Christian Challenge International

"Ask the Pastor"

We frequently receive questions in email from people about doctrine, practice, etc. From time to time we will post the questions and the answers here on the web page. If you'd like to submit a question, simply email our pastor at Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org or use the form below.

August 24, 2001

Kevin,

You said:

> In Galatians 5:17 there are many works of the flesh mentioned that Paul
> clearly says that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom
> of God.

I believe the Greek text brings out the meaning a little better.
The word for practice is 'prasso'. This is a very strong word. It
speaks of something you busy yourself with. It actually denotes
a person's condition. Paul is saying that those who 'practice'
these things, this reveals that they are not in the kingdom of
God.

> To be specific let's take the sin of "envy" for example, which is
> one of the works of the flesh mentioned in this verse. Suppose
> there is one professing the name of Christ, and he is continually
> committing the sin of envy. He envies, and then ask God for
> forgiveness and then commits this same sin of envy again.

This is a different category. A person who has to continually
repent has not yet learned how to walk by the Sprit. But just the
fact that he repents says something of itself. It would reveal that
he is attempting to deal with a hard area of his life. I think in this
case there is a need for compassion, and also for encouragement.

The apostle once ask the Lord, how often he should forgive his
brother, and would seven times be sufficient. The Lord's response
was seventy times seven, or, we should always forgive every time a
brother asks forgiveness. We can now take this same rule and
apply it to our walk with the Lord. Who among us does not have
to repent more than once over a struggle of our life?

> This process and pattern continues. This is a work of the flesh
> that he habitually practices. Does this mean he is really is not a
> christian and will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Hopefully I answer it above. Kevin, a sinner sins and has no
remorse. Sin is his nature. Usually the only remorse he has is
when he is caught, or when certain consequences began to appear
on the scene. A sinner does not have to struggle with the flesh
since he is fleshly to begin with. It is his nature to sin.

But a Christian has different circumstances. And this is where we
need to understand the struggle that a Christian can have. If this
person were not a child of God, he would likely not be concerned
over repentance. The fact that his heart condemns him, that is
one indication that he belongs to the Lord.

> Or if I understand what you might be saying from your last e-mail,
> that these people practicing sins such as envy as a work of the flesh as
> stated in Galations 5:17 are definitely unsaved and refuse to repent ,
> and christians who might struggle with these sins will judged (chastened
> of the Lord) for sin if they do not repent. Is this what you are
> saying?

See my first paragraph above.

> You mentioned that some christians have sin weaknesses that they
> continually have to repent of. I have always understood repentance to
> mean a complete forsaking of sin, admitting it and quitting it. Not
> sinning and then confessing that sin and then sinning again. Have I had
> a wrong understanding of repentance. Is repentance a process.

Repentance is a walk. The word itself speaks of a change of mind.
The ancients taught that repentance was a form of worship, in that
we are continually adjusting our walk to the will of God.

> In proverbs it says, "Those who confess and forsake their sins will have
> mercy from the Lord."

This is always the case. But neither am I justifying that a person
is continually having to repent. The issue is that God's
lovingkindness is forever. One writer says that His mercies are
new every morning.

> This is where I obtained my understanding of repentance. I know this a
> difficult subject and I assure you I am not trying to be difficult. I am
> sincerly trying to understand these issues. I have no doubt that
> christians struggle with particular sins that they have not completely
> forsaken. I just don't understand how it relates with Galatians 5:17,
> that those who are practicing such things will not inherit the kingdom
> of God.

Kevin, I would encourage you to subscribe to a forum and our
ministry sponsors. It is an exclusive group. You can get a lot of
your questions answered there. You will need to complete a
questionnaire before membership is permitted. If you are
interested you can check out the web site. Go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hebraic-Foundations

The Lord bless you,

Bro. Buddy