{"id":135,"date":"2024-07-29T10:02:19","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T10:02:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.cru.org\/south-sudan\/your-new-life-in-gods-love\/"},"modified":"2024-07-29T10:02:30","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T10:02:30","slug":"your-new-life-in-gods-love","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.cru.org\/south-sudan\/your-new-life-in-gods-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Your new life in God\u00b4s love"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n

Remember:<\/strong> Your relationship<\/strong> with God is secure because, through Christ, you are forgiven<\/strong> and accepted<\/strong> by God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to providing this secure relationship<\/strong>, God also desires for you to walk closely with Him and communicate with Him throughout each day. This is called fellowship<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we choose to sin, our relationship<\/strong> (our position as God\u2019s children) is not affected, but our fellowship<\/strong> is interrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Father-child example: Your relationship with your earthly father is permanent. No matter what you do, you will always be his child. But suppose you rebelled against your father and angrily left home in spite of his efforts to reconcile your grievances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would you still be your father\u2019s child?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What would happen to your fellowship?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider these differences between your relationship<\/strong> and fellowship<\/strong> with God:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relationship with God:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Began when you\u2028
received Christ\u2028
(John 1:12)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is everlasting\u2028
(1 Peter 1:3, 4)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintained by God \u2028
(John 10:27-29)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never changes\u2028
(Hebrews 13:5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fellowship with God:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Began when you\u2028
received Christ\u2028
(Colossians 2:6)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can be hindered\u2028
(Psalm 32:3-5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintained in part
by us \u2028(1 John 1:9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes when
we sin \u2028(Psalm 66:18)<\/p>\n\n\n\n


How can we consistently experience fellowship with God?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

THE NEED FOR GOD\u2019S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sin is a barrier for both Christians and non-Christians. Sin keeps us all from experiencing God\u2019s love. But many people are confused by what sin is and what it is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is sin?<\/strong> It\u2019s more than cheating, lying, immoral behavior, etc. These actions are only the results of an attitude of sin. A simple definition of sin is: doing what we want instead of what God wants \u2013 both in actions and attitudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the results of sin?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For non-Christians, sin prohibits a relationship<\/strong> with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Romans 3:23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about unbelievers who try to live good, moral lives? Are they separated from God? Why or why not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Christians, sin inhibits fellowship<\/strong> with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read 1 John 1:6-8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUMMARY: All of us sin. Therefore, you and I both need to experience God\u2019s forgiveness for our attitudes and actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

THE BASIS FOR GOD\u2019S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Christ\u2019s death is the basis for forgiveness to bring us into a proper relationship<\/strong> with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read 1 Peter 3:18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christ\u2019s death is also the basis for forgiveness in our daily fellowship<\/strong> with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Colossians 2:13, 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou were dead in sin and your sinful desires were not yet cut away. Then He gave you a share in the very life of Christ, for He forgave all your sin, and blotted out the charges proved against you, the list of His commandments which you had not obeyed. He took this list of sin and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ\u2019s cross\u201d (Living Bible).<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the day when this was written, \u201clist of sins\u201d meant an itemized bond nailed to the prison cell door. It listed every crime for which the prisoner had been convicted. When the sentence was served or restitution paid, the authorities removed the list and wrote \u201cpaid in full.\u201d The prisoner used this as proof that he could never be tried for those crimes again. The believer who trusts Christ\u2019s payment for sin can never be tried again. You have full pardon from God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What has God done with your sin?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many of your sins did Christ die for?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Christ died on the cross for you, how many of your sins were in the future?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What difference will it make in your daily life to know you are totally forgiven?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

YOU CAN EXPERIENCE GOD\u2019S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS EVERY DAY<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even though you are totally forgiven, you still need to deal with your sins on a day-to-day basis in order to experience continuing fellowship with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put yourself in the father-child illustration. What would you do to restore fellowship with your father?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at how you restore your fellowship with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read 1 John 1:9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confession \u2013 agreeing with God about sin.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When God brings to your attention the fact that something you have done is sin, confess it. This confession involves at least three factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Agree with God that you have sinned.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Agree that God has already forgiven you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Trust God to change your attitudes and actions toward Him and away from your sin.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    By turning back to God and away from your sin, you will experience His love and forgiveness provided by Christ\u2019s death on the cross. Instead of guilt, condemnation, and punishment, your fellowship with God will be restored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Confession \u2013 putting it into practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Ask God to reveal sin in your life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. List these on a piece of paper. Be completely honest as this is just between you and God.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. After completing your list, write over it the promise of 1 John 1:9.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Thank God for the forgiveness He has provided for you through what Christ did on the cross.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Tear up the list and throw it away.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      How often do you need to confess your sins to God?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Confession \u2013 experiencing the results.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What should you do if you still feel guilty after you have confessed your sins?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Read Psalms 32:5; 103:12; Isaiah 43:25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n