Real religion, in other words, genuine Christianity, reflects the heart of God, and this type of service reflects God’s love for His people. The motive for mercy ministry is to reveal God’s heart, and it is acceptable and pleasing to Him. We are not trying to gain, we are trying to give. Freely we received, so freely we give. That’s real religion.
A real work for God must be accompanied by a real walk with God. Yes we all still sin, and God can use anyone or anything in His service, but God is pleased with those people who are concerned with being consecrated; they are the ones who live to please God, not only in service, but with their self.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
“ Thank you ” Thank you for responding to my question. I guess God and I have some talking to do.
Pastor J.D. Hatfield (3/4/2013)
from Hernando, FL
“ Answering Anonymous Question pt.2 ” ...continued...
To the first point: Good, pleasing God should be our prime motive (cf. 2 Cor. 5:9)
Second: This is a matter for prayer and personal inventory. Becoming a Christian means we have to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. Our allegiance to Christ will cost us things. I am not saying that tattoos are something you need to drop, but think about your pattern of life. How has it changed; what have you left behind? When you say I “love”, that is a strong statement. Would you be willing to give it up if God wanted you to?
Third: this is a matter of pastoral counsel. If you do not have a pastor, that would be a problem right there. I would ask if it is justifiable to continue being inked just because you now “only get biblical scripture or pictures”. I would question the notion of taking things we used to or still “love” and simply thinking that we can “baptize them into sanctity”.
Fourth: Romans 14:22-23 – if you are in doubt about whether or not something is sin, you shouldn’t go ahead, because if you do, you are doing something that you think might be sin. And that is a sinful attitude in itself.
God bless you as you seek to please Him.
Pastor J.D. Hatfield (3/4/2013)
from Hernando, FL
“ Answering Anonymous Question ” This will have to be in more than one part...
Dear Anon,
I do not know you or your motives. I cannot read your heart or your mind. However, I can read your words, and I do think that they tell us some important things.
First, you are concerned about pleasing God – you entitled your comment “sanctification”
Second, you are passionate about the issue – you say, “I love ink (tattoos)”
Third, this is something you loved before you became a Christian – “Since I've become a Christian, I only get biblical scripture or pictures”
Fourth, although you have continued the practice since becoming a Christian, you are unsure about it – but have been told I am still just feeding my "fleshly desires". Do you agree with what I've been told?
...answers in next comment...
Anon (3/4/2013)
from FL
“ Sanctification ” I love ink (tatoo's). Since I've become a Christian, I only get biblical scripture or pictures, but have been told I am still just feeding my "fleshly desires". Do you agree with what I've been told?
james dumlop (2/25/2013)
from oneshoe tenn
“ Great Sermon! ” had me reconsidering some things in my life
