What a blessing it was for me to be a part of the MASS INDOCTRINATION today!
I appreciate the Almighty God for His Spirit that expounded His word to us through His Son, Pastor Eli Sariano. I also appreciate the grace of God upon him. I pray for more anointing and strength to do exploit the more for the kingdom of God.
SIN UNTO DEATH
1 John 5:16 (KJV) If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
1 John 5:17 (KJV) All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
The Bible says there's a Sin unto death. That is, if you commit such sin, you can't be forgiven. Sin unto death could be said that it's not mortal sin. It is a sin that has no forgiveness. Such sin doesn't need confession. It's like when Jesus warned against blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 12:31-32 (KJV) Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
From this passage we see that speaking carelessly against the manifestation of the Holy Spirit or making mockery of the working of the Holy Spirit in a christian's life is dangerous. These days, young people post a lot of blasphemous words against the ministers of the gospel in the social media so that they could get a lot of followers. While doing that to make money online, they should understand that ministers of God are servants of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one working through them. So, making up stories just to win internet traffic can be deadly. Such sins are unpardonable. There's no forgiveness either in this world or in the world to come.
CONFESSING OUR SINS
The journey out of condemnation begins with acknowledging ones sins and confessing them. It is he who confesses his sin that will receive mercy. There won't be any forgiveness without confession of sins
Proverbs 28:13 (KJV) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
1 John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Like Bro Eli said, what God requires from every sinner is to confess his/her sin. There is no sin that God won't forgive (except of the issue of the sin unto death). What you need is to acknowledge and confess your sins.
Isaiah 1:18 (KJV) 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.
Another thing worth noting here is that after confessing your sin, you must forsake them. God requires righteousness from man.
Micah 6:8 (KJV) He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Hebrews 12:14 (KJV) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Without forsaking your sins, you won't be able to live justly and holy. As christian we will only make heaven if we are holy. So, when you confess your sins, forsake them.
PRAYING FOR SINNERS
The teaching also made mention of praying for sinners. The Bible says the love of God constrains us. To do what? To be compassionate towards men! That compassion will make you pray for their salvation. We are to intercede for their salvation. It's rather disheartening that believers show hatred to those who offend them or ungodly people in their community instead of praying for them. That too is sin on our part. Let us show love to the unsaved by praying for their salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:14 (KJV) For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Evangelism involves many parts. You could go to the sinner. You could give your resources or you could pray for them. Let us cultivate the habit of praying for our unsaved friends, unsaved communities, and unsaved nations.
THE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS
We also learnt that we don't need repetition in our prayers before God can hear us. God hears the righteous even before they pray. God knows what you want to pray about. He knows our needs. So, this should give us confidence in prayers. Our God is a good God. He understands our feeling and wants us to be happy. We should approach Him in faith believing that we will receive what we are asking.
Matthew 6:32 (KJV) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
One of the greatest lessons I've learned today is the subject of doctrine and discipline. God bless our pastor for explaining this to us. Lack of discipline is what makes this new generation christians to misinterpret the message of grace to suit their selfish desires. They don't want to follow simple holiness practices. They want to be loosed. Let us imbibe the culture of discipline in our walk with God.
I've learned that sometimes it's not until it is a doctrine, we can personally discipline ourselves in some things to help our christian consecration.