by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Isaiah 43:25 says, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
The Lord treats repentant sin placed under the blood of Christ as if He has completely forgotten the act. (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown) Christians have the assurance that God blots out the sin. This is a metaphor taken from the custom of keeping accounts, where, when a dept is paid, it is blotted out. It is like a drop of ink or in this case, a drop of blood from Christ gets on the recorded account and cannot be read. Notice, I said it is like.
It is important to note that it is not because of what anyone has done. It is because God longs to show His forgiveness as Christ showed His love for us in His obedience unto death. Christians do not rest upon a work of any kind, they may rest upon the ever-loving, never-ending grace of God found in faith in Christ and Christ alone. Lay every sin at the foot of the Cross and trust alone in God’s Word, which reveals Christ, the person of our sure hope.
God forgave King David of the many sins he committed, even though he suffered the consequences of those sins the rest of his life, the Lord used him greatly. The Lord took murderous Saul of the New Testament, and changed him into a great apostle to the gentiles (Romans 11:13; Galatians 2:8; 1 Timothy 2:7) and used him to write most of the New Testament. The Lord took Peter, the one who publicly denied Christ (John 18:12-27) and made him into a great spiritual leader (1 and 2 Peter), it was his type of faith in Christ of which the Lord said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18).
The Lord is taking men and women from all over the world, Jews and Gentiles and calling them to Christ and enabling them to do a great work with Him. He forgave their sins and is using them to preach and teach the Word of God. Churches are being started and sustained. People are being taught the teachings of Christ and the whole counsel of God’s Word. God treated people in the Bible as though he has forgotten their sins and many today can testify of the Lord’s treating them as though He has forgotten their sins.
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
The Lord’s prophet wrote about Jesus’ suffering in Isaiah 52:14, “Just as there were many who were appalled at Him – His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness…” Isaiah 53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid upon Him [that is Christ] the iniquity of us all.”
“Iniquity” (awon) here is a masculine noun meaning evil, guilt, punishment. This word indicates sin that is done deliberately and presents the idea of twisting truth and perverting what is pure and right. The consequences of sin is punishment. This word for sin can also indicate the guilt that results from the act of sin. Jesus took upon Himself the consequences of all sin which is destroying mankind.
The atonement blood of Christ is an amazing ongoing work still touching spiritual hearts today. One Bible teacher wrote, “His continued taking of our trespasses upon Himself is merely the constant presence and presentation of His atonement, which has been offered once for all. …because of His one self-sacrifice, as an eternal Priest, who now lives to distribute the blessings which He has acquired.” Isaiah 53:12 says, “…Fore He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.” This passage of Scripture enables the child of God to see Jesus as bearing our sins and interceding at the Throne of Grace for us daily. (Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 2:1-2)
Considering the Cross of Calvary and our Savior, Jesus Christ who gave Himself upon it, enables us to rest upon the fact that Christ has taken upon Himself every harsh word we have spoken, every wrong deed we have done and offers healing to all we may have injured in our sins. Focusing on what Christ took upon Himself, the sins of the world, enables us to enjoy complete healing for every harsh word spoken to us, find rest in His intercession for every wrong deed done unto us and brings true healing to our spiritual hearts every time it becomes injured.
Gratitude is surrendering our sins over to Christ! Let Him bear your sins!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
True Confessions
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and will purify us from all unrighteousness.” Over the years, many revivals have happened when God poured out His Holy Spirit so mankind may have the opportunity to be restored back into fellowship with Him. At these revivals, this wonderful passage of Scripture has been quoted, so mankind may confess their sins to the Lord — not publicly so to be mocked. Some have been enlightened to God’s forgiveness. They are enabled by the Holy Spirit to overcome the sins that held them captive, thus walking in the freedom to live for the Lord. Sadly, many more have walked away from the foot of the cross, only to be overtaken by the sin they just confessed, thus becoming enslaved to do harm to their own soul, hurt others and break the Heart of God.
What is true confession which allows the repentant sinner to fully enjoy God’s forgiveness and purification from sin?
The key passage above was written by the apostle John, he instructs Christians on what to do when sin overcomes them as well as sharing the benefits of confession to the Lord. It begins with true confession: “confess” (homologeō – ὁμολογεω) means to agree with another or rather to agree with God in regards to the implication of the sin committed by a child of God. This includes the hatred of that sin, the Christian’s sense of guilt because of it and his heart’s desire to purge that sin out of his life. (Wuest’s Word Study in the Greek New Testament; Word Studies in the New Testament) There is a big difference between being sorry and being repentant because of the circumstances one finds himself in because of sin and being broken by the fact your sin had hurt someone else and the Lord.
The Bible tells of the lives of two men: King Saul and King David. King Saul was the king asked for by the people, however, he lacked the spiritual quality to be a successful leader. He was a man who can see the hand of God moving. (1 Samuel 24:20) He confessed his sin; (1 Samuel 26:21) however, his character reflected the heart of a man who would repeatedly disobey the Word of God. (Who’s Who in the Bible; 1 Samuel 13;15) There are people who can see God working in their lives, they even confess their sin, but their love of sin causes them to regularly disobey God’s word and miss His will for them. These people can never enjoy God’s purifying work and they end up living a defeated life.
After removing Saul from his kingship, God made David king, saying, “I found David [to be] a man after My own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22) David was a man who had committed many sins. After one of David’s embarrassing flesh-pleasuring sins, God told David through the prophet Nathan, “…you have shown utter contempt for the Lord.” These words pushed David to become truly broken before the Lord. We read of David’s true repentance in Psalm 51, “…Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:2)
True confessions receive true forgiveness. These confessions open the door to the purifying work of the Lord. These Christians have the same heart as King David, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart…” One sure way to be set free from sin, is to come to the cross after you have asked the Lord to reveal to you how that sin looks to Him. Once you grasped how He sees the sin, literally you will be sick of it, you will let Him do His purifying work.
It is like knowing that poor dental hygiene leads to tooth decay. Very few people practice true dental hygiene, eventually ending up with tooth decay. When tooth decay does major damage, inflicting excruciating pain, you will gladly let the dentist jerk it out. When you let God show you His view of your sin and the pain it causes Him, yourself and others, you will let Him clean out the decay. .
Are you like King Saul, sorry for the circumstances you are in, or are you a King David, broken before the Lord? Will you go to God with true confessions? Truly confess and find freedom in Christ to walk in step with the Holy Spirit of Christ!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
Your Religious Mission Statement
There is an important pronouncement that should be declared by all who claim to have faith, A Mission Statement. A mention statement lets people know who you follow, what you believe and your vision direction. It only makes sense, if you cannot proclaim who you follow, what you believe and explain your vision, you have no clue of the way of life you are to live, nor whom to serve. When a mission statement is the conjuncture of man it opens the door to worship all god’s, trying to please all people, leaving souls miss-guided and spiritually deluded. It is important to note, the God of the Bible gives everyone the option of whom they may serve. Through Joshua, the God of the Bible proclaims a truth that is as much for us today (2 Timothy 3:16) as it was for those he spoke to in Joshua 24: 14-15, “Now serve the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness… But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
When we take time to do a detail study of Joshua 24:14-15 you will see the Lord mentioned three times and the word “gods” mentioned three times. The “Lord” (יְהוָֹה yehōwāh) a noun meaning God. The word refers to the proper name of the God of Israel, particularly the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses (Exodus 6:2, 3). (Baker, W., & Carpenter, E. E. (2003). The complete word study dictionary: Old Testament (p. 426). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.) “Serve Him with all faithfulness” is literally “serve Him with integrity (tāmîm) and truth (ʾĕmet) (Howard, D. M., Jr. (1998). Joshua (Vol. 5, p. 435). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.) Joshua lays the truth of what a good leader for the Lord does. He told the people of God this day put away the other gods (אֱלֹהִים ʾelōhiym).” (Joshua 24:14b)
Any church wanting to serve God with integrity and truth has a mission statement that is birthed from Scripture (the Bible), substantiated by Scripture from the Bible and guided by the whole council of the Word of God (the Bible). It proclaims God as the one true God (Psalm 96:4; Micah 7:18) The Son being the only way to the Father (John 14:6) and Holy Spirit influenced (John 14:15-31; Romans 8:1-17). The New Testament writer puts it so clearly, “…yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from Whom all things came and for Whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all things came and through Whom we live.” (1 Corinthians 8:6) The writer of the Book of Romans writes, “For those who are led by the Holy Spirit of God are the children of God.”
The Billy Graham Association understands this truth. Their statement of faith, “We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:15-17) We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19) We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:23) We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling enables the Christian to live a godly life. (Romans 8:9) (The Official Website of the Billy Graham Association: Statement of Faith)
What say you? Does your mission statement make a clear proclamation about the One True God of the Bible? Proclaim Christ as the only way to the Father and Holy Spirit illuminated?
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
We live in times were people are looking for answers. Now is the time for the people of God to be fully equipped to share God’s Word in a way that intrigues’ people to Biblical truths. Truths to live by in a sin cursed world growing in conflict, confusion and controversy.
God wants to use His children to provide answers, truths from the Lord that are exhilarating, intimate, unforgettable and ongoing. Truths that motivate and inspire the hungry to listen to God while receiving practical help and hearing from Him. Truths that help Christians to understand that the voice of God is not to be feared, but welcomed, like that of close friend, a loving husband, or honorable wife.
Just what are Biblical steps that enable Christians to discern the voice of God in a world demanding your attention and allegiance?
“Back in the day of telephone booths, a man stepped into the booth, dialed a number of a friend. When the connection was made, the friend on the other end of the line kept saying, ‘I can not hear you!” All the traffic in the back ground caused such a roar, it drowned out the man’s voice in the phone booth. In order for communication between the two friends to be effective, that man in the booth had to shut the door, shut out background noise. The world view has such a roar, you need to shut it out for a short season so you can hear the voice of God” (AMG Bible Illustrations. (2000). Chattanooga: AMG Publishers)
Christians shut the door on the interrupting roar of the world by making time to prayerfully read the Bible, prayerfully study the Word of God, listening to Christian music, watching Christian movies, and exercising their Spiritual gifts to sacrificially serve others, those in the world and fellow Christians.
Christians who shut out the world for a short season find themselves like the Psalmist who wrote, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth. I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. I delight in Your decrees: I will not neglect Your Word.” (Psalm 119: 11-16)
Shut out the world so you can have effective communication with God, the Lord and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit! You will welcome the Lord voice for companionship, comfort, rebuke and guidance.
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
Hearing from the Lord requires, seeking the Lord with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Diligent search is necessary if one is going to hear from the Lord, especially in these busy days. The true seeker of the Lord will see and enjoy His faithfulness. To seek (בָּקַשׁ bāqaš) here means to be seeking someone’s presence. Usually it is seeking the Lord’s will through prayer. (Baker, W., & Carpenter, E. E. (2003). The complete word study dictionary: Old Testament (p. 160). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers)
It is amazing, when your going through tough trials or testings, how many well meaning Christians have a word from the Lord for you.
“‘You just need more faith, believe God for a miracle, just trust God.’ Christians, who mean well have told people, ‘God’s going to use this trial to show His miraculous ability to heal the sick, change your circumstance to show His ability to move mountains, if, if you have enough faith.'” Many a child of God going through trials and testing have found themselves questioning their faith because of religious sounding clichés. People afflicted by illness, overcome by addictions, locked in unpleasant circumstances need council from Godly people who seek God for genuine truths.
The Lord has raised up people who have sought him with all their heart to minister to others in times of great trials. Men like Dr Spiro’s Zodiates to help those afflicted by cancer or other serious illnesses to grasp Scriptural understanding of their trial. In a book titled, Sickness Why? Healing, How and When? His work shows a great deal of long term prayerful seeking God’s Word, to gain His understanding of physical afflictions on people. Many, have found peace and understanding by reading Dr. Zodiates book. God has used Ruth Graham’s book, Prodigals and Those Who Love Them, to bring comfort and hope to many a Christian parent who has seen their children walk away from the Lord’s perfect will for them. Her book shows a great deal of seeking the Lord as she prayed for her son, Franklin Graham. A book, entitled, A Chance to Die, is about the beloved Irish missionary to India, Amy Carmichael. The book is a portrayal of a women who sought God’s strength to be obedient and for courage to serve in her calling for fifty-three years as she eventually founded Dohnavur Fellowship, a refuge for underprivileged children. Amy was a women with desires and dreams, faults and fears, who through seeking God, found ennoblement to serve Jesus unconditionally.
Christians who seek the Lord with all their hearts find and understand His truths and they are used to lead others to the truths of God.
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