If All My Sins Are Forgiven, Why Pursue Holiness?

[@jkadofo]

I had a thought at the beginning of this week: "God enables me to live righteously so He can reward me for being righteous." And I was yet again humbled at this act of mercy and graciousness by our Father.

[@ryandawson2877]

So good.

[@labronkatz5942]

We pursue Holiness as a way of worship to show our thankfulness through the grace that has been given unto us by Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour

[@adrian4779]

Excellent study

[@TheBibleStory]

I’ve known people who believe as her dad does. I used too as well. I thank God I don’t anymore. Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@burned.away.]

Why pursue holiness if you know your sins not be forgiven ?

[@TheBibleStory]

@@burned.away. Romans 6, Philippians 2:12-13, 1 John 1:5-10. Read these scriptures carefully and pray God grants you understanding 🙏. The video was also helpful.

[@unitedtv1180]

Holy - means "set apart" - so to NOT pursue "Holiness" means that someone does not desire to be in a "set apart state"... meaning someone does not truly desire in their mind to be set apart from the World...

[@AnHebrewChild]

and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found. Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, _Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff._

[@OnyxStudiosInteractive]

I think the focus on sin can sometimes be a distraction from the true goal of learning to follow the path that Christ gave to us. If your intention is to love others and sacrifice your selfishness and you actually live that way, then asking forgiveness when you make mistakes or occasionally act selfishly is a part of life and grace. However if you really have no intention at all of being a loving selfless person and you don't even try then asking forgiveness is a meaningless exercise.

[@veteranredbeard6222]

James 2:17: faith without works is dead. Jesus told us if we love Him we will follow his commandments. Your sins are forgiven, but that doesn't mean go out and commit them, thinking you are "covered"

What is your works then? Works of the flesh which cannot do any good?

[@pitti538]

@ The 12 fruits are charity (or love), joy, peace, patience, benignity (or kindness), goodness, longanimity (or long-suffering), mildness (or gentleness), faith, modesty, continency (or self-control), and chastity. (Longanimity, modesty, and chastity are the three fruits found only in the longer version of the text.)

[@GR65330]

@ Read Mathew 25:32-46 as it gives you the works required for salvation.

[@anonymous_man7]

If we put to death the deeds of the flesh through the Spirit we will live. If not we will die. No excuses. Thank you pastor John 🙏

[@angelafloodgate4437]

This question is like asking: “If someone saved my life and showed me incredible kindness, why should I stop dishonoring, grieving and hurting him continually?” The question arises from a misunderstanding of what sin en salvation mean. If anyone could really belief in this way he would have to have a coldness of heart, that would make hell freeze over and make heaven a place of eternal boredom. Salvation although freely obtained is of inestimable value. It alone can and will restore our love toward God who will be our only and eternal joy.

[@abigailgalvez2113]

amen

[@robertw1719]

IMHO, these JPY videos average a 9.7 out of 10. This one nailed a perfect 10.

[@jkadofo]

💯

[@HearGodsWord]

1 Peter 1:16 for it is written "Be holy, because I am holy." which itself comes from Leviticus 11:44-45.

[@dk4232]

Fantastic summary John 🙏

[@maxaplin4204]

We are saved by faith and not by doing good deeds. But genuine, saving faith attracts good deeds to itself, a bit like how a magnet attracts iron objects to itself. As James says: '. . . faith without deeds is dead' (James 2:26). Faith and good deeds go hand in hand, although it is the faith and not the good deeds that save. So if someone says they have faith but are unrepentant of their sins, that is a sign that they have a fake kind of faith that doesn't save. Their belief that Jesus is Lord will help them no more on the Day of Judgment than the belief of demons that Jesus is Lord will help those demons (James 2:19).

[@ikeacha4153]

Right on time:). Thanks Pastor John

Jesus Christ is my good works.. i´ve died to this flesh so all my dead works of this flesh are sin, but i have a life of Christ- perfection

[@loripatterson7882]

Exactly!!♡♡♡

[@jedicrush1497]

I make WAR on all my SINS in the mighty power of Christ Jesus name in the power of God's Holy Spirit 🕊️💞 AMEN I love my relationship with God and I want to keep it.💞

[@qw2ps4]

Christianity has been changing to appease the masses for millennia. Daniel addresses the changes in the 7th chapter. Verse 25 says it will be changed and it was. For anyone looking for when ... it was back in 325AD. Christianity was supposed to shape society, but instead sadly, society has shaped Christianity.

[@FishersOfMen57]

ROMANS 2: 6-8 just because Jesus died for your sins doesn't mean you can be a part time murderer. It doesn't work that way. We are rewarded according to our deeds on earth. Sin is from the devil. Don't be tempted by sin. Be Holy, Set Apart and be rewarded when ur judgment comes says the Lord.

[@cherrildurand7495]

Forgiveness of sin just beginning of establishing relationship with God.God desire that we attain to God likeness when we are indeed death to sin.without attaining holiness,noi man shall see God

[@krucacing]

we are saved to be born anew, what happen when we forget that?

[@Snoopy777s]

But, the bible says that no one is perfect and even saved we still sin even Paul said in Rom 7:18 that "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.", No one can live without sinning or else we wouldn't need Christ, but we do need him because we are imperfect. So in all actuality we have to live with our sins( and battle against them), thats why Solomon says in Ecc 7:16- 18 16"Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise- why destroy yourself? 17Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool- why die before your time? 18It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes." Wisdom is knowing the difference between "knowing your a sinner, asking for forgiveness and trying with all you have not to sin but also knowing that you might fall and God will help you up again and you will try again" and " Not caring to know God even though you have heard of Him but you love living in sin, embracing the world and you dont care or worry about eternity". So to pursue Holiness is to learn to battle against sinning (as you said "and not embrace sin") even though everyone of your sins has been paid by our Lord already! Blessings

[@11300951]

I purse holiness or follow God's commands as an act of thanksgiving and sacrifice for what He has done for me -What He did- He through His love, grace and mercy died for my sins and becomes my righteousness before the eyes of God. I remind myself daily on that and that in no way this purse of holiness or becoming holy makes me right in the eyes of God. I have to be careful as sometimes I start to think that I am good than others but I have to remind myself to see myself through God's law and command and know that I fail miserably in thoughts and action from His righteousness standard. Therefore, I conclude that my journey of pursing holiness is an act of acknowledgement for what He has done for me but never a work for my righteousness. Can you evaluate this and see if I am on the right track. Thank you.

[@reginaldchesterfield8110]

Cant be a slave to two masters.

[@truth7416]

Yes ask John Piper what he meant by saying this? Direct quote "God . . . brings about all things in accordance with his will. In other words, it isn’t just that God manages to turn the evil aspects of our world to good for those who love him; it is rather that he himself brings about these evil aspects for his glory (see Ex. 9:13-16; John 9:3) and his people’s good (see Heb. 12:3-11; James 1:2-4). This includes-as incredible and as unacceptable as it may currently seem-God’s having even brought about the Nazis’ brutality at Birkenau and Auschwitz as well as the terrible killings of Dennis Rader and even the sexual abuse of a young child . . ." I say John Pipers god is a monster created by John Calvin and the Deformed Theology he crafted!! My God the only true God is the opposite. 1 Timothy 2 : 3-6 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”… Acts 2:37-39 Three Thousand Believe 37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off- Don't listen to this Heretic! TRUTH IN LOVE

[@BD-lq4id]

I still don't get it

[@naturallygifted2002]

Continuing in sin simply means those are the one who thought they have salvation and will hear depart from me I never knew you you who PRACTICE lawlessness. POINT, blank Period.

[@SniffingOutPharisees-DanielP]

No difference in “practicing sin” and “sinning once a month” both times you’ve sinned. The Bible says, you sin ONCE you are of the devil. You sin ONCE, you are cursed. You sin ONCE, you have broken the entire law. All it takes is ONE sin to be totally condemned to hellfire. Thank Jesus Christ who lived the perfect sinless life for us. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬ 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬‬:‭10‬ KJV) “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” ‭‭James‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[@JonahGhost]

Because if sin is to be 'forgiven' it is wrong. And you would pursue holiness because it is right.

[@scottmoore765]

So what about a person who gave their life to Christ but back slides a few years afterward. And maybe even loses their life during this time. Does this mean they never had salvation? They never truly gave their life to Christ to be forever saved? For example this is a common issue among teenagers and young adults. They come to Christ and get saved early on. But maybe fall away at some point. Sometimes they come back to living a Godly life. Others may pass away from various causes. Are those that pass away lost forever? Help me understand this. Thank you and be blessed.

[@ivan.bucher]

If "gave their life to Christ" means they at some point believed in Jesus for everlasting life, then they're secure forever, full stop. It's truly a breathtaking offer. The reason folks like myself raise issue with pastor John's response (particularly his Calvinist theology) is because he blurs the line between justification and sanctification, thus your comment. This is problematic because the conversation shifts from the free gift (grace) to an arbitrary minimum height of the bar we must pass (works). Doing good works allows us to accrue eternal rewards, not eternal salvation (everlasting life). When Christians abdicate on good works they forfeit these rewards and make the Church look bad to others. And when Christians, or anyone, fail to live godly lives they experience negative consequences like any person does. The term 'salvation' in the Bible is used two ways. One way regards our eternal destiny, the other way is the experience of an unencumbered life. It's not always obvious which one is in view (different translations can make this harder or easier), so the context of the passage matters a lot! The Gospel of John is the only book in the Bible dedicated almost entirely to the eternal destiny definition of salvation. Other new testament books are mainly speaking to current believers about their good works with the 'salvation' term tied to temporal outcomes, not eternal ones.

[@scottmoore765]

@@ivan.bucher Ivan, thank you for taking the time to explain your understanding of this to me. I agree with you on all accounts. This was confusing to me based on this video because I had not fully understood where John was coming from. This being probably the most worrisome aspect of being a parent when your children who committed their lives to Jesus go astray for a time. Yes, I think it is very dangerous for people to miss this, the most important point of salvation. To understand it is a free gift that when believed in Christ by His sacrifice for us and being raised from the dead locks our salvation in for eternity. That our works equate to our rewards. You said it so well. Thank you again for taking the time to comment. I pray the Lord bless you and keep you.

[@JohnMartim-sy9yf]

The paradigm that we are simple sinners or limit ourselves to “not sinning” (which is different from loving) is contradictory to God's purpose in creating Man in His likeness! Since we are nothing more than “miserable sinners”. But, if God/Christ does all the work of Salvation, with what dignity will we enter Paradise? This narrative makes God a failure, because his creature seems more like a daughter of the Devil than a daughter of God! How did we fall into this contradiction? Because we don't admit that at least one man once was capable of an act of radical holiness!

[@SniffingOutPharisees-DanielP]

Pursue holiness because you live a fullfiled life, and get rewards in heaven. Live a sinful life and you will likely live a miserable life with many more consequences and no eternal rewards at the judgement seat of Christ.

[@angloaust1575]

Sanctification!

[@Abbadonum]

First of all I think it's bad for christians think like it or idk i just think backwards "if I'm sinner and could end up in sin again why I must try to be holy" that's very hard way to think like me

[@isabellastyles2246]

God will do it. Ask God for His help. You can't do this alone. Just Him can help you and get you thought sanctification, and change our hearts. Ok, I know it is hard to fight the battle of the sin, but when you fail remember that that it is your horrible nature and ask for God change more and more. Believe in His power. Say: im a sinner, but you God, you God can change a sinner like me. I had that problem that Paul says in romans of wanting to do good things but still hard because of our nature. Actually, I recommend you to read Romans 7:14-25. It's hard, it is why we call war. So my advice to you it is: pray pray to God help you. keep your mind on things of God. fall in love with Him and principle: ask for His mercy on helping you. Dont worry, He that gave His son, will give to us also this kind of things. Faith on the power of God.

[@johnhoffman8203]

Rm 3.23. Written to believers, then this death applies to believers and it is the second death which is outside the KOG/outer darkness for 1K years. Life is a glorified body (flesh and bone animated by the Holy Spirit) received at the JSOC (vice 1K years later per 1 Cor 15.51/51) and reigning/inheritance with Christ for the 1K years. 2 Thes 2.13/14 is the key to sanctification/salvation of the soul that leads to life which should be our hope. Our inheritance (KOG) comes through sanctification per Acts 20.32/26.18 and not justification. The Bible was written to the justified to become sanctified but the bar has been lowered.

[@maxaplin4204]

The second death lasts forever, not for 1000 years!

[@johnhoffman8203]

@@maxaplin4204 You havent read Rev 20.4-6. The second death (death of the soul) must occur here and now during sanctification or for the 1000 year Millennium outside the KOG for those believers who do not pursue it. Read 1 Cor 15 about the seed (soul) and the fact that it must die now or then.

[@maxaplin4204]

@@johnhoffman8203 Firstly, there will be no 1000 year literal millennium. Revelation is a book of symbols, and the 1000 year reign is best interpreted as symbolic of the church age. Numbers in Revelation are in any case usually symbolic. Secondly, you haven't properly read the text of Revelation. To begin with, Rev 20:10 says that the beast and the false prophet will be tormented day and night forever and ever in the lake of fire. Next, we can note that Rev 20:15 says that those whose names are not written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire. There is no reason to think that these people are envisaged suffering any different fate in the lake of fire than the beast and the false prophet. So these people are surely viewed as suffering unending conscious torment too. Next, we can note that Rev 20:14 says that the second death is the lake of fire. Therefore, according to the logic of Revelation, the second death for human beings who are not in the book of life is unending conscious torment in the lake of fire. It is true that in Rev 10:14 we also find death and Hades being thrown into the lake of fire, but this seems to be a vivid way of saying that death and Hades are permanently defeated. In any case, death and Hades being thrown into the lake of fire is clearly portrayed as something permanent, not something that lasts just for 1000 years. So your idea that the second death lasts for only 1000 years is completely wrong.

[@johnhoffman8203]

@@maxaplin4204 I wont try to persuade you any differently as your mind is made up. The Millennium is Christ's inheritance that He shares with those worthy, so since you dont want your share I pray that God gives it to me.

[@maxaplin4204]

@@johnhoffman8203 I am very open to modifying my views in the light of good arguments. I gave a reasoned argument why the second death doesn't last for just 1000 years, and you didn't interact with what I said at all.

[@DW-yl9ww]

IF YOU CAN JUST BELIEVE AND THEN LIVE A LIFE OF WILLFUL SIN, THEN YOU MAKE THE NARROW ROAD TO ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH FEW FIND, THE WIDE ROAD TO LIFE WHICH MANY FIND, WHICH IS FALSE.

[@theonetrueking2685]

Because only your PAST sins before being reborn are forgiven. End of story.

[@gojohnnygo3209]

When the man dies and is spiritually born again in Christ, it is the sins of the past that is forgiven. Not the present or future sin, should the man decide to walk in the flesh again. 1Jn2:15 - Do not love the world.... - is referring to those born again. :19 - They went out from us... 1Jn1:8 - if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

[@jordanpryor4771]

All sins are forgiven! Past, present, and future.

[@wingnutmcspazatron3957]

Yeah they're all forgiven both past and future, my friend. The difference now in your transformed self is the new heart you have. The new heart now guides you in a different and much more loving direction, with a new and clear conscience.

[@gojohnnygo3209]

@@jordanpryor4771 - Unless you are taught to believe that you are chosen before the foundation of the world.

[@jordanpryor4771]

@@gojohnnygo3209 Yes we were. The Bible says so. What is your point?

[@gojohnnygo3209]

@@jordanpryor4771 - where did the Bible say?

All this false preachers will go to eternal damnation

[@tessack2777]

Yes but we still pray and hope they repent …

[@cherrildurand7495]

Forgiveness of sin just beginning of establishing relationship with God.God desire that we attain to God likeness when we are indeed death to sin.without attaining holiness,noi man shall see God