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Each Christian can enjoy peace that surpasses all understanding because the penalty of sin has already been paid by Jesus Christ on the cross. He suffered and was judged by God so that you and I could escape God's wrath for sin. Now God sees the saint as a perfect creation. Our past, present, and future sins (weaknesses, failures and mistakes) are hidden from the eyes of God, because of the precious blood of Jesus Christ which continues to redeem us from the curse of the law.

The apostle Paul clearly stated that we are no longer under the law, but under grace. Yes, there are consequences on earth for continuing in sin, but the wise man will stop intentionally sinning so he can live a much happier life without the consequences of a divorce, alcoholism, drug addiction, AIDS, jail or prison, etc. Yes, sooner or later, if we continue in sin we pay a penalty in our relationships, freedom, or health. I have recently experienced some personal health challenges. After much study I learned that I have been abusing, neglecting, and sinning against my own body because of ignorance.

I believe most Christians sin against their body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, by eating in unhealthy ways. Sadly our eating habits cause many of our sicknesses. Many people eat too much fried food, red meat, sugar, dairy products and processed foods, combined with little or no exercise. We should strive to eat live foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, cultured foods such as unsweetened kefir, yogurt, tofu, temph, and soy milk. Avoid eating the unclean meat, foul and fish listed in the Bible, and eat only the clean flesh foods in moderation. Also, it is important to get proper sleep and relaxation. You only have one physical body (temple) in which to serve God. If you abuse or neglect it, you shorten the days God intended for you.

Now let us look at some Scripture that exhorts Christians to stop intentionally sinning.

"This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another. 'Be angry, and do not sin': do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:17-32)

I believe these Scriptures are very clear and comforting. Christians mentioned in the Bible struggled with sin in the same way we do today. In some instances they behaved as people who did not know the Lord. This is because sanctification is not instantaneous, but an ongoing process. God understands that we are changing into the image of Jesus.

The reason God sent Him was to take away the penalty for sin (imperfection). Now God sees us justified and looks at us as if He is looking at Jesus Christ. God sees a beautiful child of God washed in the blood of the Lamb. Knowing we are accepted unconditionally by a loving heavenly Father is what truly gives us peace and joy.

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." (Philippians 2:1-15)

The Scriptures are so very clear that our fellow believers in the Bible were as imperfect as we are today. Yes, they also struggled with the old Adamic nature that we all have been born with. Throughout the ages saints have struggled with the flesh, the carnal man with all its ugliness. Thank goodness for the gospel of Jesus Christ which gives us encouragement and hope! The precious blood of Jesus washes away all our sins and allows us to constantly start afresh and anew without condemnation. Let us now look at the testimony of the apostle Paul.

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)

Yes, you and I need to daily put the past behind us and continue to press ahead. Do not let the enemy bring your past sins before your face to condemn you daily, but remind him that you are redeemed, pure and holy without spot or wrinkle because of Jesus Christ. You are perfect in the eyes of God the Father.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:6-8)

Dear Saint, many people are in a constant struggle because they do not dwell on the promises of God. The Scriptures admonish us to meditate on the truth. We should be dwelling on the goodness of God, not the constant lies from Satan, the father of all lies. He will constantly twist the truth to fool and deceive you and me if we are not on our guard. That is why the Bible warns us to "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." (1Peter 5:8-9)

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:13, 19)

Many of us worry about our needs and become anxious, being filled with unhealthy emotions. The Word of God tells us we can face tomorrow with joy, peace and assurance because of Jesus. He is there with us and we can have the victory. Realizing what tremendous promises, blessings, and provisions God has given to us, we can constantly give thanks to God and Jesus. The Holy Spirit is in us and with us. Amen!

"Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:12-14)

"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister." (Colossians 1:19-23)

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ." (Colossians 2:6-17)

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:12-15)

The peace of God is such an important truth. There is a saying, "as a man thinketh so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). Our thoughts have a lot to do with our emotions and our emotions can affect our health. People struggle with negativism either being too critical one to another or being too harsh on themselves. WE must understand who we are according to the word of the God and reject the lies of the evil one as well as the condemnation of unloving people. The more I live the more I understand my own depravity. I have more understanding of other people in their own sins, struggles, sicknesses, etc. Each believer needs to become more aware of their own sinfulness not to condemn themselves but to comfort, forgive and love others. I can testify to the fact that I love Jesus and His people more now than ever before, although recently I have become more aware of the ugliness of my life also.

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified...

'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,' then He adds, 'Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.' Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works..." (Hebrews 10:12-14, 16-24)

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." (1John 1:8-10)

Yes, dear brother and sister, each one of us are sinners saved by grace and we need to extend that wonderful blessing daily to other people who disappoint us. I am so glad that Jesus has forgiven me, granted me eternal life, and does not remember my sins. The heathen sometimes condemn the believers who go to church accusing them of being hypocrites which to some extent they are. The difference is their sins are forgiven and they have been washed by the blood of the lamb with joy, peace and eternal life. What a beautiful and precious gospel that gives us hope for tomorrow and peace for today. We can be assured of our salvation because God has already promised it to us if we have accepted His gift of forgiveness through His Son Jesus.

"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." (1John 2:1-2)

What a tremendous reassurance! We have a heavenly Father that has already taken care of our penalty in advance of our sins by allowing Jesus Christ to be our propitiation. As the song title goes, "Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine." The gospel of Jesus Christ is like no other religion. It is filled with the love of God that all men, women and children desire. The truth about the gospel is that it can calm our fears and give us assurance in times of trouble. Mankind is looking for peace and only the gospel can give everyone the peace of God that we all seek so desperately.

"I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake." (1John 2:12)

As Christians, God forgives us and looks at us as perfect, holy, and righteous, not because we are blameless in our humanity, but because the word of God has declared it because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Now, His nature and character that cannot lie, declares that each believer is blameless in His sight because of the blood of Jesus covers our sins due to our Adamic nature.

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (3John 2)

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s... The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him." (Psalm 103:1-5, 8-17)

Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Your mercy remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O LORD...All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great...Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have enlarged; bring me out of my distresses! Look on my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins. Consider my enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. Keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You." (Psalm 25:6-7, 10-11, 16-20)

I agree with David: "Lord, have mercy and grace and lovingkindness for me. Forgive me of my sins and remember them no more." The beauty of the gospel is the fact that God the Father and Jesus Christ will forgive us if we ask them to and they will remember our sins no more. They have already provided a way of escape so we can live without condemnation and self inflicted torturous pain. Let your mind be at peace! The apostle Paul had to forgive himself for persecuting so many Christians and sentencing them to prison and/or death. Surely he had a lot to feel condemned and depressed about, but Jesus forgave him as He will to all who ask Him. Unconditional love is simply beautiful.

Love to you all, Jonathan Hansen

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Jonathan Hansen
Founder and President

Mission: To faithfully speak to the nations of the world, proclaiming the kingdom of God; giving warning to political and church leaders, the church, and society of the signs of the return of Jesus Christ. We are "sounding the alarm" for the nations to turn from sin and to draw near to Jesus Christ.

Purpose: Our purpose is to influence and transform the nations whereby enabling peace, blessings and prosperity to come to the people. We are endeavoring to meet emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual needs through the love of Jesus Christ.

Vision: To reach 100% of the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. To change the destiny of nations through reconciliation with God. To bring truth and restoration to the body of Christ and to set people free from bondage.

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