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From Guatemala to the world! David was not ashamed!

Video Games...depression...friends...

I have spent hundreds of dollars on video games, systems, accessories,  and now sitting here I realize that I have an addiction. Video games for me are an escape from reality, from the depression that I suffer. I have suffered from depression for numerous years and maybe it all started when my own father walked out on my life, its been roughly 21 years since I last saw him. Maybe its the fact that I have a brother who is blind, who has severe brain damage, who even though he is 24 he listens to raffi and barney who depends 100% on us to do everything for him. Maybe its the fact that I suffered in high school...you know the fact that I've only had a mother has made me shy and it has always been very hard for me to make friends or to keep friends. When I was in grade 9 I had a few friends in school, well most I had know for years, grade 10 everyone of them started making friends with other kids in the school, grade 11 was when it all started, I mean by this time most kids in high school already have a girlfriend or are in the process of finding one, I feared girls and I could not talk to them. I never had a girlfriend in high school. By the time I was in my last year, my depression was full blown, I forced myself everyday to go to school, I remember I would sit by myself at the bottom of my locker and watch as all the other kids would find friends for lunch to hang out with and I would sit there everyday by myself and pretend I was doing homework. Some days I had enough courage to leave the school for lunch and go to this little cafe that was a few blocks away and that was my little sanctuary and I felt safe. Some days i would go there and some kids would come in too, and I pretended I was invisible so that they would not see me, but I knew they always saw me and laughed, I felt so embarrassed that the other kids knew that I had no friends and I was a loner. The mental damage that I suffered in high school still haunts me to this day and its been 11 years since I graduated. I can tell you that not much has changed, I am now 30 and still have no friends...my depression has never gotten better, even as a Christian I've had suicidal thoughts, I've never wanted to go on medication. I've wasted so much money on video games and yet they don't bring happiness to me. When I am down I buy myself presents to make me feel better, mostly electronics and video games, they are fun for a bit but that's about it, for the last week they have sat in my room collecting dust and I don't feel the need to turn them on. I've been thinking about selling them all, I would be losing money but I don't care.

What is a friend? .... to be continued when I come back from work.

It is 2:40am here and I'm not sure what else to write...what is a friend? Is it someone to go out for coffee with? a restaurant?  a movie? the mall? a walk? to phone? to txt? to go to a bar with? to drink? to smoke? to do drugs with? What is a friend for? Like I said I have no friends, at least not human friends. The only human to human interaction I do outside my family is with customers at work. Someone I know recently rubbed it in my face that I have no friends yet they do and their bond could never be broken, like friends 4 life kinda thing. Well...let me ask you every single person from high school to my workplace, everyone that has made fun of me and laughed "cause I have no friends"...IS THE CREATOR, IS THE KING OF KINGS, IS THE SAVIOUR, IS JESUS YOUR FRIEND??????????????????????????????

 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."

 Jesus is my friend, my best friend the ONLY friend I will ever need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He laid his life for me!! Can your friend do that? can your best friend of soooo many years do that? Can your dear friend die for you? 

My best friend died for me so that I my live, Jesus took my place on the cross so that I may live, that is what a friend is. 

"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." 

Now, that is true friendship!

 Here is a great article....enjoy!!    Torero........

   

My Saviour Is Also My Friend!

Proverbs 18:24, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Jesus is my Saviour, but in this chapter I will not write of that. Jesus is my Redeemer, but at this moment I will not speak of that. Jesus is my King, but I will bypass that thought for a moment.  Jesus is my Lord, but I will pass that truth for awhile.  In this chapter I want to speak of my Saviour as my friend.

The heart of man is always craving friendship.  Happy is the man who has a friend.  Happier is the man who is a friend.  Happiest is the man who has a friend and is a friend.  However, it is a little difficult in the June and July days of life to tell the difference between an acquaintance and a friend.  We have to wait for the chilling winds of December and January for true friendship to be tested.  It is not easy to tell the difference when the sea is smooth and reflects Heaven's blue.  You find out only when the sky is overcast and storms descend, for friendship to be proved must be tested by a tempest.

In these paragraphs I want to speak of my Friend, a true Friend.  I want to tell you some things about His friendship, especially will I address those of you whose hearts are lonely, whose sky is dark, whose way is rocky and whose faith oft turns to doubt. I too am alone a lot and have found my Saviour to be a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

There are so many lonely souls all about us--a college student who shares his freshman dorm with strangers; a serviceman who seeks slumber in faraway army barracks; the shut-in whose world is a room, whose sky is a ceiling, whose sun is a 60-watt light bulb, whose horizon is a wall, and whose meadow is a floor; the patient who waits and doubts and waits and hopes and waits and despairs and waits and hopes; the senior citizen who is exiled to an island called a rest home; the bus kid who is ghetto-bound and wonders who and if his daddy is; and the widow trying to be a mother and a father to a nest of children.  To you and to others, let me introduce you to my Friend.  Joseph Scriven wrote:

"What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear; What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!"

Dr. Charles Weigle wrote:

"I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true.

I would tell you how He changed my life completely, He did something that no other friend could do!"

Another wrote: "There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one, no not one."  Still another wrote, "I have found a friend, oh such a friend," and another penned, "Jesus is the friend you need, such a friend is He indeed!"

My Saviour is my friend when I am good; He is my friend when I am bad.  He is my friend when I am up; He is my friend when I am down.  He is my friend when I am happy; He is my friend when I am sad. He is my friend when I am prosperous; He is my friend when I am poor. He is my friend when I am successful; He is my friend when I fail. He is my friend when I am honored; He is my friend when I am slandered. He is my friend when I am cheerful; He is my friend when I am blue. He is my friend when I am obedient; He is my friend when I am rebellious. He is my friend when I believe; He is my friend when I doubt. He is my friend when I laugh; He is my friend when I weep.  He is my friend when I am zealous; He is my friend when I am indifferent.  Thank God, my Saviour is my friend!

My friend never deserts me.  He never forsakes me.  I am always on His mind.  He never slumbers or sleeps.  He encamps round about me.  He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.  He restoreth my soul.  My friend never tires of me.  He is always faithful, true, tender and strong.

My friend never forsakes me.  When I attended a public school as a poor little boy with no shoes to wear and no nice clothes to cover my body, He was my friend while children laughed at me. He was my friend when my father left our home to leave Mother and me, never to return to our house. He was my friend when the loneliness of the army enclosed me. He was my friend when the people whom I loved like I loved my own life found no need for me any more. He was my friend when I had to take my stand for my convictions, and many of my preacher friends forsook me and fled. He is my friend when I am fellowshipping with my loneliness in a motel room. He is my friend when I am marooned on an airplane island. He is my friend when I am walking out of a pulpit where I have had to take an unpopular stand.

My friend is available.  I have never known a day of sorrow when I did not find my friend by my side. Sometimes He is silent, but He is always there.  Sometimes I can hear Him gently speak, and other times I feel the touch of His hand, but He is always my friend.  When I stood beside the casket which contained the body of my father who had passed away just a few hours before, and who as far as I know never took time to receive Christ, I felt fingers gripping my arm.  I turned to see who was there.  There was nobody near, and yet I felt the fingers as if a real hand had taken my arm.  I know-it was the real hand of my friend!  When the shadows have lengthened, when the day's work is over and when I have delivered my soul, I hear my friend often say, "Well done."

My friend is rich.  He owns the entire earth, and all the world's keys hang on His girdle.  He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the wealth in every mine.  Earth's jewels are simply those that overflowed His coffers.  He uses His leftover gold as pavement for Heaven's streets.  His smaller pearls are used for Glory's gates.  There is never a beautiful sunset but what His hand has painted it.  There is no music worth singing that He did not edit.

Every color is an expression of His beauty. The mountains are His handiwork. There is never a ray of sun that He did not requisition. There is never a bolt of lightning that He did not order. There is never a clap of thunder that He did not utter. All of earth's crowns could not hold His jewels, and all of earth's diadems could not house his diamonds.

My friend is the Lord of eternity and the Master of time.  All of creation is His handiwork, and think--He is my friend!

My friend always loves me.  He died for me while I was yet a sinner.  All of my life was against His holy purpose; yet He loved me!  He loves me in spite of my sin. He loves me in spite of my pollution, my failure, my depravity and my weakness.  His love is not "because"; His love is "in spite of!" He loved me when I looked at Him and said, "No." He loved me when I drifted from Him as a teenager.  He loved me when I kept His Book closed on the table of indifference. He loved me when my prayer closet was deserted and when I was ashamed to speak of Him.  Why even now, He is my advocate against slanderers and critics, and He sits at the right hand of the Father pleading my case.  He is my friend. He stands forever pleading my case while the Father of Lies lies to the Father of Truth!

My friend wrote me a love letter.  He tells me in John 3:16 that He so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son, that if I believe in Him, I should not perish but have everlasting life.  He tells me in Romans 5:8 that God commendeth His love toward me, and that while I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me.  He tells me in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good to those who love God and to those who are the called according to His purpose. He reminds me in Philippians 4:13 that I can do all things through Christ Which strengtheneth me. He tells me in John 14:1 that my heart should not be troubled but that I should believe God and believe also in Him.  There He reminds me that in His Father's house are many mansions and that He has gone to prepare a place for me, and He will come again receiving me unto Himself that where He is, there I may be also.  He reminds me in Psalm 91:1 that if I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, I can abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  In 1st Corinthians 13, He reminds me that His love will never fail and even now He is preparing a place for me in the Glory world.

Think how beautiful that place must be.  Look what He did in six days.  He lifted the mountains like pyramids above the horizon and framed them with a cloud-laden sky that provides for me shade while I drive and carpet when I fly He shed the tear of deity and formed a little pond where I may see Heaven while looking toward earth.  He assembles a choir of birds to practice through the night so they can present a concert for me as I go to work in the morning.  He sows me a sample of Heaven's garden when He gives me the rose and takes some of the incense from the altar and sprays it on the gardenia.  He takes me to a mountaintop and allows me to writhe my way, following the fickle mountain stream as it winds its way in a serpentine manner toward its destination to the ocean.  He lets me see the pine tree as it stands at attention in its company of "needley" soldiers who salute me as I pass in review.  He points out to me the redwoods of northern California who stand like Olympic weight lifters after hoisting their foliage.  He shows me the loveliness of diamonds which really are nothing but synthetic stars and substitutes for the twinkling of the lake when the moon is full.  He makes for me a sunset which blends its emerald green, azure blue and topaz tint as He brings the great light that rules the day close enough for me to examine.

All of this and much, much more He did in six days. Think how Heaven must be. Examine the rose, the daffodil, the pansy, the lilac and the chrysanthemum and realize that these are only six-day jobs. Think what Heaven's flowers must be like which have been in preparation for nearly 2,000 years. He shows me the willow, the oak, the pine, the birch and the maple as specimens of six days of work. Think what Heaven's trees must be like. He has been preparing them for me for almost 2,000 years. He allows me to wind my way beside the Danube, the Nile and the Tigress in an effort to tease me concerning what the River of Life must be like. He asks me to taste the sweetness of the peach, the feisty tartness of the plum, the yielding sweetness of the banana, and then gently says, "I made those in six days, Can you imagine how Heaven's fruit must taste?  I have been working 2.000 years on that!"

My friend is gentle. His is not a weak gentleness, for true gentleness cannot be weak.  His gentleness is strength held in check.  His gentleness is like the mighty ocean taking a nap while great waters kiss the shore and while a little child plays in its quiet waters and is kissed by the crest of a wave.

Though my friend is gentle, He is also strong. His chisel sculptures mountain peaks. His pitcher pours the lakes. 'Tis through His brush the rainbow speaks.  His fury spawns the quakes.  His power sends the snowflakes like tiptoeing drops of rain. His breath sends forth the gentle breeze to resurrect the grain. He carved the gorges into view, while morning stars did cheer. He placed a seven-colored hew and made the bow appear.  'Tis God Whose mighty voice I hear and thunders overhead.  Tornadoes are His footprints; spring winds His gentler tread.

The hurricane awaits His call.  The earthquake is His loyal servant.  Lightning lies at His feet awaiting orders.  Tornadoes obey His commands.  Yet, "He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known!"

My friend is generous. He gives me all I need and infinitely more. He shares with me all that He has. His wealth is my inheritance. He gives me the world that belongs to Him and the fulness thereof He supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Through Him I own the music of the sea, the emerald green of the meadow, the peerless blue of the sky, the topaz tint of the rainbow and the nervous branches of windblown trees.

Mainly, though, my friend is exactly that--He is my friend!  He leaves His heavens and enters a quiet motel room to speak with me.  He reserves a seat beside me on a midnight flight.  He understands me when no one else understands and hold my hand when all other hands are occupied.

"There's no friend to me like Jesus!  He my every need supplies.

He not only saves but keeps me. Nothing good from me denies."

Oh, by the way-my friend wants to be your friend too!)

(Chapter 16 from Dr. Hyle's excellent book, Salvation is More than Being Saved) used with permission

Thought for today.

Today I attended church for the first time in a long time, I haven't been walking with the Lord for a few months, I've suffered, I've sinned, I've done wrong. Why do we leave the path of the Lord? I have no answer for you, I guess we haven't 100% let go of the world and all its pleasures. Forgive me Father for I have sinned...friends I have repented of my sin, God has promised to forgive us when we sin and truly repent of what we have done. I am a dirty rotten hell deserving sinner...but Jesus has forgiven me, for that I thank Him and feel truly ashamed and humbled for my past wrongs.  Please pray for me dear reader, even though you don't know my name and my blog is anonymous, God knows who I am. Thank you and God bless!!!!!!!

The Bible is filled with examples of born-again believers who sinned horribly. Romans 4:5 plainly states... “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is COUNTED for righteousness.” Did you read that? ... his faith is COUNTED for righteousness!!! This means that a person can be saved and continue living in sin. Before you get upset, you'd better stop and realize that the Bible is filled with believers who lived in horrible sin. Noah was a drunkard. Samson was a whoremonger. David was an adulterer and murderer. Rahab was a prostitute. Isaiah had a dirty mouth. Jonah ran from God. Peter denied and cursed the name of Jesus. Ananias and Sapphira stole from the church. The church at Corinth had a serious problem with church members committing fornication, fighting against each other and even showing up drunk at the Lord's Supper.

Romans 3:31 clearly teaches that no one has God's permission to sin; but salvation is without works of self-righteousness, and a good thing, because we have NONE to offer God (Isaiah 64:6). Jesus paid it all.

1. I hear the Savior say,
   “Thy strength indeed is small;
   Child of weakness, watch and pray,
   Find in Me thine all in all.”
   • Refrain:
     Jesus paid it all,
     All to Him I owe;
     Sin had left a crimson stain,
     He washed it white as snow.
2. For nothing good have I
   Whereby Thy grace to claim;
   I’ll wash my garments white
   In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
3. And now complete in Him,
   My robe, His righteousness,
   Close sheltered ’neath His side,
   I am divinely blest.
4. Lord, now indeed I find
   Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
   Can change the leper’s spots
   And melt the heart of stone.
5. When from my dying bed
   My ransomed soul shall rise,
   “Jesus died my soul to save,”
   Shall rend the vaulted skies.
6. And when before the throne
   I stand in Him complete,
   I’ll lay my trophies down,
   All down at Jesus’ feet.

Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Something I stumbled upon...

http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Jesuit-Guide-Almost-Everything-James-Martin/?isbn=9780061432682

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....nothing more to say...

Forgiveness: A Powerful Weapon

A man and woman had been living in adultery. Paul had wrote the Church of Corinth to scold them for allowing this sin to continue without rebuke from the pulpit. The Church reacted with "punishment, which was inflicted by many", II Corinthians 2:6. Isn't it typical of us humans to go from one extreme to the other?

The man evidently repented and felt much guilt. Paul was concerned that the man might be overwhelmed with guilt, perhaps suicide! Paul asks the Church to forgive and comfort the man to prevent this from going any further. After all, the man had repented. It is interesting that the woman is not mentioned. Could it be that she didn't repent?

Paul realized that there was much more at stake here than just one man. If nothing were said, this type of loose living would have spread through the church. It is the preachers duty to preach against sin--all sin! However, we are NEVER to preach against people, for they needs Christ's love. Paul knew that the devil uses certain powers to destroy families and Churches. He admonishes the Church to forgive this man, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices," (2nd Corinthians 2:11). Paul knew that unforgiveness was a device which Satan could use to kill, steal and destroy! It is one of his greatest tools.

If unforgiveness gives Satan the advantage over us, than it is also true that forgiveness gives us the advantage over Satan. Forgiveness is a powerful weapon that we can use against the devil. We can do much to defeat the devil; by living a Godly life in Jesus Christ and by being forgiving of the mistakes and faults of others. If you want to ruin the devil's day, make things right with someone, Encourage them in the Lord.

We are commanded in Matthew 18:22 to forgive an infinite number of times if necessary. How sad that often we cannot forgive even once. Don't give Satan the advantage!

by David J. Stewart (used with permission)


Questions and Answers On Sin and Forgiveness

The word "heresy" in the Bible simply means "an opinion." Many of the doctrines circulating in today's churches are merely opinions, not based upon the Word of God. In John 5:39 Jesus commanded His disciples to... SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES!!! It is dangerous to form one's opinions apart from the Bible. People who express teachings not taught in the Scriptures are guilty of spreading heresy. With this in mind, it is my aim to answer some common questions concerning sin and forgiveness using the Word of God.

* What is the Unpardonable Sin?
* What Does 1st John 3:9 Mean?
* What Does 1st John 5:16 Mean... "a sin unto death"
* Are There Greater Sins and Lesser Sins?
* Is it Possible for a Christian to Live in Gross Sin?
* "I've Done Some Horrible Things," Will God Forgive Me?
* Is it Possible to Live for God Without Sinning?
* Does a Person Have to Forsake Their Sins to Be Saved?
* When Sins are Confessed and Forgiven, Are They Also Forgotten by God?
* Should We Confess Our Sins to God Alone, or to Other People?


What is the Unpardonable Sin?

The only unpardonable sin is rejecting Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior. Isaiah 1:18 teaches that God will forgive the vilest sinner who repents. It was Jesus in Matthew 18:22 Who taught that we ought to forgive 7 times 70. In other words, unlimited forgiveness for those who seek it. Do you think God is less forgiving? 1st John 1:9 teaches that God is faithful and just to forgive us. Although 1st John 1:9 is addressed to Christians, i.e., the Church; other Scriptures such as Romans 10:13 promise that WHOSOEVER calls (i.e., appeals) unto the Lord Jesus for forgiveness shall be saved.

John 3:16 is the most precious Scripture in the Bible, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Amen! There is no sin which God cannot, or will not forgive, except blaspheming the Spirit of God oncerning Jesus Christ. If you reject Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, then you are fallen from God's grace and there is no other way to Heaven. That's exactly what Galatians 5:4 means when the Bible speaks of being “fallen from grace.” Acts 4:10-12 proclaims that there is no other name by which we can be saved than JESUS CHRIST. Jesus proclaimed this truth Himself in John 14:6. Jesus is precious!


What Does 1st John 3:9 Mean?

1st John 3:9 states: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." A changed life is the FRUIT of genuine repentance; not a part of the ROOT of saving-faith. If a person is genuinely saved, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live in that person's soul (Romans 8:9). The evidence of one's faith is a changed life for God (James 2:21). Please understand that self-righteous works have nothing to do with salvation (Titus 3:5). We are saved by faith, period (Romans 4:5-6). God takes care of everything else once we are saved, including working in our heart and teaching us the truth through His Word.

Jesus said in John 17:17 that we are sanctified by the Word of God, i.e., by the truth. A professed Christian who lives in unrepentant sin, with no conviction from the Holy Spirit of God, is likely not saved (Hebrews 12:6-8). There is no one as miserable as a believer who lives in sin, because God will tear their heart out with conviction. A person who doesn't have the Spirit of Christ is unsaved (Romans 8:9). That's what 1st John 3:9 means.


What Does 1st John 5:16 Mean... "a sin unto death"

1st John 5:16,17 states: ''If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death." I have found at least one dozen explanations of this Scripture passage. I prefer to allow the Bible to interpret Itself. Romans 6:16 states: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" So here we see that the opposite of the "sin unto death" is "obedience unto righteousness."

Romans 8:6 states: "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." I do believe that John is speaking to Christian brethren in 1st John 5:16. It is also clear to me that John is not talking about the unpardonable sin, i.e., rejecting Jesus Christ as one's Savior. It is obvious that the subject at hand involves prayer, because 1st John 5:15 speaks of it. I think the only logical conclusion is that the Apostle John is speaking about one who has become sick because of sin. I think a comparison of 1st John 5:16,17 with James 5:14,15 clears up the matter...

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

This is what John is talking about. The Bible plainly teaches that some illnesses are caused by one's own sins. 1st Corinthians 11:30 tells us that many believers were becoming sick and dying because of their abuse of the Lord's Supper... "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."

Galatians 6:1,2 states:

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

1st John 5:13 tells us the sole purpose why the Epistle of 1st John was written...

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

One of the evidences of salvation is a changed life which causes a believer to love others with God's unconditional love, especially fellow Christians. It is our duty to bear one another's burdens, i.e., when they are "overtaken in a fault" as Galatians 6:1 tells us. So John is likewise advising us to pray for our fellow brethren in the Lord, if we have seen them sin and now they are ill, that God might forgive their sin and let them live. However, upon examining 1st John 5:16 it is clear to me that this is a personal burden, only applicable to those who have "seen" a brother or sister sin. I believe Galatians 6:1,2 also speaks of a personal burden, for the relationship of the fallen is close enough to the "spiritual" believer that he may "restore such an one."


Are There Greater Sins and Lesser Sins?

Yes. John 19:11, “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

Howbeit, we are all guilty, dirty, rotten sinners in God's eyes. James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” A hypocrite is someone who views another person as being a worse sinner than them self. We are all sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23). Those who point fingers fail to realize that there are 3-fingers pointing back at them (on their own hand). Those people who are hateful toward other sinners, or are unwilling to forgive those who seek their forgiveness, fail to see their own wickedness in God's eyes. There is much self-righteousness in churches today.


Is it Possible for a Christian to Live in Gross Sin?

Yes. 1st Corinthians 5:5, “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” This man at the church at Corinth was living in open adultery in the church (1st Corinthians 5:1). The Apostle Paul has heard of the situation from another city and was disturbed over the lack of Biblical preaching against sin in the church. Paul advised the church to confront the man. Paul said if the man refused to repent, then to turn him over to Satan; but notice that Paul said the man's spirit would BE SAVED in the Day of the Lord.

The Bible is filled with examples of born-again believers who sinned horribly. Romans 4:5 plainly states... “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is COUNTED for righteousness.” Did you read that? ... his faith is COUNTED for righteousness!!! This means that a person can be saved and continue living in sin. Before you get upset, you'd better stop and realize that the Bible is filled with believers who lived in horrible sin. Noah was a drunkard. Samson was a whoremonger. David was an adulterer and murderer. Rahab was a prostitute. Isaiah had a dirty mouth. Jonah ran from God. Peter denied and cursed the name of Jesus. Ananias and Sapphira stole from the church. The church at Corinth had a serious problem with church members committing fornication, fighting against each other and even showing up drunk at the Lord's Supper.

Romans 3:31 clearly teaches that no one has God's permission to sin; but salvation is without works of self-righteousness, and a good thing, because we have NONE to offer God (Isaiah 64:6). Jesus paid it all.


“I've Done Some Horrible Things, Will God Forgive Me?”

Yes. Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”


Is it Possible to Live for God Without Sinning?

No. Paul plainly teaches in Romans 7:14-25 that he struggled with sin on a regular basis. The unsaved world has no regard for God nor His Word, so there is no struggle. They are children of the Devil. The best Christian still struggles with sin, but with God's help is able to overcome temptation (1st Corinthians 10:13). Yet, everyone falters at times because we are sinful by nature. Those who deny being sinners are liars and call God a liar (1st John 1:8,10). Sin is NEVER permissible; but the fact of the matter is that everyone is a sinner. No one can live above sin. Those who claim to do so are self-righteous hypocrites (Luke 18:10-14).

As my pastor used to say... We can choose to do right at any given time; but we won't always make the right decision because we are sinners. Galatians 5:25 plainly distinguishes between living in the Spirit verses walking in the Spirit. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Every born-again believer lives in the Holy Spirit of God, i.e., the Holy Spirit is the believer's spiritual life. Those who are saved ought to also walk in the Spirit of God in obedience to the Scriptures. Many believers don't walk in the Spirit, which is a sin. We are commanded to walk in the same Spirit by which we have our very spiritual life (Ephesians 2:2).

Proverb 26:16, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”


Does a Person Have to Forsake Their Sins to Be Saved?

No. Romans 4:5-8, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” God will not impute sin to the man who places his faith in Jesus as the Son of God, the Christ, to forgive his sins. By faith, God attributes Christ's righteousness to our record (2nd Corinthians 5:21). We are saved solely by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (Matthew 6:33). We have no self-righteousness to offer God (Isaiah 64:6). We are all guilty sinners in God's eyes (Romans 3:10-23).

Please read, Lordship Salvation—Satan's Biggest Lie.


When Sins are Confessed and Forgiven, are They Also Forgotten by God?

Yes. Psalm 103:11-12, “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” The Bible plainly teaches that God will not remember our sins. Hebrews 8:12 and 10:17, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Amen, what a precious Savior!

Please understand that all sins must be accounted for on Judgment Day. For the saved, they will be judged at The Judgment Seat of Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:10-111). For the unsaved, they will be judged at The Great White Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Romans 14:12 teaches that all humanity will give account individually to God.


Should We Confess Our Sins to God Alone?

To God alone, for only Jesus has the nail-scared hands and feet. Modern perversions of the Scriptures have changed James 5:16 from “Confess your faults one to another” to “Confess your sins one to another.” The Bible never teaches to confess our sins to anyone except God. Instead, we are told to admit our faults. The New International Version [NIV] of the Bible corrupts this Scripture to cater to Catholics, who errantly teach that priests have the power to forgive sin. No they don't. Only God can forgive sin (Mark 2:7). The Confessional Booth is evil. Only God can forgive sin, so only God needs to know your sins.

Certainly we ought to be willing to apologize to those we wrong, and make restitution; however, God is the only One against Whom we can sin. All sin is against God alone, because sin is the breaking of God's Law. A person may wrong their neighbor, or commit a crime; but sin is against God alone, Who is the divine Law-giver. Psalm 51:4, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” This Scripture was spoken by David, who killed Uriah after stealing his wife in adultery and impregnating her. What a horrible sin! King David committed a crime against Uriah and his family; but David's sins were against God alone, because God said, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:13) and “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). David broke God's Law. David later repented. 2nd Samuel 12:13, “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”

by David J. Stewart (used with permission)