Holy Living

I like Lewis Sperry Chafer. I agree with most things he says when he was alive. Look at our position in Christ:

Of the saved one it is said that he is: Elect and called of God (1 Thes. 1:4; 5:24). Redeemed by God through the blood of His Son (Col. 1:14). Reconciled to God by the death of His Son (2 Cor. 5:19). Sheltered eternally under the propitiation made in the blood of Christ (1 John 2:2). Forgiven all trespasses, past, present, and future (Col. 2:13). Condemned no more forever (Rom. 8:1). Justified freely by His grace (Rom. 3:24). Sanctified positionally, or set apart unto God in Christ (1 Cor. 1:30). Perfected forever (Heb. 10:14). Made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light (Col. 1:12). Made accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6). Made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). Made nigh to God in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:13). A child and son of God (John 1:12; 1 John 3:3). Free from the law and dead to the law (Rom. 7:4, 6). Delivered from the power of darkness (Col. 1:13). Translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col. 1:13).

Mr. Chafer made a great list of our position in Christ. We should always be living up to our position. However, sin has a way of making us not worthy of our calling. Before I proceed, let me assure you that no matter how unworthy you are as a christian that you will never lose your position in Christ. It is settle. It is sure. You are now the beloved.

This does not mean that God looks at us with rose colored glasses. God does see us the way we are, with all our faults and blemishes.

I know about the song that says, "What sins are you talking about? God does not remember them no more."

I like the song but is it very Biblical? Let's examine the evidence,

Isaiah 43:25
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Jeremiah 31:34
No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Jeremiah 50:20
In those days, at that time," declares the LORD, "search will be made for Israel's guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare.

Micah 7:18
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

Micah 7:19
He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Romans 11:27
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Hebrews 10:17
Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."

These are all great promises. But is there more that we should see in order to get a clearer picture of truth.

Amos 5:12 King James Version (KJV)

"For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right."

Are we jumping the gun and presuming that God is now forgetful about our ever present sins? Don't get me wrong. I am not talking about our salvation or the fact that you can go to God and confess your sins and He will forgive them. I'm talking about an ignorance in thinking we can do anything we want and get away with it because God has blinders on.

Sure Christ saved us on the cross and we are going to Heaven. But are we naive and think that we can put aside holy living and pursue carnal lusts?

I know many of you are now starting to quake in shame while some are getting angry.

You want proof that God sees your sins?

Here it is:

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" Rev. 2:4.

Jesus had something against the early Church and no doubt has something to say against us. He is concerned about the sin that destroys fruitful living. God is not critical in order to damn us to hell fire and brimstone. He is our savior. He wants us to also save us from the presence of sin in our earthly life. Only we can fight the sin that easily besets us.

Revelation is a great book to bring us back down to earth and begin to work out our earthly salvation. However, don't get confused. Only those who have salvation can work it out. When we die, God will work out all the kinks in our thinking and failed living. Our failed living comes at a cost. A cost of rewards. Those who continue to live sinfully without a care will be saved only by the skin of their teeth, and they will suffer loss of rewards.

1 Corinthians 3:15


“If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

Let's continue:

"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

Jesus continues in Revelation 2 and preaches repentance. Repentance is another false teaching in many circles. Many believe you must only repent at salvation for salvation. Or some believe you must continue to repent for salvation. There are different strokes for different religious groups in Christianity. Choose your flavor but I choose the truth.

I believe you repent (change of mind) to be saved but it also continues in your salvation. We must also repent of our evil deeds. We do so for discipleship and not for salvation. God does accept us the way we are but also has high hopes for our change. Don't get me wrong, you will change, one way or another but I 'd rather do some changing now then suffer loss of rewards.

Continue to read Revelation and the message to the churches. See if you don't get the same ideas as I do. God is very much involved at viewing us as the we are.

Some of us will have to suffer from God's chastisement for the simple fact that they are deceived in thinking anything goes with God as long as we are saved. Here is something to think on,

Hebrews 12:8

“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

God cannot chastise us if He only looked through rosy glasses. I'm afraid He doesn't. He is looking at most of us right now with all our terrible thoughts and actions.

Let this be a new day in cleaning up. Let's take a fresh shower by confessing our sin and making a new plan to become different. To become better in Christ. What about it? Are you game? Or are you saddened by the fact that you are laden in sin and cannot depart from its tentacles. God wants you to repent so pray. Ask for His help and deliverance. Pray now with me.

Our Father in Heaven. I don't want to be the average Christian. I want to become the best person that I can be. I am a saint, a holy person of God, and now I want to show it. Deliver me, God, from evil and forgive my debts and also keep me from temptation. It is not fun being naughty so make me strong in Christ. Thank you Jesus. I feel great. In Jesus Name...Amen.