Do you think Christ meant.....

[TexasSky]

For us to care for the sick, the widowed, the hungry and the poor?

If He did, and we don't, should we ask forgiveness for not?

How many times do we have to ask forgiveness for not even trying before we realize it isn't repenting, its just asking?

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

1. Of course he did.

2. True Christians will strive to follow the commands in the Word of God. If we sin against God, we should ask for forgiveness.

3. True Christians will strive to obey God and his Word.

4. Now, for my question: Is there a specific instance that you are wanting to discuss? Is this a problem in your life (obeying God / and truly repenting)?

Joseph Botwinick

 

[Bob Krajcik]

Originally posted by TexasSky:
For us to care for the sick, the widowed, the hungry and the poor?

If He did, and we don't, should we ask forgiveness for not?

How many times do we have to ask forgiveness for not even trying before we realize it isn't repenting, its just asking?

Confession might sooth the conscience giving a false sense of comfort, but confessing and forsaking would answer what is required by Scripture.


Proverbs 28:13 (KJV) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

 

[TexasSky]

Joseph,

I tend to be a person who likes to reflect, and to encourage people to reflect. Is there a reason you like to snip and snipe at people?

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

It's a hobby...

No seriously, I am not sniping at you. I am asking very logical questions since you seem to be the master of the obvious here.

Joseph Botwinick

 

[TexasSky]

Joseph,

If you ever study counseling, you'll learn that the obvious is that which is most often over looked, and questions make people look inward. Sometimes when they look inward, they feel pride and relief. Sometimes when they look inward, they feel a need to change something. In either case, the reflections that come from questions can be helpful.

 

[Mark Osgatharp]

Forgiveness is not granted on a commitment to do better. It is granted on the basis of Christ's blood and our confession of our sin. The man who declares otherwise makes forgiveness to be based on works and flies in the face of the plain word of God that,

"If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

And if that isn't plain enough, we have these words in the 78th Psalm:

"For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble. When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again."

The only basis on which the Lord forgave them was that they remembered that God was their Redeemer and sought mercy from Him. All of their words of commitment were but lies and flattery, but God forgave them any way because He is a merciful God.

Mark Osgatharp

 

[TexasSky]

Mark,

Good point.