Channelofhealing

T. Pierce Brown, Published in The Old Paths Archive (http://www.oldpaths.com)

Degrees of Sin

Why is it assumed by some that there are NOT degrees of sin, when both the Bible and logic assure us otherwise?

Let us examine some of the teachings of the Bible about the degrees of sin, starting in the beginning of the Old Testament and working into the New, but not attempting to exhaust the subject at any point.

As we examine the records in Exodus and Deuteronomy of the various kinds of sins and the punishment for them, we cannot but be impressed with the fact that some of the sins had more severe punishment than others, and were looked upon as greater sins in some respects. In Exodus 22:15, we find, "He that smiteth his father or his mother shall surely be put to death," but "If a man steal an ox or a sheep and kill it or sell it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep" (Exodus 23:1). Surely no one who would read that thoughtfully could assume that it is as bad for a man to kill or steal a sheep as it is to commit adultery or murder. If so, why did not the language and the punishment indicate that it was? What, in that case, is the meaning of such expressions as "a great sin" (Exodus 32:21,30,31) and "a very great sin" (1 Samuel 2:17)? What is the meaning of Isaiah 8:6 where "great abominations" are compared with "greater abominations"? If one is greater, how could that be any thing but a different "degree" of sin?

Turning to the New Testament, notice Matthew 23:15, where Jesus says, "Ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more a child of hell than yourselves." If being twofold does not indicate a degree, what does? When in verse 23 Jesus says, "Ye have omitted the weightier matters of the law," what does that mean if some matters are not weightier? If so, what is that but a different degree of weight?

Very closely connected, but relating to a different subject are those who will receive "greater condemnation" (Cf. Mt. 23:14; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47; James 3:1).

If there remains the slightest question about the fact that some sins are greater than others, Jesus’ statement in John 19:11 should forever remove it. "He that delivered me unto thee hath the GREATER SIN." If one sin is greater than another, then there are degrees of sin. This is not merely an implication, assumption, interpretation, supposition, opinion or theory, but a statement from the lips of Jesus. (At this point, I wonder why I started the article in the first place, for I would think that surely none of my readers would attempt to deny it. Yet I had four elders who argued with me for two hours that there were no degrees of sin!)

This has nothing to do with the false Roman Catholic doctrine relating to "mortal" or "venial" sins, nor does it indicate that men have the right to classify sins as "big" or "little" and assume that the little ones are insignificant. The problem with that doctrine is twofold. First, there are no insignificant sins. Second, people’s assumption regarding which ones are bigger or smaller are usually wrong, and even if their assumptions were right they have nothing to do with God’s judgment.

From a purely logical standpoint, if a person admits that one person can be better or worse than another, or that a person is better or worse at some period in his life than at another, he must admit than one is more sinful than another. What makes a man better or worse?

Again, if no sin is worse than another, you should be as glad to associate with a drunken, adulterous, lying, murdering thief as you would be with one who failed to give as he had been prospered, or pray as he should. If not, why not? I believe one of the elders with whom I had the long discussion said, "Yes, in man’s sight those are worse, but in the sight of God, perhaps pride, arrogance, or indifference are worse." I admit that, but the statement itself was an admission that in God’s sight, there might be degrees of sin. Some could not be worse than others without there being degrees.

Even sins that are called by the same name have different degrees. Even if we could say "Pride is worse than lying," we should not, for there are degrees of pride. Even killing in one situation is worse than another. The fact that the laws of our land have perverted the truth about it, and many news commentators and others pretend that to put a murderer to death is just as bad as the crime he committed when he murdered, does not change the Bible truth.

Also, remember that this has nothing to do with the fact that all sinners are lost if they do not repent.

Finally, the very fact Jesus talks of an "unpardonable sin" and "there is a sin unto death" shows that some sins are worse than others. The supposed Aristotelian logic of the statement that "Sin is sin" showing that one sin is equal to another is invalid. The truth is that sin1 is not sin2, either in kind or degree.

If you never felt pain, Then how would you know that I am a Healer?
If you never had to pray, How would you know that I am a Deliverer?
If you never had a trial, How could you call yourself an overcomer?
If you never felt sadness, How would you know that I am a Comforter?
If you never made a mistake, How would you know that I am a forgiver?
If you knew all, How would you know that I will answer your questions?
If you never were in trouble, How would you know that I will come to your rescue?
If you never were broken, Then how would you know that I can make you whole?
If you never had a problem,How would you know that I can solve them?
If you never had any suffering, Then how would you know what I went through?
If you never went through the fire, Then how would you become pure?
If I gave you all things, How would you appreciate them?
If I never corrected you, How would you know that I love you?
If you had all power, Then how would you learn to depend on me?
If your life was perfect, Then what would you need me for?
-Love, Jesus.

-author unknown.

-by David Wilkerson.
Christ’s church has never been approved or accepted by the world. And it never will be. If you live for Jesus, you won’t have to separate yourself from other’s company; they’ll do it for you. All you have to do is live for him. Suddenly, you’ll find yourself reproached, rejected, called evil: "Men shall hate you, and- they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake" (Luke 6:22). Yet, Jesus adds, this is the path to true fulfillment. "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 16:25). In other words: "The only way you find meaning in life is by selling out your all for me. Then you’ll find true joy, peace and satisfaction." Christ tells us, "My church is without spot or wrinkle. So, when you come to me, you must be willing to lay down all sins. You must surrender all to me, die completely to self, ungodly ambition and ego. By faith, you’ll be buried with me. But I will raise you up into new life."
Think about what it means to be without spot or wrinkle. We know a spot is a stain. But what about a wrinkle? Have you ever heard the phrase, "a new wrinkle"? It means adding a new idea to an existing concept. A wrinkle, in that sense, applies to those who try to improve on the gospel. It suggests an easy way to attain
heaven, without full surrender to Christ.
That’s the kind of gospel that’s being preached in many churches today. The sermons are aimed only at meeting people’s needs.
As I read Jesus’ words, I see that this kind of preaching will not work. It doesn’t accomplish the true work of the gospel.
Don’t misunderstand: I’m not against preaching comfort and strength to God’s people. As a shepherd of the Lord, I’m called to do exactly
that. But if I preach only to people’s needs, and ignore Christ’s call to lay down our lives, then true needs will never be met. Jesus’
words are clear: Our needs are met by dying to ourselves and taking up his cross.
-SOURCE: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/7655

Here is an except of the message by Thom S Rainer

It is inevitable that, when we do research on evangelistic churches, we learn about one or more members in the church who, to use the book title by Charles H. Spurgeon, embody the traits of The Soul Winner. Often times one of those members is the pastor. But we have also seen many laypersons who are themselves soul winners.

In our interviews with these people, or with those who tell us about the soul winners, we began to discern some clear patterns. We called those patterns “the seven characteristics of highly evangelistic Christians.”

1. They are people of prayer. They realize that only God can convict and convert, and they are totally dependent upon Him in prayer. Most of the highly evangelistic Christians spend at least an hour in prayer each day.

2. They have a theology that compels them to evangelize. They believe in the urgency of the gospel message. They believe that Christ is the only way of salvation. They believe that anyone without Christ is doomed for a literal hell.

3. They are people who spend time in the Word. The more time they spend in the Bible, they more likely they are to see the lostness of humanity and the love of God in Christ to save those who are lost.

4. They are compassionate people. Their heart breaks for those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They have learned to love the world by becoming more like Christ who has the greatest love for the world.

5. They love the communities where God has placed them. They are immersed in the culture because they desire for the light of Christ to shine through them in their communities.

6. They are intentional about evangelism. They pray for opportunities to share the gospel. They look for those opportunities. And they see many so-called casual encounters as appointments set by God.

7. They are accountable to someone for their evangelistic activities. They know that many good activities can replace Great Commission activities if they are not careful. Good can replace the best. So they make certain that someone holds them accountable each week either formally or informally for their evangelistic efforts.

Culled from, Lifeway  Christian Resources

  Matt 24: 7-10,Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

Wishing all my Readers  and everyone else a Very Happy Easter Celebration Today.

Remember that Jesus Christ our Lord is the Reason for this Season.

Also try to  take to heart, the message of the cross and the Reason for our being here, For this is such a time when we ought to take into account the Price our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ paid for us on the Cross of Calvary.. . I know I have been searching my self daily and will continue to do so until the final day.

Hope to resume frequent posts soon ,… thanks for your patience…I love you with the Love of the Lord.

God bless you all and remain complete in Him!

by B. Moorehead.
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and  pray too seldom. 

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life; we’ve added years to life, not life to years.  We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We’ve done larger things, but not better things.  We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice. 

We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less.  We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.  These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; Indeed, these are the times!

THIS IS A VERY GOOD ONE I MUST SAY, PEOPLE… ARE YOU LISTENING!!!

The happy man was born in the city of Regeneration
in the parish of Repentance unto Life. He has a large
estate in the county of Christian Contentment.

He was educated at the School of Obedience
—and often does jobs of Self-denial.

He wears the garment of Humility, and has
another suit to put on when he goes to Court,
called the Robe of Christ’s Righteousness.

He is necessitated to travel through the world on
his way to heaven—but he walks through it as fast
as he can. All his business along the way—is to
make himself and others happy. He often walks
in the valley of Self-Abasement, and sometimes
climbs the mountains of Heavenly-mindedness.

He breakfasts every morning on Spiritual Prayer,
and sups every evening on the same. He has food
to eat, which the world knows nothing of—and his
drink is the sincere milk of the Word of God.

Thus happy he lives—and happy he dies.

Happy is he who has . . . Gospel submission in his will, 
the love of God in his affections, true peace in his conscience, 
sincere Divinity in his breast, the Redeemer’s yoke on his neck, 
the vain world under his feet, and a crown of glory over his head!

Happy is the life of that man who . . .
  believes firmly,
  prays fervently,
  walks patiently,
  labors abundantly,
  lives holily,
  dies daily,
  watches his heart,
  guards his senses,
  redeems his time,
  loves Christ, and
  longs for glory!

“Happy is the man who does not walk in the
counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of
sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his
delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his
law he meditates day and night. He is like a
tree planted by streams of water, which yields
its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

~  Lachlan MacKenzie ~

What a sight, what a sad story to tell! No food, no water, gutters running with blood and dead bodies on the streets,

I just can’t fight back the tears just looking at the horrifying pictures, this makes me feel so… Words cannot describe the pain I feel, Only God Almighty knows why this had to happen.

I Pray O Lord that you, the helper of the helpless, the Father to the fatherless, the one who comforts us from all sides and see’s our hurts and pains, I ask that thou comfort these your Children, Daddy there is so much hurt and pain in Haiti today please Lord shine your light of mercy on that nation and indeed the nations of the World.

Give us your grace and mercy to continue daily…life is hard, Lord… especially in  Haiti today

Thank You Holy Spirit

Lord Jesus I thank You for you are God and you never change. You love Haiti and Haitians and you died for them to give them eternal life and the Joy of your Salvation

HAPPY NEW YEAR: THIS IS THE FIRST POST OF THE YEAR 2010

Have you have been wondering, why God won’t let you do this or that thing or just about anything you ‘d like to do as a Christian, (I do not mean sinning ,please). You may want to read the post below to understand the exclusivity of a Christian and why we have to be different, albeit weird to the World.

I also believe this post will put in perspective , stuff we deal with in our Christian lives daily, Both the Spirit filled and ordinary Christians alike, So that we would not keep being frustrated with following Christ, rather follow and Obey Him with Joy…In fact I have more peace as a  follower of Christ than any thing else, there is nothing in the World that I want but, everything in Christ I need…Halleluyah!

I must confess also that, This post is more about me than any thing I have read lately, I am so blessed to have been sent this by the “Revival List” , That is not to say that I don’t fight the emotions at times, I have over the years done that,  But, I decided to yield totally to His will for my life a long time ago… it was a worthless battle, one that I knew I would always lose if i kept on fighting.

So it is something that I have grown into all my life, I believe this post will help those still struggling with yielding to God and also young and new Christians to come into total obedience to God and see why Others may but, we cannot…. Read the rest of this entry »

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Thank You Holy Spirit for always being there

Thank You Father, for bringing us thus far…even unto the end of the year 2009, we are confident you will see us through it all in Jesus Christ’s Name we Pray.  Thank you keeping us safe  and sound, Thank you for defeating our enemies and making a total mockery of the devils efforts to stop us from reaching our goals… We are indeed grateful for everything.

Channelofhealing wishes you, a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, May you dreams and aspirations be fulfilled this coming year, May you make the right and best decisions for your life this coming year and May the presence of the Lord and the Holy Spirit never leave you in Jesus Mighty Name Amen

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!!

Is your defense, your works? You know Jesus but, Does Jesus know You? Turn away from trusting in your own good deeds, and cast your whole self upon Christ. Brethren,You have to listen to this video of Paul Washer, this is problem we all face today, many ask why won’t God just allow people into Heaven when they die, after all they were good Christians while on earth, one cannot be tired of explaining this to people especially new Christians… maybe with this would change that line of thought…I found it resoundingly refreshing to hear again.

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning — Yes, more than those who watch for the morning” (Psalm 130:5, 6).

What does it mean to wait for the Lord?

To wait means to be alert to something expected or anticipated. To wait for a bus means that we have decided not to walk, but to use public transportation. We must wait, because the bus has not yet arrived. We wait patiently because we have looked at the timetable and believe that the bus will come. We also know that when the bus does arrive, we must be waiting at the right stop.

Sometimes we become impatient. We think, “That bus is not coming!” So we leave the bus stop and start walking. Suddenly the bus zooms by. It does not stop, of course, because there is no bus stop there. Through impatience, we missed our chance.

To wait for the Lord means to continually look to Him for assistance and salvation, to be satisfied that God will work everything out.

If you were lost in a forest at night, you would be waiting, even longing for the morning light. Our souls should be waiting and longing for the help that only God can give.

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning — Yes, more than those who watch for the morning” (Psalm 130:5, 6).

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills — From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1, 2).

“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4).

We wait for God continually: “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day” (Psalm 25:1-5).

We have courage to face the difficulties of live because we look to God for the help He has promised: “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13, 14).

“Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You” (Psalm 33:20-22).

Because we wait on God for justice and judgment, we do not allow ourselves to become excessively agitated about evil people: “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret — it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth” (Psalm 37:7-9).

“Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil’; wait for the Lord, and He will save you” (Proverbs 20:22).

“Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it” (Psalm 37:34).

Even in the greatest of difficulties, we may wait for God’s help: “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps” (Psalm 40:1, 2).

Here David is probably speaking of difficulties resulting from sin. For our salvation we wait for God. Who else can help us? “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved” (Psalm 62:5,6).

We wait on God for salvation from death: “He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:8, 9).

If we are not waiting for God, then He is waiting for us! He is waiting for use to repent so we can wait for Him: “Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him” (Isaiah 30:18).

Do not keep God waiting! If you are not yet a Christian, repent, turn to God, believe in His Son Jesus Christ, whom God sent as Savior. Confess your faith and be baptized into His body, the church, that your sins can be forgiven. If you are a Christian who does not sufficiently wait for the Lord, and that applies to us all, look to Him for sustenance and salvation from day to day and forever.

“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

Let us wait for the Lord.

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from

The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.

Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive

(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Who says, God is no longer healing people? who says that we should not hope for divine and supernatural healing? Well, God has done it again for this lady and to all who were Praying for her healing and, it is no surprise to me that God did this for her Because , I know we serve a miracle working God who is Mighty to Save, all those who put their trust in Him…hallelujah.

Heavens Gate Actress, Caroline Johnson Recovers

Below is her letter to her fans on her getting better, through the miraculous healing she received from our God. I join in rejoicing with her and her family and, also implore you to do same by thanking our God for what he has done for this wonderful family. We are simply telling our God that we are grateful to Him for His bountiful mercies towards us.

Dear All,
HE KEPT HIS WORD…
This is Caroline Johnson and am happy to write this letter. Firstly, I would like to let you know that Jesus Christ really lives and I thank God for seeing me through.
I sympathize with those out there going through this because I have been there; I know what it is to be helpless, hopeless and sick. My prayer is that our good Lord will rise up on your case as he did with mine.
I am inspired and glad to write you all and with sincere appreciation deep down within me, I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to every one who has been a part of my medical trip to India and above all your Prayers.
I arrived safely from India and I am in good health. Before I left as you must have read, I was diagnosed with LEUKEMIA (cancer of the blood) and with CENTRAL NERVOUS complication and breakdown to the point that I could no longer walk, loss of hearing and loss of vision and at a point I started having seizures. But today, no single LEUKEMIC CELL (cancer cell) can be found in me! PRAISE GOD!
Though I have scars and still on physiotherapy due to a foot drop, I know that my Lord will perfect that which He has started. I will be going back to India in a couple of months for further check up.
In as much as I would like to thank every one personally which I know may not be possible, you can reach me on my e-mail caroline@savecarolinejohnson.com and on my yahoo messenger cece_za@yahoo.com my face book Caroline Johnson. I will personally respond to every email I get to read.
Once again, thank you very much, the good lord will bless you, keep you, uplift you and continue to show you mercy.
Before I conclude, I thank God for giving me a second chance to be what He wants me to be, the mother to my wonderful children and wife to my ever supportive, loving and caring husband.
Thank you very much and God bless you all.
Caroline Johnson (a.k.a Uju Heavens Gate)
***

Daniel 8:19 (King James Version)

¹⁹And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.

The History of the Future, Trends 2012, by Gerald Celente

Recently by Gerald Celente: The 2nd American Revolution

Gerald Celente is founder and director of The Trends Research Institute, author of Trends 2000 and Trend Tracking (Warner Books), and publisher of The Trends Journal. He has been forecasting trends since 1980, and recently called “The Collapse of ’09.”

Autumn 2012, the “Greatest Depression” has spread worldwide. Billions are unemployed, homeless and desperate. Countries bankrupt, trade pacts broken, tariffs rise, borders close.

Protectionist, nationalist and anti-globalization movements have moved out of the margins and into the mainstream. Immigrants brought in during boom times – blamed for bringing down wages, stealing jobs and rising crime – are being rounded up and deported. Read the rest of this entry »

PROPHETIC PREACHING -by A.W. Tozer.

If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation, it must be by other means
than any now being used. If the Church in the second half of this
century is to recover from the injuries she suffered in the first half,
there must appear a new type of preacher. The proper, ruler-of-the-
synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man
who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions,
nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the
Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been tried
and found wanting.

Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be
of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and
has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray
God there will be not one but many), he will stand in flat contradiction
to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will
contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn
the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom.
Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, Read the rest of this entry »