What is a Christian? I don’t know how you meet Jesus, in my case before loving Him I fear Him.
I used to look at God as the One who punish me for my imperfections, the One who silent His mouth and delay His blessings to give me a “teachable moment”.I found Christianity the most difficult life style. I was unhappy once I found Jesus than before. I found easier to earn things in life by my own way than asking God. “I suppose to be without sin; otherwise God doesn’t answer my prayers”
He looked at me! He found me in the middle of my imperfections…He found me! And I just chose to follow Him. Someone told me one day, “God hates sin and He’s angry at you. Repent or burn. Change your ways or you’re in big trouble!” …For years I walked trying to be “perfect, I didn’t know what a relationship with my Master meant; I was to busy trying get pure before his presence. But I praise God that He found me, because that’s not the Gospel. That preacher wasn’t talking about the grace of God. Yes, there is a punishment for sin—but the Gospel emphasizes God’s answer to it.
Paul also uses these two terms—the Gospel and grace—interchangeably in Galatians. Notice how “the grace of Christ” clearly implies the Gospel.I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Galatians 1:6Galatians was written for the same reason as Romans—to establish the grace of God.The Gospel is good news. It specifically refers to what Jesus did for us. It’s based upon His performance, not ours. Yes, I was a sinner! Many people think that “doing good things is what makes you a Christian”. But God showed me how our good works and “holiness” do not earn us salvation, it doesn’t make us “more” righteous. We must get away from this dependenceon self. It’s sad to say, but much of what is called the Gospel today is actually promoting trust in self rather than trust in the Savior. That’s just false religion! The Grace of Christianity Grace is what sets true Christianity apart from every other religion in the world. Other religions may acknowledge and worship a “one true God.” They may even agree that Jesus existed and that His teachings are admirable. They say that He was a good man, perhaps even a prophet, but definitely not God manifest in the flesh. Religion refuses to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation—right relationship with God.Every false religion—even religious Christianity—puts the burden of salvation upon the individual. In other words, “salvation” is based upon your performance. If you live holy enough, do enough good things, observe all of these rituals and rules, then you might be able to be saved. The problem is—and Romans makes it crystal clear—that none of us can live up to those standards. We can’t save ourselves! True Christianity is the only faith on the face of the earth that has a Savior. On Judgment Day, each one of us must stand alone before God and answer the question, “What makes you worthy to enter into My presence?” The followers of every other religion will say, “I was holy and gave to the poor. I never did these things and always did these others. I even journeyed to the holy city and performed the prescribed rituals. I prayed three times a day, and fasted.” However, the Word plainly reveals that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. (Rom. 3:23.) Who wants to be the best sinner that ever went to hell? Therefore, you simply cannot trust in yourself for salvation. However, a born-again believer would answer that same question differently. They’d say, “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I’m trusting completely in His goodness and His performance. It’s definitely not anything I’ve done. I get in based on what He did for me through His death, burial, and resurrection.” Now that’s the right approach! Someone told me… “Many people around the world who have embraced “Christianity” have never heard the true Gospel preached concerning God’s goodness and grace. They’re simply substituting “Christian” things to do instead of Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or some other religion’s things to do” Sad but true! For many people, Christianity is nothing but a different set of rules, doctrines, and regulations whereby they must earn their way to God or to receive something from God. That’s not the true Gospel“ What’s Christianity? Rules, “most” do, performance, condemnation, 24/7 working on church? What’s Christianity? A solemn praise where no claps are allow? What’s Christianity because based on that I prefer to say that I’m not longer a Christian… He found me! I’m not longer searching but following. I received the forgiveness of my sins, the healing of my body, the deliverance from Satan’s oppression, and whatever else I need. I believe we don’t need to convince people they are sinners and get them condemned. They already know that and feel condemned. We need to show them the way out of the mess they’re in. That’s what the Gospel does!...
I am so glad you shared this with us. I now know more of your heart made beautiful by God Himself ! I have never thought God punishes us for imperfections. I have never thought that silence and delays were to provide a "teachable moment". Jesus was not sent to condemn the world (we were already condemned), but He was sent that the world might be "saved" from this condemnation ! All who accept His offering will not only escape the judgement, but also live with Him forever and ever ! It doesn't get any better than this my friends !!!!!!!! Good blog !
All my life I was a Catholic and for 4yrs now I've been closer to the "christian" religion. I've been tormented by family members about leaving my religious roots. So all I say now is "I am not a Catholic, I am not a Christian...I BELIEVE IN GOD'S WORD, I HAVE BEEN SAVED FROM ALL MY SINS BY JESUS CHRIST...TOO LIVE BY GOD'S WORD IS BY HEART'S TRUE DESIRE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY...MY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD & LIVING TESTIMONY IS WHAT GIVES LIGHT IN MY WAY!
So I say.....
18:1 + 18:2 \18:1\ I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 18:3 \18:2\The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.
AMEN!!! good word!!!!! There was a season when I was caught up in a 'churchianity' mindset... (religious activity where I was trying to earn God's love, by trying to be perfect internally as well as externally), but Thank You Lord... You set me free! (Was not raised in a church and was seeking, had to have false preconceptions exposed and released, so I could return to HIS grace and come into the fulness of it). These days I am led to use terms like 'I am a believer in the Teaching of Jesus Christ' ... or 'I am a follower of the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ' or the like... when faith is touched upon in conversations.... such opens the door to those who have heard the 'false gospel rooted in an anti-christ spirit'. who have been hurt/burnt ect by a false concept of 'Christianity' and would not be open to discussing HIS truth otherwise.
Some times I think we can even as "christians" loose sight of the grace Jesus has for us, and fall back into the works process. Thanks for the reminder that it is only grace that saves us from ourselves.
hahahahaha that's a good question Paul! It’s bad to say I’m Christian? I do not think so, in fact Acts 11:26 called the disciple Christians. Basically I’m talking about that misconception thought as Christianity, which is confusing many people, especially in Latino America. The point is that I born and grew up in a Christian family, which mind set was quiet confused about the message of salvation. Yes, Jesus save but I was taught the message that sin breaks your relationship or fellowship with God.
Many countries in Latino America come from a catholic background so many believe that confession is something that you have to do every time to take care about your salvation; you lose your salvation (“backslide”) every time you sin, until it’s confessed. Others believe your eternal salvation is still secure, but you lose fellowship, can’t get your prayers answered, or can’t be used of God if you sin. That’s not good news, since all of us sin (Rom. 3:23 and 1 John 1:8). Christians usually cope by trying to keep every sin confessed. Let me just put this honestly: That’s impossible! The Bible says that whatever is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23). Do we always walk in faith? James 4:17 reveals that sin isn’t only doing things that are wrong, but it’s not doing what we know is right. Would any claim they are loving God and others as they know they should? By these definitions, we all sin through the weakness of our flesh. It’s impossible to keep every sin confessed. Even if it were possible, that puts the burden of salvation on our backs. There wouldn’t be any peace or rest in our relationship with the Lord if that’s the way it worked (Rom. 5:1). Most people, including Christians, see the forgiveness of sins as something that God can do, and continues to do, but not as something He has completed. From that comes the false concept that we must constantly confess our sins, which makes and keeps us sin conscious. Than kind of Christianity is the one I deny! Jesus paid all. I’m free from sin, I’m not prefect…but God has not finished yet with me…what a relief!
Because God's justice was satisfied by the cross of Christ, he is not mad at us - justice has been served. Therefore, I agree with you, Jenily, God is not sin-conscious. When he looks at his kids he doesn't think, Oh, that's wrong and that's wrong and that's wrong. He looks and says to the person caught up in pornography: "What you need is more of my purity. Come to me and I will give it to you. I will make you white as snow." He looks at the person who is materialistic and says, "It's not things you need, it's more of me you need. Come to me, learn of me, and I will give you true riches."
This kind of thinking is opposite to what most of us have thought and been taught. May we all know the truth and be set free from self-effort and negativity (focusing on self makes us negative.)
Once again, we think alike. I have been meaning to write on this. If I do, I will cross reference to your blog once again!
You said: "From that comes the false concept that we must constantly confess our sins, which makes and keeps us sin conscious. Than kind of Christianity is the one I deny! Jesus paid all. I’m free from sin, I’m not prefect…but God has not finished yet with me…what a relief!"
Bless God... according to the spiritual understanding I have been given... God sees us as perfect... He sees the finished work... and thus calls us to 'enter into HIS rest'. When we enter into HIS rest... we see through HIS eyes of eternity... we no longer have a sin consciousness... which keeps us bound to sin and death and self condemnation or self consciousness... but a Christ consciousness... which keeps us in HIS grace and ever abiding present truth!
Thank You Father for the mind of Christ...for eyes to see... for ears to hear... for the faith of Your Son for.................... which brings us into YOUR rest... where we can abide in Christ and Your finished work. Thank You Lord for the Holy Spirit of truth... who leads us into all truth and opens scripture to us and...................... Bless YOU!
4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it]. 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 4:5 And in this [place] again, If they shall enter into my rest. 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 4:10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his. 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
For those desiring to study on God's Rest and what is being stated here to the Hebrew's, from a Hebrew perspective... and would like a book to read their bible which is filled with scripture they can look up while doing so ...may I suggest: Andrew Murray's 'The Holiest of All'
Andrew Murray's book "Abide in Christ" one of the first Christian Books I was given when I was first born of the Spirit... and I was led to more books inspired through him... recommend him highly for those who like to read books and study the scriptures in them, with their bible alongside while doing so... he has some beautiful prayers in his books/devotionals as well. For more titles or links to free online books by Andrew Murray please click: Casual Reviews of Books and Authors from Among the Body Of Christ and Seekers of Gods Truth
Amen, especially to that last line you wrote. I already knew I was a sinner big time--it took someone sharing with me the true loving and merciful heart of Abba Father to bring on my born again experience.
Thanks Lauren!!! Thanks for stopping by and let me a comment!
Guys help!!!!!! I inserted a code of a video in this post and now I'm realizing tha it has changed...why? somebody know? It is not the same video I placed this morning and it changed all by itself...how it happened????
What's sad is that the type of legalistic mindset that always focuses on sin has the complete wrong focus....it makes us focus always on the worst in ourselves and the worst in others....it's only when we take the correct approach of accepting God's grace towards us do we truly begin to understand the limitless depths of God's love. Then, we can have the focus on others that we need to have in trying to show them the love of God. It allows us to see ourselves as sinners saved by grace....and in this, actually will help us to sin less....because our focus is on Gods love. For if our only focus is on showing the love of God to others, then we don't have the time or mindset to be focused on sin.....
Great thoughts Jenily....it was such a blessing to me.
Jenily.... it's the same video as this morning from this end. I clicked on share video after watching it and tried to send a copy, could that have messed it up? If so... I do not know how to fix it and am sorry about that! Talk to Sue with the alligator... perhaps she can help??? (see my friends)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Grace and faith are totally dependent upon each other. We are saved by grace through faith, not one or the other. God's Word teaches us that they must be combined. Failure to do this has been the reason for much frustration.
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