How should we live in these evil days?

[Tall Timbers]

I've attended several funerals where it was very unlikely the deceased was saved. I say unlikely because in almost all cases, maybe all cases, we really don't know... At just about every one of those funerals whoever was talking would talk about the person being in heaven now, or in a better place. I never stood up and said, "You all know, "insert name of deceased here", isn't in a better place, he's probably roasting over hot coals as we sit here in these comfortable pews". Funerals are to comfort those who cared for the deceased... I did get to share the gospel once at a jungle funeral when I was in Colombia doing missionary work.

 

[Andy C]

You can't talk it until you walk it. God does not accept lip-service, and He will not anoint a life lived in that way. America has taken Him for granted for far too long. Christians used Him as a means to their own ends; they considered Him a source of answered prayer; they acted as though His purpose was to supply the needs and, too often, the wants of those who called themselves His. In truth, their contact with him was shallow and convenient.

I have a situation I need advice on.

I have been emailing with a strong Christian, and he threw me for a loop with his confession. He lives a very straight forward life, family man, studies his bible….etc. His confession was a few times a year, after fighting off frequent urges, he gives in and views porn. Yes, he knows its a sin, he tries his best to walk away, but at times of weakness, he succumbs. His biggest issue is he says when he gives in, in the back of his mind, he knows about, and believes in OSAS. He feels he is taking advantage of that, even though its a rare sin for him. I have told him before that OSAS is not a free license to sin, and he does confess his sin, and asks Him for help.

My question how would you counsel him in regards to his sin, and his feeling he is taking advantage of OSAS?

 

[Amethyst]

@Andy C you obviously didnt address me, but I know in my life I have "taken advantage of OSAS" more times than I care to admit.

 

[mattfivefour]

@Andy C , my brother, this is an all-too-common problem among men...and also women. It is a tough one and too many fall into it. But it is not unconquerable. The problem is we try to conquer it in a way that seems right and springs from right motives ... but it is the wrong way. I will respond, but right now my daughter and her husband are visiting from Canada and will be with us for a couplie of days, making it hard for me to spend time online, let alone pull some sound scriptural thoughts together in a way that can be easily understood. (To quote Andrea: "Adrian, you are great speaking at a theological level, but that is about a dozen levels above where the rest of us live. So please try and bring it down to where I and the rest of the world can understand it.") So. can you give me a couple of days to get back to you? Or is this more urgent than that?

 

[Andy C]

@Andy C you obviously didnt address me, but I know in my life I have "taken advantage of OSAS" more times than I care to admit.

I addressed it to Adrian, but would appreciate feedback from all.

Thanks

 

[1LoverofGod]

I have a situation I need advice on.

I have been emailing with a strong Christian, and he threw me for a loop with his confession. He lives a very straight forward life, family man, studies his bible….etc. His confession was a few times a year, after fighting off frequent urges, he gives in and views porn. Yes, he knows its a sin, he tries his best to walk away, but at times of weakness, he succumbs. His biggest issue is he says when he gives in, in the back of his mind, he knows about, and believes in OSAS. He feels he is taking advantage of that, even though its a rare sin for him. I have told him before that OSAS is not a free license to sin, and he does confess his sin, and asks Him for help.

My question how would you counsel him in regards to his sin, and his feeling he is taking advantage of OSAS?

This is my take on OSAS.
When someone legitimately accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior The Holy Spirit immediately indwells the person and seals them with the security deposit of their salvation.

Scripture says if anyone says they do not sin they are a liar.

8" If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
1 John 1:8-10.

So, we as believers all sin because of inherent sin nature.
But, as verse 9 says, of we confess our sins God extends His His Grace and forgives us.

There's a difference between deliberate sin and struggling with some and making effort to change. Repent means to change your mind.

The Holy Spirit in us helps us with sinful thought by convicting us and the flesh is contrary to the Spirit (Galatians 5:17)

so our spirit in coalition with The Holy Spirit moves us to obedience and we won't act on the sin as James describes.

14" but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
James 1:14-16

A saved believer won't practice sin. The believer may sin, but The Holy Spirit moves the believer into repentance and the believer must obey the Spirit or the sin will continue into a practice of sin.

The saved believer won't lose salvation but will lose fellowship with The Lord and if they don't repent and are taken up to Heaven, then this unrepentant believer loses rewards.

This is an explanation for this in the Blue Letter Bible website by Don Stewart.

Can Sin Cause Us to Lose Our Heavenly Rewards?

Jesus said there's only one sin that's unforgivable.

28 “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— 30 because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Mark 3:28-30

Basically this is if a person were to curse God or abandon his faith and throw Jesus blood back at Him. This is unforgivable.

But a true believer won't do this because The Holy Spirit continually guides the believer towards the renewal of the mind and transformation into a new Creation like that of Christ.

A person who says they're a Christian but never grows in the renewal of the mind and leaves the faith Paul says this of them

"having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"
2 Timothy 3:5

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
1 John 2:19

We need to remember Jesus spoke of Wheat and Tares that grow together for a while. But after a while we know who the true believers are because Jesus said of fake Christians, by their fruits you will know them .

Bottom line is a True believer cannot lose salvation, even for falling into temptation now and then but if they don't repent they lose fellowship with The Lord and lose rewards.
So it's best to repent than be put to shame when it's exposed

The fake Christian isn't legitimately saved and will ultimately be found out because they eventually gets exposed as a Tare.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Ephesians 5:11-13

 

[Andy C]

This is my take on OSAS.
When someone legitimately accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior The Holy Spirit immediately indwells the person and seals them with the security deposit of their salvation.

Scripture says if anyone says they do not sin they are a liar.

8" If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
1 John 1:8-10.

So, we as believers all sin because of inherent sin nature.
But, as verse 9 says, of we confess our sins God extends His His Grace and forgives us.

There's a difference between deliberate sin and struggling with some and making effort to change. Repent means to change your mind.

The Holy Spirit in us helps us with sinful thought by convicting us and the flesh is contrary to the Spirit (Galatians 5:17)

so our spirit in coalition with The Holy Spirit moves us to obedience and we won't act on the sin as James describes.

14" but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
James 1:14-16

A saved believer won't practice sin. The believer may sin, but The Holy Spirit moves the believer into repentance and the believer must obey the Spirit or the sin will continue into a practice of sin.

The saved believer won't lose salvation but will lose fellowship with The Lord and if they don't repent and are taken up to Heaven, then this unrepentant believer loses rewards.

This is an explanation for this in the Blue Letter Bible website by Don Stewart.

Can Sin Cause Us to Lose Our Heavenly Rewards?

Jesus said there's only one sin that's unforgivable.

28 “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— 30 because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Mark 3:28-30

Basically this is if a person were to curse God or abandon his faith and throw Jesus blood back at Him. This is unforgivable.

But a true believer won't do this because The Holy Spirit continually guides the believer towards the renewal of the mind and transformation into a new Creation like that of Christ.

A person who says they're a Christian but never grows in the renewal of the mind and leaves the faith Paul says this of them

"having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"
2 Timothy 3:5

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
1 John 2:19

We need to remember Jesus spoke of Wheat and Tares that grow together for a while. But after a while we know who the true believers are because Jesus said of fake Christians, by their fruits you will know them .

Bottom line is a True believer cannot lose salvation, even for falling into temptation now and then but if they don't repent they lose fellowship with The Lord and lose rewards.
So it's best to repent than be put to shame when it's exposed

The fake Christian isn't legitimately saved and will ultimately be found out because they eventually gets exposed as a Tare.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Ephesians 5:11-13

Just to add what you posted, the below is from Jack Kelley


Question: I was reading of your answer to the woman whose husband left her for a very young girl. You said that if he is a believer, all his sins are forgiven him because of what Christ accomplished on the cross.

Technically, you are right. But I had hoped you would add that repentance is the key to forgiveness. If this man isn’t repentant, I do not believe he is forgiven. If all one has to do to be forgiven is to be a believer, then one can sin as much as one wants to, apparently.
For the record, I do not believe that deliberate sin that has no repentance behind it is forgiven. We must ask for forgiveness. Can you please clarify your answer in more detail? Do you agree with me, or am I wrong? If I’m wrong, would you please quote some scripture to show that repentance is not needed in a believer’s case when sin is committed? Thank you.
Answer: I agree that when a believer sins, he needs to admit it and confess to be forgiven. One purpose of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives is to convict us of our sins. When the ex-husband insisted that he didn’t do anything wrong he was ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit. To be forgiven He needs to repent, which means to change his mind about his behavior and admit it was a sin. Then he has to confess and ask for forgiveness. If he does he’ll immediately receive it. (1 John 1:9) If he never admits that he sinned, he won’t feel the need to ask for forgiveness, and therefore won’t be forgiven.

But whether he does this or not, if he’s a believer he’ll still be saved because by his one sacrifice the Lord has made him perfect forever (Hebr. 10:12-14) just like He has for you and me. Every sin of our lives, past, present and future was handled at the cross, the penalty paid in full (Col. 2:13-14).

Failing to confess will likely make his life between now and the Rapture much more difficult than it would have been, and the earthly consequences of his behavior more severe, because until he confesses he’ll be out of fellowship with the Lord, unable to draw on His power to protect him from the enemy’s afflictions, and disqualified from any blessings he might have otherwise received.

No Forgiveness Without Repentance – Grace thru faith

gracethrufaith.com

 

[1LoverofGod]

Just to add what you posted, the below is from Jack Kelley


Question: I was reading of your answer to the woman whose husband left her for a very young girl. You said that if he is a believer, all his sins are forgiven him because of what Christ accomplished on the cross.

Technically, you are right. But I had hoped you would add that repentance is the key to forgiveness. If this man isn’t repentant, I do not believe he is forgiven. If all one has to do to be forgiven is to be a believer, then one can sin as much as one wants to, apparently.
For the record, I do not believe that deliberate sin that has no repentance behind it is forgiven. We must ask for forgiveness. Can you please clarify your answer in more detail? Do you agree with me, or am I wrong? If I’m wrong, would you please quote some scripture to show that repentance is not needed in a believer’s case when sin is committed? Thank you.
Answer: I agree that when a believer sins, he needs to admit it and confess to be forgiven. One purpose of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives is to convict us of our sins. When the ex-husband insisted that he didn’t do anything wrong he was ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit. To be forgiven He needs to repent, which means to change his mind about his behavior and admit it was a sin. Then he has to confess and ask for forgiveness. If he does he’ll immediately receive it. (1 John 1:9) If he never admits that he sinned, he won’t feel the need to ask for forgiveness, and therefore won’t be forgiven.

But whether he does this or not, if he’s a believer he’ll still be saved because by his one sacrifice the Lord has made him perfect forever (Hebr. 10:12-14) just like He has for you and me. Every sin of our lives, past, present and future was handled at the cross, the penalty paid in full (Col. 2:13-14).

Failing to confess will likely make his life between now and the Rapture much more difficult than it would have been, and the earthly consequences of his behavior more severe, because until he confesses he’ll be out of fellowship with the Lord, unable to draw on His power to protect him from the enemy’s afflictions, and disqualified from any blessings he might have otherwise received.

No Forgiveness Without Repentance – Grace thru faith

gracethrufaith.com

Absolutely. There cannot be forgiveness without repentance
For the vast majority of my life I had thought repentance was the same as heartfelt sorrow.
It actually means to change your mind. This goes with the renewal of our minds, as it changes to the mind of Christ.
Good response from Jack Kelly and thanks for adding this.

 

[Andy C]

You want to know what we can do in the face of all this that is gathering speed toward destruction around us? Stop looking to kings and princes, and chariots and horses; instead look to God and seriously seek His face and set your heart on it. Sarah, Nehemiah, Daniel, Isaiah. All of them. They had their own version of Jacob's cry: "I will not let You go until You bless me!"

Nothing else will do.

Amen. I have been studying lately on surrendering it all to Him, or as Jack Hibbs said “time to quit” trying to please Him with our weak efforts, and let His will be done, not our own will, but His will for our life.

Romans 11:33-12:2
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 12
12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

[lismore]

Funerals are to comfort those who cared for the deceased...

That's a good point. I guess there is also the other side, those carers, if they hear a false gospel of everyone goes to heaven, how will they ever be saved themselves. God Bless You

 

[Kem]

Amen Adrian! Wonderful article.

 

[Amethyst]

That's a good point. I guess there is also the other side, those carers, if they hear a false gospel of everyone goes to heaven, how will they ever be saved themselves. God Bless You

Yes I think you can give the gospel to the audience without addressing whether the deceased was him/herself saved or not.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

The primary objective of a traditional Lutheran funeral is to share The Gospel and thank/praise God for what He did for the deceased and everyone else: Jesus, the Son of God, died for everyone's sins, rose from the grave, and ascended into Heaven, so by faith alone, in Jesus Christ as Lord (God) and Savior alone, in accordance with the Scriptures alone, by the grace of God alone, to the glory of God alone, so the deceased and everyone else could be forgiven, not go to Hell, and have eternal life in Heaven. The caveat being faith in Jesus Christ as God and Savior.

Because of The Gospel, there is comfort for family and friends of the deceased if it's likely the deceased is in Heaven, comfort for those, who are saved, and warning for the unsaved about Hell, with the implication if the deceased was not saved before dying that he or she is facing eternal, forever torment in Hell, where the fire is never quenched, the worm never dies, utter darkness, horrible stench, and wailing and gnashing of teeth. I've heard some real fire-and-brimstone Pastors at funerals, but The Gospel was also powerfully preached after the fire and brimstone, and it never, ever seemed out of place, no matter which likely destination of the deceased. A very memorable one was a funeral for a gang banger at a Baptist church.

When a member of a traditional Lutheran church dies, it's an excuse for an extra worship service with lots of wonderful old hymns praising and extolling God, liturgy, Bible reading (especially The Gospel), prayer, preaching, and sometimes Holy Communion. The focus is on God, not the deceased, because God did it all. The Gospel is presented over and over in various ways, so anyone attending can't help but to hear it in a way that he or she can understand. The Pastor doesn't talk about the virtues of the deceased because everyone of us is a horrible sinner, and we do not and cannot contribute anything to our Salvation (except the sin that made it necessary). The Pastor also doesn't say the deceased's in Heaven, he says if the deceased believed, etc.

The wake, viewing, memorial luncheon/dinner, etc., and maybe a later memorial service at a location other than the church, are when the focus is on the deceased and family.

I hate church funerals, which aren't all about God.
If someone wants to venerate the deceased, it shouldn't be in God's house

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

@Andy C

There are some wonderful ministries to men for porn, etc.
Some have accountability partners and other practical help.

Your Pastor or a Christian counselor should be able to make recommendations.

 

[mattfivefour]

I have a situation I need advice on.

I have been emailing with a strong Christian, and he threw me for a loop with his confession. He lives a very straight forward life, family man, studies his bible….etc. His confession was a few times a year, after fighting off frequent urges, he gives in and views porn. Yes, he knows its a sin, he tries his best to walk away, but at times of weakness, he succumbs. His biggest issue is he says when he gives in, in the back of his mind, he knows about, and believes in OSAS. He feels he is taking advantage of that, even though its a rare sin for him. I have told him before that OSAS is not a free license to sin, and he does confess his sin, and asks Him for help.

My question how would you counsel him in regards to his sin, and his feeling he is taking advantage of OSAS?

@Andy C, I cannot believe I lost track of this thread and forgot about it. I am so very sorry I did not reply further. I know your focus and concern right now is on Connie and her soon-to-occur procedure, but may I ask if this issue is still current? If it is, I will answer further.

 

[mattfivefour]

We may not yet be in the days foretold in the Bible when "men's hearts will fail them with fear (Luke 21:26-27)" but people are certainly increasingly disturbed by all the wrong that is occurring in this world...and in this nation.

Right is being regarded as wrong, and wrong as right. Good (when it's not being despised) is being ignored; and evil (when it's not being glorified) is nonetheless being encouraged. We see those things definitely occurring in politics and in court cases. And deliberate actions are being taken to divide the people of this country along every possible line, from race to economics to social responsibilities.

These things are extremely disturbing; but responses among the "average" persons in America range from rage to resignation. Some are ready to fight; others have just given up. Many are between those two extremes and are unsure how they are to live in these evil days. In fact, I hear people repeatedly ask, "What can I do in the face of all this that is wrong? What can I do in these evil days around me?"

A while back, after considering this question from a biblical perspective, I gave an answer on another site. But now that we have CCF, I'm repeating it below:
-----------

The other day I saw a Charlie Brown cartoon in which Charlie is saying to Snoopy, "Many folks are praying for God to heal our land, but I think He is still waiting for people to humble themselves, repent and turn from their wicked ways."

God could turn this nation around in an instant. But why? So we can make some acknowledgement of Him then go back and enjoy life, live the way we want, focus on the many things this life offers --family, entertainment, fun-- and give Him some time on Sunday morning and maybe a Bible study mid-week? That's not why He saved us.

And that is not why we find ourselves in the situation we are currently in, here in America. He has allowed all this for a purpose. Can we know what that is?

Yes, He wants us in Heaven with Him for eternity; but He also desires multitudes of others to be there with Him, too. And that is why He saved us and left us here. The fact is that He has called us to do our part. And that begins by --each day-- entering into essential, daily, intimate relationship with HIM, dying to self-will and self-desire, and being absolutely willing to abandon our dreams for ourselves in exchange for His plan for us.

You can't talk it until you walk it. God does not accept lip-service, and He will not anoint a life lived in that way. America has taken Him for granted for far too long. To many Christians use Him as a means to their own ends; they consider Him a source of answered prayer; they act as though His purpose was to supply the needs and, too often, the wants of those who call themselves His. In truth, their contact with Him is shallow and convenient.

God has said, "Enough!!!" These ARE the last days. And if we who purport to believe that statement actually DO believe it, then what are we doing as a result?

I'm not speaking about religious activities, I am talking of seeking a real relationship with God. It is NOT something God does in us: He has done His part in the world and us through Christ. He is calling on US to do our part. What is our part?

His Word tells us.

Over and over in the Bible we read of God working in the lives of simple human beings to accomplish His will. (Oh, what can be done by an ordinary man or woman in the hands of an extraordinary God!) But in every case we see things begin with some form of the fact that the person "set his mind" or "set his heart" to seek God and obey Him. Can that be said of us?

You want to know what we can do in the face of all this that is gathering speed toward destruction around us? Stop looking to kings and princes, and chariots and horses; instead look to God and seriously seek His face and set your heart on it. Hannah, Nehemiah, Daniel, Isaiah. All of them. They had their own version of Jacob's cry: "I will not let You go until You bless me!"

Nothing else will do.

You and I can continue to live for God half-heartedly and live on the lowest rung of heaven for eternity ... or we can truly stop living for self and set our mind to seek Him to gain the power to live for Him here ...with the promise that we will live in eternity in the closest ring of His glory.

That result has nothing to do with how great a work you do here on earth. Not at all. It has only to do with how willingly you surrender your life to Him. There IS a cost. But I assure you that, as great as it may be here on earth, it is nowhere near the cost He, Himself, bore for us.

My friends, I pray you have read through to the end. Because what I have written above will provide not just a supremely blessed eternity but a life of real joy and true peace here on this earth ... regardless of our circumstances.

May God touch you deeply with His truth.

I'm bumping this because I just preached it to myself. Again.

 

[Hol]

I'm bumping this because I just preached it to myself. Again.

Thank you, I needed the article that you wrote

 

[Andy C]

@Andy C, I cannot believe I lost track of this thread and forgot about it. I am so very sorry I did not reply further. I know your focus and concern right now is on Connie and her soon-to-occur procedure, but may I ask if this issue is still current? If it is, I will answer further.

We only exchanged a few more texts, but he only lives 2 miles from our hotel, so we will probably meet soon.

 

[mattfivefour]

We only exchanged a few more texts, but he only lives 2 miles from our hotel, so we will probably meet soon.

Please let me know how it is going with him. (You can use the private message system, if you like.) If his problem is still current, I will offer what help I can.