Jesus went to Samaria with a purpose. Usually the Jews avoided Samaria, for the people worshiped false gods, and they had a religious mixture. So the Jews despised them. But Jesus took the initiative to speak to this woman who was in an immoral relationship. Men did not talk alone with women in those days, for they had no rights and it was not proper for a Rabbi to be seen talking alone with a woman.
Jesus in his graciousness, convicted this woman of her sin. He did not condemn her, but He did lead her to repentance. There is not genuine repentance without the turning away from sin.
There has to be a:
1. Change of Mind – God brings conviction as in John 16:8 through the Holy Spirit “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.”
2. Change of Heart – One must have true regret and sorrow, not just for the consequences that must be faced, but for sin against God.
3. Change of Will – There is a true turning away with a purpose to forsake sin. It must be recognized that one has to turn away from self, die to self, and to God, giving up selfish desires.
4. Change of Life: – A transformation occurs when one finally turns from self to God by picking up the Cross of Jesus. This is the evidence of one who is born again of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was willing to patiently work with others and teach them truth. Even the despised. Do we ignore the hard to love, or do we turn up our nose at the “problems” because they have issues or follow false doctrine?
We have an opportunity to be like Christ! We must not judge but at the same time we must be graceful and dispense the truth found in Scripture.
How is this possible? Are we not all sinners? Yes, so we must…
Live a life of repentance ourselves. We must realize that unconfessed sin hinders our spiritual life in Christ, so we must purposely deal with all known sin.
So Jesus purposely exposed this woman’s sin, her immorality. Then… He offered her living water. How did she respond? She believed He was the Messiah,and in joy she ran and told others, who also came to Christ. In her excitement, she left behind her water jug at the well, because she had found true living spiritual water instead of earthly water.
We must not be like the world that loves sin and tolerates it. Jesus did not ignore immoral behavior, instead He pointed it out. Sin must be confronted with the truth. Because of biblical truth, true disciples will be hated. John 15:19 says “If you belong to the world it would love you as its own. As it is you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
Do you belong to the world and its man-made philosophies or do you instead belong to Christ and His Word in the Bible? Do others see you as a witness for Christ and his Truth or do you instead follow horoscopes , psychological theories and false teachers. Paul warned Timothy that in the end times “Men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead so suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear..” 2 Timothy 4:3
“Those who oppose him (the Lord’s servant) he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:25
So we must use scripture in all of our arguments and confirmation of biblical truths because:
” All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
3 comments
November 23, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Theresa
What are your thoughts, on “The Lord of the Rings”?
Also, I am a born again Christian and I have read all the Twilight books and seen the first movie. I also watch most all vampire movies. I like them. they are fiction. I do not live them like some. I know they are fake. I guess my question is: am i a horrible person for doing this? I love horror movies. They are fake. I fear no spirit of Satan – I am Christs. I, in the past, have diserned spirits with others while praying in homes. Christ has been in my whole life. no matter where I am. As a single mother, i had to bartended. I spoke of the Lord. Prayed with several. Ministered to others. It’s where the Lord has put me. and I accept it. I live in the world, but Christ lives in and through me. Help me out here. Am I a sinner? of course…..we all are – somewhere in our lives. Christ is the only sinless man. Thank you.
November 23, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Kim
Eric Barger Ministries has good thoughts about Twilight, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.
I agree with most of what he says, that these films deal with the occult and magic and these things are prohibited by the Bible. Not easy words. But there you have it.
Here are five problems he lists.
1. Strange ideas about the identity of God.
2. The finished work of God.
3. Reincarnation.
4. Paganism.
5. Occult conditioning.
Yes, we live in this world but we are also to be separate from it and not love the world. It is easy to develop a worldview perspective instead of a biblical perspective when we spend our time involved in worldly entertainment.
I used to watch films and read novels but they just do not hold my attention anymore. It seemed that the Lord is not pleased when I use my time in this way.
Teresa, I was a backslidden Christian for many years. One day I realized that the Lord could return at any time, and I was convicted of my sin. I repented and for the first time in my Christian life, I yearned and panted for God and to read His Word.
Yes we are all sinners. Realizing this is a good thing. The Holy Spirit is what convicts us, and draws us back to the Lord.
November 23, 2009 at 5:53 pm
cherylu
Kim is correct when she says the occult is forbidden in the Bible. I always wonder why we as Christians sometimes think it is ok for us to dabble in that occult in any way or to enjoy it in movies, games, or books because we say it is just pretend. When He has forbidden the actual practices, the reality, why do we think He is pleased when we enjoy it when it is “just pretend”?