Amen
There are days….
–Pastor Ward Clinton
By simple definition a Christian is a follower of Jesus The Christ—the Son of God who came in the flesh, died, and was resurrected. The Bible speaks extensively about the subsequent lifestyle of believers—what it calls fruit. For example, we read about “the fruit of the Spirit”:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22–24, emphasis mine)
This wholesome fruit stands in contrast to “the unfruitful works of darkness”:
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. (Ephesians 5:1–12, emphasis mine)
The fruit of the Spirit is often a telltale sign that people are living out their Christian lives as a tribute to the Lord who redeemed them from sin and death. But even so, identifying godly believers can be difficult. The book of 1 John speaks extensively about how to identify those unbelievers. Essentially, it is those who continue, by God’s definition, to live evil lives even though they claim to follow Christ. The book of 1 John was written by one who actually walked and talked with Jesus while He walked this earth.
“God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11), “They are everyday doing that which is provoking to Him, and He resents it, and treasures it up ‘against the day of wrath.’ As His mercies are new every morning towards His people, so His anger is new every morning against the wicked, upon the fresh occasions given for it by their renewed transgressions. God is angry with the wicked even in the merriest and most prosperous of their days, even in the days of their devotion; for, if they be suffered [permitted] to prosper, it is in wrath; if they pray, their very prayers are an abomination. The wrath of God abides upon them (John 3:36) and continual additions are made to it.” (Matthew Henry, Electronic Version, E-sword)
“If He turn not, He will whet His sword” (Psalm 7:12) “What blows are those which will be dealt by that long uplifted arm! God’s sword has been sharpening upon the revolving stone of our daily wickedness, and if we will not repent, it will speedily cut us to pieces. Turn or burn is the sinner’s alternative.” – C.H.Spurgeon
The destruction of the person at odds with God is assured; however, practically everyone is aware of the “grace note”. God takes no pleasure in the destruction of those deemed wicked. Therefore, even in the midst of the threatening of the wrath of God upon disobedient persons He holds forth the possibility that with repentance the reconciliation between man and God can take place.
“In Adam all die” (1st Corinthians 15:22)
“For since death is through man, the resurrection of the dead also is through a Man.” (1st Corinthians 15:21)
“Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6)
“Sin is man’s declaration of independence of God” – Anon
“Our lives are a manifestation of what we think about God.” – ibid
“Before God can deliver us we must undeceive ourselves.” – St Augustine
“True repentance is to cease from sin.” – St Ambrose
“Born once, die twice; born twice, die once.” – Unknown
“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, ‘Alright, then, have it your way.’” – C. S. Lewis
Just because you attend a church doesn’t make you a good Christian any more than driving a car makes you a good driver, but we don’t blame the car, so why do we blame the Church?
It is not quite enough to know God and Jesus…we must also know and engage the Holy Spirit in our life. He will empower us to live Godly in this world and thereby we honor the Kingdom of God.
If your current church is part of the popular theological tradition that says that all believers sin every day in thought word and deed then I have a question for you. How is that any different than the devil? It is time for all Christians to engage the third Person of the Trinity because He is the power that enables us to live Godly in the here and now.
God commanded that we live holy; Holy Spirit empowers us to obey that command. If your pastor claims holy living is not possible during this sojourn on earth then it is time for you seek out a pastor who knows and is showing the way to connect to the power that can make you godly; your unsaved friends and family members are desperately looking for that kind of completely committed Christian. Be one.
Life “de-powers” us. It saps our energies, depletes our courage, drains our patience. People–pressures get us down; problems stir us up; physical ills distress us; worry over people we love disturbs us.
We all need strength—strength to think clearly, love creatively, endure consistently; strength to fill up our diminished reserves; supernatural strength that flows from a limitless source, quietly filling us with power.
I want you to meet Someone who can provide that kind of strength. He is willing to listen to us and understand, He will encourage us to talk until we know what we really want to say. He will probe to the nub of the issue of our fears and frustrations with X-ray discernment and wisdom, and will help us to see any confusion in our thinking or distortions in our emotions. He not only can lead us to the truth about ourselves, but possesses the power to help us act on what He guides us to be, say or do. He has the power to heal our painful memories, sharpen our vision of what is best for our future, and enlist us in a purpose that’s big enough to fire our imaginations and give ultimate meaning and lasting joy to our daily living.
That’s a tall order. No loved one, friend, psychiatrist, psychologist, pastor, or social worker can meet all of these qualifications. But there is One Who has all of these qualifications—and much more.
He alone has the omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence to give us the kind of help we need. He can help us with our problems, relationships, and decisions, for He knows everything. He is with us always, for He never sleeps. He has all power to give us the gift of primary faith as well as pertinacious faith, guidance for our daily lives, conviction and courage to face the future unafraid.
Who is this? A Person spelled with a capital “P.” He is a Person in the Trinity. He is the Holy Spirit.
We celebrate Pentecost and remember the time fifty days after Passover when Jesus’ disciples and followers received the power of the Holy Spirit. (read Acts, chapter 2). There is no greater need in your life and mine and in the church throughout the world than for a contemporary Pentecost. We confess with John Oxenham,Not for one single day,
Can I discern the way,
But this I surely know—
Who gives the day
Will show the way
So I securely go.The Holy Spirit is the Greatest Counselor in the World. The word, “counselor” may not be the first word that comes to your mind when you think of the Holy Spirit. For many, the Holy Spirit is the least known and understood Person of the Trinity.
Jesus used this propitious word, “Counselor,” to declare what the Spirit is meant to be in our lives. – Lloyd John Ogilvie
I do not want to be two-thirds of a Christian – I desire and need to have the Spirit of God engaged in my life to make me wholly Christian; a properly empowered Christian.
One popular theological tradition says that all believers sin every day in thought, word, and deed. That seems so much less than the victory over sin promised by the Bible. Across the years far too many Christians have settled for too little, emphasizing human frailties and the pervasiveness of sin. Caving into the argument that a person is doomed to stumble along in constant failure, they have lived defeated lives. Some have given up Christianity altogether. Not only did individuals suffer personal defeat, but the reputation of the Kingdom also suffered.
As human beings, we were created in the image of God to live in holy fellowship with Him. Much of that fellowship was lost to sin. The experience of heart holiness offers us a restoration that put us back on track to fulfilling God’s original plan.
Because of this, genuine, wholehearted love for God, our neighbors, and the rest of His creation is possible for us again. The doctrine of entire sanctification is that door that leads us into glorious, full and perfect fellowship with God. — from an Article by Howard Culbertson, Roger Hahn and Dean Nelson. For more like this visit http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert
So why would we, as Christians, want to live at a level less than that which Jesus has indicated is possible for us while we reside in this temporary life? God commanded us to be holy, we find that we are unable to do so in our own power but it is a command, nonetheless. Therefore God must have provided a way in which it could be done since it was a command and not merely a suggested ideal. Some reportedly have found it like Lloyd Ogilvie and Billy Graham who are definitely not of the Wesleyan theological persuasion and have their own way of proclaiming the higher calling of empowered Christian living and heart holiness.
It is not enough to know God and Jesus – you must also engage the Holy Spirit in your life – Lloyd John Ogilvie
Obey God
Never forget, God won’t…
pastorwardclinton 