show me one verse in the bible commanding christians to forsake sin!

8/6/2019 Show Me One Verse in the Bible Commanding Christians to Forsake Sin!

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ForsakingSinBy Ronnie Bray

The ChallengeAn Anti-Mormon taking Mormons to task for their acceptance of thecommandments of Jesus Christ as requirements to follow him and obey thecommandments of his Father, including forsaking their sins, challengedLatter-day Saints:

Just show me any Bible verse or passage that talks about forsakingsins

Adding,

Second, you need to look at the entire context of "Be ye thereforeperfect. Jesus never told his followers to be perfectly, morallysinless in word, thought and deed. But, only, specifically in the waywe love our enemies. Context. Read all of Matt. 5:43-48.

The Response

If he actually believes that Christians are commandedby Jesus Christ to be perfect in loving his enemies, then, by his words and manners in


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communicating with Concerned Latter-day Saint Christians as they defendtheir faith, then he signally fails to conform to what he claims to accept ashis Lord Jesus Christs commandment.1

His claim that Jesus referred only to the necessity of his disciples to beperfect in loving their enemies is a defiant attempt to retreat from the fullimport of what Jesus actually said, and to lessen the burden placed by Jesusupon the heads of all that profess him Lord and Saviour, whom he insists areto follow his example, even unto death if needs be.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him

deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.2

For the convicted disciple or Christian, the only way to follow Christ is as

completely and as earnestly as possible. There is no easy, or royal, road forthe Christian dedicated to Christ and seriously committed to following hisexample. There are lazy, partially committed Christians that are willing onlyto do the minimum to, as they suppose, obtain their salvation, andconsequently excuse themselves from the rigorous demands to which thosethat are spiritually reborn as Christians willingly and joyfully submitthemselves, no matter what the cost.

That the verse in Matthew 5:48 goes far beyond loving our enemies, because

the whole of Matthew 5 goes far beyond loving our enemies is evident if wequote the verse in its entirety.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Non-LDS Bible commentaries dealing with this verse offer:

The Hebrew word rendered "blameless" (NKJV) or "perfect" (KJV) inGenesis 17:1 means "entire, complete, full, without blemish." The Greekword found in Matthew 5:48 translated "perfect" means "finished, complete,

having reached its end," and implies being fully grown or mature. Thedefinition of the English word perfect is "lacking nothing essential to thewhole, without defect, complete." All three definitions contain the word"complete."

1 My purpose here is not to reprimand him, but to open the Scriptures to his understanding that he mightcome to know what the Holy Bible actually says about forsaking sin, so that he can come to understanding.2 Matthew 16:24


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[Mike Ford, Perfection...Piece by Piece]

Perfection, as used in Scripture regarding everyday life, means maturityand completeness. We can certainly attain an increasing level of spiritualmaturity, yet we cannot truly complete the process until changed into Goduntil our human nature has been totally changed. Only then can we reach thestated goals of being perfect "as our Father in heaven," having "the mind ofChrist," bringing "every thought into captivity," and never uttering a wrongword.[Martin G. Collins, Basic Doctrines: Going On to Perfection Emphasisadded]

Matthew 5:43-48: - These verses contain perhaps the most startling,sublime statement Christ made [be ye therefore perfect]. Jesus does notmean that we resolve to like everyone, but that we act in goodwill towardthose we do not like as well as those we do. This command seemsunreasonable and absurd, but only because of our carnality. Christ desiresall to be happy. Both the hater and the hated are miserable to some degree,and the misery will not cease until the hatred dissolves. The antidote tohatred is love. []

In this section Christ lists three ways people show their ill-feelings towardothers. Cursing indicates verbally denigrating others and working to destroytheir reputation; gossiping. Hatred implies an active, passionate feelingagainst another. Spitefully using and persecuting means continually at warwith, harassing, always being on another's case.[John W. Ritenbaugh, The Sixth Commandment, Part One, 1997]

Thus, we find that even as some commentators take the words of Jesus totheir highest expression, others, like Ritenbaugh shrink from the fullmeaning of Gods intentions that Christians are progressing towards

godhood and joint-heirship with Jesus of his Fathers kingdom, others takethe lesser view as if Jesus asked too much, and that they, as commentators ofJesus words, must minimalise them and their intention, rather than boldlyfollow what Jesus said as evidence of the glorious salvation offered tofaithful Christians.


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However, while there are indeed Minimalist Christians, there is noMinimalist Christianity, and there is no Minimalist Christianity becausethere is no Minimalist Jesus Christ.

The Christians whose heart, will, and mind are turned towards Christ asLord and King will do the will of his Lord and King and not seek excuses toget away with doing as little as possible. Those that turn their eyes and lookupon Jesus, acknowledging him as Lord, King, Saviour, and Master throughthe spiritual conviction borne to them by the Holy Spirit that Jesus is theChrist, the Son of the Living God, as the Spirit declared to Peter and theApostles, will do his bidding, even though it leads them to die as wretched

but blessed martyrs for his sake. They will not seek to shave their part downuntil it is almost non-existent.

Matthew 5:21-27 - From that time forth began Jesus to show unto hisdisciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the

elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again thethird day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it

far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But [Jesus] turned, and said

unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: forthou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men!

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let himdeny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.3

For whosoever will

save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall

find it.4 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, andlose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For

the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels;5 and

then he shall reward every man according to his works.6

The Minimalist Anti-Mormon advised us to see things his way by readingonly a portion of the Sermon on the Mount. We will study all of MatthewChapter 5 and see for ourselves what Jesus said, and what he meant us to do

when we have heardhis Sermon.

3 Mt. 10.384 Mt. 10.39; Luke 17.33; John. 12.255 Mt. 25.316 Ps. 62.12


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And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was

set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them,

saying,7

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.8 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.9

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they

shall be filled.10 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.11

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake12 for theirs

is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shallsay all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake13.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for sopersecuted they the prophets14 which were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewithshall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and

to be trodden under foot of men.15

Ye are the light of the world.

16 A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a

candlestick;17 and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your lightso shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your

Father which is in heaven.18

7Luke 6.20-23

8 Is. 61.2

9 Ps. 37.1110 Is. 55.1, 211 Ps. 24.4, 512 : 1 Pet. 3.1413 1 Pet. 4.1414 2 Chr. 36.16; Acts 7.5215 Mk. 9.50 Lk. 14.34, 3516 John 8.12 ; 9.517 Mk. 4.21 Lk. 8.16 ; 11.3318 1 Pet. 2.12


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Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not

come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and

earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all befulfilled.19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least

commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the

kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shallbe called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except

your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and

Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

20Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; 21

and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgement: but I say untoyou, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in

danger of the judgement: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca,

shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shallbe in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and

there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thygift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and

then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou

art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to thejudge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou

hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit

adultery:22 but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lustafter her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy

right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable

for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole bodyshould be cast into hell.23 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and

cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members shouldperish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell24.

19 Lk. 16.1720 Lk. 12.57-5921 Ex. 20.13 Deut. 5.1722 Ex. 20.14 Deut. 5.1823 Mt. 18.9 Mk. 9.4724 Mt. 18.8 Mk. 9.43


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It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a

writing of divorcement:25 but I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away

his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery:and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.26

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shaltnot forswear thyself,27 but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:28 but I

say unto you, Swear not at all;29 neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:30

35 nor by the earth; for it is his footstool:31 neither by Jerusalem; for it isthe city of the great King.32 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because

thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication

be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a

tooth:33 but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smitethee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue

thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. Andwhosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him

that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou

away.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour,34 and

hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them thatcurse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which

despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your

Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and onthe good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them

which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do noteven the publicans so?

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

25 Deut. 24.1-4 Mt. 19.7 Mk. 10.426 Mt. 19.9 Mk. 10.11, 12 Lk. 16.18 1 Cor. 7.10, 1127 Lev. 19.1228 Num. 30.2 Deut. 23.2129 Jas. 5.1230 Is. 66.1 Mt. 23.2231 Is. 66.132 Ps. 48.233 Ex. 21.24 Lev. 24.20 Deut. 19.2134 Lev. 19.18


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The whole of chapter five is filled with the divine expectations from thedisciples of Christ that do not shrink to answer the high calling extended tothem by the Saviour. It is a call to holiness: a call to change, and is not anovelty, but was given by the LORD through the Prophet Moses to theChildren of Israel.

Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.35

If we are to believe that the commands Jesus delivered to his disciples wereeach rigidly compartmentalised, like watertight bulkheads on a submarine,so that each must always and only ever taken as an isolated order

unconnected with everything else that Jesus uttered, then we have foundourselves worshipping a strange Jesus and following a strange Gospel.

There are universal principles within Christianity that Jesus requires hisfollowers to apply to all areas of their lives. There are profound spiritualtruths and eternal absolutes that apply to every aspect of the Christian life.

We must search each aspect of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the eternalprinciples that are applicable to every aspect of a Christians life. There are

places in which the Bible is terse in its delivery, and thus its intentionssometimes must be searched for deeper than the superficial level.

Errors like straw

Upon the surface flow.

He who seeks pearlsMust look below!

35 Deuteronomy 13:18


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The Bible stresses the importance of confessing36 and of forsaking sin.3738394041 However, the command that Christians should confess and forsake theirsins, means that it is to be a permanent feature of Christian discipleship.

Jesus knew that the best of Christians were not capable of achieving sinlessperfection during mortality. Jesus knew that while the first step taken by adisciple is the placing of his foot on the same path walked through mortality

by himself, that the terminus of that path is in heaven where such Christianswill be perfected, even as he was perfected.

So also, Christ glorified not himselfe, to bee made an High Priest: but heethat saide vnto him, Thou art my Sonne, to day haue I begotten thee. As he

saith also in another place, Thou art a Priest for euer after the order of

Melchisedec. Who in the dayes of his flesh, when hee had offered vpprayers and supplications, with strong crying and teares, vnto him that was

able to saue him from death, and was heard, in that he feared. Though heewere a Sonne, yet learned hee obedience, by the things which he suffered:

And being made perfect, he became the authour of eternall saluation vnto

all them that obey him.42

Jesus knew that the crown of eternal life is bound up and inseparable to the

Christians being a joint heir with Christ of all that the Father has and is.The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children ofGod: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if

so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I

36 James 5:16 Confesse your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that yee may bee healed: theeffectuall feruent prayer of a righteous man auaileth much. AV 161137 Ezekiel 18:31 - Cast away from you all your transgressions, wherby yee haue transgressed, and make youa new heart and a new spirit: for why will yee die, O house of Israel? AV 1611

38 Matthew 5:29 - And if thy right eie offend thee, plucke it out, and cast it from thee. For it is profitablefor thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. AV161139 Luke 14:27 And whosoeuer doeth not beare his crosse, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. AV161140 Romans 13:12 The night is farre spent, the day is at hand: let vs therefore cast off the workes ofdarkenesse, and let vs put on the armour of light. AV 161141 Ephesians 4:22 That yee put off concerning the former conuersation, the olde man, which is corruptaccording to the deceitfull lusts: AV 161142 Hebrews 5:5-9 [AV 1611]


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reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared

with the glory which shall be revealed in us.43

Is the shared glory that accompanies joint-heirship with Christ achievable byour doing no more than accepting Jesus in a matter-of-fact way but notsubmitting our lives to him and being obedient? Peter, the Chief Minister ofthe Church of Jesus Christ after Christs departure says it is not.

What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,

wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall

melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look fornew heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.44 Wherefore,beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found

of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.45

It could be argued that being blamelessis the condition of sinners whosesins are forgiven through baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.However, in context it is evident that Peter is speaking of personal holiness,the normal condition of committed and fervent Christians, that are spotlessand blameless by choice, having determined to take up the cross and followChrist, the sinless, blameless one that is without blemish or spot.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,

as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from

your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb withoutblemish and without spot.46

Therefore, we recognise that the calling of a Christian is a high and holyone. Such a Christian is complete with the perfection with which Christinvests the reverential neophyte that abrogates worldliness and walks thespiritual path in the steps of Jesus as closely as possible.

Pauls advice to Timothy follows this prescription.

43 Romans 8:16-1844 Is. 65.17 ; 66.22 Rev. 21.145 2 Peter 3:11a-1446 1 Peter 1:18-19


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These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth;

but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity,

in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, toexhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given

thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy

profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;

continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and themthat hear thee.47

Some sins are the outward and obvious kind that can be clearly confessed,forsaken, and avoided. No Christian can commit a sin such as theft,adultery, or murder, without knowing he does wrong. It is impossible for a

Christian to commit such obvious sins without a significant struggle ofconscience, before, during, and afterwards. Is it possible to be perfect in notcommitting adultery, murder, or theft? For a Christian it is possible.

However, not all sins are outward or obvious. Some sins are deeply rootedin human nature that they have become habitual, and we practice them evenwhen we would not. Our excuse for these sins is that we can not helpourselves or change our nature.48 However, such an excuse is unacceptableto God, for Paul tell us clearly:

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in

one day three and twenty thousand.49 Neither let us tempt Christ, as someof them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.50Neither murmur ye,as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.51

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are

written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There

hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is

faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but

47 1 Timothy 4:11-1648 This is implied by numerous passages in Scripture that describe the immense gap between sinfulhumanity and the Holy God. [see: Exodus 33:20-23 ; Isaiah 6:5 ; John 1:18 ; 1 Timothy 6:16]49 Num. 25.1-1850 Num. 21.5, 651 Num. 16.41-49


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will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to

bear it.52

We are warned that habitual sin leads to death.

For to be carnally minded, is death: but to be spiritually minded, is life andpeace: For if ye liue after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the

spirit doe mortifie the deeds of the body, ye shall liue.53

Inwards sins may be such that without help we fail to recognise them aswrongdoings that are displeasing to God. These would include irritability,idleness, greed, pride, sloth, anger, indifference to others, suspicion,criticism, failing to respect, withholding love, dishonesty, lust and so forth.Such sins of attitude and habit are often so much a part of our characters and

personalities that we recognise them as sinful with difficulty, althoughothers see them clearly. Like an addictive poison, it has infected everyaspect of who and what we are that it seems impossible for us to be instantlyfreed from their iron chains. Yet, this is what Jesus urges us to do, when hesaid:

And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee.54

He gives no one leave to sin, for he is the answer to sin. Sin leads to death,

and sinlessness leads to Eternal Life, concerning which, Jesus said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it moreabundantly.55

When we have an active, living, powerful faith in Christ we are instantlyfreed from the eternal penalty of our sin, but we are not freed of thetendency to outward and inward sins other by the process of sanctificationunder the cathartic and transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Know yee not that the vnrighteous shall not inherite the kingdome of God? Be not deceiued: neither fornicatours, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor

effeminate, nor abusers of themselues with mankinde, nor theeues, nor

52 1 Corinthians 10:8-1353 Romans 8:6,13. AV 161154 Matthew 5:3055 John 10:10b AV 1611


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couetous, nor drunkards, nor reuilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the

kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are

sanctified, but ye are iustified in the Name of the Lord Iesus, and by theSpirit of our God.56

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord, arechanged into the same image, from glorie to glorie, euen as by the spirit of

the Lord.57

But we are bound to giue thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloued of

the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation,

through sanctification of the spirit, and beleefe of the trueth, whereunto hecalled you by our Gospel, to the obteining of the glorie of the Lord Iesus

Christ.58

Elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through

sanctification of the Spirit vnto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood ofIesus Christ: Grace vnto you and peace be multiplied.59

Sanctification creates a new manwithin us in the very image of Christ, anew nature that is drawn to life and immortality instead of death andcorruption. Unlike the instantaneous event of justification, the process ofsanctification continues through our entire life on earth, reaching completion

only in heaven.Beloued, now are we the sonnes of God, and it doeth not yet appeare, whatwee shall be: but wee know, that when he shall appeare, we shall bee like

him: for we shall see him as he is. And euery man that hath this hope in

him, purifieth himselfe, euen as he is pure.60

The transformation is not always instantaneous. In fact, it rarely is, but is aprocess begun at conversion, and carried on throughout mortality by theChristian that is aware of the purposes of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hear

Saint Paul:

56 1 Corinthians 6:9-1157 2 Corinthians 3:1858 2 Thessalonians 2:1359 1 Peter 1:2 AV 161160 1 John 3:2-3 AV 1611


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Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are

passed away; behold, all things are become new.61

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, noruncircumcision, but only having become a new creature.62

The new creature is not an instantaneous creation, as attractive as thatsounds, but is as one newly born that has to learn through experience andobedience to grow up to the full stature of a Christian. The New LivingTranslation of the Holy Bible renders this:

It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts iswhether we have been transformed into a new creation.63

This is what Jesus meant when he told Nicodemus:

Verily, verily I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see thekingdom of heaven.64

Jesus saw the condition of Nicodemus' soul, and addressed him on a subjectof importance. He knew the mans visit was to learn about the Messiah'skingdom, and with reference to this he said,

Except a man be born again, he will not even recognise the kingdom when it

is before his eyes.

Jesus then addressed the next step after seeing and recognising, the Kingdomof God: that of entering and becoming an integral part of it.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he

enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesusanswered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and

of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of

the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.65

61 2 Corinthians 5:1762 Galatians 6:1563 Galatians 6:15 New Living Translation 200764 John 3:365 John 3:4-6


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Jesus sets out the initial steps to becoming a part of his kingdom on earthand the preparation for his entering his heavenly kingdom of God. Born ofthe waterhas reference to baptism by immersion in water for the remissionof sins, and born of the Spirit means being transformed into the newcreature that is, becomes born again as a Christian, that is to say,regenerated as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

The new birth offered by Jesus is being born again from above, and differentin character and quality to the new birth that Jews supposed every baptised

proselyte enjoyed, for they believed that a Gentile who was converted toJudaism was as a child new born. Jesus hints to Nicodemus, who wasfamiliar with Jewish proselyte baptism, that such a birth was of water from

below, but that the birth for which Christ asserts is , from above, andstrictly by divine agency.

Without the divine rebirth a person can neither see nor enjoy the kingdom ofGod. But in order that a proselyte to Christs kingdom can see its light,contemplate its glories, and enjoy its good, there is an absolute necessity thatthe person is brought out of darkness and sin, into the light and power of thegrace of Christ, that he can distinguish the glories and excellenciesof the kingdom of Christ here upon the earth, and be prepared for theenjoyment of the kingdom of glory hereafter.

The new birth in Christ Jesus comprehends not only what is termed justification or pardon, but also sanctification or holiness. Sin must bepardoned, and the impurity of the heart washed away, before any soul canenter the kingdom of God.66

As this new birth from above implies, it is the renewing of the whole soul inrighteousness and true holiness. It is not a matter that may be set aside byclaiming that once the chord of belief is struck in a converts heart the wholematter is complete. Heaven is a place of holiness and nothing but what isalso as holy as heaven and heavens God can ever enter it.

Water baptism washes away sins through the price paid in coin of theprecious blood of the Lamb of God. However, that in and of itself does notimply, nor could it, that the new creature remains sinless for the duration ofhis or her mortal existence. That the notion ofonce saved always savedisnot a Christian teaching is shown by the words of Jesus.66 Clarkes Commentary on the Bible


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And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and

looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.67

Frdric Louis Godet, one of the most highly respected conservative NewTestament scholars of the Nineteenth Century comments:

The Savior's words were suggested by a request of one to go home for a

farewell before following him. In thousands of instances, it has been shownthat the convert who goes to confer with unbelieving relatives before the

final step is likely to part with Christ instead. Heathen, ready to be

baptized, who go home for a final farewell before the step, are likely to bepersuaded not to take it.

Other Bible writers have taken up this theme and shown that the once savedalways savedposition is unscriptural.

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny

us.68

Why the rather, brothers, give diligence to make your calling and election

sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall.69

Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall

receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love

him.70

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience

and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.71

For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God,you might receive the promise.72

67 Luke 9:6268 2 Timothy 2:1269 2 Peter 1:1070 James 1:1271 2 Thessalonians 1:472 Hebrews 10:36


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And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we

faint not.73

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and

men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.74

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell,

severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness:

otherwise you also shall be cut off.75

And so we learn from the word of God that perseverance and repentancelead us into life, but lack of perseverance is looked upon as sinfulness, and

punishments awaits those that continue in sin and do not repent and practicegoodness.

The decision made for Christ is once that must endure from the moment ofrecognition of the person of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God, theOnly Begotten of the father, the Firstborn of the Father, and the Lamb ofGod that not only makes atonement for us, but who also intercedes for us atthe Fathers throne, and acts as our advocate with the Father.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God

by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.76

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen

again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercessionfor us.77

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. Yet if anyman does sin, we have an advocate78 with the Father, Jesus Christ the

righteous.79

73 Galatians 6:974 John 15:675 Romans 11:2276 Hebrews 7:2577 Romans 8:3478 The word, , is frequently used in the Greek writers to denote an advocate in court; that is, onewhom we call to our aid; or to stand by us, to defend our suit. Where it is applied to the Lord Jesus, thelanguage is expressive of the great truth that he will undertake our cause with God.79 1 John 2:1


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Paul recommended faithful discipleship to Timothy.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be agood minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of

good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.80

The grasp of the plough cannot be relaxed or loosened. If it is, then he is notfit , meaning well-placed or adjusted for the kingdom. Those who begin to follow Jesus Christ, must resolve to go on, or they will makenothing of it. Looking back wistfully at what he is leaving, leads to drawing

back, and drawing back leads losing the kingdom, and only those that endureto the end are promised salvation. Endurance in the hardships thataccompany discipleship was outlined by Jesus.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shallendure unto the end, the same shall be saved.81

Being a Christian is not simply a single occasion and completedmanifestation, but a continuing journey to an eternal destination duringwhich the Christian becomes daily more disciplined, daily more learned, andever more obedient to the will of God, conforming his or her life ever closerto the perfect pattern of our exemplar, Jesus Christ, until our earthly race iswon and we can repeat the words of Paul:

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I

have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,

the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto

all them also that love his appearing.82

Pauls words, with which he encourages his young protg and all othersalso that love his appearing,are a charge to be vital, active, restless, andfully committed to the religious life that are the primary charges to all

Christians. Had Timothy opted not to follow Pauls inspired counsel, wouldhe have remained spotless and blameless? By no means, and neither shallwe.

80 1 Timothy 4:681 Mark 13:1382 2 Timothy 4:7-8


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Paul wrote to the Philippian saints:

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presenceonly, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with

fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to

do of his good pleasure.83

This is not an invitation to ease, but a trumpet call to duty that rings in theears of all that are or will be Christs. When we are anxiously engaged infulfilling the requirements of a Christian according to the will of God, it isGod working in us that makes us work so earnestly and with fear andtrembling. Many words have been written by able commentators as to themeaning of these words, and it is noteworthy that no Bible version draws

back from saying, Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Christians do not draw back from working out their salvation with fear andtrembling for several reasons.

First, because God commands us to do it. There is no command morefrequently repeated in the Scriptures than the commandment to receive anew heart,84 to strive to enter in at the strait gate,85 to break off from sin,86

and to repent.87

Some say that the call to repentance refers only those not yet come untoChrist, but Jesus Christ speaks these words to Christians that have backslidand are not faithful. To these weak souls he says,

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the

first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thycandlestick out of his place, except thou repent.88

Those that will not cease from sinning, will be removed from their place.This is to Christians that have sinned after their conversion, even after

having laboured long and faithfully, but have lost their way and let go of the83 Philippians 2:12-1384 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. Ezekiel 36:26a85 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, andmany there be which go in thereat. Matthew 7:1386 Awake to righteousness, and sin not. 1 Corinthians 15:34a87 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will comeunto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Revelation 2:588 Revelation 2:5


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handle of the plough. That this is so is unmistakably evident from the versesthat precede the call to repentance and the dire warning of their fate if theywill not.

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not

bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they areapostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast

patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy firstlove.89

That Jesus Christ calls saints from their sinful ways after they have faithfullyfollowed him is indisputable. Were it not, then why would Christ say such athing?

Christians repent always from their sins because it is not only a dutycommanded of God, but also because our own personal interest is at stake.Apart from God and Jesus, no one else as much interest in our salvation aswe do. It is our God given duty to endeavour to save our souls when we arein danger of losing our salvation, by taking our hands from the ploughshare,denying Christ, or by some other transgression. Hence the commandmentthat we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and in the

process to cease from sinning, for the mouth of God has declared it.

From the mouth of Jesus Christ is has been spoken that as great as may bethe solicitude of our friends, and much as they can do, there is a point

beyond which their efforts are futile, and that point is well short of oursalvation, unless we personally are roused to seek our salvation in JesusChrist and by obedience to his commandments and those of his Father.Friends may pray, weep, and plead, but they cannot save us.

Jesus offers us the way to both see and enterhis Fathers Kingdom, and heinsists that we remain fit for the kingdom by keeping our hands to the

ploughshare, keeping our eyes ahead of us, and by actively shunning sin andremoving what sin remains in us that lies below the surface where it rots oursouls unless we struggle with it in a life or death struggle for self-mastery,that we might become the agents of God that Christ encourages us anddemands we become.

89 Revelation 2:2-4


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Only the unwilling to exert himself Minimalist expects Divine interpositionwithout effort on our his part. Such mistaken souls are redolent of the storyof the man that prayed to win the lottery, but was constantly disappointedthat he never did. One day during his pleading, he hears the voice of Godsaying, Help me out a little, here: BUY A TICKET! We ought not to

press that example too fare, but neither should we overlook the truth thatGod has already done for us that which we cannot do for ourselves throughthe Atonement wrought by his Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ by theshedding of his blood as payment for our sins.

It is through that perfect atonement dispensed to us through the grace of Godthat our salvation is made available. However, if we reach to grasp it withsinful hands, it recedes before our grasp. But God has made a way wherebythe prize can be grasped, and that is by our living holy lives in accordance

with the will of God and by rendering ourselves obedient to his will.

All who will be saved, have made or are making an effort - and why shouldwe expect that God would favour us more than he did them? What reasonhave we to suppose that God will interfere and save us if we refuse to putforth effort to work our own salvation in fear and trembling? What does thiscommand imply and what must we do to comply with it? How did Jesusadvise the Rich Young man that sought his kingdom?

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to

inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why call you me good? none is

good, save one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commitadultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour your

father and your mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth

up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said to him, Yet lack you onething: sell all that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have

treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he wasvery sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very

sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the

kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye,than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it

said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible

with men are possible with God.90

90 Luke 18:18-27


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Jesus required this man to act, but the young man refused to give up what hehad to gain the things he sought. Clearly, his wealth meant more to him thanhis eternal life and inheritance in the kingdom of God did. Yet it could justas easily have been his sins that kept him from the kingdom, for when wechoose to continue in our sins once we have put on Christ,91 then we chooseour sins above our salvation.

We must know that it does not mean that we are to attempt to deservesalvation on the ground of our personal merit. That is out of the question,for man can do nothing that will secure for him eternal happiness in heaven.That portion is only obtainable through the atonement and merits of JesusChrist in his role as Redeemer and Saviour, and by the Christians fulsomecommitment to following Christ and being obedient to every word of God.

[Jesus] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone,but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.92

Jesus was quoting the Old Testament:

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna,which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make

thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that

proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.93

Teaching the Truth of the way of salvation was the end for which Jesus saidhe was born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bearwitness unto the truth.

The end of Christ's being born of a virgin in a miraculous manner, and hiscoming into the world by his assuming human nature, was to bear testimonyto the Truth of the full Gospel, not only the word of Truth, but every branchof the eternal Truths which he brought with him.

These Truths he preached consistently by word and by deed, and by them heconfirmed by his death the Truth that he was a King, the Son of God, andthat Gods spiritual, heavenly kingdom was available for believers thatwould accept him and follow him obediently, even unto death if needs be.

91 Galatians 3:2792 Matthew 4:493 Deuteronomy 8:3


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Of the willingness and requirements of disciples to walk the path that he hadtrod, he added:

Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.94

By heareth,Jesus does not mean merely that those upon whose ears hissayings fell were of the Truth, but that lovers of divine Truth both heardand obeyedhim.

And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the

company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that

bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather,blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.95 [emphasis added]

Hearing the voice of his Gospel is hearing the voice of the Saviour, andhearing it internally, approvingly, rejoicingly, distinguishing it from themany voices and distraction of the world, so as cheerfully to obey the wordsof God and Christ moved by the power of the divine principle of love.

It means also that we are to make an honest effort to follow the example ofthe Son of God and be saved according to what God has appointed. Itrequires us are to break off from our sins by true repentance, showingthereby that we wholeheartedly believe in the Saviour, and put our complete

trust in him, and to give all that we have and all that we are to God throughChrist Jesus.

It is evident that we are often told by Gods holy word to forsake our sins to repent. Why then will some contradict the Bible and say that we are not?It can only be that they are not familiar with the word of God that they

profess is their sole rule for life and salvation, but also that they do notactively search the scriptures to discover what God has said by his ownvoice, by the voice of his Son, or by the voices of his servants. To theunbelieving Jews Jesus said:

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are

they which testify of me.96

94 John 18:37d95 Luke 11:27-2896 John 5:39


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To those that confess knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, Lord,and King, and claim to have an intimate relationship with him, he says,

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are

they which testify of me commanding you to forsake sin!

Sadly, we are fallen among minimalists that will not search the scriptures. Ifthey had loved the Lord, they would have obeyed Christ, and then theywould have searched and found not only that he called on them to forsaketheir sins, but also that his servants, the apostles and prophets had done thesame in terms that could not be misunderstood.

Unbelievers familiar with their own scriptures at the time of Jesus,nevertheless claimed to know what was in them.

They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for

yourself--no prophet ever comes from Galilee!"97

These thought they knew what was in their Bible, but they didnt know itscontents any more than the Anti-Mormon knows his Bible when he avers,disdainfully,

Just show me any Bible verse or passage that talks about forsaking sins

It was not with any sense of pleasure or anger that Koholeth counselled theunwise,

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.98

It was with concern for the soul of those that rested from their searching thescriptures before they had found in it those Truths that lead the student towisdom. Being wise as to the things of God is the sure way to salvation.Paul told the saints at Rome:

Be not wise in your own conceits.99

The lord saith through the Prophet Isaiah:

97 John 7:5298 Proverbs 6:699 Romans 12:6


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Wo unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own

sight.100

Without unkindness, it is necessary to point out to those that cannot findAlmighty Gods frequent calls for the abandonment and forsaking of sin thatthe call to Repent! is the most common message in the whole of theScriptures. It is the most common because God adjudges it humanitys most

pressing need whether or not they have found Jesus Christ, and as absolutelyessential after they have. These are but some the Clarion Calls made byAlmighty God, his Only Begotten Son, and their divinely inspired andcommissioned servants for believers to forsake their sins, and that answerthe challenge made by the Anti-Mormon to,


1. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, andenvies, and all evil speakings, as new-born babes, desire the sincere

milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tastedthat the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone,

disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious.101


2. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as whenwe first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.102


3. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repentednot. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery

with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And

I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall knowthat I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto

every one of you according to your works.103

100 Isaiah 5:21101 1 Peter 2:1-4 [New Living Translation, 2007]102 Hebrews 3:14103 Revelation 2:21-23


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4. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast,and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a

thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.104


5. There were present at that season some that told him of theGalilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And

Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeanswere sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such

things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise

perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, andslew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in

Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise

perish.105


With these accounts, Christ founded a call to repentance. The same Jesusthat bids us repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, bids us repent, for

otherwise we shall perish.106


6. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; Thesethings saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of

the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold norhot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art

lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and haveneed of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and

miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of

me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment,

104 Revelation 3:3105 Luke 13:1-4106 Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 13:1-4


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remarks so as to lead you to do wrong to any man, however wicked youjudge him to be. Make sure that you always right, whatever position othersmay hold, and do not permit their conduct to lead to copy it in retaliationand, thereby, into their sin. Look to your own character and conduct

primarily, remembering to whom you belong.


10. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarrelling, and slander be put awayfrom you, along with all hatred.110


11. But now you must also get rid of anger, wrath, malice, slander,

obscene speech, and all such sins.111


12. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evilspeaking, be put away from you, with all malice:112


13. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to

his neighbour.113


14. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger,rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.114


15. Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy,and slander of every kind.115

110 Ephesians 4:31 [ISV]111 Colossians 3:8 [RSV]112 Ephesians 5:4113 Ephesians 4:25114 Colossians 3:8115 1 Peter 2:1


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16. Speak not evil one of another , brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his]brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth

the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a

judge.116


17. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do whatit says.117


18. Grudge not one against another , brethren, lest ye be condemned:behold, the judge standeth before the door.118


19. No one who is born of God will continue to sin , because God's seedremains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born ofGod.119


20. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey itin the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments ofunrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that

are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments ofrighteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you:

for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we

sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his

servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of

obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of

doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye

116 James 4:11117 James 1:22118 James 5:9119 1 John 3:9


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became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of

men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your

members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; evenso now yield your members servants to righteousness untoholiness.120


21. The Son of Man will commission His angels, and they will gather outof His Kingdom all causes of sin and all who violate His laws.121


22. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "Behold,

you are made well. Sin no more, [ie,. Forsake sin] so that nothingworse happens to you.122


23. She said, "No one, Lord." Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Goyour way. From now on, sin no more.123


24. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that anyshould perish, but that all should come to repentance.124

Writing of Unrepentant Sin, the scourge of the sinning Christian, JohnWesley, addressing the Sermon on the Mount, wrote:

And whereas men naturally imagine, that God will excuse their defect in

some duties, for their exactness in others; our Lord next takes care to cut off

that vain, though common imagination. He shows, that it is impossible forany sinner to commute with God; who will not accept one duty for another,

120 Romans 6:12-19121 Matthew 13:41122 John 4:14123 John 8:11124 2 Peter 3:9


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nor take a part of obedience for the whole. He warns us, that the

performing our duty to God will not excuse us from our duty to our

neighbour; that works of piety, as they are called, will be so far fromcommending us to God, if we are wanting in charity, that, on the contrary,

that want of charity will make all those works an abomination to the Lord.

"Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy

brother hath aught against thee," on account of thy unkind behaviour

toward him, of thy calling him "Raca," or, "Thou fool;" think not that thygift will atone for thy anger; or that it will find any acceptance with God, so

long as thy conscience is defiled with the guilt of unrepented sin. "Leave

there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thybrother," (at least do all that in thee lies toward being reconciled,) "and

then come and offer thy gift."125

By the foregoing, we are unprofitable servants if we suppose that once aperson comes to Christ and is born again of water and of the Spirit, that theyhave no more will or occasion to sin, for the Scriptures are replete withwarnings and calls for Christians to forsake their sins.

If it were so, then those persons would be perfect, not only in loving theirbrothers and sisters, which is by all the evidence the most difficult of allGods commandments for Christians to obey completely, but they would be

perfect in every detail so that their sojourn on earth, having had its purposemiraculously completed, would serve no further purpose and the saved andperfected soul could escape this vale of tears and attend the doors of heavenwhere, according to the Scriptures, it would be welcomed by these words:

Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a fewthings, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy

lord.126

125 Sermon 22: Upon our Lord's Sermon on the Mount126 Matthew 25:23

show me one verse in the bible commanding christians to forsake sin!

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