True Repentance Brings Relief

As I reflect on our lesson this morning on Biblical confrontation and true repentance, I am rebuked by my weakness in not Biblically confronting fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord who have sinned. In addition, I am convicted of the need to genuinely repent of sins in my life and get right with Almighty God.

I am reminded of two wonderful verses in Psalms which inspire and humble me:

· “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

· “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

May we acknowledge the sovereignty of God in our lives and diligently pursue holiness till the end of our days. May we care enough for others to lovingly and Biblically confront them so they truly become sorrowful for their sin and be restored to the Lord. In the process, we may have helped to keep them from the gates of destruction.

In essence, Biblical confrontation and true repentance is critical to our spiritual growth. When we take steps to confront sin and help bring about repentance, the broken bridge in the relationship with God is rebuilt. The result is marvelous peace enveloping us when there is nothing between us and the Savior.

Unequally Yoked

Are you influencing the world, or is it influencing you?

In this week’s lesson we focus on gaining a proper understanding of Biblical separation and challenging one another to seek intimate fellowship with God. We can not serve two masters! (Mat. 6:24)

Biblical separation is not about missed opportunities or settling for second best. It is not about striving for the fleeting approval of others, temporal worldly success, or shallow relationships that lack common spiritual grounds.

You see, Biblical separation is about embracing wonderful opportunities each day to pursue intimate fellowship with God by a relentless pursuit of holiness, Godly love, and dedication to spreading the good news of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Along the way, we will gain spiritual victories, live powerful Christian lives, and effectively minister to the lost world.

The greatest gift we can give to someone is the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the greatest influence we can have is to lead someone to Christ and challenge them to seek an intimate relationship with Almighty God.

Can we actually entertain thoughts of a mighty and awesome God who want us to settle for anything less than His very best? “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

The entire resources of the Kingdom of God are at our disposal to glorify Him in this life – accomplish extraordinary things and impact the world. We should never settle for less by building alliances with unrighteousness, darkness, evil, idols, unbelievers, or pretenders of the truth.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? {15} And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? {16} And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. {17} Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, {18} And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor 6:14-18).

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1).

Shining Forth

How well are you representing Christ today? Are your words, works, and will pleasing unto the Lord?

This week’s lesson reminds us of our responsibility as ambassadors for Christ. The key verse, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20), formally appoints us as an ambassador and requiring us to be right with God.

Every born again believer is appointed as an ambassador. The challenge for us is to accept the role and faithfully perform the ministry of reconciliation, which is to spread the message of the goods news of the Gospel. We are to be a beacon to the lost world – shining forth the light of the life-changing and soul-saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Mat 5:16).

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” reminds us of the awesome transforming power of Christ’s work on the cross. A true believer, not a pretender, is genuinely changed from the inside out. Holiness is not an option for the sincere believer – mere head knowledge of salvation is insufficient, there must be evidence of spiritual growth and the pursuit of holiness. There is no such thing as a carnal believer. (Mat. 7:20—23; Luke 6:46—49; Luke 13:23—28; John 15:8; 1 Peter 1:15,16). Let it not be one of us who should hear the Savior say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat 7:23).

We are blessed by the Apostle Paul’s excellent example of being an effective representative of Christ throughout his ministry. His ministry was characterized by purity; spiritual wisdom or knowledge; kindness; long-suffering; empowered by the Spirit; genuine love; upheld the word of truth; relied on the power of God; and used the armor of righteousness – may our ministry be characterized by the same qualities.

Change of Address

It’ll be movin’ day! Are you ready?

One day, we will be with our Lord for all eternity.

This week we ponder the question, “How do we anticipate eternity?”

In our text, 2 Corinthians 5:1-15, we are reminded of the truth that someday believers will be free of physical ailments, trials, and troubles. Every Believer will receive a glorified body when Jesus raptures the church. Knowing that we will see the Savior and that our deeds and motives will be evaluated ought to motivate us to serve Him faithfully.

At the Judgment Seat of Christ, it might surprise us who will be rewarded for faithfully serving the Lord. We will witness sincere, humble and diligent servants of God receiving their just rewards. You see, they toil faithfully behind the scenes for the glory of God rather than seeking their own or man’s approval. And then we will be blessed to see how they lay their crowns at the feet of Jesus.

Maybe we can catch a glimpse of believers’ faces full of shame because they served with improper attitudes and motives. Yet still, we may witness embarrassed believers who are unable to look into the eyes of the Savior due to their lack of service – they were simply hearers of the Word, but not doers.

As your life is reflected in the glowing image of Christ, you may be witnessing yourself. Will you be found faithful?

“And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” (2 Cor 5:15)