By Ken Fletcher
Continued from part 2…”It’s possible they are in pride and falseness. A sin. So, are they not qualified to go to heaven in this state? Did Jesus move out because of their sin? What do you think?
For example: I know 2 people who are both saved and who work in different churches and who were close friends for many years. They love the Lord. Obviously. But, they had a disagreement. An argument. And, though they had a close relationship for many years, they did not speak to each other for over 10 years because of the disagreement.
Now, I don’t know how they didi not realize it, but somehow, in their minds, they believed they were not in sin. Because, both of them were taught the same and believed that if they practiced sin that the Holy Spirit would leave them and they would be lost. It’s true! Somehow, they justified staying in unforgivness because each of them thought they were right.
All those years passed. Both of them continuing to go to church and work for God. Yet, they both were in unforgivness for all those years. Which is, of course, sin.
They were in sin–living in sin for all those years, but thought that they were NOT in sin. My point here is, everyone sins every day in some form. Sometimes habitually unintentional or maybe blind to it. Even though we may not recognize it as sin. It still is. We do sin. And, down here, we’re never going to live perfectly in the natural. Which means there will be sin. That is the reality of things here on fallen earth.
Then there are times we have sinned intentionally. Which we know is going to hurt us and others. God hates sin. He loves us, though. Since He loves us, and He already knows sin is going to hurt us, He tells us not to intentionally sin! Simple! Is He going to kick us out of the family because we missed it and sinned? Of course not! There is grace and forgiveness, there is correction and discipline in Him, but never rejection to any of His children!
Think a little bit about it here, how could it be possible to live perfectly in this flesh? Because of our outward nature, which is sinful, and will always be sinful until our last breath, we are dealing with it. We’re supposed to be dominating it from our re-created born again soul that’s joined with Jesus!
But, what if we don’t, and get deceived, and into sin? Well, thank God, our redemption does not depend on how good we do. It completely depends on what Jesus did! And, our connection and faith in Him makes us right with God! But, will there be reaping from our sowing? You bet!
The correct way to view one’s self in Christ is from the inside out. Not from the outside in! We find out who we are In Him! We see ourselves the way God sees us! And, that is in Christ! Seated with Him in the heavenlies! We are created perfect in Him! Inside! Where Jesus and we live. Not seeing ourselves from the outward earthly sinful part.–which will all pass away.
About the story before, the good news is, those 2 people eventually did bury the hatchet. Thank God. But what a shame all those years of grudges and unforgivness. Sin brings loss. The loss of many years of fellowship. Were they saved through and during those years of unforgivness? Of course, they were!
Their soul and spirit were as perfect as the day they were born again in Christ! The sad thing was that their valuable relationship was robbed from them both for many years. Satan was involved. Deception was involved too.
So what? So, they missed it and were in sin? So they had loss because of it? But, it was earthly! Jesus knew about it before they initially came to Him in faith when they were born again! He is the One who has accepted them! God Himself is the justifier of all who put their faith in Jesus!
We were the enemies of God before. Now, we are joined with Him through our faith in His grace. Our faith in what Jesus did brings us into right standing with God. Period! It’s because Jesus performed perfectly and fulfilled all the Old Covenant requirements to be right with God.
We could not fulfill them. The book of James declares the truth that if we offend in (or break) one part of the Law of God, just one, we’re guilty of all of them! It’s a fact! So, Jesus came and performed them all perfectly in our stead. He became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness (right standing) of God IN HIM!
There is where our right standing with God is! Not on how good we can perform. Now, we should be living from the inside out. We really are in a oneness relationship with God now. We are to live in union and according to His plan for us. That is where we will be the most happy!
The sooner we figure that out the better. But, we are all growing in different levels and stages. We’re at different places with the Lord in understanding. Friend, we should not focus on our sin on the outside. That kind of focus will soon bring condemnation. We will condemn ourselves. But, if we keep looking to God on the inside and focus on who we are with Him, we will learn to live out who we are on the inside more to the outside.
Yes, we should acknowledge when we have known sin to get rid of it. And, we should live exposed to Jesus all the time–understanding our union with Him and the Father. We have them inside all the time! If we focus on the truth inside where we live with Jesus, I believe it will automatically manifest on the outside.
Satan wants us to condemn ourselves like he does. But, I’m reminded of the truth that there is no condemnation from God to those of us who walk after the spirit and not after the flesh. That’s us! Moving and living from the inside out, not the outside in!
The truth is, God knew and knows all about our sins in the future already when we came to Jesus! And, Because of His great love for us, He wanted us anyway no matter how bad we are going to mess up! So, knowing all of that in advance as He does, He did not base our salvation on how good we can perform. If it wasn’t that way with God, I would have been toast! I am so thankful He is the way He is!
There is only ONE sacrifice for the remission of sin. It’s Jesus our Lord. God’s provided sacrifice for us. For all sins. For all time!” KF KenFletcher.org
