You know that is something often said by many people. Why should I believe in Christ when it does not seem like His believers
really do? You know many say this, but few understand what it means to be a "believer" in Christ.
First we have to understand is that we are all "fallen". Now what I mean by "fallen" is "fallen from God's
grace". The day Adam and Eve sinned against God it "opened up" the door to all kinds of sin, sickness, and disease into this
world. Thus, we became a "fallen people", in a "fallen world".
You see God loves us and knowing we are sinful, wants to save us from ourselves. Our sinful nature, actions, etc.
So what does He do? He pays the entire price, that is the "penalty" for our sin. This payment comes in the form of His beloved
Son Jesus Christ:
"
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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through
Him might be saved."
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because
he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
(John
3:16-18 NKJV)
So God gives us forgiveness and salvation through His Son Jesus. Without Jesus we are already condemned for our sin. Why?
Because He is the "payment" for our sin. Without Jesus their is no payment!
You see God is a righteous God. By nature, since He is righteous, there has to be a payment for sin. Some will say,
"well if He really loves us then He can just let it go". Well, for us, as humans its easy to come to that conclusion. But
we must understand though, that because God is righteous, He will not go against His own nature (and rightly so!). He
does not waver. His is not like us!! We will "waver" as human beings, but He never changes:
"For I am the LORD, I do not change;
Therefore you are not consumed,
O sons of Jacob."
(Malachi 3:6 NKJV)
"Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high,
You who have done
great things;
O God, who is like You?"
(Psalm 71:19 NKJV)
So God is righteous, He will not change who He is. What does He do? He gives us the choice of accepting His forgiveness
and salvation through the work of His Son Jesus on the cross.
So as we come to Him for forgiveness we must understand that we are now "works in progress" (God is not done with us
yet!). We will still make mistakes (sin) sometimes. We are still human! God, through His Holy Spirit works in us
to change us into what He would have us be. There are some things we must realize though. It is never okay to sin, but
when we do, we can go to the Lord and ask for forgiveness through Jesus's name:
"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but
also for the whole world."
(1 John 2:1-2 NKJV)
You see believers are not perfect, only forgiven. They will make mistakes. Sometimes they make mistakes (and sin)
and do not know it. Sometimes they sin and they know it.
The difference is, are they truly sorry and repent for their sin (and keep following the Lord)?
For those who keep sinning they would need to "examine", "test" themselves as Paul the apostle said to
see if they are really in the faith:
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves,
that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified"
(2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV)
So believers must "examine" themselves (their actions, etc.) to see if they truly are following the Lord.
We have to remember that if people could be perfect than there would have never been a reason for Jesus to
die on a cross for sin! God helps in what we cannot do for ourselves!!
Believers only have to ask for forgiveness when they sin. Does this give them a "license" to sin? Absolutely not! But
it does mean that if they do sin they are able to ask God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The difference is, are they
sincere, or not?
You see God knows who really belongs to Him!
He also knows who is sincere and who is not! Whatever people may say, or the way they act, God knows who really
are His. Anyone who thinks they can deceive Him really do not understand that God can never be lied to:
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows
to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
(Galatians 6:7-9 NKJV)
So God knows Who is following Him and who is not. God wants honesty from us. You see we may be able to fool others,
sometimes even try to deceive ourselves, but with God it is different. He knows all things! Even what we may try to hide!
In fact Jesus Himself often confronted the pharisees and their hypocrisy:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside
they are full of extortion and self-indulgence."
(Matthew 23:25 NKJV)
You see whatever people may do, God knows their hearts! God is not mocked. Whatever we sow, is what we are going
to reap! One of the wonderful things about being a believer in Christ is that when you sin all you have to do is ask for forgiveness
(through His Son Jesus) and God forgives you!
There are many faithful believers in Christ out there. They sometimes will make mistakes, this is only human. In
fact people have good days and bad days, do they not? So sometimes you may never know what someone is going through. Their
circumstances, etc. We are all human right?
There are also ones out there who are poor examples. Whether its by ignorance, or by disobedience. God is able to sort
through it!
It can be very discouraging when you see others around you who behave one way and say another thing. Be sure of this
though, they might be able to fool some, but they can never fool God!!
So do not base a decision on Christ on the actions of others. If someone is being hypocritical it does not make God,
His love, forgiveness, salavation "void". Faith is a personal matter between you and the Creator who loves you!! Its the one
thing that will make the most dramatic change in your life!!! In fact an eternal one!!!!
Let God sort through those who are really following Him and who are not. He is more than capable!! Then look up to heaven
and get to know the one who loves you with a love that can never be measured by time, or space! Someone who loves you for
you!! His "beautiful" creation!!!
