Believers in bondage to sin
Married Bachelors
Square circles KD
Lk 18:27 -- what is impossible for man is possible with God.
Mk 9:23 -- all things are possible with God.
Now that I have my proof-texting urge nurtured, let me say this ---- an addicted believer is not in bondage to sin !!! What is the telltale mark of bondage if it is not death.........and death has been swallowed up in victory. What Satan hopes to accomplish with addiction -- death -- has been replaced with the promise of life. The glory of the cross is the fact that in Christ we have been reconciled to God (Col 1:19-23). There is no biblical reason for us to believe or teach that we are fully free from the affects of sin the moment we are converted and have received the Spirit. And we know this to be true because sanctification is a process (the process of maturing in Christ). The Hebrews writer puts it this way, "For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Heb 2:11).
Shame is a reasonable consideration, in this passage, because it speaks of the Christ (sinless as He stands before us) and the brethren, who are only in the process of BEING sanctified (and are , therefore , not yet perfected). But He is not ashamed of the relationship He has with those who are not yet as He is.
The cross, presenting that sacrifice delivered once and for all time, gives the addicted believer all the time in this world to get the job done because he is ALREADY reconciled to God in Christ.
And why are there only a few addicted believers? Because they have been told a lie by the FAther of Lies. DON'T TRY because TRYING IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH !!! CHRIST DEATH HAS NO MEANING FOR YOU IF YOU CANNOT BE LIKE HIM !! HIS VICTORY IS NOT SOVEREIGN !!
Lance's friend understands that we who are in Christ are no longer defined by the Adamic situation. The addicted believers are defined by the One in whom they have faith AND NOT THEIR SIN. It is to their own Master that they stand or fall AND THEY WILL BE MADE TO STAND (Romans 14:4). Praise God for the hope we have in Christ.
Pastor Smithson
Bishop of Love and Understanding
Minister of Patient Grace
Overseer of the Gospel of Victory in Christ
Joint Heir in Christ
A son of God
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Kevin Deegan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Believers in bondage to sinMarried BachelorsSquare circles
Lance Muir <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:I've a friend who runs a group home. He works the streets in the toughest area of one of Canada's largest cities. He is presently heading up a small group of believers, newer and older, including some seminarians, who are addicted to pornography and homosexuality Comments?
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