“A HARD SINNER”

How would you describe your life in Christ in terms of the difficulty of living apart from sin? Do the words of Paul describe you (“For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” Rom. 7:19)? If so, consider this difficulty as evidence of the depths of sin you once were in. Have you ever heard it said that someone has “lived a hard life”? ‘Hard’ could be understood in two ways. ‘Hard’ could be a result of poor choices. Yet, ‘hard’ could simply refer to difficulties faced by things beyond our control. Hard times present two choices—become responsible, or irresponsible.

Were you a ‘hard’ sinner?  Sin is addictive. Sin enslaves. The apostle Peter wrote, “for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.” (2 Peter 2:19). Repentance is ‘hard’. The difficulty one faces in repentance depends upon how ‘hard’ of a sinner you were. Jesus urged us to “count the cost” of discipleship (Luke 14:25-33). 

Forsaking all is ‘hard’. It requires firm commitment and strength of faith. Both are developed from endurance of trials, afflictions, and persecutions. In this way, God will remold and reshape us into “fitness” for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:57-62). 

You are not alone in your struggle. Remember all of Jesus’ apostles vowed they would never deny Jesus, yet they did (Matt. 26:35). Likewise did John Mark (Acts 15:38); and Demas (2 Tim. 4:10). However, the apostles overcame their fears, proclaiming Jesus as the Christ to all the world (Col. 1:23). John Mark repented as did the Corinthians (Col. 4:10; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Cor. 7:11). 

No matter how 'hard' your life as a sinner was, you too can change. Sin is your choice. You have another choice "...as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification. For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness. What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life. For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 6:19-23). 

A 'hard' sinner can become 'hard' in another way. It will ensure his hope of eternal life. That is by choosing to trust in the promises of Jesus. What Isaiah wrote of him will be true of you. "For the Lord Jehovah will help me; therefore have I not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame." (Isa. 50:7). As the prophet Ezekiel was, through the power of God's Spirit, made stronger than the hardness of the Israelites (Ezek. 3:7-8), so will you, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit conquer Satan's 'wiles' and 'fiery darts' (Eph. 6:11, 16). 

Steadfastness of faith always ensures victory. The beloved apostle of Jesus boldly assured us: "For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith. And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5).  

“TRIALS DARK ON EVERY HAND…”

Stephen R. Bradd wrote:

If you never felt pain, how would you know I'm a healer?

If you never experienced difficulty, how would you know I’m a deliverer?

If you never endured a trial, how could you be one who overcomes?

If you never felt sadness, how would you know I’m a comforter?

If you never made a mistake, how would you know I’m forgiving?

If you never were in trouble, how would you know I came to your rescue?

If you never were broken, how would you know I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem, how would you know I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering, how would you know what I went through?

If you never went through the fire, how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you, how would you know I love you?

If you had all power, how would you learn to depend on Me?

If your life was perfect, what would you need Me for?

 

Consider the above poem if written from the Lord’s perspective. Rom. 5:3-5 explains how hope is born. Knowing this, God’s children rejoice in their tribulations, whereas the world, being in tribulation, questions not only God’s love, but His very existence. Those who accept the Holy Spirit’s testimony understand how Christ is formed in them (Gal. 4:19); i.e., by tribulation and perseverance (Rom. 5:3-4). Their hope never disappoints, for it is backed by the word of God, sure and stedfast (Heb. 6:18-19). This gives them both reason and strength of will, to endure tribulations. 

“FAITH WITHOUT CONVICTION”

Below is an excerpt from a sermon preached by Benjamin Franklin in 1868. It addresses a much-needed topic: the shallowness of faith.

[Many of the fashionable and educated, in the highest circles of life, who go to and belong to church, could not tell what they believe if it were to save them from perdition. They do not believe anything. They are simply non-believers. A large number go into a church, commit themselves to the church, without ever reading, or hearing read, the creed, and utterly without knowing what is in the creed. It is useless for these to talk about faith, their creed, or any other creed. They know what church they have joined, but know not what is in the creed, or what is the belief of their church. Faith has nothing to do with the action of such people. All creeds are the same to them. They know nothing of what is in any of them. They have started out with the popular idea that ‘there is good and bad in all churches; that all ought to belong to some church, but it is no difference what church, “if the heart is right”. They simply know that they belong to a different church from some of their neighbors, but do not know what the difference is. They are deceived, thinking that they are believers, when they not only believe nothing themselves, but do not know what a man should believe to become a Christian.]

A spiritual inventory is always in season. Spiritual growth doesn’t occur without diligence (2 Peter 1:5-10). 

Do the words of Benjamin Franklin describe you? 

If so, what are your intentions? 

“A REFUSED PARDON”

During the presidency of Andrew Jackson (1829-1837), George Wilson, a postal clerk, robbed a federal payroll train and, in the process, killed a guard. The court convicted him and sentenced him to hang. Because of public sentiment against capital punishment, however, a movement began to secure a presidential pardon for Wilson, and eventually Jackson intervened with a pardon. Amazingly, Wilson refused it.

Since this had never happened before, the case was sent to the Supreme Court. This was their decision: “Pardon must not only be granted, it must be accepted. Because Mr. Wilson refused pardon, he was hanged.” (Bob Bauer in GNFT)

Likewise, pardon has been granted to us from God. But it must be accepted. Refusal has eternal consequences. How is this pardon accepted? We read of Jesus in Heb. 5:9: “He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him”. Jesus explained acceptance in Matt. 7:24-27.

Man’s acceptance…this is the area in which Satan has divided believers. He does not want us to receive pardon. He has perverted the gospel (Gal. 1:6-9), to declare obedience a work of merit. Since salvation by grace thru faith (Eph. 2:8) excludes works of merit, baptism is logically denied. One would think that baptism would cease to be practiced, but such is not the case. While many reject baptism as necessary for salvation, they practice it as an act of obedience.

How is God’s pardon accepted? Is obedience a pre-requisite to pardon? Is baptism an act of obedience or of merit? Where does the Bible answer these questions? It answers in every recorded act of pardon and obedience therein.

“WHEREFORE SIGHEST THOU?”

Do problems abound in your life? Does it seem that your life is just one challenge after another? Take heart; the only people who don’t have troubles are in cemeteries. In reality, the life of a Christian would be for the worse if not for them.

Steve Goodier shared the following story: Maybe you have seen the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef. On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question. “I notice that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful”, a traveler observed. “Why is this?”

The guide gave an interesting answer: “The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, and storms-surges of power. It must fight for survival every day. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy and strong, and it reproduces.” Then he added this telling note: “That’s the way it is with every living organism.”

For Christians, physical demands increase bodily strength. Mental and emotional stress produce tough-mindedness and resilience. Likewise, spiritual testing strengthens our faith (James 1:2-7). The benefit? We live by faith rather than by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Let us value God’s wisdom in providing the means whereby we can escape the corruption that is in the world by lust. It is called ‘adding’ to our faith (2 Peter 1:4-9).

“THE HYMNS WE SING”

 

“WHY DID MY SAVIOR COME TO EARTH?” In answer, let us consider two passages. The first comes from a conversation between Jesus and Pilate. In John 18:37, Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” The second comes from the words Jesus spoke to the twelve, in John 15:22: “If I had not come and SPOKEN unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.”

Read again closely, these two passages, for therein you find the answer to the question. Jesus had a purpose in coming to earth. It was an assigned responsibility (John 12:49). Do you understand His purpose for being sent into the world? If He had not, humanity would yet be ignorant of their sins (John 3:19-21).

Do you see from John 15:22 the significance of the ‘spoken’ word? It is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16). It brings an awareness of how great a sacrifice Jesus made (John 15:13). “O, love beyond human expression…when Jesus was dying for me!” “And can it be that I should gain an interest in my Savior’s love; died He for me, who caused His pain.”

Why did Jesus come? To explain how to love: “Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16). “Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you” (John 15:14).

“THANKSGIVING”

Many of the psalms are declarations of thanksgiving. From them, we find that God’s faithfulness to His word was the reason and purpose for thanksgiving (Num. 23:19; Rom. 11:29). This is still true for Christians.  

GOD’S JUST-NESS— God’s just-ness is seen in His faithfulness to His promises. What God has said He will do, will be done—always. Our thanksgiving should be given with an undivided motive. Psa. 9:1 – I will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works.” God gave His best for us. Ought we not give “of our best to the Master”? In this way, we “show forth” His works. David expressed God’s work as follows: “God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.” (Psa. 74:12).

 

While thanksgivings are expressed in prayer, they are better expressed through teaching others of God’s saving grace. Our denominational neighbors boast of their ‘salvation experiences’; do we? Have you been saved by ‘grace through faith’? A great testimony and a powerful teaching tool is by sharing your own salvation experience. It will open doors of opportunity to teach others of Christ salvation by grace through faith. It will not only be personal, but a tribute to others who called upon the name of the Lord in the Bible.

 

The harmony between God’s faithfulness to honor His promises and our expressing of thanks by “showing forth His works” is, again, beautifully stated by David: “Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth his way aright will I show the salvation of God.” (Psa. 50:23).