SC-06 - Faith and Acceptance (Steps to Christ)

Summary

This chapter explores the transformative power of faith and acceptance in overcoming sin. It emphasizes the inability to achieve forgiveness and inner peace through worldly means, highlighting God's unconditional offer of redemption and a new heart through Christ. The narrative illustrates the importance of believing in God's promises for spiritual healing, drawing parallels between physical healing in biblical stories and spiritual rejuvenation. It concludes with an encouragement to embrace Jesus for forgiveness, spiritual rebirth, and a life aligned with divine love and purpose.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The script discusses the transformative power of faith and acceptance in the context of religious belief.
• 🙏 It emphasizes the struggle with sin and the desire for forgiveness, suggesting that humans are inherently sinful and powerless to overcome this on their own.
• 🕊️ The concept of God's forgiveness is presented as a free gift, attainable without monetary or intellectual effort.
• 📜 Biblical verses are cited to reinforce the idea that God's forgiveness can cleanse one's sins, as stated in Isaiah and Ezekiel.
• 💔 The script acknowledges the human condition of feeling unworthy and separated from God due to sin.
• 🌱 It suggests a process of confession and self-giving to God as a means to receive a 'new heart' and spiritual rebirth.
• 👣 The narrative of Jesus healing the sick is used as a metaphor for spiritual healing and the power of faith.
• 🔑 Belief in God's promises is portrayed as the key to receiving forgiveness and spiritual transformation.
• 🙇‍♂️ The script encourages personal acceptance of God's love and forgiveness, dismissing the idea of probation or proof as prerequisites.
• 🛡️ It reassures that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy and that His love extends to all who repent and believe.
• 🌈 The overall message is one of hope and reassurance, promising that God's love and forgiveness are available to all who seek it.

Q & A

What does the chapter title 'Faith and Acceptance' suggest about the content of the transcript?

The chapter title 'Faith and Acceptance' suggests that the transcript will discuss the importance of faith in achieving spiritual acceptance and forgiveness from sin.

How does the Holy Spirit play a role in the process of recognizing sin as described in the transcript?

The Holy Spirit quickens the conscience, allowing individuals to see the evil of sin, its power, guilt, and consequences, which leads to a desire for forgiveness and a cleansed heart.

What is the significance of Isaiah 55:1 in the context of the transcript?

Isaiah 55:1 is significant as it illustrates that God offers forgiveness and peace as a gift without any cost, emphasizing the accessibility of divine grace.

What does the transcript suggest is the human condition in relation to sin?

The transcript suggests that humans are inherently sinful, separated from God, and powerless to cleanse themselves from sin without divine intervention.

How does the transcript describe the process of seeking forgiveness from God?

The transcript describes seeking forgiveness as a process of confession, belief in God's promise to cleanse and renew the heart, and a commitment to serve God.

What is the role of faith in the healing of the man sick with palsy as mentioned in the transcript?

In the healing of the man sick with palsy, faith is portrayed as essential; the man's belief in Jesus' power to heal led to his immediate obedience and subsequent healing.

How does the transcript relate the healing of physical ailments to spiritual healing?

The transcript relates physical healing to spiritual healing by illustrating that just as Jesus healed physical ailments through faith, one must have faith in Jesus for spiritual healing and forgiveness of sins.

What is the condition for receiving the promise of forgiveness and healing as stated in the transcript?

The condition for receiving forgiveness and healing is to believe in God's promise, confess sins, and give oneself to God with a willingness to serve.

How does the transcript encourage believers to approach Jesus for spiritual cleansing?

The transcript encourages believers to approach Jesus with their sins and weaknesses, promising that Jesus will encircle them with love and provide the strength and righteousness they need.

What does the transcript say about the nature of God's love for sinners?

The transcript describes God's love as compassionate, merciful, and tender, emphasizing that God hates sin but loves the sinner, providing redemption and forgiveness through Christ.

How does the transcript address the concern of believers feeling unworthy or doubtful of God's promises?

The transcript addresses these concerns by asserting that God's promises are for every repentant transgressor and that believers should not entertain thoughts that God would withhold forgiveness from a sincere seeker.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Faith and Acceptance

This paragraph discusses the internal struggle with sin and the longing for forgiveness and spiritual harmony. It emphasizes the inability to cleanse oneself and the need for divine intervention. The Holy Spirit is portrayed as an awakener of conscience, revealing the evil of sin and the powerlessness of humans to overcome it without God's help. The text assures that despite the depth of one's sins, God offers forgiveness and peace as a free gift, urging believers to accept this gift with faith, as illustrated by the biblical promises in Isaiah and Ezekiel. The narrative also draws a parallel between physical healing and spiritual cleansing, suggesting that faith in God's word is the pathway to receiving both.

05:02

🌟 Believing in God's Forgiveness

The second paragraph focuses on the assurance of God's forgiveness and the transformation that comes from believing in Jesus. It speaks of the joy of being cleansed and standing guilt-free before God, drawing from Romans 8:1. The narrative encourages believers to see themselves as not their own but as belonging to God, who has paid the ultimate price for their redemption. It dispels the misconception that one must prove oneself to God before receiving blessings, asserting that God's grace is available to all who seek it. The importance of not withdrawing from Jesus but instead daily reaffirming one's commitment to Him is highlighted. The text also addresses the misconception that God's promises are not for everyone, emphasizing that they are for every repentant sinner. It closes with a call to trust in God's love and mercy, despite past failures, and to approach Him with confidence in His forgiveness.

10:03

❤️ God's Everlasting Love

The final paragraph delves into the depth of God's love and compassion for sinners. It reassures that God's love is unconditional and everlasting, drawing from Jeremiah 31:3. The text describes God's longing for the repentant sinner and the joy He feels when they return, using the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate His boundless mercy. It refutes the idea that God would withhold forgiveness from those who sincerely seek it, emphasizing that His love is stronger than sin. The paragraph concludes with an invitation to accept God's love and forgiveness, and to live in the assurance of His constant intercession and provision for spiritual needs.

Keywords

💡Conscience

Conscience refers to an individual's moral sense of right and wrong, often associated with feelings of guilt or responsibility. In the script, it is mentioned that the conscience has been quickened by the Holy Spirit, indicating a heightened awareness of one's sinful nature and the desire to be cleansed from it. This concept is central to the theme of seeking forgiveness and spiritual renewal.

💡Sin

Sin is defined as an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. The script discusses the evil of sin, its power, guilt, and woe, and how it separates individuals from God. The narrative emphasizes the struggle and helplessness one feels when trying to escape the bondage of sin, which is a key element in the journey towards faith and acceptance.

💡Helplessness

Helplessness is the state of being unable to act or react effectively. In the context of the script, it is used to describe the futile attempts to escape sin and the realization of one's inability to cleanse oneself. This concept is crucial as it leads to the understanding that salvation comes not from one's own efforts but through divine intervention.

💡Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the act of pardoning or ceasing to hold (an offense) against someone. The script emphasizes the need for forgiveness from God and the peace it brings. It is highlighted that forgiveness is a gift from God, not attainable through human efforts or merits, and is exemplified by the promise in Isaiah 55:1, where it is offered 'without money and without price'.

💡Gift

In the script, the term 'gift' symbolizes something given voluntarily and without payment, particularly referring to God's offer of forgiveness and a new heart. It underscores the unconditional nature of divine grace, as illustrated by the promises in Isaiah 1:18 and Ezekiel 36:26, where God assures the transformation of the heart and spirit.

💡Belief

Belief is the acceptance that something exists or is true, especially without proof. The script stresses the importance of believing in God's promises for the forgiveness of sins and the receipt of spiritual gifts. It is exemplified by the healing of the man sick with palsy, where faith in Jesus' power leads to physical and spiritual healing.

💡Repentance

Repentance is the act of feeling regret or remorse for one's wrongdoings and the resolution to be better. In the script, repentance is a prerequisite for seeking forgiveness and is tied to the confession of sins and the resolve to turn away from them, as indicated by the directive to 'confess your sins and in heart put them away'.

💡New Heart

A 'new heart' in the script represents spiritual rebirth and a transformation of one's inner being. It is part of God's promise to those who repent and seek Him, symbolizing a cleansed and purified spirit, as referenced in Ezekiel 36:26 where God promises to 'give you a new heart also'.

💡Redemption

Redemption is the act of delivering or saving someone from sin, evil, or a state of misery. The script mentions redemption through the blood of Christ, highlighting the sacrificial aspect of Jesus' death on the cross as the means by which individuals can be saved and their sins forgiven, as stated in Ephesians 1:7.

💡Confession

Confession is the act of admitting to one's wrongdoings, often to a higher power or authority. In the script, confession is portrayed as a necessary step towards receiving forgiveness and a new heart. It is tied to the concept of repentance and is seen as an act of humility and sincerity before God.

💡Transformation

Transformation in the script refers to the change from a state of sin to a state of grace and holiness. It is used to describe the process of spiritual renewal that occurs when one accepts God's forgiveness and allows the Holy Spirit to work within them, as exemplified by the promise of a 'new heart' and a 'new spirit'.

Highlights

Conscience quickened by the Holy Spirit reveals the evil of sin and its separation from God.

Realization of helplessness in escaping sin and the need for divine intervention.

Desire for forgiveness, cleansing, and harmony with God.

Understanding that sin has separated one from God and the need for a new heart.

God offers forgiveness and peace as a gift, without price (Isaiah 55:1).

Promise of sins being washed away and a new spirit being given (Ezekiel 36:26).

Confession of sins and resolution to give oneself to God.

Belief in God's promise to cleanse and forgive sins.

Jesus taught that we must believe in the gifts God promises us.

Jesus healed the sick, inspiring faith in His power to forgive sins.

The story of the paralytic at Bethesda as a lesson in believing in Jesus for forgiveness.

The importance of acting on the word of Christ for healing and forgiveness.

God promises to atone for sins and make the heart holy through Christ.

The condition for prayer according to God's will and the promise of receiving blessings.

Standing before the law without shame or remorse through Christ Jesus.

The privilege of being cleansed and standing before God without condemnation.

The importance of not withdrawing from Jesus after giving oneself to Him.

The misconception that one must prove themselves before claiming God's blessing.

Jesus' love for us, inviting us to come to Him with our sins and weaknesses.

The assurance that God's promises are for every repentant transgressor.

The role of the Holy Spirit in begetting new life in the heart through belief in God.

The importance of living in Christ and walking in Him after receiving Christ as Lord.

The danger of doubting God's love and the assurance of His forgiveness.

The parable of the prodigal son illustrating the Father's love and compassion.

The importance of not allowing Satan to steal away the assurances of God's love.

The invitation to come to Jesus with a whole heart and claim His blessing.

Transcripts

[Music]

chapter 6

faith and acceptance

as your conscience has been quickened by

the holy spirit you have seen something

of the evil of sin of its power its

guilt its woe and you look upon it with

abhorrence

you feel that sin has separated you from

god that you are in bondage to the power

of evil

the more you struggle to escape

the more you realize your helplessness

your motives are impure your heart is

unclean

you see that your life has been filled

with selfishness and sin

you long to be forgiven to be cleansed

to be set free

harmony with god likeness to him

what can you do to obtain it

it is peace that you need

heaven's forgiveness and peace and love

in the soul

money cannot buy it

intellect cannot procure it

wisdom cannot attain to it

you can never hope by your own efforts

to secure it

but god offers it to you as a gift

without money and without price isaiah

55 1

it is yours if you will but reach out

your hand and grasp it

the lord says though your sins be as

scarlet they shall be as white as snow

though they be red like crimson they

shall be as wool isaiah 1 18

a new heart also will i give you and a

new spirit will i put within you

ezekiel 36 26

you have confessed your sins and in

heart put them away

you have resolved to give yourself to

god now go to him and ask that he will

wash away your sins and give you a new

heart

then believe that he does this because

he has promised

this is the lesson which jesus taught

while he was on earth that the gift

which god promises us we must believe we

do receive and it is ours

jesus healed the people of their

diseases when they had faith in his

power

he helped them in the things which they

could see thus inspiring them with

confidence in him concerning things

which they could not see

leading them to believe in his power to

forgive sins

this he plainly stated in the healing of

the man sick with palsy

that ye may know that the son of man

hath power on earth to forgive sins then

saith he to the sick of the palsy

arise take up thy bed and go unto thine

house matthew 9 6

so also john the evangelist says

speaking of the miracles of christ

these are written that ye might believe

that jesus is the christ the son of god

and that believing ye might have life

through his name john 20 31

from the simple bible account of how

jesus healed the sick we may learn

something about how to believe in him

for the forgiveness of sins

let us turn to the story of the

paralytic at bethesda

the poor sufferer was helpless

he had not used his limbs for 38 years

yet jesus bade him rise take up thy bed

and walk

the sick man might have said lord if

thou wilt make me whole i will obey thy

word but no

he believed christ's word

believed that he was made whole

and he made the effort at once he willed

to walk and he did walk

he acted on the word of christ and god

gave the power he was made whole

in like manner you are a sinner

you cannot atone for your past sins you

cannot change your heart and make

yourself holy

but god promises to do all this for you

through christ

you believe that promise you confess

your sins and give yourself to god you

will to serve him

just as surely as you do this god will

fulfill his word to you

if you believe the promise

believe that you are forgiven and

cleansed

god supplies the fact

you are made whole just as christ gave

the paralytic power to walk when the man

believed that he was healed it is so if

you believe it

do not wait to feel that you are made

whole but say i believe it it is so not

because i feel it but because god has

promised

jesus says

what things soever ye desire when ye

pray believe that you receive them and

ye shall have them mark 11 24.

there is a condition to this promise

that we pray according to the will of

god

but it is the will of god to cleanse us

from sin to make us his children to

enable us to live a holy life

so we may ask for these blessings and

believe that we receive them and thank

god that we have received them

it is our privilege to go to jesus and

be cleansed and to stand before the law

without shame or remorse

there is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in christ jesus who

walk not after the flesh but after the

spirit romans 8 1

henceforth you are not your own

you were bought with a price

ye were not redeemed with corruptable

things as silver and gold but with the

precious blood of christ as of a lamb

without blemish and without spot

first peter 1 18 and 19

through this simple act of believing god

the holy spirit has begotten a new life

in your heart

you are as a child born into the family

of god and he loves you as he loves his

son

now that you have given yourself to

jesus do not draw back do not take

yourself away from him

but day by day say i am christ's i have

given myself to him and ask him to give

you his spirit and keep you by his grace

as it is by giving yourself to god and

believing him that you become his child

so you are to live in him

the apostle says

as ye have therefore received christ

jesus the lord so walk ye in him

colossians 2 6

some seem to feel that they must be on

probation and must prove to the lord

that they are reformed before they can

claim his blessing

but they may claim the blessing of god

even now they must have his grace the

spirit of christ to help their

infirmities or they cannot resist evil

jesus loves to have us come to him just

as we are sinful helpless dependent

we may come with all our weakness our

folly our sinfulness and fall at his

feet in penitence

it is his glory to encircle us in the

arms of his love and to bind up our

wounds to cleanse us from all impurity

here is where thousands fail

they do not believe that jesus pardons

them personally individually

they do not take god at his word

it is the privilege of all who comply

with the conditions to know for

themselves that pardon is freely

extended for every sin

put away the suspicion that god's

promises are not meant for you

they are for every repentant

transgressor

strength and grace have been provided

through christ to be brought by

ministering angels to every believing

soul

none are so sinful that they cannot find

strength purity and righteousness in

jesus who died for them he is waiting to

strip them of their garments stained and

polluted with sin and to put upon them

the white robes of righteousness

he bids them live and not die

god does not deal with us as finite men

deal with one another

his thoughts are thoughts of mercy love

and tenderest compassion he says

let the wicked forsake his way and the

unrighteous man his thoughts and let him

return unto the lord and he will have

mercy upon him and to our god for he

will abundantly pardon

i have blotted out as a thick cloud thy

transgressions and as a cloud thy sins

isaiah 55 7 and 44 22

i have no pleasure in the death of him

that dieth saith the lord

wherefore turn yourselves and live ye

ezekiel 18 32.

satan is ready to steal away the blessed

assurances of god

he desires to take every glimmer of hope

and every ray of light from the soul

but you must not permit him to do this

do not give ear to the tempter but say

jesus has died that i might live

he loves me and wills not that i should

perish

i have a compassionate heavenly father

and although i have abused his love

though the blessings he has given me

have been squandered i will arise and go

to my father and say i have sinned

against heaven and before thee and am no

more worthy to be called thy son make me

as one of thy hired servants

the parable tells you how the wanderer

will be received

when he was yet a great way off his

father saw him and had compassion and

ran and fell on his neck and kissed him

luke 15 18-20

but even this parable

tender and touching as it is come short

of expressing the infinite compassion of

the heavenly father

the lord declares by his prophet i have

loved thee with an everlasting love

therefore with loving kindness have i

drawn thee jeremiah 31 3

while the sinner is yet far from the

father's house

wasting his substance in a strange

country the father's heart is yearning

over him

and every longing awakened in the soul

to return to god is but the tender

pleading of his spirit wooing entreating

drawing the wanderer to his father's

heart of love

with the rich promises of the bible

before you can you give place to doubt

can you believe that when the poor

sinner longs to return

longs to forsake his sins the lord

sternly withholds him from coming to his

feet in repentance

away with such thoughts

nothing can hurt your soul more than to

entertain such a conception of our

heavenly father he hates sin but he

loves the sinner and he gave himself in

the person of christ that all who would

might be saved and have eternal

blessedness in the kingdom of glory

what stronger or more tender language

could have been employed than he has

chosen in which to express his love

toward us

he declares

can a woman forget her sucking child

that she should not have compassion on

the son of her womb

yea they may forget

yet i will not forget thee

isaiah 49 15

look up you that are doubting and

trembling for jesus lives to make

intercession for us

thank god for the gift of his dear son

and pray that he may not have died for

you in vain

the spirit invites you today

come with your whole heart to jesus and

you may claim his blessing

as you read the promises remember they

are the expression of unutterable love

and pity

the great heart of infinite love is

drawn toward the sinner with boundless

compassion

we have redemption through his blood the

forgiveness of sins ephesians 1 7

yes

only believe that god is your helper he

wants to restore his moral image in man

as you draw near to him with confession

and repentance he will draw near to you

with mercy and forgiveness