A Godly Woman

What is a Godly Woman?  She is one that studies and desires to please the Lord, one that seeks His heart in conduct, manner, and apparel.  Her hearts desire is to look, act, and always conduct herself as a holy and godly woman of God.  She prays for it.  She longs to be a vessel of honor for the Lord.  A godly woman not only identifies with God outwardly but she radiates God from her innermost being.  Do you want your life to glorify Him?  Do you love Him enough to obey Him?  How far are you willing to go to please the Lord?  Proverbs 31:10, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”  A virtuous woman, a godly woman, her price is far above rubies!  She is priceless!  

Being a godly woman is not just about dress but that is where she will start.  I Timothy 2:9-10, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety: not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”  The scriptures teach us that to be godly women we are to be modest.  Modesty means behaving according to what is proper or decent, pure, especially not displaying one’s body.  Not vain or boastful, humble, natural, plain in appearance.

Sadly some say “God does not care what you wear”.  That is not what the Bible teaches. Read the scriptures, God cares very much about what we wear, even from the very beginning.  It is first revealed to us in the 3^rd chapter of Genesis.  Adam and Eve sinned in the garden and for the first time they realized they were naked.  Their immediate reaction was to take what ever they could find and cover their nakedness.  They covered themselves with fig leaves this was the first attempt by mankind to clothe himself.  However, it was inadequate in the Lord’s sight because after He pronounced the curses upon His creation the first thing the Lord did was to make them coats of skins for clothing, so the whole purpose of clothing is to cover up one’s nakedness.  Many times throughout the Bible God is very specific about clothing.  Deuteronomy 22:5,  “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto The Lord thy God.”  So according to God’s Holy Word, it does matter what we wear.  A godly woman will always know the importance of modest and adequate clothing.    

A godly woman would not think of purposely wearing a neckline too low.  It should be obvious that tight tops are a problem because a woman’s bust line is a most provocative and tempting part of the female body.  When a woman displays her bust or cleavage is she aware that she is causing men to look and lust?  Most women that dress immodestly know exactly what they are doing.  Tight fitting garments that reveal your form is no less damaging than clothes that reveal your flesh.  Even the world calls such clothing “revealing”, if it clings to your body it is wrong to wear it.  When a women exposes herself even a little, whether purposely or not, she becomes one of Satan’s fiery darts in the heart of every man who sees her.  As a Christian woman you are not therefore at liberty to dress any way you choose.  You have a moral obligation not to expose yourself in a way that would cause any man to even think about you in an immoral way.

What about going to church in immodest apparel?  Church is a time when people of God come to worship the Lord, who is Holy.  We therefore ought to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.  Psalms 29:2, “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” If we come before the Lord dressed ungodly how can we worship Him in the beauty of holiness?

In this lukewarm, liberal generation we are living in modesty has to be clearly defined and even then many so called Christian women feel restricted.  Restricted from what -- wearing revealing clothing, wearing clothing that brings attention to themselves.  Women who try to find a way around the word of God must be deemed worldly and not spiritually minded.

A spiritual minded woman who cares for the things of God and her husband will not feel restricted she would never want to do anything to cause a person to lust after her by dressing provocatively.  She would never want to disrespect her husband or her God.

I Peter 3:3-5, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:”

A woman’s emphasis should be to adorn the inner self with meekness, quietness, purity, subjection and good works which is of great worth in God’s sight.  Godliness and good works are the adornment of a Godly Christian Woman.  The adornment of the inner man will show outwardly.  Modesty doesn’t have to be unbecoming, unattractive, or dumpy.  Look sharp.  Dress as nicely as your budget will allow.  Glorify God with your body. 

Be the Godly woman that God wants you to be!

email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com

Endure to the End

Endure to the End

(Matthew 10:22) "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

What does it mean to endure?...

Since we are called upon to endure certain things in life let's look at the meaning of the word.  Webster's dictionary says it means to stand, bear, undergo, put up with, tolerate, and hold out.

As Christians we often think that if we have enough faith we will automatically find a supernatural escape form every problem, sickness, or trial. By no means am I trying to belittle God's delivering power or hinder faith for deliverance but at the same time the idea that faith will give us an automatic escape from everything is simply wrong.  God's Word teaches us that as Christians we must endure some things.  Although God could give us an escape from all difficulty He does not, simply because we need to learn the blessings of endurance. 

As Christians we can move mountains, be healed, and have victory through faith in God.  God's promises to those with faith are many.  Every one of his promises are true; yet the same faith that brings deliverance also enables us to endure whatever God may assign us.  In fairness to God's Word, we need to consider both deliverance and endurance, so that we will not despair in our times of trial.

As a part of God's church we endure persecution...

(2 Timothy 3:12)  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Jesus Christ came to build a church that the gates of hell would not be able to prevail against.  From the beginning the church has been the object of persecution.  The Apostles, New Testament saints, and saints of every generation to the present day saints have suffered and still suffer persecution.  However, persecution has not stopped God's great church.  While persecutions have raged, the gospel has spread.  Paul mentioned some of his persecutions and reminded us that those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer the same.  May God give us the resilience to stay true to Him regardless of what life brings.

In our walk with God we endure affliction...

(2 Timothy 4:5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Affliction covers a wide range of meanings in the Bible, but in the general sense it means that we face distress, tight places, hardships, and sufferings.  God does not always deliver us from our afflictions, but he always gives us grace to endure them. Paul encouraged Timothy; a young minister to endure afflictions.  However, Paul's lot in life was filled with afflictions, infirmities, reproaches, persecutions, and distresses; these he patiently endured by the grace of God.  Job's troubles, sickness, and circumstances were called afflictions; these he had to endure for some time before victory came.  If affliction becomes our lot, we should never despair, for God gives grace to endure.

As a soldier in God's army we endure hardness....

(2 Timothy 2:4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

(2 Timothy 2:3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Hardness, in the context of God's Word, means undergoing hardship that comes upon us because we are Christians.  Christians are soldiers, and the life of a soldier has never been an easy one.  Talk to soldiers in Uncle Sam's army, it is not an easy life.  In God's army the child of God constantly faces battles, trials, and difficulties.  Satan sees to that.  Paul encouraged Timothy to endure hardness as a good soldier.  You know we need to ask ourselves when things get hard...  Are we willing to undergo a few hardships and endure if necessary for the gospel's sake?  Not every day of our Christian life will be easy; at times, we will be called upon to endure hardness as a good soldier! 

As Christians we endure grief...

(1 Peter 2:19-21) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

This is not referring to grief that we have when a loved one dies.  This scripture is talking about the grief we suffer when accused wrongfully for doing well.  Many times during my walk with God I've been told I think I'm better than everyone else because I refuse to drink, curse, watch ugly TV shows or live an ungodly life.  Our good and righteous life can be filled with grief from false accusations, criticism, and rejection by others.  It hurts when loved ones and friends reject us.  Sometimes one will experience grief living in a split household.  We may live with parents, children, or spouses that are not saved.  They may have different beliefs or belong to a different religion.  They may reject us and refuse to join us in worship.  This can cause us a huge amount of grief.  We must often endure tears and sorrow in order to identify with Christ.

We endure temptation...

I Corinthians 10:13 says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  Bear means to endure.  In other words so we may be able to "endure it".  Even when deliverance does not come, we can stay saved and walk with God, while carrying the load of whatever we are called upon to endure.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

God has promised us deliverance in times of temptation in order to be proved.  When we endure and do not receive deliverance from temptation, the bible tells us we are blessed!  Temptation falls in two categories in the Scripture: (1) an enticement to evil and (2) a test or trial.  God never entices us with evil, although He may allow Satan to do so.  There are times when God tests and tries us to prove our dedication to Him.  God tried and proved Abraham by commanding him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice upon the altar.  Abraham was not enticed to do evil; God was proving Abraham's love for Him.  We cannot always evade or avoid times of temptation, but when they come, we should not feel backslidden just because we are tempted.  Temptation is not a sin; succumbing to it is.  If we endure temptation, victory will be ours!

As a child of God we must endure chastisement....

Hebrews 12:6-7 says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Psalm 13: 5-6 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Because God loves us He chastens us.  He chastens us to keep us from being condemned with the world.  No one enjoys or delights in chastisement, nor is it something we should try to escape through supernatural means. A brother once told me the story of how he was chastised for being rude to a certain person and The Lord dealt with him to go apologize and when he did he was blessed and became that man's friend. 

As a child my dad would tell me just before he punished me that it was going to hurt him just as much as it did me.  As a child I did not understand this, but when I became a parent I realize it does hurt to punish your children.  But, we punish our children because we love them and it is for their own good.  Just as the bible tells us we too must endure chastisement it is never for our destruction, but always for our good.  We must remember when God chastises us it is because he loves us!

When we follow Jesus we bear the cross...

(Matthew 16:24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

(Matthew 10:38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Jesus Christ endured the cross and the contradiction of sinners against Himself.  His cross was not joyous; it was the joy set before Him that helped Him endure it.  In order to save us He could not be delivered from it; therefore, only one thing remained---to endure it.  Today we are called upon to bear a cross also.  Jesus laid three demands upon us if we want to be His disciples.  We must deny ourselves, we must take up our cross daily, and we must follow Him.  By the cross we bear we are crucified to the world and the world to us.  Cross bearing will never be fun or easy; its heaviness and cruelty will remain until the day we lay the cross down and pick up our crown.  May God help us to endure the cross, as we pick it up daily to walk with him.

We are called with a heavenly calling with many precious promises, yet there is some enduring to be done.  In Ezekiel 22:14 God asked, "Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee?"  Surely we can say yes if our heart is filled with the love of God.

(2 Corinthians 12:10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

When we endure we are made strong!

Mark 4:16-17 says, "And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the Word, immediately receive it with gladness.  And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time; afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the Word's sake, immediately they are offended." 

Because of a lack of roots, those on stony ground will not be able to endure.  Only the strong, well-grounded, and deep-rooted will endure.  To plow with the gospel plow, to enter the narrow gate, and to watch our adversary diligently all demand a strong, enduring spirit.  I want to remind us all that through faith and God's help we can endure to the end!

Written by: Kim Howard

 

*I was inspired to write this for a friend who at the time was struggling. In loving memory, Renee Davis Smith.

 

email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com

Spiritual Fasting

 In the Old Testament, God commanded Israel to observe several set times of fasting. For New Testament believers, fasting was neither commanded nor forbidden in the Bible. While early Christians were not required to fast, many practiced prayer and fasting regularly. Jesus himself affirmed in Luke 5:35 that after his death fasting would be appropriate for his followers. Spiritual fasting clearly has a place and a purpose for God's people today.

What is Spiritual Fasting?

In most cases, a spiritual fast involves abstaining from food while focusing on prayer. This can mean refraining from snacks between meals, skipping one or two meals a day, abstaining only from certain foods, or a total fast from all food for an entire day or longer.

For medical reasons, some people may not be able to fast from food altogether. They may choose to abstain only from certain foods, like sugar or chocolate, or from something other than food. In truth, believers can fast from anything. Doing without something temporarily, such as sweets, coffee, or soda, etc… that redirect our focus from earthly things toward God, can also be considered a spiritual fast.

The Purpose of Spiritual Fasting
Fasting provides unique spiritual benefits in the life of the believer. Fasting requires self-control and discipline as one denies the natural desires of the flesh. During spiritual fasting, the believer's focus is removed from the physical things of this world and intensely concentrated on God. Put differently, fasting directs our hunger toward God. It clears the mind and body of earthly attentions and draws us close to God. So, as we gain spiritual clarity of thought while fasting, it allows us to hear God more clearly. Fasting also demonstrates a profound need for God's help and guidance through complete dependence upon him.

What Spiritual Fasting Is Not
Spiritual fasting is not a way to earn God's favor by getting him to do something for us. Rather, the purpose is to produce a transformation in us—a clearer, more focused attention and dependence upon God. Fasting changes us, not God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn our attention to Christ.

Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude. Fasting is never to be a public display of spirituality—it is between you and God alone. In fact, Jesus specifically instructed us in Matthew 6:16-18 to let our fasting be done privately and in humility, else we forfeit the benefits.  “(Vs 16) Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. (Vs 17) But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; (Vs 18) That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

Fasting should not be done with a bad attitude.  Clearly Isaiah rebuked those for that very reason in Isaiah 58:3-7 (NIV), (Vs 3) ”Why have we fasted, they say, and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves and you have not noticed? Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.” (Vs 4) “Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.” (Vs 5) “Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?” (Vs 6) “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” (Vs 7)  “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

A fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast.

Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” or done for the sole purpose to lose weight. The purpose of a biblical fast is not to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God.

Lastly, it should be understood, spiritual fasting is never for the purpose of punishing or harming the body. Fasting, especially from food, should be limited to a determined length of time. Fasting for too long can cause harm to the body.                                   

While I hesitate to state the obvious, your decision to fast   should be guided by the Hoy Spirit. In addition, I highly recommend, especially if you've never fasted, that you seek both medical and spiritual counsel before embarking on any type of prolonged fast. While Jesus and Moses both fasted for 40 days without food and water, this was clearly an impossible human achievement, only accomplished through the Holy Spirit's empowerment.                                                           

(Important Note: Fasting without water is extremely dangerous, seek spiritual guidance.)

Fasting and Prayer 
Although the connection between prayer and fasting is not specifically explained in Scripture, a common thread connecting the two seems to run through all the instances of prayer and fasting recorded in the Bible. In the Old Testament, it appears that fasting with prayer had to do with a sense of need and dependence, and/or of abject helplessness in the face of actual or anticipated calamity. Prayer and fasting are combined in the Old Testament in times of mourning, repentance, and/or deep spiritual need.

The first chapter of Nehemiah describes Nehemiah praying and fasting, because of his deep distress over the news that Jerusalem had been desolated. His many days of prayer were characterized by tears, fasting, confession on behalf of his people, and pleas to God for mercy. So intense was the outpouring of his concerns that it’s almost inconceivable he could “take a break” in the middle of such prayer to eat and drink. The devastation that befell Jerusalem also prompted Daniel to adopt a similar posture: Daniel 9:3, “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.” Like Nehemiah, Daniel fasted and prayed that God would have mercy upon the people, saying, “(Vs 5) We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments.”

In several instances in the Old Testament, fasting is linked with intercessory prayer. David prayed and fasted over his sick child (2 Samuel 12:16), weeping before the Lord in earnest intercession (Vs 21-22). Esther urged Mordecai and the Jews to fast for her as she planned to appear before her husband the king (Esther 4:16). Clearly, fasting and petition are closely linked.

There are instances of prayer and fasting in the New Testament, but they are not connected with repentance or confession. The prophetess Anna “never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:37). At age 84, her prayer and fasting were part of her service to the Lord in His temple as she awaited the promised Savior of Israel. Also in the New Testament, the church at Antioch was fasting in connection with their worship when the Holy Spirit spoke to them about commissioning Saul and Barnabas to the Lord’s work. At that point, they prayed and fasted, placed their hands on the two men and sent them off. So, we see in these examples that prayer and fasting are components of worshipping the Lord and seeking His favor. Nowhere, however, is there any indication that the Lord is more likely to answer prayers if they are accompanied by fasting. Rather, fasting along with prayer seems to indicate the sincerity of the people praying and the critical nature of the situations in which they find themselves.

The more critical the situation, the more appropriate the fasting and prayer. In Mark 9, Jesus casts a demon from a boy. The disciples had been unable to perform the exorcism, although they had previously been given authority over unclean spirits (Mark 6:7). Later, the disciples asked Jesus why they failed in their attempts to free the boy from the demon, and Jesus said, “This kind can come out only by prayer” (Mark 9:29). Matthew’s account adds the phrase “and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). In this particular case, the demon was exceptionally malicious and obdurate (Mark 9:21-22). Jesus seems to be saying that a determined foe must be met with an equally determined faith. Prayer is a ready weapon in the spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:18), and fasting helps to focus prayer and give it resolve.

Our “confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19), whether fasting or not fasting, is one of the most delightful parts of that “better thing” which is ours in Christ. Prayer and fasting should not be a burden or a duty, but rather a celebration of God's goodness and mercy to His children.

New Testament Christians practiced prayer and fasting regularly. Since there is no biblical command to fast, believers should be led by God through prayer concerning when and how often to fast.

Physical Benefits of Fasting

Antiaging effects

Better attitude

Better resistance to disease

Better sleep

Change of habits

Clearer planning

Clearer skin

Creativity

Diet changes

Drug detoxification

Improved senses

(vision, hearing, taste)

Inspiration

More clarity

(mentally and emotionally)

More energy

More relaxation

New ideas

Purification

Reduction of allergies

Rejuvenation

Rest for digestive organs

Revitalization

Right use of will

Spiritual awareness

Weight loss

Six Different Types of Fasts in the Bible    
1. Normal - abstaining from food. 
Example: Jesus “ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them was hungry” (Luke 4:2).                                                                                                              

2. Absolute - abstaining from food and water; normally no more than 3 days. 
Examples: For three days Paul was blind, and did not eat or drink anything” (Acts 9:9), Moses (Deut. 9:9), Israel (Ezra 10:6), Israel (Esther 4:16).                                   

3. Partial - restricting diet of certain foods or a meal a day. 
Examples: Daniel “so the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead” (Daniel 1:16), (Daniel 10:3).                                                

4. Regular - fast days that commemorate an event or weekly fasts on a regular day. 
Examples: Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27; Ps. 35:13; Is. 58:5), a fast day (Jer. 36:6); four separate festivals (Zech 8:19); twice a week (Luke 18:11-12).                      

5. Public - fasts called to times of special need and emergency. Almost all regular fasts were public fasts, but all public fasts are not necessarily regular ones. 
Examples: King Jehoshaphat when Judah was invaded (2 Chron. 20:1-4), Ezra returning the exiles (Ezra 8:21-23) Nineveh, as a result of Jonah’s preaching (Jonah 3:5,10).                                                                                           

6. Involuntary -no desire for food because of anxiety, sorrow, or mental distress (Dan. 6:18), and where a person finds themselves in a situation where no food is available (Matt. 15:32; 2 Cor. 6:5, 11:27)

Some Examples of Fasting in the Bible                                     
Old Testament                                                                                 
Moses fasted 40 days on behalf of Israel’s sin: 
Deuteronomy 9:9,18,25-29; 10:10.
David fasted and mourned the death of Saul: 2 Samuel 1:12.    

David fasted and mourned the death of Abner: 2 Samuel 3:35.       

David fasted and mourned the death of his child: 2 Samuel 12:16.                                                                                                    
Elijah fasted 40 days after fleeing from Jezebel: 1 Kings 19:7-18.                                                                                                           
Ahab fasted and humbled himself before God: 1 Kings 21:27-29.                                                                                                            
Darius fasted in concern for Daniel: Daniel 6:18-24.            
Daniel fasted on behalf of Judah's sin while reading Jeremiah’s prophecy: Daniel 9:1-19.                                                                
Daniel fasted regarding a mysterious vision from God: Daniel 10:3-13.
Esther fasted on behalf of her people: Esther 4:13-16.        
Ezra fasted and wept for the sins of the returning remnant: Ezra 10:6-17.                                                                             
Nehemiah fasted and mourned over the broken walls of Jerusalem: Nehemiah 1:4-2:10. 

The people of Nineveh fasted after hearing the message of Jonah: Jonah 3.

New Testament

Anna fasted for the redemption of Jerusalem through the coming Messiah: Luke 2:37.

Jesus fasted 40 days before his temptation and the beginning of his ministry: Matthew 4:1-11.

The disciples of John the Baptist fasted: Matthew 9:14-15.

The elders in Antioch fasted before sending off Paul and Barnabas: Acts 13:1-5.

Cornelius fasted and sought God’s plan of salvation: Acts 10:30.

Paul fasted three day fast after his Damascus Road encounter: Acts 9:9.

Paul fasted 14 days while at sea on a sinking ship: Acts 27:33-34.

Scriptures About Fasting

Mark 9:29 “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

Psalms 69:10 “When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.”

Psalms 109:24 “My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.”

Joel 2:12 “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:”

Daniel 9:3 “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:”

Acts 14:23 “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”

Acts 27:33  “And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.”

Daniel 6:18 “Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.”

1 Corinthians 7:5 “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting

and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”

Psalms 35:13 “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.”

Acts 10:30 “And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,”

Kim Howard

email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com

Sin What Is It?

God’s definition of sin, and his way of deliverance.

Sin What Is It?

This question is of vital importance because of the fearful judgment against those who commit sin.  “The soul that sinneth, it shall die,” thunders the Old Testament (Ezekiel 18:20).  In like tones, the New Testament declares:  “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  The one who lives in sin throughout his earthly life and faces God without having obtained divine forgiveness will be sentenced to eternal perdition.

Sin sprang full-grown among men.  Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God.  The first boy born on this earth grew to manhood and murdered the second—his own brother!  And sin has existed in every generation since.

In our time, however, there is one difference: many no longer know what sin actually is.  Things evil are sometimes designated as good; things good, as evil, Isaiah condemned such a practice, declaring,  “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).

Since this confusion exists, and since a person will not seek forgiveness for sin until he knows what sin is, a clear-cut definition, both negative and positive, is urgently needed.

Sin Is Not Necessarily Crime

Some equate sin with crime, feeling that to commit sin one must be a murderer, robber, rapist, or the like.  Once, an evangelist passing out revival circulars was told that he should go to the local jail and try to convert a woman who had recently murdered her father.  Certainly this woman needed forgiveness, but no more so than other sinners who had not committed a crime.

A crime is a sin, but not every sin is a crime.  Crimes are committed against people; sin is committed against God.  As an example, David wronged Bathsheba, and committed the crime of murder against Uriah her husband, but he affirmed, “Against thee {God}, thee only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4).

Sin Is Not Unbelief Alone

Near the end of His ministry, Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Ghost would “reprove the world of sin… because they believe not on me” (John 16:8-9).  Misinterpreting His meaning, some have concluded that sin is nothing more than unbelief.  Bur Jesus meant that unbelief would form the basis of sin.  People sin because they do not believe on Jesus Christ.  Unbelief is sin, but it leads to further sin.

“Sin Is the Transgression of the Law”

This definition is given in I John 3:4, By law, the apostle meant the Word of God, which originally was the Old Testament but which now includes the New Testament as well.  Sin, then, is the transgression (breaking) of a commandment found in the Bible.

Sins of commission.  Someone is guilty of such a sin when he does something that the Word of God forbids.

Sins of omission.  He who fails to do what he knows God has commanded is guilty of a sin of omission.  “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

“All Unrighteousness Is Sin”

I John 5:17 declares this truth.  A person is unrighteous when he does what is wrong.  According to this verse, then, when someone does wrong, he commits sin.

We should note that all unrighteousness is sin.  Men are prone to classify sin as little or great, black or gray, mortal or venial.  But to God, all sin is offensive and objectionable.  As an example of the difference between man’s and God’s judgment of sin, man classifies the sin of lying as one of the lesser evils, but God places “all liars” in the same category as the abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, and idolaters (Revelation 21:8).  Moreover, He pronounces the same judgment upon all of these sinners—eternal perdition in the lake of fire and brimstone.

What, then is sin?  Simply put, sin is doing what God forbids or failing to do what He commands.

Is There a Remedy for Sin?

The Bible declares, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”  Then it adds, “For all have sinned.”  These two verses place everyone under the sentence of eternal death.

But Jesus did not sin (I Peter 2:22).  Thus He, not being under condemnation for sins of His own, could die for the sins of others.  Therefore, Isaiah could proclaim, “All we like sheep have gone astray… and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

The only remedy for sin is found in Jesus’ expiatory death upon Calvary’s cross, “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22), and Christ “we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14).

Must a person respond in any way to obtain this remedy for sin?  Yes!  The Bible says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth [to God] and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).  And these encouraging words are found in I 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.”

In Acts 2:36-37, sinners who had rejected Jesus as Lord and Messiah asked the apostles, “What shall we do?”  Acts 2:28 records the answer: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

If you want to learn more about how to repent from a life of sin read my post "Repentance".

email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com