Unworthy

I am writing to you dear friends and believers, those of you who call yourselves Christian. Yet often you doubt because you don’t think you are worthy of salvation, and it’s not about your faith in Jesus, but rather about your doubt in yourself. If you are like this today, I would ask that you read 1 John. Yes, the whole letter. For it is a letter to you, for it is written to believers. But you can see by the letter that John writes to caution all of us to watch out for pitfalls, for those who claim Christianity, but who practice otherwise. In the first 4 verses, we see the encouragement to believers, “We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” But then he writes that: My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ the Righteous One.” (2:1) We need to understand that right away, because we all sin, and sometimes that sin makes us doubt our faith, because we expect more from ourselves. ( If we just had enough faith, we wouldn’t sin so much) While it’s true that our Lord wants us to walk like He walked, we also know that this flesh is corrupt, and until we reach eternity, we have to contend with a corrupt flesh. But when that happens, we should have the confidence that we have an advocate with the Father, and that is the very One who saved us by giving Himself as an offering for all our sins, past, present, and future. That doesn’t mean we are fine with sinning, but we should be always striving to live for Him. John writes in this letter: “What you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life. I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie; just as He has taught you, remain in Him.” 1 John 2:24-27 What is asked of us is that we become more like Jesus, and for that we don’t need teachers to tell us how to do that, but rather, rely on the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, to reveal truth to us. But it seems like there are so many who want to tell you how to live, and we learn to rely on those who seem more “righteous” than us for those answers. Yes, we need teachers, but teachers who remind us of what the bible says, not their own theology that takes us away from scripture, but rather points to the scripture. Instead of just wanting to hear what that person says, check out with what he/she says with scripture. Does it confirm what the scriptures tell you? If so, then you’re good. If it doesn’t line up with scripture, seek other believers who you trust, and who give an honest profession of the faith, to help guide you. Just like Philip, who helped the Ethiopian Official understand what he was reading. The Official said, “How can I’, he said, ‘unless someone guides me.” Acts 8:31 You will learn to understand the word, even if it takes “guiding”, but trust first the Spirit that guides you in Scripture. He will also guide you to the right people. So, If you call yourself a Christian, because of your belief in Jesus Christ, and Him alone for Salvation; that God sent Him for such a purpose, and after the cross, raised Him from the dead, to sit at His right hand, where He intercedes for us to the Father, then you are on the right track, and you can be assured of your salvation. Yes, you might not feel like you are good enough to be saved, but thank Jesus Christ, that He came to save those who were not good enough, and give them new life, by believing in Him. Do you trust Him fully with everything that you have inside? Do you know that He died for you? Do you believe that Jesus will come again? Do you believe that He sits beside the Father even now interceding on your behalf when you falter? Do you believe that He did not leave you alone but has sent the Holy Spirit to be with you and in you for the rest of your days on this earth? Then rest my friend, for our Lord is with you. And He will keep picking you up every time you fall, and I mean every time. There is no limit to His great love for you and me, and we can be secure in that, without doubt. Pastor Andy