I get personal e-mails from this one and that one, which I always enjoy. If anyone has a question or something they would like to see addressed, please write me or write it in this blog. I will do my best to give Biblical insight to what is asked. My personal e-mail is: kevinbnewton@yahoo.com
One thing people who have known me for many years is that I try to stay away from my personal opinion when teaching/preaching. When my opinion is given, I will state it as my opinion, not the word of the Lord. That seems to be so difficult for many. Too many, especially preachers/teachers, give out their personal opinions thinking if one does not heed or take it, they are sinning. I have watched many a preacher become offended because someone did not listen to their opinion. The more one studies, the better at discernment and wisdom they become. Advice becomes wise and can help many people. We need people with godly, spiritual, sound advice. But ultimately, each person is expected to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12-13).
This forum is yours....ask away....I'll try...
6 comments:
How do we strengthen our relationship with the Lord when we ask forgiveness, then make the same mistakes again? Does he eventually grow tired of us when we stumble over the same obstacles? I don't want to repeat past mistakes, but find that I have and I don't want to be tempted any longer. I want the devil to leave me alone, but he has tripped me up with the same things. Help, please.
Great question anonymous...
Sin is powerful and enslaving. For children of God to walk in sin willingly puts them in a real difficult postion before the Lord (Heb. 10:26). People with the greatest of intentions can surcome to sin at any time. The danger is submitting to sin with our hearts vs. accidental. Christ Jesus set us free from the power of sin and death (Rom. 6/8:1-2). That reality is grasped by faith. When one strives to do right, only to be taken into sin, the question needs to be asked about their real heart desire. If sin is a master over someone, it takes an honest, open, faith reaching heart to Jesus to overcome. Just read carefully Rom. 7:14-25. The devil wants us to believe we are beyond forgiveness! No one is beyond forgiveness but messing with sin can bring about an unwilling heart to true repentance. Repentance is a complete heart and mind change! Repentance from the heart is what brings forgiveness to our hearts!What happens is when we ask for forgiveness and find no help, something is working in the heart other than Christ! The heart is deceitful (Jer. 17:9)and unless it is completely surrendered to the Lord, sin will use it to deceive and enslave us again. There has to be some sincere, humble heart in falling before the Lord. We must strive to stay away from sin and sinful areas because it is powerful and has ruined many a person. Christ always heals and restores! I would encourage you to read Romans 6 (if you haven't already) and see what really took place at baptism and what you are presenting yourself to now. If you haven't been baptized into Christ Jesus, then you are still dead in your sins. If you present yourself alive from the dead, there should be great improvement and desire for God. If you present yourself to God alive from the dead and nothing changes, then it is time to take a serious look at are we really in Jesus or are we playing a game. I hope this helps. There is always forgiveness for the humble in heart (I John 1:9). If you need more, please ask!!!
Thank you Brent. My heart is heavy from my sin and the pain I have caused. I have asked for God's forgiveness and I know he has granted it. But I struggle with why I struggle, if that makes sense, because everything was going well and I was truly growing spiritually, then BOOM, I stumbled with things I thought I was past being tempted by. I am ashamed of the hurt I have caused others and I just want God's mercy to heal those who have been hurt. And I want my relationship with the Lord to grow stronger so I can overcome my weaknesses. My heart is not hardened, but somewhat broken right now. Your insight helps me and I thank you for thanking the time to respond. Any other thoughts are welcome if you have time.
And I know the cross gives me hope, otherwise I could not bear this weight of guilt I feel. But I sure need some help learning how to help those around me. If this sounds urgent, it is. Thanks again.
The cross always gives us hope. Sin takes us down. Each time we give in to sin, we become weaker. Each time we ignore the power of God toward us by choosing sin, our heart becomes a little harder and we loose something spiritually. People do not realize the spiritual power of sin in the heart of a person. Christ is the only one to defeat sin and death and until one comes forward with an open heart, confessing and turning (repentance), Christ cannot work. He does not reside where sin dwells. Jesus said, "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) Many turn to the feeling of guilt, or worldly sorrow for their sinfulness which will only lead back into sin and death. We must come to Jesus! Jesus is the One who can fix us. It must be on His terms under His grace. Lay your guilt at His feet and your heart given to Him. He can do a much better job to help us overcome and find life again!
I am so grateful to have hope and have the blood of Jesus to wash me. Thanks for taking the time to respond. It helps more than you know.
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