Can a person who calls himself a Christian live anyway he likes? I mean, can he lie, cheat, steal, gossip, backbite, slander…and still expect to go to heaven?
I believe that the real issue is this: If one who calls himself a Christian can lie, cheat, steal, gossip, backbite, slander without feeling any conviction for his sin…he probably is not a Christian after all.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15). Here He is saying that love in action (the keeping of His commandments) is the definitive proof obedience. There is no substitute for obedience - works, giving, church membership, attendance – nothing substitutes for obedience.
Disobedience is a serious sin in the eyes of God, I Samuel 15:22-23: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” To obey is better than sacrifice; to disobey (rebellion) is as the sin of witchcraft.
To confess love for God and continue to be disobedient to His commands is a false confession, I John 2:4: “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
It is not enough to say; we must obey, John 14:23-24, “…If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…He who does not love Me does not keep My words…”
1 comment:
That is a great thread Okie. We should do things like tithe good works things like that, but God wants our obedience more than anything. which actually those are part of obedience. Thanks for posting this
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