Repentance Vs Salvation ~ Aren't they the same thing?

The simple answer is no!

Some people believe that if you do certain things, you are guaranteed a place in heaven. That is not true.

Galatians 1: 6-9 (NIV) ~ "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!"

Without salvation, man kind would be lost forever!

Let us not be confused with what repentance is NOT:

1. Repentance is NOT BEING SORRY for what you have done. People who are truly sorry for their past mistakes, but they are not believers in Jesus. When you mention belief in Jesus as part of true repentance, they want no part of it. People can be truly sorry for messing up in their lives, but not be believers in Jesus.

2. Repentance is NOT FEELING GUILTY for what you have done. Just because you're feeling guilty in your conscience and may sense a burden of shame, that guilty feeling can be masked by external things. So how are you dealing with guilt? (drugs, alcohol, denial, staying busy). Unless you are confessing your wrong doings to Jesus, you are just a person who feels guilt for something you have done.

3. Repentance is NOT REGRETTING that things have turned out poorly. This is what a criminal or a lawbreaker feels whenever they get caught doing something they knew was wrong to do.Even Judas was remorseful.

Matthew 27: 3-4 (NIV) ~" When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and elders. "I have sinned," he said., "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."

Dr. Charles Ryrie points out that "there are many criminals who are very sorry about their criminality and the damage they have caused, but they are not willing to come to Christ and have their sins forgiven. This is not a biblical repentance - this is a carnal remorse, this is guilt, this is sorrow, but this kind of grief does not lead to salvation. It is imperative that you search your heart to determine if you are willing to not only face your sin, but to pick it up and run with it straight to Jesus and give it to Him. That act of doing so is biblical repentance."

 True repentance NEVER had conditions.

Mark 1:14b - 15 (NIV) ~ "  Jesus went into Gailee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Jesus doesn't fix mistakes, he died so you could have your sins forgiven. We need to change our minds and opinions about Jesus.

God doesn't listen to the prayers of non-believers unless it is a prayer asking for salvation. You can't come under the authority of Jesus, with your prayers, unless you confess Jesus is your Savior. You don't confess your sins to anyone but Jesus.

God is simply waiting for the non believer to change your opinion (repent) of who Jesus is before He will hear you and you will be saved. You have to have a complete 180 degree change of heart before you can be saved. The believers in Jesus have hope in this scripture. Our sins when we confess them and ask Jesus into our lives are removed. We have been forgiven.

Psalm 103:12-14 (NIV) ~ "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."

2 Corinthians 6: 1-2 (NIV) ~ " As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now it the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."

When you hear the truth of God's Word, the truth of what it takes to be saved through Jesus Christ, and you do nothing, God may not speak to you again. You need to stop accepting the biblical world view of Jesus and accept the Bibles view of who He is and what He did for all of us.

We have to remember as believers in Jesus, that when we sin, we don't change our beliefs of Jesus, we simply need to confess our sins. This is the mistake most Christians make when they sin, they believe they need to start the "sinner's prayer" all over again including accepting Jesus into our lives again, and that is NOT what needs to happen when we confess our sins.

So many Christian think that just because they have sinned, they have to go back to the beginning like restarting a game, and go back to the start again. That is where we make mistakes when it comes to confession of sin. Just confess the sin part and move on. We need to see when we give our lives to God, with a change of true repentance, a change of opinion of who Jesus is and who what He did for us, when we slip up, our salvation is NOT LOST. We just disrupted the fellowship between ourselves and God.

Just like the old Verizon commercial, "Can you hear me now?" When we have unconfessed sin our in our life, God won't talk to you until you confess or remove that barrier that is preventing God from hearing you. We need to clear the air between us and God. When we sin, if we don't confess it, God momentarily stops listening to our prayers, our fellowship with Him has been temporarily severed, but our salvation is still intact.

1 John 2:1 (NIV) ~ "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." 

1 John 1:6-7, 9 (NIV) ~ "If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But 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 us from all sin."

The bold text is emphasis on the words fellowship, not salvation. Notice the difference! We need to confess sin to restore the fellowship with Jesus, not go back to the beginning and keep repeating the sinner's prayer for salvation.

We need to make sure however, when we do sin, we confess it on the spot, don't wait!

Mark 11:25 -26 (NIV) ~ " And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins."

It's not about losing our salvation when we forgive others, it is about restoring the fellowship we had with God through the confession of our sins. And we remember just how many times, we are called to forgive, according to the Bible is it 70 times 7, which is 490 times, a number in Jewish culture that means an infinite number of times. That should be such a verse that frees believers to the simple difference between our salvation and the confession of our sins! It doesn't say the Father will forgive you and restore your salvation, NO it says forgive you of your sins!'

You can't tap out the limits of God's grace as a believer in Jesus Christ.

Being Saved is So Simple!

What would you do if someone you knew came up to you and provided you with an airline ticket to Hawaii for two weeks. All expenses paid, airfare, hotel and car rental were all included and upgrade to the very best money could buy. There is even traveler's checks included for all the expenses you might incur from souvenirs, meals, you name it. You didn't have to provide anything except to accept the ticket, pack your bags and show up. Would you accept it?

Or would you stand back and wonder how real this all was? What if the ticket is fake? What if there really isn't a place called Hawaii, I mean you never have been there before, maybe it really doesn't exist after all? What if the plane doesn't show up? What if my seat assignment is wrong? What if my luggage gets lost? What if the plane doesn't start? What if ....???

Why is it, that when we put our faith in Jesus, for our salvation, we can't accept it as freely as we would a plane ticket and trip to Hawaii, no questions asked?

Because it is too simple!

We have all heard the saying, nothing in this life is really free. That is true but it isn't in this life, that we are taking about.

People who purchased tickets on the Titanic were of one of three classes of people. Those in first class got the most opulent accommodations that were available. Those in second class, were in what many would call coach on airlines today. And then there were third class passengers who would have had to sit in the baggage compartment, but they all got to travel.

When reports from the newspapers got back to New York about the sinking of the disaster, however, there were only two lists of people, lost and saved. It didn't matter what class passengers were on. They were either lost or saved.

All of humanity is placed into one of two groups today. Lost? or Saved?

You have the opportunity to change today, which list your name will appear on.

Grace defined is simply unmerited favor. You don't need to do anything to receive it.

Just like you get a present for your birthday from friends and family, you simply accept it if it is given to you. You don't have to do anything to earn it. Such is the way of salvation in Jesus Christ. We simply must accept the gift He gave us, that if we believe in Him and accept what He did for us in our heart we can be saved.

James 1:17 (NIV) ~ "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows."

Ephesians 2: 4-5, 8-9 (NIV) ~ "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."

1 Corinthians 15:50, 53-55 (NIV) ~ "I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. For the perishable most clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the say that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

The minute you confess and place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, you are saved! Instantly! No works are needed.

What happens now if you are still among the living is that you will begin to battle against your old sin nature. The way you were living your life before you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Our old ways are no longer appealing to us.

Hebrews 9:24 (NIV) ~ "For Christ did  not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one: he entered heaven itself, not to appear for us in God's presence. "

Which means that at this moment, Jesus is standing before God getting from Him, everything you need to get through your day. Jesus is now our mediator before God, helping us get through our days by giving us strength, grace or mercy when we need it.

Hebrews 10:10 (NIV) ~ "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

This means we have been sanctified through the death of Jesus Christ once and for all. It isn't what we can do, but what Jesus did for us that will get us into Heaven.

Hebrews 10:14 (NIV) ~ "Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."

At the moment of the rapture or when you die, you enter into heaven, your faith will no longer be needed. We are saved from sin at that moment for all of time and eternity.

Romans 5: 9-10 (NIV) ~ " Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be save through his life!"

We have been justified when we place our trust and faith in Jesus Christ. It was as if we had never sinned. We need to believe that we are saved and begin living our life out now for Jesus.

Matthew 10:8b (NIV) ~ " Freely you have received, freely give."

2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV) ~ "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

Romans 5:15 (NIV) ~"But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) ~"It is by grace you have been saved."

Start using the same faith you have when you get ready to go to the store and get in your car, that it will start and you'll get to where you're going, as you do in your faith in Jesus Christ that you are saved. Stop doubting it! It is received by faith alone! Let us start using it!

How's Your Race Going?

Last night in church, we were asked the question of what do you want to hear when you enter the gates of Heaven and meet Jesus. Do you want to hear the words, "Well done good and faithful servant!" or "Just done?"

Pretty powerful statement when you think about it. All believers based on the gift of grace will enter the gates of Heaven but what else do you have to follow that up with?

"This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile ,for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." ~ Romans 3:22-24

The reference to Jew and Gentile refer to all of us living on earth, God's chosen people and everyone else, are referred to as Gentile's.

We will all be judged by God, but those of us as believers will not have to face the great white throne judgment but our acts of service as believers will be passed through the fire to see if our motives were along with Gods or for our own glory.

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." ~ 1 Corinthians 3: 10-15 

Now don't go confusing this statement with thinking you have to do certain things to earn you way into Heaven, it's not about that, but more along the lines of what are you doing with your time you have left here on earth to share the word of your testimony in what God has done for your life? How are you acting like a light pointing people to Him? When people look at your life, do they see a reflection of Jesus in your life?

If not, perhaps it might require a further evaluation into your heart, your spiritual heart. The Bible speaks that we will all be known by the type of fruit we bear, what are you producing? Is there evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in your life? Can you point people to God? If someone asked you a question, would you know where to find it in the Bible and not just offer them your perspective on things?

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”~ Matthew 12: 33-37

Perhaps we are standing for Jesus but are we growing in Christ as well? We can only move in two directions forward or backwards. Standing where we are currently is not a motion. Which direction are you headed??

Can you look back at your life and see some periods of a growth in your faith?

Hard questions sometimes require a hard approach to dig deeper into our spiritual walk to see where our hearts are.

I don't know about you, but I don't just want to show up to the party in heaven, I want to have a gift in hand to give to Jesus to thank Him for all He has done for me in my life. We, as believers are supposed to be working in His ministry to make a difference, to work on building our rewards in heaven where nothing can destroy them.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." ~ Matthew 6: 19-20

I don't know about you but if you have ever been invited to a party, it feels somewhat odd if you don't bring a gift. I want something to be able to give Jesus even though He doesn't want or expect anything from us. I want to be able to give Him something when I show up for the ultimate party in heaven! I want to thank Him for all He has done for me to make a significant impact in my life.

So how is your race going? Hopefully you are heading in the right direction. You are pushing on for the prize like a runner in a race! Working toward that finish line where we will hear the words we want to hear, His lord said to him, "‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’" ~ Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)

Kat Requests Pray Today!

My amazing and faithful prayer warriors:

I am requesting your prayers today. For those that may not know the whole story, I haven't spoken to my father in 15 years. In fact, my dad has not met my youngest daughter that turns 12 in January.

We are attending my nephew's graduation from High School today, one that we are so proud to be a part of. In the process, Josh has invited his grandparents, my father and step mom, so as you can see what the enemy has planned for evil, God is going to use for good today.

Please pray for protection against the enemy who will try in all his attempts to destroy the day and the purpose God has specifically put into place today, and allow such grace and mercy to be seen by all we come into contact with that, God's love will just pour forth into their lives. They are not believers at all. We are hoping for a special blessing on everyone including my brother that could use this time to witness God's never-ending love and grace under fire.

We will be at the ceremonies with a dinner following from 1:30pm to 7:30pm. Please pray for safe travels and for laughter and joy to be overflowing in abundance that anyone in 500 feet of us, will be splashed on with love and happiness.

I will update you on with pictures and details in tomorrow's post!

Grace Defined

When you think of the word grace, what comes to mind?

Do you think of someone you know that was named, Grace?

How about something you say before a meal as a way of thanksgiving?

What about the way someone walks or holds themselves in a dignified and elegant way or even the grace that is exhibited by a ballet dancer?

These are not the definitions we are looking for, even though they are valid.

The definition we are seeking is the one that Jesus Christ, himself, displayed when He gave the ultimate sacrifice of dying for all of us.

Let's look back at a biblical example to show just what grace means from the Old Testament. In the book of 2 Samuel 9:1-13.

It is the story of a time of King Davids life where he is reflecting on his past, his current life and two promises he made to two very special people in his life.

It was an eastern custom that when a newly elected king is appointed to the throne that all descendants and family members of that previous king were killed.

So when Saul saw that David would become king, he made David vow not to kill him or his family. 1 Samuel 24:20. David also held up a vow made to his good friend Jonathan that was the son of Saul that when he was dying in the war, also asked the same thing of David. 1 Samuel 20:13. So David was bound by two promises not to kill any of Saul and Jonathan's family when he took his throne.

When news got back that Saul and Jonathan had died, this is where we find David reflecting back on those promises of showing a kindness, which roughly defined should mean mercy or grace. The only remaining member of Saul's family was a grandson of Saul and the son of Jonathan. He had been taken away and was being hidden because of the custom of eliminating the previous kings family.

In the process of hearing the death of Saul and Jonathan, the nurse carrying for Jonathan's son rushed out in such a hurry that she dropped the child, thus the reason for him being crippled. His name was Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 4:4

So David begins to fulfill this promise and asks for any remaining member of Sauls family be brought before him. A servant is brought before David, who informs him that the only person left is a crippled boy, unworthy of being in David's presence.

David immediately summons for Mephibosheth who is hiding in the worst places in Israel where he knows no king will look. Once he hears the king wants to see him, he fears the worst and that he is going to die.

However once he arrives at the palace, he drops to his knees before David. David tells him not to be afraid because he is going to show him kindness or in this case grace and completely restore the land and everything that belonged to Saul to him. In addition the servant will now serve Mephibosheth for the remainder of their lives and Mephibosheth will eat at Davids' table always.

See grace is beyond showing a kindness to someone.

Grace is a demonstration of love that is not deserved and can never be repaid. So it is with our salvation. We don't deserve it and never will. There is nothing we can do, no deed or service to God that will earn our way in, because what Jesus did for all of us, can never be repaid. No one can ever do what He did.

He demonstrated perfect love and grace for us. Isn't it time you accepted it from God?