The Ole Ball and Chain.

Forgiveness is one of the many things we have a hard time dealing with. Some often say, "It is easier to ask forgiveness, than it is to get permission." which is a quote from Rear Admiral Grace Hopper. 

We ask for forgiveness in situations that we have placed ourselves in but it is usually proceeded by our disregard for the situation. We knowingly choose to do something and then ask for forgiveness. 

However, when it comes to our sins we think that we can not possibly be forgiven for those. We feel like we must do something to atone for those, even though they are the same as the previous example. (That could be an entirely different discussion.) 

The wonderful thing we learn about who we are in Christ is the positional truths that we have based solely on our identification with Jesus Christ. However, this truth is most usually veiled in a series of do's and don'ts. The reality of our position in Christ is in plain sight to the reader of scripture, but it is hidden to those that simply "attend" church. 

Based on the authority of the scriptures, we can know that we have ALL of our sins forgiven the moment we trust in Christ's faithfulness which was put on display in the death, burial, and resurrection. We know that when we place our faith in what Christ did we are completely and totally identified with Him. 

His death is now our death. 

His burial is now our burial.

His resurrection is now our resurrection. 

        Romans 6:3, 4

        Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his             death? 

        Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up             from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

Christ died and rose again that He might live unto God. The same is now true of those who have trusted in the cross work of Christ. 

We have been forgiven of ALL trespasses. 

        Ephesians 1:7

        In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the                riches of his grace; 

        Ephesians 4:32

        And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for                     Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 

        Colossians 2:13

        And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened             together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Those of us which have come to that understanding REJOICE! 

Yet, even some that come to understand that truth do not understand the guilt of those sins should be gone as well. 

How? 

Through the exact same relationship that we have the forgiveness.

If we are justified, which we are, then we are declared righteous. God has declared us righteous because we are in Christ. Righteousness is God's standard of perfection. God imputes unto us His righteousness by the faith of Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, when we trust in the faithfulness of Christ, God gives us His righteousness, which is His standard of perfection. That means that we are perfect, IN CHRIST. Because of our identification with Christ, we are given the gift of righteousness. 

All we have to do is believe the Word of God that tells us these truths. 

Saved individuals are walking around with a ball and chain strapped to their ankles, yet they hold the key to loose themselves from it. 

Trust the Word of God today. 

Grace and Peace

Greg Resor

Complete in Him

Pauline Repentance

We must begin with the Biblical understanding of what does repentance mean.  Repentance is changing your mind.  Paul creates a pattern in the life of a believer to put away some things and to put on some things.  This is true replacement theology.  We must change our actions by changing our thinking.  Paul gives us a glimpse of this doctrine on Ephesians chapter four.

Ephesians 4:21-32  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

This is an easy topic to talk about, but how are supposed to do this?  Grace allows us the opportunity to change by understanding, not by doing.  Paul explains this in Romans chapter 12.

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

It is only through renewing our mind.  We hve to change what we think and how we think.  This can only be accomplished through the word of God.  We must allow the word of God to dwell in us and let it do its job of working in us.

1Thesslonians 2:9-13 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:  As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

The word of God will not return void.  The word will accomplish its goal by working effectively in the life of the believer.  Only then can we understand that just because we are grace and not law does not mean we may partake in anything we want.  We must think of other breatheren as well.  

1Corinthians 10:23-24  All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

The godly edification of fellow believers must be forefront in our thinking.  Are we saved by our actions? No!  Are we saved by our speech? No! Does God care about those things? Absolutely! Without question.  How we act and how we speak matters to weaker breatheren.  Lest we forget, we are ambassadors. Wouldn't you want the best show for American Ambassadors?  How much more, for the Creator of the universe.

So, follow after Pauline repentance. Change things that need changing. Remember t this time of year the sacrifice Christ made and 

Grace and Peace,

Greg Resor

Complete in Him