It is Important to Read the Bible on Your Own

 

This is why it is so very important to read the Bible on your own and not rely on anyone else's interpretation of scriptures: I just listened to a Podcast by a popular singer (I won't say who) claiming there is no condemnation when we sin. Please do not be deceived by this false message! This person, as many have done, failed to read ALL of Romans 8:1, so let me give it to you, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, WHO WALK NOT after the flesh, BUT after the Spirit." Please note the last 10 words. That is absolutely the key to our walking in Christ - walking not after the flesh, but in the spirit, ONLY then will there be no condemnation. Jesus did not die just to wink at our sins and turn a blind eye to rebellion against His holy Words. 

Also remember that 1 John 1:9 says. "IF WE CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confessing, repenting, and not repeating our sins, that is how we find complete joy in the Lord, not by burying our heads in the sand and saying God doesn't condemn us for our sins. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins for a reason (And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: John 16:8), not that we live in complacency and apathy of our actions, but so we can change our sinful ways to better serve Jesus and make Him Lord of our life! "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Romans 6:1-2

When I say not to take anyone at their word that the Bible says what they say it does, I absolutely mean myself!  Please, read it on your own! 2 Timothy 2:5 means that we are to do our own studying so we can learn to understand right from wrong, not let someone else tell us their version of right and wrong and they follow only their example: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Let me just leave you with two more scriptures that say it all:

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [an excuse to live in sin], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1:4

Beware of false prophets [and teachers], which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15