Morning Moments

1 Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 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. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Am I stretching the Truth when I say that “NO person living a lifestyle (way of life, continuous action) of immorality is saved according the Word of God.” Of course I am not “stretching”, I am STATING the Truth. How does such a statement stand before grace and forgiveness? Is it stretching the truth a bit or not? Let’s lay a foundation of understanding definitions:

1. The Law (Ten Commandments) states the MORAL Standard for all humanity and for all time. It is why many in America want to do away with displaying them in public places. According to Paul in Romans, it is still valid as a declaration of God’s DEMAND for righteousness.

2. Grace is that which God has given that we do not deserve. Grace teaches us that we cannot meet God's righteous demands apart from His presence in us.

3. Mercy is that which God withholds that we do deserve. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The wages of sin is death.

4. Faith is trusting Jesus to do for me and in me what I cannot do - meet the rightous demads of God by my identification with Christ in His death and resurrection (dead to sin and alive to God.

The moral law of God is what shows me my need for His mercy and His grace. “As you have receive Christ Jesus the LORD (by grace thorough faith), so walk ye in Him (by grace through faith)

Principle # 2 - The grace of God THAT BRINGETH SALVATION teaches us to deny ungodliness and WORLDLY LUSTS according to Paul. Jesus said, “If any man come after me he must DENY himself (not of things, but of his own flesh), take up his cross (which is not caring for aged parents, etc., but rather death to self), and follow me (that is resurrected life). And John said whoever continues (that is lifestyle, continuous action) in sin is of the devil, and whoever is born of God CANNOT continue (lifestyle) in sin. Now this doesn’t mean we can’t or don’t sin, but it does mean that the lifestyle of the saved is different from the lifestyle of the lost. God’s salvation comes BY grace THROUGH faith (and that not of ourselves). If we say we can’t sin we deceive ourselves. If we say that we have no sin, we make God a liar.

To possess faith one MUST come to repentance, not merely regret. We often teach our children to say “sorry” when they do something they should not, but if they persist in doing it, it is an indication that “sorry” was not sincere. God’s grace is sufficient for every one of us, but it comes only THROUGH faith.

Principle # 3 - Biblical faith is not something I naturally possess. It is a gift from God or I could boast about my faith. For example: If I am in India and my wife is in Alabama and you should say to me, “My faith you have in your wife.” I would say, “You just don’t know my wife.” I don’t boast of my faith, but of my God. “If any man glory, let him glory in the Lord.” That is what grace teaches me to do.

Here is the crux of the matter:
1. By God’s grace I receive faith that saves me –
a. From the penalty of sin (past)
b. From the power of sin (present)
c. From the presence of sin (permanently ultimately)
2. Just as God’s grace through faith saves me from sin, it also keeps me from sinning. Now let me be perfectly clear lest I be misunderstood. James said, “a man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed….” So when I am tempted, it is an opportunity for grace to abound. In other word, it is as if God says, “by grace through faith, you don’t have to do this, think this, say this.” But if I resist the grace and insult the Spirit, I do sin.
3. When I sin, God then chastens me, as with EVERY son (child), and it is the goodness of God that leads me to change (repent). Now the sin may not hurt anyone but God and me. Some men’s sins follow after them and some men’s sins go before them. Let me illustrate. Suppose I think about robbing a bank. Is that though under “the obedience of Christ?” Of course not! Is it an expression of faith? No Way! So whatsoever is not of faith is sin and sin must be repented of. But who was hurt by my sinful thought? Only God and me. But what if I had executed that thought? It would have still been sin, but certainly many others would have been hurt, so though the sin was sin in either case, the consequence is greater with the latter.
4. When as a believer I sin, God chastens. Allow me to illustrate again. Suppose my children want to go outside and play baseball and I say its okay, but you must go to the empty across the street to do play. After a little while there is a crash and my window breaks. I go outside and say, “Boys, did I not tell you to go across the street to the empty lot? Now see what you have done because you did not obey me?” Dad, we are sorry. We did not understand that you told us to go over there. We will go now. So, because I love and believe them I replace the glass.

Next day: Same boys, same desire, same question, same answer, but this time they decide to do something that detains them. Then a couple of them decide to pitch to one another in the yard and guess what? I hear a crash and another broken glass. I calmly of course, go to the door and say, “Boys, you did not do what I told you, so get out of this yard and you will pay for the glass. “Sorry, Dad, we will replace the glass.”

Day 3: I drive up and see the same kids, doing the same thing in the same place. I say to them “COME HOME! No more ball for you.”
Poor example maybe but you get the message. God has not changed His hatred for sin. He will correct, chasten, and take you home early.

5. We tend to think that grace overlooks a sinful life. It does not! Never has! Never will!

Mercy saves us and grace keeps us. It according to His mercy He saved us, but it is by His grace that He teaches us to – in the power of the Holy Spirit say “NO!”
No generation of Christians before us have ever questioned God’s standard of purity and morality. The standard is the same for ministers and members; for sheep and shepherds; for pastors and people. When and if we fail, we must make a bee line to the throne to obtain what we have resisted – mercy that we do not deserve and grace to CHANGE! Thanks for comments.