Being right, then doing right by Gary Rose

People disagree on things; its just the way it is. Most of the time we all think we are right when arguing with someone. But, what about that point-in-time that you realize you are WRONG. That is an uncomfortable moment, indeed.

Question: What do you do when that happens? Get very angry, find fault or belittle the other person? Perhaps, you just say something you shouldn’t or just walk away, loudly proclaiming that you will never speak to them again.

All this sounds a bit childish, doesn’t it? But, what if at that very moment when you realize you are wrong, the other person tries to understand WHY you believe you are right and just wants to talk about it? What then? Will you listen? Consider a moment, these words spoken by God through the prophet Isaiah…

Isaiah 1 ( World English Bible )

[18] ”Come now, and let us reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

God just doesn’t win an “argument” with him, he gives you a way out – reason. Why? Because HE loves you and wants the very best for you, that’s why. No matter what you have done, no matter how awful you have been, God still wants the best for you. There is hope and a future ahead of you. A passage from the book of 1^st Corinthians comes to mind:

1 Corinthians 13 ( WEB )

[8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.

There you have it, the answer to being wrong is being right (in the love of God). And what do you do about it? Change of course. Paul writes to the Colossians:

Colossians 3 ( WEB )

God. [2] Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. [3] For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

[5] Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; [6] for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. [7] You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; [8] but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. [9] Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, [10] and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, [11] where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

[12] Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

When you are wrong, listen to God, change and you will be the better for it.

Bible Reading October 23, 24 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading October 23, 24

World  English  Bible

Oct. 23

Ecclesiastes 11, 12

Ecc 11:1 Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.

Ecc 11:2 Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don't know what evil will be on the earth.

Ecc 11:3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be.

Ecc 11:4 He who observes the wind won't sow; and he who regards the clouds won't reap.

Ecc 11:5 As you don't know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child; even so you don't know the work of God who does all.

Ecc 11:6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don't withhold your hand; for you don't know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good.

Ecc 11:7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the sun.

Ecc 11:8 Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity.

Ecc 11:9 Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Ecc 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

Ecc 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them;"

Ecc 12:2 Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;

Ecc 12:3 in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows are darkened,

Ecc 12:4 and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;

Ecc 12:5 yes, they shall be afraid of heights, and terrors will be in the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets:

Ecc 12:6 before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the spring, or the wheel broken at the cistern,

Ecc 12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Ecc 12:8 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. All is vanity!

Ecc 12:9 Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

Ecc 12:10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.

Ecc 12:11 The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

Ecc 12:12 Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Ecc 12:13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecc 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.

Oct. 24

Song of Solomon 1-4

Son 1:1 The Song of songs, which is Solomon's. Beloved

Son 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for your love is better than wine.

Son 1:3 Your oils have a pleasing fragrance. Your name is oil poured forth, therefore the virgins love you.

Son 1:4 Take me away with you. Let us hurry. The king has brought me into his chambers. Friends We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will praise your love more than wine! Beloved They are right to love you.

Son 1:5 I am dark, but lovely, you daughters of Jerusalem, like Kedar's tents, like Solomon's curtains.

Son 1:6 Don't stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has scorched me. My mother's sons were angry with me. They made me keeper of the vineyards. I haven't kept my own vineyard.

Son 1:7 Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; For why should I be as one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions? Lover

Son 1:8 If you don't know, most beautiful among women, follow the tracks of the sheep. Graze your young goats beside the shepherds' tents.

Son 1:9 I have compared you, my love, to a steed in Pharaoh's chariots.

Son 1:10 Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels.

Son 1:11 We will make you earrings of gold, with studs of silver. Beloved

Son 1:12 While the king sat at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.

Son 1:13 My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh, that lies between my breasts.

Son 1:14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi. Lover

Son 1:15 Behold, you are beautiful, my love. Behold, you are beautiful. Your eyes are doves. Beloved

Son 1:16 Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, yes, pleasant; and our couch is verdant. Lover

Son 1:17 The beams of our house are cedars. Our rafters are firs. Beloved

Son 2:1 I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. Lover

Son 2:2 As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. Beloved

Son 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Son 2:4 He brought me to the banquet hall. His banner over me is love.

Son 2:5 Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples; For I am faint with love.

Son 2:6 His left hand is under my head. His right hand embraces me.

Son 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

Son 2:8 The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping on the mountains, skipping on the hills.

Son 2:9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart. Behold, he stands behind our wall! He looks in at the windows. He glances through the lattice.

Son 2:10 My beloved spoke, and said to me, "Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.

Son 2:11 For, behold, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone.

Son 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Son 2:13 The fig tree ripens her green figs. The vines are in blossom. They give forth their fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away." Lover

Son 2:14 My dove in the clefts of the rock, In the hiding places of the mountainside, Let me see your face. Let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

Son 2:15 Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom. Beloved

Son 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies.

Son 2:17 Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be like a roe or a young hart on the mountains of Bether.

Son 3:1 By night on my bed, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn't find him.

Son 3:2 I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn't find him.

Son 3:3 The watchmen who go about the city found me; "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"

Son 3:4 I had scarcely passed from them, when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, into the chamber of her who conceived me.

Son 3:5 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

Son 3:6 Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

Son 3:7 Behold, it is Solomon's carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

Son 3:8 They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

Son 3:9 King Solomon made himself a carriage of the wood of Lebanon.

Son 3:10 He made its pillars of silver, its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, its midst being paved with love, from the daughters of Jerusalem.

Son 3:11 Go forth, you daughters of Zion, and see king Solomon, with the crown with which his mother has crowned him, in the day of his weddings, in the day of the gladness of his heart. Lover

Son 4:1 Behold, you are beautiful, my love. Behold, you are beautiful. Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is as a flock of goats, that descend from Mount Gilead.

Son 4:2 Your teeth are like a newly shorn flock, which have come up from the washing, where every one of them has twins. None is bereaved among them.

Son 4:3 Your lips are like scarlet thread. Your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil.

Son 4:4 Your neck is like David's tower built for an armory, whereon a thousand shields hang, all the shields of the mighty men.

Son 4:5 Your two breasts are like two fawns that are twins of a roe, which feed among the lilies.

Son 4:6 Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away, I will go to the mountain of myrrh, to the hill of frankincense.

Son 4:7 You are all beautiful, my love. There is no spot in you.

Son 4:8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

Son 4:9 You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride. You have ravished my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck.

Son 4:10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine! The fragrance of your perfumes than all manner of spices!

Son 4:11 Your lips, my bride, drip like the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

Son 4:12 A locked up garden is my sister, my bride; a locked up spring, a sealed fountain.

Son 4:13 Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits: henna with spikenard plants,

Son 4:14 spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree; myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices,

Son 4:15 a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, flowing streams from Lebanon. Beloved

Son 4:16 Awake, north wind; and come, you south! Blow on my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and taste his precious fruits. Lover

Oct. 23

Colossians 4

Col 4:1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Col 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;

Col 4:3 praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

Col 4:4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

Col 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Col 4:7 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.

Col 4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

Col 4:9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

Col 4:10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, "if he comes to you, receive him"),

Col 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God, men who have been a comfort to me.

Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Col 4:13 For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.

Col 4:15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.

Col 4:16 When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

Col 4:17 Tell Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."

Col 4:18 The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Oct. 24

1 Thessalonians 1

1Th 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 1:2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers,

1Th 1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

1Th 1:4 We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,

1Th 1:5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.

1Th 1:6 You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

1Th 1:7 so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

1Th 1:8 For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we need not to say anything.

1Th 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

1Th 1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

“Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” Romans 6:1 by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/042-continuenotinsin.html

“Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”

Romans 6:1

In the first century some were “turning the grace of our God into licentiousness” (Jude 4) by teaching that God’s grace would cover the sins of a person who just kept on living a life of sin. To combat this error Paul asks: “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1). His reply is unequivocal, “By no means. How shall we, who are dead to sin, live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:2).
This false doctrine is also refuted by John in his first letter, and he clarifies the difference between the saved and the lost with regard to sin.

Everyone sins.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ... If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8, 10).
If we say that we ‘have no sin’ or that we ‘have not sinned’, we are contradicting the word of God.
At the dedication of the temple, when Solomon prayed that God would forgive the people if they repented, he interjected, “For there is no one who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46).
To establish that everyone needs God’s forgiveness, Paul states: “There is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22b, 23). As in 1 John 1:8, 10 both the past and the present are included. All have sinned in the past and all fall short in the present. Thus if we say that we have not sinned or that we have no sin, we are contradicting God’s word, which is the same as calling Him a liar.
Of himself, Paul writes: “I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good” (Romans 7:21). “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice” (Romans 7:19).
The sinfulness of man includes both bad things that are done and good things that are left undone (sins of commission and sins of omission). Anyone who evaluates himself honestly must confess that he is a sinner. That is why John writes, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8).
One woman told me that she did not recall that she had ever sinned. She thought only things like murder and adultery were sin.
In the Scriptures God designates many things as sin, such as love of the world, "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life," carnal mindedness, hatred, arrogance, conceit, pride, prejudice, partiality, love of self, selfish ambition, love of money, envy, slander, outbursts of wrath, dissension, contentiousness, divisiveness, heresy, complaining and unthankfulness [Matthew 5:28; Romans 8:6, 7; 16:17; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; Philippians 2:3, 14; 1 Timothy 5:21; 2 Timothy 3:2-4; Titus 3:9, 10; James 2:9; 3:16; 1 John 2:15, 16].
In addition to deeds, there are also thoughts and attitudes that are sinful. The removal of such inner sins is a lifetime assignment in our “striving against sin” (as it is called in Hebrews 12:4).
What about sins of negligence: “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
And what about those absolute commands such as: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). Do we not fall short in this every day? Is this not something we seek, yet never fully accomplish, in our “striving against sin”?
Many other commands come to mind, such as: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31); “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33); “Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).
Who, without deceiving himself, can say at the close of any day, “Today I have not thought, done or said anything wrong, and I have committed no sins of omission”?
If we are honest with ourselves, and if the word of God is in us, we must humbly confess at the close of each day that we have sinned and that we fall short of the glory of God.
“The Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22).

The pervasiveness of sin may not be used as an excuse to sin!
Since all have sinned, salvation is possible only by the grace of God.
Some had twisted Paul’s teaching to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). They misused Paul’s emphasis on salvation by grace to justify continuing in sin. He condemns such: “And why not say, ‘Let us do evil that good may come’? - as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just” (Romans 3:8). “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1, 2).
When one accepts the grace of God and is baptized into Christ, he dies to sin and does not continue to live in sin: “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3, 4). “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (Romans 6:12). “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:15).

Since everyone sins, what is the difference between the saved and the lost?
In Paul’s wording, the lost “live in sin” (Romans 6:2) and the saved “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
John describes these two conditions as “walking in darkness” and “walking in light” (1 John 1:6, 7).
Paul also uses the contrast between light and darkness: “Let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).
To be cleansed from sin we must walk in the light. “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:6, 7).
The Greek present tense as used here describes continuing action¹: if we are walking in the light the blood of Jesus is cleansing us from all sin.
“Come and let us walk in the light of the LORD” (Isaiah 2:5).
If we follow Christ we walk in the light. Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
All of us were in darkness before we became Christians, as Paul told the Ephesians: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
They who walk in the light do not continue in a sinful way of life. It is not possible to walk in the light and in darkness at the same time.

Walking in the light is a requirement for forgiveness.
The aim of the Christian is not to sin at all! Yet “we all stumble in many things” (James 3:2).
Walking in the light does not mean that there is never a need for forgiveness, since it is a condition for receiving forgiveness! “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
John clarifies this in chapter two: “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. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1, 2). Here ‘if anyone sins’ [aorist²] does not refer to a situation where someone continues to live in sin.
Being wounded in battle or even losing a battle, is not the same as fighting for the enemy. When we are on the Lord’s side in the war with Satan, Jesus provides satisfaction for our sins. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

A Christian may not continue living a life of sin.
In chapter three, John discusses the incongruity of living in sin and claiming to be in Christ.
“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him” (1 John 3:4-6).
Here John is not referring to the same situation as in 1 John 2:1 where he says: “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father.” In that case the verb does not indicate continuation². Here ‘whoever commits sin’ means ‘the one practicing sin’. The Greek present in this passage indicates continuation in sin¹, which is not possible for someone who is abiding in Christ.
The present tense in English and Greek are quite different. In English ‘if anyone sins’ refers to sinning at anytime whatever, but in Greek, ‘if anyone sins’ communicates a continuing action: ‘if anyone keeps on sinning’.
“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7). This seems obvious, but false teachers were claiming that one could be declared righteous by the grace of God even though he continued living an unrighteous lifestyle!
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning” (1 John 3:8). Here again, the meaning in Greek is “the one who is practicing sin” referring to a way of life.
“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9). This refers to a continuing action: “does not practice sin” and “he is not able to be sinning.”
“In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” (1 John 3:10).
Something wonderful about the fellowship among those who walk in the light is that we can pray for each other’s sins to be forgiven! But there is a limit. It does not apply for someone whose sin is such that he is walking in darkness.
“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death” (1 John 5:16, 17).
“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:18, 19). The form of the verb ‘does not sin’ means ‘does not keep on sinning’.

What does it mean to walk in the light?

In his first letter, John mentions various things that are associated with walking in the light³. Briefly summarized, this requires being in fellowship with the Father and the Son through the teaching of the apostles. Not only must we believe in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ, but we must confess His name and walk as He walked by obeying His commandments. We must know the truth and have the word of God dwelling in us. We must practice righteousness. The love of God must dwell within us and we must love the children of God. We may not love the world. We must confess our sins and purify ourselves. We may not continue in a life of sin.

What have we learned from the Scriptures ?
“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? By no means. How shall we, who are dead to sin, live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1, 2). Everyone sins. But the prevalence of sin may not be used as an excuse to keep on sinning. Since everyone sins, salvation is only possible by grace. The difference between the saved and the lost is that the lost “live in sin” (Romans 6:2) whereas the saved “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). The lost, walk in darkness. The saved, walk in the light. One must walk in the light to receive God’s forgiveness.
When a Christian sins he has “an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” who is the propitiation for his sins. But a Christian may not continue living a life of sin. To be forgiven he must walk in the light which involves being an obedient child of God who follows Christ. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Footnotes:

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¹ Unless modified by the meaning of the word or the context, the present tense in Greek describes an action that is continuing. See the following explanation by Jeff Smelser, included with permission and downloaded from http://www.ntgreek.net/present.htm on March 31, 2012:
Aktionsart & the Present Tense

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² The aorist in Greek simply states the action without providing any information about its duration. See Robertson, ‘Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the light of historical research’, pp. 831- 833.

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³ What does it mean to walk in the light according to John’s first letter?
1. Having fellowship with the apostles and thereby with the Father and the Son (1:3).
2. Believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (5:1, 5, 10).
3. Believing in the name of God’s Son Jesus Christ (3:23; 5:13).
4. Believing the testimony that God has given of His Son (5:10).
5. Believing that God has given us eternal life in His Son (5:11).
6. Having confidence in Christ that God hears us when we pray according to the will of God (5:14).
7. Confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (4:2).
8. Confessing that Jesus is the Son of God (2:23; 4:15).
9. Being born of God (2:29; 5:1).
10. Being children of God (3:1).
11. Having an anointing from the Holy One (2:20, 27).
12. Having the Spirit who has been given to us (3:24; 4:13).
13. Knowing Christ (2:3, 4, 13, 14).
14. Abiding in Christ (2:5, 6, 24).
15. Knowing the Father (2:13).
16. Abiding in the Father (2:24, 27, 28; 4:12, 13, 15, 16).
17. Knowing the truth and having it in us (1:8; 2:4, 21).
18. Having God’s word abiding in us (1:10; 2:14, 24).
19. Being of the truth (3:19).
20. Practicing the truth (1:6).
21. Keeping the word of Christ (2:5).
22. Walking as Jesus walked (2:6).
23. Practicing righteousness (2:29).
24. Keeping the commandments of Jesus (2:3, 4).
25. Keeping the commandments of God and doing what is pleasing in His sight (3:22; 5:3).
26. Doing the will of God (2:17).
27. Loving God (4:19, 21).
28. Having the love of God abiding in us (2:5; 3:17).
29. Knowing and believing the love that God has for us (4:16).
30. Loving the children of God (5:1, 2).
31. Loving our brethren (2:10; 3:14, 23; 4:11, 12, 16).
32. Loving in deed and in truth (3:18).
33. Having fellowship with one another (1:7).
34. Having overcome the wicked one and the world (2:13, 14; 5:4).
35. Not loving the world or the things in the world (2:15).
36. Confessing our sins (1:9).
37. Purifying ourselves (3:3).
38. Not continuing in a life of sin (3:6; 5:18).

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Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-pentecostals-were-right-all-along.html

The Pentecostals Were Right All Along! GEORGE L. FAULL

Today when one looks at a so-called church service in the Independent Christian Church or Instrumental Churches of Christ, one must admit that these churches have decided that the Pentecostals were right all along.  Those old “Holy Roller” churches that used to be hidden on back streets on the other side of the tracks have evolved to be the finest biggest buildings on the growing side of the edge of town.

Today they are called by myriad of names other than Pentecostals.  Pentecostals have evolved into Charismatics.

The heirs of the Restoration Movement have copied the old Pentecostal style of public worship.  Their sound, actions, music and speech are indistinguishable from the charismatic.  By their assemblies you can see they have decided the Pentecostals were right all along.  Let me list some ways that the Pentecostals were right all along:

1.                THEY PRAY TO JESUS INSTEAD OF THE FATHER THROUGH JESUS’ NAME.

Their prayers are sprinkled and often begin with, “Dear Jesus, do this or that” instead of giving thanks to the Father.  Through Him it is “Thank you Jesus.”  Never mind Jesus told us in the model prayer to say, “Our Father, which art in Heaven,” we hear, “Dear Jesus.” 

Never mind that Jesus told us, “In that day you shall ask

in my name” and again, “in that day you shall ask me nothing.  Verily, verily, I say unto you whatsoever you shall ask my Father in my name, He will give it you.”  This praying to Jesus has been copied subconsciously from listening to the prayers and music of the Pentecostals and Charismatics.

2.                THEY PRAY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

One occasionally hears, “Oh Holy Spirit, help me or forgive me” rather than praying through the One Mediator, Himself man, Jesus Christ.

3.                CLAPPING HANDS HAS BEEN COPIED IN MANY CHURCHES.

Give the Lord a clap offering.  This is strange to our ears and is copied from Charismatic worship leaders.

4.                GIVE THE LORD A SHOUT OF PRAISE.

This boisterous crowd manipulation was not heard in our Churches until someone imitated the Charismatic Church.

5.                DANCE BEFORE THE LORD.

Now our Churches are featuring women in interpretive dancing in long, flowing robes prancing across the stage, waving their arms and gracefully symbolizing some emotion they are expressing.

6.                THE RAISING OF HANDS IS IMITATED.

In the Pentecostal churches they lifted hands to symbolize they were ready to receive God’s revelation but in the Restoration Churches it is supposed to just glorify the Lord.  It is quoted, “that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”  They ignore that he is addressing only men, not women (aner not antropos) and that it is to be done everywhere not just in the assembly.  They ignore the expression "“lifting up holy hands” is a euphemism for sincere and Holiness when we pray.

The Jews often prayed lifting up their hands and there is nothing inherently wrong with it, but it must be admitted it is a learned trait from the Pentecostals, not an imitation of the Jews’ religion.

7.                THE PRAISE TEAMS ONE SEES TODAY IS COPIED FROM THE CHARISMATIC AND VINEYARD CHURCHES.

Again, this is not wrong in itself, anymore than clapping and raising hands and shouting, but one needs to realize the influence the Pentecostals and Charismatic’s have had on us.

8.                THE MUSIC BANDS AND SOUNDS OF LOUD MUSIC HAVE ALSO COME VIA THE PENTECOSTALS AND CHARISMATIC CHURCHES.

I speak not of instruments of music in worship, for they predate the Pentecostals and Charismatic churches.  I speak of the boisterous, loud, rock and roll singing and swaying, with hip revolving type music.  I speak of its praise teams; men and women making movement during praise that makes you feel like you were in a disco.  One cannot deny that we have copied those churches that brought their music form from the world into the Churches.  This was not the Restoration Church copying the world.  It was the Restoration Churches copying the Vineyard and Pentecostal music styles.

9.                WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES.

Women leaders and speakers were only seen among us by occasional brazen women the Elders of the Churches could not control.

Now they are featured song leaders, speakers, and headed for the pulpit.  They are asked to preach at our conventions.  The Pentecostals and Charismatics have led the Church into female dominated churches contrary to the Scriptures.  They have feminized the Church.

10.           “TESTIFYING” IS ANOTHER DIRECT INFLUENCE THAT HAS COME INTO OUR CHURCHES.

Both men and women are allowed to get up and testify of something God has done in their life that may or may not be true.  God is often given credit for a false gift, a lousy healing or even something that has not taken place.  “The Lord told me” or “The Lord said to me” is often heard when the Lord has not spoken or the testimony flatly contradicts the Word.

Lies, false doctrine and claims are made and go unchecked by the leaders because they do not want to correct the person publicly and so the lie remains for the Church and visitor to take home with them.

11.           THE IDEA THAT SPIRITUAL GIFTS REMAIN.

One of the most dangerous concepts the Charismatics have brought to us is the Spiritual gifts or continued revelation continues to exist today in the church.  Tongues, their interpretation, prophecy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, though not often heard in our services are allowed to be claimed by our members therefore subjecting the Church to those who still claim revelation from God.  We are left at the mercy of those claiming dreams and visions from God and “The Lord said to me” teachings.

12.           FOLLOWING THE EMOTIONS IS PROBABLY THE MOST DANGEROUS THING THE CHARISMATIC AND PENTECOSTALS HAVE BEQUEATHED US.

The Word of God does not count.  Emotions reign supreme.  “God has spoken to my heart” or “The Lord has led me to do this or that!” can start an anti-scriptural practice and stop a scriptural one.

Emotions, subjectivism, and “You can not deny my experience” rules the day.  Truth against a feeling seldom has a chance when one buys into the “God is still revealing mentality.”

Now some of these things are not wrong in them selves.  However, to deny the Lord’s Church has been infested with Pentecostal and Charismatic faith, practice, and vocabulary ought to alarm anyone with common sense.  Will our Churches reject truth out of admiration for the growth, excitement, and success of the Charismatic churches?

Denominationalism has also been swayed by them.  The alleged gifts and excitement has created Promise Keepers and other such gatherings that cement believers into one unholy union of denominations that believe nothing and fall for everything.  These movements have shut our mouths against false preaching and practices that cause division.  These innovators are invited to speak at our Colleges and Conventions.

That the gifts, excitement and praise of the Charismatic in all sects is the glue that holds the Evangelicals world together cannot be successfully denied.  “I’m okay, you’re okay” is advocated because they all have the same gifts, music, styles of worship, idol leaders and musicians.  This makes us one.  I cannot deny you because you can do what I can do.

Brethren, this is not the unity of the Spirit of God.  This is more like the unity of Babel where men use slime for mortar.

I admonish you to take heed to your collective worship.  Holy Scripture exhorts us to let everything be done to edifying, to exhorting, to comforting the Church.  We are to impart knowledge and our understanding is to be fruitful.  We are told to pray and sing with the Spirit and understanding.  Our Amens are to be given only to what we understand.  People are to leave repentant knowing God was there.  Every single thing is to be done for edifying man and glorifying God and is to be done decently in order.  (Read I Corinthians 14)

Take heed that the blind do not lead the blind, lest we all fall into the ditch.