Posted on 03/06/2006 10:02:11 AM PST by bremenboy
The prophet Nahum writes about the Lord’s judgment against the Assyrian city of Nineveh (Nahum 1:1-2). In the context of Nahum’s inspired writing he penned the following statement: “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet” (Nahum 1:3). The Lord is most certainly a God of patience and He is very longsuffering not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). However, God will not acquit the wicked who fail to repent of their sins. The fairness of God as a judge is shown in His willingness to award the righteous and punish the wicked (II Corinthians 5:10).
Many have lives that are just full of sin. They feel as though the Lord is going to forgive them regardless of their lack of obedience to Him. As Nahum said, God will not at all acquit the wicked. God sent His only begotten Son to die on Calvary’s cross so that we could have the remission of sins through the shedding of the blood of Christ (Matthew 26:28 and Romans 5:6-9). God has provided man with the opportunity of salvation. It is our job to take the Lord up on His offer and change our lives that we may live according to His will.
Many suffer from the problem that Judah had. According to the pen of Jeremiah Judah chose not to change, but to walk according to their ways instead of the Lord’s way (Jeremiah 8:5-6). So many refuse to change because they like their lives the way they are. Sometimes people are not even ashamed of their sins. Again, Judah suffered with this problem also. Jeremiah said this of Judah: “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 8:12). For us to change we must learn to have sorrow over our sins, but we must also realize that being sorry and repenting are two different things. Paul wrote this of sorrow and repentance: “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (II Corinthians 7:9-10). When we sin we must be sorry and allow that sorrow to work in us to bring about proper change.
We Must Repent of Our Sins
Jesus said: “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Many like to deny the words of Jesus not only in their words, but more significantly through their actions. It would seem that even Christians at times fail to acknowledge wrong in their lives. Even worse, sometimes Christians will acknowledge that they have sinned, but they in turn do nothing to change their lives.
We read throughout the New Testament how that repentance includes bringing forth fruit meet for repentance (Luke 3:8 and Acts 26:20). If one were to rob a bank and conclude that repentance does not include giving back what he or she has taken, the teaching of Jesus and the Apostles has fallen on deaf ears. If a husband were to commit adultery and expect his wife to accept his apology while he still kept his girlfriend, he would be sadly mistaken if that wife had any wisdom and knowledge of the word of God (Matthew 19:9; cf. I Corinthians 6:18). Change needs to be shown, not just spoken.
Some people have this idea that sin is measurable from greater to lesser sins. However, the word of God condemns the hateful people and liars right along with the murders and fornicators (I Corinthians 6:9-10 and Galatians 6:19-21). Sin is the transgression of God’s law (I John 3:4). In all cases, sin condemns one who fails to repent (Romans 6:23). Isaiah said: “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). You would think that some Christians had never heard the two verses Isaiah penned that you just read. Sin causes the loss of one’s soul because sin separates man from God.
When the Apostle Paul stood before Agrippa he made the following statement about his work of preaching: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). When we sin we are walking in darkness. If we expect however to have ourselves returned to the light and enjoy the rich blessing of the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ (I John 1:9); we must be willing to confess our sins (I John 1:9). How can any Christian think they will remain in darkness and God will remain in their lives? The pen of John declares the refutation of that false conclusion: “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (I John 1:5-6). However, even with the clarity of God’s word, some still think that God’s grace will cover their sins without having to repent of those sins.
Shall We Continue in Sin that Grace May Abound?
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” (Romans 6:1-2; 15-16)? The Apostle Paul is very clear in declaring the ignorance of those who think they can continue in sin in hope that God’s grace will abound. We learn throughout the word of God the need for us to repent of our sins. We cannot hope that God will choose to close his eyes and look the other way while we essentially crucify His Son upon the cross over and over again by our refusal to obey.
Five of the seven churches addressed in the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation were in error. According to the thinking process of some brethren, the Lord would just say they are weak and He will overlook their sins. This however, is not what the Lord did say then or would say now. Note the following:
1. Ephesus: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5). 2. Pergamos: “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Revelation 2:16). 3. Thyatira: “And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not… I will give unto every one of you according to your works” (Revelation 2:21; 23). 4. Sardis: “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee” (Revelation 3:3). 5. Laodicea: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19). Conclusion If we as Christians would spend more time trying to please God and less time trying to excuse our faults, we would not need to worry so much about our sins. The world has too much influence over the hearts and minds of some who have purposed to live their lives according to the will of God. When we are converted into Christ we are supposed to leave the world behind. As Paul said, and so we should know: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18). Let us serve God and hate sin. In so doing, we truly will be the servants of righteousness. When we sin, let us confess those faults and make the appropriate changes so that Heaven will be our eternal home.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2004 May be used if permission by author is granted and proper acknowledgment as to the authorship of this material is made. – B.A.Y.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16), repent of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of sins into the church (Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and Romans 6:3-5). One must then remain faithful (Revelation 2:10).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"He admonishes us to use whatever instrument we can find to worship him"
Please support this with a New Testament passage. Thank you.
Since when did the Old Testament become irrelevant?
(Psalms 150:4 KJV) Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
(Isaiah 38:20 KJV) The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
(Habakkuk 3:19 KJV) The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
And since you asked for an example of instruments in worship in the New Testament, here you go:
(Revelation 14:2-3 KJV) And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
This verse clearly shows that stringed instruments are a "voice" as much as vocal chords. The harps were used in worship just as they were in the old testament.
So there you have a scriptural basis for the use of instruments in the worship of God. So don't you dare tell me that my scriptually based worship, which includes scripturally sanctioned use of stringed instruments, is false doctrine and that I am not a member of the Body of Christ. You have no biblical basis to make that claim.
None.
Please provide (a minimum of) two New Testament passages which show that everything once commanded as sacred in the Old Testament is now considered unclean and profane in the New Testament. Not was-sacred-now-fulfilled, not was-profane now-sacred, but was-sacred-now-profane.
Oh, and show me a New Testament passage that condemns bestiality while you're looking.
First, we are no longer under the old covenant, so our authority for our worship would not be found in the Old Testament.
You are the one that said we are admonished by God to use whatever instrument we can find to worship him. You did not show me a New Testament verse that supports this.
Nothing has been said about musical instruments, or the use of them, being profane. This is an issue of authority.
Therefore you lose.
I have no such burden. Since we live under the New covenant, the New Testament is our authority for all we do as Christians.
God has too many "self-appointed" spokespersons.
Mar 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
****I have no such burden. Since we live under the New covenant, the New Testament is our authority for all we do as Christians.****
Sounds a little bit "Marcionitish" to me. Maybe we should just tear out the OT and completly dispense with it. In fact we might as well rip out everything before the Crucifiction. NO. No. Let's go whole hog and get rid of everything before Penticost!
Sarcasm is dripping.
***Mar 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.***
Mat 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
Mat 11:17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
Mat 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
Mat 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
No matter what the Christians of the world do, the C of C (Campbellites) will find fault with them.
***So, what group does "WordsofTruth.net" represent?**
Guess whoo!
The Church of Christ in El Paso, Tx.
http://www.wordsoftruth.net/elpasochurchofchrist.htm
By their fruits and doctrines you will know them.
Followers of Alexander Campbell, Semi-Pellagan.
****the christian church that is mention in the article that you read is a denomination that teaches false doctrine
therefore it would be imposable for it to be the body of Christ ****
Can we assume that this Christian Church you label as a denomination is the Deciples of Christ version(founded by Alexander Campbell) which the Churches of Christ came out of because of (gasp) INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC?
From your web site you appear to be a no-Sunday school one cup version of the C of C.
**Nothing has been said about musical instruments, or the use of them, being profane. This is an issue of authority.***
Wait a minute now, on another thread Breamboy said musical instruments would negate the church.
What I said was Biblical, nothing else. If you want to know what relevance the Old Testament has for Christians, you have to look no further than the writings of Paul.
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
There is plenty to learn from the Old Testament, and that is why it is included in the Bible, and why no one who is an honest Bible student would suggest otherwise. I never said the Old Testament had no purpose. I merely stated it was not our authority for what we do as Christians.
Don't waste your time with Buy. No matter what the subject of the thread he will immediately twist it into a forum where he can castigate the Church of Christ. He can't help himself, his hatred is too deep and embeded. He is own a personal vendeta and insist the the church of our Lord was founded in 1830 by Alexander Campbell. He knows nothing about the history of the church, nor does he care. So just ignore him and eventually he will go sulking away. In the meantime his post are very predictable and always against the Church of Christ.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.