The Problem and Solution for Willful Sin

John 8:1-11
1 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and Pharisees brought a woman they had caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?" 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, stone her. But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!" 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to her, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" 11 "No, Lord," she said. And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."
The New Living Translation

Hebrews 10:26
10:26
Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins.

If and when we sin on purpose (willful sin) we are fighting against our own knowledge of what sin is and agains the Holy Spirit and all heaven. We are backsliding. We are in endanger of resisting the leading of the Holy Spirit more and more until we may not be able to hear Him at all. He will continue to call us to repentance, no matter what, yet He will not force us to repent. He will not force us to hat our sin. He will not force us to trun away from our sin. He forgives us when we ask and then calls upon us, "Go and sin no more".

James 4:17
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Are you Backslidden?

`Have you wandered far from God? Arise and go to your Father. He will meet you a great way off. If you take even one step toward Him in repentance, He will hasten to enfold you in His arms of infinite love. His ear is open to the cry of the contrite soul. The very first reaching out of the heart after God is known to Him. Never a prayer is offered, however faltering, never a tear is shed, however secret, never a sincere desire after God is cherished, however feeble, but the Spirit of God goes forth to meet it. Even before the prayer is uttered or the yearning of the heart made known, grace from Christ goes forth to meet the grace that is working upon the human soul.’ (COL205-6)

`What sins are too great for His pardon? He is merciful, and as such is infinitely more ready and more pleased to pardon than to condemn.' (2SM231)

`Desponding soul, take courage, even though you have done wickedly. Do not think that perhaps God will pardon your transgressions and permit you to come into His presence. God has made the first advance. While you were in rebellion against Him, He went forth to seek you. . . . The soul, bruised and wounded and ready to perish, He encircles in His arms of love and joyfully bears it to the fold of safety.' (COL188/9)

`Do not listen to the enemy's suggestion to stay away from Christ until you have made yourself better; until you are good enough to come to God. If you wait until then, you will never come. When Satan points to your filthy garments, repeat the promise of Jesus, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.’ (COL205)

`The Lord is full of compassion for His suffering ones. What sins are too great for His pardon? He is merciful, and as such is infinitely more ready and more pleased to pardon than to condemn. He is gracious, not looking for wrong in us; He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are but dust. In His boundless compassion and mercy He heals all our backslidings, loving us freely while we are yet sinners, withdrawing not His light, but shining on us for Christ's sake.’ (2SM231)

`Now He invites you. Now, just now, He calls upon you to return unto Him without delay, and He will graciously pardon and heal all your backslidings.’ (1T430)

`Return faithless people; I will cure you of your backsliding.' (Jeremiah 3:22)

`The shepherd who discovers that one of his sheep is missing does not look carelessly upon the flock that is safely housed, and say, "I have ninety and nine, and it will cost me too much trouble to go in search of the straying one. Let him come back, and I will open the door of the sheepfold, and let him in." No; no sooner does the sheep go astray than the shepherd is filled with grief and anxiety. He counts and recounts the flock. When he is sure that one sheep is lost, he slumbers not. He leaves the ninety and nine with the fold, and goes in search of the straying sheep. The darker and more tempestuous the night and the more perilous the way, the greater is the shepherd's anxiety and the more earnest his search. He makes every effort to find that one lost sheep.

`With what relief he hears in the distance its first faint cry. Following the sound, he climbs the steepest heights, he goes to the very edge of the precipice, at the risk of his own life. Thus he searches, while the cry, growing fainter, tells him that his sheep is ready to die. At last his effort is rewarded; the lost is found. Then he does not scold it because it has caused him so much trouble. He does not drive it with a whip. He does not even try to lead it home. In his joy he takes the trembling creature upon his shoulders; if it is bruised and wounded, he gathers it in his arms, pressing it close to his bosom, that the warmth of his own heart may give it life. With gratitude that his search has not been in vain, he bears it back to the fold.’ (COL187-8)

------------

`The blood of Jesus is pleading with power and efficacy for those who are back-slidden, for those who are rebellious, for those who sin against great light and love. Satan stands at our right hand to accuse us, and our Advocate stands at God's right hand to plead for us. He has never lost a case that has been committed to Him. We may trust in our Advocate; for He pleads His own merits in our behalf. Hear His prayer before His betrayal and trial. Listen to His prayer for us; for He had us in remembrance.’ (7BC948)

Welcome back to the fold - dear friend. Always remember that the church is a hospital for sick people - and we all are sick - no exceptions. If you never realised that, read Romans 3:10-18.

Jesus Forgives Our Sins

For all have sinned ...

In what way has God dealt with penitent sinners?
"He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." Psalms 103:10.

Why has He dealt thus with men?
"For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him." Psalms 103:11.

What is God ready to do for all who call upon Him?
"For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee." Psalms 86:5.

When Abraham asked God to spare Sodom if He should find ten righteous persons therein, what did the Lord say?
"And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake." Genesis 18:32.

What prayer did Moses offer in behalf of Israel?
"Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now." Numbers 14:19.

What reply did the Lord immediately make?
"And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word." Numbers 14:20.

When David confessed his great sin, what did God do for him?
"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." Psalms 32:5.

Does the lord forgive sins when they are confessed to Him?
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

How full is the Lord's forgiveness, when one fulfills the conditions?
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:7.

In what special manner has God shown His willingness to forgive the sinner?
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

What does this wonderful manifestation on the part of God, vouchsafe to us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32.

Why has such full provision been made?
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.

When the prodigal son, in the parable, repented and turned toward home, what did his father do?
"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." Luke 15:20.

Upon the son's asking to be made only a hired servant, what order was issued in behalf of the penitent one?
"But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." Luke 15:22-24.

Is God willing to do for His children as earthly parents are for theirs?
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Luke 11:13.0

How many receive forgiveness from God?
"For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matthew 7:8.

Does the Lord forget the cries of those who call upon Him?
"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." Isaiah 49:15.

Forgiven, but then Made a Mistake?

`Do not entertain the thought that because you have made mistakes, because your life has been darkened by errors, your Heavenly Father does not love you and will not hear you when you pray. He says, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."

The fact that one has erred, does not make him less dear to the heart of God.

"The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." His heart of love is touched by our sorrows, and even by our utterance of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear; for He holds up worlds, He rules over the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. None have fallen so low, none are so vile, that they cannot find deliverance in Jesus. The demoniacs of Gadara, in the place of prayer could utter only the words of Satan; but yet the heart's unspoken appeal was heard. No cry from a soul in need is unheeded.’ (ST06-18-02)

`You have made some mistakes, but because of some failures you should in nowise misjudge your capabilities nor distrust the strength that you may find in God. If it is apparent that you have made mistakes, it is your privilege to turn these failures into victories by avoiding the same in the future.’ (3T495)

Remember ,For those who have sinned and have made mistakes, there is a Jesus who is willing to pardon and forgive. Let us lift him up as the Redeemer of mankind.

`If one who daily communes with God errs from the path, if he turns a moment from looking steadfastly unto Jesus, it is not because he sins willfully; for when he sees his mistake, he turns again, and fastens his eyes upon Jesus, and the fact that he has erred, does not make him less dear to the heart of God.' (RH12-05-96)

`You are not to entertain the thought that because you have made mistakes and your life has been darkened with errors, your heavenly Father does not love you and therefore has forsaken you. No! I tell you NO! Jesus loves you still. His eye is upon you, and He "will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it." ’ 1 Cor. 10:13. (12MR34)

`The one who is easily tempted, and is most inclined to err, is the special object of His solicitude.' (Ed294)

`The fact that he has erred, does not make him less dear to the heart of God.' (RH12-05-96)

`If you have made mistakes, you certainly gain a victory if you see these mistakes and regard them as beacons of warning. Thus you turn defeat into victory, disappointing the enemy and honoring your Redeemer.' (COL332)

`Whatever the mistakes or failures of the past, we may, with the help of God, rise above them. With the apostle we may say: "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13, 14. (MH516)

But . . . if you have made a mistake, it is vitally important that you deal with others and their mistakes in just the manner in which you would like God to deal with you.

`Because [others] have made mistakes, shall we leave them alone to bear the consequences of their miscalculations? Is this the way in which Jesus has dealt with us?’ (6T463)

`Have we ourselves never made mistakes? Have we never been in the pit of despondency?’ (PUR03-13-02)

`Because men have made mistakes, they are not to be uprooted. The blessing of God heals; it does not destroy.’ (GCB04-02-03)

`If one does a piece of work that is not wholly perfect, shall his friends and acquaintences pull it to pieces, speaking of it scathingly and contemptuously? The one who has made mistakes may be doing his very best. Did Jesus treat the imperfect work of His disciples thus? If He should treat erring human beings as they too often treat one another, what would become of them?’ (PUR 02-09-05)

`We should study the way in which Jesus worked. He did not refuse to work for those who made mistakes; His works of mercy were done for every class, the righteous and the unrighteous. For all alike He healed disease and gave lessons of instruction if they humbly asked Him.’ (WM85)

`Let not men, when dealing with those who have made mistakes, work on the supposition that under similar circumstances they would have done much better.’ (SpM275)

`God's word is, "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood." Show all men respect, even though they do not reach the standard you have set for them. They may have made mistakes, but is your life faultless? Have you censured your own errors as severely as you have censured the errors of others?’ (RH03-17-03)

`If there is one who has made mistakes, our hearts should go out to him. We should let him see that we have for him that love which was revealed in the life of Christ. We may think that a brother has done something very wrong. Perhaps he has. But do you think that you will make him see his wrong by shunning his society, by leaving him to himself, where the enemy can work upon his mind and his conscience? We should try to come just as close to him as we can. With all the soul-winning power that God has given us, we must draw him to Christ, remembering that we ourselves have made mistakes. We have all gone out of the way. We have all had our times of trouble, of blindness, of affliction.’ (2SAT263)

`Every heart renewed by the Spirit of God would not only love God but love his brother, and if that brother made mistakes, if he erred, he must be dealt with after the gospel plan. Every step must be followed according to the directions given in the Word of God. "'Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.’ Gal. 6:1 (TDG157)

`In order to have the wax take a clear, strong impression of the seal, you do not dash the seal upon it in a hasty, violent way; you carefully place the seal on the plastic wax and quietly, steadily press it down until it has hardened in the mold. In like manner deal with human souls. The continuity of Christian influence is the secret of its power, and this depends on the steadfastness of your manifestation of the character of Jesus. Help those who have erred, by telling them of your experiences. Show how, when you made grave mistakes, patience, kindness, and helpfulness on the part of your fellow workers gave you courage and hope.

`Until the judgment you will never know the influence of a kind, considerate course toward the inconsistent, the unreasonable, the unworthy. When we meet with ingratitude and betrayal of sacred trusts, we are roused to show our contempt or indignation. This the guilty expect; they are prepared for it. But kind forbearance takes them by surprise and often awakens their better impulses and arouses a longing for a nobler life.’ (MH494-5)