Do I Remain a Sinner Once My Sins are Forgiven?

This is not a trick question. There are some Christians who believe they are no longer sinners when they came to Christ. Let's analyze and find out from God's Word what happens to our sins when we repent and believe the gospel.

Ephesians 1:7 tells us that In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. The word forgiveness in the Greek is Aphesis. It means remission, to release sins from the sinner. One must understand that when Jesus took away our sins through His death, He was our substitute. He acted as our intercessor and mediator; He suffered, was punished by the Father for our trespasses and paid our sin debt when He died. This was a judicial act by Christ. 

If one can imagine a court scene: 

The Judge is the Father, Satan is mankind's accuser, and Jesus is our defense attorney, our advocate. Now the devil of course wants us to kill us so that we're sent to hell unforgiven so he begins to belch out all of our sins to the Judge: Idolater, murderer, liar, glutton, drunkard, thief, adulterer, blasphemer, covetousness, etc. The Judge says to the defense attorney, "What do you have to say about these accusations?" The defense replies to the Judge, "My Lord the things the accuser has charged my clients with were true, but my Lord You sent Me here not only to defend my clients, You commanded Me to give My life for them because You and I love them. I did what You commanded Me 2,000 years ago and those that have repented and put their trust in Me I cleansed with my blood and saved them so the enemy has no right to them. They belong to You and Me My Honorable Lord. I AM their redeemer. I AM their Savior!

Because of Christ we have received a divine pardon. The Judge has banged His gavel and given us a not guilty verdict. We are free in Christ. Praise God! But just because our sins are no longer counted against us, it does not mean we are not still sinners - we are. How do I know this?

The apostle John in I John 1:8-10 says this to believers, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

So, if we have been forgiven of all our sins when we initially repented and believed in the atoning work of Jesus for salvation, then why does John say as believers that we have to confess our sins to be cleansed from unrighteousness? I can understand why John's words could be confusing. Were our sins washed away or not?

You see Jesus delivered us from the penalty and power of sin, but currently not its presence. Our bodies have not received its glorification yet so we still struggle in our flesh and war against sin. Because the temptation to sin is with us, we fall prey to sin and we must confess it to the Lord for ongoing cleansing. This confession of sin is not forgiveness so that we can be saved again, but rather a familial or relationship forgiveness - like a father would give to his son that disobeys him (Hebrews 12:5-11). 

I John 2:1-2 says, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may may not sin. If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." 

Notice what the Elder Apostle John said, my little children. He is clearly making reference to Christians; meaning we do sin. Now, sinning cannot be the pattern of the believer's life because we have been delivered from it. It no longer has dominion over us. You see, we sin, but we must not practice it. That was our former pattern of life. 

Why we should continually confess our sins

Paul said in Romans 15:4, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

God relayed clearly to the children of Israel that in order for Him to dwell in their presence, the land could not be defiled by their sin. How in the world could approximately a couple of million people remain clean? By slaughtering animals, shedding their blood as a sin substitute for them. God required usually sheep, lamb, goats and bulls without blemish to be a sacrifice. The blood shed from these animals was an atonement for the sins of the people. The reason they had to continually offer sacrifices was because the animal's blood could only cover sins, it could not wash away the sins of the people. Hebrews 10:4 tells us the blood of bulls and goats could NEVER take away sins. The blood of animals pre-figured the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Remember the words of John the Baptist, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

I provided that small history lesson to show that although we are clean by the blood of the Lamb inwardly, our outward man which Paul describes as a body of death is not clean and is subject to sin (Romans 7:24). Ongoing confession of sin is good for our soul and body. It is not something we should do ritualistically or mechanically. Rather, we should do it humbly and joyfully realizing that we never deserve the right to even dwell in the presence of the Lord, let alone approach His holy majestic throne. 

So yes, we are still sinners, no question about it. The difference for the believer vs. the non believer is that our lives can no longer be dominated by it. The power of the Holy Spirit compels us to resist sin. The Bible tells us that we cannot practice sin because of the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 John 3:4-9). Notice I did not say temptation for we are always tempted due to the corruption that is in our flesh and the sinfulness of others. 

There will come a glorious day when we will sin no more. That will be when we are glorified in our bodies. That blessed day is when Jesus returns for His Bride the Church. The dead in Christ will rise first. Then all those who are alive will be changed and will meet the Lord in the air (1 Cor 15:51-58; 1 Thess 4:13-18).

The Abundant Life. What Is It?

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.

Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I AM the door of the sheep. All whoever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" 

---- John 10:1-10

 A sheepfold or a sheep pen was an enclosure made up of large rocks or wood with barbed wire, a fence and or wall that the shepherd would make the sheep go into for safety after they were done feeding on the hills or nearby fields. The enclosure had only one opening the sheep could go in and out of. The opening was the door; the shepherd was the door of the sheep. At night the shepherd would guard his sheep by lying down at the opening to keep thieves and predators away so they could rest. A good shepherd would not let his sheep get harmed and killed. He was their only protector, and they trusted him because he was the one that led them out and back in again. They responded to his voice only because he would call them by name. Also, shepherds could rent a communal pen with other shepherds who would keep their flocks overnight if they needed to attend to other business. They would pay a gatekeeper, a hireling, to watch the sheep. The next day, the shepherd would come, and the gatekeeper would open the door so that the shepherds would either call his sheep by name or use a special unique call or song to gather all of his sheep and lead them out. The sheep that belonged to the other shepherds would only listen to their shepherd’s voice and not a stranger. Sheepfolds today are the same as they were in antiquity. One of the differences today is that some shepherds use dogs to help direct the sheep if they try to go astray.

Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd in John 10:11,14. Although those who were listening were not aware that when He said I give my life for my sheep He was referencing His death. 

So, why do so many Christians believe that when verse ten says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that more abundantly”, that Jesus is making reference to material wealth? Verse ten is not talking about financial gain at all! Jesus is clearly making reference to granting eternal life to His sheep; those that place their faith in Him for the forgiveness of their sins. That is all this entire chapter is talking about.

The abundant life is the blessed reality that Jesus saves wretched sinners like you and I. Just like shepherds literally laid down their lives for actual sheep because he loves, cares and nourishes them, Jesus laid down His life for His sheep.

Jesus is indeed our Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14). 

Who are the thieves and robbers?

Well the ultimate thief is Satan, but he is not the thief in question here. Notice Jesus said, all that ever came before me were thieves and robbers. That would be the religious leaders of Christ’s day. Why did Jesus call them thieves and robbers? Because they were false teachers and prophets. The Prophet Ezekiel calls false teachers worthless shepherds who did not feed the flock of God but fed themselves (Ezekiel 34). In Matthew 23 Jesus righteously cursed out the religious leaders. 

But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense  make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation (Matthew 23:13-14).

Jesus also calls them blind guides and fools (vv 16-17). 

The abundant life is eternal life. There is nothing better than to know that we will spend forever with God the Father, God the Son, The Holy Spirit, the Angels, and all the saints of God for all time. When one ponders on these blessings, they should burst forth in praise to God.

My Doxology

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God;and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:1-2).

From Charles Spurgeon regarding 1 John 3:1:

that we should be called children of God Who calls us so? That is the wonder. Men take upon themselves great names without any right to them. There are degrees among men that are degrees of shame because the persons who wear them were never justly entitled to them. It is one thing for us to call ourselves children of God, and another thing for the Father to bestow His love so that we are truly called the sons of God. From where comes this princely title of “children of God”? Who calls the saints the children of God?

The Father Himself does so. He speaks to them as unto children. He deals with them as with sons. He is pleased in infinite love to bid them say, “Our Father,” and He answers to them by calling them children and heirs. He acknowledges their sonship, and pities them as a father pities his children. He has called them sons, saying, “ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me,’ says the all-powerful Lord” (2 Cor 6:18). Oh, what a blessing it is to have God calling you His child; the great Almighty and Infinite One looking upon you with a Father’s love, and saying, “You are my son”! He speaks the truth, and we may believe it, and be sure. He knows His own children, and gives the name of sons to none whom He will in the end disown. He calls us His children, and we are.

Charles Spurgeon, Spurgeon Commentary: 1 John, ed. Elliot Ritzema, Spurgeon Commentary Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014), 1 Jn 3:1.

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us (emphasis added) and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).

From Matthew Henry:

Verses 9–12; (1 John 4)

Nothing can be more absurd than the conduct of those who doubt as to the truth of Christianity, while in the common affairs of life they do not hesitate to proceed on human testimony, and would deem any one out of his senses who declined to do so. The real Christian has seen his guilt and misery, and his need of such a Saviour. He has seen the suitableness of such a Saviour to all his spiritual wants and circumstances. He has found and felt the power of the word and doctrine of Christ, humbling, healing, quickening, and comforting his soul. He has a new disposition, and new delights, and is not the man that he formerly was. Yet he finds still a conflict with himself, with sin, with the flesh, the world, and wicked powers. But he finds such strength from faith in Christ, that he can overcome the world, and travel on towards a better. Such assurance has the gospel believer: he has a witness in himself, which puts the matter out of doubt with him, except in hours of darkness or conflict; but he cannot be argued out of his belief in the leading truths of the gospel. Here is what makes the unbeliever’s sin so awful; the sin of unbelief. He gives God the lie; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son. It is in vain for a man to plead that he believes the testimony of God in other things, while he rejects it in this. He that refuses to trust and honour Christ as the Son of God, who disdains to submit to his teaching as Prophet, to rely on his atonement and intercession as High Priest, or to obey him as King, is dead in sin, under condemnation; nor will any outward morality, learning, forms, notions, or confidences avail him. 

Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), 1 Jn 5:9.

From King David:

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in the green pastures. He leads me besides the still waters. He restores my soul. He causes me to walk in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me. Your rod and staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil. My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6

Broader vs Contextual Meaning

 There are a few Bible passages that come to mind that have a contextual meaning and what I would call a broader or general meaning. Oftentimes the New Testament writers quote and/or borrow language from Old Testament writers to deliver their messages, or to fulfill Old Testament prophecy. Let’s examine a few.

 Matthew 18:6 - Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Contextual Meaning - When Jesus is referencing little ones in this passage He is making reference to all believers, young and old alike. No one should tempt God’s children into sin - it's deadly for the offender to do so.

Broader Meaning - Many Christians will use this verse to refer to children only; e.g. those that want to harm children and sexually groom them to have transgender mutilation surgery because they have confusion about their biological sex or worse, sex traffic them for profit. They (i.e. those that protect children) are saying to the predators out there, “It would be better if someone hung a millstone around your neck and threw you in the sea to drown than for you to hurt a small child.” I see no problem borrowing the language from this verse to emphasize the severe repercussions of harming children but it’s very important to remember the context in which Jesus said this so the original meaning is not lost.

 Revelation 3:20 - Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Contextual Meaning - Jesus is proverbially knocking on the door of the Laodicean Church due to their sinfulness, they have locked the Lord out of their lives due to their apostate lukewarm behavior. This is a call to repentance by the disobedient members of this Church. Jesus loves them and desires to be let back in so that He can enjoy sweet communion and fellowship with the members of this congregation. It is not a call or invitation to repent and receive salvation for the first time. By extension this is a warning to all wayward believers for all time that think materialism is a barometer for holiness and success in lieu of obedience. The Laodiceans said they were rich. Jesus said they were wretched, blind, poor and naked (vs17b). Read all the verses regarding the Church of Laodicea.

 Broader Meaning - Many will use Revelation 3:20 as a useful verse for evangelism; to call the unregenerate to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation because He’s standing and knocking on the door of their hearts, so to speak.

 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some count slackness but is longsuffering toward us. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance.

 Contextual Meaning - Peter is rebuking those that are mocking the return of Christ. They are saying that it is taking Jesus too long to return. Now mind you, when Peter wrote this, it was the First Century A.D., maybe less than 40 years since Jesus had resurrected and ascended back to heaven. Christians throughout Church history have anticipated Jesus could return in their lifetime. Contextually who are the “us”, the “any”, and the “all” in verse nine? Let’s connect the dots.

In the first letter of Peter we read in chapter 1 verses 1-2, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”

 In 2 Peter 3:1-4 we read, “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”’ 

In both letters Peter was writing to Christians. We are the “us”, the “any”, and the “all” in 2 Peter 3:9:the elect, the chosen of God before the foundation of the world. A comparable text is Ephesians 1:4, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”

Broader Meaning - Christians use 2 Peter 3:9 as an evangelistic verse to say since God loves all people (which He does), He does not desire that anyone perish and die without Him which is true. Ezekiel 18:32 and Ezekiel 33:11 tells us God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Again, it's effective and I believe it right to borrow 2 Peter 3:9 as an evangelistic verse as long as the contextual meaning is not lost. 

 Exodus 33:18-19 - Moses asked the Lord, “Please show me your glory.” Then He (The Lord) said, “I will make My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

 Paul borrows the language of Exodus 33:19 when discussing election:

“And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”[1] As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”[2]

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses. “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have 

compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”  So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy (Romans 9:10-16).

Paul anticipated that his audience would think and question God’s righteousness regarding election as unfair, so he is preemptive by saying there is certainly no unrighteousness with God. Remember, man is a sinner, and the only thing we deserve is hell. God deciding to choose who He wants to extend mercy to is His divine prerogative. God’s mercy is His unexplainable love to those who hate Him.

Sovereign election is God choosing who will be recipients of His saving grace. During the time of Isaac, his wife Rebecca was pregnant with twins, Esau and Jacob. God told Rebecca that the older son (Esau) would serve the younger son (Jacob), and that Jacob would be stronger than Esau (Genesis 25:23). Now when the text says that Jacob would be stronger than Esau, it's talking about the two nations which ended up being Israel and Edom. The descendants of Edom or the Edomites no longer exist, but the Israelites or who we call Jews today will always exist. Why? Because of the covenant made with one man, Abram (Genesis 12:2-3). The Jews are descendants of the first Hebrew Abram (Genesis 14:13).

We know this was sovereign election because the text says that before the sons were born, before they could do any good or evil, God chose one over the other so that His plan of election would stand. This is why Paul quoted the Exodus passage: “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”[3]

In like manner, God does that today when He decides to bring someone into the kingdom of God. Before we were born, it was in the mind of God to save sinners because He lovingly chose us through His mercy and compassion. He through the gospel message opens the eyes of the one He chooses to save. He grants them repentance and faith so that they believe and are saved (Eph 2:8; 2 Tim 2:25). This way God gets all the glory for salvation and the redeemed can say, “Thank you Lord for having mercy and compassion on me!”  

When we understand the original context of a passage, it should hold us accountable to treat God’s word with more reverence and care. It takes time, diligence, careful study and discipline to obtain the authorial intent of all the books of the Bible. Doing this is part of our maturation as Christians. Let's do everything we can to study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman who is not ashamed - rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

 

1 John 2:2

 "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." 

- 1 John 2:2

The word propitiation in the Greek means to appease or satisfy. So, when the text says that He (Christ) is the propitiation for ours sins it means that Jesus satisfied God The Father's wrath for our trespasses when He sacrificed Himself for the sins of the world. Jesus' death for our sins was a complete and sufficient atonement for God. As a result, the Father extends His grace to all of mankind - commanding all to repent of their sins and trust in what Jesus did for them, suffering and dying in their place. When a person does this, they are forgiven of their sins and they receive the gift of eternal life. The Father pardons their sins and treats them as if they had never sinned. Amazing!

It is important that I make a critical distinction here. Just because Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, does not mean that everyone goes to heaven. Jesus had to die or else all of mankind is doomed to hell in a godless eternity. Jesus' death was/is completely sufficient to save every person that will ever live. But His death is only efficient (e.g. effective) to those who believe; meaning the benefits of Christ's atonement only applies savingly to the genuine repentant sinner. Those who refuse to believe do not receive the benefits God's saving grace because they willfully reject The Father's gift of eternal life in Christ alone. They by their own sinful rebellion have reserved themselves to the wrath of God (John 3:36). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Rejection of Jesus Christ is suicide

When a person thinks they are secure in their soul despite their sin, they are deceived. That false security gives birth to defiance and arrogance which leads to a demonic narcissism. The tragic part about this is the person doesn't know that they are this way. They have made the determination that they do not need to receive the gospel and repent of their sins. They have determined for themselves that they are good. In Proverbs 14:12 we read, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." King Solomon the writer could not have said it more clearer than that. Man's way is the way to hell. 

Charles Spurgeon on 1 John 2:2

By which is meant, not only that Jesus Christ died for Gentiles as well as Jews, and for some of all nations, but that there is that in the atonement of Christ which might be sufficient for every creature under heaven if God had so chosen every creature. The limitation lies, not in the value of the atonement itself, but in the design and intention of the Eternal God. God sent His Son to lay down His life for His sheep. We know that Christ redeemed us from among men, so that the redemption is particularly and specially for the elect; yet at the same time the price offered was so precious, the blood was so infinite in value, that if every man that ever lived had to be redeemed Christ could have done it. It is this that makes us bold to preach the gospel to every creature, since we know there is no limit in the value of the atonement, though still we know that the design of it is for the chosen people of God alone.

Charles Spurgeon, Spurgeon Commentary: 1 John, ed. Elliot Ritzema, Spurgeon Commentary Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014), 1 Jn 2:2.

Matthew Henry

He is the expiatory victim, the propitiatory sacrifice that has been offered to the Judge for all our offences against his majesty, law, and government. In vain do the professors of Rome distinguish between and advocate of redemption and an advocate of intercession, or a mediator of such different service. The Mediator of intercession, the Advocate for us, is the Mediator of redemption, the propitiation for our sins. It is his propitiation that he pleads. And we might be apt to suppose that his blood had lost its value and efficacy if no mention had been made of it in heaven since the time it was shed. But now we see it is of esteem there, since it is continually represented in the intercession of the great advocate (the attorney-general) for the church of God. He ever lives to make intercession for those that come to God through him. 4. By the extent of his plea, the latitude of his propitiation. It is not confined to one nation; and not particularly to the ancient Israel of God: He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only (not only for the sins of us Jews, us that are Abraham’s seed according to the flesh), but also for those of the whole world (v. 2); not only for the past, or us present believers, but for the sins of all who shall hereafter believe on him or come to God through him. The extent and intent of the Mediator’s death reach to all tribes, nations, and countries. As he is the only, so he is the universal atonement and propitiation for all that are saved and brought home to God, and to his favor and forgiveness.

 Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2444.

 

Psalm 109

 A Psalm For Divine Justice Against One’s Enemies

This is a Psalm of David - desiring deliverance by the God he praises from his enemies. Although David was kind and prayed for them, they treated him badly. As a result David desires the Lord destroy his wicked enemies along with their ancestry and posterity.

David pronounces numerous curses on what appears as one enemy initially. We do not know who this enemy is. I would imagine many have guessed perhaps Saul who wanted to kill David for the sake of his kingdom, or Ahithophel who was one of David’s counselors who betrayed him to pledge his allegiance to David’s son Absalom who attempted to usurp his father’s kingdom (2 Sam 16:22;17:14), or Doeg the Edomite, a servant of Saul.

Verses 1-5:

• These verses mirror what was happening to Jesus the day he was crucified; they lied and were hateful toward Him. They attacked the Lord without cause. For His kindness they accused Him (Jesus) of being a rebel.

    Verses 6-15:

• This is where David uses what scholars call imprecatory language against his enemies. To imprecate someone is to pronounce curses on them. Here are the curses David pronounces:

• Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy. Let an accuser stand at his right hand (vs 6)

• When he is tried, let him be found guilty. Let his prayer become sin (vs 7)

• May his days be few; may another take his place. This was fulfilled in Judas after he betrayed the Lord and hanged himself. This curse was not only contemporaneous, it was a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy [(vs 8), (fulfilled in Acts 1:8)]. Judas was replaced by Matthias as an apostle

• Then David pronounces woes on his enemies’ family; he desires the man dies so that his children are fatherless and his wife a widow. He also pronounces that he desires his family becomes homeless and begging on the street. David wants the creditors to seize all his possessions, and that strangers steal what he has. David desires despair on the man’s entire family (vv 9-15)

Now, why would David be so hardcore on his enemy and his families’ destruction? Verse sixteen tells us that his enemy was ruthless and blood thirsty. He showed no compassion for the poor, the needy and the brokenhearted. As a matter of fact he killed them. David also desired that any curses he pronounced on anyone that it would come back on him. His enemies never blessed anyone (vs 17).

David said that his enemies wore cursing like a cloak; that evil entered his body like water and like oil into his bones (vs 18). David said since the wicked love their evil so much, may they be afflicted with evil forever as a payment from the Lord for those that have spoken evil about him (vv 19-20). David pleads his case for deliverance. He’s tired of fighting. He’s weak from fasting, his body is mal-nourished and his enemies continue to taunt. Verse 25  was fulfilled in Christ in Matthew 27:39-40a, those who passed hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!”

     Verses 26-31:

• David cries to the only one that can save him, God Almighty. David leans on God’s love as the virtue he needs for help. He wants his enemies to know that the Lord is his deliverer. David wants the Lord to bless him whenever his enemies curse him. Again he wants his enemies put to shame so that he can give the Lord praise. In the end, David knows the Lord will vindicate him and all those who are poor and desperate that need help from God.

In case the reader is wondering why David did not seek the welfare of his enemies due to all the curses he pronounced, remember he said at the beginning of the Psalm, that he treated his enemies with kindness although they reciprocated evil against him (Matthew 5:44). Although the matter for David was personal, he did not take personal vengeance. Everything he desired to be done to his enemies was righteous and according to the Mosaic law (Exodus 20;Deuteronomy 32). David obeyed Deuteronomy 32:35 which says, “Vengeance is mine” says the Lord-”I will repay.”

What can we learn from this Psalm?

No one likes being persecuted for no reason. It's just not right. Those who harm others, stealing, taunting and even killing are a menace to society and need to be either locked up or executed - they’re incorrigible. Jesus promised us that in this world we will have trouble, but it never justifies someone being evil against another without a cause. Those who commit evil deserve to have it return to them in greater measure.

Like David we MUST not take personal vengeance against those that hate us no matter how tempting it may be. Here’s another caveat, do not rejoice when they fall either. Why? Because it would upset the Lord and the judgment He was going to render He may withdraw. Proverbs 24:17-18 says, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls and do not set your heart on their destruction. Lest the Lord see it and it displeases Him and He (The Lord) turn away His wrath from him (your enemy).

There is tremendous wisdom packed in these two verses. 1) Although the wicked deserve punishment by God, we have to make sure we do not gloat in their destruction. If we do, the Lord may decide to spare your enemies’ judgment. Think about the burn that would be to the one that had to endure ongoing persecution from this malevolent person(s) if God spared your enemies because we gloated in their demise! 2) This shows the love of God even for the most despicable people. God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked although they deserve to die (Ezekiel 18:32;33:11). Those that die in their sins will immediately wake up in hell.

Proverbs 28:17 says, “Anyone tormented with the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold him back.” Proverbs 19:19 says, “A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again” (ESV). In other words let the deeds of the murderous wicked haunt him until it kills him; do not help him! This is justice; life for life.

Success Or Obedience?

Pragmatism in a lot of churches is king. These “Pastors” are doing whatever it takes to get results; i.e. get money because they are greedy. So, if you are in a megachurch with beautiful architecture, a cafe, a wing for the children, a nice bookstore, gifted singers and musicians and plenty of money in the coffers, these optics are supposed clear indicators God is blessing that church. While there is nothing wrong with these aesthetics in of themselves, it does not mean the Spirit of God is residing there.

As we often say, looks can be deceiving. What is being sacrificed in a lot of these large churches is sound doctrine. If you’re preaching another gospel or what I call an alien gospel, you’re not blessed, but rather cursed as per the scripture.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

As we have said before, so now I say again, If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-10

I hope the reader realizes how penetrating these words are from the apostle Paul. The word accursed in the Greek is anathematizo where we get the word anathema which means to devote one to destruction.

To be blunt, what I am seeing and hearing often on YouTube is stupidity. At best it is foolishness, at worst it is demonic - I vote for the latter.  Sadly, we have too many Christians that are babies when they should be mature doctrinally. Every new charlatan that comes to town with some aberrant heretical revelation gets the opportunity to defile a pulpit and butcher God’s holy Word and play spiritual “whack-a-mole” with the parishioners. The under shepherd of that house does not have the courage or the discernment skills himself to protect the flock entrusted to him by God. As a result, the flock is fleeced, and the itinerant hireling (i.e. false teacher) walks away with the money bag to defile another pulpit in a different city.

Now, on the surface those that misuse the Word of God to manipulate the minds of the unsuspecting appear to be successful - they are the ones with the fancy clothes and jewelry, the palatial homes, the private jets and bread in their pockets! In actuality they are poor. 

Here is how I know.

Jesus says:

And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. I know your works, you are neither cold nor hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have need of nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor blind, and naked.

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Revelation 3:14-19

Many churches fall into the category of the Laodicean. They are claiming they are successful, but they are not. They are disobedient. This starts with the Pastor. What he teaches often determines the behavior and worldview of his members. Since so many Pastors are deficient Bible expositors, they are misleading their congregations with these “Santa-Ana-Windy-Doctrines” (Ephesians 4:14). To cover up for their anemic teaching, they whoop and holler, babble in non-biblical tongues, and have you turn to your neighbor a 1000X’s in service. The music is banging loud. Nowadays apostate “black churches” are bumping, “They Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. Your endorphins have kicked in - your emotion has superseded your logic and you’re ripe for slaughter by the pulpit pimp. You can guarantee there will be manipulative language with a Bible twist for the money grab - a tithes and offerings "sermon" of guilt they always teach out of context; lying to you that when you give to God (when it is actually them) He is going to give you a supernatural financial and/or material breakthrough.

The church goer has been conditioned to behave every week like Pavlov’s dogs without knowing it. These types of churches are abusive.

Success or Obedience?

You see, it’s easier to want to be culturally relevant as a church. But, the most important need for the church is the teaching and equipping the saints and preaching of the gospel to the lost. Souls are at stake. Other things while important are secondary like taking care of the needs of the poor and community outreach.

Here’s how a church will be successful and obedient:

For the Teacher/Pastor

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers

1 Timothy 4:16

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

1 Peter 5:2-4

When a Pastor practices the aforementioned, he will be successful indeed because he is obedient indeed. There will never be true success without obedience to the truth.

Glorification And Glory

Christians are here on earth to serve our King, the Lord Jesus. Jesus upon His ascension to the Father after He resurrected commanded His disciples to replicate themselves, i.e. make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).

If your view of the Church is merely what you often see in cyber space and YouTube, the aforementioned does not resemble the current "church's" mission at all. What I call the postmodern church is a seeker-sensitive-concert-social club atmosphere. The bootleg Pastor does not teach on sin and repentance and sound doctrine for he/she does not want to offend those whom they claim to love with the truth. Rather they lull the naive and gullible to sleep with a hypnotic false gospel; one that gets you riled up with ridiculous whooping and hollering - making way too much noise and saying nothing, along with misleading you to be greedy for money because being rich is the goal in this life right?

What I and many others know is the only ones getting rich are the wolves in the pulpit. Their parishioners are broke and will stay broke if they continue to follow a incubus/succubus.

The meaning of a disciple is to be a learner, a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus never painted a pretty picture to those He called to follow Him. Anyone wonder why there are so many pretenders in the Church? Once they are fully aware what it will cost to follow Christ, they bail out. The Apostle John said it like this, "They went out from us because they are not of us. If they were of us, they would continue with us. But they went out, that it might become plain they they all are not of us (1 John 2:19).

Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

You must know why you are a Christian. You're not likely to get all your dreams fulfilled because you're a Christian. Sometimes what we desire is out of the will of God. One of my late Pastors wisely told our congregation that God will never answer a prayer that will not give Him glory. 

How do we give God glory?

Simply put, we have to be obey the commands of the Lord. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or to the Church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything. I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 

To give glory is bestow honor, majesty and praise to God. We extol and magnify his name in the earth through our lives. The only way to do that correctly is through the knowledge of the truth of scripture. 

In Jesus' mountain sermon he preached to the crowds, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). 

That my friends encapsulates the Christian life. 

This is what we all want Jesus to say to us when we are judged for our lives here on earth: 

"Well done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord" (Matthew 25:21-23).

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is this the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.

Wise and common sense words from King Solomon.

In order to enter God's glory, we have to glorify Him right here and right now.