The author of this web history is neither a pastor, reverend, minister, or clergy. He is a member of the laity who has simply read his Bible, starting with Genesis and ending with Revelations. This he did rather late in life at the age of nearly thirty.
He had likely read it in its entirety before since he attended Sunday School from his youth. And, the cycle of scriptures used in the weekly Sunday School lessons cover the entire Bible once every five years and repeats itself. This “fact” is based upon what he has been told.
Regular reading improves one’s understanding of any written material. And, one will find that one can harvest the type of miraculously insightful lessons that one’s most favorite and beloved pastor gives after many days and nights of diligent and focused reading.
And, since this is a translated text, one might gain a greater grasp of a passage by ruminating over different versions of the Bible. For instances, certain translations of scripture state that Christ came of the “forgiveness” of sin; others state that he came for the “remission” of sin.
The teaching of unmerited and freely available forgiveness does not truly fit the content of the scriptures. This is supported by the words of Christ in Matthew 5:17-20 (KJV). His Word states that He did not come so He might abolish the Law but so He might fulfill and one jot or tittle shall not be removed from the Law until Heaven and Earth pass away. Also, in this passage, He said the those who teach others that they should not follow the Law would be considered the least in Heaven. And, one can interpret that in different ways. It might be the case that Heaven’s inhabitant will feel that they are the least among those who walked this Earth. They led millions astray and are responsible for their damnation. And, this passage stated that those who follow the Law and teach others that they should do the same will be considered great in Heaven. Also, the Books of James, I, II, and II John, and Jude support this teaching. And, Paul teaching it is “by faith alone” is truly in the context of relaxing one extremely difficult requirement of the Law for new adult Gentile converts. That is circumcision. He says that this faith kinship is truly established by a “circumcision of the heart” and one’s fleshly ways.
His Word says that He loves whom He chastises. If the Lord will not chasten you, you are naught more than a bastard and outside the shelter of sonship. So, consequences exist for sin. Yet, these repercussions for our actions are a method of restoration and not necessarily punitive, although they might be unpleasant.
Have you ever met teenagers whose parents let them run amuck? They are often desiring the love that comes with compassionate parental correction. Yet, such is freely available from the Lord. He is a Father for all. As such, “noble noblesse” should be the Christian rally-cry. We cannot, should not, and shall not engage in all manner of sin, assuming that we have a Carte Blanche for paying indulgences. Sadly, many ears itch for a “DoWhatChaLike” gospel. But, Shock G nor any other music idol has suffered an ignominious death for our salvation. So, live life right!
And, Christ told us, “Be ye perfect as your father in Heaven is perfect.” He would have not told us such, if it were not possible. Cease from using the permissive “yeast of the Pharisees”. Man says that “no one is perfect.” And, this is true in some aspects but not all. Scripture does say that we have all fallen short of the glory of God. This is true. And, Christians accept that none but Christ had a perfect walk His entire life. Yet, if He came for the remission of sin, we can “go forth an sin no more.”, as He command those he healed. With the Holy Ghost and its fruit one bears when it is in his life, one can exude the temperance prerequisite for gradually attaining perfect. One can strive for a perfect second. Perfect seconds can become perfect minutes. And, minutes become hours, hours produce days, days yield months, months become years, and years a lifetime as we patiently wait upon the Lord.
As His Word states, sin is a sickness. Sicknesses can enter remission, that state of religious perfection. And, unfortunately, one might fall out of remission. Yet, one can recover. As long as we have His Blood and His Spirit, we have a mighty river of His Hope.
Some denominations argue that it is by His Blood and others say that it is through His Spirit. Yet, such is a needless battle of spiritual semantics. Each is a resource the Lord supplies on this life’s journey. If we can accept forgiveness drawn from His Blood for actions outside of our control or the occasional mishaps arising from self-destructive and addictive behaviors, we will not develop the defeatist attitude that result in stumbling during future days. We can maintain our Christian self-esteem. A positive self-image protects us from self-defeating behaviors. As is said in many churches, “one must know who you are and whose you are.” When one sees himself as the child of the Great King, he carried himself differently. It might be with noble humility; yet, he will not participate in certain behaviors. Such does not befit royalty. And, when one accepts the Holy Ghost in his life, he receives an infilling of the Holy Spirit. And, the fruit of the Spirit grow in his life.
And, this Remission was birthed simultaneously on a pair of days, Christmas and Easter. Given so we might be saved, He was born so our sins might be borne by His Body, He would perish, and see His Resurrection. Christ had a date with destiny so we might meet a pleasant eternal one. Will you accept this offer of forgiveness and remission? It might not be made again.
Choose Life
