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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 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, 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 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

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

 

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 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 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA