For many years God’s children, also known as the children of Israel have hurt God in some shape or form. They have turned away from His Word, will and served other gods. Time after time, God remained faithful, showed His love, mercy, grace and opened His heart to those who betrayed Him. But not without a cost. There’re consequences to pay for not abiding in Him or in other words, not resting and living out His Word. We see in the Bible repeatedly how the children of Israel were corrected and chastised; from prophetic warning and rebuke from His prophets to plagues of punishment. To the naked and unmatured eye, chastisement and rebuke can appear, unlawful and cruel, even to the point that others may question ‘if they’re God’s children, why would He plague the land?’ Truth – be – told, while most of this ‘turning away’ and chastisement took place in ‘Biblical Days,’ this is still abundant, today. There are many individuals who carry the title of ‘Christian,’ ‘Believer’ or ‘Born Again,’ who abuse their inheritance and God’s love. Many fall away into foreign religion, lust, adultery, idolatry and the like. Yet, time after time, God still shows His grace, forgive sins and welcomes even the sinners with arms wide open. The question on the table is not, ‘why do men repeatedly sin,’ that’s simple we’re born into sin and shaped by iniquity. The real question is, ‘why does God forgive our sins time after time? While it’s an innate characteristic to fall into the temptation of sin, we are not bound by it. We don’t need to sin. As co-heirs of Jesus Christ, we’re royal priesthood born into a heavenly inheritance. While we may have a natural response to sin, we have a higher calling to live righteously which can avail us victory over sin. As a result of this truth, God constantly fights for our hearts with the faith of knowing that should a sinner, castaway or even a backslider discovers His love for them, then and only then will they let go of the life they once lived. What’s your role? As a child of God who has witnessed one falling into temptation, it’s important to remember a few things while ministering to an individual. The first is, love and the next can be summed up into our reference scripture. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” While ministering to others, be mindful of showing the Love of Jesus Christ and be intentional about remembering that it’s only through the grace of God that one is saved unto righteousness. Next, study the difference between righteous judgment and worldly condemnation. I’ll share a more about the difference between righteous judgment and worldly condemnation in a later post. However, in a synopsis, when correcting or ‘rebuking’ someone be mindful that if they’re not spiritually prepared, they may feel as if you are judging them when you are really correcting them into right standing with God. On the contrary, when your heart is not in a right posture such as having feelings of; hate, envy, jealousy doubt and the like, refrain from giving corrective remarks to an individual. While your points may hold some validity, because your heart is not in a good posture towards that individual or God for that matter, your remark or your intended rebuke will be in the form of Judgement. Instead of giving comments, pray for them, their situation and your feeling towards them. Whether your heart posture is in the correct standing with for them or not, pray always for their life, in Jesus’ name. The name of Jesus is capable to penetrating the hardest of heart and saving lost souls. -- If you’re an individual who is either a backslider, unsure about your salvation, have yet to commit your life to Christ or back to Christ, I encourage you to make a friend out of Jesus and ask Him into your heart. Even if you desire a more intimate and deeper relationship with Christ ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and show you, your next steps. Next, I encourage you to say this prayer with me. Believer’s prayer Dear Heavenly Father, In Jesus’ name, I acknowledge that I have sinned. I ask that you forgive my sins and trespasses. Lord, I also ask that you help me acknowledge You in all that I do. Jesus, I ask that you come into my heart and be Lord over my life. Father, your Word in Romans 10:9-10 says, ‘that if I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart that YOU have raised Him from the dead, then I will be saved.’ So Father, with my mouth I confess and with my heart I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that you raised Him from the dead so that I may live. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. Lastly, if you said this prayer and have dedicated your life to Christ (or back) by faith you are saved! I would love to hear from you and help keep you accountable in your journey. Click HERE to share the good news! 😊 -- On behalf of Rise Ministry, Inc. Until next time, Stay Blessed, Stress Less, Read your Bible Click HERE to Subscribe to Rise Ministry, Inc. Click HERE to purchase your copy of "You're More Than Enough."
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