Salvation Through Christ

A Matter of FAITH What does it take for someone to get to heaven? Is it luck? Good deeds? Nothing at all? Or is there something more? The Bible has the real answer to this question: It’s a matter of FAITH. F - FORGIVENESS We cannot have eternal life without God's forgiveness. 📖 Ephesians 1:7a – “In Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” A - AVAILABLE Forgiveness is available for all. 📖 John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” However, forgiveness is not automatic: 📖 Matthew 7:21a – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” I - IMPOSSIBLE It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven because of who He is and who we are. God is both loving and just, but His judgment is against sin. 📖 James 2:13a – “Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.” We are sinful by nature. 📖 Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” T - TURN To turn means to repent—to turn from our sin and ourselves. 📖 Luke 13:3b – “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” We must also turn to Someone: Jesus Christ. 📖 Romans 10:9 – “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” H - HEAVEN Heaven means eternal life—both here and in the life to come. In this life: 📖 John 10:10b – “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” In the hereafter: 📖 John 14:3 – “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” How Can You Receive God's Forgiveness and Eternal Life? By trusting in Jesus Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. Another way to remember FAITH: 👉 Forsaking All I Trust Him. You can take this step of faith right now by praying sincerely: A Simple Prayer for Salvation Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sins, and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen. Next Steps After Accepting Christ Accepting Christ is just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God! Here’s how you can grow in your faith:

Follow Christ's example in baptism. Join a church where you can worship God and grow in your faith. In your church, get involved in Sunday School and Bible study. Begin a daily personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible and pray.

Salvation

God's Plan of Salvation

It's my intention to present God’s Plan of Salvation in a clear and understandable manner.  Understanding and believing in His plan is the most important undertaking any of us will ever face - it's truly a matter of life and death!  

Step 1:  We Have All Sinned.

God created ALL things.  He created Adam and Eve to have fellowship with Him. Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden caused all future generations to be born with sin.  This means we are born with a sin nature which causes us to think, feel, and act in a manner outside of God's perfect plan.  This sin results in us being separated from God. The bible says:

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

We can not go any further until we come to terms with this first step - we are ALL sinners.  No matter how good we think we are, we must see our life as falling short of the perfection required by God.  No one is "good enough" to go to Heaven.

Step 2:  Our Sin Deserves Eternal Death.

We must understand and believe the consequences of being a sinner. The bible says:

    The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)

Wages refers to something we have earned - and we have earned death!  This death is not referring to a physical death - we’re all going to physically die.  The wages of our sin is a spiritual death - an eternal separation from God in a place commonly referred to as Hell.  Before we can enter the gates of Heaven, we must have our sin removed - we must be made clean.

Step 3:  We Must Desire To Be Clean - We Must Repent.

There is a basic assumption in God's Plan - we must desire to enter Heaven!  If we believe we have sin in our life which keeps us out of God's presence, and if we truly desire to enter Heaven, we will desire to cleanse our life of sin.  This desire to turn from our sin is called repentance.

    But unless you repent, you too will all perish. (Luke 13:5)

    Repent, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out. (Acts 3:19)

    He does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

 

Many times, we will not have the ability or strength to actually leave the sin which has consumed us - this will come only as we turn our hearts toward God and accept the gift of Jesus Christ.

Step 4:  We Can Not Make Ourselves Clean.

There is only one way to be made clean - that process is called Salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, freely given to all who ask - it can never be earned!

By grace you have been saved through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not as a result of works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Grace means "unmerited favor".  It means we are granted favor when we have done nothing to deserve such favor.  We cannot rid our life of sin and all our "goodness" cannot bring us one step closer to Heaven.

This can be a difficult step.  Many of us are so consumed with pride that it's difficult to ask for help - but God requires us to humbly say:  "I know I can never get there through my own effort.  I’m lost without help to cleanse me of my sins."  

At this point, if our belief is real, we will be crying out to God to show us how to be made clean.  We understand and believe we’re a sinner who deserves death.  We desire to turn away from our sin but realize that nothing of our own effort can keep us from an eternal Hell.   Fortunately, God has a wonderful plan already laid out to move us from an eternal death to an eternal life with Him.

Step 5:   Jesus Christ is The Sacrifice Which Makes Us Clean.

We must understand and believe that God has provided a way for our sins (all our sins) to be completely washed away - a way for us to be made pure and clean in His sight.  This way of forgiveness is through faith, or belief, in His Son Jesus.

God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

This verse is probably the most recognized verse in the whole Bible.  But the all important phrase, "believes in Him", is not made very clear.  Our sin can only be forgiven through a proper sacrifice.  Jesus Christ died and rose again in order to be the sacrifice for those who will believe.

God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood. (Romans 3:25)

God loved us and gave us His Son even though we did nothing to deserve His love.

    God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, provides us the opportunity to be washed clean - the opportunity to have our sin debt cancelled - the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven.  Jesus is the Savior who allows us into Heaven - He’s the only way!

    Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." (John 14:6)

Step 6:  Receive Jesus Christ As Savior.

If we understand and believe the above steps, we're ready.  If we believe our sinful condition (Step 1), recognize we deserve an eternal Hell (Step 2), desire to turn from our sin and be made clean (Step 3), understand that we are unable to make ourselves clean (Step 4), and recognize the Sacrifice of Jesus as our only means of Eternal Life (Step 5), then we now must open the door of our heart and ask Him inside.

    "Behold, I stand at the door and knock - if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20)

    As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.  (John 1:12)

If you truly understand and believe, I urge you to ask Jesus into your life - do not delay!

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3:15).

Tell Him you believe in His sacrifice as complete forgiveness for your sins and ask Him to be your Savior.  If you have come this far, do not let another moment go by!! There’s no special prayer required.  Simply tell Him you believe and ask Him to save you.  Pray a prayer something like this:

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner who deserves an eternal death. I desire to turn from my sin, but I know that on my own, I can never achieve a sinless life.  Left on my own I will be forever separated from You.  I believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again as an eternal sacrifice for my sin.  I accept the gift of Jesus and ask Him into my life as my Savior.  Amen.

If this was prayed with a sincere heart, you are from this very moment, His Child.  You have been "born again" (John 3:3), made a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17), and will one day enter into the Kingdom of God (Heaven).

 

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will want to begin your new life. You will want to know how to walk with Him, talk with Him, worship Him, and learn how to have His peace in your life. This isn't a requirement for Salvation. But a true understanding of the gift of Salvation naturally leads to a desire to fellowship and walk closer with your Savior.  It leads to a heart of thanksgiving and a desire to praise Him.  I encourage you to begin your Christian walk today!

Always remember that Salvation is based on Jesus plus nothing!  Salvation is a gift from God and requires no further action on our part.  However, now begins the process of living a life which brings God glory and honor - a life pleasing to God - a life of being His disciple.

A good beginning point is to find other believers to fellowship with.  A good group of believers is usually found in a Bible believing, Salvation preaching church.  The Bible tells of the importance of fellowship:

    And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  (Hebrews 10:24-25)

One of the first commandments we are given as believers is to be baptized.  Jesus directed this in what is called The Great Commission.

    "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  (Matthew 28:19-20)

Baptism and obedience to His commands begins the process of discipleship: "Make disciples of all nations."  Baptism is an outward sign of our inward change and commitment.  If you have found a good church, they should be more than happy to talk with you about baptism.

Next, begin to talk to God in prayer.  There are many good books and studies on prayer, but all God really desires is for us to talk with Him on a regular basis.  Set aside some time which is quiet and free of distractions.  You don't need to speak out loud but you may if you wish.  Thank God for who He is and for what He's done - and for what He's going to do in your life. Ask Him to set your life in order and to give you direction and the strength to live a life which pleases Him.  Then talk with Him about anything else which is on your heart.

 

Finally, begin to learn about God through the study of His Word (the Bible).  I strongly recommend a consistent daily reading plan.  The plan may be as simple as opening the Bible to a random page and reading each day, or it could be a systematic plan which takes you through the entire Bible in a year.  Whatever plan you develop, work toward consistent daily reading.  You will be rewarded with wonderful insights into God's plan and will truly learn to love His Word.  (Daily Reading Plan).

 

Welcome to God's Family!

 

Can a Christian lose salvation?

Written by: Tom Harris | Published: Monday, March 28, 2011

When a person is converted and becomes a Christian they get a new mind. The old mind was to serve themselves and their lusts—the new mind is to serve God and do what pleases Him. This is where their salvation starts.

This is what Paul speaks about in Ephesians 4:22-24: “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness”. The old man is the old mind and the new man is the new mind.
Similarly, Paul writes in Romans 6:6 “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him”. It is very important to know this. Salvation means that we don’t only receive forgiveness for our sins through Jesus’ death for us on the cross, but our old man was also crucified with Him. This is what makes it possible for us to live a new life (verse 4).

The cross—the power unto salvation

Paul writes in Philippians 3:17-19: “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.”
They were not enemies of the cross as long as it concerned receiving the forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ sacrifice, but they were enemies of the cross concerning their old man being crucified with Christ. They may have once been converted and received a new mind but, sadly, they had turned back to the old mind and begun to love this world again.
We also read in 2 Timothy 3:5 about some who had a form of godliness but denied the power of it. The power lies in the cross, because it is the cross that is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).
It is the cross that keeps our old man crucified so that we can grow and increase in the new life—the virtues of Christ. But a religious form covering the old mind that loves the world and its lust, is an abomination in Gods eyes. It is the hypocrisy that Jesus opposed so strongly.

Losing salvation—established in salvation

It is clear that if a person turns back to the old mind, loving this world and enjoying their lusts, then they lose their salvation. Such a mind does not fit into the kingdom of heaven. However, if they truly repent and turn back to God, they can regain their salvation, but then they have also lost precious time where they could have been growing in the virtues. So let us continue in this new mind and be firmly established in it.
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith” Col 2:6-7.

The Dimensions of Dance

The Dimensions of Dance

"Consciousness expresses itself through creation. This world we live in is the dance of the Creator. Dancers come and go in the twinkling of an eye but the dance lives on. On many an occasion when I am dancing, I have felt touched by something sacred. In those moments, I felt my spirit soar and become one with everything that exists. I become the stars and the moon. I become the lover and the beloved. I become the victor and the vanquished. I become the master and the slave. I become the singer and the song. I become the knower and the known. I keep on dancing and then, it is the eternal dance of creation. The Creator and the creation merge into one wholeness of joy. I keep on dancing — until there is only ... the dance." - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson has long been known to the world as one of the greatest dancers that has ever lived. His elaborate moves have become iconic and are forever ingrained in our collective consciousness. He is one of the few artists who's impact transcends all cultures, races, sexual orientations, and spiritual beliefs. In the quote above Michael seems to reveal the secret to his legendary dance moves. To him dancing was more than just having fun, it was a spiritual experience.

In retrospect the signs have been there all along. When you listen to the smooth groove of "Rock With You" the lyrics seem to point to something deeper than simply dancing with a hot girl at the club.

Girl, close your eyes
Let that rhythm, get into to you
Don't try to fight it
There ain't nothin' that you can do
Relax your mind

One can view these lyrics and imagine Michael guiding a young lady to the dance floor and teaching her the correct way to get into the groove. With that said, these lyrics also correlate with another experience.

In the past I have explored the reoccurring themes of dance in relation to Monarch programming and mind control when used in music videos by Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Kylie Minogue. But as with most things associated with mind control, once you dig deep enough you'll discover that most of the rituals associated with mind control stem from spiritual origins that are now being used as methods of control. Are there still signs of the spiritual aspects of dance that have remained in our culture? Or are these connections simply just another form of control?

David Bowie is another artist that has used the theme of dance in his work. His long history of esoteric references makes his use of this theme all the more interesting. David Bowie has sung about dancing in songs such as "John, I'm Only Dancing" and "Fashion" - the latter pointing more to the control and hive-mind mentality of the fashion world. The song I chose to focus on is the Nile Rogers produced "Let's Dance".
The music video starts off with two individuals dancing on a checkerboard floor with David Bowie singing in the corner. The checkerboard floor is most commonly referenced as a symbol of Freemasonry but what is rarely discussed is why the Freemasons have adopted the checkerboard floor as their symbol of choice. The checkerboard floor represents light and darkness and dimensional traveling. Dancing as a spiritual tool represents disassociating from the purely physical plane and crossing over into another state of consciousness as Michael Jackson explained above. With these facts into consideration the inclusion of the checkerboard floor in this video takes on a deeper meaning than simply Illuminati symbolism.

In the song "Let's Dance" David Bowie suggests that we dance to the "songs they're playing on the radio". As he continues he sings "under the moonlight, the serious moonlight". Peter-R. Koenig has done an extensive investigation into the Occult references in David Bowie's work and has looked at David Bowie's use of the word "serious" over the years as a code word for Sirius. This is not surprising considering Bowie's love of playing with words and their multiple meanings.

David Bowie used a similar lyrical reference in his song "Starman" in which he sings about a cosmic experience induced by the channeling of an entity heard on a radio.

Let's dance to the songs they're playing on the radio,
Under the moonlight, the Sirius moonlight

The video also centers heavily around these pair of red shoes. Red shoes have become a constant stable in popular culture ever since the iconic film the Wizard of Oz was released. Since then red shoes have been used to usher in the emergence of Beyonce in "Crazy In Love" and as Britney searches for herself in "If U Seek Amy".

In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy slips into the world of Oz through a dream. Dreaming requires us to go beyond our physical plane and, in a sense, enter a new realm. With that taken into consideration the red shoes become yet another image in this music video that points to the experience of traveling beyond the physical plane.
Although there were no red shoes featured in the video, Madonna takes a similar path down the yellow brick road in her iconic music video "Vogue".

"All you need is your own imagination
so use it that's what it's for
Go inside all you'll find is inspiration
Your dreams will open the door" - Vogue
The spiritual element of this song was heightened when Madonna performed it during 2004's Re-Invention tour. As she "striked a posed" the poses were yoga poses. The video projections showcased her breathing techniques.
Grace...

"This is way beyond the physical,
tonight my senses don't make sense at all.
Our imaginations taking us to places we have never been before" - Britney Spears, Breathe On Me

In 2003, just after their infamous kiss, Britney Spears and Madonna hooked up for the first single from Britney's fourth album In The Zone. In the video Madonna teaches Britney some yoga moves while she suggest instead of losing control the young star should bare her soul.

The title In The Zone always reminds me of the Twilight Zone which is interesting considering the dimensional references within the show.

It's also interesting that the color used on the cover is blue. The characters of the latest pop culture phenomenon Avatar are blue when transported into their universe.
Dr. Manhattan, a character from Watchman, is another reference to blue.
Check out his third eye. Sun symbolism?

Strike a pose.

The Blue Man Group are another example that comes to mind.
DNA in their show.

Popular female group TLC were also blue on the cover of their 1999 album Fanmail. When the album was initially released it contained a holographic version of the cover. Revealing the nature of the universe through the symbolic triple goddess? This was the last album that Left Eye (of Horus) was alive to see succeed.
Like TLC, No Doubt were huge throughout the 90's. In 2002 they released a more uptempo album titled Rock Steady. One of the many hits from the album was "Hella Good". In the song lead singer Gwen Stefani sings "The waves keep on crashing on me for some reason", what waves radio waves? She continues and sings "Don't wake me if I'm dreaming". This is yet another example of dancing and dreaming intertwining within music. The music video for "Hella Good" features many references that point to an alternative meaning to the song than what is generally perceived.
Lead singer Gwen Stefani continued this road into symbolic pop culture in her solo work.
In the above ad for her perfume LAMB, the four colors used are Blue, Red, Yellow, and Green. These colors are very symbolic and have been used countless times. Before you came to this blog you probably seen them being used without even noticing.
The colors are very common and are used in many logos and ads.

One of the reasons for this is that they are primary colors so they are naturally attractive to the eye hence the constant use by the media who are always trying to lure us in to get our money. Many people will notice that these same colors are used by the Order of the Eastern Star.
Earlier I explained that the checkerboard floor symbolism predates Freemasonry and symbolizes something deeper so it should come as no surprise that these colors should not automatically be linked with the Order of the Eastern Star. These colors were used by the always interesting Aleister Crowley.
Even before that the colors were used to symbolize various spiritual beliefs.

These same colors were used in the film The Fifth Element to symbolize the four elements, the fifth element being spirit.
It's interesting how once you go on this path of seeking the truth everything make more sense. I have seen Madonna's "Ray of Light" video countless times and now that I've been exploring these four colors a new dimension has been added to the last scene of her dancing in the club.
Those colors again! I've also noticed white is in most of these photos. White represents spirit, the fifth element. This is yet another example of Madonna expressing her spirituality with dance.
The colors also made an appearance in the film Space Odyssey.
Michael Jackson used the colors to invite us into a new realm in the dance extravaganza Moonwalker. He liked the colors so much that he used them again years later.

In 1985 Madonna released "Into the Groove". Like the aforementioned "Vogue", "Into the Groove" is about finding freedom within dance. The song was featured on the soundtrack to the popular 80's movie Desperately Seeking Susan. Both the music video for "Into the Groove" and the movie Desperately Seeking Susan feature a leather jacket worn by Madonna that has become iconic.
The jack features an All Seeing Eye with an unfinished pyramid just like the back of the dollar bill. This symbolism has led many people to believe that Madonna is a part of or controlled by the powers that be. To me the All Seeing Eye should not be instantaneously perceived as a symbol for control. The eye has been a symbol for spirituality for centuries.
Jacopo da Pontormo used what is now known as the All Seeing Eye in his painting Supper at Emmaus. Although there is speculation as to whether or not he intended the symbol to appear in his painting or it was added at a later date, it's inclusion sheds an interesting light on the nature of symbolism; if symbols can mean different things at different times are the meanings of these symbols being decided for us as time goes by? Are we giving the elite more power and surpressing the spiritual power of symbols by only seeing "Illuminati" when we see them?

The All Seeing Eye is just one in a long list of commonly referenced eye symbols. The All Seeing Eye could be seen as another representation of the third eye or the Eye of Horus. Like the Tree of Life and Kundalini they could represent the same spiritual experience. Many have speculated that the Eye of Horus could represent the Pineal Gland which would be interesting and link the symbol to various other intertwining spiritual experienced
If the Egyptians were aware of the Pineal Gland let's not let anyone marginalize their other symbols.

With that being said it is important to note that the jacket worn by Madonna is identical to the dollar bill so just what were the pictures suppose to represent?
Right on time, Pseudo-Occult Media posted a Antonella Arismendi photo shoot titled Gnosis.
The title Gnosis itself points to spiritual knowledge but that theme is heightened by the inclusion of the Tree of Life on the models back. Also included is Novus Ordo Seclorum from the dollar bill.

Pop/Rock band Fall Out Boy used eye symbolism without the pesky reminders of the elite. The eye is placed behind the key. Is the dance the key to consciousness?

"I'm in a trance
Cosmic systems intertwine
Astral bodies drip like wine
All of nature ebbs and flows
Comets shoot across the sky
Can't explain the reasons why
This is how creation goes" - Madonna, Impressive Instant

Electronic band Justice symbolize the spiritual aspect of dance most effectively with their song "D.A.N.C.E.". There's no beating around the bush with the imagery associated with this band, they perform music about dancing while simultaneously using a cross in every photo and performance. This symbolism connects dance and Christ Consciousness directly.

"If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thru' narrow chinks of his cavern." - William Blake

"To infinity and beyond" - Beyonce, Single Ladies


Those damn colors again.

Christ the Advocate
The Father's Chastening
The Forgiveness of Sins

It is a blessed thing for one to know Christ as his Savior but more blessed to know the Savior. Paul could say, "I know whom I have believed" (2 Tim. 1:12), but also desired to "know Him and the power of His resurrection" (Phil. 3:10).

The Lord Jesus Christ not only became man to die for our sins but is now a risen, glorified man in heaven, the High Priest and Advocate of His people. As High Priest, He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and lives to strengthen us, that we might "hold fast our confession" - or testimony in this world (Heb. 4:14-16, R.V.). As Advocate (or intercessor) He pleads our cause when we sin. "If any man sin,

We Have an Advocate

with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). when a Christian does wrong he needs one who is right, or righteous, to plead his cause. We need an advocate in heaven, because Satan accuses us before God day and night (Rev. 12:10). Satan would like to put a mark against the Christian when he sins. If he could do this, every Christian wuuld be barred from heaven, because none is perfect But, thank God, the Lord Jesus Christ is the author of Eternal Salvation. He not only died upon the cross to save us, but He lives as our Advocate in heaven to intercede on our behalf; therefore, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" (Rom. 8: 33). "If any man sin, we have an Advocate." Notice, it does not say if any man confes8 his sin we have an Advocate but, "If any man sin." The moment a Christian sins Christ his Advocate pleads his cause, so that no charge can be laid against him in heaven. Sin, however, does affect his fellowship with God his Father and must be confessed on earth.

It is important to notice, "we have

An Advocate With the Father"

not with God as creator or judge but as Father. The name "Father" denotes a family and children. The sinner will have to meet God in judgment for his sins after death (Heb. 9:27). But the Christian is chastised, by his Father, in this life here and now, and more especially when he does not judge himself and confess his sins (1 Cor. 11:31). God's character in dealing with sin is "a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29). The Lord Jesus met God in His holiness and was consumed by His wrath for our sins, as it is written: "Thy wrath lieth hard upon Me, and Thou hast afflicted Me with all Thy waves" (Ps. 88:7). He cried upon the cross: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46). Surely, this is proof that no sinner who meets God in his sins will ever escape His wrath. Moses saw God as a consuming fire dwelling in the "bush." He marveled that "the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed" (Exodus 3:2). God might have consumed the bush (Israel), because He was holy and they were sinful; but in grace He condescended to dwell with them as their Deliverer and Savior. And so He does with us. God chastens (child-trains) His children as a Father now, but at the judgment seat of Christ their works of wood, hay, and stubble will be burned by the fire of His judgment. But the believer himself "shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (1 Cor. 3:15).

Some Christians at Corinth were weak and sickly, and some slept (died), because of unjudged sin The Lord judged them as children, that they "should not be con-demned with the world" (1 Cor. 11:32). The same was doubtless true of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10). Both of these cases were sins unto death (1 John 5:16), i.e. they died for, or because of, their sin in this life, but will not be condemned in the next life. Sinners will be judged after death (Acts 17:31, Heb. 9:27), not here.

The Forgiveness of Sins

This is one of the most important subjects in the Bible. Ignorance of the Scriptures regarding this truth will rob one of joy, happiness, and blessing. There are three aspects of forgiveness that I would like to consider namely: 1-God's Forgiveness of Sinners; 2-The Father's Forgiveness of His children; 3.-The Christian's Forgiveness of others.

1-God's Forgiveness of Sinners.

It is a known fact that sin cannot enter heaven. Since all in the world are sinners, each one must be forgiven or be lost forever (Rom. 3:23). This forgiveness must be upon the ground of God's sovereign grace and not man's worthiness. "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).

The ground of forgiveness is Christ's death and resurrection: "Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and the forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31). "Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins" (Acts 13:38). "Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission (forgiveness) of sms" (Acts 10:43).

The foundation of the new covenant is the blood of Christ (Maft. 26:28, Heb. 10:16); therefore, all believers can say: "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). Notice these words, "we have redemption,"

"we have. ... the forgiveness of sins";

and note the ground: "according to the riches of His grace." What a wonderful salvation God's grace has provided for the sinner! He has said concerning all who believe, "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 10:17).

Reader, are you a believer? If you are, look afresh to the cross and believe those words: "It is finished!" Believe God when He says, your sins are "remembered no more"-your past sins; your present sins; your future gins. All your sins are gone forever and you are eternally forgiven: "For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Heb. 10:14). Behold Christ Jesus who "sat down in perpetuity" at God's right hand in heaven (Heb. 10:12, R.V.) Since you are accepted in Him (Eph. 1:6), you are no longer in Adam but in Christ (1 Cor. 15:22; 2 Cor. 5:17). You are no longer a sinner but a saint (Rom. 1:7; 2 Cor. 1:2). You are in the world but not of it (John 17:16). "Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price" (1 Cor.6:19-20).

Your link with the old creation has been severed forever before God, because Christ died as your substitute and you have died with Him. As a new creature you are a partaker of the "divine nature" (2 Pet. 1:4); God is your Father; you are ~His child, and heaven is your home. You have received resurrection life from Christ and He is your life (Col. 3:4). You can say with Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Gal.2:20, R.V.).

As believers we are "to walk, even as He walked" (1 John 2:6). "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us" (Eph.5:1,2).

2-The Father's Forgiveness of His Children.

John wrote to the little children, "Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake" (1 John 2:12). He also said:"These things write I unto you, that ye sin not" (1 John 2: 1). God has not saved us to go on in sin, but to live for Him (Rom. 6: 13). Paul wrote: "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead (have died, R. V.) to sin, live any longer there-in?" (Rom. 6: 1, 2). Sin is still in us, but no longer as the ruling power of our lives; no longer to reign or to have dominion over us (Rom. 6: 12, 14). We are not saved to be "always sinning," as some say, but we read, "If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous" (1 John 2:1). We have noticed the words "Advocate with the Father." The name "Father" speaks of relationship. Because of this changed relationship, a Christian is no longer counted a sinner-not even when he sins. He is a child of God, but a disobedient child, and as such, must confess his sins to his Father, to be forgiven.

This is what happens

when Christians sin:

In heaven, God our Father is displeased; Satan accuses us before God's throne; and Christ, our Advocate, must plead our cause so that no charge can be laid against us there.  

On earth, fellowship with our Father is broken; the Holy Spirit-the Comforter who takes of the things of Christ and reveals them unto us-is grieved, and He must convict us of sin until we judge ourselves for allowing it and confess it to our Father. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all Un-righteousness" (1 John 1:9). He is faithful to Christ and His Word. He is just, because the debt of sin has been paid on the cross (Rom. 3:25,26); therefore, when the Christian confesses his sin, fellowship with his Father is restored. If we do not judge ourselves and confess our sins, we are subject to 

Our Father's chastening.

"For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth" (Heb. 12:6). Thus we learn that a true Christian is not allowed to do as he pleases, for he is saved to please God. The sooner we learn this the better, for sin committed by the believer brings chastisement on earth and the loss of reward in heaven; while obedienc~ gives joy and happiness here and will bring reward in heaven.

Peter exhorts, "giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness . . . For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.. . But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins (2 Peter 1:5-11).

Therefore, it behooves us to confess our sins immediately, lest we receive chastisement now, and lose our reward at Christ's coming (Rev. 22:12). On the other hand, should God see fit to cut off by death (sleep, 1 Cor. 11: 30) a backsudden or disobedient Christian because of his sin-although he has lost joy and fellowship and will lose future reward - yet he will enter heaven without charge against him as a child, because he is trustmg a faithful Savior and Advocate. To understand this more fully one must see the difference between the "Father's House" and the "Kingdom." In the "Father's House," all the children will have fulness of joy, according to their capacity, but they will only have capacity according to their spiritual growth in this world; while in the "Kingdom," those who are "faithful servants" will be made rulers over cities (John 14:2; Luke 19:17).

3-The Christian's Forgiveness of Others

As children of God and members of His family, Christians are expected to obey the rules that govern God's family. One of the rules He has established is: "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven" (Luke 6:37). There is conditional forgiveness in God's government: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matt. 6:12). The Lord Jesus said: "If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. 6:15). In Matthew eighteen, He told a story of the man who owed ten thousand talents (millions of dollars) and was forgiven, then refused to forgive his fellowservant who owed him one hundred pence (about fifteen dollars). This man with the "unforgiving spirit" was delivered to the tormentors, and the Lord adds: "So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses" (Matt 18:35). In the same chapter, Peter was told that he must forgive, not only seven times, but seventy times seven (Maft. 18:22). If we are able to forgive a person 490 times there will be no limit to our forgiveness.

The Lord Jesus illustrated, when on the cross, what He had taught during His life. At the time of His greatest suffering at the hands of men, He cried: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). To be like Him we must forgive sinners.

In the epistles, Christians are exhorted to forgive: "Even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32). If we want to walk as Christ walked, and if we want to consciously enjoy our Father's forgiveness and fellowship, we must forgive others. For it is written: "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us . . . If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen" (1 John 4:12, 20)? These words may well exercise all who retain hate and unforgiveness in their hearts toward others.

Forgiveness and the Lord's Supper

The Lord Jesus Christ said: "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matt. 5:23, 24).
In the epistles, we are taught, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. 4:31, 32).
It is not always the easiest to forgive, but it is Christlike. God prizes our gifts if we offer them having forgiveness in our hearts toward others. He commanded Israel: "Ye shall burn no leaven in any offering of the Lord made by fire" (Lev. 2:11). "Unleavened" speaks of "sincerity and truth," and "leaven" of "malice and wickedness" (1 Cor. 5:8). There was no malice or wickedness in Christ We must lay aside these in order to praise and worship Him.

Forgiveness and Prayer

"When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also....may forgive you... But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Mark 11: 25-26). It is evident from this passage that our Father often withholds answers to prayer because of an unforgiving spirit. The Psalmist said: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Ps. 66: 18).
Cases have been known where prayers were answered after Christians learned and confessed before God the dreadfulness of the unforgiving spirit. No matter what it costs, we must forgive others in order to walk with God. By "suffering as Christians," we glorify God; and though our faith be tried as by fire, it will "be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7; 4:16-19).

Summary

We have seen that God forgives sinners, unconditionally and eternally, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: "whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins" (Acts 10:43). But we have noticed that the forgiveness of children, by God our Father, is conditional upon our having a forgiving spirit toward others, and upon our judging and our confessing sin. The disobedient child is also subject to his Father's chastening, which may mean sickness, death, or other chastisements. This chastising is here and now, not after death. The disobedient child of God suffers the loss of joy, fellowship, and worship in this life, and besides will lose reward at Christ's coming.
If he confesses his sins, having a forgiving spirit toward others, his Father will forgive him.

May the Lord give writer and reader, if saved, grace to walk worthy of our blessed Lord, with a right spirit toward others, and with true love toward God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.