The subject of this Blog (inspired by Brother Lindsey) is about the basis of Christianty that so many people strive to reach without ever taking hold. Striving is a big problem in the religious world. Striving is a form of works and sometimes even religious practice. If man continues to strive to reach Christianity it will never happen. Christianity is not reached by striving or any type of human effort. Christianity is "found" through acceptance of Christ. There is no other way! Then, God takes over your soul, your mind, and your thinking through the presence of His Holy Spirit. Christianity (like many people think) is not based on what man does. Christianity is based on the redemptive work of Christ in the human soul. Redemption performed by Christ is what makes a liar into truthful man. Redemption performed by Christ is what makes a dishonest man honest. Redemption performed by Christ is what takes a beer or wine drinker to a place of never drinking another drop of strong drink or alcohol. No striving or maturing process here...only the changing power of God's Grace. God's Grace has nothing to do with human effort whatsoever.
There is a tremendous misconception of what real Christianity is in this modern religious era. Christians are holy and the Bible says so! Holy men are made holy by the Grace of God found through the redemptive work of Calvary in the human soul. What Christ did on the cross is not blanket protection for sinful conduct as many people believe and practice. The Bible does not excuse sinful conduct in the life of a believer. God does not excuse sin in your life if you're a Christian! Holy men do no do unholy things. Holy men do not think unholy thoughts. If people in the name of Christianity still live like this... they sin against God! Period! Even Jesus taught the doctrine that a man was even accountable for His thoughts! What a man thinks can even be a sin!
Matt 5:28...That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Mark 7:21-23... For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
James 1:14-16...But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
There is no way a man can be a truthful man and tell a lie and still be truthful. There is no way a man can be an honest man if he steals something and still be honest. There is no way a man can drink alcohol and still be sober. Christians are sober men and never desire to have drugs, alcohol, or strong drink. Christians desire to be sober because being sober is a God Given desire and makes men good witnesses for Christ. Children of God do not desire to indulge in mood altering substance whatsoever! Especially in this Grace Covenant where we have the directive of the Holy Spirit showing us how to live, act, and behave. Children of God can see the ruination and harmful effects drugs and alcohol have in our present society. It's an open shame and even the sinful side of life will admit that fact!
I've written all the above to ask you the reader this one question? Can a truthful man tell a lie and still be a truthful man? Can an honest man steal something and still be an honest man? Can a sober man drink alcohol and still be a sober man? The answer is, "No". Therefore a Christian can not commit sin an still be a Christian. It's that simple. Living right is a blessing that the unsaved world never experiences. Living right brings honor to Christ. Living right comes from the changed heart given the Spirit of Holiness.
As mentioned above Christ's redemptive work at Calvary was not a work of redemption to permit the believer to commit sin and still call himself a child of God. God does not excuse sin! Yes! He does forgive sin but He doesn't blink His eyes at it or excuse it! Christians are to be holy! Christians are to be truthful! Christians are to be honest! Christians are to be sober! Christians are to live holy which in turn allows them to "stop" practicing sin. As long as a Christian remains in this God given state of holiness he will live according to God's standard every day of his life! That's why the Bible teaches Christians to, "Prove what is acceptable to the Lord". Prove it with Joy! Prove it as a witness! Tha witness will be honest, truthful sober, and HOLY! Glory to God!
In closing, please examine the following verse as a word from the Lord...It is my desire to encourage all believers to have this mindset toward those who struggle with a misconception about sin and sinful conduct in the life of a beleiver.
James 5:20..Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
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