Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Die Doel Om Ons Sondes Aan Ander Te Bely

Die Doel Om Ons Sondes Aan Ander Te Bely

Die Bybel sê,

Is iemand van julle siek? Hy moet die ouderlinge van die kerk roep om oor hom te bid en hom in die Naam van die Here met olie salf. En die gebed wat in geloof gedoen word, sal die sieke gesond maak; die Here sal hom oprig. As hy gesondig het, sal hy vergewe word. Bely dus julle sondes aan mekaar en bid vir mekaar sodat julle genees kan word. Die gebed van ‘n regverdige man is kragtig en effektief (Jakobus 5:14-16 NIV84).

Die Bybel raai ons aan om ons sondes teenoor mekaar te bely – maar waarom? Wat beteken dit? Is dit die doel om ‘n mens se persoonlike sondes openbaar te maak? Is dit die doel dat ons rituele belydenis teenoor ‘n kerk-gemagtigde priester in ‘n belydenishokkie doen?

En wat gaan aan dat Jakobus die belydenis van sondes verbind het met genesing van siekte?

My begrip is dat Jakobus gelowiges lei om die metodes van God toe te pas wat genesing in ‘n mens se hart en verstand bring, en sulke genesing het ook ‘n baie positiewe impak op ons fisiese gesondheid. Jakobus praat nie van ‘n wetlike belydenis, ‘n belydenis aan ‘n kerkamptenaar vir een of ander seremoniële kwytskelding nie, en hy praat ook nie daarvan om persoonlike sondes openbaar te maak nie. Hy praat daarvan om aan ‘n ander mens te bely met die doel om ‘n mens se hart en verstand te genees van die vrees en skaamte wat sonde meebring.

Een van die gevolge van sonde, van die oortreding van die wette wat God in die werking van die werklikheid ingebou het, om teenstrydig met liefde op te tree, is dat sonde ‘n verandering in die sondaar veroorsaak – hulle ervaar skuldgevoelens, vrees en skaamte.

Skuldgevoelens, vrees en skaamte aktiveer die brein se stresbane en aktiveer die liggaam se immuunstelsel, wat verskeie inflammatoriese faktore verhoog; As dit nie opgelos word nie, dra dit by tot verskeie gesondheidsprobleme, soos insulienweerstandigheid, vetsug, diabetes by volwassenes, vaskulêre siektes, depressie, demensie en ander gesondheidsprobleme.

Onopgeloste skuldgevoelens, skaamte en vrees belemmer ook slaap, wat die immuunstelsel, sirkadiese ritmes, die brein se vermoë om afvalprodukte van metabolisme skoon te maak, die liggaam se vermoë om die stressiklus te verminder, ontwrig – wat alles gesondheidsprobleme verhoog.

Boonop ondermyn chroniese skuldgevoelens en skaamte gesonde verhoudings. Mense met chroniese skuldgevoelens en skaamte voel onseker en is bekommerd dat mense kan uitvind oor wat hulle ook al skuldig en skaam oor voel. Hulle sal op hul hoede wees, leer om sosiale “maskers” te dra, voor te gee dat hulle is wat hulle glo ander wil hê, en altyd sekere grense hou om ware intimiteit te voorkom uit vrees vir verwerping as mense die oorsaak van hul skuld en skaamte ken. Dit alles vererger beide geestelike en fisiese gesondheid.

God se plan van verlossing is die plan van genesing, van herstel, van herskepping, van die verwydering van die sonde en die skadelike gevolge daarvan uit die lewens van mense en hulle herstelling tot gesondheid, tot heelheid, tot heiligheid, tot geregtigheid – en dit vereis nie ‘n wetlike vergifnis vir slegte dade nie, maar die verwydering van sonde, die reiniging van vrees, selfsug, skuldgevoelens, skaamte en alle ongesonde motiewe uit die harte en gedagtes van mense.

God belowe dat as ons ons tot Hom wend, kan Hy die volgende doen:

Ek sal jou ‘n nuwe hart en ‘n nuwe verstand gee. Ek sal jou hardnekkige hart van klip wegneem en jou ‘n gehoorsame hart gee. Ek sal my gees in jou plaas en sorg dat jy my wette volg en al die gebooie wat Ek jou gegee het, onderhou. Dan sal jy woon in die land wat Ek jou voorvaders gegee het (Esegiël 36:26, 27 GNB).

God wil ons nie wetlike vergifnis gee nie; Hy poog om vir ons ‘n nuwe lewe te gee, ‘n geneesde lewe, ‘n rein hart, ‘n regte gees, ‘n herskepte en geneesde verstand, gemotiveer met ‘n nuwe gees van liefde en vertroue.

Een van die middele wat God verorden het om vrees en skaamte te verwyder nadat ‘n mens berou gehad het en met Hom versoen is, is die belydenis van jou sondes aan ‘n ander volwasse, Christelike persoon. Die doel hiervan is om die vrees en skaamte te suiwer, te suiwer van die twyfel of ander hulle nog kan liefhê, steeds vir hulle kan omgee, steeds aanvaar, hulle steeds toelaat om deel van die gemeenskap te wees, hulle steeds toelaat om te dien en nuttig te wees in God se saak.

Toe Adam en Eva gesondig het, het hulle bang geword, weggehardloop en weggekruip omdat hulle naak was. Hulle het blootgestel gevoel. Hulle was bang vir verwerping, verleentheid en vernedering, en hulle het probeer om hulle skaamte met hulle eie vyeblaarklere te bedek. Hulle het probeer om hulself goed te laat lyk – hul “masker” om hul skuldgevoelens en skaamte te bedek.

Dit is wat sonde aan mense doen; dit beskadig die beeld van God van binne, besoedel die gees van liefde met vrees en selfsug, skuld en skaamte, wat, indien dit nie verwyder word nie, wegvretend is, wat lei tot isolasie, wat vrees verder aanvuur met die daaropvolgende agteruitgang van ‘n mens se fisiese gesondheid.

Sondaars wat hulle bekeer het en God se liefde en vergifnis ontvang het, moet ook werklike aanvaarding, konneksie, versoening, liefde ervaar en gewaardeer word deur mense wat van hul sondes weet. Sodat hulle kan weet dat hul sonde nie hul lewe ongeldig, permanent verwoes en waardeloos gemaak het nie. Dit is wanneer die berouvolle persoon ervaar dat hulle opreg geliefd en aanvaar word ten spyte daarvan dat ‘n ander persoon hul mees skandelike sondes ken, dat die skaamte en vrees wat isolasie en wantroue veroorsaak, verwyder word.

Een van die plekke waar dit die doeltreffendste beoefen en gedemonstreer word, is Alkoholiste Anoniem (AA) vergaderings. Wanneer ‘n alkoholis na ‘n AA-vergadering gaan, stel hulle hulself voor en sê: “Hallo, ek is Bob, en ek is ‘n alkoholis.” Hulle bely hul verslawing, en die groep reageer met: “Welkom, Bob.”

Hierdie proses demonstreer die genesende element wat deur Jakobus aanbeveel word. Die alkoholis weet hulle sukkel, weet hulle het ‘n probleem, weet hulle het hulself, God, familie en vriende in die steek gelaat. Hulle het herhaaldelik op hul eie probeer ophou, maar hulle het herhaaldelik misluk en voel moedeloos, hulpeloos en skaam, ervaar vrees vir verwerping, veroordeling en selfs straf. Hulle vrees dat niemand hulle sou liefhê as hulle van hul sondes geweet het nie; hul waardigheid word beskadig; hulle is bang om ander in die oë te kyk, en dus bely hulle by die AA-vergadering hul verslawing en ervaar dat hulle aanvaar word ten spyte daarvan dat almal van hul swakheid weet.

Maar gelyktydig met hul aanvaarding as ‘n mens wat gewaardeer en geliefd is, identifiseer die AA-groep die verslawing as vernietigend, skadelik en iets wat oorkom moet word sodat die verslaafde genees en vrygemaak kan word. Die alkoholis word aanvaar; die verslawing nie. Net so moet Christene altyd die sondaar liefhê en aanvaar wat berouvol is en sukkel terwyl ons die sonde verwerp en probeer om God se metodes toe te pas om oorwinning te behaal. Deel van hierdie genesende aksie is die liefdevolle aanvaarding van ‘n berouvolle sondaar.

Wanneer die berouvolle sondaar die aanvaarding, liefde en waardering van mense ervaar ten spyte daarvan dat hulle van hul sondes weet, is daar ‘n verligting van vrees en skaamte. Hul stresbane kalmeer, die inflammatoriese kaskade skakel af, slaap verbeter en fisiese gesondheid verbeter. Die individu kan vorentoe beweeg sonder die ‘masker’, ‘n outentieke lewe lei, werklike verbindings maak waarin hulle hulself is. Dit alles het ‘n genesende impak op ons hele wese.

Hierdie volledige genesende belydenis word spesifiek voorgeskryf vir verslaafdes in die vierde en vyfde stap van AA se 12 stappe, wat lui:

Stap 4: Maak ‘n soekende en vreeslose morele inventaris van jouself

Stap 5: Erken aan God, jouself en ‘n ander mens die presiese aard van jou verkeerde dinge

Hierdie stappe pas die genesingsbeginsel toe wat Jakobus opdrag gegee het om te gebruik. Om van sonde te genees, moet ons ophou om weg te hardloop van die waarheid dat ons gebroke is en aan God, onsself en ten minste een ander mens die waarheid oor onsself, ons stryd, ons swakhede en ons sondes erken. Wanneer ons dit doen, ervaar ons vergifnis van God, ‘n nuwe hart van God, herskepping van God, liefde van God en ‘n nuwe lewendige motivering van God. En wanneer ons dit aan ten minste een ander mens bely en hulle leef in harmonie met Jesus en reageer soos Jesus sou doen, dan ervaar ons aanvaarding. En dit is deur hierdie menslike aanvaarding te ervaar dat die vrees en skaamte verwyder word. Die verwydering van vrees en skaamte uit ‘n mens se hart en verstand is ‘n vereiste vir genesing.

As jy sukkel met chroniese vrees, skuldgevoelens en skaamte, sal ek jou aanmoedig om ‘n deurdringende morele inventaris te doen en dan na God toe te gaan, alles aan Hom te bely, en Hom te vra vir ‘n nuwe hart en regte gees, sy teenwoordigheid in jou innerlike wese te ervaar, sy liefde, vrede, genade, barmhartigheid, aanvaarding. En vind dan ten minste een volwasse Christen en voer hierdie gesprek, verduidelik jou verlange na God se genesing in jou lewe, en bely jou sondes aan daardie persoon sodat jy kan ervaar dat jy geliefd is as ‘n kind van God en dat jou vorige sondes jou nie uitgesluit het van God se liefde, genade of gemeenskap in sy familie nie.

As jy die krag van gebed en die doel van die olie in Jakobus se aanbeveling hierbo wil verken, kyk na ons blog Salwing Met Olie: Ware Medisyne Of Bygelowige Seremonie?

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.

 

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 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, 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 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

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 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 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 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA