Confess your sins and renounce them instead of hiding them

Confess your sins and renounce them instead of hiding them! O believer in Christ, if you even sin then confess it to God immediately. Don’t think that you can hid even the smallest of sins from the Lord God who created the heavens and the earth. 

Take the benefit of receiving mercy from a loving God rather that being stubborn towards him and thus dishonoring him. Those who are humble before God will find it wise to confess their sins to God and also renounce their sins. 

It is importance to renounce your sin, even this day which is called today. Do not delay your conversion from day. Turning away from sin is not earning your salvation but rather is respecting the forgiveness from sins which comes from Jesus Christ. 

Take hold of the love of Jesus Christ. Yes, the same love by which Jesus Christ died for your sins on the cross at Calvary. Yes, the same love by which he sent the repentant thief to paradise.

Accept the wisdom of the Bible that it will profit you in the Afterlife and at Judgement Day, by confessing your sins to God and turning away from them. And thus you give glory to God for his mercy towards you! 

 

 

Do remember the wisdom of the Bible which says :

• He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

• ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; ⁷ but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1: 5-10)

Never delay your conversion from day to day

One trap which a lot of people still fall into is of delaying that conversion from day to day. The conversion which I refer to is about repenting from sinful ways and surrendering one’s life to the Lord God.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:)

Do not think that God loves to destroy those who sin but rather he is patient with all. Do no mistake this patience for His Permission. For the sin of presumption has led many to the grave and hell, in which the sinners themselves chose such paths that lead away from God.

For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! (Ezekiel 18:32)

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Let your conversion be not in name alone but also in actions. Yes actions that are truly saying that you repent for the glory of the Living God.

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:8)

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)

Do remember that the Lord God won’t delay. He will do what is right and in time and will be unstoppable. Therefore O faithful ones of Christ, continue to endure and stay true to your conversion to God.

“I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off;
And My salvation will not delay.
And I will grant salvation in Zion,
And My glory for Israel. (Isaiah 46:13)

Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’ (Ezekiel 12:28)

For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. “For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls. (Hebrews 10:36-39)

 

Keep away from foolish and ignorant conversations

 

 

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,  and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:23-26)

God will forgive those who have sinned and want to repent, what are you waiting for?

There are some who are expecting something really big to happen before they repent. I mean they have heard the Gospel and know that they are sinners. However, the actions that they are no doing is acknowledging their sins before the Living God and repenting in the name of Jesus.

No man or woman lives forever. Don’t think you can repent at the 11th hour when many have died at 10.30. Secure your future in the Lord Jesus Christ by repenting and believing in the Gospel!

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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty come as one that travaileth, and thy want as an armed man. (Prov 6:10-11)

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30)

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (Revelation 2:5)

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

Never go back to something God has rescued you from

A dog that returns to its vomit is like a fool who reverts to his folly (Proverbs 26:11)

Some people just like to keep returning to their sinful habits, no matter much you rescue them. They still think that the effect of their wrong choices will carry lesser or no negative effects. However such thinking is just plain wrong and is never supported by the Bible.

 

²⁶ For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. ²⁸ A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” 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: 26-30)

 

If the Lord God has rescued you from any evil, be very thankful to him. This is one life that you have, don’t let it go waste on the same things Jesus saved you from. Don’t keep presuming that God will keep saving you each time. The Bible clearly warns us not to put the Lord your God to the test. So simply don’t stand in a place of danger trusting in miracles, when God does not approve of you going there. What place am I talking about? Its the place of backsliding (into any sin) which is just one stop before the place of Eternal damnation!

 

Never go back to bad friends and bad relations

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Come to your right mind, and sin no more. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:33-34)

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20)

When Jesus saves you from bad friends, don’t walk right back with them, because they will 100% try to entice you to sin. Don’t displease the Lord God who has kept you from those who can ruin your soul with vile and sinful thoughts.

When you know that your past relationship, only made you an alcoholic or and immoral person, that relationship is simply going to lead you nowhere but in more evil things. Not worth your time nor effort, seriously!

 

Never go back to bad habits or sins

The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied with his. (Proverbs 14:14)

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ( Matthew 26:41)

But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2)

What pity will people have for the drug addict who keeps doing back to drugs even after being revived several times due to his or her multiple overdoses? Such a drug addict or let me say recovering drug addicts must take help from those not on drugs to remain off such a lifestyle that can harm the body and mind as well.

In a similar way, going back to alcoholism to ‘forget’ your problems won’t make your problems disappear. These will remain and being drunk will only make it more difficult to fix anything.

Talking about both the above examples and all other sins in general including stealing, idolatry, etc you need to stay clear of them all. The same Lord God who rescued you from these sins and bad habits can give you the grace to never fall back into them. All you need to do is faithfully pray to God to give you the strength to remain true to your calling in Jesus Christ.

“Backsliding, generally first begins with neglect of private prayer.” (J. C. Ryle)

 

Christ be with you!

 

 

 

 

 

The True Joy Of Christmas

 

The true joy of Christmas is not about eating nice food. Nor is it about having family around yourself to celebrate. It’s neither wearing fine clothes nor hearing carols being sung around the corner. All of these are good in themselves, in moderation of course, but they do not make up the true joy of Christmas. Never even be part of the ignoble Black Friday sale before Christmas time, there is nothing Christlike in it. Because you can still have all of them but lose the joy in pursuit of worldly festivities, in trying to imitate the world’s ways and the world’s vain pleasures.

But heart of hearts, the true joy of Christmas is in being grateful for God’s gift to the world; the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We didn’t deserve him then nor do we deserve him now, because its only the grace of God even till now. And whatever Jesus asks of us we only do it in loving obedience to the will of God.

I appreciate each one taking time to meditate and celebrate the gift of the Savior Jesus to this fallen world we live in. And since we have received this most solemn faith by the Spirit of God, let’s continue to celebrate Jesus not just on Christmas but each day we live.

To sum it all up; you can only find the true of joy of Christmas in being grateful and obedient to Jesus Christ every time and everyday!

 

Related articles

• Jesus Christ Immanuel God is with us (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)
• What is the meaning of the Incarnation of Christ? (altruistico.wordpress.com)
• Rest In All Thy Goings !!!!!! (levithetford.com)
• A reminder of God’s love for those who believe in Christ (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)
• Jesus Christ Immanuel God is with us (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)
• Don’t harm others on Black Friday (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)
• 25 tips to prepare spiritually for Christmas (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)

Do not listen to foolish advice

Do not listen to foolish advice,
Lest you end up paying the price.
For many have desired sinful pleasure,
Only to lose their life’s treasure.

Wisdom speaks clearly and loud,
Learn from her and be not proud.
Hearing wise words is a good tact,
When followed with the right act.

God desires to see wisdom in all believers,
In that they be prudent in the age of deceivers.
Pray to the Lord for ears that don’t tingle,
So that with false teachers you don’t mingle.

Thought provoking – unbelief in life does not lead to Heaven

If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning then pray about their repentance

If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. (1 John 5:16)

If you notice that a Christian brother or sister is in sin then pray for their repentance. Perhaps they indeed repent and come again to live for the Lord God. However not every time this is recommended because there are sins which lead to death. For instance, if you hear of a Christian committing suicide and dying, your prayers for his or her repentance won’t work since that person is sinned unto death. Do not despair if you hear of such sins such as suicide, selling soul’s to the Devil or even receiving the mark of the Beast. Rather give thanks to the Lord God that you are saved in Jesus Christ and that there are others in Christ who are still resisting sin!

Good old repentance

Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

The very first words of Jesus when he began his ministry was that the people repent. No blame shifting, no excuses, no blaming your genetics. It was simple, repent. Period.

Jesus came for sinners alright. He didn’t have to come for the righteous. The righteous were always taken care of by God. He came to help sinners out of their sinful ways. For sin kills, sometimes physically but always spiritually. A person may never get caught for stealing but will suffer eternal damnation in hell for that.

Acts 3:18-19 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

Turning away from sin is a big relief. Staying in sin is unbelief. You can’t can call yourself a true believer if you can’t turn away from sin. For that is the first command of Jesus when he began his ministry.

Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Many people are now very stubborn. They think that they can commit all the adultery and thievery they want in secret, then go to church, feed the poor and all will be well. I have words for them; repent and do not delay. For when the time of judgement comes, it will be anything but well for them.

We all need this repentance which is good old repentance. Not some cheesy repentance. No blaming your past for your sinful present. Just leave your sinful ways and ask God for pardon.

There might be some sins that you know you won’t be doing it. That’s not the point. You need to confess your sin to God. No hiding it from HIM. He knows it but expects humility from you.

Hebrews 3: 7-19

So, as the Holy Spirit says:  “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts  as you did in the rebellion,  during the time of testing in the wilderness,  where your ancestors tested and tried me,  though for forty years they saw what I did.  That is why I was angry with that generation;  I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,  and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger,  ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said:  “Today, if you hear his voice,  do not harden your hearts  as you did in the rebellion.” Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Unbelief is firstly a heart and mind issue. Actions only follow later. You know that God wanted to convict his people of their lack of faith after coming out from Egypt across the Red Sea. For he know that if they harbor unbelief it would eventually lead to sin which when coupled with non repentance proves to be a very bad combination for the human soul, always!

Related articles

• The kindness of God purpose is to lead one to repentance (Romans 2:1-5) (devotionsrus.wordpress.com)
• Without repentance during Advent the Christmas we prepare for is mere tinsel (catholicherald.co.uk)
• Should Christians Repent? (charlesehawthorneii.wordpress.com)
• The first thing Jesus preached.. (pmacalisangblog.wordpress.com)
• A Preacher Who Dared to Preach “Repent!” (brentkuhlman.wordpress.com)
• A repentant tax collector (bibleaid.wordpress.com)