By Fang Yu, China
“When I passed by our manager’s office in the morning, I unconsciously heard Yi Fan speaking ill of you in front of our manager. In my opinion, she is jealous of your work capabilities which are stronger than hers, and she is afraid that you will get the chance to be promoted. …”
Before Wang Qian could even finish speaking Lin Nan was filled with anger and felt that she was pushed to her limit. At the thought of Yi Fan backstabbing her many times in order to get the chance of promotion, Lin Nan hurled her pen on the office desk, and then got up and walked toward Yi Fan’s office with indignation. Lin Nan revealed all despicable things that Yi Fan had done to her in front of many colleagues. After a fight for safeguarding justice, Lin Nan returned in triumph. She went back to her office and sat on the chair quietly. Thinking back on all these years when she worked with Yi Fan, Lin Nan didn’t remember exactly how many times she argued with Yi Fan. She could not bear that Yi Fan created something out of nothing, and they almost became bitter enemies. Although she vented her anger this time, Lin Nan felt deeply troubled in her heart. She quickly realized that this was the reproach of the Lord to her, and her regret arose spontaneously.
After she returned home from her company, Lin Nan knelt down in front of her bed and prayed to the Lord: “Oh Lord! I committed sins again. For the sake of my own reputation and status, I quarreled with my colleague and openly accused her, and I even treated her as my enemy. I have no tolerance and patience, much less love others as I love myself. Lord, I beg You to forgive me. …” After praying, Lin Nan feebly sat at her computer desk. She thought that the Lord Jesus taught them that they should love others as they loved themselves and be tolerant and patient toward them, and that their forgiveness toward others should be seventy times seven. However, every time her personal interests were affected, Lin Nan could not practice the Lord’s teaching all along. Because of this she felt very distressed. Lin Nan knew that what she lived out could not be accepted by the Lord, but she involuntarily committed sins time after time. Lin Nan didn’t know whether she could receive the forgiveness of the Lord if she still lived in sin. Therefore, she switched on her computer and visited a familiar gospel forum, sending a message addressing her apprehension.
Before long she received replies to her post.
Happiness Is Enough:
The Bible says: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Repeatedly as we commit the same sins, the Lord doesn’t condemn us and has forgiven us. Moderator, you need not fret over this issue. As long as we confess and repent to the Lord, it’s enough for us.
Flying Freely:
“Happiness Is Enough” is right, and I give you a thumbs up. The Lord Jesus has pardoned all our sins. Moderator, how can you worry about this?
Seeing these words, Lin Nan seemed to take some temporary consolation in her heart. She thought: If I truly can be forgiven by the Lord, that would be great. Unexpectedly, others replied to the post at once and expressed a different opinion.
Yearning for Light:
I experienced what the moderator has experienced. It seems that this question should be discussed in detail. I don’t quite agree with the two comments above. Just as it is said in the Bible: “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid” (Galatians 2:17). “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26). According to these lines of scripture, we can understand if we don’t follow them after we clearly know the Lord’s teaching but commit sins repeatedly, there will be no more sin offering. We live a cyclical life of constantly committing sins and then pleading guilty to them every day. This isn’t true confession and repentance.
Chinese Parasol Tree:
I’m in favor of the opinion of “Yearning for Light.” We only confess our sins but don’t repent, and we always commit the same sins. We are tired of ourselves, so how can the Lord approve of us? How can He forgive us? It’s just like parents treating their children. If a child makes mistakes once or twice, parents can show understanding and tolerance, and patiently teach their child. However, if a child always acknowledges his mistakes but never puts them to rights, and he always repeats the same old mistakes, can parents love a child like this?
Being Human Honestly:
You are right. We repeatedly commit the same sins, and it is considered as having been done knowingly. Even if we come before the Lord and admit to our sins, we are deceiving Him. How could He be pleased? No wonder I don’t feel the Lord’s presence, that’s what happened!
Seeing these three posts, although Lin Nan acknowledged that their words were a fact, her heart unavoidably felt a bit heavy. She thought: Doesn’t the Lord really forgive me? How should we understand this question in conformity with the Lord’s will on earth? Lin Nan sent another post: “All your fellowships have some reason; however, I am still rather unclear about this question. Please speak out freely, and fellowship how we should understand this question to be in line with the Lord’s will. Thanks.”
Replies came one after another, and the argument became more and more violent.
Happiness Is Enough:
It isn’t difficult to understand this question. We repeatedly commit sins, and it can be said that we knowingly transgress, but Romans tells us: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). Worldly people are all sinners. However, because of the redemption from the Lord Jesus Christ, as long as we believe in the Lord Jesus, we can be called righteous by faith. This is grace that the Lord gives to us. If He hasn’t pardoned our sins, can we be called righteous? Therefore, no matter how repeatedly we commit sins or how occasionally we commit a sin, the Lord has forgiven us. This is without a doubt!
Flying Freely:
Correct, the Bible also says: “Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus” (Romans 3:25-26). The Bible says very clearly. The precious blood of the Lord Jesus has cleansed our sins and He has tolerated us. So, we no longer belong to sin.
The Person of the Mountain:
Your words speak to my heart, and I give you a thumbs up. I feel the reason why we are afraid of our not being forgiven by the Lord due to our frequent sinning is that our faith in Him is too small. The Lord Jesus said: “He that believes on him is not condemned” (John 3:18). The Lord is a merciful and loving Lord. The Lord will not condemn us as long as we believe in Him. All our sins will be absolved. We ought to believe in His words and have faith in Him.
Yearning for Light:
The Lord Jesus has pardoned our sins by being crucified. This is a truth. But, this doesn’t mean that He will forgive us all along. The Lord Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant stays not in the house for ever: but the Son stays ever” (John 8:34-35). We commit sins constantly, without true repentance. We still are the servants of sin and cannot live in God’s house forever. Which is to say, we aren’t able to enter the heavenly kingdom.
Chinese Parasol Tree:
It’s true. I’m reminded of one word in the Bible, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The consequence of sinning has been stated very clearly. However, we sin frequently and still think that the Lord will forgive us all the time. Isn’t this indulging in fantasy?
Being Human Honestly:
Right. How does the Lord view people who sin repeatedly? I remember what the Lord Jesus once said to a woman who committed adultery: “Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). From the words that the Lord taught the woman, we can see although the Lord is merciful and loving, and can forgive all our sins, this doesn’t represent sinners can receive the Lord’s praise. Otherwise, the Lord Jesus would not teach the woman “sin no more.” Some people assert that the Lord will most certainly absolve our sins all the time in accordance with the words of men within the Bible, but don’t seek what the Lord’s requirements are. Is it in line with the Lord’s intention? As a result, right now the most real thing for us is to seek how to resolve the problem of sinning.
The discussion became even more intense and the difference between the two opinions as they became more and more distinct. Lin Nan felt the viewpoint of “Happiness Is Enough” conforms to man’s idea, but another viewpoint comparatively matches the words of the Lord and conforms to the Lord’s will. For a moment, Lin Nan was at a loss and she worried: If the problem of sinning cannot be resolved, how can we be raised into the kingdom of heaven when the Lord returns? At this moment, a new post came into sight.
Understanding Rain:
Hello everyone! I am just passing by. Seeing your heated argument, I also present my own viewpoint. It is certain that the Lord is merciful and compassionate and we are pardoned of our sins through our faith in Him. But, God is righteous and holy, and hates sins and filth. If we commit sins frequently, I’m afraid that the Lord won’t bring sinners like us into His kingdom. “Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). “Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Only those people who follow God’s words and act according to His words can enter the kingdom of heaven. We cannot follow God’s words and keep the Lord’s teaching, but still sin after we understand what sin is. By the time the Lord returns, how could we be qualified to enter God’s kingdom? Based on our imagination and conception, regardless of how we sin, the Lord will always pardon all our sins. Then how should the Lord’s righteousness and holiness be reflected? Could it be that He could lead sinners into the kingdom of heaven? In retrospect, Adam and Eve sinned and betrayed God because they listened to Satan’s words instead of God’s words, so they were driven out of the Garden of Eden. Today, we are still living in circumstances where we will commit sins and then admit to them and we aren’t purified. How could we be raptured into the kingdom of heaven? Isn’t this too unrealistic?
Being Human Honestly:
“Understanding Rain” is correct. This reminds me of the story of Sodom and Nineveh. Both the people of them committed sins. The people of Nineveh who truly repented received God’s forgiveness. On the contrary, the people of Sodom didn’t repent but still sinned after they understood what sin was; they were evil and depraved and they were shouting and wanted to kill God’s emissaries. They publicly resisted God and offended God’s disposition, so that God used brimstone and fire to burn them down. From this, we see that God’s righteous disposition cannot be offended. God’s disposition is not only mercy and compassion, but also majesty and wrath. In this matter, we really can’t be stupid; otherwise, the results would have been too terrible to contemplate.
The Person of the Mountain:
Mm. What you say also makes sense.
Happiness Is Enough:
Everyone has his own opinion. I don’t change my opinion. Sorry, I have something else to do. I must leave first.
The words of “Understanding Rain” made Lin Nan lost in thought: Indeed. The Lord is holy. We commit sins repeatedly, so how can the Lord forgive us endlessly? How can the filthy people like us enter the kingdom of heaven? Thinking if she continued to sin like this she would be abandoned by the Lord, Lin Nan appeared a little anxious. She quickly typed on a keyboard and said, “Your fellowships are quite illuminating. Through your fellowships, I understand that if we constantly sin, we cannot obtain the Lord’s forgiveness and we won’t be qualified to enter the kingdom of God when the Lord comes again. However, now, how can we no longer sin? I hope those insightful brothers and sisters fellowship with us some more.”
Chinese Parasol Tree:
This question is a good one. If we cannot resolve the problem of sinning, we will only be abandoned by the Lord. Oh, whichever of brothers and sisters is clear about this question, please communicate with us.
Understanding Rain:
On this issue, I pored over some scriptures recently. I remember the Lord Jesus said, “And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:47-48). The Bible also says, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17). Seeing these scriptures, I pondered: The work of the Lord Jesus was that of redemption for mankind. The Lord Jesus has redeemed us from a state of sin, but our sinful nature is still deeply rooted within us. According to these scriptures, will the Lord Jesus come again in the last days to do the work of judgment and cleansing people? This question is worthy of our consideration.
Yearning for Light:
The words of “Understanding Rain” make me think of what the Lord said: “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (John 16:12-13). Here it says that the Spirit of truth will come and guide us into all truth. Doesn’t this mean that when He arrives, the Lord will use His word to do the work of judgment to free man from sins?
Chinese Parasol Tree:
And, in the Book of Revelation, the Lord Jesus foretold that He would appear in the last days. He said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20) “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (see Revelation 2-3). From the Lord’s words, we can see that when the Lord returns, He will certainly speak and utter His words. Those people who hear God’s voice and accept His work are the ones who are brought before His throne to feast with the Lord.
Listening to these fellowships of brothers and sisters, Lin Nan suddenly saw the light. It was as if a ray of sunlight lighted up her heart. At that time, she realized that only if she gained what the Holy Spirit says to the churches could she have the hope of escaping the bondage and control of sin and achieving cleanness and God’s salvation. She had an urgent desire to search for the utterances of the Lord in the last days and to follow the footprints of the Lamb. Consequently, she was in a hurry to send another post …
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