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 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 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

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 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 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, 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 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 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

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 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

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 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 14

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

Anonymous

 

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