We are all in different stages of our journey and growth in the revelation of our righteousness.

 

We may mentally assent to the fact that Jesus’ death and resurrection put us in right standing with God, but we are all learning to continually walk out reality in our day-to-day lives.

 

In some areas, we may find ourselves fully persuaded of this powerful truth. In others, we may need to consciously work on establishing this truth in our hearts. The only way we can completely rid ourselves of the debilitating feelings of guilt and condemnation that so often accompany our relationship with God is to become fully persuaded of what Christ accomplished for us on the cross—two thousand years ago.

 

Are you struggling with guilt, shame or even some kind of addiction? Do you struggle with sickness, infirmity or do you have a financial or a relationship problem? Is there an area in your life where you feel that you’ve failed so badly that you can’t recover?

 

Those may be clues that you may not be fully convinced that you are righteous, and that God loves and accepts you unconditionally, He is pleased with you, and that He desires good for your life—including a wholesome intimate relationship with Him.

 

You have been made totally righteous before God! You may not consider yourself holy, but the truth is you are!

 

“And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed

One).” (Heb. 10:10 AMP)

 

When you are established in the fact that you are holy and righteous before God, you will start acting like it! The fruit of that belief and understanding will spill out and show itself in every area of your life.

 

Does that mean you will never make another mistake or that you will never miss the mark and sin again? No, not at all.

 

At some point, you will hurt someone with your words or actions. But when that happens, seek forgiveness from the person you wronged, and try to make it right, so you can live at peace and keep your mistakes from becoming an issue in your relationship with them (Rom. 12:17-21).

 

But know that your mistake (your sin) will never become an issue between you and God.

Jesus has taken care of that issue permanently.

JESUS HAS COMPLETELY REMOVED YOUR SIN AND SIGNED A COVENANT OF PEACE BETWEEN YOU AND GOD !

 

Your sin is not hiding and waiting for an opportune moment to revisit you and shout to God that you are “unclean.” It isn’t attached to your hip, hoping to trip you up whenever you aren’t looking so that you can’t enter God’s presence. It’s not even buried in your heart trying to dig its way out. Your sin has been eternally removed!

 

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that

fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions

from us. Psalm 103:11-12 (KJV)

 

Today, God is totally satisfied that Jesus’ work on the cross was one hundred percent successful in removing your sin and setting you in right standing with Him!

 

I am also fully persuaded today, and that’s good news, my friend.

 

How about you?

 

-Blessings, Arthur

The post BE FULLY PERSUADED appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

We are all in different stages of our journey and growth in the revelation of our righteousness.

 

We may mentally assent to the fact that Jesus’ death and resurrection put us in right standing with God, but we are all learning to continually walk out reality in our day-to-day lives.

 

In some areas, we may find ourselves fully persuaded of this powerful truth. In others, we may need to consciously work on establishing this truth in our hearts. The only way we can completely rid ourselves of the debilitating feelings of guilt and condemnation that so often accompany our relationship with God is to become fully persuaded of what Christ accomplished for us on the cross—two thousand years ago.

 

Are you struggling with guilt, shame or even some kind of addiction? Do you struggle with sickness, infirmity or do you have a financial or a relationship problem? Is there an area in your life where you feel that you’ve failed so badly that you can’t recover?

 

Those may be clues that you may not be fully convinced that you are righteous, and that God loves and accepts you unconditionally, He is pleased with you, and that He desires good for your life—including a wholesome intimate relationship with Him.

 

You have been made totally righteous before God! You may not consider yourself holy, but the truth is you are!

 

“And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed

One).” (Heb. 10:10 AMP)

 

When you are established in the fact that you are holy and righteous before God, you will start acting like it! The fruit of that belief and understanding will spill out and show itself in every area of your life.

 

Does that mean you will never make another mistake or that you will never miss the mark and sin again? No, not at all.

 

At some point, you will hurt someone with your words or actions. But when that happens, seek forgiveness from the person you wronged, and try to make it right, so you can live at peace and keep your mistakes from becoming an issue in your relationship with them (Rom. 12:17-21).

 

But know that your mistake (your sin) will never become an issue between you and God.

Jesus has taken care of that issue permanently.

JESUS HAS COMPLETELY REMOVED YOUR SIN AND SIGNED A COVENANT OF PEACE BETWEEN YOU AND GOD !

 

Your sin is not hiding and waiting for an opportune moment to revisit you and shout to God that you are “unclean.” It isn’t attached to your hip, hoping to trip you up whenever you aren’t looking so that you can’t enter God’s presence. It’s not even buried in your heart trying to dig its way out. Your sin has been eternally removed!

 

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that

fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions

from us. Psalm 103:11-12 (KJV)

 

Today, God is totally satisfied that Jesus’ work on the cross was one hundred percent successful in removing your sin and setting you in right standing with Him!

 

I am also fully persuaded today, and that’s good news, my friend.

 

How about you?

 

-Blessings, Arthur

The post BE FULLY PERSUADED appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

We are all in different stages of our journey and growth in the revelation of our righteousness.

 

We may mentally assent to the fact that Jesus’ death and resurrection put us in right standing with God, but we are all learning to continually walk out reality in our day-to-day lives.

 

In some areas, we may find ourselves fully persuaded of this powerful truth. In others, we may need to consciously work on establishing this truth in our hearts. The only way we can completely rid ourselves of the debilitating feelings of guilt and condemnation that so often accompany our relationship with God is to become fully persuaded of what Christ accomplished for us on the cross—two thousand years ago.

 

Are you struggling with guilt, shame or even some kind of addiction? Do you struggle with sickness, infirmity or do you have a financial or a relationship problem? Is there an area in your life where you feel that you’ve failed so badly that you can’t recover?

 

Those may be clues that you may not be fully convinced that you are righteous, and that God loves and accepts you unconditionally, He is pleased with you, and that He desires good for your life—including a wholesome intimate relationship with Him.

 

You have been made totally righteous before God! You may not consider yourself holy, but the truth is you are!

 

“And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed

One).” (Heb. 10:10 AMP)

 

When you are established in the fact that you are holy and righteous before God, you will start acting like it! The fruit of that belief and understanding will spill out and show itself in every area of your life.

 

Does that mean you will never make another mistake or that you will never miss the mark and sin again? No, not at all.

 

At some point, you will hurt someone with your words or actions. But when that happens, seek forgiveness from the person you wronged, and try to make it right, so you can live at peace and keep your mistakes from becoming an issue in your relationship with them (Rom. 12:17-21).

 

But know that your mistake (your sin) will never become an issue between you and God.

Jesus has taken care of that issue permanently.

JESUS HAS COMPLETELY REMOVED YOUR SIN AND SIGNED A COVENANT OF PEACE BETWEEN YOU AND GOD !

 

Your sin is not hiding and waiting for an opportune moment to revisit you and shout to God that you are “unclean.” It isn’t attached to your hip, hoping to trip you up whenever you aren’t looking so that you can’t enter God’s presence. It’s not even buried in your heart trying to dig its way out. Your sin has been eternally removed!

 

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that

fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions

from us. Psalm 103:11-12 (KJV)

 

Today, God is totally satisfied that Jesus’ work on the cross was one hundred percent successful in removing your sin and setting you in right standing with Him!

 

I am also fully persuaded today, and that’s good news, my friend.

 

How about you?

 

-Blessings, Arthur

The post BE FULLY PERSUADED appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

We are all in different stages of our journey and growth in the revelation of our righteousness.

 

We may mentally assent to the fact that Jesus’ death and resurrection put us in right standing with God, but we are all learning to continually walk out reality in our day-to-day lives.

 

In some areas, we may find ourselves fully persuaded of this powerful truth. In others, we may need to consciously work on establishing this truth in our hearts. The only way we can completely rid ourselves of the debilitating feelings of guilt and condemnation that so often accompany our relationship with God is to become fully persuaded of what Christ accomplished for us on the cross—two thousand years ago.

 

Are you struggling with guilt, shame or even some kind of addiction? Do you struggle with sickness, infirmity or do you have a financial or a relationship problem? Is there an area in your life where you feel that you’ve failed so badly that you can’t recover?

 

Those may be clues that you may not be fully convinced that you are righteous, and that God loves and accepts you unconditionally, He is pleased with you, and that He desires good for your life—including a wholesome intimate relationship with Him.

 

You have been made totally righteous before God! You may not consider yourself holy, but the truth is you are!

 

“And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed

One).” (Heb. 10:10 AMP)

 

When you are established in the fact that you are holy and righteous before God, you will start acting like it! The fruit of that belief and understanding will spill out and show itself in every area of your life.

 

Does that mean you will never make another mistake or that you will never miss the mark and sin again? No, not at all.

 

At some point, you will hurt someone with your words or actions. But when that happens, seek forgiveness from the person you wronged, and try to make it right, so you can live at peace and keep your mistakes from becoming an issue in your relationship with them (Rom. 12:17-21).

 

But know that your mistake (your sin) will never become an issue between you and God.

Jesus has taken care of that issue permanently.

JESUS HAS COMPLETELY REMOVED YOUR SIN AND SIGNED A COVENANT OF PEACE BETWEEN YOU AND GOD !

 

Your sin is not hiding and waiting for an opportune moment to revisit you and shout to God that you are “unclean.” It isn’t attached to your hip, hoping to trip you up whenever you aren’t looking so that you can’t enter God’s presence. It’s not even buried in your heart trying to dig its way out. Your sin has been eternally removed!

 

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that

fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions

from us. Psalm 103:11-12 (KJV)

 

Today, God is totally satisfied that Jesus’ work on the cross was one hundred percent successful in removing your sin and setting you in right standing with Him!

 

I am also fully persuaded today, and that’s good news, my friend.

 

How about you?

 

-Blessings, Arthur

The post BE FULLY PERSUADED appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

The post EXPERIENCE REAL LOVE appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

The post EXPERIENCE REAL LOVE appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

The post EXPERIENCE REAL LOVE appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

The post EXPERIENCE REAL LOVE appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

Understanding how and when God forgives sins, which sins He forgives, and who receives forgiveness raises many questions. People often struggle with these issues, like concerns about the unforgivable sin, willful sins, backsliding, and repentance. Throughout my years of ministry as a pastor and traveling minister, forgiveness has been the most frequently asked-about topic! When we doubt God’s forgiveness, it impacts our daily lives, our faith, and our relationship with Him. Many find it hard to believe that God is good and forgives us without us doing anything.

TEMPORAL OR ETERNAL FORGIVENESS?

Is God’s forgiveness in Christ temporary and just for Christians, or eternal and for everyone? If it’s temporary, doubts arise; if eternal, it brings confidence and peace, securing all promises of God’s Kingdom through Christ. Understanding from scripture that God’s forgiveness through Christ is eternal and covers all sins and people brings us peace and confidence!

FORGIVENESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

In Psalm 103: 2-12, King David looks forward to the New Covenant and claims this forgiveness for his own sins. He praises God for His abundant benefits: forgiveness of iniquities, healing of diseases, redemp9on from destruc9on, and the renewal of strength. David recounts God’s mercy, grace, and patience, emphasizing that God does not treat us according to our sins but removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. Astoundingly, many scholars believe David wrote this Psalm during a time of great personal regret due to his sin with Bathsheba, which led to the deaths of two people. Under the Old Covenant, David faced a death sentence (Lev 20:10). He acknowledges his sin in Psalm 51:1, asking for God’s mercy and steadfast love. Isaiah 43:25 and Jeremiah 31:33-34 also prophesy the New Covenant promises of God’s forgiveness, declaring He will remember our sins no more.

NEW TESTAMENT ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Hebrews 9:26-28 states that Jesus appeared once for all to put away sin by His sacrifice. In these passages, we learn that Christ will return, not to deal with sin again, but to bring full salvation to those waiting for Him. We are blessed to experience what Isaiah, Jeremiah, and David prophesied: Our sins are blocked out and remembered no more! Hebrews 10:16-18 emphasizes God’s new covenant with humanity, where His laws are written on our hearts and minds. God promises not to remember our sins and lawless deeds anymore, ensuring our complete forgiveness! This absolute remission means no further sacrifices are needed for sin. 1 John 2:2 says, “And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) FOR OUR SINS, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the WHOLE WORLD.” This means that Jesus died for all sin, for all men, for all people, both sinners and saints!

RECONCILIATION FOR MANKIND

In 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Paul shares that God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting men’s sins against them, and has now entrusted us with this message of reconciliation. Despite the difficulty many have in understanding and believing it, sin no longer stands as a barrier between God and humanity. Although sin is deadly, God no longer holds or counts people’s sins against them. Even those who haven’t embraced salvation have their sins forgiven; they need only accept Jesus and His forgiveness upon hearing the Good News.

When were We Forgiven and Delivered?

Ephesians 2:4-5 (KJV) says,“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” We were forgiven and delivered while still dead in our trespasses, before repentance or confession, and even before we were born. Our forgiveness depends entirely on Jesus’ finished work, not on our ac9ons. This is the Good News of God’s grace! Believe this Good News and refuse the bad news! God is not scru9nizing your life to find faults. Since God has forgiven the sins of the whole world, your sins are forgiven and eternally removed. Declare this today: “Because of Jesus and His finished work, I am totally and eternally forgiven and accepted. I am righteous and holy, and every blessing in Christ is mine! 

The post Eternally Forgiven appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

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When you teach and preach the Gospel of God’s grace and emphasize His love and his true nature and character and that he is not angry, wrathful, and judgmental but forgiving, merciful and loving like I do, I often have Christians ask, “But what about Ananias and Sapphira”?

Let’s look at those scriptures.

Acts 4:34–37 NKJV

” Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Acts 5:1–5 KJV

” But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all of them that heard these things. “

When I read these past people in Acts 4: 34-37 about the early church in Jerusalem and about what happened with Ananias and his wife Sapphira in Ch 5: 1-11, I am always reminded of the awful trepidation I used to have as a young believer, regarding the traditional views I was taught about how Ananias and Sapphira died under the judgment of God for lying to the Holy Spirit about the money they kept out of their offering.

Some teach that they were obviously not believers, and that judgment came on them because of that.

But this does not bear out because of the practice in the Church in Jerusalem, of people selling property and bringing the proceeds to lay it at the apostles’ feet.

Ananias and Sapphira must have been believers and have been part of the church to know about this practice.

It always bothered me! If they were judged and died because they lied about holding back some money from a free will offering that they brought, why would Peter even pointed out that the proceeds were theirs to do with as they wished.

Come to think of it, how many other people over the last 2000 years have done things like what they did, and essentially lied to the Holy Spirit.

As far as I know, there is no record of someone else being judged and killed because of lying to the Holy Spirit.

I am by no means saying that lying to the Holy Spirit has no consequences or is a good idea. Lying to anyone at any time is never a good idea under any circumstances.

When I read through this account here in Acts, what stands out to me is that there is no indication in the story or even in the language of the passage, that God or the Holy Spirit killed them.

Even though Peter knew by the Spirit what Ananias and his wife had done, does not mean that God judged them or killed them. That is purely an assumption we have made because of our religious and legalistic perception of God.

In fact, in both accounts, the scripture says that they Ananias and Sapphira “gave up the ghost.”

Acts 5:5, KJV

“And Ananias hearing these words fell down and GAVE UP THE GHOST: and great fear came on all of them that heard these things.

Acts 5:10 KJV

Then fell she down straightway at his feet and YIELDED UP THE GHOST: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.”

I have thought about this for a long time, and especially now that I know and understand the true nature and character of God and the finished work of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Can I suggest that this is not an account of God’s judgement on two people who lied about a free will offering, but instead an account of two people who were fresh out of legalism and still under the influence of a rigid religious and legalistic belief system, of an angry God who is wrathful and needs to always be appeased. Who certainly cannot be lied to, without suffering the consequences!

I believe that Ananias and Sapphira died and gave up the ghost, because of what they believed about God and the fear which that belief system caused in the hearts. Just like in many places around the world, there are still people dying because of a deep-rooted belief system of fear that cause premature death.

I have witnessed this very thing in Africa where many people deeply believe in witchcraft. Many people there die a premature death because they have been convinced to believed that a witch doctor has put a curse on them. Many times even the medical profession will confirm that there is not a medical reason for their death.

I’m convinced that it was Ananias and his wife’s belief system that killed them. That’s why it is so important to repent and believe the truth of the Gospel of God’s Grace, Love and Goodness. What we believe can either give us life, or it can kill us.

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