Pastor’s Blog 5.16.18
Hebrews 11:1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. AMP
In the “media” church today, we hear the word grace non-stop. Grace, in a sense is God’s endowment to us, but faith is our response to Him. Maybe that is why grace is being talked about so much. Grace depends on God, but we have a responsibility with faith don’t we?
Hebrews 11:4-8 [Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking. [Gen 4:3-10.] 5 Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God. [Gen 5:21-24.] 6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].7[Prompted] by faith Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [his faith which relied on God] he passed judgment and sentence on the world’s unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness ( that relation of being right into which God puts the person who has faith). [Gen 6:13-22.] 8[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go. AMP
Now, take notice in each of these testimonies of faith, we see man’s response to God’s grace, given as obedience, and thus proving their faith genuine. I was listening to a seeker friendly mega church pastor the other day, and he was telling his listeners that “because they were approved by God before they had done anything right or wrong, that they could not be disapproved by an act of sin in their lives now.” What heresy! The acid test of a tree is it’s fruit! He said that who you are as a born again child of God has nothing to do with what you do.” Really? I have a new testament that contradicts that statement on nearly every page!!!
I think a culture that wants to live carnally, and follow earthly pleasures and desires, has sought a license to do so, and called it GRACE. They love to say, no one is perfect so my sin is no different than yours. Again, that is heresy!
There are degrees of sin in the Kingdom of God just as there are in our earthly judicial systems. Let’s look at 1 John 5:16-17:
16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death , he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. NKJV
What is the difference between sin that leads to death and sin that does not? Stay tuned until next week!
Be blessed,
Pastor Dave
- Date - May 16, 2018
- Author - David Chisholm
