Do you think you have a personal relationship with Jesus, but wonder sometimes that you might not?
We as Christians love to think that Jesus is right there in heaven waiting for us with open arms. But are we actually ready to die right now and be accepted to walk into heavens gates?
Naturally we are all sinners, and unless you have a different God than I do, then all sins are the same. SIN is SIN. Regardless of what your sin is.
How can you expect to be forgiven of your sins if you think your sins are less than someone else's sin?
I've been reading up on many different web pages for other's knowledge and what even other "pastors" believe on this subject and honestly, I was taken back a bit to learn that there are many pastors out there who believe and even preach on how all sin is NOT the same. I found one pastor who wrote about how cheating on your wife a way is lessor sin that committing murder. Then they went into a "ripple effect" explanation.
WRONG!
The Bible for one is NOT a science experiment. And I warn everyone, be very careful who you let preach false teachings into your ears.
Just because they are a pastor and say they preach the true word of God does NOT make them correct in their teachings.
Galatians 5:19-21 - "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
1 John 1:8 - "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."
James 4:17 - "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
1 John 2:1 - "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."
Some will say, "Well, you see I go to church every Sunday day and night. I'm there anytime the doors open. I do this and I do that, and I give to this organization and volunteer for that one." But the real question to that statement is a bold one. That's very wonderful that you're doing all of those things, but now ask yourself, what are you doing when no-one else is watching? How is your language? How is your train of thought towards others? If you have to act differently in front of your church family rather than how you act at home, at work, or with worldly friends, then you are a hypocrite. What are you watching on tv, or on your phone when no one is around? Is it something that has to be changed for others not to see the real you and how you are away from people who might see the real you?
It is pure hypocrisy.
Here is in each of us a dangerous temptation toward hypocrisy, to be one thing but to pretend to be another. There are many within the church who are hypocrites, people who claim to be Christians but who are, in fact, unbelievers attempting to convince others (and perhaps themselves) that they are followers of Jesus Christ. They are people who do not practice true virtue but who instead offer counterfeit versions of it. Jude compares them to clouds without water in that they seem to be full of the Spirit but are actually devoid of true goodness.
God does not like hypocrisy. Specifically, when people go through the motions of worship and pretend to bring him their best while they actually bring their cast-offs. “You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which is a blemish, any defect whatever, for that is an abomination to the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 17:1). This theme is repeated in Isaiah 61:8: “For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong [or robbery with a burnt offering]; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.”
Every day I spend less and less time on social media, which is a bummer, because when you're trying to advertise your new book to try and sell, I do get on social media to promote my book and my blogs. There are so many people on X who will post a morning post and say, "Jesus is Lord!" or "God is Good!" but the rest of their posts for the remainder of the day are all belligerent. Calling people horrible names, cussing, ranting and raving over things that really don't even matter. These are not Christians, but they use the name of God to bring people in and then they eventually show their true hearts. It's scary and it's sad. So many people are lost who claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus. They are lost; they don't even read scripture or even pray unless they need something. They want a quick fix from God, and then they are done with him until they need him again.
Can you get right with Jesus? Of course. We all can. But you have to change your life. Change the people you normally hang around with. Change how you act when no one else is around. People may not be able to see you, but God sees everything. And you will be judged when you enter those gates. Hell is real and forever. Matthew 13:42 "and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Stop comparing sin. Stop telling yourself that your sin isn't as bad as your friend's sin. It's all the same and we are all forgiven by the same father in Heaven. Our lord and savior Jesus Christ.
If you need to get right with your relationship with Jesus, you can begin here with this prayer.
Heavenly Father,
I come before you, admitting that I am a sinner. I do a lot that is wrong or evil. I cannot do anything good in my own power. I need your love and forgiveness. Lord, I am sorry for all the sin that I have committed in my life, and that I know I will commit in the future. I want to live my life for You, doing what is right, and pleasing to You. I need a Savior, because I can never pay the debt that my sin has incurred. Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross, and shedding your blood to pay the price for my sin. I accept that You did this for me, and I ask that You extend Your eternal grace to me. Lord, please transform my heart and my life in Your image, write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and seal me with the Holy Spirit. I praise You for Your love, Your righteousness, and your infinite mercy. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.
My life in just 9 months has changed so greatly because I've been obedient with God and I've stopped hanging around with certain people and I've changed my lifestyle. I not only just go to church when the doors open, but I pray often. I read the scripture often; I've changed how I act when no one is around because I know God is watching me. I pray for others, and I even pray for myself.
Stop saying, "I'm a work in progress", every time you sin because it makes you feel better. It doesn't make you better.
So, until tomorrow,
xoxoxo, Michelle Neal