Sin

[glen smith]

35 Reasons Not To Sin by Jim Elliff
http://www.christianworldviewnetwork...706/Jim_Elliff

1. Because a little sin leads to more sin.
2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
6. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
7. Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
8. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
9. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
10. Because my sin saddens the godly.
11. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
12. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
13. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
14. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
15. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
16. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
17. Because my sin may influence others to sin.
18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
19. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
20. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
21. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
22. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
23. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
24. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
25. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
26. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
27. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
28. Because my sin is adultery with the world.
29. Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
30. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
31. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
32. Because to sin is not to love Christ.
33. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
34. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it's own.
35. Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.

Relinquish Your Rights - Reject the Sin - Renew the Mind - Rely on God

[glen smith]

Are All of Your Sins and the Sins of All Mankind Forgiven? Yes!

http://www.biblelife.org/sins.htm

We see people in churches being encouraged to have their sins forgiven by many different methods. Some are asked to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Others are asked to walk the aisle and pray for Jesus to forgive them of their sins. Many are told to have their sins forgiven by asking Jesus into their hearts. Most Christian denominations and many other religions believe that the only way to receive God's forgiveness of sins is through a prayerful confession. These churches generally teach that one is saved when his sins are forgiven.
Scripture does not teach that salvation is accomplished by having one's sins forgiven. Most Christian churches teach the false doctrine of effectual forgiveness. They teach that sins are not forgiven until one believes Jesus died for his sins. They falsely believe that having one's sins forgiven equates to being saved. The effectual forgiveness doctrine is not in the Bible. Actually, the Bible teaches just the opposite. While we were enemies of God (meaning unsaved) we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son. It does not require faith to be reconciled to God as many churches falsely teach. Reconciliation does not mean one is saved as these churches teach. It means the enmity between God and mankind as a result of Adam's transgression has been reversed by Jesus' death on the cross. This is clearly shown in 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:14 - 6:2 and Colossians 1:20 below. Universal reconciliation is a sound Biblical doctrine, but universal salvation is not in the Bible. Universal reconciliation is true, but universal salvation is false.
Many pastors and Bible scholars teach reconciliation and salvation as if they are one and the same, but they certainly are not the same. The Bible gives definitions that are completely different for each one. Reconciliation reverses the enmity between God and mankind that resulted from Adam's transgression. Reconciliation was a universal act accomplished by Jesus' death on the cross nearly 2000 years ago. Salvation is accomplished by being filled with the Holy Spirit to receive eternal life. Salvation is an act of God upon a specific individual person, one at a time. God saves a person when he confesses faith in the resurrection of Jesus. We are saved by His resurrected life. The difference between reconciliation and salvation can be found in Romans 4:25 and 5:10, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:14 - 6:2, Ephesians 2:11-18 and Colossians 1:19-23 below.
The Bible says that on the cross Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the whole world. Jesus' awesome sacrifice on the cross brought reconciliation of the entire world to God. Thus, with one exception, everyone's sins since the crucifixion of Jesus have been forgiven. The only sin which has not been forgiven is the rejection of the leading of the Holy Spirit by unbelief in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection as our Savior. Jesus said that such a person "never has forgiveness." Rejecting Jesus Christ is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This has been called by some as the "unpardonable sin." The following verses clearly show these doctrines:
Mark 3:28 " Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29 "but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"-- 30 because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."
Matthew 12:31 " Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy [against] the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the [age] to come.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 6:51 "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."
John 4:42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard [Him] and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."
Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son [as] Savior of the world.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Romans 4:24 It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
Romans 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (resurrection).
1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man [came] death, by Man also [came] the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know [Him] [thus] no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he] [is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things [are] of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore [you] on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin [to] [be] sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 6:1 We then, [as] workers together [with] [Him] also plead with [you] not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) {by...: or, by whose grace} 6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, [that] [is], the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man [from] the two, [thus] making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased [the] [Father] [that] in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-- 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Colossians 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with [Him] through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
1 Timothy 1:15 This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
1 Timothy 2:3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For [there] [is] one God and one Mediator between God and men, [the] Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ [and] not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself [His] own special people, zealous for good works.
1 Peter 2:22 'Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth'; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed [Himself] to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, [and] bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
People often quote 2 Corinthians 5:20 as an example that the unbeliever is not reconciled to God. This verse cannot be interpreted that way without violating many verses throughout Scripture. The Apostle Paul was dealing with Jewish people who were under the Law trying to be justified to God by the works of the Law. Paul is encouraging these people to accept the reconciliation to God that Jesus had already secured for them through His death on the cross. This verse does not mean the entire world has been reconciled to God. It means that Paul encountered those who would not accept this reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore [you] on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
"The world" as used in John 1:29; 4:42 and 1 John 4:14 means sinners who are God-hating, Christ-rejecting and Satan-dominated, yet that is the world for which Christ died. In Luke 23:34 Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who had sought His death, beaten Him and nailed Him to the cross. These people were not believers or followers of Jesus. Certainly Jesus' prayer was in the will of the Father and answered as Jesus requested.
Notice 1 John 2:1 does not say that if anyone repents, he has an Advocate or if anyone confesses his sins, he has an Advocate, Jesus Christ. Neither does he say that if anyone goes through a ceremony or baptism to get rid of his sins, he has an Advocate. John says that if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, and we know from other scriptures that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Many interpret 1 John 2:2 to mean not the whole world but the whole of saved mankind. This interpretation is difficult in light of Romans 5:10 which states that when we were enemies we were reconciled to God. The meaning of enemies is that of a lost person, and reconciled means the forgiveness of sins and reversal of the separation between God and mankind that resulted from Adam's transgression.
Christ died for the ungodly and everyone is ungodly; therefore, Christ died for everyone as stated in Romans 5:6. The Bible teaches that Christ died for sinners (1 Timothy 1:15; Romans 5:8). The word "sinners" nowhere means "church" or "the elect," but simply all of lost mankind. Christ Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:6). The Bible clearly teaches that Christ died for all mankind, and the gospel is clearly offered and equally available to all. Scripture states that God desires all to be saved. These scriptures easily refute the false doctrine of John Calvin that Jesus died only for some and all the rest are predestined to eternal torment. Calvin's theology of Limited Atonement is clearly shown to be false.
The New King James Bible does not contain the words "atonement", "atoned" or "atone" in the New Testament. It simply is not there. The Israelites "atoned" for their sins by the sacrifice of animals. Each person had to offer his own animal as an atonement. Atonement is the appeasement for past sins, not the removal of all sins. Atonement is an Old Testament doctrine not found in the New Testament.
Romans 5:10 clearly states that Jesus died for the sins of everyone. This was accomplished through the death of His Son, Jesus, on the cross. It says, "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son." When we were enemies is past tense. Enemies means lost, unbelieving and unsaved persons. This means everyone was reconciled to God through the death of Jesus on the cross, but reconciliation is not salvation or eternal life. The second part describes those who are saved. It says, "much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (resurrection)." This means those who are saved believe that Jesus was resurrected bodily. Salvation is eternal life with God by faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the whole world and reconciled all of humanity back to the Father. This reversed the separation that occurred because of Adam's sin. This reconciliation does not mean that all have received salvation. People who have rejected Jesus birth, life, death, and resurrection do not have that sin of rejection forgiven. It is the one unpardonable sin not covered on the cross. Yet, anyone can come to faith at any time prior to his death and receive salvation and the Holy Spirit. His faith has canceled the unpardonable sin.
Ephesians 2:5 says, "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ." Quickened here mean the same as reconciled. It mean that while we were sinners, God forgave our sins by having Jesus Christ die for the sins of the whole world. It does not mean all are saved.
Likewise, Ephesians 2:13 says, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Notice that the ones far off means all Gentiles were without hope but were "brought near" by Jesus' shed blood. The Gentiles were forced to remain in a separate section in the Temple far off to the side because the promises and covenants given to Israel were not meant for them. The meaning of "brought near" most certainly does not mean final salvation. It means that the way was prepared for the next step in the road to salvation. Romans 4:24 above is another verse stating the same doctrine, which is the complete gospel.
The false teachers in 2 Peter 2:1 are clearly unsaved and have brought upon themselves swift destruction because of their blaspheming the truth and denying the Lord, yet they are said to be denying the "Lord who bought them." The verse indicates that Jesus paid for their sins upon the cross even though they are not saved.
Ephesians 2:15-16 tells us that the Mosaic Law has also been abolished by Christ's death, and both Jew and Gentile have been reconciled to God the same way. Ephesians 2:15-16 "having abolished in His flesh the enmity, [that] [is], the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man [from] the two, [thus] making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity."
In 1 Timothy 2:4 we see that God "desires all men to be saved," and in 1 Timothy 2:6 we see that Jesus "gave Himself a ransom for all." Therefore, we must conclude that the sins of ALL mankind were removed and placed upon Jesus on the cross. Because God desires all men to be saved and Jesus gave Himself a ransom for the sins of all mankind, we must conclude that having one's sins forgiven does not insure salvation. Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all, but all are not saved.
Hebrews 2:9 says that "Jesus tasted death for everyone."
Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant between God and mankind, for by His death He made redemption for the transgression made by Adam under the first covenant, and those who believe in Jesus' resurrection receive the promise of eternal life. The transgression of Adam resulted in separation between God and all mankind. Jesus' death made a total redemption to cancel the separation.
Hebrews 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Many Bible scholars may recall verses spoken by John The Baptist, Jesus Himself or others which suggest that one must be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Those verses were true for those who heard them in that day, but they are not true for us today in this Dispensation of Grace, or Church Age. The forgiveness of sins provided to mankind by Jesus' death on the cross occurred at His death and did not apply before His death.
Many pastors quote Acts 2:38a: "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.'"? Peter preached this at the start of the Church Age, post-resurrection. So, why isn't baptism required today for the remission of sins? The Apostle Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles with the gospel of grace, salvation by faith in Jesus' resurrection apart from works of the law, baptism, and other Jewish customs. The other Apostles, including Peter were the Apostles to the Children of Israel who were still under the law, baptism, and customs. This was a transition period. The Jewish church died out for the most part. Now everyone, Jew and Gentile, are under the Gospel that Jesus revealed to Paul. Peter, and the other Apostles to the Jews, did many things that do not apply today. Peter was still in training as evident by God's revelation to him about eating with the Gentiles.
The universal forgiveness of sins does not mean that all mankind has been saved from the torment of an eternal hell as many cults and universalists believe. Having one's sins forgiven does not equal salvation as taught by most Christian denominations. Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the whole world, but that does not equate to universal salvation. The doctrine of universal salvation is false teaching.
Those who teach John Calvin's doctrine of Limited Atonement are teaching an incomplete and inaccurate gospel. They believe that Christ's death on the cross alone provides salvation and therefore applies only to some. The Scripture teaches salvation is by His entire redemptive work, especially faith in His resurrection which gives us eternal life with God in Heaven.

Is Everyone Saved Because Their Sins Have Been Forgiven? No!
Jesus told the Pharisee Nicodemus that he must be "born again," or born of the Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus meant that he must receive the Spirit of God in order to be saved. Jesus did not tell Nicodemus that he had to be baptized. Jesus said he had to be born of water, meaning the water of the womb. He must be human, not an evil spirit or demon. Jesus did not tell Nicodemus that he had to have his sins forgiven.
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Scripture does not teach that salvation is accomplished by having one's sins forgiven. Most Christian churches teach the false doctrine of effectual forgiveness. They teach that sins are not forgiven until one believes Jesus died for his sins. They falsely believe that having one's sins forgiven equates to being saved. The doctrine of effectual forgiveness is not in the Bible. Actually, the Bible teaches just the opposite. While we were enemies of God (meaning unsaved) we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son. It does not require faith to be reconciled to God as many churches falsely teach. Reconciliation does not mean one is saved as these churches teach. It means the enmity between God and mankind as a result of Adam's transgressions has been reversed. One is saved by faith in the resurrection of Jesus. We are saved by receiving His resurrected life in us and being filled with the Holy Spirit. You must have Christ in you to be saved.
Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (KJV)
Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (resurrection).
Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it] [is] the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth [as] a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
1 Corinthians 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching [is] empty and your faith [is] also empty.
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, [and] has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man [came] death, by Man also [came] the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may [continue] [to] believe in the name of the Son of God.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
Luke 23:42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
In Romans 4:25 we see the differentiation between forgiveness of sin and salvation. Jesus was delivered up and crucified for the forgiveness of our sin, and He was raised from the dead to provide the way of salvation. Jesus Christ's resurrection provide "justification" (meaning salvation in Romans 3:24, 26 and 4:25) for all those who believe in His bodily resurrection. In Christ all shall be made alive because of His resurrection from the dead as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22. Salvation is described as receiving life (1 Corinthians 15:22) when one's name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 20:15).
Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, [and] has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man [came] death, by Man also [came] the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
Revelation 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
One of the two thieves crucified on his cross next to Jesus Christ was saved by his faith in the soon-to-come resurrection of Christ when he said in Luke 23:42-43, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Nothing was said about the thief's sins or about the forgiveness of his sins. The thief was not baptized. The thief did not invite Jesus into his heart. The thief expressed faith in the soon-to-come resurrection of Jesus to His Kingdom. The thief was saved because of his faith in Jesus' resurrection. This is another clear example that faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basic requirement for salvation.
We are given a very clear description of salvation in Romans 10:9-10 above. It does not mention having one's sins forgiven, asking Jesus into one's heart or being baptized. Salvation is obtained by believing in one's heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. The heart is symbolic for having true faith as the basis for salvation and not just empty verbal expression. We must confess our sin in the admission that we need a Savior, but the confession of sins does not fulfill the requirement for salvation. We must confess faith in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. Likewise, Romans 5:10 says that we are saved by His life. This means that salvation is obtained by faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 above gives a detailed description of the gospel.

[glen smith]

Divorcing the Attachments of My Heart

The urgent call of Jesus may fail to find access into my heart if I have given it to another. If my heart’s desires are caring for the things of this world, lusting after the flesh, or to be prideful of myself, then, my heart is controlled by another. There must be a judgment against the marriage of my heart to those things. There must be a willful separation, a repentant rejection, and a resolved divorce so that there is room made in my heart for Jesus.

It is the Holy Spirit who judges what things are in the heart and judges who is the marriage partner of the heart.

Glen B Smith 9/16/04 Rosh Hashana

[glen smith]

EVIDENCE OF OUR SALVATION repentance from sin Camp
...repentance from sin Steve Camp
http://www.christianworldviewnetwork...653/Steve_Camp

"Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning;" -The Apostle Paul, 1 Cor. 15:34a

One of the foundational evidences of a truly regenerated man or woman is their repentance from sin and their hatred of it. Unfortunately, repentance is a forgotten word in the church today! That powerful, truthful word has been exiled and excused from most church pulpits, elder meetings, prayer gatherings, and worship services all under the guise of glorifying God the Father and exalting our Lord Jesus Christ. But brethren, our Lord can never be glorified where sin is pacified - and He can never be exalted in praise where sin is entertained and practiced!

Though we have entered into our eternal rest by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8f) - we must never forget that grace never winks at sin; that grace never leads to the fulfilling of further ungodliness and worldly desires (Titus 2:12); that grace never indulges the flesh (Romans 6:1f); that grace does not cherish lust or seek its pleasure (Psalm 66:18; Heb. 11:25f); but that grace hates sin and calls all who know its voice to turn from their sin and to turn to God. That is what repentance is: an abrupt about- face in the face of sin. Metonoia is the Greek term and it means a complete change of mind - literally all we believe in regards to how we behave.

We Can't Negotiate with Sin
Paul gives this exact idea to timid Timothy when he says, "flee youthful lust and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" (2 Tim. 2:22). John the Baptist said, "repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand" (Matt. 3:2). Our Lord Jesus said, "repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15). Paul talked of a "repentance without regret" and a "godly sorrow that leads to repentance" (2 Cor. 7:9f). And finally Peter tells us that, "the Lord...not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

Matthew Mead insightfully says, "If sin be as terrible as you say it is why then are our lives not lived more holy; and if sin is not as terrible as you say it is, why then do you preach against it with such fury?"

Truth or Consequences
Sin's consequence causes the precious Holy Spirit to be grieved (Eph. 4:30); our prayers to go unanswered (1 Peter 3:7); disqualifies us from ministry (1 Cor. 9:27); causes our praise to be unacceptable (Psalm 33:1); withholds God's blessing from us (Jer. 5:25); forfeits our joy (Psalm 32:3-4; 51:12); hinders our spiritual growth (1 Cor. 3:1-3); causes our fellowship to become polluted (Ibid 10:21; 11:28f); our lives to be endangered (1 Cor. 11:30; 1 John 5:16); and most paramount, our holy God dishonored (1 Cor. 6:19f). Sin causes the whole church to suffer (1 Cor. 12:26); it provokes discipline (Matt. 18:15-20); has as its roots the "doctrine of demons" (1 Tim. 4:1); and as its father - the devil himself (1 John 3:8)!

Is it any wonder that the great Puritan preacher, Thomas Watson, said "that a sign of sanctification is a hatred of sin...one who not only leaves sin, but loathes it." That is precisely why Solomon wrote in Proverbs 28:13, "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes [repentance] them will find compassion." He who covers his sin, God will uncover; he who uncovers his sin, God will cover!

There are three categories of sin we find in Scripture:
1. Secret sin - Psalm 19:12f, 139:23f

2. Private sin - Matt. 5:23f, Romans 12:18, Matt. 6:14f

3. Public sin - Acts 5:1-11, I Cor. 5:4, Gal. 2:12-15, I Tim. 5:20, Matt. 18:15-20

What then constitutes true repentance from sin? What are the elements of that repentance and how are they to be executed?
1. Conviction of sin - John 16:8

2. Contrition over sin - Psalm 51:17, 2 Cor. 7:8-11, Psalm 38:18, Ez. 43:10

3. Confession of sin - James 5:16, Psalm 32:5, Neh. 9:2

4. Conversion from sin - Romans 6:12f, Ez. 14:6, Is.55:7, Acts 3:26

In other words, there is the shame and hatred of our sin; the sorrow over our sin; the confessing of it to those whom we have wounded; and finally the turning from our sin as the true sign of our salvation in Christ. Repentance; Restoration; Restitution; Reconciliation!

Oh bleoved, may we each make the grace-empowered choices to walk daily in the joy of repentance and prove our calling and election to be sure (2 Peter 1:4-12).