A Message From The Word

New Beginnings

2010-01-02T08:43:00.001-08:00

Yep! It's here. A brand new year. Have you made any resolutions? Many people resolve to improve their lives in lots of different ways. They may resolve to read more, loose weight, stop smoking, etc. Some resolve to be a better spouse or parent.

Those are all great and wonderful, but if we would resolve to truly draw closer to God many of those other things would likely follow.

There are some fairly obvious disciplines one can adopt to help in his/her spiritual development.

1. Daily Bible reading and prayer.
2. Weekly study and meditation.
3. Regular attendance with the saints.
4. Invest time in other believers to build them and yourself.

I would like to announce a new beginning in mine and my families lives. As of three weeks ago we officially began working with the 29th & Yale Church of Christ in Tulsa, OK.

This is an exciting time for them and us as we face new opportunities and challenges. The church has recently appointed additional elders as well as added a new youth minister. We are looking forward to improved outreach to the saving of souls.

When you come to Tulsa, be sure to pay us a visit.

The Power of Words

2009-08-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

I remember an expression that we used to hear more than we do today – “Mind your manners.” This was and still is good advice. The concern is over social conduct or deportment. There are ways of acting that are customary to the occasion. Some of these are common sense, while others must be learned. Deportment is revealed by both one’s words and deeds.

Another expression is “Watch your mouth”. Sometimes this is in response to someone who is sassy, and sometimes to someone whose words are, at best, unsavory. James tells us that the person who has his tongue tamed is a perfect man (3:2). Let us endeavor to have our “conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt...” (Colossians 4:6)

Consider the following Scripture highlights:

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. (2 Corinthians 8:21)

Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:3-4)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Justification By Faith Includes Baptism

2009-04-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

"By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up" (Heb. 11:29 ASV). The Israelites crossed the Red Sea "by faith," but they were not on the other side the moment they believed. They spent a night of anxious toil and great fear before they could sing the song of deliverance on the other side. Here the phrase "by faith" spans the Red Sea, and includes every step they took in crossing.

By some it is thought that because Paul says we are "justified by faith" (Rom. 5:1) that baptism is excluded. But the phrase "by faith," instead of excluding the acts of faith, which, in reality, make faith perfect, actually includes obedience. And it can be plainly shown that "by faith" in this case includes baptism. Paul says, "For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea" (1 Cor. 10:1-2 ASV).

They crossed the Red Sea "by faith," and in crossing they were baptized. "By faith" includes what was done in crossing. But in crossing they were baptized. Therefore, "by faith," in this example includes baptism.

--C. R. Nichol

PRAYER DEVELOPMENT

2009-01-16T21:57:00.000-08:00

Prayer, most simply put, is talking to God. But there are a variety of aspects to prayer.

There are prayers of thanksgiving whereby we thank our Father for our blessings both spiritual and physical.

There are prayers of confession when we need to acknowledge before God when we have sinned in order to be forgiven.

There are prayers of praise whereby we expression adoration and worship to our Heavenly Father.

There are prayers of petition where we can collectively ask God to act or move in a particular way such as providentially arranging opportunities for outreach.

There are prayers of supplication whereby we seek for God to supply all our needs.

There are prayers of intercession when we pray for others or on their behalf with regard to spiritual strength, encouragement, or because of sickness.

THINGS TO PRAY ABOUT:

1. For each of our families. Pray for the fathers to be or become the spiritual leaders in both the home and the church as God intended.
2. For the sick and shut in.
3. For the children to be protected from harm and worldly influences.
4. For our Bible class teachers, that they will be wise and loving and serious students of God's Word.
5. For our elders, that they may oversee this flock with the heart of a shepherd. For the development of men to become elders in the years to come.
6. For deacons, that we may develop more men with a heart to serve the church family.
7. For missionaries around the world, especially those in difficult places.
8. For media outreach (TV, Radio, Internet, Correspondence, etc.)
9. For the widows and orphans.
10. For evangelistic opportunities and for laborers to go into the harvest.
11. For family members yet to obey the gospel: spouses, teens, parents, siblings, etc.
12. For family members who need to be restored: spouses, teens, parents, siblings, etc.

Use this list as a tool to help with your prayers and devotion time. If you pray for each of these areas you will find your personal concerns in these to be heightened. As you pray consistently for all of these you will likely find yourself either expanding the list or the amount of time you spend on each.

As you lift these things up before the throne of God don't forget to praise Him, and to thank Him for all that He does. Clear the path for these petitions and intercessions by confession and forgiveness.

May the Lord bless you as you seek to develop this spiritual discipline.

Slain for Lying to the Holy Spirit

2009-01-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

by: Dr. Luke

News Flash... A couple died in church today. Witnesses say that the husband came in and was questioned by church authorities concerning his most recent contribution. Apparently there is some discrepancy in the story. Once this was exposed the man fell down and died instantly. Cause of death yet to be determined.

Some suspect that the Spirit of God smote him for lying.

About 3 hours later the man's wife comes in. She too is questioned concerning the recent contribution. Apparently, not knowing what had happened to her husband, she corroborated his lie. At that point one of the church leaders, Peter, informed her of her husband's death and then she fell down dead also.

Some of the younger men in the congregation performed the funeral services.

The result of this incident has caused great fear everywhere.
_____________________________________________________
Sources: The Acts of the Apostles (Holy Bible, New Testament), chapter 5, verses 1-11.

ARE YOU OFFENDED

2008-11-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

Romans 14:21, KJV
“It is good neither to… [do] anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

Romans 15:1, KJV
“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

The claim of being “offended” is a classic trump card for the manipulator. This is a person who would never consider himself to be the weaker brother, let alone spiritually immature.

What this person does is a cultic tactic of psychological double bind. He appeals to but misuses an accepted authority. In this case it is an abuse of Scripture to get one’s way.

This is not only a serious misuse of Scripture, but it is a form of extortion which is explicitly condemned in 1 Corinthians 6:10, “such will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus describes such a person as a ravenous wolf (Matthew 7:15-23). As a matter of fact the two terms are related in the Greek. They both come from a root that means “to seize, or to carry off by force.”

This person robs others of their freedom of opinion, etc. They seek to control others by feigning offense.

When Paul used the term “offended” in Romans 14:21 he is not talking about an individual’s personal preferences. He is not talking likes or dislikes. He is not talking mere opinions.

The Old English use of “offend” or “offense” is not the same as it is most widely used today. It is the ambiguous or equivocating use of the term that is the problem.

Today one may say that he is offended by someone’s body odor. He is merely saying that he is displeased. This has no moral or spiritual implication upon him however.

When Paul says, “offend,” he means that one has had a snare or stumbling block placed in his way. It comes from the term “skandalizo” (Eng: scandalize).

Oddly this is a textual variant not found in the oldest manuscripts. Because of this it is not found in most modern versions. Both the KJV and the NKJV have it. But none of these do: ASV, NASB, ESV, RSV, NRSV, NIV, etc.

The primary definition of offend is consistent with the biblical usage.
1. to transgress the moral or divine law; sin.

It is the secondary usage when appealed to which brings about the ambiguity.
2. to cause dislike, …; displease.

(Merriam-Webster New Collegiate Dictionary, 2nd Ed.)

Personal sense of what is proper or fitting is mere opinion. One can sin by the divisive insistence of his opinion upon others. No one should be allowed veto power simply because he does not like something.

Jesus is the Head of the Church. Jesus is Lord. Only He has all authority.

SOLDIERS OF CHRIST ARISE

2008-09-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 6:10-20

“Soldiers of Christ Arise” doesn't mean being dust bunny soldiers or feather duster Christians.

There are three types of people today:
1. Those who have no idea there is a battle and so ill prepared to enter it.
2. Those who have some idea of some kind of battle but not prepared for the true battle at hand.
3. Those who have a serious understanding of the true battle and are prepared as instructed by the Lord.

We have seen all three kinds of people in scripture.
1. Judas was totally oblivious to the true battle and lost out.
2. Peter in the garden was prepared with a sword but not really understanding the circumstances. Saul of Tarsus was involved in the wrong battle while persecuting the church.
3. Paul after conversion was prepared and fought the good fight of faith.

Today it is frustrating to see modern Christianity being ill prepared.
· Those who have no idea there is a battle loose out and are picked off quickly.
· Those who have a small understanding there is a battle and equipped superficially are like soldiers with feather dusters and are only prepared to face off dust bunnies! These are the religious who have a sort of a message but have no idea they are fighting the wrong battle. They get in the way and make the others look foolish in their wrong-headed ill-conceived "battles" that have no idea. They have zeal with no knowledge while setting for themselves a righteousness of their own.
· Those prepared to the hilt as standing strong in the Lord and in His mighty power understand.

We must understand the true pageant of the battle.
a. The battle is between our ears.
i. Sometimes it takes us fighting with our own thoughts, emotions, volition, actions, and reactions.
ii. We are inclined to do one thing while the Lord wants us to do the opposite [i.e. we want to save our lives while the Lord wants to loose our lives for His sake]
b. The battle is a spiritual fight.
i. The battlefront is unseen.
ii. The battle is against an invisible foe.
iii. The battle is in the realm of God and beyond human ability to fight on his own.

We must understand the true protagonist at hand.
a. The enemy is not flesh and blood--not a human battle.
i. Not a political fight.
ii. Not a fight for control in the church or elsewhere
iii. Not a fight for rights, or environmentalism.
iv. Not a fight of human purpose.
b. The enemy is spiritual using spiritual means to achieve is goals.
i. A matter of salvation vs. condemnation.
ii. A matter between Heaven and Hell.
iii. A matter between the good and evil.
iv. A matter of true vs. falsehood.

We must understand the true preparation for the fight (the whole armor of God).
a. The Belt of Truth = integrity vs. lies
b. The Breastplate of Righteousness = purity vs. temptation
c. The Shoes of Peace = Tranquility vs. chaos
d. The Shield of Faith = certainty vs. doubt
e. The Helmet of Salvation = believer's sanity vs. the craziness of the world
f. The Sword of the Spirit = the Word of God vs. human philosophy

We must understand the true posture in the battle.
a. We are to stand -- vs. 10
b. We are empowered with the Word of God
c. We have the provision of prayer -- vs. 18

Thomas L. Reed, II
Nevada, MO

SCRIPTURES WHICH POINT TO:

2008-09-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

The Distinctive and Exclusive Nature of the Church

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” — Jesus (Jn 8:24, ASV)

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by* me.” — Jesus (Jn 14:6, ASV) [*or, through]

“And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.” — Peter (Ac 4:12, ASV) [NOTE: This is about Jesus Christ, cf. vs. 10]

“Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.” — Jude (Jd 3, ASV)

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.” — Paul (Eph. 4:4-6, ASV)

“...the church, which is his body…” (Eph. 1:22b, 23a, ASV) = “...the body, the church…” (Col. 1:18, ASV)

“And the Lord added to them* day by day those that were saved.” — Luke (Ac 2:47, ASV) [NOTE: *the church, KJV]

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” — Paul (Rom. 1:16, ASV)

“For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.” — Paul (1 Cor. 1:18, ASV)

In light of the previous list of verses it is clear that salvation is connected not only to Jesus but also to His church. The church is identified first and foremost by what it teaches and practices with regard to the Gospel Plan of Salvation.

Jesus is the Savior, but the church is the collection of those who are saved. If you would like to know more about this, feel free to contact us.

EUPHEMIZING

2008-08-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

To euphemize is to substitute an inoffensive or mild expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant. An example would be to say that someone has “passed away” when they have died.

God’s Word warns, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what is going on in our nation. There is an old phrase, “A rose by any other name will still smell sweet.” Changing the name of something does not change its nature. Calling manure “fertilizer” does not improve the smell.

Nationally, we have lost our spiritual balance and flip-flopped our values.
-- We ridicule the absolute truth of God’s Word but call it pluralism.
-- We worship other gods but call it multiculturalism.
-- We endorse perversion but called it an alternative lifestyle.
-- We exploit the poor but call it the lottery.
-- We reward laziness but call it welfare.
-- We kill the pre-born but call it choice.
-- We don’t discipline our children but call it building self esteem.
-- We abuse power but call it political savvy.
-- We covet our neighbor's possessions but call it ambition.
-- We pollute the air with profanity or pornography but call it free speech.
-- We ridicule the time-honored values of our forefathers but call it enlightenment.

Regardless of the pleasant or inoffensive sounding expressions folks may use “the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelries, and the like” (Galatians 5:19-21).

Let us not become so, as the world says, “sophisticated” that we fail to see the sinfulness of sin. This will lead to our own destruction and contribute to our lack of evangelism for failure to see just how sinful and lost of our friends, neighbors, and family really are!

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
“The wages of sin is death”

—Johnny D. Hinton

NOTE: Paragraphs 2 & 3 are borrowed and adapted from a prayer worded at the Kansas State Senate

JESUS DID NOT QUIT!

2008-06-05T21:16:00.000-07:00

Jesus did not quit meeting with His disciples because Judas was a thief, nor because Peter was fickle at times. He did not quit preaching and living right because some of His brethren were unforgiving and unkind. He did not quit His post of leadership because He had in His presence the adulterous woman, a gang of Pharisees, or narrow-minded demon-worshipers. Jesus did not quit.

Have you quit? What is the reason for it? Any reason you might name, Jesus could have given the same. He had every reason to be discouraged. His own disciples were so slow to learn. His enemies were so bent on His destruction. But He did not quit. He said, "Know ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:49). And when the end of His earthly life was in sight, Jesus said to His Father, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do," (John 17:4). He did not quit. He finished His task.

When you come to the end of life will you say, "I finished the work God has given me to do"? Or, will you be compelled to say, "I started, but quit"? Will you stand before the judgment bar of God and admit that you were a quitter? Eternal life is promised to those who endure to the end (Matthew 10:22). There will be no consolation in the judgment day to point back to your baptism unless you can also point back to a life of faithful endurance.

--Raymond C. Kelcy

WE CANNOT DO TO THE CHURCH WHAT IS FORBIDDEN AGAINST A BROTHER

2008-01-29T17:08:00.000-08:00

Romans 14:15-23

15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 Therefore let us pursue the things that make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.
21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

1 Corinthians 8:9-13

9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?
11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for who Christ died?
12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

In no way would I advance the notion that those who refuse to worship with instruments are weak. Some who desire to worship with instruments often like to say that we are weak. But the claim that “freedom in Christ” justifies doing what is unauthorized and violates the consciences of brethren to the dividing of the church is unwarranted.

Using the principle of “whatever is true of the lesser is true of the greater” we cannot do to the Lord’s assembly what we cannot do to a fellow believer. We are not free to use our “freedom” to run over brethren. If this is true over personal disputable matters, then it is all the more true over things being openly introduced into the work and worship of the church for which there is no authority.

GIVE UNTIL IT IS A SACRIFICE

2007-10-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

______________________________________________________

"GIVE UNTIL IT IS A SACRIFICE."
"Is there a sacrifice to your giving?"
"It was not the cash amount that counted with the Lord, but the sacrifice."

These are all lines from a bulletin article I recently received. The idea behind them is very common. Unfortunately they are loaded. They tend to make people feel guilty about what they may not be giving. In my opinion such tactics are counter productive.

The term "sacrifice" by definition is a gift. Therefore, to make a sacrifice is to give. Whether one gives out of abundance or need, it is still a sacrifice. This person is denying himself the use of those resources.

The real problem is the attitude of the heart. Is the person giving to be seen? Is the person giving out of pride? Is the person giving with a false motive, such as getting a return from God? Is this person begrudging what he gives?

In the NT the noun “sacrifice” comes from thusia (Gk), which according to Vine’s “primarily denotes the act of offering; then, objectively, that which is offered.”

The English term sacrifice is derived from Latin [sacer = sacred; ficare = to make]. It categorizes a gift. It is the fact of giving to God that makes it holy or sacred or set apart, hence a sacrifice.

If I give a gift to my neighbor it is simply a gift. If I make a donation to a charity it is simply a gift. But when I give to God through the offering at church it becomes a sacrifice. That money has been set-aside for divine purpose.

By all means let’s exhort brethren to give all that they can. Let’s encourage them to simplify their lives so that they can free up more. Most financial advisers warn people about investing in things that depreciate in value. From an eternal perspective there is nothing material in this world that doesn’t depreciate. Giving to the work of the Lord is an eternal investment. Souls are eternal.

BAPTISMAL FORMUL?!?!

2007-10-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

BAPTISM:
In the Name of Jesus
Or
In the Name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit?

At least one pentecostal/charismatic denomination in its denial of the doctrine of the trinity makes an issue of the “baptismal formula”. The Oneness Pentecostals were a split off of the Assemblies of God. They were classified for years by both the Assemblies of God and other evangelical/protestant denominations as theologically a "Christian Cult" not unlike the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. This label was applied to them because of their aberrrant view of the godhead. Historically the majority view in cristendom has been the trinitarian view.

Problems with the oneness view:

Jesus (1) was conceived by the Father (2) by means of the Holy Spirit (3)

At his baptism, Jesus (1) went into the water and came out, the Holy Spirit (2) came upon him like a dove, and the Father (3) spoke out of heaven.

Terms like Father and Son are grammatically speaking of subject/object distinctions. Jesus (1) went to the Father (2) that he might send another Comforter ... ie, the Holy Spirit (3)

Jesus himself COMMANDED that baptism be done "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt. 28:19)

What Peter did and/or said at Pentecost must have been in harmony with this command. The oneness people want to make a big deal out of it by pitting one passage against another. This approach to biblical truth is the way Satan operated with Jesus.

Matthew 28:19

Greek: eis to onoma tou patros kai tou huiou kai tou hagiou pneumatos

English: into the name (of) the Father and (of) the Son and (of) the Holy Spirit

NOTICE: The Greek preposition is "eis" and only occurs in the accusative case. This refers movement INTO (one's position) and therefore becoming the possession of.

Acts 2:38

Greek: en to onomati Iesou Xristou

English: in the name (of) Jesus Christ

NOTICE: The Greek prepostion is "en" and occurs in both the locative and instrumental cases. In the instrumental case it means "by means of". This refers to a matter of authority. Hence, the expression "in the name of" is understood as "by the authority of". Case in point in English..."Stop in the name of the law!"

Matthew 28:19 is about position or sphere while Acts 2:38 is about authority. They do no violence to each other.

The real problem is that neither of these was necessarily intended to be a “formula” to be spoken over a baptismal candidate. Rather, it is to be understood that one is entering into the possesion of the godhead and is doing so upon Christ's authority in baptism.

SERIOUS BUSINESS

2007-09-23T21:05:00.000-07:00

There are certain things which are holy unto the Lord. These things are under his perview and are not to be profaned. What God has reserved for himself is not to be treated common by men.

Among these are his name; the sabbath; the ark of the covenant; the tabernacle/temple; his people; his worship. Those who violated the proper use of these were executed. God consider(-s, -ed) these capital offenses. They were just as serious as murder, idolatry, adultery, or sodomy.

God has always taken his worship seriously. Consider Cain and Abel or Nadab and Abihu. Consider what happened to Uzza or to Ananias and Sapphira. We must have authority for what we do in service to and worship of God.

Since we are under a New Covenant we must appeal to it for our authority. Instrumental music is wholly without authority as an element of worship in the New Testament church. To introduce such is to cause division for it cannot be done by faith.

Division is contrary to Jesus’ prayer for unity (John 17) and Paul’s admonitions (1 Cor. 1, 3). It is considered a defilement of God’s temple, the church. Those who defile the temple will be destroyed by God (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

This makes adding instrumental music to Christian worship extremely serious business.

THE GOSPEL PLAN OF SALVATION

2007-09-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

1. FACTS TO BELIEVE (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Jesus died for our sins as evidenced by his burial
Jesus was raised from the dead as evidenced by eyewitnesses

*NOTE: all of this was foretold in the Scriptures

2. COMMANDS TO OBEY (Acts 2:38; Luke 24:47; Mark 16:16)

Repent of sins
Be Baptized (i.e., immersed)

(cf. Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; Galtians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21)

3. PROMISES TO ENJOY (Acts 2:38; John 3:16)

Forgiveness of sins
Hope of eternal life

THREE LAWS OF PARDON

2007-09-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

Learn what different people must do to be forgiven of sin by God.

1. The Law of Pardon for an Alien Sinner
This person has yet to give his life to God.
-- upon hearing the gospel with understanding, he must believe it
-- he must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
-- he must repent of sins
-- he must be baptized by immersion in order to be forgiven
(Mk. 16:15-16; Jn. 3:16; Lk. 13:3, 5; Ac 2:38)

2. The Law of Pardon for a Growing Child of God
This person recognizes, although a disciple, he must still deal with sin.
-- he must continue to walk in the light
-- he must freely confess sin to God
-- he must not try to hide his sin from God or deny it
(1 Jn 1:5-10)

3. The Law of Pardon for an Unfaithful Child of God.
This person has reverted back to his old ways.
-- he must repent of his sins
-- he must pray for forgiveness
(Acts 8:9-23)

Now the question -- which one are you? If you are #1 we would like to study with your further. If you are #3 we hope that you reconsider your present condition and take the steps necessary to be restored. For those in #2, God bless you and remain faithful.