There's a lot of confusion in the body of Christ. This generation has this strong delusion that they can still do what they want to do but God says that it is not so. As children, my mother used to sing a song that went something like this. I'm not that way anymore, I'm not that way anymore. God has made a change in my life and I'm not that way anymore. My question for you today is: where is the change? You say that you know God, but what changes have you made in your life as a result? There must be a change. The things you used to do as a sinner should not be practiced.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all thing are become new.
As a people, how can we claim that God has delivered us when we are still engaging in the same activities as before? How can you say that Jesus died for your sins when you continue to sin? What did God deliver you from? What did God free you from? It is stated in the Bible that whoever God sets free is indeed free. What were you repenting of? In what ways were you Godly sorrowful? How have you changed when you choose to willfully sin? A change has got to take place.
2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
We have all heard that God wants you to come as you are. Yes, God allows us to come as we are, but we are not supposed to remain that way. The phrase "come as you are" is not found in the Biblical scripture; however, people have abused it as a crutch. If you come as you are, it means you are a sinner, but you are not supposed to remain in that state. To the prosititutecome as you are. The drunk man come as you are, the drug addict come as you are. There is healing, redemption, and salvation waiting just for you.
Colossians 3:9-10
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.
Isaiah 1: 18-20
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if you refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Revelations 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Often, people use the scripture that God looks at the heart as an excuse for their actions. There is no doubt that God examines the heart, but he also examines everything else as well. He examines how we dress, how we speak, and how we conduct ourselves. Let us take a look at when God told Samuel that. At that time, the Kingdom had been torn from Saul and a new king was being anointed by God. As instructed by God, Samuel went to Jesse's house and called for his sons. Upon seeing one of his sons, Samuel thought, "Surely this is the man God would have as his king.". This is when God informed him that man looks at the outer appearance, but I look at the heart. In other words, he looked good on the outside. His heart, however, was not right, making him unsuitable for the position of king.
1 Samuel 16: 6-7
And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab. And said. Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
We have somehow taken scripture, twisted it, and misused it to fit our sinful nature. “God knows my heart, He knows I mean well” When you have experienced a true encounter with God. I’m talking about the same Pentacostal experience found in Acts 2 where you receive the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of God. It is impossible for you to remain the same.
My life has been transformed by God. I am not the same person I was five years ago. I am not even the same person I was a year ago. In the process of spending time with God, getting to know God, and getting to know His word, God has taught me and along the way, He has changed me. Everything did not change overnight. However, if you allow God to teach you, He will do so. My clothing no longer resembles what it did in the past. The music I listen to is not the same as what I used to listen to. The movies and television shows I watch are not the same as the ones I used to watch. I no longer have the same friends as I once did. The places I used to frequent have changed. The question I asked you earlier was, what sins did God deliver you from? In my case, God delivered me from the sin of fornication. He has given me a new way of speaking and I no longer useprofanity. I was given a new dance, a Holy dance, by the Lord. I no longer drop it like it's hot. I have been cleaned up by God, and I have been changed by Him.
This is one of the ways you can tell people do not really know God as they claim. God is a God of order. When world systems have methods of identifying their people, why should God be any different? As a nation, we have different branches of the armed forces, each with their own uniform. This allows us to distinguish between the different branches of the armed forces, such as the Navy from the Marines. In schools, students are identifiable by their uniforms. In some workplace environments, uniforms are required, as they provide an easy means of identifying employees. Do you truly believe that God is not concerned about our appearance? Does he not care about how we conduct ourselves? Even the world system has a code of conduct. Do you see where I am going with this? Do you really believe that God is that simple-minded? God is God, He is above all things. There was a time when it was possible to distinguish between saints and sinners. In today's world, the church looks and acts just like the world. The church has taken on the fashion, music, and culture of the world. How is that so? God called us to be different. We are in this world, but we are not part of this world.
Romans 12:1- 2
I beesech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy. acceptable, unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
As Christians, we aren't supposed to follow everything the world does, especially when it goes against God's standards. Regardless of what the world is doing, the Church is supposed to stand against it. The practice of abortion, homosexuality, fornication, drunkenness, idolatry, etc. However the church has opened it's arms to welcome any and everything.
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleaness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, sedetions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
There is a difference between clean and unclean, Holy and unholy.
1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be holy in all manner of converation;Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am Holy.
Here are a few more passages of Scripture. As always, I encourage you to study the Word of God for yourself. Please pray for the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that are needed at this time. If you mean it from your heart God will open it up to you. If He did it for me, I know that He will do it for you.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time passed were not a people, but are now the people of God: which not had obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
James 4:4
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God.
Titus 3:3-6
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of our God our Savior, toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Joel 2:32
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.
1 Peter 4:3-4
for the time passed our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lust, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it's strange that you run out with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.
Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
It is imperative that a change is made. Remember God loves you and so do I with the love of Christ.