BLJ: There is much in this selection today. The importance of restitution for known sins, being responsive to the Holy Spirit to avoid having a seared conscious (this means someone who no longer feels conviction for their sin), and corrupt and backslidden church leaders. Read prayerfully and seek the Holy Spirit's searching of your soul for correction.
BLINDFOLDED BY THE BLIND
On one occasion a gentleman had moved away after being seriously involved in a sinfully-motivated insurrection against his pastor. A few months later God convicted him of his wrong, and he was smitten with condemnation and guilt. He promptly phoned the pastor long distance and said, "I am trying to get my life straightened out, and I am phoning you to tell you I am sorry for the way I hurt you and the church when I was there, and I want you to forgive me." Of course the man was promptly forgiven, and a warm feeling toward that brother immediately filled the pastor's heart.
However, the bitter irony of the story is this: That repentant young man was blindfolded and pushed into his wicked involvement by a conniving member of the church who helped plan the insurrection. He blindfolded this unwary brother and pushed him into the evil part he played (Gal. 5:10). Even though the conniving one was guilty of a far greater wickedness, he shrugged his shoulders and remarked, "I haven't done anything wrong."
BLJ: Woe on those leaders that lead others into sin. Especially, sin against a pastor.
There seems to be only one way to explain why one who was blindfolded and pushed into sin, felt guilt, condemnation and conviction from the Holy Ghost, while the very one responsible for blindfolding him and pushing him into that awful sin, seemed to feel no guilt, no condemnation, and no conviction whatsoever. Nor did he feel it was necessary to apologize for his role in the matter. What could be the answer?
It could be two fold: first, the more guilty one may have become so seared (I Tim. 4:2) by repeated rationalization, that God could not get through to him with conviction. Secondly, it might be that he had decided he would prefer to wait and let his sin follow him to the judgment, unforgiven, rather than to confess his sins now, and have them forgiven, blotted out (Acts 3:19), and sent on ahead to judgment. It is hard to understand why intelligent people will make such an unintelligent choice, as to conceal their sins till the judgment day, but carnality in their hearts makes them do it. They would rather forfeit heaven than face the humiliation of coming clean, confessing their sin, and dying out to their stubborn self-will.
BLJ: If you refuse to repent and make restitution, your sin will follow you to the judgment. One way or the other your sin will be dealt with. Far better in this world through repentance and restitution.
BLINDFOLDED BY THE BLIND
On one occasion a gentleman had moved away after being seriously involved in a sinfully-motivated insurrection against his pastor. A few months later God convicted him of his wrong, and he was smitten with condemnation and guilt. He promptly phoned the pastor long distance and said, "I am trying to get my life straightened out, and I am phoning you to tell you I am sorry for the way I hurt you and the church when I was there, and I want you to forgive me." Of course the man was promptly forgiven, and a warm feeling toward that brother immediately filled the pastor's heart.
However, the bitter irony of the story is this: That repentant young man was blindfolded and pushed into his wicked involvement by a conniving member of the church who helped plan the insurrection. He blindfolded this unwary brother and pushed him into the evil part he played (Gal. 5:10). Even though the conniving one was guilty of a far greater wickedness, he shrugged his shoulders and remarked, "I haven't done anything wrong."
BLJ: Woe on those leaders that lead others into sin. Especially, sin against a pastor.
There seems to be only one way to explain why one who was blindfolded and pushed into sin, felt guilt, condemnation and conviction from the Holy Ghost, while the very one responsible for blindfolding him and pushing him into that awful sin, seemed to feel no guilt, no condemnation, and no conviction whatsoever. Nor did he feel it was necessary to apologize for his role in the matter. What could be the answer?
It could be two fold: first, the more guilty one may have become so seared (I Tim. 4:2) by repeated rationalization, that God could not get through to him with conviction. Secondly, it might be that he had decided he would prefer to wait and let his sin follow him to the judgment, unforgiven, rather than to confess his sins now, and have them forgiven, blotted out (Acts 3:19), and sent on ahead to judgment. It is hard to understand why intelligent people will make such an unintelligent choice, as to conceal their sins till the judgment day, but carnality in their hearts makes them do it. They would rather forfeit heaven than face the humiliation of coming clean, confessing their sin, and dying out to their stubborn self-will.
BLJ: If you refuse to repent and make restitution, your sin will follow you to the judgment. One way or the other your sin will be dealt with. Far better in this world through repentance and restitution.
It will be more tolerable (endurable) on the day of judgment for the unenlightened heathen of the world, than for corrupt and backslidden leaders in the church. Those who lose their souls from positions of control in the church, because of their backslidden state and corrupt practices, will receive greater condemnation, because Jesus said, "...it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you" (Luke 10:14). Also James warned, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation" (James 3:1).
Jesus pointed to those of His day that were so ARTIFICIALLY RELIGIOUS that they sought the highest seats in the synagogue, and the chief seats in the (sacred) feasts, and to show how righteous they were in their opinion, they made long prayers in public -- they would receive greater damnation (Luke 20:46-47).
ETERNITY! OH ETERNITY! WHERE WILL WE SPEND ETERNITY?
How could there ever be a more rude awakening than for a soul to stand before God on the day of judgment and receive His eternal "death-sentence" (Matt. 22:13-14) simply because he rejected the "death-route requirement" of God, and willfully backed off, refusing to pay the price for a clean heart? All responsible, enlightened souls will have to face the "death-to-self" here in this world, or eternal "death-sentence" at the judgment, and there is no other option. It is death to the carnal self here and now, for us, or it will be death to our souls forever. Since God has provided cleansing and purity for our defiled and depraved nature, we have no excuse.
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