People who say this have done themselves no favor. It has gotten the attention of the Father of lies, Lucifer, and now he will set out to make you a liar as well, just like himself. He won't spare anything to accomplish this; people, circumstances, crisis events, lust, no temptation will be too despicable for him to get you into the place of giving in and becoming his pawn. And whether you want to admit it or not, you've probably been sorely tempted many times and only the grace of God has kept you from going headlong into the sin your condemning someone else of; to this point.
Then there are those who can't see themselves in light of what God thinks of them, because they are willfully blind. These are like those who sit at the bar stool on Friday nights with their favorite drink, watching "light" porn on the TV over the head of the bartender, and gossip about the girl he just had a quick one night stand with a couple of nights ago, with the buddy sitting next to him; and gulps down the last of his drink before heading home to his wife and kids. You can imagine other scenarios; such as the men at hunting camp, or the road trip... These men laugh at and ridicule the women they've ruined, gotten pregnant, helped get abortions; then go home to their respectable tidy lives. Many of them in high places.
Then the respected woman of town who lives a good upstanding life for the public while living her own version of Peyton Place. She condemns anyone else's failures and sins in order to hide her own dirty laundry. It's an old strategy, but a proven one that works. It gets her a following of other's of like mind; out to put on the best front for the public. The false fronts, big smiles, and coy maneuvers eventually destroy the persons true personality completely and your left looking at a mannequin, a talking puppet. Sadly by the time they get to this place, they cannot see themselves as they really are; they have self destructed. One of the most dangerous places to be for a woman who wants to never become like this, is the women's community action programs and "coffee brunches". Do I hate women? No, but I know them, and how they go about cutting somebody to pieces with their mouths, and nothing is beneath them to do it. These gatherings become a den of laughing hyenas, and Parana. You may be someone reading this and knowing exactly what I'm talking about, because it's been done to you. It takes time, but you can heal from it, and learn to stay away from them for your own sanity and self respect. I know this is too much truth and reality for a lot of people-so be it.
Everyone has a bit of Pharisee in them, but a great many will never allow themselves to see what is really in their hearts. If they read the bible, it would read them, which is also why so few do. How many Christians go to church every Sunday, with not a bible in sight, the main topic is the programs, and the next pot luck dinner. Think about it; they have become social gatherings only. I have no time to waste on such stuff.
Jesus gave an example of these kind of people:
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Then there are those who can't see themselves in light of what God thinks of them, because they are willfully blind. These are like those who sit at the bar stool on Friday nights with their favorite drink, watching "light" porn on the TV over the head of the bartender, and gossip about the girl he just had a quick one night stand with a couple of nights ago, with the buddy sitting next to him; and gulps down the last of his drink before heading home to his wife and kids. You can imagine other scenarios; such as the men at hunting camp, or the road trip... These men laugh at and ridicule the women they've ruined, gotten pregnant, helped get abortions; then go home to their respectable tidy lives. Many of them in high places.
Then the respected woman of town who lives a good upstanding life for the public while living her own version of Peyton Place. She condemns anyone else's failures and sins in order to hide her own dirty laundry. It's an old strategy, but a proven one that works. It gets her a following of other's of like mind; out to put on the best front for the public. The false fronts, big smiles, and coy maneuvers eventually destroy the persons true personality completely and your left looking at a mannequin, a talking puppet. Sadly by the time they get to this place, they cannot see themselves as they really are; they have self destructed. One of the most dangerous places to be for a woman who wants to never become like this, is the women's community action programs and "coffee brunches". Do I hate women? No, but I know them, and how they go about cutting somebody to pieces with their mouths, and nothing is beneath them to do it. These gatherings become a den of laughing hyenas, and Parana. You may be someone reading this and knowing exactly what I'm talking about, because it's been done to you. It takes time, but you can heal from it, and learn to stay away from them for your own sanity and self respect. I know this is too much truth and reality for a lot of people-so be it.
Everyone has a bit of Pharisee in them, but a great many will never allow themselves to see what is really in their hearts. If they read the bible, it would read them, which is also why so few do. How many Christians go to church every Sunday, with not a bible in sight, the main topic is the programs, and the next pot luck dinner. Think about it; they have become social gatherings only. I have no time to waste on such stuff.
Jesus gave an example of these kind of people:
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
 |  |
If you've given your life to the Lord, repented of your sins, and desired to walk a righteous life after coming out of great sin, you very well may find that people will never forgive you of your past. Those sins are now washed in the blood of Christ, and forgotten by God. He never mentions it again to you, your now on the path of righteousness, and a new creature in Christ. But the world does not care, and many will never let you forget your past. This goes for family members as well. No matter how many years go by, they will continue to remind you of what you once were. They can't, or won't see the change God has made in you. It will be an ongoing struggle to accept the misunderstanding, forgive them, and keep moving on. Don't allow the world or the devil to destroy your walk with the Lord, over sins He's long ago forgiven and forgotten-forgive yourself. Allow the Holy Spirit to restore your inner man, and help you become the person God always intended you to be, when He created you.
When we open our hearts to Jesus, and give him our lives, the bible tells us:
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Lets break this down:
"a. If anyone: This is a promise for anyone. Anyone! It doesn’t matter what class, what race, what nationality, what language, or what level of intelligence. Anyone can be a new creation in Jesus Christ!
b. Is in Christ: This is a promise for anyone who is in Christ. This is not a promise for those who are in themselves, or in the religion of men, or in someone or something else. This is for those in Christ!
c. He is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Paul here teaches the great principle of regeneration. Jesus Christ changes those who come to Him by faith, and who are in Christ. The saved are not “just forgiven.” They are changed into a new creation.
i. It is unfair for us to expect those who are not in Christ to live as if they were a new creation. However, it is not unfair to expect a changed life from people who say they are Christians! “I know no language, I believe there is none, that can express a greater or more thorough and more radical renewal, than that which is expressed in the term, ‘a new creature.’“ (Spurgeon)
ii. However, being a new creation doesn’t mean that we are perfect. It means that we are changed, and that we are being changed.
d. Who makes us a new creation? This is something God alone can do in us. This isn’t just “turning over a new leaf” or “getting your act together.” But the life of a new creation is not something God does for us, but in us. So, we are told to put off . . . the old man, and to put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness (Eph_4:22-24).
i. Being a new creation is a gift from God received by faith. “God is surely the author of the second creation as he was of the first.” (Harris) “A phrase which argueth the greatest change imaginable, and such a one as can be wrought in the soul by no other power than the power of God.” (Poole)
ii. The work of a new creation is even greater than God’s work of creating the world. “My brethren, it was more difficult, if such terms are ever applicable to Omnipotence, it was more difficult to create a Christian than to create a world. What was there to begin with when God made the world? There was nothing; but nothing could not stand in God’s way - it was at least passive. But, my brethren, in our hearts, while there was nothing that could help God, there was much that could and did oppose him. Our stubborn wills, our deep prejudices, our ingrained love of iniquity, all these, great God, opposed thee, and aimed at thwarting thy designs . . . Yes, great God, it was great to make a world, but greater to create a new creature in Jesus Christ.” (Spurgeon)
iii. Living as a new creation is something God works in us, using our will and our choices. So, we must both receive the gift of being a new creation, and be challenged to live the life of a new creation. But it is God’s work in us that we must submit to. This reminds us that at its root, Christianity is all about what God has done for us, not what we can or should do for God.
“Beloved, if you have no more religion than you have worked out in yourself, and no more grace than you have found in your nature, you have none at all. A supernatural work of the Holy Ghost must be wrought in every one of us, if we would see the face of God with acceptance.” (Spurgeon)
e. All things have become new is the language of God’s perfect, recreated work (Rev_21:5). God wants to do a new thing in our life!
i. “The man is not only mended, but he is new made . . . there is a new creation, which God himself owns as his workmanship, and which he can look on and pronounce very good.” (Clarke)" (David Guzik comm)
Over 40 yrs. ago, in a crisis situation, my first husband having left me again for the fourth and final time, (I finally came to my senses and said "no more"). I was unsaved and alone, had been left deep in debt, with a 3 yr. old daughter that I was determined not to lose. I chose to have an abortion. It was a wrong choice, and one I've lived with the rest of my life. Nothing anyone could say or accuse me of would be wrong, nor could you hurt me any more than the memories of this wrong decision I've lived with. It also resulted in permanent damage being done to me internally that kept me from ever carrying another baby full term, I lost several babies afterwards. Lynn never condemned me for this. He never once accused me of anything, his love and forgiveness to me was rare in this world, and one of the reasons I loved him so much, and always will. But, he knew the whole picture of what happened to me, and the truth of what I'd gone through before he met me. He fully understood, and forgave. This is a very important attribute of God; He not only sees the sin you've allowed in your life, He also knows what was done to you to bring you to that place, and who may have influenced you, and the details that no one else knows. This is why He is so compassionate to us when we fail, he knows the entire picture. No matter what you may have done, His forgiveness is there for you, just waiting for you to take it.
We raised my daughter, and she graduated with honors, and has served in ministry many yrs. now. I made mistakes raising her, every parent does. But, we took her everywhere, and made sure she had everything she ever expressed interest in-if it was for her good. We don't agree with each other on everything today-again, many parents have areas of disagreement with their kids-if they are honest. But, I love her, and always will.
In situations of being misunderstood, and judged by ignorant people is why staying very close to Jesus, and reading His word is so vital, because it is the only thing that will keep you, and give you the strength in your spirit to stand against the attacks that will come your way; even by those close to you in your family. Even though Lynn loved me, he was unsaved also for 28 yrs., it was not easy for him to understand my devotion to the Lord, and had family members falsely accuse me of many things also during those years. It still goes on to this day. At this stage of my life, I take it for granted it will always be one of the devils strategies; because so many people seem to be such willing pawns for him to use.
If you are in a place of being misunderstood, judged and condemned; my prayer is that God will continue to strengthen you in the inner man, and help you stand no matter what the opposition. That you will get into His word, talk to the Lord, pour out your heart to Him and allow Him to be your shield and buckler in every battle you face. As the battle intensifies, the power of the Holy Ghost will give you all you need to get through it in victory.
Lorna Couillard
When we open our hearts to Jesus, and give him our lives, the bible tells us:
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Lets break this down:
"a. If anyone: This is a promise for anyone. Anyone! It doesn’t matter what class, what race, what nationality, what language, or what level of intelligence. Anyone can be a new creation in Jesus Christ!
b. Is in Christ: This is a promise for anyone who is in Christ. This is not a promise for those who are in themselves, or in the religion of men, or in someone or something else. This is for those in Christ!
c. He is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Paul here teaches the great principle of regeneration. Jesus Christ changes those who come to Him by faith, and who are in Christ. The saved are not “just forgiven.” They are changed into a new creation.
i. It is unfair for us to expect those who are not in Christ to live as if they were a new creation. However, it is not unfair to expect a changed life from people who say they are Christians! “I know no language, I believe there is none, that can express a greater or more thorough and more radical renewal, than that which is expressed in the term, ‘a new creature.’“ (Spurgeon)
ii. However, being a new creation doesn’t mean that we are perfect. It means that we are changed, and that we are being changed.
d. Who makes us a new creation? This is something God alone can do in us. This isn’t just “turning over a new leaf” or “getting your act together.” But the life of a new creation is not something God does for us, but in us. So, we are told to put off . . . the old man, and to put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness (Eph_4:22-24).
i. Being a new creation is a gift from God received by faith. “God is surely the author of the second creation as he was of the first.” (Harris) “A phrase which argueth the greatest change imaginable, and such a one as can be wrought in the soul by no other power than the power of God.” (Poole)
ii. The work of a new creation is even greater than God’s work of creating the world. “My brethren, it was more difficult, if such terms are ever applicable to Omnipotence, it was more difficult to create a Christian than to create a world. What was there to begin with when God made the world? There was nothing; but nothing could not stand in God’s way - it was at least passive. But, my brethren, in our hearts, while there was nothing that could help God, there was much that could and did oppose him. Our stubborn wills, our deep prejudices, our ingrained love of iniquity, all these, great God, opposed thee, and aimed at thwarting thy designs . . . Yes, great God, it was great to make a world, but greater to create a new creature in Jesus Christ.” (Spurgeon)
iii. Living as a new creation is something God works in us, using our will and our choices. So, we must both receive the gift of being a new creation, and be challenged to live the life of a new creation. But it is God’s work in us that we must submit to. This reminds us that at its root, Christianity is all about what God has done for us, not what we can or should do for God.
“Beloved, if you have no more religion than you have worked out in yourself, and no more grace than you have found in your nature, you have none at all. A supernatural work of the Holy Ghost must be wrought in every one of us, if we would see the face of God with acceptance.” (Spurgeon)
e. All things have become new is the language of God’s perfect, recreated work (Rev_21:5). God wants to do a new thing in our life!
i. “The man is not only mended, but he is new made . . . there is a new creation, which God himself owns as his workmanship, and which he can look on and pronounce very good.” (Clarke)" (David Guzik comm)
Over 40 yrs. ago, in a crisis situation, my first husband having left me again for the fourth and final time, (I finally came to my senses and said "no more"). I was unsaved and alone, had been left deep in debt, with a 3 yr. old daughter that I was determined not to lose. I chose to have an abortion. It was a wrong choice, and one I've lived with the rest of my life. Nothing anyone could say or accuse me of would be wrong, nor could you hurt me any more than the memories of this wrong decision I've lived with. It also resulted in permanent damage being done to me internally that kept me from ever carrying another baby full term, I lost several babies afterwards. Lynn never condemned me for this. He never once accused me of anything, his love and forgiveness to me was rare in this world, and one of the reasons I loved him so much, and always will. But, he knew the whole picture of what happened to me, and the truth of what I'd gone through before he met me. He fully understood, and forgave. This is a very important attribute of God; He not only sees the sin you've allowed in your life, He also knows what was done to you to bring you to that place, and who may have influenced you, and the details that no one else knows. This is why He is so compassionate to us when we fail, he knows the entire picture. No matter what you may have done, His forgiveness is there for you, just waiting for you to take it.
We raised my daughter, and she graduated with honors, and has served in ministry many yrs. now. I made mistakes raising her, every parent does. But, we took her everywhere, and made sure she had everything she ever expressed interest in-if it was for her good. We don't agree with each other on everything today-again, many parents have areas of disagreement with their kids-if they are honest. But, I love her, and always will.
In situations of being misunderstood, and judged by ignorant people is why staying very close to Jesus, and reading His word is so vital, because it is the only thing that will keep you, and give you the strength in your spirit to stand against the attacks that will come your way; even by those close to you in your family. Even though Lynn loved me, he was unsaved also for 28 yrs., it was not easy for him to understand my devotion to the Lord, and had family members falsely accuse me of many things also during those years. It still goes on to this day. At this stage of my life, I take it for granted it will always be one of the devils strategies; because so many people seem to be such willing pawns for him to use.
If you are in a place of being misunderstood, judged and condemned; my prayer is that God will continue to strengthen you in the inner man, and help you stand no matter what the opposition. That you will get into His word, talk to the Lord, pour out your heart to Him and allow Him to be your shield and buckler in every battle you face. As the battle intensifies, the power of the Holy Ghost will give you all you need to get through it in victory.
Lorna Couillard
