I just spent some time reading through some of the posts, and I can see most of you totally misrepresent the mercy of God! I see His mercy given to the broken, repentant sinner, who has come before the mercy seat, in real repentance.
Homeward, your testimony was a strong reminder of myself about 17 years ago, I came to Christ through the sinners prayer, told there was NO sin you could stop, since I was born a helpless sinner, saved by grace alone, repentance was never mentioned at all, because Jesus took my place on the cross, and now I was deemed righteous, even though I was still defiled in my heart.
I cried out to God every time I gave into my greedy flesh to watch some porn, or to get drunk, but all was well I thought, the mercy of God covered me, as well as His grace, atleast I accepted His righteousness, and just couldnt obey God from my heart, and crucify my flesh as commanded.
I was no better than the people who make this garbage(porn) and sell it to the world for profit, and sad to say most who profess Christ, and who are pastors are addicted to internet porn.
I hope you all would understand we are not saying we do it on our own, but we must come to the mercy seat forsaking our wickedness through repentance, and godly sorrow, and hope and pray God will grant mercy, and yes you can stop any vile sin on your own, you have free choice to do so.
To sum it up, I was NOT saved, I was told I was, I loved my flesh more than God, and fearing His promised judgement to those who disobey Him, and was told I could teach the young children in the church, because God isnt interesrted in you stopping your vile sins, he will help you stop, but meanwhile keep in yout mens group, and keep serving God, because you a a fithy, porn watching sinner, even tough God sees you as a saint!
Sorry, this is the lie from the pit, and many of you are under it!
You can fluff it up as much as you want, making excuses why you cant stop your rebellion against God, or why you do not have to forsake your evil and lustful desires.
Yes the mercy of God was tremendious, I deserve to be in hell right now, and had to flee the false church that teaches you were born a wretched sinner, you do not have to repent, you get saved in your sins, and the Billy Graham sinners prayer is all you need to get saved, presto, you are eternally secure IN your sins, God will clean you up in His timing, and repentance towards God and faith towards Jesus Christ, is a mere provision done for you!
I forsook the sin or porn watchng, along with many others, I stopped them through a season of godly sorrow, then the spirit of God filled me giving me the strength to now endure to the end, I can say that the blood of Jesus, who was a spotless sin offering, cleansed and purged my conscience from these dead works, I now walk in His strength, the old Tommy is dead, as I now walk in the light with Jesus Christ!
The mercy of God
Rom 9:15 For He said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."
God is a God of mercy and compassion, He is the giver and taker of all life, and His mercy endures forever and ever. Now many teach that the mercy of God can be abused to the extent that a vile sinner, who is unrepentant before God, can also receive His mercy. I believe he can, but does God give His mercy and forgiveness to those still defiled, and living a lie?
I believe the gospel is clear on this, as to the many scriptures warning all sinners to repent, Luk 13:3 I tell you, No. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to Jehovah, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
The mercy of God I believe is extended to all who come to a saving faith, that includes real repentance and faith followed by deeds, proving we have repented, have gone through a crisis of conviction and have cleansed and purified our hearts, broken and ready to receive the holy spirit, having crucified our flesh with Christ, Galations 2-20, explains this well.
I also believe Gods mercy is extended to the whole world, 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He demands repentance, a working faith in love, and an obedient heart, that has been cleansed by the blood of Christ in repentance 2 Corin 7:10 For the grief according to God works repentance to salvation, not to be regretted, but the grief of the world works out death.
2Co 7:11 For behold this same thing (you being grieved according to God); how much it worked out earnestness in you; but also defense; but also indignation; but also fear; but also desire; but also zeal; but also vengeance! In everything you approved yourselves to be clear in the matter.
God is merciful and longsuffering, and we are not to judge another's salvation, but we sure can judge their fruits, and conduct, as compared to scripture, as long as our obedience is fulfilled. 2Co 10:6 and having readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
I don't think God winks and overlooks sin in any way, shape or form, and the warnings are clear in His word, Psa 7:11 God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. The word is clear on who will enter the kingdom of God, and this entrance comes from the mercy of God, on the truly repentant heart, not a perfect heart as most would accuse, but a heart made pure, through repentance, and following the truth in scriptures.
The sad thing is, most churches teach you get saved as a vile sinner, that Jesus took you place and is your obedience or substitute, all sins are pre forgiven, and after you confess, and receive Jesus into your heart, you are declared saved, and righteous, not of your own accord, but that of the imputed righteousness of Christ.
So now Gods mercy declares a vile sinner pure, holy, and in His favor, because God can grant mercy to whom He pleases, but this goes against His command for us to repent, stop our sinning against Him, seek His mercy after we make a strong effort towards Him in reconciliation.
All throughout scripture God is calling all who can hear, to repent, avoid all appearances of evil, do not be deceived, follow and remain in the spirit, give no provision to the flesh, be crucified with Christ, seek His kingdom and righteousness first, stand fast, be diligent, flee immorality, remain separate and unspotted from the world, love Him with all your heart, mind, strength and soul, love your neighbor, expose the unfruitful works of darkness, defend and contend to keep the gospel pure, love not the world and its vain attractions, be perfect in purity, sincerity, and love, avoid temptation, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, you must endure to the end, don't let your faith get shipwrecked, stop doing evil, learn to do good, rightly divide the word of God, deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, godly, and righteously in this present age, you reap what you sow, he who sins shall die, he who sins is of the devil, and many more warnings coming from our most merciful God, who has made it perfectly clear in His word, where His mercy will be granted.
I believe if a person comes to God in all humility, brokenness, and sincerity, Gods mercy will be abundantly poured out on them, but if he comes with pride, still In vile sins of the flesh, loving the world more than God, full of self, expecting God to clean them up, an do His thing to make them stop sinning, then all bets are off, to me this is abusing the love, grace, and mercy of almighty God. Jas 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.
Jas 4:7 Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
We all know many sincere men and women past and present who lived a very holy and separated life, full of giving and compassion for all mankind, who did good works in helping the poor and sick. But they followed another gospel, another religion, taught many false teachings, and led millions away from the true gospel. Many will say as long as you did good works for God, showed your fellow man compassion and love, etc., it doesn't matter what doctrine you taught, followed or adhered to, as long as you loved Jesus and mankind, your works will burn up but the mercy of God will prevail, and you will be saved.
All’s I know is, if these people repented of their false ways, before they perished, then they are saved, but there comes a time when God will not grant repentance as with Esau, who lost his birthright, and cried bitter tears to find repentance and didn't. Heb 12:15 looking diligently lest any fail of the grace of God, or lest any root of bitterness springing up disturb you, and by it many are defiled,
Heb 12:16 (lest there be any fornicator, or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
Heb 12:17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he did not find any place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears)
Yes God is merciful, but He is also a righteous patient judge, not wanting any to perish, and He makes it clear, on just how narrow the road to salvation is, and who will be saved and receive mercy. Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the narrow gate. For I say to you, many will seek to enter in and shall not be able.
If we don't follow the straight gate and narrow road, there will be dire consequences, and hoping God will grant me mercy if I went my own way, but thought I was going the right way, is not something we want to learn when our time is up! Mat 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!
let’s all be sure we are going the right way:
Pro 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.
Tommy
