Spiritual Nuggets
To Ponder (06-22-2008)

61. A very clear passage informing us how to get forgiven is Acts 3:19:

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Semi-often people write our ministry thinking they can’t get forgiven because of their many sins. The context of Acts 3:19 shows Peter spoke those words to the following extremely sinful people:

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. (Acts 3:13-15)

Even though they sinned to that degree (killing the Lord Jesus, etc.) they could still get forgiven by acting on the truth in Acts 3:19 (and so can we today). God’s mercy is great for all who meet those conditions, even murderers.

Furthermore, Peter who gave us Acts 2:38, also taught Acts 3:19 and Acts 10:43. All three tell us how to get forgiven, but only the first one mentions baptism, which has confused some. Clearly, Peter taught forgiveness comes before baptism in Acts 3:19 and 10:43. This fact is good to share with those who wrongly think water baptism is a must to get initial forgiveness.

62. The doctrine of eternal security declares that we all sin all the time. Hence, the proponents of such have no Biblical proof of salvation, according to the following:

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:3,4)

Since the once saved always saved people likewise claim to know God, they are also labeled both liars and devoid of truth, based on that passage. Finally, based on the following Scripture, those who say they sin all the time have no spiritual understanding:

And he said to man, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28)

63. The godly determination of an overcomer is shown in the following words from Job:

As long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. (Job 27:3,4)

Job also knew the defiling power of the tongue and carefully guarded his own words. He knew he could become defiled just by his words. He was, therefore, very guarded as we all need to be.

64. Is it possible to turn from good to bad in God’s sight? The following Scripture is one of many to show yes:

When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your fathers, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved. (Hosea 9:10)

In God’s sight, Israel changed from grapes and figs to become as vile as a shameful idol. That is like saying they changed from one end of the gamete to the other, but not for the good. Such can happen through sin. Hence, the devil tempts us to sin, but we don’t have to yield.

65. A concise way to describe all unsaved people is this one:

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. (Titus 3:3)

Paul stated what it was like, even for him, before salvation, but also notice the past tense. He said were:

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. (Titus 3:3)

Now that he was a Christian, he was no longer disobedient, enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures, etc. That is important because in this apostate day some people think you can be a Christian and living in wickedness at the same time. They are that deceived. Primarily such people are the Calvinists.

Return to Evangelical Outreach
www.evangelicaloutreach.org