1 The title of this message is “Celebrate your salvation!”
The thrust of the message is that when one is saved or born-again, the issue of sin has been dealt with. Sin is no longer an issue as it deals with salvation for a Christian. However, Christian or not, sin always has consequences. Show More
Let’s define our terms:
- Sin is the opposite of righteousness (being in right standing with God)
- God determines what is righteous and what is sin throughout the history of mankind.
2 This may seem an odd question but “How do you kill a zombie…?”
- First of all, let me assure you there are no such things as Zombies, and even if they did exist as Christians, we have nothing to fear from them because of the scripture that assures us that “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! (1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
- Now, if zombies did exist, based on the TV shows, movies, and books, you must destroy the brain!
- This is a metaphor for Wrong Thinking. As Christians, we often hold to wrong teaching that opposes what the Lord has said.
The consequences of sin are the Zombies of guilt, shame, and “regret.” They won’t stay dead and buried! Let’s look at terms again.
- Guilt – a feeling of having done wrong or failed in an obligation:
- Shame – a loss of respect or esteem; dishonor.
- Regret – to feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity)- regret is not always bad, as we will see later.
All these emotions can be a result of letting yourself down or letting someone else down, for instance, letting the Lord down!
My proposition is the following; if you experience guilt, shame, and “regret,” it’s not from God! You were taught to do it to yourself, or you are falling for the lies of the enemy, Satan. Remember, Satan is called the “accuser of the brethren” for a reason. (Rev 12:10)
3 Here is the foundation of this message:
1 John 3:9, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”
Born of God – “You must be born again! John 3, Jesus said, “you must be born-again!”
His Seed – the Holy Spirit of God!
A seed does not represent what it will look like when mature. The seed must develop and grow.
He cannot sin – because of a change in direction (repentance)
You have a pass for sin, not a pass to sin!
For example, I know- police officers, firefighters, corrections officers, and court officers wear badges to show their authority, but they also have little badges they put in their wallets. If these people get “pulled over” for speeding, they will often show their license or ID card next to their badge. Because they have a badge, they will often get a “pass” and get off with a warning. Note: speeders will eventually have accidents; sin always has consequences in life.
4 Is Grace absolute? The answer is YES!
Ephesians 2: 8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
- 2 Corinthians 1:21, “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
- Ephesians 1:13, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
5 THE KEY – How to know that you are truly born-again?
- Two magnets in sync or opposed. When they are opposed, for example, the magnets will repel when the two north poles are put together. However, when the two opposite poles, north and south, are put together, they attract.
- The magnetic needle of a compass, the nature of which is always to point to the pole, is easily turned aside but always re-seeks the north pole. To be attracted to the north is the default.
- In the same way, our natural default nature is to seek sin. No matter how hard you try to do the good or righteous behavior, you are pulled in the wrong direction, over and over again. Something must change!
- Salvation means that you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17); the default nature has been changed because of the Holy Spirit in you. It is as if the magnet inside of you has been reversed and you’ve been charged; the Holy Spirit now lives in you.
- Now your default is to seek righteous behavior. However, you still have old habits and ways of thinking that need to be overcome.
6 How do I know that I am truly born-again?
- I know that I am born-again because I want to know more about Jesus, and I want to change to please Him.
- Spirit is willing; the flesh is weak, Romans 7 and Paul’s dilemma, Romans 8 the solution!
- The Chosen – Mary Magdalene, “I was one way then, I am completely different now; and in between was Him!” “He calls me His own!”
7 Conclusion
- Repent means to have a change of mind and to change, not simply to feel guilt and shame.
- 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
- You will never have victory if guilt and shame are a part of your thinking because guilt and shame will cause you to try and hide from God.
- Jesus said the truth will set you free. John 8: 32 & 36. The truth is that you are totally and absolutely forgiven… you need to forgive yourself and move on. When guilt and shame rise, you need to rebuke it because the source is not God, but Satan, the accuser.