ONE CONDITION = FAITH
I recently counseled a Christian sister who, as a result of deception, ended up in a relationship with a married man. Even though she had repented and ended the relationship, she did not “feel” close to the Lord and wanted to know what she needed to do.
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Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved THROUGH FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is FAITHFUL and just TO FORGIVE us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We are ALL sinners. God does not designate one sin greater than the other. Sin is sin to God. Sin, however, causes a “disconnect” from God. Willful, continual sin opens spiritual doors that give demons the legal right to torment (a/k/a "demonize) you, which includes but is not limited to: all kinds of addiction (alcohol, drugs, gambling, sexual, smoking, pornography, etc.), acts born out of compulsion, anxiety, depression, despair, suicidal thoughts, suicide, inability to concentrate, sickness/disease, mental disorders, sleep disorders, financial trouble, relationship issues (spouse, family, friends), etc.
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Just as in the story of Peter denying Christ, God knows every sin we are going to commit before we do it. He loves us regardless and waits with open arms for us to repent and return to Him. NOTE: Do not misquote what I have written here. Repentance is a MUST. After repentance, however, if you still “feel” distanced from God:
James 4:8 KJV "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Note that it is OUR responsibility to draw near to Him and that if we do, He will draw near to us. Not only that, it is OUR responsibility to clean our hands and purify our hearts. It is not up to God. Read the scripture.
When you ASK for forgiveness and TURN away from the sin (a/k/a repentance) God forgives you immediately. QUESTION: Is there a condition to God’s forgiveness? Continue reading.
Matthew 21:22 “And WHATEVER things you ask in prayer (including forgiveness), believing [in faith], you will receive.”
James 1:6-8 But let him ask IN FAITH, WITH NO DOUBTING, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive ANYTHING from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Hummmm . . . that’s interesting. There IS a condition—even to God’s forgiveness. Re-read James 1:6-8 above. What does “anything” mean? Lack of faith is the ONLY thing that can stop a believer from receiving anything from God: blessings, promises, protection, provision, favor, love, patience, forgiveness . . . ANYTHING. God promises to forgive, but we MUST believe/have faith that He forgives in order to receive it. If we doubt that, we cannot “suppose to receive anything from Him.”
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James 1:8 tells us that if we ask but don’t have FAITH that God will do what we ask and in His ability to fulfill the request, we are double-minded. If that isn’t enough, it says that anyone that is double-minded is unstable in ALL OF HIS WAYS. How much is ALL??
When we know the truth (and have FAITH in the truth), the truth will set us FREE! When we ask for forgiveness, BELIEVING, we will receive it. But guess what? When God forgives us, we must also forgive OURSELVES! If we cannot forgive/release ourselves, that means we are under direct spiritual attack. The Enemy is the accuser of the brethren. He wants us to “feel” we aren’t worthy of forgiveness; that we are decrepit believers, etc. Oh, that Father of Lies!! You'd think that after hearing this time and time again, we would take it to heart Warriors! We need to stand on the truth of God’s Word in FAITH.
It is impossible to live victoriously in the spiritual realm on “feelings.” We must operate in FAITH to be successful in our spiritual lives. FAITH is the key . . . FAITH in God’s Word. When our FAITH in God’s Word is strong, we are immovable and VICTORIOUS!
To increase faith: Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Get into the Word. Read it daily, study it, and memorize it!
2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by FAITH, not by sight (or feelings).”
Your Fellow Warrior,
Delann Conrad
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