I am convinced that there are two kinds of people in the world - the kind who HEAR the word and take it in (chew on it, so to speak), and those who don't and don't want to! The difference between the two groups is (in my estimation) clearly seen once the truth is presented to them, and what they in turn do with it, if anything.
Some people may feel that some kind of a self-penance will neutralize any wrong that they may have done - others don't feel comfortable with what they've done or with who they are, and regardless of the number of self-sacrifices or penances they've made, they can't find lasting rest and peace within themselves (because their conscience hasn't been washed by the Blood of Christ, and it keeps crying out).
So it would seem that there are these two groups of people - just two - those sensative to hearing the Truth, and those insensative to it. The second group goes around and tries to justify or excuse their sins and shortcomings - the first group does not do so, at least not comfortably. If the second group is caught in a lie, stealing, or of planning something of that nature, they're sorry for it ONLY after they're caught. They don't seem to know any better - or it doesn't bother them the way it would the sensative group.
Notice that there's no remorse for what they did. Oh they may go through the motions, the tears and the pretense, and win oodles of Academy Awards, but deep down they're really not sorry for committing the sin, just for getting caught while doing it. However, if those of the other group commit a sin then they cannot comfortably appease themselves or their lie by trying to cover it up and forgetting all about it (see Romans 2:14-15). They know that what they've done is wrong - whether they're caught at it or not - and they seem quick to ask forgiveness and make restitution to those whom they've hurt.
There are those who have hardened themselves off to the truth, so that whenever they sin or make a mistake, they try and justify their actions by excuses: "It's not that bad - Everyone does it - I'm only human - etc.". When it comes right down to it they're just sorry for being caught! That's why they are eager to present themselves as good and righteous in anothers eyes. The opposite are those, who, when they make a mistake or commit a sin, can't seem to comfortably try and cover it up or justify it with excuses. They know that what they did was wrong, caught or not! To them it's a sin, and there are no excuses!
It's precisely because this type of person remains sensative to right and wrong that they somehow know they need to find rest for their souls. It's all in the way a person thinks! Such sins and thinking comes from the heart, or the very core of that person - coming out of WHO they are! It is right here, at the very heart of the matter, that needs to be changed!
So in a way, those who fit this group of people can be said to be more sensative to sin and sins than the other group is. The other group tends to think good and highly of itself. They tend to place an emphasis on things like riches, refinement, and the finer things of life, and so it is with this very kind of thinking, always with excuses, that causes them not to want to hear the truth in the first place (see Matthew 19:16-26).
The scriptures say that a man MUST be born again. We are all born with a sin nature, one that opposes God. Contrary to what anyone believes we must not die with this sin nature (with who we are in and of ourselves), rather we must be crucified with Christ and given a new birth. Jesus just didn't come and die for our sins by paying the penalty for them, He came to be resurrected from the dead as well. Christ as the Last Adam became the Last Man and took upon Himself the sins of mankind. Afterwards, He rose again proving that the powers of death and hell couldn't hold Him down.
Now, when one HEARS the word (i.e. HEARS Christ speaking to their heart), acknowledges the word by turning from their sins and turn to Him for Life and For life, is when they become BORN AGAIN. This NEW MAN can only be known Personally! He can never be known by those who make excuses or do some sort of self-penance for their sins. Only those who know the extent of their sins and Who they are really hurting by them can repent of them by turning away from them in order to turn to Christ.
There are so many people today, who, because of something (religiously speaking) THEY did, are believing that they are saved and ok. However, it's not what THEY do that changes the person, but in what GOD does to them instead. He does this if and when they come to believe on His Son. They receive a NEW nature - one that is as unlike the OLD (sinful) nature as can be. It is a Miracle! He takes what was and has it crucified with Christ - then He takes and makes something out of nothing and replaces it (so to speak).
So what's the difference? Why does it seem that one person makes excuses for sin while the other doesn't? What makes one person seek all that this world (i.e. "this life") has to offer and how important this all is to him (see Matthew 19:22), and the other person to forsake it all so that they may have Christ alone!? Although the Lord invites everyone into His Kingdom, through the narrow gate of the cross, yet few there be that find it... and fewer still are those who are even seeking it. There are many "religions" out there that they can join, keep their worldly riches, and still go to heaven. (Or so they are taught to believe.)
This has been a topic that I have investigated since my new birth. I find that few rich people, sophisticates, and generally those who think too highly of themselves and their posessions never enter the kingdom. They have found and are satisfied with what this world has to give them, but what a price they pay for it! What is worth losing their life over in exchange for their soul? Paul considered all that this world had to offer was to be considered as DUNG, in order that He may win Christ. CHRIST ALONE was his most precious, treasured and incomparible possession, and next to having Him nothing else mattered!
Scriptures as John 3:3 ['Except a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God'], John 1:13 ['born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God'], Galatians 6:15 ['neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.'], 2 Corinthians 5:17 ['Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.'] and several others like them say it all.
We all must be CHANGED! OLD things (the way we were in Adam- the way we thought in Adam) MUST pass away, for the NEW has come. The NEW becomes the way we now are and the way we now think in Christ! This is pecisely what happens when a person becomes Born Again. They are changed! No longer the same! Everything becomes NEW because the OLD has passed away, crucified with Christ, and they have found that blessed rest (being placed in Christ) for their souls.
Are you made anew? Have you been changed? I'm not talking about you becoming more religious, or about you becoming more pious, or even about you giving it all away to the poor. I'm talking about YOU being Changed!? About YOU being Born Again!? About YOU becoming a NEW Creature!? About an Eternally NEW YOU!?
Is the Law finished with YOU?? Are YOU finished with the Law?? Has Jesus been revealed to you as All in All? Has the Law finished its work in YOU?? Or are you still trying to prove yourself as being a righteous sinner in God's eyes?? Paul says it like this:
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
and like this --
Galatians 2:19-21 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
So I conclude along with Paul and the word of God, that if any of us thinks that our righteousness and goodness comes from our trying to obey and serve the Law of God, then for us; who through our unbelief are trying hard to win brownie points with God, Christ has died in vain! Only Christ has perfectly served and fulfilled the Law, laid down His life for all mankind and then rose again.
There are those who honor institutions or organizations, claiming that they are members of such a church. However, Christ makes those members of His church: not by their allegiance to some denomionation, but by becoming Born Again.
In order to become righteous you have to be born the Son Of God - or - receive Him into your heart and you receive His righteousness as well! It Is Finished! God bless every person who calls sin what it is -- SIN -- and goes to the person they've hurt and asks their whole-hearted forgiveness.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
The only way into heaven is through Him -- by believing on Him (which also involves true remorse and repentance of our sins and of who and how we are apart from Him) -- and by our receiving Him into our hearts and becoming changed by Him through the perfect revelation of Him seated in Glory and in Power and in Holiness -- Forevermore -- Amen!!
May God bless you in the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!
Biff & Suzanne
