HELPING YOUR BROTHER

SIN AFTER SALVATION

Todays Scripture: Psalm 134, Proverbs 25

Matthew 18: 15-17 ” If your brother or sister (in Christ) sins, 1.) go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, 2.) take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, 3.) tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, 4.) treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” A step-by-step map of how to handle sin within the church. Although I have never seen it play out in church, this is the model God wants us to follow to bring someone back into the fold.

Matthew 18: 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” A verse to pray when binding and bounding sin, oppression and evil spirits attacking a brother or sister in Christ.

Matthew 18: 19-20 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.” A reminder that God is amongst us when we pray, and why it is essential to get other believers involved when a member falls away.

Psalm 134: 1-2 “Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” These verses reminded me of the times I have been unable to sleep and felt led to pray for others in the middle of the night. Encouraging me to praise the Lord and lift up my hands when going to Him during these precious quiet times.

Proverbs 25:19 “Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.” How often have we gone to others (nonbelievers) for help when we should have sought out the Lord first. Often I seek out the advice of others who may have gone through a similar situation to mine when in need of help; however, God wants us to come to Him first. So often the “unfaithful” or unsaved friend gives advice of the world, that lines up with what the world want us to be: selfish, independent, cold, or unfeeling. However God has called us to a higher standard. This verse compares the unfaithful to a broken tooth or lame foot both of which cause pain, sensitivity and swelling. Could that mean that relying on an unfaithful person in times of trouble could led us to more pain? Or maybe to be more easily offended (sensitive)? Could it even cause us to swell up or become prideful? Gods Word is so powerful, proverbs in particular is filled with knowledge and wisdom about how God wants us to live. However there are other texts that warn against seeking counsel outside of Gods as well.

Romans 16:17 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”

Titus 3:10 “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.”

Amos 3:3 “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?” Do you agree and have like minded values with the one you seek counsel with?

1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

While searching the scriptures for verses that lined up with this message I stumbled upon the following verse and it troubled me. For a while now I have been praying for the fear of God, a weird thing to wish to received; however, I knew if the fear of God was within me the shame and guilt of sinning would be so much greater and temptation would be easier to withstand. Well He sure showed up this week.

Hebrews 10:26 – 27 “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. but only a fearful expectation of judgement and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.“

Hebrews 10:29 “How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot who has treated it as an unholy thing, the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the spirit of grace?

Hebrews 10:39 “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed but to those who have faith and are saved.”

This goes back to the method by which we are saved. God does not save us by giving us a clean slate that we now must keep cleaned up in order to make it to heaven. God saves us by making a switch. He puts our sin on Christ and He puts the righteousness of Christ on us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” What if God only put your past sins on Christ? He would have to put each new sin on Him as you confessed it. Certainly, this did not happen. Christ paid the entire debt for sin on the cross. Each person who believes in Him enters into forgiveness through Him. (learnthebible.org) After we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God says we are not to sin any more. We are saved by the grace of God through faith. We are saved by believing in God, believing in the truth of God, believing in the promises of God. Salvation sets us free from sin and death. Through salvation we are given freedom, freedom in Christ Jesus to put on the righteousness of God. God hates sin. God does not want His children to be bound to sin in anyway. When we commit sin, we attach ourselves to sin, we become bound to sin. Christ died on His cross to pay the penalty of our sins and purchased our freedom with His life, so that we could be set free from the bondage of sin and death. You cannot believe the promise of God and violate the principle of God. If we believe the promise of salvation, then we should not violate the principle of salvation, which is victory over sin.

So how does God forgive my sins after I am saved?

When we are saved all are sins are washed clean away by the blood of Christ. God remembers those past sins no more, they are forgiven and forgotten, never to be brought up again, they are completely washed away by the sacrifice of Jesus, by the shedding of His blood on the cross at Calvary. After we are saved we are not to sin again. But since we live in a world of sin, it is impossible not to sin. The children of God do NOT purposefully sin, plan sin, live in sin, but sin will happen inadvertently until we are taken from this sinful world and are with our Lord God in Heaven. If we advertently sin, we need a way for God to forgive us of our new sins, so that we can become righteous in the eyes of God. Jesus paid the price for our sins, and the sins of the world, when He was crucified on the cross. We cannot expect Jesus to die again on the cross every time we sin. The crucifixion on the cross was a one-time payment for all the sins of the world.

Jesus is our advocate

So how are we forgiven of sin after we are saved? The scriptures tell us that we have an advocate through Jesus to God. When we sorrowfully confess our sins to Jesus and repent of our sins, Jesus will forgive us of our sins. Confession of sin and repentance of sin, will continue in the life of every believer of Christ, until we die and are with our Lord God in Heaven, or when the Lord Jesus returns, which ever comes first. 1 John 2:1-2 “My dear Children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Confess our sin

When we sin after we are saved, we are to confess our sins and sorrowfully repent our sins, turn away from sinning and God will forgive us. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. “

Repent of sin

Repenting of sin is NOT confessing your sin, repentance is turning away from sin, it is forsaking sin, turning away from sin and turning to God. Repenting is saying ‘no’ to serving sin, and ‘yes’ to serving God. We either serve sin or we serve God, no one can serve both. Sinners need repentance. All sinners need repentance. Mark 2: 17 ” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’ “The righteous do not need repentance; sinners need repentance. Luke 5:32 “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

The unrepentant will perish

Here the scriptures say repent or perish. God says, “except you repent, you will perish, die”. Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” God wants His message of repentance and remission of sins preached in His name among all nations. Luke 24:47 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” God says we must repent in order to blot out our sins. Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Only godly, full-hearted sorrow works true repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” When we sin, God says that we are caught up in the snare of the devil. When we sin, we are taken captive by the devil at the devil’s will. Remember the devil is always prowling around looking for his next victim. (lovinggodtoday.com)

Thanks be to God that He continues to provide a way to Him even after we sin after salvation. What a loving and forgiving God. Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. “

#prayer #brothers #biblestudy #sin #salvation

What Was Meant For Evil…

Psalm 110, Proverb 17, Philippians 1

Psalm 110 : 1-7

Of David. A psalm.

1″The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right handuntil I make your enemiesa footstool for your feet.” 2The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” 3Your troops will be willingon your day of battle.Arrayed in holy splendor,your young men will come to youlike dew from the morning’s womb. 4The Lord has swornand will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever,in the order of Melchizedek.” 5The Lord is at your right hand;he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. 6He will judge the nations, heaping up the deadand crushing the rulers of the whole earth. 7He will drink from a brook along the way,and so he will lift his head high.”

Psalm 110:1 “The Lord says to my lord (Jesus); ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” WORD FULLFILLED — Hebrews 10:11-14 “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices. Which (Before Jesus) can never take away sins. (sacrifices for sins, the same sins, over and over. Still the same sinful people with the same sinful nature returning to our old familiar sins time after time even today but with ONE difference.) But when this priest (Jesus) had offered for all time ONE SACRIFICE for sins (that is Jesus on the cross) he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by ONE SACRIFICE He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Sinners accepting Jesus and repenting from sins.)

Proverb 17 : 1-28

1 “Better a dry crust with peace and quietthan a house full of feasting, with strife. 2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful sonand will share the inheritance as one of the family. 3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. 4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. 5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. 6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged,and parents are the pride of their children. 7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler! 8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. 9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. 10 A rebuke impresses a discerning personmore than a hundred lashes a fool. 11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them. 12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubsthan a fool bent on folly. 13 Evil will never leave the houseof one who pays back evil for good. 14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the Lord detests them both. 16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,when they are not able to understand it? 17 A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for a time of adversity. 18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledgeand puts up security for a neighbor. 19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction. 20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble. 21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool. 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23 The wicked accept bribes in secretto pervert the course of justice. 24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son brings grief to his fatherand bitterness to the mother who bore him. 26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,surely to flog honest officials is not right. 27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

Proverbs 17:14 “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” See these times as opportunities to ask for forgiveness or extend it. The enemy is at work here trying to destroy something good. Forgiveness stops it in its tracks before it gets out of hand, like breaching a dam.

Proverbs 17:27 “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint (guards their tongue) and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.”

Even-tempered – a calmness of mind

The more knowledge and understanding I gain from the reading of the word the easier it will be to guard my tongue and the more calm and even tempered I will feel in times of trial.

Philippians 1: 1-30

1″Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 “I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

12″ Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.”

Life Worthy of the Gospel

27″ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”

Philippians 1: 12 – 14 “…what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. (God is using something meant for evil and turning it into something that points to Jesus and His message.)As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I (Paul) am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. (Paul’s imprisonment is providing courage and boldness of speech to other believers along with confidence in the Lord. Confidence being a trusting, reliance or assurance of mind or firm belief in the integrity, stability or veracity of another in truth and reality. They are also no longer fearful of sharing the gospel as they are seeing the penalty they would receive, served by Paul.

Philippians 1 : 16 – 18 “…I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (This passage is an example of how God can take what is meant for evil and turn it around for good. There are those who sit in church, hear the word and teach on it yet have prideful or selfish motives but God does not care. He can use them to reach people others cant or wont reach out to. As long as His message gets out, that’s all that matters. God will do the rest.

Philippians 1 : 21- 26 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.” (This passage is kind of like an inner dialogue Paul is having with himself and the Holy Spirit. He is considering two options: go on living and producing fruitful labor for Christ (new believers in the faith) or giving in to death to be with Christ. In the end you get a glimpse of Paul’s heart, which is to encourage fellow believers and disciples of Christ; so that as many as possible will join the faith and be saved in the end.

Well I’ve tried to make this a bible study that anyone can pull up and read. My hope is that you will read the scripture and find new meaning in the verses placed in front of you. I also pray that you would be brave and bold enough to share them with myself and the rest of the world here on my page. Just drop a comment down below, with the scripture reference and what the Holy Spirit is speaking into your heart. Because God speaks to each and every one of us through His Word and there is a lot we can learn from one another. ———>Walking in Grace, Teresa.

#biblestudy #boldness #faith #sin