It's ok . . . God loves me! Really?

Let us hold firmly to the hope we claim to have. The One who promised is faithful. Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. Let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the more as you see the day coming when Christ will return. What if we keep sinning on purpose? What if we do it even after we know the truth? Then there is no offering for our sins. All we can do is to wait in fear for God to judge. His blazing fire will burn up his enemies. (Hebrews 10:23-27)

It's ok . . . God loves me! Have you heard this comment recently? Many believe they belong to God and are saved yet continue in sin, showing no guilt or shame. Many come to regular worship without any conviction. Others feel as though it is enough to be saved yet they have no relationship with fellow believers nor do they desire any.

You see, God did not call us out of a sinful condition for us to remain there. If I recall, Jesus, when He was walking the earth, requested folks to "Follow Me!" (Matthew 16:24) Being a follower of Jesus Christ, a CHRISTian, requires commitment and change!

Paul reminds us in the Hebrews 10 passage above that it is not about us or even how much God loves us, but our CHRISTian life is about our relationship with others and how we live among them. We cannot say we love God and continue in sin. We cannot call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ and not enjoy the fellowship of true and dedicated believers. We also cannot sit idly by and watch others live a lie when concerning the Word of God and the demands of the Gospel! Please do not listen to the watered-down, dummied-down, ear-tickling words of many today. God's Word is still His Word and still perfect for living, discipline, and bringing people back to the Truth!

God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)