1 John 1
1. Is repentance necessary for salvation?
How can repentance not be necessary? The Greek word for repent means to think differently or afterward, that is to reconsider. Repentance is a (1) acknowledgment/ recognition of your state of sin, (2) a declaration/ commitment to turn from sin, and (3) a focus to turn to God in righteous conduct according to His standard. It is part of the process leading toward the forgiveness of sins as identified in Acts 2:38.
Sin binds many in desperation, stress, and condemnation. Darkness keeps them in fear, shame, and guilt. But all who come to Jesus will experience something darkness will never know: freedom in the Light. Come out of darkness and turn to the Lord. Repent of your sins and He will cleanse you. (Ref. 1 John 1:5-10).
Leviticus 11:44-45 – For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
1. To sanctify is to set apart. The Lord called the children of Israel to sanctify themselves. To sanctify is to set apart from something or someone. It is a conscience and moral decision to separate (and cleanse) one’s self from sinful and defiling actions, people, and situations. It is a commitment to the ways of God.
2. Be holy as I am holy. The Israelites were called to holiness. He wanted them to duplicate His character and nature. As we receive a similar call to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15), we should also consider God’s character and nature. God forgives. He is patience and kind. God doesn’t take advantage of others or mistreats them for His own purposes. He is not selfish or inconsiderate of others. God is love (1 John 4:7-8).
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com/camptown
John 3:20-21 – For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Many people live with hidden sins. There’s a great sense of fear, terror, and shame drives us to remain silent because we don’t want that part of our lives to be exposed. When we live in this manner however, we allow sin to live and breed in the darkness of our mind, will, and emotions. We allow sin to have its greatest victory over us, where we become its slave (John 8:34; Romans 6:16).
Sometimes we’re so ashamed that we refuse to speak about our sin to the Lord, who knows and sees all (Psalm 44:21, 139:7-12).
In church leadership, pastors, ministers, musicians, and others that come before the church are often respected, appreciated, and supported. Their presence, anointing from God, and character/charisma can be an awe-inspiring representation of the things many hope to see in themselves and especially others (i.e. spouse). However, what begins as appreciation and thankfulness from afar can become much more within – and this is from the leader.
If the leader is not careful, they can misinterpret the person’s true intent and believe they have an ‘agenda’ to establish an intimate relationship. Some leaders would also use intimacy as a way of expressing their appreciation. They may assume there is an attraction and may even act on that assumption, not realizing that the person did not like them in that manner.
This is for both single and married leaders.
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