Jesus Loves You Just the Way You Are?

 

Facebook posted this article I wrote a year ago on my Facebook feed. I took a minute to stop and read it. It is still a very relevant  message. Maybe more today than it was when I wrote it!

We were in deep discussion this morning in Bible Study and one of the ladies brought up a phrase that’s tossed around the church house rather flippantly. I will not go into the topic of discussion at this time. I will save it for another post. The phrase used is this:

I have heard this phrase used  many, many times and really have not given it a lot of thought until this morning. On the surface this saying sounds great, wonderful, and true. But, if you think about it, really think about how it’s being taught in many congregations today; it completely demolishes the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what the church really is.

Before you stop reading this post, let me make it clear that I do believe in the LOVE of God and the LOVE of Christ. There would be no gospel, no salvation without their unconditional love.  Yes, Jesus does love us as we are or there would be no salvation. Paul teaches in Romans 5:8,”But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

That is not what is in question here.  There are many being invited to come and  be a part of  the church today with no EXPECTATION of change. Come on in and bring your sin with you. It does not matter how you live. We are all sinners. ” Jesus Loves You just the way you are.”

“This simply is not true”

The Scriptures call unregenerate, unbelieving persons sinners, enemies of God, unrighteous, evil and wicked.  When true conversion takes place a believer is no longer labeled a sinner but a saint that is holy and righteous. ( According Christ’s righteousness which is imputed to us)

Our discussion in Bible Study this morning was in the book of Romans chapter 6. Before chapter 6 Paul spent 5 chapters teaching the depravity and corruption of man. He makes it very clear that the wrath of God rests on man because of their suppressing the truth in unrighteousness. Romans 3 tells us there are none righteous, there are none that are good. The truth of the gospel is that man is dead in his trespasses and sins. Christ died to save us and to CHANGE us. Titus 2:14 teaches, ” Christ redeemed us from every lawless deed, to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (This is the church.)

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 teaches, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Romans 6:4 teaches, ” Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

Romans 6:1-11 teaches, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?  May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?  Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?  Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,  knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,  knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Advertisement

Through Jesus Christ The Power of Sin Is Dead. 365 Days With Jesus

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?  May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?  Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;  for he who has died is freed from sin.  Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:1-11

Do you not know that if you have been united with Christ you are dead to sin and alive to Christ? The work that Christ did on the cross is effectual. His Atonement accomplished all that it was sent to do. The application of it  through the power of the Holy Spirit in those who have been regenerated and are truly converted is effectual. The cleansing and changing of the sinner worked at the moment of conversion and continues to work until the day of redemption!  How can we not Praise God!

Learning Beside You,

Lisa:)

Through Christ The Believer is Blessed of God! 365 Days With Jesus!

God has blessed those who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. He has justified us, adopted us and sanctified us, and from these flow abundant blessings.

For of His fullness we have received grace upon grace. John 1:16

Peace in Conscience: Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

Increase of Grace: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. 2 Peter 3:18

Perseverance Until the End: Blessed br the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

Learning Beside You,

Lisa:)

Adapted from the Westminster Shorter Catechism