Seasons

And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority."
Acts 1: 7 NKJV

Some of us can time the seasons pretty well.  We know from the chill in the air that fall is upon us, or from buds on the trees that spring has come once again.  If I were a farmer, I'd need to pay more attention to such things.  However, a friend who continues to remain nameless, definitely has learned a thing or two from his years on the farm.  However, one thing I do know about seasons is that they come and go in their appointed times.  I've never been witness to a season which stayed longer than normal.  As with all of Gods creation, there is a purpose to this timing of the seasons.  It's funny, but in scripture we seem to have gotten a different understanding of the word season.  For throughout scripture we are told of events which are but for a season.  What does this mean?  Exactly what it says.  Although we may experience a life situation for awhile, as with the seasons, it will not be a permanent fixture of our lives.  I have a dear friend who has been dealing with a family health issue for awhile now.  Although at first he was concerned of the longevity of this season, I believe that he understands that, as in the passing of the seasons, that these times shall also pass.  I believe that the scripture is correct in referring to these times as seasons, as I believe that it helps us in better understanding them.  We might agonize over situations we face, but if we understand that it is only for a season we began to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I've been through many a season where I've felt as if I was in for a long haul, but in the end I came through stronger.  That's the way God works.  Job, Abraham and Joseph, there are plenty of biblical elders who for a season endured.  What of the season the Israelites endured in the wilderness?  We know from scripture that there were those among them who were not convinced of the seasons of life.  I get it.  I've faced too many of my own seasons where I've doubted I would endure to the end.   We're told that the Fathers ways are not our own {Isaiah 55:8}.  Therefore, there's a good chance that we may never know the reason for the seasons we encounter.  All we need understand is that everything is in our Fathers loving hands.  He is all in all.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6: 9 NKJV

One of the definitions of the Greek word Kairos is simply...an occasion.  Other definitions include a "era" and a "period of time."  Again, as in the changing seasons, the Greeks understood that such things were temporary.  There is a reason that the apostle Paul wrote of once again seeing his friends while he was in prison.  I believe that he understood the Kairos nature of his situation.  I believe that were we to instantly think of each situation as a permanent fixture that we would have little faith in He who lives through each and every season with us {Galatians 2:20}.  Yes, if anyone understands  the difficulty of life's seasons it is Christ Jesus.  As Jesus endured until the end His own season, so He today shares in our own life seasons.  It is Jesus who can and does sympathize with our seasons {Hebrews 4:15}.  There is nothing we might encounter that Jesus Himself has not encountered first.  We can also trust that He knows the outcome as well.  Although I might desire to know the reason for the seasons of my life, I trust that it is never the Fathers desire to bring harm to His children {1 John 4:8}.  It can be a difficult undertaking, but we do well to see each and every season as just that...an occasion.  As the farmer adjusts to the changing of the seasons, so we adjust to the seasons of our own lives.  We may never plow nor plant, but in time we will become familiar with the changing seasons.  One thing I have come to realize is that seasons of life are inevitable.  We may never learn to fully prepare for them, but we will know in our hearts that never walk alone.  In time, we will become as the farmer, looking out upon his fields waiting the changing seasons.

~Scott~

Jesus At The Ball Game

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3: 16 - 17 NKJV

If you've ever been to a professional sports or college game you may have well been exposed to what I call "The salvation verse."  Indeed, people across the world have taken to displaying this verse in hopes that some wayward television camera would catch a glimpse.  I'm talking about John 3:16 and how it has been used over the years as a guide to others to the Christian life.  I saw it once again the other night during a hockey game.  As the camera panned away from two grown men beating the snot out of each other, there it was for all to see.  The trouble with the salvation verse is that it in a way contradicts the traditional Christian teachings on salvation.  See, most teachings on salvation tell us that Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins then rose once again.  However, that's not the end of the story it seems.  For even with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we are still told that we must continue to seek our Lords forgiveness.  There is a reason that as He died upon the cross Jesus proclaimed "IT IS FINISHED!" {John 19:30}.  Jesus knew that nothing more need be done, His job was done.  I am of the belief that once a person recognizes and confesses Jesus in their hearts that they are saved.  This isn't a race of who sins the least or who prays the most.  Once we start seeing our salvation in those terms then we are of the mind that it is our own efforts that got us there.  The apostle Paul was dead set against this claiming that salvation is the "gift of God and not of ourselves" {Ephesians 2:8}.  In my heart I know that there is NOTHING I have done apart from placing my faith in Christ, which would guarantee my own salvation.  Now, I've had a few discussions with my dear friend who, despite my best efforts, continues to remain nameless about what we would consider "efforts" to gain salvation.  Is simply believing in Jesus a physical effort on our part?  would it fly in the face of Paul's spoken words on salvation?  Well, I don't believe that simply acknowledging the deity of Christ in our own hearts counts as physical effort to gain salvation.  All we are doing is agreeing with the truth as we know it.  Again, whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Not by the works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, who He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3: 5 - 7 NKJV

What is left out by most people in their desire to show the world the truth of John 3:16 is the very next verse.  I believe that we cannot read verse 16 without also understanding the 17th verse.  They go hand in hand.  While cherry picking scriptures might work for some, I don't believe it works in this instance.  For in John 3:17 we see some direct contradiction of contemporary Christian teachings.  Jesus did not come into this world to condemn me.  On the contrary, He came that through Him I MIGHT BE SAVED.  Not only for me personally, but for all who come to Him.  Jesus did not arrive on the scene to cast the cloud of condemnation around me.  No matter what I've done in the past, that is no longer a concern to Him.  What's done is done.  As He claimed on the cross...IT IS FINISHED!  What remains now is our life in Him {Galatians 2:20}.  I have no respect for a pastor who makes the claim that I must continue to seek my Lords forgiveness for sins I've committed.  I know that in Christ Jesus there is no condemnation {Romans 8:1}.  I also know that the sin issue was put to death by Christ Jesus at the cross {Romans 6:6-11}.  Yes, there will be those who will continue to cherry pick scripture and say that this does not apply, but I know the truth of Christ Jesus in me.  I don't believe that God would provide for my salvation only to continue having me seek it from Him.  However, there are many in traditional Christianity who adhere to this idea of conditional salvation.  Yes, you're indeed saved, unless you sin then you'll need to seek it once again.  Yes, God is rich in mercy...unless you sin.  Contrary to traditional teaching, salvation is something we can never lose.   If this were the case, how many times would Jesus need be crucified?  Twice?  Ten times?  We're told that Christ died once for all {Romans 6:10}.  It is because of Jesus that we are saved, and because of Him that no one will ever take us from His hands {John 10:28}.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
Hebrews 6: 4 - 6 NKJV

~Scott~

The Book Of Life

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the light was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1: 1 - 5 NKJV

One thing in particular bothers me about Christians.  Many times, when I'm faced with a issue in my life, all too many Christians will reach into their bibles and toss a few scriptures my way in the hopes that this will somehow make my life suddenly better.  Well, most of the time all that it accomplishes is my own understanding of scripture.  I feel that many Christians somehow lack the interpersonal skills to deal with those around them who are hurting or facing situations in their lives.  Is someone sick?  Suggest a scripture for them.  Is someone worried?  Throw a scripture out there to make them see the light.  Now, I have no doubt that the word has many verses for us to partake in, but I also believe that we've turned the bible on its face to be used for things it was never given to us for.  Indeed, I've seen the bible used to condemn, instigate and belittle.  The list goes on and on.  Is this the way God truly meant for scripture to be used?  I think not.  Why would a loving God intend for His words to be used to hurt others?  Well, far too many Christians see the bible as the be all end all for the Christian life.  It's there to guide us through life {Psalm 119:105}.  It's useful for teaching {2 Timothy 3:16}.  It is certainly good for encouragement {Proverbs 30:5}.  However, was the bible really created to be used like a rule book for our lives?  Well, first off, let me clear up a misunderstanding some may have of the bible as we know it today.  While indeed the scriptures we read are historic and speak to our hearts, it is not God who penned the verses we all too often use.  That task was completed by a group of men, so called experts in religion.  Indeed, long after the death and resurrection of Christ, groups of men gathered to discuss which manuscripts (scriptures) were God inspired and which were simply heresy.  So, that scripture we read today was recognized by men long ago as being inspired by God.  Now, I get that many will see no issue with this, but for myself it caused me to raise a few questions.  What was the measure of what was used to determine "scripture?"  Which writings were deemed not worthy, or heresy?  This makes for a interesting discussion.

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15: 4 NKJV

So, how is it that we see the scriptures?  Do we see them as useful for the Christian life?  Or, do we see them as the rule book for all that we do?  Well, it is my belief that God never intended the scriptures to be used in a negative way.  That being said, I believe that there is indeed much we can learn from scripture.  Were it not for the bible, we would have no idea of the thoughts and life of Christ.  Were it not for scripture, we would never know of Gods plan for our lives.  However, I do find it curious that throughout scripture the bible is not referred to as "Gods word."  Perhaps that is a moniker we have given it.  A good friend of mine who I trust in the knowledge of the scripture once told me that the bible can be seen as Gods love letter to His children.  I couldn't agree more.  Far from being a set of rules to follow, we can see the scripture for what it is, the intimate thoughts of the Father.  It cannot be disputed that Christ Jesus is a key centerpiece of the scriptures from beginning to end.  John tells us that it is Christ who was with God from the beginning {John 1:1}.  I believe that each and every scripture we might read is tied to Jesus in some way.  So, is the bible really the book of life?  Is it intended as a guide for us to walk in the Christian life?  Some might think so.  However, I have never considered myself to be a bible zealot.  I see it for what it is.  That is, the very thoughts and encouragement of a loving Father to His children.  Trust me. I've been around enough die hard Christians who have used the bible not only as a guide for their own lives but for viscous attacks on others as well.  I don't believe that God never intended for His words to be used in this way.   Instead of a book of life, I believe that we can see the scriptures as a book of THE life of Christ in us {Galatians 2:20}.

~Scott~

Walking With Jesus

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has ben poured out by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5: 3 - 4 NKJV

I was thinking this week on a sermon I heard a radio pastor tell one Christmas season.  He talked not only of the birth of the Savior, but of His journey to the cross as well.  It was one statement that has  stuck with me all this time.  "As Jesus hung upon that cross He had to know that the Father had left Him, if for a short time."  Being a baby Christian at the time, my first thought was, would God ever leave me in my time of need?  When times get tough, does God simply shrink away back to His throne in heaven?  Well, if this were the case, we would never be able to walk with God in our lives.  For as soon as some tragedy strikes, He would immediately turn tail and leave us to our own devices.  I a strong believer in the knowledge of walking with Jesus, I live it every day.  The apostle Paul has told us that it is Christ who lives through us {Galatians 2:20}.  So, if Christ is in me, where can I ever go that Jesus is not present?  What situation will I ever encounter where Jesus is not walking with me?  To think that the Father would ever leave me, or His only Son, is Ludacris.  The knowledge of Christ Jesus in us seldom allows for feelings of separation, for we know in our hearts that He is all in all.  However, it is indeed the accusers lies of separation that constantly try to tell us that God is simply too holy, too perfect and too busy to be involved in our lives.  We see this just before the fall in the garden.  "Has God indeed said"?{Genesis 3:1}  This is Satan striking right at the heart of what we know to be true.  The trouble is, we've bought into it hook line and sinker.   Let me just say that there is NO separation between the Father and ourselves.  There never has been {Isaiah 41:10}.  I won't get into just how much traditional church teachings have fostered the idea that we have been or are separated from God.  I've been down that road before.  Instead, I will focus on the truth that I know in my heart.  For those of you Christians who live and die by the written word, you'll enjoy this.   I was created in the Fathers image {Genesis 1:27}.  He breathed into me the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  Not only am I my Fathers image, but I have my Father in me!  What more reassurance do I need that He is in me?  What more confidence do I need that I will never walk alone?  This is the knowing of Christ Jesus in me.

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14: 18 NKJV

Sinner!  Yeah, I've heard that one before too.  Scott, you're wrong, God can never be in the presence of sin, and ALL have sinned {Romans 3:23}.  Yes, all HAVE sinned...past tense.  However, but for Christ, our fate would be sealed.  What good would it be for Jesus to die on that cross to forgive our sins and not deal with the sin issue?  Sure, my sins would be forgiven, but what about the next time I sinned?  How many times would Jesus need to hang to cover our transgressions?  I wouldn't want to be that one to send Jesus to the cross time after time.  Can you see how our sin issue needed to be dealt with as well?  Well, through Christ it was put to death forever.  It was Jesus who became sin on our account {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  When Christ died, sin died along with Him.  Paul reminds us of this in Romans {Romans 6:6-11}.  Indeed, we are to now consider ourselves DEAD to sin {Romans 6:11}.  So, not only are our sins forgiven, but we're now dead to sin and have Christ Jesus in us.  I call that a win.  So, what is it that is keeping you from walking with Jesus?  What is it that is keeping you from the realization that you were created in His mage and that you have the Father in you?  A Sunday school story?  A pastors sermon?  I get it.  Yet, the truth of Christ cannot be hidden.  If you live and die by scripture, then you must come face to face with the words of Paul in Romans and Galatians.   Do we cast aside certain scriptures simply because they speak to something we don't understand?  Do that if you must, but that still doesn't explain what is written in the word.  What is written is that all have sinned.  Because all have sinned, Jesus bled and died for the forgiveness of our trespasses.  Not only that, He put sin to death once and for all.  Of course, He accomplished all of this that we would walk AS Jesus.  This is the truth of Christ.

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

~Scott~

The Jesus We Never Knew

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.
Hebrews 2: 10 - 11 NKJV

Growing up, my brother and I had some pretty good arguments and fights.  I'm guessing that this holds true for many siblings.  However, there was definitely a line that one dared not cross.  See, my brother could needle and poke me six days from Sunday, it was expected.  But let someone from outside the family try this and there would be consequences.  There were many times, in fact, that I stood by as my brother let it be known that nobody makes fun of this kid but him.  I was thinking on this the other day after a discussion with a friend who continues to remain nameless as to what the formative years of Jesus were like.  Sadly, the scriptures we are left with are devoid of much mention of the childhood and teenage years of Christ.  We're told that He grew in knowledge and in favor with the Lord {Luke 2:52}.  However, apart from this brief description we're left wanting to know more about the formative years of a young Jesus.  We're not totally in the dark here, for we can look at the family structure of Jewish families of the time and get a good idea of what everyday life was for a child.  I have no doubt that Jesus not only took in the behaviors other kids do, but tried His parents patience as well.  Sure, Mary and Joseph knew of their Sons importance, but I have a feeling that Jesus Himself was unaware of His own destiny at this point.  We can assume that, to a child such as Jesus, things like playing with His friends and getting into trouble on occasion were just par for the course.  We know that young Jesus obviously learned the carpentry trade from His own father.  We can assume that His first attempts at carpentry projects may not have turned out too well.  We can assume that Joseph would become frustrated with a young boy who would rather play with His friends than spend time in the workshop.  Then, eventually, there were those times when young Jesus would need to be reigned in.  These were the times when Mary, Joseph or both, would sit their son down and tell Him what would and wouldn't be acceptable.  Yes, Jesus was He who knew no sin, but I have no doubt that there were times in His early years where He pushed His parents buttons one too many times.  Remember, we're talking here about a young child and teenager, not the Jesus of later years who had come to the realization of who He really was.  Yet, it was in these formative years that the Father was indeed grooming His Son for what was to come.  

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Luke 2: 52 NKJV

I've known for some time that the scriptures we study today are terribly void of any description of the early years of Jesus.  I believe that were there such writings, that many would find a connection between themselves and Christ.  As it was, Jesus was as normal a child as you or me.  He laughed, He cried, He hurt and He more than likely felt the discipline of His parents at times.  For how can one have a normal childhood and not receive discipline?  Why did Jesus need to endure these things?  Well, why do our own children need to experience the discipline we give them?  We're told that the Lord chastises those He loves {Hebrews 12:6}.  The brother of Jesus, James, tells us that we should rejoice in the Fathers chastening {James 1:2}.  Far from the harshness of full on punishment, the purpose of Gods chastening is to form us into what He desires for us.  Such was the case with His own Son whom He loved.  It was His Fathers desire that Jesus endure His trials and chastening early in His life as this would prepare Him for His journey to the cross.  Again, our own parents use chastening for instruction, but seldom for outright punishment.  For instruction will often bring its desired result while punishment will give way to resentment.  I can honestly say that Christ Jesus knows exactly the trials I've faced, because He's faced them Himself {Hebrews 4:14-16}.  What temptations have I faced that Jesus Himself has not?  Wait, Jesus was tempted by girls?  Absolutely!  He endured all which we have gone through.  The reason that Jesus knew no sin is because He never ACTED upon His own temptations {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  What is sin?  The apostle James gives us a good definition.  Sin is when we act upon our own desires {James 1:15}.  Yes, we know that through Christ Jesus that we are now dead to sin, but we'll go with it {Romans 6:6-11}.  The bottom line is that young Jesus definitely had desires of His own.  He most assuredly faced those temptations we ourselves have often faced.  Yet, He never acted upon His desires.  How many of us can say that?  What we can honestly say is that we now have a advocate who has endured all we will ever endure and more.  It is He who we can reach out to when our own desires overwhelm us.

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?  But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
Hebrews 12: 7 - 8 NKJV

~Scott~

Leaders Among Men

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: "we did it ourselves!"
Lao Tzu

What would you think of a church that had no pastor?  A job that had no boss?  A nation with no recognized leader?  Chances are you would flourish temporarily, but as time went on, that leadership would be required once again.  Sure, someone might step up to the plate to take control, but who?  You?  There is a saying about how things work in our nations capital.  That is, if you really want to kill off an idea, send it to a committee.  For it is in government committees where good ideas surely go to die.  Returning to the subject of our churches, could we survive in a life in the Lord without a central church leadership?  Absolutely!  This week Wayne Jacobsen brought up the point that all too often calls upon us to follow Him.  However, more often than not we respond with teachings and policies which our so called church leaders say will bring us in step with God.  Well, how's that working out for you?  I've personally been involved with more than a few churches which were reduced to weekly lectures simply because of a few well meaning people who desired to "lead" those around them into what the Lord had planned.  While it may look good on the surface, eventually all it becomes is someone else telling us what they think God is doing.  Do you really need a pastor or a Sunday school teaching to see where God is leading you?  I don't.  The fact is, we waste so much time looking for God when we're missing what's right in our midst.  The apostle Paul tells us in Galatians that it is Christ Jesus who lives through us {Galatians 2:20}.  Yes, Jesus is IN US.  All that time we've spent looking for someone to lead us to the Lord and we miss He who is in us.  I don't fault the Christian in this.  No, I find fault in the traditional institutional church message which tells us that Jesus is in heaven and that it is our own sin that keeps Him apart from us.  I disagree.  So much so that I suggest that sin is no longer an issue we Christians need to tackle.  We're removed from sin.  Through Christ Jesus, we're now dead to sin {Romans 6:6-11}.  Remember this the next time some self appointed leader tries to tell you what God has in mind for you.

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 44 - 47 NKJV

Perhaps someone out there has had this same experience.  Every now and then I would walk into church on a Sunday morning and a friend would rush up to me and say "God has something He wants me to tell you!"  Now, I don't doubt that the Father sometimes communicates to others what He intends for us to hear, but if God wanted me to know something wouldn't He simply tell me Himself?  Well, He was.  The fact of the matter was I wasn't listening for His voice.  To me, God was in heaven and I was here on the fallen earth waiting for His revelation.  Somehow, some way, God would get His message to me.  Well, that's akin to calling a friend and just talking, never listening to what they have to say.  Then, wondering why your friend wasn't talking to you.  Wayne Jacobsen raises the point that church leaders all too often smother the Fathers leading with their teachings and curricula.  For the past few years I have been blessed to be involved with a dear friends men's ministry.  Our goal is not to venture out and pound scriptures into everyone we meet.  No, what we've done is akin to the church of the followers of Christ we find in Acts 2.  We meet, we discuss what Jesus means to us and we share this with others.  It's as simple as that.  I don't need a well versed church leader to tell me that he knows what God wants to tell me.  I already know!  Through the Father who is in me  speaking to my heart, He can lead me where it is He desires.  One subject we often bring up in our meetings is the "freedom" of living as Christ.  Imagine being safe in the knowledge that you and Jesus are one, and that He is always with you.  Would you call that freedom?  Imagine a life in Christ free from the ceremonies and teachings of the mainstream church.  A life where the Father Himself guides you.  A life where your own view of God is not determined by someone behind a pulpit.  That...is the freedom of walking in Christ.  One point that I'll make about our ministry is that the Father leads, we don't.  You might say that it resembles many modern day churches...minus the sermons, ceremonies, tithes and praise and worship rock bands.  I'm ok with that.

~Scott~

But For Christ

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

One of the greatest stumbling blocks we will ever face as Christians is our own sin issue.  I know the story all too well.  It is my sin that keeps me at a distance from God.  My own sins precipitated the painful journey of Christ to the cross.  Maybe I wasn't there in the flesh, but my damned sinful nature was.  I'm as dirty as any sinner who has ever walked the earth.  Somehow I must walk with my head held low while shouldering the burden of my own iniquities.  How could God ever love such a sinner as me?  Indeed, that is the question I've asked myself many times over.  If you're like me, you will drive yourself nuts struggling to come to grips with your own sin.  What must I do for God to see me as anything but a sinner {Romans 3:23}?  Am I destined for a life of continually praying for my own forgiveness?  Well, if you follow the line of traditional Christian teaching, then you will more than likely continue to struggle with your sin issue.  However, I pose to you a question.  If one tax season the IRS sent you a letter claiming that your previous years tax burden had been erased, what would your reaction be?  Would you question their reasoning?  Would you continue to pay as if nothing had happened?  Well, if you follow traditional Christian teachings, not only would you pay this imaginary debt but feel guilty for having done so.  Traditional doctrine tells us that Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.  However, traditional CHURCH teaching compels us to continue to seek forgiveness for something which Jesus has already provided for.  It is true that Jesus never asks us to continually offer prayers to the Father for our forgiveness.  That debt has been paid in full...the letter has been sent.  What remains are children of god who have had the shackles of sin lifted from their lives...yet seldom do we realize it.  I get it.  I used to count myself among the crowd of sinners saved by Gods grace.  Believing that He washed away my sins, yet never realizing what that really meant for me.   The teaching hasn't changed, but it's the teaching that opened my eyes to what I had been missing all along.  One Easter Sunday, after celebrating Christs resurrection, the pastor asked his congregation to come forward if they felt that there was any unresolved sin in their life.  It was if a lightbulb had been turned on.  Here was the pastor asking me to confess my sins right after his sermon on Jesus dying on the cross for the forgiveness of those same sins.  I walked away and never looked back.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our only but also for the whole world.
1 John 2: 2 NKJV

This issue of struggling with our sin will continue to haunt us until we learn the reality of sin itself.  To me, sin is something a pastor will use to get me to see that I still need him and his church.  For others who don't know the reality of sin, it's a daily struggle.  So, why would you continue to accept something which no longer exists?   The apostle Paul tells us in Romans that Christ has put sin to death {Romans 6: 6-11}.  This was all part of the death of Christ Jesus on the cross.  At the cross, Jesus became sin in order that sin would be put to death {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  Indeed, those sins which once haunted us, are now dead and gone never to return.  For what Christ has put to death can never be resurrected.  Well, you would think so, right?  Except that each and every day well meaning Christians continue to resurrect that which Jesus put to rest.  It's here where some confusion may lie.  If Christ has put my sins to death, why do I continue to behave badly?  Good question.  Are our own bad behaviors still sin?  Remember that Christ has already put our sins to death.  Why do we continue digging up the bones of that which is dead?  Because it sounds good when we try to explain how we behave.  We count as sin the harsh words we say to others.  We count as sin the lust we feel towards the neighbors wife.  It's as if Satan gave us the shovel and told us where to dig up our long dead sins.  For the longer he keeps us in fear of our sins, the longer he keeps us in bondage to them.  Well, those chains have been broken long ago!  What's left are simply memories of what once was.  So what of those behaviors we like to call sin?  Well, they're not sin, so what are they?  Honestly, it's my belief that when we behave wrongly we are simply forgetting who it is we really are.  Who are we?  We are the manifestation of the risen Christ.  It is Christ Jesus who now lives through us {Galatians 2:20}.  Don't worry about God not being able to be in sins presence.  But for Christ, sin would still be an issue.

~Scott~