Have you ever done anything that you think is unforgivable? Most of us have. When we truly understand the perfection of God and the standard He expects from us, we can be overwhelmed by how guilty and unforgivable we are.

Jesus spoke a lot about how we should behave. Matthew records Him speaking about God’s love and how we are to live life. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

Be sure to read the previous verses to see the full meaning. The first time we read of God requiring perfection is when God chose to make a covenant with Abram, promising he would have a son, and establish the Jewish nation.

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1).

God changed his name to Abraham and gave him the land we now call Israel. God’s promises always come to pass, and the nation of Israel was established in the land God gave to Abraham. Was Abraham always perfect? No. Has the Nation of Israel always been perfect? No. Yet we see God’s love and forgiveness when we study the history of Israel. God gave the Law to teach about God’s perfect standard and for the protection of His chosen people.

The Law of Moses was the standard. If a person was raised in a Jewish household, it was habit to eat in a kosher manner and live daily life in a way that pleased God. Were they able to live perfectly? No more than we can live perfectly today. The Jewish Law was a “works” related way of life. In other words, they had to do things in order to be right in God’s eyes. When they failed, they had to make an animal sacrifice to atone for their sin.

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).

God doesn’t want anybody to die in sin, and always has provided a way to be forgiven. The Old Covenant (before the cross) required animal sacrifices; the New Covenant (after the cross) requires forgiveness only through the blood of Jesus. No matter what sin I commit, if I repent…truly repent…His blood takes my sin away. Then, it’s important that I don’t continue in that sin. Jesus healed a paralyzed man and told him to not sin anymore.

“Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14).

What sin had this man committed? Whatever it was, the truth of Jesus’ words is for all of us. “…sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14b).

We must turn from our sin; whether or not we can see sin’s effect on us, it comes between us and God. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Jesus is always willing to forgive us when we truly repent.

We must remember that when Jesus walked this earth, He came first to the Jewish people to offer the Gospel to them. Therefore, the lessons we read in the Gospels have a very Jewish message, but the truth is for all.

Jesus told a parable about forgiveness that is very special and speaks to all of us. A man who seems to be wealthy has two sons. “And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living” (Luke 15:12).

This request affected both sons. Inheritance was usually done after death, but the younger son wanted his share immediately. That meant the older son would also get his share. Did this mean that now the older son had all the responsibility of ownership of herds and paying servants? All of this while baby brother went off and had fun. I can understand why the older brother wasn’t happy when his brother returned, but I’m jumping ahead.

The young brother soon left and went off to a far country. I’m sure the country he journeyed to had a very small Jewish population, and therefore he was living a life that didn’t honor God’s Law. Too often, this happens in a Christian family. One or more of the children may rebel and run off to find a better life, living in a sinful manner. Sin never brings a satisfactory life.

The young son found out that a life of sin isn’t as great as he thought. He wasted all of his money. Then a famine came along and he was in need of food. He had no friends to help him, so he found employment from a man who sent him to feed the swine. Since the audience hearing this parable was Jewish, they must have been astonished. Swine are very unclean animals and something to be avoided.

“And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him” (Luke 15:16).

That just added to the horror. Eating food meant for swine was unthinkable.

How long did it take until the young man realized what a wonderful father he had and how even his servants were blessed by him?

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” (Luke 15:17).

The young man had made his own trouble and was reaping the evils of the sin he had sown, but he finally realized things hadn’t been so bad living under his father’s rules. The young son decided to humbly return to his father, admit his wrong, and ask to be forgiven and hired as a servant. Yes, he repented and turned from his sin. So, off he went.

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

This father was overjoyed to have his son back. The son had changed his mind about his sin, but now it was time for him to confess to his father.

“And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son” (Luke 15:21).

Instead of condemning him, the father called for the best robe to be put on his son, a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet, as well as for a calf to be slaughtered. It was to be a joyous party!

“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (Luke 15:24).

Sin had separated father and son, but the son was still his father’s son. The father in the parable is a picture of God; the younger son is a picture of every sinner saved by grace. What about the older son? Was he happy to have his brother back? Not hardly.

“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant” (Luke 15:25-26).

He was told of his brother’s return and the party that was going on. The older son became very angry and refused to join in the celebration. So, the father went out to talk to him.

“And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and ye thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf” (Luke 15:29-30).

Oh my, big brother was in a snit. It’s interesting that he seemed to know what his younger brother had been doing, yet he didn’t try to bring him home. Had he sent spies to watch him? Was the older brother jealous of the younger brother for having chosen to sin rather than honor his father? It makes me think of how Christians treat each other. We live in our pious self-righteousness, and when a member of our Christian family chooses to sin, we look down on them. When that sinner repents and turns from the sin, do we condemn that person, or are we joyous?

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

That is a comfort. We have the assurance of forgiveness, but first, we, like the prodigal son, must recognize we have sinned, confess that sin, and ask to be forgiven.

“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:31-32). 

I’m so thankful that God forgives my sin. He will forgive yours too. The older son had missed his own blessings while focusing on his brother’s sin.

Don’t be fearful of the reaction of fellow Christians and their condemning attitudes. Sadly, this happens too often among believers. We forget our own sinful acts, but look down on a humble, broken sinner who comes humbly to God.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).

All sin can be forgiven. Even the sin of condemning those whom you feel don’t live up to your own righteousness.

If you’re asking if God can forgive you, the answer is yes. There is no sin bigger than God’s love.  Repent, turn from sin, and turn to God. He loves you. He’s watching for you to come back to Him.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6

 

 

There is no doubt that we are living in perilous times. The end of the age is coming quickly, and we see the signs of the times clearly. One of the signs is apostasy. I never thought I’d see such a weakening of Christian faith. Many who claim to be Christians embrace worldly ways instead of standing upon God’s truth.

Many say we need to update Scripture because people have changed. Be very clear on this: God never changes. Most of us read a translation of Scripture so we can read it in our own language. Some translations need to be thrown out, but even the best translations cannot be as accurate as what was written in the original language. Scripture needs to change people instead of people changing Scripture. As originally written, Scripture is our guide, and you must arm yourself with the word of God.

The Apostle Paul was aware of what would happen in the last days…in our time. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Paul never minced words when defending God’s truth, and neither should we. Why is it that today we will defend evil and declare that we aren’t to judge, while we so easily compromise God’s word? This is a spiritual fight, and we can never win that fight using human ideas and logic. Spiritual battles must be fought with spiritual weapons.

First, the blinders must be removed, and we must understand that there is an unseen world around us that is more real than the dimension in which we live. We like to talk about Heaven and seeing Jesus, and that’s the good place that exists in the unseen realm. The other side of that truth is Satan and his minions. These evil beings are manifesting more often, but those who see them are laughed at.

When you see a UFO, call on the name of Jesus for protection. Have you seen a ghost? Call on the name of Jesus for protection. Do you hear voices telling you to do awful things? Call on the name of Jesus for protection. Humans are given a guide for the way to please God and avoid evil. But let me ask this: Do you own a Bible? I mean a good translation of what God dictated to the men who were willing to listen. If so, do you know where it is? How much dust is on the cover?

Remember, you can buy food, but if you don’t eat that food, you’ll die. Food sitting on the shelf won’t nourish you. Get your Bible out and study. Don’t just read, but study to be armed for spiritual warfare. The entire Bible will arm you, and the Apostle Paul wrote specifically about it. When he wrote letters to the congregation in Corinth, he was writing to people very much like today. They attend Christian services, but keep God at arm’s length.

“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:1-2).

They were proud of their “wokeness” and accepted all sin into their congregation, but required no repentance and turning from sin. This is how Satan infiltrates congregations.

I’ve only attended one church that stood firmly against sexual sin and confronted those who participated. That church had a lot of bad teachings, but in that one area, they were very strong. When Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, he had a lot to say about spiritual warfare.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

We cannot be followers of God and embrace sin. If you’ve made the wise decision to accept Christ for salvation, then obey God in the way you live.

“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:3-5).

Pay attention, and repent of your sins. God doesn’t treat sin lightly, and neither should you. Sadly, Christians side with the world in many ways. Marriage isn’t respected. One-night stands and just “living together” are common today. There’s no commitment or respect for each other. Women allow themselves to be used, and men will take advantage of the situation.

When children come along, quite often they are murdered in the womb. It’s a crime where the innocent victim of a sinful act is condemned to death. Shame on any Christian who supports abortion.

Then there’s the same-sex evil. Read Romans chapter 1 to see what God says about denying Him as creator, and accepting homosexuality. Remember, if you claim to be a Christian, you must follow God’s rules.

Marriage is seldom honored, but parents have also turned their children over to others to raise. If a baby happens to survive in the womb without being murdered, then that baby is sent to a babysitter. Mom and Dad are too busy to nurture that little person. The babysitter begins instilling their morals into your child. Then, as soon as possible, the child is sent to pre-school, then kindergarten, then to public school where the government dictates morals, while rejecting God as the One who gives moral guidance. By the time the child graduates from high school and then college, they have been brainwashed into a mindset where right is wrong and wrong is right.

Homeschooling using a Christian curriculum is the way a Christian child should be schooled. It may take sacrifice on the part of the parents, but the blessings are worth it. The spiritual battle begins in the home. Satan is trying to destroy families by leading men and women to compromise their God-ordained roles in life. Don’t be unarmed for the battle, but fight with God’s truth.

Men are given the role of leadership. This is first seen in the Garden of Eden when God gave the first spiritual guidance to Adam when He told Adam not to eat the Forbidden Fruit. Adam compromised his role when he followed Eve into sin. Throughout the Old Testament, it’s men who lead. Men fail, but only when they don’t obey God. That rule is also seen in the New Testament.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing” (Ephesians 5:22-24).

Satan has twisted this in the same way he twisted God’s words to Adam. He twisted truth and deceived Eve. Women have an important role in life, but Satan has caused women to think that submitting to their husbands and nurturing children is menial and unimportant work. Wrong. First, honor God by honoring a committed marriage. Choose a Godly man who is worthy to be submitted to, then submit. What does a man of God look like? Keep reading in Ephesians.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).

Sister, is the man you’re in “love” with abusive, verbally and/or physically? Does he spend the money on drinking with the guys? If you have children, does he provoke them to be angry? Or does he love you in the same way that Christ loves His Bride?

“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Ephesians 5:32-33). 

Pay attention to God, and don’t be deceived by Satan. Arm yourself with God’s truth.

Like it or not, we’re in a battle. There can be no running away from this war. Those who reject Christ and follow the ways of the world may think life is lovely and have no problems, but they will suffer for eternity after death. Christians may feel battle fatigue, but never turn away from God. Study Scripture and live as close to His directions as you can. The battle is spiritual, and the weapons you need to fight are spiritual.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10).

You cannot win against Satan by your own strength, but if you’re armed with His spiritual weapons, you’ll be armed for spiritual battle.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11-12).

These “non-flesh and blood” entities are the minions of Satan. Only God can win the battle. Actually, the war has already been won at the cross. Never forget that Satan is a created being and is subject to Christ. You have Christ’s power in you, so don’t shrink from the battle, but fight with God’s weapons.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

Have you done all you can? Have you become skilled in using the weapons of God’s armor? If you ignore Scripture, you haven’t done anything to fight in the battle, and you’re unarmed.

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14).

In the Roman army, the weapons of war hung on a belt. We must also girt our loins with truth…. God’s truth. Study Scripture without compromise and put on the breastplate of righteousness. Take a look at Isaiah chapter 59, and see that this isn’t just a New Testament idea. A breastplate protects vital organs such as your lungs and heart. Breathe in the breath of life from God, and give Him your heart. Be faithful through righteousness. Not your own righteousness, but righteousness through Jesus.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

You can’t fight a battle in sandals. A Roman soldier had shoes with hobnails for gripping the ground, making them more sure-footed. Christians have the Gospel. Jesus Christ came to redeem us and bring salvation to all who believe. We are no longer under the Mosaic Law, but we must follow God’s moral law. Put on the Gospel shoes and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Be bold.

As we get closer to the Rapture, we see more and more preachers being silenced. England is a prime example of a once-Christian nation that’s caving under the pressure of Muslim evil. Christians, stand strong in the Armor of God.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16.

We walk by faith. “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight:)” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7).

Christians shouldn’t fear death. Jesus conquered death, and by faith we will live with Him forever. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:’ (Ephesians 6:17).

Don’t allow doubt to enter your mind. Protect your brain by having the helmet of salvation firmly in place. Christ died so that you can live. We are saved by grace, not by our own works. We may fail in our fight on occasion, but when we repent and ask for forgiveness, He will always forgive. Don’t allow the failures to make you think you’re not saved.

Put on the helmet of salvation and keep your faith. The items of the armor of God are all defensive. The breastplate protects vital organs, the helmet protects your thoughts, etc.

Then there’s the sword of the Spirit. This is a weapon used against the enemy to inflict harm on him. Learn to rely on the Holy Spirit. Don’t allow the enemy to shoot fiery darts at you without you wielding the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within you, and fight back. Keep God’s armor on and never take it off. Strengthen it by studying Scripture. Don’t be unarmed.

Don’t forget prayer. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints:” (Ephesians 6:18).

Prayer is communication with our Commander in Chief. The more we talk with Him, the stronger our faith will become. Even Paul asked for prayer for himself.

“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).

I never think of Paul as needing help to be bold, but we all do. We all face the spiritual enemy, and we all need to be bold and fearless in living our faith.

Don’t be unarmed in the battle. Fight with all the strength of the Holy Spirit living in you. Keep the armor in place.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).