Sunday, September 7, the message will be about Saints not being Stumbling Blocks. We will center our thoughts on 2 Corinthians 6:3-10.
This is a post I will allow total anonymity. One of the things I have found out in life is that church people do not have it all together. Some folks sitting in worship think that those around them have it all together and they hide their sins or failures.
One way for the Saints (that is the saved, not the perfect) to keep from being a stumbling block to people coming to Jesus is to be real, take off the plastic masks, and self righteousness.
How about it Saints - can you confess your failures - even with total anonymity? The purpose is to show those who feel disenfranchised by the church that church folks are not perfect. Simply forgiven!
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When Quoting Scripture Inflicts Harm
6 years ago
9 comments:
Well as a male, certainly with the invention of the internet, lust & all other issues associated with it are a constant pitfall of mine. Though this is usually viewed as a male problem, it is interesting to note that females are pictured/ and are particpants in this sin battlefield. So aren't they equally to be a fault too? Two wrongs do not make a right, but just pointing that out. I've found that the more I've tried harder to be more less sinful, that's when I've been more tested more(and failed), but at least I've then learned how truly fraigle & vulnerable I'm and other than God's grace thru Jesus to cover my own sin, and no better than the unsaved. But this has allowed me to be honest toward's all persons who have not come to Jesus yet. It's a fragile line keeping it "real" yet attempting to project that so-called "something different" about me attitude that is often preached about. I'm confident that thru Christ my sin is covered, God knows my heart sin & all, there's nothing in me that I can take credit for other than the promised that I'm loved by God.
By looking at your poll and thinking about my sin, I realize that I am merely a sinner saved by grace. Any haughty or self righteous feelings I have toward those outside the church or outside of a relationship with Jesus are self serving. My sins are not less or greater than anyone's, it is grace that makes a difference in me. Thank you Jesus for dying for a sinner like me. Thank you for your saving grace.
I was a prodigal daughter after Bible college, and I did things that, if my parents knew, would have hurt them greatly. Probably more so than my going my own way. I had to tell my husband that he was not my first when we got married. THAT really hurt.
I think this is dangerously irresponsible. It is one thing confessing our sins to God (which we are supposed to do) and confessing our sins to one another (borne out of relationship with each other, to encourage and strengthen each other), but it is reckless to see this as some means of "confessing". This media can and will do more harm than good, and I respectfully suggest that you reconsider this particular thread.
And, in answer to your question, yes, I can confess my sins, and I do so before my Creator. They are not for public consumption/scrutiny/comparison. If God is willing and able to separate me from my sin as far as the east lies from the west, in what way is it (by any stretch of the imagination) edifying for me or others to immortalize those same sins on a web server?
I received a comment that takes a completely negative approach to this post. It questions the value of this post.
This post is not to replace our need to confess to God. We are to present our sins to God for His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
This post is not to take the place of our confession to one another either. This usually takes place in a small group setting like I said this morning in the sermon. James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
The purpose of this post was to simply show that the church has sinners in it, forgiven by Grace. We are not a collection of perfect people. If you feel out of place because you believe the church is filled with perfect people, this post is to give you hope that God can forgive you and work in your life too.
Already I have had four young adults and a few older adults come up to me and say that they finally get it. They felt so guilty, thinking that God would not accept them, because of their past sins. Today, they were able to turn their face to God and seek His grace because they know they are not alone.
This post and the sermon today have done what I hoped they would do. I am sorry if someone thinks this is irresponsible and not in line with some Biblical principle. God has already brought the desired fruit from the post and the sermon. No matter who we are we can ask for forgiveness and seek His grace. And God has promised to forgive us.
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
I am one who finally gets it. I was just about to leave the church because I thought God could never accept me with my sins. But today's message and this BLOG page have helped me see that, although I need to confess my sins to God and strive to walk without sin, God loves me and will forgive me, even me.
I was intrigued by one comment on here that considered this posting irresponsible and reckless. I respectfully disagree with that assessment. I think if there were names and addresses posted beside the comments that would be reckless, however, allowing people to, maybe for the first time, openly and anonymously admit that they actually struggle with something can be the first step to true healing.
I do not think that this blog sets out to glorify the sin but to allow the sinner to realize that they are maybe not alone in their sin. And, if they are not alone in their sin, then there is hope for people that they may receive healing together.
While sin is a personal thing, there is real power over bringing things 'into the light'. Hopefully this post, and the comments that come help people bring things into the light.
I think it is important to remember the purpose that was stated at the end of the original posting - "The purpose is to show those who feel disenfranchised by the church that church folks are not perfect. Simply forgiven!"
I think that this blog thread will help people in our church see that they are not the only one that sins. Yes we all might know that we all sin but I think this is a good step in helping people take and think about their sins. We confess our sins to God often.Well I know I do. But how often do I confess my sins to christian brothers. How often do I confess my sins to my wife. I do more then I do to my christian brothers. This is a good step.
I struggle with leading a pure life 24/7. I have come a long way but I can't rest on that. Not falling into the temptation of thinking and looking at women in a sinful manner is a struggle at times. Thank God it isn't how it use to be but I have my moments of thinking or looking in a matter in which I wouldn't either online or in person.
Even though I didn't get to hear all of the sermon I will be able to online. This thread will help and see the grace that God has given to all of us. Even though we fell him time and time again in living to his standard he still chooses to used me/us to build his kingdom. He still chooses to shower his blessing upon us. And as Paul says in Romans 6:1 "...Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? BY NO MEANS! WE DIED TO SIN..."
I think what we should take away from this thread is to know that you are not only, continue to confess you sins before God, take even further steps of getting held accountable for all you actions and sins with other brothers and sisters in Christ, and know that we died to sin.
I have been convinced for many years that we spend too much of our time trying to look all together -- whether by refusing to have people into our homes unless they are perfect, or by refusing to allow others to see any of our struggles. This is a stumbling block not only to those who do not believe, but to all of us who do not get the freedom from our sin that is found by confronting it, confessing, and repenting. Although we can confess and receive forgiveness in private, we need the support, encouragement and accountability of other believers for long-term victory over temptation.
Thank you, Pastor Ray, for providing this opportunity for ALL of us to recognize that we are not alone in the struggle. Let us pray that the changes begun this weekend will take root and grow. As you said yesterday, Oh what God could do with a church full of REAL people!
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