Just take a look at all the threads on Christian forums (including this one) about sins and sinning. It has become an obsession. At the very least an unhealthy preoccupation. The focus should be on righteousness, holiness, fruitfulness, and sanctification.
The Gospel is meant to be a cure for sins and sinning. Christ sets one free from the Law of Sin and Death. Repentance is a necessary part of the true Gospel. Separation from sin and evil is the essence of sanctification. And God commands His children to be as holy as He is.
It would therefore appear that Satan has entered into the churches to deliberately cause Christians to focus on the disease rather than the cure. And preachers have increasing failed to preach the full and true Gospel of Christ. That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures so that we would be raised to walk in newness of life, after becoming children of God and new creatures in Christ.
Turning away totally from sins and idols is the essence of repentance. Many new converts in Ephesus (while Paul was there) made a bonfire of all their occultic treasures. They sent up a whole vault of cash in smoke, since they were turning their backs on magic, sorcery, and enchantments. The same principle should apply in every genuine Christians life. We are to make a bonfire of all our past evil thoughts and deeds, and focus on serving God and Christ with a pure heart.
God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to each and every sinner who repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. But the condition is that one must repent and be converted. That is when our sins are blotted out. That is exactly what Peter preached in Acts 3:19,20: Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. Which means that from the point of baptism (which must be immediately or very shortly after conversion) , a new person should be walking around with the focus on righteousness, holiness, and fruitfulness.
The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all God's people, which means that every believer has at least one spiritual gift. But unless that is exercised, it is of no use to anyone. And perhaps if the focus of Christians and their churches would be on spiritual productiveness (which includes winning souls and then discipling babes in Christ) there would be little time left for focusing on sins and sinning.
The mind is the battleground where spiritual warfare is waged. And the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Therefore Paul made it crystal clear in Philippians 4:8 that our minds should have a very clear focus:
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
ifthere be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
The Gospel is meant to be a cure for sins and sinning. Christ sets one free from the Law of Sin and Death. Repentance is a necessary part of the true Gospel. Separation from sin and evil is the essence of sanctification. And God commands His children to be as holy as He is.
It would therefore appear that Satan has entered into the churches to deliberately cause Christians to focus on the disease rather than the cure. And preachers have increasing failed to preach the full and true Gospel of Christ. That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures so that we would be raised to walk in newness of life, after becoming children of God and new creatures in Christ.
Turning away totally from sins and idols is the essence of repentance. Many new converts in Ephesus (while Paul was there) made a bonfire of all their occultic treasures. They sent up a whole vault of cash in smoke, since they were turning their backs on magic, sorcery, and enchantments. The same principle should apply in every genuine Christians life. We are to make a bonfire of all our past evil thoughts and deeds, and focus on serving God and Christ with a pure heart.
God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to each and every sinner who repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. But the condition is that one must repent and be converted. That is when our sins are blotted out. That is exactly what Peter preached in Acts 3:19,20: Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. Which means that from the point of baptism (which must be immediately or very shortly after conversion) , a new person should be walking around with the focus on righteousness, holiness, and fruitfulness.
The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all God's people, which means that every believer has at least one spiritual gift. But unless that is exercised, it is of no use to anyone. And perhaps if the focus of Christians and their churches would be on spiritual productiveness (which includes winning souls and then discipling babes in Christ) there would be little time left for focusing on sins and sinning.
The mind is the battleground where spiritual warfare is waged. And the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Therefore Paul made it crystal clear in Philippians 4:8 that our minds should have a very clear focus:
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
ifthere be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
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