God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
See All...). No sin can be committed of which we can- not repent. This includes sexual sin, whether homosexual or heterosexual. The apostle Paul wrote about such sins, prevalent in the ancient Greek port city of Corinth. Many Church members had been guilty of sexual and other sins. He reminded them that these sins were in the past, that they had struggled and overcome. “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sancti- fied, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
See All...).
In one verse the apostle fills us all with encouragement. He assures us that all our sins can be washed away, forgiven by the shed blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He also reminds us that it is possible to overcome our sins with God’s help.
We can find further encouragement in reading of Paul’s personal struggle with sin in Romans 7:14-25 [14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
[15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
[16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
[17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
[19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
[20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
[22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
[23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
[24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
[25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
See All....
Overcoming sin is never easy. Often we have relapses. The apostle John tells us: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins [to God], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9 [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
See All...). From these two verses we learn the importance of recognizing our sin and admitting our guilt. If we repent and ask God for forgiveness, Christ’s blood once again cleanses us from our sin.
Although God is quick to forgive, many people aren’t. Here Christians should follow Christ’s example.
Jesus did not avoid those who were widely known for their sins. In Matthew 9:10-13 [10] And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
[11] And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
[12] But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
[13] But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
See All... we see Him criticized for mixing with “tax collectors [those who collected taxes for the Roman government] and sinners.” He did not turn away those who were in spiritual need. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick,” He said (verse 12). Christ’s hope is “that all should come
to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
See All...).
When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus for His judgment, He said: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (John 8:7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
See All...). Jesus knew that “all men have sinned” (Romans 3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
See All...). He was and is perfectly forgiving. When her accusers walked away, He said to the woman, “Neither do I condemn you.” But at the same time He added, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
See All...).
Christians should follow Christ’s example. We should be filled with compassion, actively helping others who are in need. Jesus pointed out that His followers would visit the sick, who today include those with AIDS (Matthew 25:34-40 [34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
[38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
[39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
See All...).
It should be possible for repentant people with AIDS to share their struggle with others in a congregation that loves them and will fervently pray for them (James 5:16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
See All...).
The Scriptures record several examples that show that God heals when doing so is in accordance with His will and purpose. But they also record times when His faithful servants were not healed. Ultimately “it is appointed for men to die once” (Hebrews 9:27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
See All...).
Regardless of whether God chooses to heal those who are afflicted with disease in this life, He promises His repentant and faithful servants a glorious resurrection to immortal spirit bodies at Jesus’ return (1 Corinthians 15:42-54 [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
[43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
[44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
[45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
[46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
[47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the LORD from heaven.
[48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
[49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
See All...). Once resurrected to eternal life, they will no longer be subject to illness, injury and death. Ultimately they will live in a glorious world in which “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” and when “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” (Revelation 21:4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
See All...).
For a fuller understanding of these subjects, please request the free booklets What Is Your Destiny?, Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion and What Happens After Death?
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