Worthy Words

Have you ever asked the question “Am I really saved?”   This question keeps many in constant turmoil. They ask, “Did I really mean it when I asked Jesus into my heart? Was I really sincere? Did I do it right? Did it take?” God’s not playing games with you, and he’s doesn’t want you to be plagued by doubt. The bottom line is this: If you invited Jesus into your life and asked him to forgive you of your sins, you’re saved. That’s it. That’s God’s promise not mine. Here is how to process the progress of your God given holiness. Did you ever do the Sunday School project where you put the seed in a Styrofoam cup? After church you would take it home and on Monday expect to see a flower growing. But it took days before even just a bit of green would appear from the soil in the cup. It took patience to realize the beauty within.   It’s the same with the seed God has planted in your life. He has placed his life in you, but the seed has to grow and fully mature. It takes time, ...

As far as your spiritual life is concerned religious talk is not good enough. The apostle John makes this clear in his little epistle 1 John 2:4-6. If someone claims, “I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. John is not talking about sinless perfection here but rather that a Christ-follower is to relate to others the way Jesus did. In other words we have to walk the walk like Jesus. Walking as Jesus walked begins with loving other people. Christ-followers have tried to make Christianity more difficult than it really is. We’ve make it about church membership, or a particular theological persuasion, or saying the right words during baptism, or what version of the Bible is the only one to be used. The apostle is clear. W...

When we experience God's forgiveness, it affects the way we look at others. When we realize that our relationship with God is based on mercy, it helps us to treat others in a more merciful manner. Forgiveness creates a bond that unites believers, because being forgiven helps us understand that it's all about mercy, it's all about grace, and without God's help we would doomed to the darkness. When believers who are walking in the light get together, there's an immediate connection. Forgiveness from God brings people together.  John says that walking in the light goes hand-in-hand with fellowship and forgiveness. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies from all sin. (1 John 1:7)   There's a stereotype that you've probably seen on TV programs. That sanctimonious person that thinks that because he is right with God, he's better than everyone else. I've known relig...

Who deserves forgiveness? None of us are worthy of forgiveness. The good news is that forgiveness is never given on the basis of who deserves it. It's given on the basis of God's faithfulness. We can’t earn God's forgiveness, we can only receive it. Christ-followers who grasp this fundamental biblical truth begin to experience the transforming power of God's presence. Once we get past trying to earn that which he is willing only to give, we experience true freedom. As a pastor, I’ve have found that many Christ-followers doubt that they're forgiven because they're not sure they did a good enough job of repenting. They question themselves saying, "Did I really convince God that I was sorry? Did I feel guilty or bad enough? Did I confess earnestly enough? Did I earn God's forgiveness?" I can assure you that you didn't. You didn't feel guilty enough. You didn't confess earnestly enough. You don't deserve God's forgiveness. But yo...

Some people reason the Christian life as — "What's the minimum I have to do and what's the maximum I can get away with?" Most of those same people would never say it that way, but they’re thinking that way from time to time. The real challenge is to think the opposite way — How can I maximize my relationship with God, and how can I minimize my sinful behavior?  A relationship with God is compared to "living in the light." This association includes knowing where you stand with God, knowing that you are forgiven, knowing that your prayers are being heard, knowing that you have the power to overcome temptation, knowing that God is with you. Simply put you must come to grips with your sin. Therein lies the problem. Many are reluctant or indifferent to see they need God to forgive them of anything. This attitude prevents them from experiencing God’s forgiveness.  God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all…If we are living in the light, as God is in ...