FREEDOM

Many years ago when Indonesians were fighting to gain for our freedom or independence from the Dutch, I heard some people on the streets greet each other with the word “Merdeka''. What does it mean? “Merdeka” means independent or free. I am going to start using this word here but it doesn't mean free from the Dutch, but free from the pain of sin. Free from the slavery of sin. We have been slaves of sin since the time of Adam and Eve. Even though some of us think that we have been freed from the slavery of sin, the reality is that we have not been freed! We are still slaves of sin. We still love the world. We still love the pleasures of the world. We still love sin. We still love money. We do not fight sin. In fact, we coated sin with a non-existent “grace” so that now millions of Christians believe that they have no sin. My question is if we have no sin, why then did Jesus say the following: 


"And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast [it] from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:30
"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast [it] from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.” Matthew 18:9


Do you want to know why Jesus said those strong words? He wants us to feel the pain of sin. He wants us to experience the pain of sin. He hopes that if we can feel the pain of sin and experience the pain of sin we will avoid sin, do what He wants us to do, and live. But what are we doing instead? We numb the pain of sin with “grace” that Jesus has never promised to us. In fact, Jesus warned us, repeatedly, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24. Who are these false christ and false prophets? They can be anyone, church leaders, preachers, and Bible teachers who misinterpreted the Bible to meet their needs. They may not be prophets at all.

 

I have been going to church since I was a small kid. I have never heard a preacher preach Matthew 5:30 and Matthew 18:9. Why is that?


"And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast [it] from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”? Matthew 5:30
"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast [it] from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.” Matthew 18:9. These are not my words.


Also, I have not found a single word in the Bible where Jesus had said that we are saved by grace, not a word. Why is that? Instead, this is what I found,

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading [of it]?" So he answered and said, "`You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and `your neighbor as yourself.'" And Jesus said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live. Luke 10:25-28


Jesus told the lawyer to WORK to earn his salvation. Jesus told us also to work to earn our salvation, "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. Jesus wants us to work to earn our salvation. Here are other verses in the Bible that tell us to work: "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." James 2:24

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him"? James 2:14

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments." John 14:15

The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, was the only one who said “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.


I think what Paul wanted to say was, “For by works you have been saved through faith.” Abraham was counted right in the eyes of God for sacrificing his son Isaac because of his fear of God.” Humans can sometimes make unintentional errors.


I am "merdeka" at last. I have finished my writing assignment for now. HAPPY SABBATH everyone! May the Good Lord pour upon us the wisdom from above to understand His words and to share his holy words with everybody. I love you all, and so does Jesus. GB

 

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