Welcome to Hank’s Place
[Video begins with outtakes from the previous message}
Speaking of the last message, I had stated Christians escape the Final Judgment because they have been judged already: by placing their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, Jesus’ work of atonement at Calvary became theirs. Judgment was averted, eternal life issued in an awesome demonstration of the grace of God!
Does that mean as Christians we can sin as much as we want and get away with it? What? Are you crazy? Don’t you understand? Haven’t you read 1 John chapter 3?
First verse, “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God.” ‘Behold.’ Study, to take a good look. The Father, overflowing in passionate love, saw to it our sins were removed, righteousness imparted, and adoption as His very own took place.
Spurgeon comments, “‘There,’ God says, ‘you poor people that love me, you sick people, you unknown, obscure people, without any talent, I have published it before heaven and earth, and made the angels know it, that you are my children, and I am not ashamed of you. I glory in the fact that I have taken you for my sons and daughters.’” How can a person sin in the face of such love?
John continues, “Beloved, now we are CHILDREN of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, for we shall see Him as He is.” We are being conformed into the image of God. We shall be like Him.
If that is our hope, then we purify ourselves, for He is pure. We don’t do sin, we RUN from sin. Our desire is to be — like Him. Verse 6 says, “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.” The grammar John uses indicates John is talking about habitual, continual sin. Someone who PRACTICES sin — like practicing putting or your tennis backhand — is making a firm statement that THEY DO NOT KNOW God.
When we have a genuine encounter with the LIVING, HOLY, PURE, RIGHTEOUS GOD of all creation, we are changed. He changes us — and we want to be like Him. We put off sinful ways. They don’t please Him, and now they don’t please us any longer. With our new nature we no longer want to participate in the deeds of darkness!
That happened to me back in 1976. My life was transformed from darkness to light. Has it happened to you dear friend? Or are you practicing sinful deeds? Then I urge surrender to His lordship —receive His love — He will free you from sin — you will COME ALIVE!
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