The Lausanne Global Conversation is on the World Wide Open Network
Autor: Rev Dr J. N’GORAN
Fecha: 19.02.2011
Category: Verdad y Pluralismo, Desarrollo del Liderazgo, Medios y Comunicación
One thing is to become Christian; another one is to remain Christian. You can become Christian, but you may not succeed in remaining Christian. We Christians, had received Christ’s forgiveness, been purified by the blood that washed our impurities and we walk in novelty of life. We are a new creature that has clean spiritual clothes laundered by means of the blood of Christ. The holy’s removal day, we’ll be dressed in white robes in the airs like angels. Likewise, we’re going to appear before the White Throne of God, the Righteous Judge, for the Last Judgment.
In fact, a church without spots nor wrinkles supposes it holds within Christians who have individually clean robes, washed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
However, the huge paradox is to notice with regret that since the time of the Apostle John, author of the book of Revelation, every congregation includes many people who soiled their robes. Are you among them, those who have dirty robes? Their white robes, for being dirty, spotted, wrinkled; they won’t be worthy to inherit the Heaven following to the Last Judgment held on the White Throne of Justice of God. Here are some examples of impurity of the Christian’s white robe:
To the Church in Ephesus: 1st letter
Some ones who do not soiled their robes:
Rev. 2: 2, 6 “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know (…) that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. (…) You have this in your favor: you hate the practices of Nicolaitans, which I also hate”
……………
Those who soiled their robes:
:
Rev. 2: 4 “Yet I hold this against you : you have forsaken your first love”
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To the Church in Smyrna: 2nd letter
Some ones who do not soiled their robes: Victims of false testimony.
Rev. 2: 9-10 “I know your afflictions and your poverty - yet you are rich! I know the slander, of those... they are Jews and are not, but are synagogue of Satan. (…)
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life”
……………
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To the Church in Pergamum: 3rd letter
Some ones who do not soiled their robes:
Rev. 2: 13 “I know where you live - where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, (…) - where Satan lives”
……………
Those who soiled their robes:
Rev. 2 : 14-15 “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you : You have people there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin, by eating food sacrificed to idol and by committing sexual immorality.
Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of Nicolaitans”
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To the Church in Thyatira: 4th letter
Some ones who do not soiled their robes:
Rev. 2: 19, 24 “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. (…)
Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold heir teaching [Jezebel], and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (…) Only, hold on to what you have until I come”
………….
Those who soiled their robes:
Rev. 2: 20 “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By heir teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………...
To the Church in Sardis: 5th letter
Some ones who do not soiled their robes:
Rev. 3 : 4-5 “Yet you have few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes ; They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.
He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white (…)”
………….
Those who soiled their robes:
Rev. 3: 1, 2, and 3 “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and about to die (…)
But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you”
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
To the Church in Philadelphia: 6th letter
Some ones who do not soiled their robes:
Rev. 3: 8-12 “I know your deeds. See I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut. (…)
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come (…)
He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it (…)”
………….
Those who soiled their robes:
Rev. 3: 9 “I will make those who are synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars – I will make them come and fall down at your feet (…)”
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To the Church in Laodicea: 7th letter
Only those whose robes are soiled exist.
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Those who soiled their robes:
Rev. 3 : 16, 17, 18 “So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich ; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing’.
But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich ; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness ; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see”
Palabras clave: white robe, washed and laundered in the blood of Jesus, dirty or soiled robes
Opiniones: 5291
Comentarios: 4
Recomendaciones: 0
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Estados Unidos de Norteamérica
What a wonderful thing grace is! I am so thankful my God has forgiven me, and continues to do so! I think one of the huge things ministers forget is that we are not perfect. Many times the minister or leader will get get complacent and forget to keep growing spiritually. What do you think?
04.04.2011
Estados Unidos de Norteamérica
@ CWest:
Amen, Brother! While I’m not too big on the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” (Hebrews 6:4-8), I also have a difficult time believing a true disciple of Christ could ever turn their back on the joy, peace, and grace that our Savior offers. However, we are warned against complacency. As you have said, we can never allow ourselves to stop maturing in our relationship with Christ. We must keep “running the race.” Our salvation is referred to in past, present, and future tenses. We have been saved from the penalty of sin (Eph. 2:8). We are being saved from the power of sin (1 Cor. 1:18). We will be saved from the presence of sin (Eph. 1:13-14). Only those with unrepentant hearts need to fear the Day of the Lord.
20.04.2011
Estados Unidos de Norteamérica
@ B_Robertson_NC:
Doesnt it seem like there is a line with what a minister can struggle with though? It’s not hard to see that there are ministers falling left and right with affairs, drug use, stealing, sexual abuse, and many other things. Funny how those words came so easily. What do yall think are the problems that forfeit ministry?
Note: Not asking what forfeits their Christianity, but their ministry. It’s just a question because these things seem to be so normal now. On a personal note, I struggle with my own things and am thankful for God’s grace, but I know that any of these "big problems" are just a step away.
23.04.2011
Costa de Marfil
@ christopherhaymes: You know, christianity is for oneself. First of all, when you’re converted as Christian, it’s for your own
salvation. We do not become Christian for someone else’ salvation.
However, ministry supposes being Christian before and then fullfiling the works in favor of otherness
[those who need to be saved] while serving God. You may not be ejected by the Lord because of your sins of being bad Christian, but because of your bad way of leading the others; if you lead them to their destruction for example.
It’s why the responsibility of being minister of Christ too, beyond of being a simple Christian, could lead someone to Hell because his way of serving God and/or leading the people of God is not good for salvation.
Thank you.
Rev Dr J. N’GORAN.
30.06.2011
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