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Bybelvolmaaktheid En Voortdurende Sonde

Bybelvolmaaktheid En Voortdurende Sonde

Onlangs het ek ‘n gesprek met ‘n kollega en vriend gehad oor die verhouding tussen bekering, geestelike groei, volmaaktheid in Christus en die stryd met voortdurende sonde. Ek het na 1 Johannes 3:4-9 verwys:

Wie sondig, pleeg ook wetteloosheid, want sonde is wetteloosheid. En julle weet dat Hy gekom het om ons sondes weg te neem, en in Hom is daar geen sonde nie. Wie in Hom bly, hou nie aan sondig nie. Wie aanhou sondig, het Hom nie gesien of geken nie. My liewe kinders, laat niemand julle mislei nie. Hy wat beoefen wat reg is, is regverdig, net soos Hy regverdig is. Hy wat sondig, is van die duiwel, want die duiwel het van die begin af gesondig. Met hierdie doel het die Seun van God verskyn, sodat Hy die werke van die duiwel kon vernietig. Wie uit God gebore is, hou nie aan sondig nie, want sy saad bly in hom; en hy kan nie aanhou sondig nie, want hy is uit God gebore (NIV, beklemtoning myne).

Hy het geantwoord deur te vra: Wat doen ons dan met 1 Johannes 1:8-10?

As ons daarop aanspraak maak dat ons sonder sonde is, bedrieg ons onsself en die waarheid is nie in ons nie. As ons ons sondes bely, is hy getrou en regverdig en sal hy ons ons sondes vergewe en ons reinig van alle ongeregtigheid. As ons beweer dat ons nie gesondig het nie, maak ons hom ‘n leuenaar en sy woord het geen plek in ons lewens nie (NIV 84).

Hy het ook verwys na die apostel Jakobus wat aan gelowiges geskryf het dat hulle “hulle sondes aan mekaar moet bely en vir mekaar moet bid, sodat [hulle] genees sal word” (Jakobus 5:16).

Hy wou weet of as ons werklik volmaak kan word in Christus en ophou sondig, waaroor gaan die tekse wat sê ons moet ons sondes bely?

My siening is dat die gedeeltes waarna hý verwys het, handel oor die nuwe bekeerling en diegene wat in die proses is van wat ons heiligmaking noem, terwyl die een waarna ék verwys het, die volwasse Christen beskryf wat verseël is, so gevestig in die waarheid beide intellektueel (verstand) en geestelik (hartmotief van onbaatsugtige liefde) dat hulle nie tot wantroue en rebellie teen God beweeg kan word nie – soos Daniël, wat eerder vir leeus gegooi wil word as om sy Here te verraai; die drie vriende van Daniël, wat eerder in ‘n vuuroond gegooi wil word as om hul Here te verraai; Job, wat 10 kinders verloor het, al sy rykdom, sy gesondheid en tog gesê het selfs al was die Here die een wat my doodmaak, sou ek Hom steeds vertrou.

Hierdie en ander het deur die geskiedenis heen so ‘n punt in hulle vertroue in God bereik dat niks hulle daaruit kon skud nie. Hulle was volmaak, volwasse in hulle liefde en lojaliteit, net soos diegene wat gereed is vir verheerliking wanneer Jesus kom – soos beskryf in Openbaring 12:11:

Hulle het Hom oorwin deur die bloed van die Lam en deur die woord van hulle getuienis; hulle het nie hul lewens so liefgehad dat hulle vir die dood teruggedeins het nie.

Die bloed is simbolies van die lewe (Levitikus 17:11), wat simboliseer dat hierdie gelowiges die lewe van Christus geïnternaliseer het (Joh 6:53; Galasiërs 2:20; 2 Petrus 1:4) en hergebore word met ‘n nuwe lewende gees van liefde en vertroue, en daarom is die woord van hulle getuienis die waarheid oor God. Hulle lewens openbaar God se karakter van liefde, bewys deur die feit dat “hulle hulle lewe nie so liefgehad het dat hulle vir die dood teruggedeins het nie.” Die gees van vrees en selfsug, die oorlewing van die sterkste dryfkrag, motivering, gees word gereinig, en hulle leef die lewe van Christus in volmaakte vertroue en gee hulle oor aan Hom:

“Julle lewe moet deur liefde beheer word, net soos Christus ons liefgehad het en sy lewe vir ons gegee het” (Ef 5:2 GNT).

“Dit is hoe ons weet wat liefde is: Jesus Christus het sy lewe vir ons afgelê. En ons behoort ons lewens af te lê vir ons broers” (1 Johannes 3:16 NIV 84).

“My opdrag is dit: Wees lief vir mekaar soos Ek julle liefgehad het. Niemand het groter liefde as dit dat hy sy lewe vir sy vriende aflê nie” (Johannes 15:12, 13 NIV 84).

“Jy het gehoor dat daar gesê is: ‘Wees lief vir jou naaste en haat jou vyand.’ Maar Ek sê vir julle: Wees lief vir julle vyande en bid vir dié wat julle vervolg, sodat julle kinders van julle Vader in die hemel kan wees. Hy laat sy son opkom oor die bose en die goeie, en laat reën oor die regverdiges en die onregverdiges. As jy lief is vir diegene wat jou liefhet, watter beloning sal jy kry? Doen die tollenaars dit nie ook nie? En as jy net jou broers groet, wat doen jy meer as ander? Doen heidene dit nie ook nie? Wees dus volmaak, want julle hemelse Vader is volmaak (Matthéüs 5:43-48 NIV84, beklemtoning myne).

Bybelvolmaaktheid gaan alles oor die hart, gees, gesindheid van liefde en vertroue. En die volwasse persoon ervaar hierdie verseëling, vervolmaking, vestiging in hul vertrouensverhouding met God.

Die gedeeltes oor belydenis aan God en vergifnis is bedoel vir diegene wat op die genesingsreis is. Sonde veroorsaak natuurlik skuldgevoelens, skaamte, vrees en twyfel wat, as dit nie verwyder, opgelos of verlig word nie, die sondaar laat weghardloop en wegkruip vir God.

Hierdie ongesonde emosies wat die gees besmet, moet verwyder word, en die sondaar wat daarmee sukkel, moet verseker word dat hulle nie weggegooi word nie, dat God steeds met hulle is. Die gedeelte oor God wat getrou is om te vergewe, is vir hierdie doel, om die daaropvolgende skuldgevoelens, skaamte en vrees te hanteer wat sondaars, wat in ‘n reddende verhouding met Jesus, dalk in die versoeking sal kom om te glo en daarvolgens op te tree. Die gedeelte gaan nie oor iets wat God van hulle nodig het nie, maar wat hulle moet weet om te genees en te ontsnap van die natuurlike gevolge van sonde (vrees, skuldgevoelens, skaamte, ens.) wat hulle in die versoeking bring om te hardloop en weg te kruip vir God eerder as om na Hom terug te kom. Gedeeltes soos hierdie kommunikeer die waarheid dat God vir hulle is, nie teen hulle nie, en hulle sal positief ontvang word as hulle Hom bloot vertrou en na Hom toe kom in nederige bekering. Hulle hoef dus nie toe te gee aan die vrees, skuldgevoelens, twyfel en skaamte nie, maar om terug te kom en bely sodat hulle die werklikheid kan ervaar dat God vir hulle is, en dan in hul vertrouensverhouding met God kan bly vir voortgesette genesing.

 

‘n Analogie

As dit as ‘n genesingsproses beskou word, sal dit soortgelyk wees soos ‘n pasiënt met ernstige longontsteking wat nog geen behandeling gekry het nie. Hulle is op die pad van die dood (soortgelyk soos die onbekeerde wat dood is in oortreding en sonde). Die oomblik dat hulle die pad van die dood verlaat en die pad van die lewe betree, is nie wanneer hulle hul dokter ontmoet nie, en ook nie wanneer hulle glo dat hul dokter hulle kan help nie, maar wanneer hulle eintlik kies om die dokter te vertrou deur die antibiotika (waarheid en liefde) te drink (internaliseer). Dit is dan dat hulle die pad van die dood verlaat het en nou op die pad van die lewe is (bekering, regverdigmaking). Maar dit gaan nie goed met hulle daardie dag nie. Trouens, soos die antibiotika begin werk, sal hulle meer slym begin ophoes (meer sondes kom aan die lig soos die Heilige Gees in ons werk). Maar die pasiënt wat hul antibiotika neem, hul afsprake nakom en die dokter se aanwysings volg, ondanks die feit dat hy verslegtende simptome vir ‘n tydperk het, is nie in rebellie nie, is nie van die pad van die lewe af nie. Hulle is getrou en betroubaar ten spyte van hul verhoogde produksie van slym.

Net so sal diegene wat aan Jesus oorgee en sy Woord en die Heilige Gees deur vertroue internaliseer, noodwendig toenemende bewustheid van sondigheid in hulleself ervaar. Dit word dikwels onder hul aandag gebring deur ‘n aksie wat ‘n uitdrukking is van die ou self (Romeine 7), maar wanneer so ‘n aksie plaasvind, word die nuwe self (wedergebore persoon met ‘n nuwe hart en regte gees) afgestoot en ontsteld daaroor en hardloop na hul dokter (Jesus) vir meer hulp in genesing. So ‘n persoon is nie in opstand nie; hulle word gereinig deur die inwonende Heilige Gees terwyl hulle op hul knieë val in teleurstelling, bekering en belydenis en vra vir God se genade en krag om voort te gaan om hulle te genees, te transformeer en te verander. Hierdie tekortkominge is dus nie voortdurende sonde nie – nie voortdurende selfsug wat voortspruit uit wantroue en rebellie wat deur die self gekies is nie – maar oorblywende simptome van die sondesiekte wat voorheen inwonend was en nou gesuiwer en oorkom word.

Satan sal egter deur die kwantumskakels (geestelike verstrengeling) werk om vrees, skuldgevoelens, skaamte, selfsug en twyfel aan te hits (hardloop en wegkruip, ontkenning, selfverdediging, ens.) in die persoon wat in vertroue in Jesus genees word. Wanneer hierdie oomblikke van tekortkoming voorkom, sal hulle in die versoeking kom om moed op te gee, twyfel of hulle gered kan word, moedeloos raak. Daarom het hulle daardie doktersbesoeke by Jesus nodig om te bely, hulle te bekeer en hul teleurstelling met self uit te spreek – nie om Jesus te oorreed, te paai of te beïnvloed om hulle te help nie, maar sodat hulle verseker kan word dat Hy steeds vir hulle is en dat hulle van die skuld en skaamte bevry kan word. En daardie einste aksie om na Jesus te gaan in bekering is ‘n bewys, ‘n geleefde demonstrasie, dat die individu ‘n wedergebore individu is wat hul dokter vertrou, wat erken dat hulle siek is, wat nie in rebellie teen God is nie, maar wie se hart/gees/motief verander is en wat terugdeins vir die ou oorblyfsels van selfsug wat nog in hulle is waarvan hulle verlang om heeltemal vry te wees. Die belydenis is dus deel van die reinigende genesing van die oorblyfsels van die onbekeerde lewe en ook beskerming teen die nuwe versoekings om te twyfel wat Satan bring.

Die belydenis aan ander is deel van die ervaring genesingsproses wat die beste in die 12-stap-programme gevind word. Die natuurlike impak van sonde is vrees, skuldgevoelens, skaamte en selfsug. Nadat hulle gesondig het, sal mense vrees ervaar, gebaseer op skuld en skaamte, dat hulle nou verwoes, te sondig, te aaklig, te walglik is vir mense om hulle ooit te vertrou, lief te hê of van hulle te hou – dat as ander mense hul sonde ken, hulle verwerp sal word. God het dus die volwasse persoon in Christus opdrag gegee om kanale van sy waarheid en liefde te wees, nie net in woord nie, maar ook in dade. Mense moet in verhouding met ander die waarheid ervaar dat hoewel sonde seermaak, vernietig en skade berokken, dat hulle ten spyte van hul sondesiekte steeds gewaardeer, geliefd en gekoester word en genees kan word – gered van sonde, nie in sonde nie. Hierdie waardering van die sondaar terwyl hulle die sonde waarmee hulle worstel, verwerp, is ‘n noodsaaklike ervaring wat sondaars moet hê om die versoekings van skuldgevoelens, vrees en skaamte te verwerp en in plaas daarvan die werklikheid van God se transformerende liefde, buite bewustelike begrip, tot by die hart internaliseer. En so word hulle deur die Gees van liefde en waarheid bemagtig om ‘n nuwe lewe te lei. As jy ‘n diepgaande verkenning van hierdie proses wil hê, sien ons blog Die Doel Om Ons Sondes Aan Ander Te Bely.

Ek moedig jou aan om jou afsprake met Jesus na te kom, om daagliks tyd saam met Hom deur te bring. En as jy vind dat ‘n ou gewoonte, gekondisioneerde of refleksiewe reaksie jou laat struikel en jy versoek word met vrees, skuldgevoelens en skaamte, moenie toegee aan daardie gevoelens nie, maar hardloop in nederige onderdanigheid na Jesus toe en bely jou sonde en vra Hom om die genesing wat Hy in jou begin het, te voltooi. Want God het die wêreld so liefgehad dat Hy sy enigste Seun gestuur het om juis hierdie doel te bereik – om sondaars van sonde te red.

 

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Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA