Recently, there have been conversations with friends which the question is presented, "Why don't we warn our brothers and sisters in the Lord of sin"?
In the past, people have commented, "Why do you always have to be bringing up issues of sin?", "You are a debbie-downer! I wish you would just stop with all this sin talk" (debbie-downer is slang for a negative or pessimistic person).
Yes, talking about sin issues is not a favorite topic. The question at hand is how do we reconcile Hebrews 3:12. In fairness, verse 13 says, "But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin". It seems most will suggest that we only focus on the encourage aspect. In recent years, there has been a softening of many churches with regards to their message. They focus on being the best version of yourself you can be. In some circles, the concern is the gospel message has been "watered down" because it presents the loving Jesus but negates anything to do with repentance or addressing sin. It's my opinion that leaving out repentance is presenting a partial gospel message. The need for repentance of sin is a biblical and essential part of the gospel "salvation" message.
If we look at revivals of the past and the pockets of revival that are occurring around the world today, the basic message of the gospel is a calling for the people to repent. Without repentance, there is concern of false conversion.
True revival brings about dramatic encounters with the living God. When revival has the presence of God, people, nations, and systems are radically transformed. When revival comes we won’t have to ask if its truly revival– everyone will just know.
In less than one year’s time, the Welsh Revival of 1904–1905 saw 100,000 people saved. This great moving of God’s Spirit came through the preaching of a twenty-six-year-old preacher named Evan Roberts, who had prayed for revival for eleven years. So many were converted and evidenced truly-changed lives in such a short time span that the nation of Wales even became known for a time as “The Land of Revival.”
Revival is the result of a humbled heart. It is an acknowledgement of and brokenness over sin. This is when we call the self-life, self-focus, and ongoing pride in our hearts sin—and when we see these as the root of our distance from God.
Repentance is being repulsed with self. It is a disgust of sin that involves godly sorrow and turns us to Christ for cleansing and change.
2 Corinthians 7:8-11 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.
When we grow complacent or cold, we know we could do better but settle for, "I think I’m doing pretty good in my spiritual walk."
Revelations 2:4-5 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and I will remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
Let's do a quick sin inventory. It is important to set a positive framework. As believers, we should not be sinning continually. Yes, we all sin and when that happens, we should be quick to repent. Deliberately sinning should not be a part of our normal everyday life. If we are born again, we are no longer of this world and should be pursuing a supernatural life.
As you consider these items, approach them with the mindset of, "am I willfully taking part in this sin"? or "yep, I do that I am not even remorseful"
Adultery (this does not only apply to married people - Jesus said if you look at another person with lust, you have committed adultery in your heart. Do you look at a person with lust?
Anger - It is not against the Bible scriptures to be angry. The problem with anger is if you allow it to move you into a place where you take action that leads to sin. In a time of anger, do you immediately pray and turn over the issue to God or do you strike back while the iron is hot? Do you dwell on it? Do you allow it to fester? Do you hold a personal vendetta against another?
Fornication (a fancy word for sex outside of marriage) - This really doesn't need an explanation. Either you are or you are not.
Jealousy - take a close look at this one. Is there any instance where you are trying to "keep up with the Jones'"? Does any person cause you to feel resentment because of another person's perceived success?
Covet - Does a person you know have something you wish you had to the extent if you had the chance you would take it for yourself?
Lying - Everyone lies at some point, right? Consider looking at this as bearing false witness against a person where the words spoken leads to an unjust outcome for the other person. Have you said something against another person because they deserved it? It was exactly true but you felt the outcome was what they deserved?
Unforgiveness - This is something that a lot of people deal with. We can use all kinds of words to suggest we put issues behind us with regards to a wrong someone has committed against us. We hide wounds to the heart when someone hurts us. It is not uncommon for Christians to harbor unforgiveness towards another person. Having opportunities to pray for people and bring healing/deliverance, it is amazing how many times people have unforgiveness towards others and especially towards themselves. Is there a name of person that has popped into your mind? Chances are you may have unforgiveness towards that person. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the exact issue and then pray. Repent and forgive the person.
There are just a few to consider. Have no doubt, it is possible to list off another 25.
There is no need to fear. Repent! Believe! Receive new life by being born again. When this happens, you will be able to produce good fruit in your life.
Galatians 5:22 ...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
Love - Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Joy - My lips will shout for joy as I sing your praise;
my soul, too, which you have redeemed – Psalm 71:23
Peace - Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
Patience - Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do — Colossians 3:12-13
Kindness - But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful. — Luke 6:35-36
Goodness - Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity… — Romans 12:6-8
Faithfulness - The one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy. — Matthew 25:22-23
Gentleness - Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. — 1 Peter 3:15-16
Self-control - A mild answer turns back wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. — Proverbs 15:1
For God did not give us a spirit of fear but rather of power and love and self-control. — 2 Timothy 1:7
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