It all boils down to this: Faith or Fate!

"So what's the big deal," we sometimes reason, "after all--everybody sins, right?" C'mon--admit it, you've thought this at times. If you're like me, you've used this to justify all kinds of evil. Most commonly, we hear this when we "call" someone on their behavior or try to help them modify some habit that may be seriously jeopardizing their spiritual walk. Sometimes, in the "worst case scenario," we hear it when someone is refusing to admit wrong and try to change their life--even when it is hurting them or others. It's a kind of spiritual fatalism--"Oh well, I can't help myself...maybe it's God's will that I do this, after all, HE made me this way didn't He? And besides, 'Nobody's perfect!" We can use this to blame God and/or others for ANY mistake.

The logic is:

1. God made me.
2. I like to sin, so God made me to sin.
3. Others sin too, thus nobody's perfect.
4. God doesn't want us to judge (meaning say I'm wrong) since none of us are qualified.
5. Therefore, my sin is OK and I'll continue to do it since it's God's fault and everybody else is just as bad so he/they can't "judge" me.

It sounds good--sort of takes the edge off the guilt. But here's the problem, John "nails it" (literally) for us in these passages:

1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. NIV

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God . NIV

1 John 5:2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. NIV

So what do we learn from this? Is it that Christians are perfect? Nope--John already covered that in the first chapter. Notice,

1 John 1:10 If we claim we have not sinned , we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. NIV

So we can rule that out--all of us sin, we all stumble and mess-up at times. So what IS John saying? More importantly, what is God the Holy Spirit saying THROUGH John?

Simply this--when we find sin in our lives, we will reject it and fight it and resist it IF WE ARE TRULY SAVED.

It's simple--the God nature in us throughout the Spirit will fight against the sin and cause us to want to change. We thus won't, "continue" to sin, but strive to overcome. So, as a church, we help sinners become overcommers. We don't shoot our wounded--we help them change. If, on the other hand, someone consistently says, "Hey--everybody sins right?" as in--"I don't want to change and I shouldn't have to--right?" It may be a sign of a MUCH bigger problem. That being--maybe they REALLY don't have the Spirit of God living in them to begin with. John says that if they did, they'd reject the sin and try to stop it. Excusing it and "continuing" in it wouldn't even be an option for a true believer!

I John 5:2-3 makes that last point very clear--it's ALWAYS about faith. Some Christians believe everything is really about fate, not faith. That is, they believe God has pre-programmed all actions in their lives so He's truly responsible. Scripture is clear, it is by FAITH, not fate, that we're saved. Yes, it's by grace so nobody can boast, but it's by and through faith nonetheless (Eph. 2:8-10). If we TRULY believe, it will change our lives completely. If I believe my house is on fire--it will affect my actions immediately. If I believe that Jesus is Lord--I will never consistently say, "Oh well--so what that I'm (lying, cheating, lusting, hating, stealing, blaspheming God, etc.), after all-everybody sins...right?!" Jesus understood this well, as its author. He called everyone to believe (see Mark 1:14-15) and then made it clear that he was drawing all men to himself (John 12:32) and expecting them to respond in faith so as to be saved (John 3:16-18, Acts 17:30, etc).

But what about judging...doesn't the Bible teach us not to judge?

Yes and no. The Bible teaches us not to condemn (as in Luke 6:37). On the other hand, Jesus said we should, "Judge righteous judgement (see John 7:24 KJV)." So we are to discern right and wrong, but not condemn anyone--that's God's job. So we CAN and MUST try to turn a brother/sister from sin (as in James 5:20). But we don't hate and condemn them--we love them, but hate their sin. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you can't recognize sin in yourself or someone else or you'll be guilty of "judging." That's a lie from the pit of Hell. You MUST be able to know and help others know the difference between sin and service--right and wrong. What craziness would ensue if we didn't???!! Still, you must do so in love and with grace, never condemning or hating the other person--or yourself for that matter.

So, when, (not if), we find sin in our lives--what do we do? We build our faith. The Bible is FILLED with passages telling us to build our faith and how to build our faith. If we were just helpless victims of divine fate, why would the Bible teach us these things. For that matter, why would we need the Bible at all? Wouldn't it just be futile to read or attempt to live it? The fact is that we ARE commanded to build our faith in the Word (Rom. 10:17, etc.). And, I would argue that getting closer to God and believing his promises IS the key to overcoming ANYTHING. When, to the pit of my soul, I really believe that His way is better than mine--it will change me...inside out...oh and it has...

...It continues...every day.

God on Film: "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"

OK--spread the word Mill Ponders! This week, our first week at the Saengerbund German Club behind our office at 705 N. Mountain Road--we're going to launch our series, "God on Film" with a BANG!

This world is under attack by a Fallen Evil--an evil seeking ultimate power and the destruction of all mankind. No, that's not the movie--that's the real life truth! How do we overcome? We'll see the themes in the movie and contrast those to themes in scripture, especially in Revelation 12. OK--for the rest, you've gotta come, bring your friends, have them bring their friends, grab neighbors--random strangers--everyone! I PROMISE they won't be disappointed as we consider the spiritual overtones of "Transformers--Revenge of the Fallen!"