You say...God says...

God is love

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

King James Version: 1 John Chapter 4

Seven Things A Christian Loses In Sin... What Are They?

 The Lord deals with sinners and Christians differently in the context of sin.  First.  God deals with sinners judicially.  Secondly, God deals with Christians parentally.  God chastens His rebellious children by using consequential principles to the point of their repentance. King David is a classic example and the parable of the prodigal son also demonstrates God's work in the life of His redeemed children in a parental context.

One of the truly great and far reaching blessings of salvation is God's dealings with the subject of sin.  The repenting sinner is immediately and eternally saved from the penalty of sin, provided with victory over the power of sin, and guaranteed final removal from the presence of sin in the future.  But what happens when the Christian neglects to use the accessible and available power and falls into sin?  How does God view sin in the life of His child?

1. The evidence of sin.  God views even His own children, those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb of God as not without sin (1 John 1:8-10).

2. The effect of sin.  The child of God immediately loses the following six things upon sinning. A seventh may be lost.

• The loss of light  - A Christian's perspective is dulled due to a pre-occupation for survival or a vain pursuit for self significance.  1 John 1:6
• The loss of joy - A Christian becomes discouraged due to believing a lie. 1 John 1:4.
• The loss of peace - This is when a Believer often feels lonely and vulnerable.  1 John 3:4-10.
• The loss of fellowship (not relationship).  The Believer's fellowship with God, and perhaps with other Christians is broken.  Complaining becomes the norm. 1 John 1:3-7.
• The loss of love for God, Church, etc.  The Believer at this point is in serious trouble.  They become vulneralbe to the seductive wiles of the devil. 1 John 4:12.
• The possible loss of health and even physical life - 1 Corinthians 5:17.

3. The preventiveness against sin.

• The Word of God - Psalm 119:11; 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
• The Intercession of the Son of God and The Spirit of God - Romans 8:34.
• The ministry of  the Holy Spirit - John 7:37-39; 14:26.

The relationship one is privileged to have with Jesus Christ is deeper than any relationship the human mind has ever or could ever realize.   Salvation by God's grace; gifts the Christian with the mind of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is both personal and perpetual.   One of the most important aspects of God's grace is the gift of inseparability (Romans 8:38,39). This is why the thought or possibility of a true Christian continuing in sin is unscriptural (Romans 6:1,2).   As a believer, you can be sure that the Holy Spirit will be assertive within your spirit when confronted with a situation or decision that would take you outside the will of God.

If you are truly saved, there will be characteristics that will assure you of your salvation...  (Read More >>>)

Sincerely, 
Dr. Arthur Belanger      

Are You Spiritually Grateful? Take The Contentment Test

No one is immune to temptation. Even committed Christians can become spiritually prideful, arrogant, and self assured, leading to discontentment. Often the more intimate our fellowship with the Lord, the quieter and more discreet the temptation is. Jesus knows perfectly how crafty and sly our enemy is. Our Savior is always in initiative mode as our Shepherd providing us with spiritual discernment. Discerning Christians know that a discontent believer is just one thought a way from backsliding (Learn more about the clues to backsliding: Click Here)

Are You Spiritually Grateful? Take The Contentment Test

Answer each question with a yes or no and keep a count of how many "no's" you have.

1. Do you fear that if you totally surrendered to God, you will have to give up a certain habit?

2. Do you hide your religion under pressure?

3. Is there anything you want to change about the way you look that originated with God's creation of you?

4. Are you inwardly jealous when someone you know gets something you cannot afford?

5. Do you often dream of having things you never expect to be able to get?

6. Have you complained about your means of transportation recently?

7. Have you complained about your clothes this week?

8. Do you complain about the weather occasionally?

9. Do you think that you could finally be happy if you had just a little more of...?

10. Do you worry about who will take care of your physical needs?

11. Have you complained about your income recently?

12. Have you bought anything on credit this month that you will not be able to pay when the bill comes in?

Give yourself one point for each question that you could honestly answer with a NO. 

1-6 points: You are very discontent and probably unhappy and un-spiritual. This Spells Trouble for you via decisions you are or will make.

7-9 points: You have much to learn about contentment.

10-11 points: You are fairly content but God has more for you.

12 points: What you have, you have by the grace of God; do not be proud.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Sincerely Dr. Arthur Belanger