Just a Sinner

[irishman]

Just a Sinner

They announced a few days ago that Michael Jackson died of a heart attack. He was only 50 years old too! Now I don't follow Michael, and could not tell you even the name of one of his "songs", but I had heard enough of the scandals that he got himself into. My first thought was "God finally got tired of his wickedness", but do you know what the Lord put into my mind? He's just a sinner' he was doing what sinners do; he wasn't much different than any of us, except for the grace of God. But for the grace of God, I might have been there with him! A gruesome thought, but true. He lived for "self"; he lived for the flesh, and that is what I would have done if the Lord had not saved me. You see, we are all but flesh; rotten, evil, sinful selfish flesh (sorry if I'm too "preachy" but I must speak the words that God has laid on my heart). God loved Michael. Sometimes it amazes me that God could love someone so obviously wicked, but then He loves me too! Little old me, a nobody from a big city, and just a sinner from the start. I have prayed that God would be merciful to Michael, even as I hope for mercy for me, you see, His mercy is everlasting; it "endureth forever"; it may not be too late for a little mercy for him, or for me! when a certain amount of time passes, and the news quits buzzing about Michael's life, and history swallows up his memory, Gods mercy to sinners will still be here, it will be "new every morning" and given out of a heart of love for "just a sinner" like him...like me.

[deputydog530]

Amen

I stand in wonder and aww that the God of the Universe paid my sin debt and adopted me into His family. Im saved and nothing will ever change that, not even those times I choose sin.

I too get a fed up attitude with the stars and others, yet as you have stated, they are no different than I am. They are vile sinners... so am I.

Praise God for the gift of salvation.

[trc123]

Just a Sinner

They announced a few days ago that Michael Jackson died of a heart attack. He was only 50 years old too! Now I don't follow Michael, and could not tell you even the name of one of his "songs", but I had heard enough of the scandals that he got himself into. My first thought was "God finally got tired of his wickedness", but do you know what the Lord put into my mind? He's just a sinner' he was doing what sinners do; he wasn't much different than any of us, except for the grace of God. But for the grace of God, I might have been there with him! A gruesome thought, but true. He lived for "self"; he lived for the flesh, and that is what I would have done if the Lord had not saved me. You see, we are all but flesh; rotten, evil, sinful selfish flesh (sorry if I'm too "preachy" but I must speak the words that God has laid on my heart). God loved Michael. Sometimes it amazes me that God could love someone so obviously wicked, but then He loves me too! Little old me, a nobody from a big city, and just a sinner from the start. I have prayed that God would be merciful to Michael, even as I hope for mercy for me, you see, His mercy is everlasting; it "endureth forever"; it may not be too late for a little mercy for him, or for me! when a certain amount of time passes, and the news quits buzzing about Michael's life, and history swallows up his memory, Gods mercy to sinners will still be here, it will be "new every morning" and given out of a heart of love for "just a sinner" like him...like me.

I like the way you think and the attitude of your heart. Keep that tender openness available to God and you will not go wrong.

[Wilchbla]

Did God really love Michael? Has anyone ever noticed that the love of John 3:16 is in the past tense. If God did love Michael it only went as far as wanting to see him saved.

[trc123]

Did God really love Michael? Has anyone ever noticed that the love of John 3:16 is in the past tense. If God did love Michael it only went as far as wanting to see him saved.

Oh my friend, if you can seriously ask that question then you have no idea of the depths of God's mercy and love for his creation. Yes, God loved him and yes he wanted him to be saved and beyond that he wanted to be able to have sweet fellowship with him.......

[lilyamongthorns]

Michael Jackson is before my time really, so I had no knowledge of him before this tragedy happened. What I have heard though, I just feel awful for the poor man. Apparently his father greatly abused him when he was growing up and was treated very poorly when he was famous/trying to get famous/after fame. From what I heard on the news, I wouldn't wish his life on anyone. Though I did hear his mother is very religious and reads her Bible most of the day, so perhaps he is saved and just backslidden as a result of all of the trauma in his life?

[Wilchbla]

Oh my friend, if you can seriously ask that question then you have no idea of the depths of God's mercy and love for his creation. Yes, God loved him and yes he wanted him to be saved and beyond that he wanted to be able to have sweet fellowship with him.......

I know the depths of God's love and also of his wrath. How can you say God loved him when the Bible said God's wrath was upon him and that he was a child of the devil? Is that love? There must be millions of souls in hell. Does God love them? Would you send someone to hell you loved? Again, the love of God towards the lost is only mentioned so far as providing a Savior for them and THAT IS IT.

[deputydog530]

Wilchbla my friend read your bible. Here are some things that may help you.

Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

I loved my wife so much, I married her 19 years ago. Does that mean I dont love her anymore? Nope, infact I love her more. Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church....

And by the way, God does not send people to hell, they send themselves by rejecting the free gift of salvation.

Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. If he didnt love Michael, why did he die for him?

[irishman]

Quote:RE: Just a Sinner
"Did God really love Michael? Has anyone ever noticed that the love of John 3:16 is in the past tense. If God did love Michael it only went as far as wanting to see him saved."end quote.

Oh, friend, don't you see that you too are a sinner? If God only loved Michael long enough to get him saved, then why not you too? Or me for that matter. You see, I am afraid that you are looking at works to KEEP you saved, but it is grace that keeps us just as it is grace that saves us. If we exercise faith to enter into the fold, then fall back on our works to keep us there, we are but lost men looking to self and not to the Lord. Please read the articles in the lounge called "Why I believe in eternal security" and this point is brought out more effectively, I believe.

[1Timothy115]

I know the depths of God's love and also of his wrath. How can you say God loved him when the Bible said God's wrath was upon him and that he was a child of the devil? Is that love? There must be millions of souls in hell. Does God love them? Would you send someone to hell you loved? Again, the love of God towards the lost is only mentioned so far as providing a Savior for them and THAT IS IT.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

There is truth both ways here. I do thank God that He gave me Godly repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Wilch, I will say that the "whosoever believeth," is not past but, present and future.