Forgiveness in Jesus-Christ — THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH AND THE SHADOW OF THIS WORLD

The objective of this chapter is to bring light into the hearts of all who seek God sincerely. This book would NEVER have been written had I not believed in Him. I believe in a way, not depriving myself of the things I like doing as long as they please Him, but to live in Him freely. Also, this chapter is divided into five sections:

-Nothing unclean shall enter my house - Salvation through Jesus Christ - The power of the blood of Jesus Christ - Works -Juxtaposition of the doctrines of Justification and Sanctification, and other Biblical doctrines

SECTION 1 - Nothing unclean shall enter in my house

From all eternity, God is total Holiness; He is total good and absolute perfection. In God we are sure to always have justice. In this way, in the kingdom of God, those who on earth preferred good to evil, and having the admission ticket in the person of Jesus Christ shall be saints in a spiritual body, ie an incorruptible and celestial body. All these verses testify to the glory and holiness of God.

Are You not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? ... (Habakkuk 1: 12, first part of verse)

Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! Let the Lord God be a witness against you, The Lord from His holy temple. (Micah 1: 2) Or

God has spoken in His holiness: "I will rejoice (Psalms 60: 8, first part of verse)

Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? ( Exodus 15: 11) Or You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. (Exodus 28: 36)

God cannot let any unclean or sinful thing in His house. Indeed, the acceptance of a single sin in His world means the end of holiness and of good against an eternal life in sin with the result being total decay. Do we want this? Certainly not, the Kingdom of God will be Total Good where all men help each other, respect each other and think about their neighbours in the presence of the Glory of God. There shall be perfection, total happiness and eternal life. For this reason, God prefers to bring to judgment people who do not come to him for salvation. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6: 23) Men who fall in this latter situation without having given their lives to Jesus Christ have no Saviour to wash their sins. The SON OF GOD gave Himself once and for all in a world of the living. Because in our living bodies He could live with us being HOLY, SPOTLESS and SINLESS and brought to life by God the Father because HE WAS HOLY. That is why He can put HIS HOLY SPIRIT IN US and SEAL us for the REDEMPTION. GOD cannot do anything for the dead, because they belong to the world of sin. He cannot give His HOLY SON a second time in their condition, because their condition is sin, and it is eternal. There is nothing more to do for these dead souls without hope. Moreover, it would be interesting to read books on Christian and non-Christian clinical death. Christians do not want to return to the living world because they are full of joy and happiness. When non-Christians have the chance to come and seek God, this becomes the center of their lives. Apparently, they arrive in a single file, with all heads down in darkness, total solitude and a fire that consumes them. Good people, who follow and accept Jesus Christ as a restoration plan, will live forever in His presence as He promised us. Therefore, God exclaims:

…For the uncircumcised and the unclean Shall no longer come to you. (Isaiah 52: 1, the third part of verse)

Or But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. (Revelation 21: 27)

The transition to the eternal Kingdom is a cleansing of our sins in Holy Blood, spotless and pure. The Atonement is His only Son Jesus Christ.

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

Some will say, how can we see this? It is clear that we can make a decision on the person of Jesus in three ways: firstly, by looking at prophecies of His coming in the Word of God and secondly, obviously Jesus Christ accomplished Works that no other god has made on earth. To which man did God give the right to consider himself God, to wipe out the sins of men and make the miracles that Jesus made on earth? None, itřs because He was God that He could wipe out the sins of men and operate these miracles. Thirdly, by reading the Bible, the Word of God, or by listening to it being read if we cannot read, we realize that Jesus to speak and act in this way was totally HOLY and was God. All his actions and gestures testify to this effect.

SECTION 2 – Salvation through Jesus Christ

Can we go to heaven by our works without Jesus Christ? The Bible tells us:

10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." (Romans 3:10-12)

Romans 3:23 also tells us " for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of Godŗ .

The fall of Adam and Eve, transferred all the powers that God had given man to Satan. Now, every man carries in his genes the mark of sin. The Law of Moses in the Old Testament and the Sermon Jesus Christ did on the Mountain in the New Testament teach man what sin is.

Now, what man does not know is the fact that lust is bad; sharing is good, truth is good and so on. The various actions of our heart are categorized in our consciousness. Therefore, every human on earth sins at some point in his life, even if only in thought. Certainly men who are more religious than me, have a more arranged life than mine, but because they will be a sin in their lives, they will be considered non-regenerated. Therefore, they will be banned forever from the sight of God

That is the wage of sin which proves that all men sin in their lives. One who is a stranger to that has never sinned in his life and does not need God to be saved.

For the wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23, first part of verse)

You will surely agree with me that men who are not subject to this law of nature, death, are rare. Indeed, it is a physical death and a spiritual condemnation. So we need a Saviour to help us out of this sad situation, death and eternal damnation.

Who is the Saviour?

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17)

Yet, the perfect man, sinless, who lived a life without reproach and without stain in the eyes of God, is Jesus Christ. Jesus as man was tempted throughout his life: in the desert before his arrest and on the cross when He was forsaken by God for us. But throughout his life he remained subject to the Father and committed no sin. Because Jesus Christ was HOLY, He did not need any intermediary. He was able to return to God without dying physically during his lifetime and He showed this during transfiguration.

God required a sacrifice without blemish to deliver the souls of men held by physical death. Indeed, the souls of men were held in the grave since all had sinned and were thus deprived of the glory of God. Before Jesus' sacrifice, death blocked all between God and men. It was necessary that a God transformed into man, dies by bearing the sins of all men in order to open the passage to the captive souls of hell. That is the souls of men who died in the hope of a Saviour.

Jesus, in His great love for man, was on the cross and suffered since his flesh hurt Him. Before dying, he said, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" ŗ (Matthew 27:46)

Obviously, Jesus was abandoned by his father because at that time, Jesus was bearing the sins of all men on him and the relationship with God the Father was broken and was forsaken by God. Soon after, he said before he died.

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " Having said this, He breathed His last. (Luke 23:46)

Apostle John said that Jesus also said:

"It is finished!" (John 19: 30)

All the prophecies between 535 and 1000 years before Christ, announcing the arrival of Jesus, of his life until his death, and proving that he was the son of God, were now fulfilled.

Jesus was buried and descended into Hell, but the last enemy was to be defeated.

The last enemy that will be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:26)

Jesus was holy and death, the weapon of Satan, which prevents man from going to God, was destroyed. Death could not hold back Christ and He resurrected since the sacrifice of Jesus was approved by God. Henceforth, there is a corridor in Jesus Christ, which links man to God and God to man. Jesus is the way to go to God.

What to do to be saved by Jesus Christ?

The Bible is quite clear; this is what man must do:

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18)

Indeed, it is an unconditional salvation. This means going to Jesus Christ and believing that He is the Saviour, the Son of God and accepting that He takes our sin on the cross and save us. Thus, forever, God will be with us through Jesus Christ. Eternal life with God will be given. Jesus did not say that he who believes and does this or does that shall be saved. He said: "He who believes," simply and unconditionally.

Here is the conclusion of the Gospel of John:

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)

Believe that Jesus is the truth, accept Him in order to be saved from sin and have access, once Death comes to God through Jesus the one Mediator, this is the only will of the Father. Here's what Romans 3: 23-25 tells us about it:

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

In this sense, the Catholic pope, when he proclaimed himself infallible, lied, because all men are sinners. As a sinner, he is imperfect, fallible. This salvation is only for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Indeed, the wages of sin is death for all. But since we have a Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus will forgive us because He paid for our sins on the cross. Since we will die in this hope, because we believed, we shall be saved from hell and will have eternal life through Jesus Christ while those who did not believe Him will be forever banished from the glory of God.

Jesus is the only Saviour; do the other gods have power?

The Bible says:

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Only Jesus Christ is the truth and The Saviour. The other masters are impostors. They were sinful men rising to the rank of a prophet or God to mislead souls.

Can anyone forgive our sins in the name of the Lord Jesus? The biblical answer is NO.

5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, (1Timothy 2:5-6)

A priest cannot take the sins of men on him and present it through the Pope or directly to God. The man who for fear of God would do that would be at fault vis-à-vis God or does not understand the real meaning of God's sacrifice on the cross. On the contrary, if a brother in the Lord sees another brother or sister in sin, he can pray to God that this brother or sister in the Lord be forgiven, but it must be a forgivable sin (1 John 5: 16).

Similarly, if someone prays to God through the saints, that prayer is worthless. A prayer to be received by God must go through the one mediator, Jesus Christ.

The Bible was written by men and men are sinners, is it then credible? God the Holy Spirit has always watched over His Book. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic and the New Testament in Greek. The seal of God was on all books. The figure of God is 7, and is a perfect number. Now all the Hebrew writings are presented in groups of seven words and verses are multiplied by 7. Greek Scriptures presenting the New Covenant by the blood of Jesus Christ offered as a free gift for the sins of men, were rendered confusing by false books that had been infiltrated. Among these Books, we find the writings of Mary, Judas and the Apocryptes which contradicted the teachings and writings of the apostles. But always there, we could verify their veracity through the seal that God has put on His Book, the figure seven. The other Books not having this seal were therefore false and illegitimate. This is what God said

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)

8 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. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (Colossians 2:8-9)

Many people speak of a religion and even quote Jesus. They preach for their power, they base their religion on traditions and human rudiments. The Roman Catholic Church is based on traditions and human rudiments. Beware! Unite with Christ and His Word, you will not be confused. In the days of Paul, Churches made the same mistake:

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)

You see how it is important to follow the Bible and not to turn away so as not to be misled by false doctrines! Some religions make false bibles, or add false information to it, such as: the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists and Christian Science. Paul even says:

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. (1Corinthians 15:1-2)

Our responsibility as believers:

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." (Romans 10:9-11)

Here, the word "confess" refers to preaching the gospel and doctrine of baptism. At the time of the apostles, when someone believed in the Lord Jesus, he was baptized because he voluntarily accepted the free gift of Jesus Christ. Today, the Catholic religion baptizes people at birth, without their consent, parents making an act of faith for them. One day, when you ask them: "Who is Jesus Christ"? If they say they believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and want to belong to Him, only then should they be baptized. This is their act of confession. Baptism does not affect salvation but faith is essential for the Christian to be saved. To believe that Jesus is the Son of God is good but that does not assure us eternal life. The word "believe" does not only mean "to know" but also Ŗto desire to belong", "accept the gift" that he made by His blood shed for us. Because there are a variety of feelings expressed in the meaning of this word in Greek, while the English or French translation of "believe", limits it to "knowing".

Satan believes that Jesus is the Son of God, but he will not be saved either. Some men believe that Jesus is the Son of God but prefer Satan or try to have salvation through personal efforts.

To attain eternal life, a man must repent, as it is an essential gesture according to the definition of the word "believe." This feeling of a deep state of sin is essential for justification or the salvation of the person who wishes to be saved. The Lord says:

I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)

To repent, we must accept and sincerely approve the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

During the 1850s, a farmer was talking to a priest

Priest: - Ernest! What are you doing, we do not see you anymore at Mass on Sunday. Ernest: - Father, I read the Bible and Jesus said "Whoever believes in me has eternal life." I believe in him and now I am sure to go to Heaven. I decided to worship in my house; there are issues that are not clear in the Church. Priest: - But see Ernest, you've misunderstood. You are committing the sin of pride by believing that God guarantees you eternal life, you are a sinner. Ernest: - Father, do you think you will go to heaven, you? Priest: - Well, if I do good by my works, may be God will take me with Him. Ernest: - Priest! Who is more proud, I who say am a total sinner, without Jesus, who accepts the free gift of Christ, and who believe in eternal life as Jesus himself promised, or you who say that by your works, you may go to heaven?

Can anyone be banished from God if he wants to be saved?

You know, we are all sinners. If an unclean spirit goes after us, it will make us to fall often. Alas! in very subtle sins that we do not yet suspect, because they would not come to our mind to date. The answer is:

35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. (John 6:35- 37)

If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Saviour of men and want to accept Him, then, no sin is powerful enough not to be purified by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. God did not say "I will not cast out anyone who comes to me and who will do or will be...." No, He unconditionally said: "I will not cast out anyone who comes to me."

Even if you have made a pact with Satan and have given him your soul, Jesus Christ will forgive you, if you accept in your lifetime that precious blood on the cross for you.

The unforgivable sin

There is an unforgivable sin and it is the only sin that God will not forgive, it is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

28 "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"-- 30 because they said, "He has an unclean spirit." ( Mark 3:28-30)

If someone reads the Bible, becomes aware of the truth, sees the works of God, then, draws the conclusion that Jesus was an impostor, a liar, an intelligent man, a prophet, a master or an alien. So, by going astray on the subject of Christřs personality and remaining in this belief until his death, he blasphemes the Spirit of Grace by rejecting Him. At his death, he is left with nothing, for he rejected the way to go to God, a sin punishable with death. Since in his lifetime no one can intercede for him at his death he enters into judgment.

If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. (1 John 5: 16)

We can only overcome death and have eternal life if we accept the precious gift of Godřs sacrifice on the cross. In short, we must believe in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and his divinity.

Many sincere believers all their lives will be paralyzed by the fear of having committed this unforgivable sin. Often it is the only way that the enemy has to prevent them from having an active Christian life on earth. The enemy in his subtlety goes to the extent of offering all sorts of rejection possibilities in their human spirit. It is impossible for a brother or sister who believes in Jesus Christ as the truth and has handed his/her sins to the Lord through repentance to be lost again. Faith does not come from us but from God, and that's our guarantee that we belong to Him for eternity. We will see why in Chapter 7.

Can a man claim that itřs through him that we can reach God?

A man cannot forgive the sins of another man or group of men, for there is only one Sacrifice and one Mediator, namely Jesus Christ. We all need to come face to face with God the Son to be saved.

Is there any man or woman who was Saint? No one can be saved without passing through Jesus Christ. All are sinners, including Mary, Joseph, John, Denis, and all other saints of the family of Jesus. If Jesus Christ had not died for us, we could not go to Heaven. Did Mary not say "I am the servant of the Lord?" Moreover, Mary wrote a short Psalms in which she declared her position as a sinner before God.

46 And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;… (Luke 1: 46-48)

As you can see, Mary calls Jesus her Saviour. This is proof par excellence that Mary as a human needed the sacrifice of Jesus for her salvation.

27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" 28 But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:27-28)

Those who keep the words of God are those who accept for themselves the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. God forgives all and rejects no one who comes to Him. If you do not believe, you make God a liar and you get into judgment. If you believe, you will not be confused. God the Son is Just, He is the Truth.

SECTION 3 - The power of the blood of Jesus Christ

During the period defined by the Old Testament, God sanctified his people by the blood of a lamb. The most beautiful animals were usually chosen and the High priest entered the temple and God answered the priest to say, if He approved or refused the sacrifice that He was offered for the sins of the people. If the sacrifice was approved, the sins were blotted out of the midst of the people and God forgot forever. Under this rule, it took several sacrifices. In addition, they were earthly and their power was limited.

But Jesus, the only Son of God, his beloved, became man; He alone, just, set foot on the earth. His blood was shed on the cross of Calvary and the Sacrifice was accepted by God for ever. Anyone who goes to Jesus Christ to be cleansed of sin by the precious blood is saved. That's why the Bible says:

22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. 23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:22-25)

how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)

The power of salvation lies in the blood of Christ

Since the fall of Adam and Eve, the earth, nature and man were defiled by sin. No man was just because all the bloodshed on earth was defiled. But Jesus by shedding His Just blood on the cross for the sins of man cleansed all the stains caused by sin, provided that man, as a unique individual, accepts this sacrifice or the free gift of eternal life. That's why the Bible says:

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7)

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, (Revelation 1:5)

It can happen to anyone in life that Satan, the accuser of our souls harasses him. Some are non-believers and want to come to Christ but are prevented by some sins; some are believers but feel unworthy of Jesus Christ, a situation which deprives them of joy in their relationship with God.

When the accuser comes to us and accuses us in our conscience, we say: "It is true, I've probably done all of that" So, letřs present ourselves to Christ, soiled, and letřs plunge into his blood, knowing that we will emerge unsullied. Then we say to ourselves, "Ha Yes! I will commit other sins, but this blood will cleanse me as I sin" Let's see what the Bible attests:

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

No sin is unforgivable if we belong to Jesus Christ, but this action can only be posed by the will of the individual. Here is a nice illustration of the role of Jesus Christ against sin.

1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?" 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes." 5 And I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by. (Zechariah 3:1-5)

Who do you think is the angel of the Lord here? Jesus did the same for all who accept Him with His precious blood. Also, he can tell us whether we are in Him.

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12)

…For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." (Jeremiah 31:34) Or

"I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43:25)

Any man who accepts the precious blood of Christ is certain to belong to the Lord forever. Now, Henceforth, God no longer sees him a sinner but a Saint through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. From the moment the gesture is made, God no longer remembers our sins, only the accuser will make us guilty, but there is no more judgment.

SECTION 4 - Works

Does the simple belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God give us eternal life? As previously mentioned, the word Ŗbelieveŗ expresses a lot of sentiments in the Greek language. One of the most comprehensive definitions of the word "believe" would be: being accused in our consciousness and deep desire to make peace with good, spontaneously, sincerely and forever. Sincerely seek the truth. Also, God the Holy Spirit confronts all man with this question: "Who is Jesus Christ?" One who recognizes his weakness in the face of evil and wants to come to perfection, admits his sin, repents and be converted to Jesus Christ. That is why the Bible says:

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,… (Acts 3:19)

Repentance tells the sinner's inability to do only good. He understands by so doing that it shall be impossible for him to enter God's presence. Since God is holy. God agrees to reconcile us to Him on the condition that we ask Jesus His Son take upon Himself our sins and ask Him to save us forever by His precious blood shed on the cross of Calvary. This act of faith makes us pure in God's eyes and assures us our eternal salvation in holiness. God recognizes no other party for the redemption of our sins, the other false gods or prophets are impostors and therefore they are excluded from the circuit.

Therefore we must analyze this word "believe" in light of two doctrines: that of the justification and of sanctification. So, can we better define what is considered as work in the Lord? Here is what Jesus thinks of those who say they believe in Him:

21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' 24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: (Matthew 7:21-24)

You can do miracles, cast out demons and establish religions based on Jesus Christ. God watches over His holy name. If someone invokes the Name, it has authority to heal, perform miracles and cast out demons. Some people use the name of Jesus Christ to establish dogmas; they deform the Gospel, remove its power, and poorly instruct those who follow them. The power of the Gospel is eternal life for those who accept Christ's sacrifice on Calvary. It is a personal salvation and commitment of the heart. Anyone who will call the name of Jesus Christ and who has not entered into this commitment will be rejected out of his sight. And woe to us because the Bible says:

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, (Hebrews 9:27)

Let us not be seduced by the idea of reincarnation and letřs not postpone the answers to questions that arise today. Otherwise, some will be bitterly disappointed and die having never taken a position on Jesus Christ.

Work:

This book that I have written is a work. I do not know if it will be published. But I hope, and if it were, I would be grateful to the publishers. I have invested many years of my life writing and polishing this book. If the Lord could grant you the grace to read it, it would be my joy. In terms of the work, I let the Lord decide what use he wants to make of it as a tool of evangelism. Of course, I would love that many people be affected by reading and accepting the Lord by comparing the Word of God to this work. Already, the joy that people can read what my faith in the Lord has produced, will be the most that I can ask the Lord as earthly salary. Believe me!

The only thing that the Father expects of man is to accept the gift of His Son who paid the debt of our sin on the cross. Those that do it will be saved forever. This is what God confirms in His Word and this unconditionally. Jesus asks nothing in return. Thereafter, if you want to do works, you can. But you are not obliged to do, they will account for your sanctification, they shall be used to determine your Heavenly reward. Here is what the Bible says:

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

The foundation is Jesus Christ. Me, Denis Boivin, I confirm that I accepted the gift of Jesus Christ on the cross. I repent of being a sinner, I ask him to take my sin, save me, and resurrect me. I put all that in His hands. The foundation, Jesus Christ, is forever embedded in my life. He is eternal. The result, I will dwell forever with Him in Heaven.

A while ago, I presented this book as a work. But if my real goal was dictated by pride or greed, what do you think will happen to my work when it will be tested by fire? If I did it for my own benefit, it will be consumed. On the contrary, it will be blessed by God if I have acted in the name of Jesus and so, I will receive a heavenly reward.

But even if all my works are destroyed, I have my act of faith, acceptance of Jesus Christ in my heart that gives me eternal life. So I am saved as through fire. If someone accepts the Lord Jesus and does not work, he will still be saved, the Bible being formal about it. God witnesses to us too, but this is hypothetical. Given that confessing the Lord is a work just as this book that was written to the glory of God, every born-again Christian therefore does works.

What happens if someone does works without the foundation?

Some people believe in God in a very sincere manner, their morality and conduct are often better than a Christian. Yet they deny the identity of Jesus as God. When they talk about Jesus, they say, ŖI listen to my conscience which dictates good and evil to me. I believe in God, whatever his name is, Jesus Christ, Buddha or whatever. Itřs the same thing and I believe in him." At this point, it would be good to make a first rebuttal on the person of Jesus Christ and then be silent if there is opposition because there is no need to persist. But that's not what God says.

God sent us His only Son, Jesus Christ in order that all men recognize Him and go to Him for salvation. Jesus Christ is the sacrifice that God asked to clear the stain of sin that man committed. Jesus, the Just, is the only one that God chose. Also, if man goes to the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved by accepting his sacrifice, God promises that this man will be saved and will have eternal life. Here's what the Word of God attests:

4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, (Romans 4:4-5)

God says if we do a work, we owe it to Him. But if we believe in His Son Jesus Christ and accept his sacrifice, we will merit eternal life. Now, if someone does a work for God without wanting to believe in Jesus Christ, he will not be saved and his work will not be of any benefit to him.

Differentiation between work and the sin of work

SCENARIO 1

A man believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and accepts the free gift of God, then does works.

1) If the work is done to the Glory of God, it will be weighed and he will receive a heavenly reward.

2) If the work is done to glorify himself, his work shall be burned, but he will be saved.

SCENARIO 2

If a man does not accept the free gift of Jesus Christ on the cross but does much works in the name of God, he would try to strike a balance. To do more good than evil gives eternal life; to do more evil than good leads to hell. But this man cannot do good all his life. One day or another, he will sin in thought or action and will need someone to redeem his sin. If he does not go to Jesus Christ to redeem his sin by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, he will remain in his sin and will be deprived of the glory of God forever. After death, darkness will be his home forever. That is why Jesus Christ came to the world.

Truly, this is the fundamental difference between the Catholic Church on one side, and that of brothers and Protestants on the other. The brothers backed by the Scriptures said that every man is sinful and must be washed by the blood of Christ, asking Christ on the Cross to take his sin and save him. This is called repentance and acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ to pay the penalty of sin in our place. Because the sinner cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Following this, God justifies the man by sealing the Holy Spirit in him under grace. Then he is sanctified, it means that God performs major changes in this body and renew its nature. Henceforth, he does good works to glorify God by His Son Jesus Christ who saved him.

On the other side, the Catholic Church tells people: do good. If you do more good than evil, may be you will go to God. This means that if the faithful do good works, they can save themselves. Whereas the Bible says: for you to be saved, you must accept that Jesus bears your sin on your behalf. On our own, it is impossible to lead a sinless life. Just one sin deprives us of the glory of God forever. Only Jesus can bear that sin for us on the cross because He alone is righteous before God. If a man gives his sins to Jesus, he will enter the kingdom of heaven. If a man attempts to enter the kingdom of God by his good works, even though he may know Jesus, but relying on all his good works to get in, he will be rejected because he must have committed some sins in his life no matter how little that will deprive him of eternal life. No one can go to God without being justified by the Son, ie Jesus Christ.

SUMMARY

Through His sacrifice on the cross Jesus saved all men, regardless of their sins. To have access to eternal life, man must repent and accept the sacrifice of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Both of these actions express the biblical sense of the word "believe."

SECTION 5 - Juxtaposition of the doctrines of Justification and Sanctification, and the other doctrines mentioned by Jesus Christ

Many Christians do not understand that the role of these two doctrines is juxtaposed, that is to say we cannot be sanctified without being justified, or justified without being sanctified.

1) Justification

Justification is the simple acceptance of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and the desire to belong to him as a person. This is a personal and simple gesture from a sincere heart. From the moment somebody makes this gesture, the Holy Spirit enters into his heart and puts the seal of God in him. This person is sure on the part of God to live in His Kingdom. He has eternal life through the precious blood of Christ poured out for him on the cross of Calvary. Moreover, the Bible says:

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

But what happens to a murderer who publicly accepts Jesus Christ and continues to do the same job after his conversion? Is he saved? It is not for the Christian to judge. Sanctification begins where the act of faith that gives justification finishes, eternal life. The Holy Spirit which enters in the person will convince him to change his job, you can be sure of this. Otherwise, the person would not have made an act of sincere faith and will not be sealed by the Holy Spirit. The elders of the assembly will ask such a person to leave the group after exhortation. Apostle James is formal about the fruit to bear. It is practically impossible not to bear fruit, unless someone who accepts the Lord in agony on his deathbed. All born-again believers must bear fruit. Imagine someone sealed of the Holy Spirit who cannot help doing good works. That is why James said:

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2: 20)

If a man has faith, Jesus comes to not wanting to do work, it is useless to engage in his heart because he did not sincere repentance and desire to do good.

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

We can say with certainty that without repentance, nobody can be justified before God.

The biblical word "repent" means the recognition of a deep state of sin and the desire to change the situation by going to Jesus Christ.

Subsequently, the acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross leads the person to be sealed with the seal of the Holy Spirit. The last two acts of faith follow one another but are juxtaposed in time. From that moment the person having sincerely made an act of faith is sure of eternal life through Jesus Christ. He therefore proceeds to the next stage of sanctification.

2) Sanctification

Sanctification begins when a person is sealed with the Holy Spirit. In the case of the murderer, repentance having led to justification, by the power of the Holy Spirit there will be a radical change in his lifestyle. God says, Ŗ…where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,ŗ (Romans 5:20).

These new believers will have great battles to fight against their old nature but the Holy Spirit will triumph in bringing them out of their unsafe lifestyle. Can we expect that the fight be huge? The Holy Spirit alone will decide the way forward but the person will overcome and change, you can be sure! These believers are required to change and it cannot be otherwise, since God watches over His Holy Name. For other saved Christians, God, the Holy Spirit performs the same work. Some will be changed radically, others gradually, and believe me, it's not painful; thatřs sanctification.

Unfortunately, in the Christian world, there is a religious dogma built on traditions or modern conveniences. The new converts are expected to refrain from this or that. Some are indoctrinated and are conditioned to make life difficult and unpleasant. The poor! They suffer because they try to remove from the lives of believers things that God allows or that the Holy Spirit has not started working. If a Christian wants to stop a weakness and asks God to make him stop this vice, God will hear and glory to God. If another decides to continue, the Spirit of God yet to convince him to abandon, let him continue. To consider this gesture as evil will tantamount to interpreting the word hypocritically. Do you think that there were no alcoholic beverages when the Jews feasted with the Lord? They were, however, big feasts! God allows these things; what He does not allow is that His children become slaves to these things. When God says do not get drunk, that does not mean do not drink. Getting drunk means having disorderly ideas or to be almost "dead drunk" to be in direct opposition with pleasure.

Some Christians have twisted minds in everything. When God said, "Do not spare the rod for your son," this does not mean to beat him with a rod until he has scars. This means when your child hurts, correct him by rebuking. Do it alone and if necessary, give him a spanking to the measure of his endurance with fatherly love.

This also applies to people who try to take the place of the Holy Spirit. They want to change their imperfections alone; they are unable to do so and become discouraged. Leave it to the Holy Spirit! Time will come when the Holy Spirit will get rid of your weakness for all are not weaknesses, they may be useful qualities for the work of the Lord. Do not believe that perfection is of this world.

God is love; we must think and act with love. You see the difference between following a religion and following Christ is that one is based on rigid, harsh and severe human intelligence and the other is controlled by the Holy Spirit, soft and simple. Unless you are in one that is controlled by the Holy Spirit, you will not be saved.

Throughout my book, I have not mentioned any Christian denomination that is better than the other and I've not recommended any particular denomination because there is a religion introduced in each. The real Church is universal and is found in all religions in Jesus Christ. Some of their believers follow a religion, the other, the Spirit. So beware of false Christian doctrines, and attach yourself to the Word of God.

However, to hear the salvation through Jesus Christ, I personally prefer to go to an Evangelical or Baptist Church, but do not waste your time doing religion with those who provoke arguments, telling you not to do this or that, because again, there is much indoctrination. Do not bother about others, talk to Jesus Christ and let the Holy Spirit lead you. It is the only path that makes someone happy in the Lord Jesus.

Conversion of a righteous man before God

Obviously, one of the conversions recognized by the Christian world and detailed in the Bible was that of the thief on the cross. Certainly we can use this conversion to explain the doctrine of justification and of sanctification.

While Jesus was nailed to the cross, an amazing conversion took place. Let's look at the Biblical quotations.

38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23: 38-43)

If we observe one by one the steps of conversion, the thief, in his logic, recognized that Jesus was God, "Do not you fear God?" then he recognized that he was Holy, "he has done nothing amiss" then he admitted he was a sinner: ŖAnd we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds:" and finally he asked Jesus to save him, "Remember Me, when you come into your kingdom" Look at Jesus' response: Ŗtruly I say to you, today shall you be with me in paradise." In John chapter nineteen, verse thirty-two and thirty-three, it is written that they broke the legs of the first and second thief. This was a customary practice when they wanted to finish a crucified and cause him to die. When they arrived at Jesus, they saw he was dead and did not break his legs. The sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, though much more excellent because being holy, perpetual and eternal is a symbolically similar to the Old Testament, since the bones were not broken during atonement sacrifices (see Exodus 12: 46, Number 9: 12). Also fulfilled the prophecy of thousand years ago in Psalms 22: 18 Ŗ They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lotsŗ.

This conversion described above shows us that all the stages of justification were fulfilled, namely: to recognize that Jesus is the Truth, know that He is the Saviour and Holy, repent and demand salvation from God. God sealed him with the Holy Spirit and saved him during the stage of Grace. However, he had a brief sanctification, for he died a few moments after receiving the gift of Eternal Life. Similarly, he was not baptized. He was saved as through fire. Those who are lucky enough to have a long life after conversion should make works worthy to thank Jesus for saving them. In this way, they amass a great reward in heaven. As a Christian, God has given us doctrines to comply with, so, letřs study them.

3) Other biblical doctrines

The various other biblical doctrines do not affect eternal salvation, they are: Baptism, the Lord's Supper, marriage, and the imposition of hands. Failure to have concern for these doctrines requested by God considerably moves the born-again Christian away from God. Also, it would be to our advantage to be interested in them in order to enhance our relationship with God in a more intimate and personal atmosphere. Disobedience to a doctrine inevitably affects our Christian life.

Baptism

Baptism has a symbolic meaning in the sense that it is a public confession, meaning that the born-again Christian is willing to die with Christ and to be resurrected with Him.

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. (Colossians 2: 12)

During the days of Jesus, baptism was practiced during conversion, as public testimony of obedience to God. Unfortunately, around the year 400, the Catholic Church trying to quickly have many faithful instituted the baptism of young children. A child cannot believe, so, many nominal Catholics are actually unregenerate Christians. The Bible is formal a child born into the family of born-again Christian parents is protected by the faith of Christian parents or parent (1 Corinthians 7: 14), until he is old enough to make a choice. On the day of choice, he accepts or refuses. Therefore, the young adult would be baptized, if he accepts for himself the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Morals therefore changed because of a Church whose head is unregenerate and misappropriated the name of Christ. This Biblical doctrine, baptism, was passed down from the Cathar Churches; however, many Catholics who come to Christ through the Word of Truth refuse adult baptism, claiming that their infant baptism was good. When looking into the New Testament about the doctrine of baptism, we see that there is no baptism performed on young children. All baptisms take place during conversion to Christ, consensual, the following verses prove it: Acts 2: 41, Acts 8: 12, Acts 9: 18, Acts 10: 48, Acts 18: 8, Acts 19: 5, Romans 6: 4, 1 Peter 3: 21. This refusal to cross this barrier results in a spiritual barrier and as a result, several regenerated Christians by this gesture remain committed to a religion which give them very little teachings about the victory in Jesus Christ. It would be so much easier to take that step and become free as a child of God, free from the heavy taboos of religion, sometimes strongly opposed to Christ.

Holy Communion

The Lord's Supper is the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. God giving His body and His blood for our sins on the cross. Depending on the church to which we belong, symbols have a different interpretation. Is it serious? I do not think so. It does not affect the faith itself, but again, we realize a deficient teaching by a Church. The Lord Jesus instituted the doctrine in Luke 22:15-20. Then Apostle Paul clearly taught it to Christians.

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

The wine and bread are a symbol to remember that Jesus gave His body and shed His blood to redeem us. We are asked to eat and drink worthily. This symbol reminds us that we are under grace in the New Covenant. No, Jesus is not in the host. This is an invention of the Catholic Church. Again, this differentiation in the Universal Church of believers prevents many Christians to overcome in the Lord, because they belong more to one church than another. Other churches isolate Holy Communion by denying that Christians participate until they are baptized. Unfortunately, in one camp as in the other these quarrels move born-again Christians away from one another. After all, he who is not in Christ and who eats and drinks the Holy Communion without differentiating the body and blood of Christ or unworthily, eats and drinks judgment against himself. The sheep belonging to Christ need not fear to enter judgment, but the unregenerate Christian does not improve his situation since in any case he will come to judgment. Personally, I would invite the born-again Christian world to reflect over the Lord's Supper because it was not so in the days of the apostles and I think it brings more separation between the true Christians than otherwise.

Marriage

Christian marriage is a union between a man and a woman in the Lord. Shake that institution and this opens the door to corruption of your children and the human race. Let me explain, there are tasks for both sexes in marriage. The goal is to have children together. The first point to satisfy between a man and a woman is the common center of the beginning of the relationship, sex. Unfortunately or fortunately for you ladies, man is always in need of it. Also, many women voluntarily or involuntarily stop giving this vital energy to man and then send him to other routes, hoping to win their common property as lottery. Now that the law in the West has given greater rights to women through the institution of divorce, many of them stop having sex with their husbands in order to push them into sin. This phenomenon is not new, dating back to Paul, he wrote:

2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self- control. (1 Corinthians 7:2-5)

Many Christian households do not live their sex lives exactly this way. This results in frustration, isolation and divorce.

The couple's relationship with distributions of different tasks depending on gender is not much observed today.

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church;

and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. (Ephesians 5:22-24)

Man is the head of the family, he is designed for that. The woman should not intervene in this role especially when her husband is a Christian. The woman has a different role, especially with children. Motherhood is completely foreign to men just as paternity is foreign to women. Nowadays, few women follow this submission in Christian homes.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." (Ephesians 5:25-31)

I know many women who would like to be loved like that. But we are forced to realize that such Christian values are lost in our homes. Divorces have significantly increased among Christians, because they decided to follow most of the irreligious modes of the modern times. The church and its morals have cooled considerably. It is certain that unregenerate men abuse, beat and humiliate their wives with the blessing of the Roman Catholic Church whose head is not regenerated. But the born-again Christian man, always pay attention to his own flesh. Why do you Christian woman want to use the law today to take the common good of your relationship? Did God give you the secret to keep your man or to move away from him?

It is clear that the doctrine of marriage has been badly shaken in recent times; the family unit and the Church suffer enormously from this plague emanating from the selfishness of men. You must not live in the world, but in the biblical values that constituted the strength of the men of faith, the apostles and saints of the past. Also, adultery (Hebrews 13: 4) and divorce (Matthew 5:31-32, Mark 10:2-12) are forbidden in a born-again Christian marriage. You should learn to do good to yourselves in the Lord and understand how to live happily and successfully in the doctrine of marriage.

The laying of hands

The apostles received the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The apostles were complete with all the gifts. The gifts distributed by God the Holy Spirit were these: the gift of prophecy, Doctor of the Word, working of miracles, healings, the gift of relief, gift of governing, diversities of tongues, interpretation of tongues and discernment of spirits (see 1 Corinthians chapter 12). The gifts were distributed by the laying of hands. The Christian world does not know at what time this tradition was lost.

I know people in the Lord who were healed by the laying of hands of the elders. Several people who were already condemned by modern medicine. However, this laying of hands does not work always as in the days of the apostles. Personally, I think that if the Christian world could turn away from modernism and return to the source, great spiritual manifestations would be felt throughout the existing Church. Mainly, if the whole community participated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the rigidity of the Christian world leaves no room for the pebbles to externalize the spirit alive in them. Probably many Christians have gifts, but lack of moral support and freedom hinder them from exercising. Certainly, if these gifts of the Holy Spirit were exercised continuously, the Church would have new strength. It would be necessary to return to small assemblies where everyone expresses himself and is encouraged to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, this requires discipline on the part of the elders since in this type of church, the weeds can easily and rapidly penetrate, and undermine the oxygen pump of brothers and sisters in the Lord. There should be preliminary conditions of entry; as salvation is eternal, we should bring forward fellowship; if a brother is wrong, rebuke him through the Word and explain, if he persists in his heresy, ask him to leave. Clearly, the biblical doctrines were strongly attacked by the enemy. The Christian world would have to start all over in this era of globalism and rebuild assemblies by putting more emphasis on Christian doctrines while promoting integration among us, small living stones that make up the Church of Christ.