Saturday 27 April 2013

How can I be good witness for Christ?

How can I be good witness for Christ?


 



Every Christian is responsible to be a witness for Christ. We read in Acts 1:8: "You will be witnesses for me."

The question is: "How do I witness?" We must clearly understand that people have different temperaments and that the answer to this question will differ from person to person. The reaction of the people to whom we witness will also differ.

There are, however, certain basic principles that will remain the same in every situation. We summarize it as follows:

1. Your own spiritual life must be right with God.  That means that you must be sure of your own  salvation. You must know that you are saved. You can only witness to what you have experienced yourself.

2. You must be faithful in your prayer life and  talk every day to God alone or with others in a  place of prayer (See Matthew 6:6).

3. Your life, attitude and christian example must  attract people to your lifestyle. They must see  by your example that you are committed to the Lord. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, the  fruit of Galatians 5:22 will be visible in your  life. (Please read the text.)

4. Please remember that the conversion of a  sinner, the change of attitude in the heart, can only be accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit (Read John 16:7-15).

5. The contents of your message must therefore always be the Word of God. That is why you   will be an effective witness only if you study the Bible. The aim of Biblecor is to help you to do so.

6. We can attract people to the Lord by the wonderful love of God. It must be demonstrated to them by our own lives.

7. Make use of free tracts (or send a donation) which can be obtained by writing to CLF   Publishers, P O Box 19, Bloemfontein 9300,  South Africa. Mention which languages you need, how many, and for what purpose.

Use it as a starting point for further discussion. If people refuse to take a tract, do not argue with them. If someone has taken a tract, follow up by trying to draw reaction by asking "How did you find the tract? Do you have any further questions?"

Where is hell?

Where is hell?



 



The Bible teaches that lost sinners will exist forever, after the final judgment, in a place which is described under different names and symbols. The notion in modern times that hell won't be a place but a state of mind or a condition, even on earth now , does not do justice to the teachings of the Bible. The place where the lost will exist forever, body and soul, is described by using examples of places that people of the Bible knew. For example the word used for hell "gehenna" is a Hebrew word consist ing of ge (=land) and Hinnom (= a valley southwest of Jerusalem). It was the place where wicked idol-worshippers burnt their own children alive as sacrifices to the idol-god Moloch. It was considered a filthy and horrible place, a symbol of hell. In Matt hew 18:9 we hear of "the fires of hell," in verse 8: "eternal fire". In Revelation 20:14-15 it is called "a lake of fire". 

Hell is not a condition, it is a place. Where it shall be, nobody knows. All that we know is that -

(a) God is not there except for His wrath. 

(b) It is a place of eternal torment and pain, and remorse, where your conscience will be like a devouring worm, always reminding you of what could have been if only you did not despise the calls of God; a place of utter despair, weeping and grinding of teeth (Matthew 8:12; 13:50; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:23-28; Revelation 14:10; 21:8).

Why does God allow good people to suffer?

Why does God allow good people to suffer?


 



This is a question which people often ask, especially Christians. They argue that God is a God of love and cannot allow suffering. 

The Bible teaches quite clearly that all pain, suffering, disappointment, sickness and death are all results of sin which came into the world. The world in which Adam and Eve lived before they fell into sin, was a world full of joy and happiness. There was no suffering and pain and sorrow. At the end of time when God shall renew the whole world and heaven (which is prophesied in Revelation 21:45), there will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared. Then the One who sits on the throne will say: "And now I make all things new."

But in the present dispensation as descendants of Adam (Acts 17:26), we shall experience suffering as a result of the fall of man. God said to Eve: "I will increase your trouble in pregnancy and your pain in giving birth" (Genesis 3:16). And to Adam: "Be cause of what you have done, the ground will be under a curse" (Genesis 3:17).

We find the same connection between the curse upon sin and human suffering in Romans 8:16-22 (Please read it in you Bible). But note the wonderful promise to believers in verse 18: "I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared a t all with the glory which is going to be revealed to us." Until then suffering will be prevalent / because we live in a world which is under the curse of sin.

The whole Bible emphasises the fact that God is love (1 John 4:8-10); that He loves us with a wonderful love. The children of God are in the world. They are not in heaven yet. We are travellers, pilgrims to a better abode. We won't experience heaven on earth, because of the fact that we are Christians. Yes! true Christians have a joy in their hearts which enable them to sing, even in times of suffering (read Acts 16:22-28). But one day everything will change and God's children, the true Christians, will suffer no more because God will wipe away all tears from their eyes (Revelation 21:4).

For the Christians there is everlasting joy awaiting them in heaven, but on earth there is grace to suffer also to His glory. I have a little card on which is written:



"God has not promised 
Sun without rain, 
joy without sorrow 
Peace without pain 
But God has promised 
Strength for the day 
Rest for the labourer 
Light on the way
Grace for the trials
Help from above,
unfailing symphathy, 
undying love."

What does the Bible say about the Sabbath and Sunday?

What does the Bible say about the Sabbath and Sunday?


 



The word Sabbath means "rest" (not Saturday). God requires each one of us to set aside one day of the week for worshipping Him and for resting. Let us see what the Bible tells us about this day of spiritual and physical renewal:

1. In Exodus 20:8-11 we read that the believer should rest on the seventh day. (God does not say the seventh day of the week!)

2. The Sabbath on Saturday is a sign of the Covenant for the Jewish people (Exodus 31:16-17). On that day no fire may be made (Exodus 35:3); no firewood may be gathered (Numbers 15:32-35) and nobody may leave his home on the Sabbath day (Exodus 16:29). If a Christian wishes to keep the Jewish Sabbath (on Saturday) he should do it in the Jewish way. 

3. Jesus did not tell his disciples anywhere in the New Testament to keep the Jewish Sabbath. He did, however, repeat all nine the other commandments for his disciples. We do notice that the Jews rejected Jesus more than once because he broke the Sabbath according to their understanding (Matthew 12:1-14).

4. In the New Testament we find that the "Lord's Day," Sunday, replaced the Jewish Sabbath for the Christians, because 4.1 the Lord Jesus rose  from death on Sunday (John 20:1); 4.2 every time that Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, it was on Sunday (Matthew 28:10;  Luke 24:13-36; John 20:19-23; etc.); 4.3 the day of Pentecost (the pouring out of the Holy Spirit) was on Sunday (Acts 2:1); 4.4 the first Christians thus came together on the first day of the week, the Lord's day, the Sunday, for their church services and communion services (Acts 20:7) and also brought their offerings to God on Sunday (1 Corinthians 16:2).

5. The apostle Paul started his work by trying to reach the Jews by preaching to them on the Jewish Sabbath in the synagogues (Acts 13:14, 42, 44) but to the Christians he preached on Sundays (Acts 20:7) even though he had already arrived there before the Saturday (verse 6).

6. Some of the Jewish Christians tried to force the believers from non-Jewish nations to be obedient to the Jewish laws. An important general meeting of Christians was held about this matter in Jerusalem. The decision of this meeting is found in Acts 15: 28-29: the Jewish laws (verse 24) do not apply to Christians.

7. Paul also writes that no one may judge a Christian for not keeping the Jewish feasts or Sabbath (Colossians 2:16).

8. Since those days through all the centuries the Christians used the Lord's day (Sunday) for their day of worship.

In conclusion: The Jews keep their Sabbath on Saturday, but Christians keep their Sabbath (day of rest and worship) on the Lord's day, Sunday.

May a Christian take part in politics?

May a Christian take part in politics?


 



You ask how it looks in God's eyes if a Christian joins a political organisation. You ask further how one can become a good leader if you do not know about your people's previous politics.

It is true that leaders do need to know all about their people; their politics, their economic circumstances and many other things.

If we were to leave the governing of countries to those who are not Christians, there would be less freedom for the worship of God and for God's Word to reach the people. God wants Christians to have influence in all spheres of life, including politics. 


The question that arises from this is, "How should he be involved?" He should not be involved for selfish reasons / to promote a better life for himself and his own tribe while others suffer. There should be no thought of seeking fame or money. His aim should be only that the righteousness of God should be shown and lived out. If this were done, much of the fighting in party politics would disappear. Individual Christians can play a large part in lifting up the righteousness of God in a nation, if God's glory is their only aim.

The work of the church as Christ's body is to bring people to know Jesus as Saviour and teach Christians how to live their lives according to God's principles. Then people who have been so taught can go into the world of politics and live the Christian life as God wants them to, and thus be an influence for God. This has happened in the past.

What does the Bible say about fasting?

What does the Bible say about fasting?



 



One aspect of Christian life that is experiencing a revival in our time, is fasting.Perhaps we need to listen once more to the Bible's teaching about fasting, so as not to miss this blessing.

It is not true that only Pharisees fast. Right through the Bible / also in the New Testament / fasting plays an important role in serving God. During the Reformation fasting was prominent. John Wesley (of the Methodist Church) even refused to ordain a minister who did not fast regularly.

When should a Christian fast?

The famous Reformer John Calvin speaks about the Christian fast in Institute 1V:X11:14-18. He says one should fast for three reasons:

1. To avoid being controlled by the flesh (your sinful nature);

2. For prayer and meditation;

3. As part of repentance and confession of sins.

He stresses especially that a time of fasting and prayer should be called for whenever intercession for an important matter is needed.

John Wesley tells of a national day of prayer and fasting proclaimed by the King of England in 1756 because of an impending attack by France. The churches were filled to overflowing, for everybody realized the danger. Their prayers were answered, and the attack was averted.

Examples from the Bible

We often read of times of prayer and fasting in the Bible, e.g.
- when Christian leaders pray together (Acts 13:1-2);
- when ministers are ordained (Acts 13:3);
- when elders are elected (Acts 14:23);
- when believers are in danger (Esther 4:16);
- when specific prayers are called for (Psalm 35:13).

In the Sermon on the Mount it is clear that Jesus expected his disciples to fast at times. In Matthew 6:16-18 He says, "and when you fast, do not put on a sad face as the hypocrites do . . ."

It is surprising to discover which Bible characters found it necessary to fast, for example Moses (Exodus 24:18); David (Psalm 69:10); Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:1-4); Elijah (1 Kings 19:8); Ezra (Ezra 8:21-23); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4); Joel (Joel 2:15 ); Anna (Luke 2:37); Jesus (Matthew 4:2); his disciples (Luke 5:35); Paul (Acts 9:9) and the Christian churches (Acts 14:23).

So we also read in the Didache, a Christian document written in the first century AD, that Christians of that period fasted every Wednesday and Friday.

How does one fast?

There are different ways of fasting:
1. by avoiding delicacies (Daniel 10:3);
2. by eating less than usual;
3. by avoiding all food, but drinking liquids (Luke 4:2);
4. by abstaining from all food and drink (Acts 9:9). (The latter is exceptional, since a normal human cannot live for more than three days 
   without liquids.)

The Christian fast should not be confused with 
- eating strikes for political purposes;
- a diet plan to lose weight;
- fasting for health, as has become the fashion lately.

Christian fasting is always combined with prayer, since fasting on its own does not have any value in God's eyes (Joel 2:13; Isaiah 58:5; Colossians 2:23; Zechariah 7:5). Fasting reveals to us what really controls our lives. It helps to keep the body und er control (1 Corinthians 9:27) and helps us to avoid becoming addicted to anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).

In Conclusion

The Christian fast is completely voluntary. It helps you to dedicate yourself completely to prayer. All who practice fasting testify to the value thereof.

If you wish to fast, you are recommended to start by skipping one meal, and later to abstain from food for 24 hours (supper to supper). If you are not very healthy you could also fast for a period of time by just abstaining from rich foods and sweets.

Remember the main purpose of fasting: to have fellowship with God. It is not to try to force God to do something against his will, but to conform yourself to God's will.

Is it wrong to have a boyfriend/girlfriend?

Is it wrong to have a boyfriend/girlfriend?



 



The answer to this question depends upon the age of the one who asks it. The modern visual media, like television, have influenced the thinking pattern of our children. So many small boys and girls are tempted to do as television or videos suggest / to have their own special lovers too soon.

Normally boys and girls up to the age of 12 or 13 years want to spend their time with members of their own sex. When they become older they become attracted to members of the opposite sex. Sometimes they "fall in love" with a certain boy or girl. Unfortunately "love" at too young an age is usually not true love and does not last long. After some weeks or months they no longer feel attracted to each other. It is not wrong to get these feelings, but such young children must not make the mistake of thinking that their whole life depends upon it. Sometimes, when such a relationship is broken the disappointed one says: "I cannot live without him/her." This is, of course, not true.

Sometimes this "love" is mere sexual attraction which ends in sin / sexual intercourse outside marriage. 

It is good for a Christian boy or girl to learn how to communicate properly with members of the opposite sex. But they should try and not choose a special girl or boy when they are still too young. Some make the mistake of starting a friendship where the boy will say: "I love you ... you are the only one in my life ... I will love you forever ..." Of course in some instances it may work out. But the ultimate outcome of such passionate love is in most cases a broken relationship, or a marriage where both are too young. And most of such marriages are usually unhappy. Research in the field of social science has proved this over and over.

So the answer to the question above is "yes" when the boy and girl have reached maturity. That is about the age of about 23-25 for the young man and 19-20 for the girl. At that age they are more able to disagree without becoming angry, they are less self ish, they are more willing to acknowledge that they have done something wrong to one another, they know more about personal responsibility. A Christian young man who
courts a girl with the intention of marrying her, must make sure that his girlfriend is a true Christian and vise versa.

Sometimes young African people ask this question against the background of cultural customs. Their custom tells them that their parents or families must make the choice regarding a life partner for their son. Young people of today want to marry the one they love. Christian young people have problems when their families want them to marry a boy or girl who is an unbeliever. They know it is against God's will (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). We do not despise cultural customs. But we are compelled to teach Christ ians that the true "God-given" marriage is the marriage of a Christian man with a Christian girl. The "cement" that binds them together is true love which is a gift of God. If they are forced into a cultural marriage without God's approval there is no guarantee that it will be a blessed and happy one.

Can I serve God and the ancestors?

 



Can I serve God and the ancestors?



1. A Christian belongs to Christ, and no longer to himself. He no longer belongs in the first place to his old family. He now belongs to the family of God, which is called from every tongue and tribe and nation. Therefore we must obey our Heavenly Father first of all (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Exodus 20:2).

2. The Lord Jesus explains in Luke 16:19-31 that the spirits of the dead cannot speak to us. They cannot help us or harm us.

3. The Bible warns us that Satan sometimes pretends to be an angel of the light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He may, therefore, sometimes pretend to be our ancestral spirit. His purpose is to lead us away from trusting in God alone. Therefore we sometimes see people healed after bringing a sacrifice to the spirits. Satan has a lot of power, but not nearly as much as God. By healing people Satan wants us to leave the true faith and to obey lying spirits and to follow the teaching of demons (1 Timothy 4:1).

4. God forbids us to consult the spirits of the dead (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6: 20:25; Deuteronomy 18:1011; Isaiah 8:19-20). So we read that God rejected and killed king Saul because he called up the spirit of Samuel (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).

5. We may not bring sacrifices to anyone except God (Exodus 20:3; Acts 15:28-29; 1 Corinthians 8:46). All other sacrifices are sacrifices to demons (1 Corinthians 10:20; Luke 4:8).

6. We must always remember that Jesus made us free from the spirits (John 8:36; Hebrews 7:25). He set us free from the worthless manner of life handed down by our ancestors (1 Peter 1:18-19).

7. We now belong to the family of Christ because we seek to do God's will (Matthew 12:46-50). Our old family may not keep us back from obedience to God (Acts 7:3; Luke 14:26-27; Matthew 10:37). If we have to give up our family ties because of Christ, he promises to gives us a hundred times more in return (Mark 10:29-30). If I refuse to obey God, I remain part of the family of Satan (John 8:44).

8. It is dangerous to try to change your life without allowing the Holy Spirit to fill your life (Ephesians 5:18). If you try to walk two roads at the same time, you may become seven times worse than you were before (Matthew 12:45). You cannot serve God and the ancestral spirits at the same time (2 Kings 17:34-40; Matthew 6:24; 7:13-14).

9. The ancestral spirits cannot intercede for us with God. We have only one Mediator, Jesus Christ. Only he has the power to intercede for us (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25).

10. God tells us in his Bible to receive his new life with our whole heart. This new life is only received through Jesus (1 John 5:11-12). Don't look back. This new life is much more wonderful than anything the spirits can offer us (Luke 9:23-26, 62). God wants to look after you (Philippians 4:6). Trust him.

How do I find the right husband or wife?

 


How do I find the right husband or wife?



This is one of the most important choices you have to make in life, for it may decide whether you will have a happy marriage or not and it will also affect your children. 

We cannot lay down exact rules for everyone, for God deals with us as individuals and we also live in different cultures where some of the less important matters differ. But we can give you some guidelines.

It may be helpful to read Genesis 24 through carefully. It deals with someone who was looking for a bride for a young man and gives us some good principles to follow.

1. Look for a wife/husband who will suit you. If you are a Christian, do not marry a girl/man who is not a Christian. 
Read again Genesis 24:3-4 as well as 2 Corinthians 6:14-15.

2. If you are a Christian, trust the Lord that He will show you in some way who the right one is (Genesis 24:7).

3. Pray every day that the Lord will show you the right person (Genesis 24:12).

4. Look for someone who is helpful and caring (Genesis 24:17-22).

5. As far as possible look for someone who has not slept with other girls/men (Genesis 24:16). But then you should also see to it that you keep yourself from this kind of immoral life (1 Thessalonians 4:38).

6. If you want to know where to find the right kind of partner, you should be like a fisherman. When he wants to catch fish, he goes where the fish are, the river or lake or sea. If you want to find a Christian partner, you should go to church, or the youth group where Christian young people meet.

If you pray that God will guide you in this and follow these guidelines you can be sure that God will lead you to the right person. He has promised to lead us if we want to follow Him (Psalm 37:47). You will know, by your love and respect for the person and by the fact that he/she returns that love and respect for you, that God has guided you. It is possible that some people may know at an early age who they will marry, but others do not. It is usually best to wait until after the age of 20 or 21for marriage, bacause you are more mature then and able to make a better choice.

May Christians use family planning?

 

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May Christians use family planning?



You ask if it is good for people to use family planning.

In many places in the Bible, God tells his people to "be fruitful" or have many children (Genesis 1:28). He promised Abraham He would give him many descendents. The Psalmist in Psalm 127:3-5 speaks of children being a blessing from the Lord and says that people should have many children.

But in our modern world we face many problems such as overpopulation and an inability to feed so many people in certain areas. The result is that there is much suffering and starvation. Of course much of this suffering is caused by sin because if people obeyed God's laws by not taking part in sex outside of marriage, there would not be so many children born outside of families, who are not being cared for properly.

However, parents do need to act responsibly and not allow so many children to be born that they cannot care for them properly. Children need to be fed and clothed and educated and this cannot be done if there are too many. So there should be some kind of limitation of children or family planning, but it would be wrong to do it with selfish motives. Some couples feel that they can have more money for themselves or be
less tied down if they do not have children. Christian parents need to be open before God and restrict their families for reasons that are  acceptable to God. Sometimes the health of the mother is a big factor to be considered. If she is not strong enough, she should have advice from a doctor about family planning. Christian parenthood is a great responsibility before God. But family planning methods that kill the baby after conception, should be avoided at all costs, since this is murder.

May a Christian have more than one wife?

May a Christian have more than one wife?


 



We read in the Bible that many of God's people had two or more wives e.g. Abraham, Jacob, David etc. We should note, too, that in every one of these families there was much friction and unhappiness. Sometimes there was tension between the wives, as in the case of Abraham (Genesis 16,21). Sometimes the husband loved the one wife more than the other, like Jacob (Genesis 29:15-35). It also happened that the children of the different wives argued and fought, as in the case of David (2 Samuel 13). Therefore, it appears that marriage with more than one wife makes for a difficult situation. Why is this so?

To find the reason, we must go back to the institution, or beginning, of marriage (Genesis 2:18-24). In verse 18 God says very clearly "I will make a suitable companion to help him," not two or three companions. His will is that two people, a man and a woman, should become one (verse 24). We find that in the New Testament, whenever marriage is spoken of, this verse is quoted. For instance, in Matthew 19:5-6, Jesus said "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one".

It is possible for two people to belong together in such a way that they become one in ideals, planning and service for the Lord, etc., but for three people to do this is impossible. Therefore it is clear that, from the beginning God intended that one man should marry one wife and that they should become one.

For this reason, it is required in the Christian church that anyone who wishes to become a leader should have only one wife (1 Timothy 3:2, 12). No-one who has more than one wife may take responsibility in the church.

So to answer your question, we can answer that the Bible teaches clearly that a man may have only one wife.

If a person was married to two wives as an unbeliever, because tradition allowed it, and has since accepted Jesus as his Saviour, he will not be prevented from becomming a child of God. He will be accepted by God. John 1:12 says that those who receive Jesus and believe in him will be given the right to become God's children. God will forgive all his sins, even those done in ignorance, (1 John 1:7, 9; Psalm 103:8-13).

May a Christian go to a disco?

May a Christian go to a disco?

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1. Before a young Christian goes to a disco he or she must examine his Christian strength.

He must know that there are very strong temptations present. Will he be capable of withstanding them, relying on his will power, his wisdom or faith in himself? Can he overcome the temptations in his own power? He must remember the Biblical warning: We a re not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world (Ephesians 6:12). 

The devil is eager to try and let young Christians fall. He is stronger than us, we cannot overcome him in our own power. We cannot say: "We know how to behave ourselves," or "There is nothing wrong with disco's". Young people go to disco's.They see not hing wrong in it. After their watchfulness relaxes it may happen that Satan suddenly attacks them. They fall into sin and beautiful young people with a bright future wander further and further away from Jesus (Read 1 Corinthians 10:12).

2. A young Christian who goes to a disco must ask himself this question: "Can I ask God's blessing on what I intend doing tonight?" If the answer is "Yes" let him go and enjoy himself remembering what the Bible says in Colossians 3:17.

3. If Jesus should come again while I am at the disco will I meet Him with joy? Or shall I be embarrased if he finds me in that place?

If you really intend that the will of God be fulfilled in your life I think you will be able to submit the right answer to the above question.

How do I know whether something is sinful?

How do I know whether something is sinful?


 



This question is regularly being asked by our young people. Is it sin? / whether we are speaking of dancing, smoking, drinking, horseracing, gambling or something else. The answer is to test each of those things against the principles of the Word of God, so that we can know.

Before we come to the tests of the Bible, first of all you have to answer a few important questions: 

1. Are you already a true child of God? If not, you don't have to read further. Everything that you do, even your "best actions are filthy through and through" before God (Isaiah 64:6). And the holiest life does not count before God if you haven't received Jesus Christ first of all (1 John 5:10-12).

2. Are you willing to be obedient? If you are not willing to be convinced by God / you do not need to read any further. But if you are willing to do the will of God, please read on (John 7:17).

3. Is this matter mentioned in the Bible? If the Bible clearly talks about this matter (e.g. 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Ex. 20:1-17) it is not necessary to use the following ten tests. Then we know already whether it is right or wrong.

Are you still doubtful? Let us see what God says in the Bible. Everything that we do should pass the following ten tests. Anything that does not pass all the tests, should not be in the life of a Christian. Do not do it. There are better things to do.

Ten Tests Whereby a Christian Can Know: "May I Do It Or Not?"

1. Do I wish to do it to God's glory? "Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory" 

(1 Cor. 10:31; also see Col. 3:23).

2. Is it a hindrance in my spiritual life? "So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us" (Hebrew 12:1; also read Matt. 18:89).

3. Does this lead to sin? "But now I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart" (Matt.5:28; also see Romans 13:14).

4. In whose company will I do this thing? "Do not be fooled. Bad companions ruin good character." (1 Cor. 15:33; also see Psalm 1:12).

5. Do I lead others into temptation by doing this thing? "So then, if food makes my brother sin, I will never eat meat again, so as not to make my brother fall into sin." (1 Cor. 8:13).

6. Does it help me to win others to Christ? "While working with the Jews, I live like a Jew in order to win them ... So I become all things to all men, that I may save some of them by whatever means are possible" (1 Cor. 9:20-27).

7. Am I sure that this thing is not sin? "Anything that is not based on faith is sin." (Romans 14:23).

8. What is the end result of doing this thing? "A tree is known by the kind of fruit it bears"  (Matt. 12:33; also see James 3:10-12; 2 Cor. 6:17).

9. What would Jesus have done in my place? "Be obedient to God, and do not allow your lives to be shaped by those desires you had when you were still ignorant. Instead, be holy in all that you do, just as God who called you is holy. 
The Scripture says: Be holy because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:14-16).

10. Do I help a weaker brother by doing this thing? "We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not please ourselves." (Romans 15:1).

What is sin in Africa?

What is sin in Africa?


 



For some people of Africa who don't know the Bible, the word "sin" can have various meanings. For some it means the breaking of tribal laws: transgressions against other people, against the ancestor spirits. To rectify the guilt is to bring offerings, to be punished etc. "Sin" is not punished in the next world and "doing good" is not rewarded, so they believe.

They don't have a sense of guilt. A person commits sins when his wrong deed is discovered or when a witchdoctor find him guilty. He then regards it as unhappy but he does not feel guilty.

But the Bible as the Word of Almighty God to us, tells us what sin is. The Holy Spirit came to this world to reveal to us what sin really is. John 16:8 says of the Holy Spirit: "And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God's judgment." Sin is not to believe in the God of the Bible and in the Lord Jesus Christ, His son. (See verse 9.)

Sin is to believe the Adversary (Satan) instead of believing God's Word. Sin is to do wrong things when tempted to do so (See James 1:13-15).

It is very important to understand what sin is, because it causes division between us and God (Isaiah 59:2). It causes divisions and strife between people too.

Jesus said the world is guilty of sin because it does not believe in him (John 16:9). Sin is to be disobedient to God and His Word (Romans 5:19). These things are contrary to His will (Galatians 5:1921).

If we want to live and die happily we must know the following things:

1. How great my sin and misery are.

Firstly: We must know our sins, because it is the cause of all our misery. We are punished because of it. We learn what sin is when we study the law of God (Romans 3:20). We must return to God like the prodigal son and admit and confess our sin (Luke 15:18,19). If we haven't done so yet, we are enemies of God and our fellowmen.

2. How I can be saved from my sins.

Secondly: We must know how we can be saved from sin and guilt and misery. The Word of God teaches us how we can be saved. God made it possible when he sent his son Jesus to be the Saviour of sinners. By believing in Him, we are saved (Matthew 1:21). There is no other way (Acts 4:12).

3. How I can thank God for my salvation. 

In the third place, it is important to show our thankfulness towards God because He saved us. We can do so by doing good works. By those works we can help our fellowmen to come to Christ.

To sum up, we can say: Sin is to allow Satan to rule our lives. But when we accept Jesus as Saviour, we belong to Him (1 Corinthians 3:23; 6:19: Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:1819). The child of God must always do what Hebrews 12:12 teaches.