparently, it was not. What Paul seemed to be concerned about was that the believer would be entangled in the "bondage" or "trapping" of a habitual sin. 

 Paul understood sin will always take you further than you intended to go. It will cost you more than you wanted to pay. It brings misery and leaves you wanting. It also produces within us an unconfident heart. 

 This unintended consequence of an unconfident heart is the worst side effect of sin. It produces a struggle within us to run to God. It seems to push us away from God. In spite of how much revelation of grace we have, an unconfident heart can be a momentarily challenge we must overcome. That's why constantly feeding on the Word about our right standing and His grace is so vital. 

 So in closing to answer the legalist. We are never saying we desire to keep on sinning. We don't "get" to continue in a fallen lifestyle. If we "miss it" or "fail" we simply repent or change our minds about our actions in light of His love and mercy. In fact we have the key to be forever free! Unearned love and favor produces an empowerment to overcome. Receive His grace and overwhelming love and mercy. Receive His complete forgiveness.

He has so much for us. Remember to feed on the Word about grace and righteousness. You won't be sorry.

  Again thanks for taking the time to read the posts. I pray blessings to each one who reads. Leave feedback and share if it's blessing you. Thanks so much.

Question and Answers...

 As I have stated from the beginning. I richly enjoy your feedback. I so endeavor to be a blessing. I pray continually this blog will strengthen your personal walk with the Lord. I have had some great correspondence from folk. I enjoy reading the personal emails and such. I have had some asks some questions. So I will take some time and hopefully answer these. 

 This question came to me via email. "If we have already been made the righteousness of God in Christ, then why did Paul tell Timothy to pursue righteousness"? 

 That's a great question. The answer will be found in the Word. Lets begin...

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV

  In this passage we see the Apostle Paul admonish Timothy to pursue righteousness. Sounds lofty and spiritual. Sounds like advice we should all take. Now the legalist mindset jumps for "joy" at Scriptures like this. On the surface it appears to contradict a righteousness that is unearned or unmerited. Does the Word contradict itself? Did Paul have what the World calls a "senior" moment? Note what Paul himself said in 2 Corinthians.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

 Take notice what Paul wrote in Romans 5:

 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Romans 5:17 AMP

 So did Paul contradict his own words? Of course not! The Word is truth. The Word of God doesn't contradict itself. For that to be true God would have to contradict Himself, and folks that "aint" happening! So what is the truth? Did God give us a free gift of righteousness or is this right standing something we are meant to be "pursuing" throughout our Christian life?

 I believe the key to understand this apparent contradiction is found the first time Paul gave this same admonition!

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 NKJV

 If you study the context of these passages what is Paul referring to? It is quite obvious if one reads with an open and understanding heart. Paul is referring to MATURITY. 

 One key element in our Christian walk is growth! We were meant to grow up in Him! What specifically are we to grow up into? 

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

                                                                                                             Ephesians 4:15-16    

    We are to mature in Christ! The Bible specifically tells us what areas we need to grow in;

2 Peter 3:18 says grow in grace

2 Thessalonians 1:3 says we grow in faith

Galatians 5:22 says love is a fruit. Fruit can grow! 

 We grow in all these things to be a more mature person in Christ. How do you grow in grace? By applying His unearned favor and love to every aspect of life. How do you grow in faith? By continually hearing God's Word, especially when you speak the Word aloud to yourself! How do you let love grow? By choosing to let that love you already have deposited within you rise up and be the decision maker.

 Nowhere does the Word say grow in righteousness! Why? Because He already gave us the free gift! There is growth in knowing how much in right standing you are in Christ. Righteousness is not something we achieve or work we earn. It is a position in Him! 

 So why did Paul admonish to pursue righteousness? Paul stated in both epistles of Timothy to pursue righteousness along with faith and other things. The Apostle is admonishing us to mature in Christ. To pursue righteousness is to allow who we already are inside to produce an outward change! 

 We who are sanctified or set apart by being cleansed by the blood have been made perfect forever within. Our spirit is the dwelling abode of the Spirit of God. When we pursue righteousness we are letting that inward man dominate over the outward man. Understand I am not referring to perfection outwardly. Perfection is overrated! I am simply referring to allowing who we are already in Him to be the deciding "vote" in our thoughts our words and any actions we take. 

 I believe this simply answer clears up any apparent contradiction of God's Word. If you have more questions feel free to write them in the comments section. I pray this post has blessed you. Leave some feedback and share with your friends. Thanks again for stopping by.