EXTREME CHRISTIANITY?

Isn’t it something how the word extreme is being used today?  Extreme sports, extreme music, even extreme Jell-o.  I take extreme Jell-o to mean something good, like extreme flavor.  But when I say extreme Christianity, you probably think of something not so good, like “going over board” or religious fanaticism. There are definitely extremists under the name of Christianity; however I believe there is a misconception today in the real meaning of Christianity.  Christianity in the minds of many, seemingly has come to be viewed something like Americanism.  As an example, somebody very patriotic would be considered a “good” American whereas one with very little patriotism would still be an American, just not a good American.  When it comes to Christianity there can be degrees in spiritual maturity, yet according to the Bible, and personal experience, there is a definite line between one who is a Christian and one who is not.   I would like you to consider with me some thoughts and scriptures (King James Version) as to that defining line.

YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN

First of all, to be a Christian, to be a candidate for heaven, one must truly be “born again”.  It is not an option for Jesus said, “…Ye must be born again,” (John 3:7).  Other ways of expressing this life changing experience are “salvation,” “saved,” “justified,” “redeemed,” “converted,”  “new  creature,”  etc.  Any who profess to be a Christian without this spiritual birth, would only have an empty profession.  Without being born again, without receiving this spiritual life, one remains dead (spiritually) in their sins.  “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened [made spiritually alive] together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses,” (Colossians 2:13).      So we see our sins are forgiven in this experience of being made spiritually alive or “born again”.   The reason these Colossians were dead in sins is because all mankind (except Jesus Christ, who bypassed a human father) inherited a carnal nature from Adam. “Wherefore, as by one man sin  entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned,” (Romans 5:12).  Sin actually entered into the world through Eve, so for sin to enter into the world through Adam, it would have to be through his seed.  This inherited, carnal nature led us all into committed sin, and we became guilty for our sins when we became old enough to know better.   The apostle Paul said, “For I was alive without the law once; [innocent] but when the commandment came, [he became knowledgeable] sin revived, and I died,” (Romans 7:9).  So sin caused spiritual death in Paul (Saul then) just like God warned Adam and Eve it would in them, in the day they sinned by disobeying, (see Genesis 3:3).  Spiritual death is when the soul is separated from God.  One can be alive physically while being dead spiritually. “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth,” (I Timothy 5:6).   If one dies physically while their soul is separated from God, this would be the “second death,” (Revelation 21:8) or eternal separation from God.  Disobedience, or sin, is what separates one from God, (Isaiah 59:2) and this separation is termed (spiritual) death.  “…the soul that sinneth, it shall die,” (Ezekiel 18:4).  Friend, joining a church, doing good works, performing various rituals, or even getting water baptized, will not make one a Christian or a candidate for heaven.  We must be made spiritually alive, (be born again) have our sins forgiven, or washed away; (not in mere water, but spiritually) in the blood of Jesus Christ, (see Revelation 1:5).  This is not being extreme.  This is a biblical requirement.  Obtaining Bible salvation from sin, becoming a new creature by being born again is the only way to become a Christian.

HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN

 “Who [God] will have all men to be saved, [born again] and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,” (I Timothy 2:4).   So God desires that you and I be saved, and know the truth about this.  Probably the first thing to clear up is the popular misconception of merely “accepting Christ”. We have to accept by faith His forgiveness based on His shed blood of course, but this term does not include, “…godly sorrow [that] worketh repentance to salvation,” (II Corinthians 7:10).  Paul was dealing with a specific problem at Corinth, but the principle of godly sorrow and repentance applies to all.    The issue or reason for us to be born again is our disobedience, our sins.  Therefore to receive forgiveness for our sins, and be reconciled to God, we must be sorry enough for our acts of disobedience against God and His Word to be willing (with His help) to forsake those deeds. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy,” (Proverbs 28:15).  One reason the deceptive “nightly confession” is a fallacy, is it excludes godly sorrow and true repentance.  “Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…,” (Acts 3:19).   Repentance would include a willingness to make our wrongs right as much as possible, (Ezekiel 33:15) and an attitude of forgiveness toward any who may have wronged us, (Matthew 6:14-15).  We are saved by grace through faith, (Ephesians 2:8) but justifying faith, or saving faith would include these conditions.   Being born again, or reconciled to God, could be compared to a separation in a marriage because one spouse was unfaithful.  To be reconciled, this unfaithfulness would have to be dealt with first.  Any attempt by the guilty spouse to justify their actions or point out their commendable qualities would not be considered now.  The issue, even if it was only once, is their unfaithfulness; this is the reason they are separated. The guilty one would have to acknowledge or confess their wrong doing, and have remorse over their unfaithfulness with a pledge of future faithfulness.  Then, only after forgiveness was granted, could their relationship develop.  If you were the offended spouse, could you accept, “oh how I love you,” if there was no remorse or resolve to quit being unfaithful?  Are not these conditions for reconciliation in a marriage necessary and not extreme?   Dear one, God’s conditions for reconciliation, is likewise necessary and not extreme.  Our unfaithfulness, (our sins) is the reason we are separated from God.   We may have some good moral qualities others do not have, and may not be guilty of doing some of the things others do; but this is not the issue now.  The issue is what we are guilty of.   This is what we must acknowledge as the problem.  God desires to have a relationship with us; but can not you see He must first require godly sorrow and repentance of our sins? 

HOW TO HAVE GODLY SORROW

For the Holy Spirit to work godly sorrow in our heart, we must see the seriousness of sin.  Just consider the tremendous price paid to make reconciliation possible for us! “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit,” (I Peter 3:18).  Dear one, the very reason the Son of God suffered and died was because of your sins and mine.  We were created with the power of choice, and under divine law.  This law is now expressed through the teachings of Christ. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day,” (John 12:48).  Some of His laws are written on our heart, so even those who do not have access to the Bible are responsible to obey these laws, (Romans 2:12-15).  Sin is a willful transgression of divine law, (I John 3:4).  It is doing what we know is morally wrong or refusing to do what we know is morally right, (James 4:17).  But in order to have godly sorrow for our sins, we must be awakened to not only the fact of sin, but to the nature of sin.  The seriousness of sin is not just in the deed itself but in whom it is against.  As an illustration, assaulting the President, as opposed to an ordinary citizen, would be a much more serious offence, due to the dignity and importance of the office.  There is no higher dignitary or anyone greater than almighty God.  Eating a piece of forbidden fruit does not seem so horrible, but it separated Adam and Eve from God because it was disobedience and an offence against almighty God.   All sin is against God and an offence to Him.  When Ananias and Sapphira lied to Peter, (Acts 5:1-9) Peter said, “thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”   Sin is offending the One we owe our very existence to.  Even the air we are breathing right now comes from Him.   The majority of religious leaders today have only stressed one aspect of God, His love and mercy.  This has created the impression that God’s great love will somehow overlook our disobedience.  Precious reader, this is just not so.  Isaiah 13:11 plainly states, “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity.”  Yes, God is a God of great love and mercy.  Yet He is also a God of justice, and justice demands a penalty for lawbreakers.  The severity of the penalty for sinning against God ought to help awaken us to its seriousness.  Just as ignoring a subpoena from the Supreme Court is more serious than ignoring an overdue library notice.  The seriousness of ignoring the supreme authority of God’s Word carries a severe consequence that is eternal!   “… When  the  Lord  Jesus  shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power”! (II Thessalonians 1:8-9) I realize these are repulsive thoughts, but precious heart, this is reality.  May God help every unrepentant reader to be awakened, that sin to you, “might become exceeding sinful”! (Romans 7:13)  “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die,”(Ezekiel 18:21).   

HINDRANCES TO BEING BORN AGAIN

It takes an honest and humble heart to admit our true condition with God.  Sinful pride, for a long time, kept me from meeting the Bible conditions to receive salvation from sin.  When God’s Spirit convicted me, and I began to feel the guilt of my sinful lifestyle and desired to be right with God; I also found out there is an enemy to our soul that opposes us.  I hardly realized the devil even existed until I started thinking about getting right with God. I remember having doubting thoughts of: “was there really anything to this,” “could I live it,” “what would others say,” and on and on.  The scriptures teach we must “press (Luke 16:16) into the kingdom”.   It is more than just “going forward,” or merely saying “I believe” etc.  It is a major crisis in our life.  This is the most important fork in the road of our life we will come to.  Our desire to be right with God must be greater than any kind of resistance not to yield our all to God.   Oh I wish I could convince you not to be afraid to trust God!  He has your best interest at heart.  He is “…not willing that any perish, but that all should come to repentance,” (I Peter 3:9).  I am afraid that many precious souls have failed to exercise saving faith because these conditions to be born again were never made clear.   To make a definite grasp of faith, the mind needs to have a definite form of true instruction like this, which is very scarce today.  However,  you will discover like I did, when you surrender to Him, and know in your heart you have met His conditions, your faith can accept God’s promise of mercy and forgiveness.  “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon,” (Isaiah 55:7).  Yes, there is pardon a-waiting for the humble and contrite heart.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” (I John 1:9).

RESULTS OF BEING BORN AGAIN

Salvation is not just getting religious; there is a real change that takes place in us. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” (II Corinthians 5:17).  Bible salvation is a calling-out; a calling out of sin, the world, and out of nominal religion, for any so involved.  Salvation delivers us from the power of sin’s darkness and puts us into the kingdom of God.  “Who [God] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins,” (Colossians 1:13-14).  This experience is received by faith, but typically, there is a feeling of relief as the guilt melts away and the peace of God comes in.  But this feeling only comes after believing, not before. “Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God,” (Romans 5:1).   

POSITIVE PROOF OF BEING BORN AGAIN

Because of an extremely popular false teaching, these next comments may seem extreme to you.  I urge you to accept what the Bible actually teaches, even when it contradicts what is widely taught and believed.  The Word of God says, “We know that whosoever is born of God [born again] sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not,” (I John 5:18).  This one scripture is so plain it ought to alarm all who hold the popular, erroneous belief of a “sinning Christian”.   A Christian, one who is born again, is Christ-like. “Who [Christ] did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth,” (I Peter 1:22).  The proof that one has truly been born again, is that he no longer commits sin!  “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin …,” (I John 3:9).  “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not …,” (I John 3:6).  “He that committeth sin is of the devil …,” (I John 3:8).  “In this the children of God are manifest, [made known] and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother,” (I John 3:10).  These scriptures reveal the dividing line between who is a Christian and who is not.  Sin is the dividing line both before and after being born again.  “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid…,” (Romans 6:1-2).  Jesus said, “…Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin,” (John 8:34).  Then the apostle Paul said to the Christians in Rome: “For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness,” (Romans 6:20).  He goes on to say in verses 22 and 23: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life.  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.”  Dear one, the wages of sin is spiritual death, or separation from God, both before and after being born again.  Since God has provided a remedy for sin, we cannot have sin in our life, and be a Christian or go to heaven when we die.  “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord,” (Hebrews 12:14).  

SOME MISUNDERSTOOD VERSES ABOUT SIN AND HOLINESS

There are a few texts that appear to be contrary to living a holy life.  I Kings 8:46, “…for there is no man that sinneth not.”  Verses like these were before Christ shed His blood.  The “blood of bulls and goats,” (Hebrews 10:4) did not have that power.  Men were accepted of God when they conformed to the standard of His then revealed will.  Another verse is: I John l: 8, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”  Some have thought since this verse was addressed to Christians it means that Christians sin. This verse is similar to Romans 3:10, “there is none righteous.”  There are none righteous or none without sin before Christ cleanses from all sin, (I John 1:7).   This verse eight means the same as verse ten, “If we say we have not sinned,” (past tense).  Verses 6-7 were also written to Christians, “If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, [sin] we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” This is also the same writer that said, “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not;” and “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin,” (I John 3:6-9).  Romans 7:19 is another misunderstood verse. “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”  Paul is not teaching he was a helpless sinner.  For he testified in I Thessalonians 2:10 “how holily, justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.”  He also wrote Romans sixth chapter, which told of the Christian’s complete freedom from sin, and says in Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”  Chapter seven was written in first person, but he was describing his condition while under the law seeking righteousness when he was still Saul.  Another verse misconstrued is Romans 7:25, “So then with my mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”  Some have erroneously taken this to mean their body could sin and yet their soul is righteous.  They say God only sees the blood of Christ.  Romans 6:12 disprove this, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”  Also II Corinthians 5: 10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”  Let me again state though, that one must be truly born again to be able to live a righteous life free from sin.

HOLINESS TAUGHT IN PAST TIMES

The reason holy living seems extreme today is because there are so few actual examples of it being lived, and it is so widely taught that it is impossible.  Holiness teachings have not always been considered extreme.  John Wesley and Adam Clarke are respected names of yesteryear that taught holiness, and had many followers who professed to live without sinning.  Adam Clarke’s commentary (1832) quotes I John 3:10, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God…,” Then he says: “Here is a fearful text. Who is a child of the devil? He that commits sin.  Who is a child of God?  He that works righteousness.  By this text we shall stand or fall before God, whatever our particular creed may say to the contrary.”  So there were some creeds, even in that day, that was contrary to holiness.  However, today that “sin you can’t help it” teaching has blossomed to the degree that those who teach and live holy lives are considered extreme or self righteous.  Nevertheless, I am convinced there are honest hearts who would like to be completely free from sin, but do not think it is possible because of what they have seen and have been taught.  If that is your case, let me remind you of this promise: “Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled,” (Matthew 5:6).  There are two more factors that make it possible to live consistently without sinning. 

Factor number one, the Bible teaches a “second work of grace” that supplies the believer with additional spiritual power.  It is called “sanctification” or “the baptism with the Holy Ghost”.  This is a second spiritual cleansing that cleanses one of the carnal nature after being born again.  This vital teaching has mostly been lost or perverted over the years.    I do not have the space to explain that here.  Please get “Power for Living Righteously” Book I.  This booklet covers sanctification and other subjects that will be of interest to you if you plan to continue on with God.

Factor number two, the Bible also teaches not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25).  This needs to be where holiness is taught from the pulpit and lived out by those in the pew.  I am happy to inform you there are congregations of people dispersed around the world that have found complete deliverance from sin, and are actually living out what the Bible teaches.  When you visit a true congregation of the church of God, here is what you can expect: The worship services are full of rejoicing.  Many raise their hand in agreement to the words in the songs, some may also stand up.   However, you will not see anyone “falling out” and becoming indecent, nor will you hear people speaking in an unintelligible jargon.  They share their victories, sorrows and battles through testimonies and prayer requests. The mid-week prayer meeting testimonies may be an outstanding healing miracle or how God worked out just an everyday type problem.  For the most part, church of God people are common folks.  Holiness is not in clothes, but modesty of dress is scriptural, (I Timothy 2:9) and is practiced.  Likewise, the sisters let their hair grow and the brothers keep theirs short. (See I Corinthians 11:14-15.)

THE CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRY

The ministers of the church of God are not voted in or out, nor are they self appointed.  The Holy Ghost calls and qualifies them.  “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood,” (Acts 20:28).  They take not the title Reverend, as that name is reserved for the Lord, (Psalms 111:9).  They see “eye to eye” (Isaiah 52:8) and there are no big preachers or little preachers.  They are not “Lords over God’s heritage” but they “take the oversight” as God has ordained them to do.  They get their messages from God, not some headquarters system.  The messages are not always easy on the flesh, but the Spirit bears witness that it is truth.  I am not trying to lift the ministry above Christ, but only trying to point out the fact that God has a true ministry.  I am out of space here.  Please get the booklet, “Power for Living Righteously,” Book I, by Bill Roberts. 

CLEAN HANDS AND A PURE HEART (Back Cover)

In the earlier days of surgery, cleanliness and sterilization were not considered important.  As a result, many patients died of infection because of unwashed hands and poor sanitary conditions.  Today, some consider the thought of a Christian having spiritually clean hands and a pure heart, extreme and unimportant.  In a spiritual sense, clean hands could represent what we do, (or not do) and a pure heart could refer to what we are.  In this pamphlet, I point out   that what we do or not do, (clean hands) is not what makes one a Christian.  Rather, what one does or does not do, is because of their heart.  Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil; for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh,” (Luke 6:45).  Becoming a good man, (person) capable of bringing forth good things, (our conduct) rather than evil things is what Christianity is all about.  “Who [Christ] gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works,” (Titus 2:14).  Thank you for allowing me to share with you these thoughts found in “Extreme Christianity?”. 

In His service,  Bill Roberts

Gospel Truth and Publications, P.O. Box 142, Jackson Center, OH 45334