Saved From Judgement?? by Shalene Kearney

I read my post to my husband yesterday, and afterward, a lively discussion on whether or not we are saved from Judgement ensued. I will not say which of us took which side, but I will say that we did not seem to be in agreement. So I have studied this subject in particular, so that I might keep you from having the same discussion. (Though it was lively, and it was loving, and it is always enjoyable to discuss scripture with my wonderful husband.)

Now on to the post: There are some that believe that because we have accepted Christ that we are now somehow saved from Judgement by God. This is not what the bible tells us. Let me say that again. This is not what the bible tells us.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV (emphasis mine)

Did you catch that? We must all appear before the judgement seat. This is the reason that a true believer must endeavor to do good, as much as his earthly body will allow. Our salvation is not dependent upon our works, but you better believe you will be judged by what you did or didn't do. Can you imagine the scene?

You're standing before God, and he's asking you about all that you didn't do. Can you think of anything that will justify it? And what about the things you did do? For the good, He may say "Good work my good and faithful servant" or He may say, "Why didn't you do it with a grateful heart, a servant's heart?" Though the thought of judgement is not something I look forward to, I know that my name is written in the Book of Life and that God is just and merciful. That is why He sent His Son for me, and for you. Because we cannot do it alone, and He must judge us all. Without the blood of Jesus Christ covering our sins, we would have no hope. So today I thank God that "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:19 NKJV

I urge everyone of you, please, please do not just take my word for it, but dive into His Holy Word, and learn these truths for yourself as well. I am only a servant of the Lord. I can share these truths, but I cannot make you know them.

---Lord, today I pray again, that You are pleased with my words, and that I might reach someone that is in need of You. I thank you Lord for giving me these words and this knowledge to "put to paper." I ask that all who read these words will be moved to learn more and read Your Holy Word for themselves and that if answers are needed that they are able to find them. I thank you again for working through me Lord, and for growing my faith as well. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen

Is Salvation Forever?? by Shalene Kearney

Yesterday, I became excited about a thought that I had, and in so doing, took some scripture out of context to support my mindset. I did not do it purposefully, but as it turns out, my posting was not entirely correct. The part I was excited about was not correct, anyway. You see, my father is not a believer. He was as a child a "believer" inasmuch as he went to church and I assume, went through the motions. I was excited by the fact that we as true believers cannot have our salvation taken away from us. However, the operative words here are "true believers."

I initially interpreted this to mean that if my father was a sincere believer as a child, then his salvation was still his. Unfortunately, this cannot be the case. There is but one unpardonable sin. That is rejection of God. Not because He can't pardon it, but because those that reject Him, won't let Him, simply because of their rejection.

It just so happened that I got a devotional today that helped me to understand a bit better. (God is wondrous in His mysterious ways.) From In Touch Ministries, written by Dr. Charles Stanley, entitled The Assurance of Our Salvation based on scripture verse 1 John 5:10-13

"The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His son. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and the life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; He who does not have the Son does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."

What does it all mean??

What it means is this. A true believer will not turn away from God. Because they truly believe and have faith in who He is and who His Son is. Which means that regardless of what my father did as a child, he was never a true believer. Therefore, He cannot claim salvation. However, those that may have turned away in the past, because they did not have true understanding, and therefore true faith; and then come back, so long as they now truly believe and have unwavering faith, can claim salvation. That would be me. (See comment to original post for clarification of this statement if necessary.)

Tara was right in that we cannot claim our salvation based on something we said years ago or in our childhood, as much as it saddens me to say so. It has to be a true commitment to Christ. That's not to say that a child can't make a true commitment to Christ. They can and often do. And they are saved, and can claim their salvation. It's only when they turn away, for a short time later in life, that their words as a child no longer have any value. Because they were just that- "words."

As far as Salvation being Forever? Well, I was correct in that a true believer's salvation cannot be taken away simply because they commit a sin. We all sin on a daily basis, sometimes more that once a day. However, because we repent of our sins, with a genuine and contrite heart, our salvation is still guaranteed. We have gone beyond the basic understanding of being a Christ follower.

For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. Hebrews 4:2

--Lord, today I pray that my words are clearer and true to Your Holy Word. I thank You for the opportunity to study Your Word more, so that I might have a better understanding, and can minister only the Truth to those that read my words. May the Holy Spirit continue to work in me, and may the readers of these words be blessed. I pray this in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

This Is The Day by Shalene Kearney

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

I hear this psalm first thing every morning when I wake up, and I think "HAH! What if I don't want to rejoice? It is morning after all. I am not a morning person!" But the verse plays over and over in my head until I speak the words out loud. And then something miraculous happens. Though I'd still love to be asleep, I have now acknowledged that the Lord has indeed made another day for me, and I can do nothing but be glad in it.

Oh I know that the day may not be especially great, or that I may not like something that is likely to happen at some point in the day, but how can I not rejoice that the Lord has given me one more day with my children and my family.

I can rejoice that the sun is shining for another day; I can rejoice that I have the opportunity to reach out to others in Christ's name; I can rejoice that I am simply alive. I am aware that there are those that have a hard time with rejoicing that they are alive. I've been there, I understand. I too have had many dark, dark days. Days when I wished the sun would quit shining, because it seemed a slap in the face of my emotional being. However, a day came when I cried out to the Lord, and pleaded with Him to take my pain away, and to heal my brokenness. He has, all in the simple way that He moves the Spirit within me to recite these words over and over in my head until I say them out loud and believe them for myself.

I am not trying to tell anyone that they can just "snap out" of their negative emotional state. Quite the contrary, actually. What I am saying is that while we may suffer from bouts of depression, worry or anxiety, if we just keep our eyes and hearts on the Lord, and read His Word, we can overcome anything. He will help us through. He does not leave us alone during any of it. Though I usually think of God as a fatherly type figure, in this one instance, I kind of compare Him to a small child, who upon seeing their mother crying goes and picks a flower and gives her a hug to make her feel better. That's the way I see each new day that the Lord has made. As a great big hug and flowers to brighten my day. Because of this how can I not simply- rejoice and be glad in it?

---Lord, today I say a humble "Thank You" for this day you have made for me and for all mankind. You do not have to be with us each day, and you don't have to ease our hurts, but like any good father, you want to. You love us and it shows in everything You do. Even something so simple for you to do, as to provide another glorious day. I ask that you continue to remind me to rejoice and be glad in everyday. I ask this is Jesus' Holy Name.
Amen

A Christian Hypocrite (cont'd) by Shalene Kearney

A wise man once told me that when I was referring to a Christian hypocrite, that what many unbelievers don't know, and possibly don't understand is that it actually pains a true believer when they sin. We feel the grief we have caused the Holy Spirit within us. Sometimes that pain is even physical.

I make this point, because while it's true there are those in society that profess to be "Christians" that do not follow in Christ's footsteps as they should, a true Christ follower, will not sin, with the forethought that they will "just repent later and all will be well."

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26-27 (NLT) While it's true that this topic is not the context of what Paul was writing about in these two verses, it is still applicable. When a true believer sins, the Holy Spirit is groaning ever more passionately that we might repent and put our thoughts and actions back into alignment with God's plan for us.

So today, take the time to show the Love of Christ to all you come into contact with, feel the conviction of the pain you cause with your day to day sin. Welcome it, and repent. Make a point of not excusing your sins with the thought that you will repent later, because there may not be a "later."

---Lord, I pray today that you work through me to mirror your love to all. Convict me of my sins in the moment that I think them, so that I do not commit them. Move me to repent of even the temptation of sinful behavior and thoughts. Help me to not be a Christian hypocrite. Lord, help me to further your kingdom today, and to glorify you in all that I do. I ask this in Jesus' Holy Name.
Amen

The Christian Hypocrite

This is the message we heard from Jesus* and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkenss; we are not practicing the truth. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 1 John 1:5-6, 8 (NLT)

How often have you heard someone state that Christians are all a bunch of hyprocrites? Or some variation of that? I've heard it many times, and the sad part is that at one time I said those same words. I felt like Christians thought they could do whatever they wanted and it would be ok, because they'd just ask forgiveness and go on like nothing ever happened. What's even sadder is that many people that call themselves "Christian" do just that. We live as though we can sin and it's alright so long as we ask forgiveness at the end of the day. This is NOT the way to live!

No, we are not perfect, only forgiven by a perfect God. But that does NOT mean that we can fulfill our sinful desires without consequence. You cannot be in fellowship with the Lord if you are behaving in willful disobedience to the Lord.

Ask yourself today, do I want to further the Kingdom of God by living as pure a life as I can, or do I want hinder someone's spiritual growth and possible salvation by giving the impression of hypocrisy? Are you a hypocrite, or a true Christ follower? A lover of all and treating them as such, and not just a lover of your own selfish desires?

Lord, I pray today, that I mirror your pure true love, by being as pure in my deeds and actions as I can humanly be. Cause the Holy Spirit to move within me so that my life will be a reflection of a true Christ follower. Not the phoniness of a "holier than thou". I pray this in Jesus' Holy Name.
Amen