There the Seculars Go Again

The idea that we are to forgive before repentance is false, misleading and has it's origins is secular psychology.

Psychology says that it is "closure" for the victim, to prevent bitterness toward the offender. There are also no scriptures that indicate that we automatically bitter because others will not repent and cannot be forgiven.

When we remove the consequences of evil behavior we solidify the attitude of entitlement. To obey God and wait to forgive when someone is broken over their sin, is to help in the process of a changed heart. When there is no changed heart there will not be changed behavior.

We are to forgive as God did, that is when someone has confessed that they have sinned and want to be forgiven.

Christ never forgives when there is lack of repentance.

The modern book "The Shack" brings the false doctrine that everyone is saved no matter their attitude, that repentance is not required, even sorrow over sin is not important.

We have been steeped in the modern psychology so long, many cannot wrap their minds around the truth. Because we believe we should forgive without repentance, the culture is soft on sin, understanding toward those who need punishment, while minimizing justice for victims. The softer on sin we are, the more disrespect for a holy God is seen. Even the slightest sin is an offense deserving of hell in the eyes of God.

When we are more concerned about being loved and appreciated than we are in the welfare and changed lives of the sinner, we thwart their progress and the blessing of a new life free from the sin that at one time dominated and controlled them.

When we do not address sin and do as God would do, we assign to the sinner an ongoing life struggle with something they could be freed from through repentance.

John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

James 5:20 "19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

Each time we confess our sin in brokenness we are more aware of sin as a whole while building up a strong desire in our own soul to avoid that which causes pain in our own lives and the lives of others, even offending the very heart of God.

Let's do the hard work of keeping others and ourselves accountable according to the Scriptures and not the secular way of the world.

God's way is always best, the devil's way sounds good and happy but leads to destruction and continual bondage.

Proverbs 14:11-13 "…11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.…"

Berean Research, The Shack

For anyone who is confused or unaware of the book "The Shack" or the movie by the same name, you might want to consider the ways in which the story demeans and mocks the truth of God's Word. Here is a excerpt from an article which critiques the story.

From the Berean Research:

"You may also want to check out the Thirteen Heresies in The Shack, written by Michael Youssef. Here is what he wrote about those 13 concerns along with what the Bible says about them:

1. God the Father was crucified with Jesus.

Because God’s eyes are pure and cannot look upon sin, the Bible says that God would not look upon His own beloved Son as He hung on the Cross, carrying our sins (Habakkuk 1:13; Matthew 27:45).

2. God is limited by His love and cannot practice justice.

The Bible declares that God’s love and His justice are two sides of the same coin — equally a part of the personality and the character of God (Isaiah 61:8; Hosea 2:19).

3. On the Cross, God forgave all of humanity, whether they repent or not. Some choose a relationship with Him, but He forgives them all regardless.

Jesus explained that only those who come to Him will be saved (John 14:6).

4. Hierarchical structures, whether they are in the Church or in the government, are evil.

Our God is a God of order (Job 25:2).

5. God will never judge people for their sins.

The Word of God repeatedly invites people to escape from the judgment of God by believing in Jesus Christ, His Son (Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-3).

6. There is not a hierarchical structure in the Godhead, just a circle of unity.

The Bible says that Jesus submitted to the will of the Father. This doesn’t mean that one Person is higher or better than the other; just unique. Jesus said, “I came to do the will of Him who sent me. I am here to obey my Father.” Jesus also said, “I will send you the Holy Spirit” (John 4:34, 6:44, 14:26, 15:26).

7. God submits to human wishes and choices.

Far from God submitting to us, Jesus said, “Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life.” We are to submit to Him in all things, for His glory and because of what He has accomplished for us (Matthew 7:13-15).

8. Justice will never take place because of love.

The Bible teaches that when God’s love is rejected, and when the offer of salvation and forgiveness is rejected, justice must take place or God has sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for nothing (Matthew 12:20; Romans 3:25-26).

9. There is no such a thing as eternal judgment or torment in hell.

Jesus’ own description of hell is vivid … it cannot be denied (Luke 12:5, 16:23).

10. Jesus is walking with all people in their different journeys to God, and it doesn’t matter which way you get to Him.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one will come to the Father but by me” (John 14:6).

11. Jesus is constantly being transformed along with us.

Jesus, who dwells in the splendor of heaven, sits at the right hand of God, reigning and ruling the universe. The Bible says, “In Him there is no change, for He is yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 11:12, 13:8; James 1:17).

12. There is no need for faith or reconciliation with God because everyone will make it to heaven.

Jesus said, “Only those who believe in me will have eternal life” (John 3:15, 3:36, 5:24, 6:40).

13. The Bible is not true because it reduces God to paper.

The Bible is God-breathed. Sure, there were many men through 1,800 years who put pen to paper (so to speak), each from different professions and different backgrounds, but the Holy Spirit infused their work with God’s words. These men were writing the same message from Genesis to Revelation. If you want to read more about the place of Christ in the Scripture, read “We Preach Christ” (2 Timothy 3:16)."

The Shack, the Abomination

If you attend a church gathering where the elders or pastor are encouraging you to see the movie "The Shack", then it is your duty as a member of God's church to rebuke him and if he will not listen, run away from that group.

The book was promoted among many churches in our area, now I am sure those same pastors will be promoting the movie too.

These men were actually encouraging the parishioners to read that disgusting and blasphemous trash.

My prayer is that any leader of a church gathering who promoted it will repent and if not that God would remove him, while showing the people why He did.

Anyone who will not stand against it, is a party to it.

Only If You Want to be Cleansed

Grace is given to the repentant, but not to the unrepentant. There is no mercy for the rebellious and unrepentant.

Proverbs 16:5-7 "…5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished. 6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. 7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.…"

Isaiah 26:10 " 10 Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD."

It is only when the wicked man desires to be cleansed that Christ cleanses him.

Christmas: "Revelrous or Sombre and reflective!"

Deborah Perrot said this, it made a whole lot of sense:

"christmas is only about the flesh; reveling and coveting. If was really about Jesus it would be a sombre and reflective spiritual pursuit."

Why Would We Be Exempt!

As a nation we shout, "make America great again", even though we have not repented from any of the evil that we do. We don't even make any promises that we will stop our sin. We just keep going on as though we deserve blessing and honor, while 4000 babies a day are being brutally murdered, illegal drugs are being legalized, every form of filth imaginable is allowed to continue unabated, but we think we deserve safety and blessing.

Keep in mind that God destroyed societies just like ours for doing the things we do, what makes us think He is going to be more lenient on us!!!

It is astonishing how many people in jails today, when asked if they think they are basically a good person, will actually say they are a good person.

The people of our country are very much like those criminals in jail today. The people haven't reduced or stopped any of their sin, but still think they deserve something from God because they said His name a couple of times or celebrate what they believe to be His holidays or church events from time to time.

I don't hear any of our leaders or our future leaders proclaiming that we should confess our sin and trust Christ. Notice they never use the name of Christ, only "God." The name of Christ is embarrassing to them, but "god" can be generic, no one is too upset at that.

Nearly everyone wants to believe America is special, almost as though they think of this nation as the entity they worship. As though they are special and deserving of everything good, but their idea of good is far from the righteousness Christ demands and we are not able to accomplish.

Only Christ is good and righteous, only He can save our nation and only if we confess our sin and trust in Him.

A lot of big "only's"! We have been brainwashed to believe that all people are basically good, the opposite of what Christ teaches, and that everyone deserves to have good things, also the opposite of what God says.

Romans 6:22-23 "…22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 1:31-32 "…31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them."

Psychology is the culprit that has deceived many into thinking that no one is bad and everyone deserves to be happy. How many times we have heard such non-sense. This thinking leads us away from repentance and produces pride, a pride so intense that it is difficult to penetrate it.

Christ must bring hardship into a nation that has grown such vast stores of arrogance within the hearts of most.

Acts 7:51-52 "51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—…"

2 Kings 17:13-14
"Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you through My servants the prophets." However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in the LORD their God."

2 Chronicles 30:8
"Now do not stiffen your neck like your fathers, but yield to the LORD and enter His sanctuary which He has consecrated forever, and serve the LORD your God, that His burning anger may turn away from you."

Proverbs 1:24-31
"Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes,When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD. "They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof. "So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way And be satiated with their own devices."

God was willing to discipline and punish His own people to get them to turn to Him, why on earth do you not see that He will do the same to us?

The Unrepentant Hold Grudges Too

Did you know that those who will not confess their sins are holding a grudge as much as those who will not forgive when someone is repentant?

Grudges are not exclusive to the one who will not forgive a penitent man or woman, grudges are in the heart of one who will not confess their sin also.