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NASB | Matthew 1:21 "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The LORD is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins." |
Subject: Saved from sin? |
Bible Note: Hi! I thank God for you because you bring thoughts that have not occurred to me. They cause me to consider new issues. I trust that I can be a benefit to you by addressing them. We have considered the idea that sin must be clearly labeled and described when we present the Gospel. Sinners must recognize sin for what it is, and turn from it in repentance. They must turn to God in faith and look toward a life with him, without sin. They must know that they are entering a relationship with God who is holy and separate from sinners (Hebrews 7:26). Believers must shun sin because it is an offence to God and hinders our fellowship. There are also other fearful consequences to sin. The concept of a "sin of obedience" is a difficult one since the Bible does not use such a term. You say that a "righteousness apart from the Law has been revealed" and yet you suspect that we still persist in the notion that we must live according to the law to be righteous. It is not clear why you think so. Surely we must live righteous lives. But it is because we are righteous. We do not do it in order to become righteous. You speak of “performance Christianity” and call it a trap. Again, I think it is clear that we must live and work and do things for God. But this is our response to him, because we love him. We do not do those things to be accepted of him. If we are saved we are his children and he loves us first, not because we love him first. It is possible that some Christians think God loves them more because of what they do for him. But God’s love is without measure. He loves me more than I can tell, in spite of what I may or may not do. What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Let me say that we should be aware of our own love for the Lord and live in the light of it. Beyond that too much introspection is not good or necessary. From time to time we may find ourselves saying, as Jehu did, (2 Kings 10) “Come and see my zeal for the Lord”. I am not saying we should talk like that, but I believe that story is given to us to suggest that it can happen and that the Lord does not resent or condemn it. We should therefore not condemn ourselves for it. For example, if your service or ministry to others is generated (partly) out of a desire to be thought well of by them, don’t worry about it. You are doing for others because God's word tells you that you should. That is your motivation. If they appreciate it you may find reinforcement in that, but it was not your motivation. You would do it even if it caused you pain instead of pleasure. Do not doubt yourself because your soul responds to pleasure. God asks us to encourage one another. He does not expect us to feel guilty or to doubt our motives when we are encouraged. I guess the point of this one is that too much introspection is not good or necessary. The fact is we do not really know our hearts anyway. It is God who searches the heart. Let him search and find your love for him there. If there is anything else he will show you and you can forsake it then. Without him, I say, do not try too hard to judge your motives. Are you following me? We can pray together. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Let us go on to serve the lord, and leave the soul searching to him. |