Tag Archives: believers

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – What Happens to Believers When They Die?

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“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” —2 Corinthians 5:8

Death is no respecter of persons.

Believers and nonbelievers both die. Believers as well as nonbelievers get cancer, have auto accidents, have heart attacks. But, as believers, we have the promise that we will go straight into the presence of God at death. Paul writes, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

In Luke 16:22, we are told that when the believer Lazarus died, he was “carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.”

My son Christopher left this world some years ago. It comforts me to think he was carried by angels into God’s presence. If only we could have the veil peeled back and see this glorious world we will go to.

When young Stephen was being martyred, he was given a glimpse of glory. “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily upward into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (Acts 7:55–56).

Stephen told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” At this point Stephen’s face “became as bright as an angel’s” (Acts 6:15). Stephen was given a “glimpse of glory,” which awaits all Christians on the other side.

When the great evangelist D. L. Moody was on his deathbed, he said, “Is this dying? Why, this is bliss. There is no valley. I have been within the gates. Earth is receding; heaven is opening; God is calling; I must go.”

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Purpose of Conviction

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Charles Stanley

Hebrews 12:4-11

Have you ever seen a parent firmly grip a naughty child and lead him to where he ought to be? Sometimes our heavenly Father must employ a strong directing hand with us. Even as believers, we’re a wayward people who are prone to wander. But when we go too far, God helps us back to the path of righteousness.

The Father’s guiding hand is always on His children. And when believers fall into sin and rebellion, He holds tighter. We call that pressure on our hearts and minds conviction. By saying, “This action/attitude/thought is not in keeping with who you are in Christ,” the Holy Spirit works to make us aware of wrongdoing. Conviction has the purpose of awakening believers to where they are in their relationship with God. If you’ve gotten off course, don’t you want to know about it so you can get back in the center of His will as fast as possible?

Sometimes the Lord uses discipline to lovingly redirect us toward the path that we abandoned. Discipline can be painful and costly, particularly when we have resisted the pressure of conviction. However, as any wise parent will tell you, living with the consequences of foolish behavior teaches a child valuable lessons about keeping to the straight and narrow.

Left to his own devices, man will destroy himself chasing after fleeting pleasures and egocentric desires. God has a better journey in mind for us: to travel toward perfect freedom in Christ, guided by His loving hand. When we stray, He tightens His grip and draws us back to the way of righteousness.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Our Freedom in Christ

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Charles Stanley

To those outside our faith, Christianity often seems like a religion of “dos” and “don’ts.” Many believers also fall into the trap of following a set of religious guidelines instead of enjoying a relationship with their heavenly Father.  Others believe that if Christ died for our sins, we are free to indulge in sinful pleasures—without fear of punishment.

What does it mean that Jesus came to set us free? Let’s look at some liberties we’re granted as believers.

1. Freedom from the bondage of sin.

Many times, behaviors that begin as an exercise of freedom turn into bondage. The thing we once did because we wanted to, we now feel compelled to do by our own desire.

  •  Read Romans 7:19-20. What areas of habitual temptation do you struggle with?

Sin ultimately brings spiritual, relational, emotional, and possibly physical death (James 1:14-15).

  •  What areas in your life have suffered “death” because of sinful thoughts, habits, or other behaviors?
  •  Read Luke 4:17-19. Are you in bondage to an area of sin? If so, ask God to show you how to be set free from that sin’s power in your life.

If nothing comes to mind, pray for a friend or loved one who is struggling with bondage to sin.

2.  Freedom from guilt.

Not only are we set free from the power of sin, but we can also be released from the guilt associated with it. The feeling of guilt results from both real and imagined transgressions. (For instance, someone may feel false guilt for taking a reasonable break from work.) Guilt is also a spiritual condition: those who refuse Christ’s gift of forgiveness remain in a guilty state before God (Rom. 6:23).

  • How does God see us if we have accepted His gift of salvation (2 Cor. 5:21)?
  • Do you ever struggle with feeling at fault for things that are not wrong in God’s eyes?
  • Explain why believers don’t have to feel guilty after confessing a sin (1 John 1:9).
  • Do you have a hard time accepting Christ’s forgiveness? If so, why?

3. Freedom from fear of death.

The average person is afraid to die. But as believers, we can look forward to the afterlife.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. [Note: the writer uses the phrase “fallen asleep” instead of saying “passed away.” From other passages, we know that when believers die, their spirits go immediately to heaven (2 Cor. 5:8). In a sense, their bodies “sleep” here on earth.]

  • What makes a believer’s grief different from that of the world (v. 13)?
  • Why would Paul think these words were comforting (vv. 17-18)?
  • Can you relate to this sentiment? Why or why not?

Good medical care and healthy living can lengthen life expectancy. However, only faith in Christ gives us eternal life (John 3:16).

4. Freedom from ceremonial law and man-made religious traditions.

Just like our salvation, the process of becoming more Christlike is a work of the Holy Spirit. We participate by submitting to His control, but it’s not something we accomplish in our own power by following religious rules.  

  • The Galatians were being told that as Gentiles, they still had to follow the Jewish tradition of circumcision in order to be saved. What advice did Paul give them (Gal. 5:1)?
  • Read 2 Corinthians 3:17. Have you ever felt in bondage to man-made religious rules or traditions?  Give an example, and explain how you responded to it.
  • What are believers supposed to do with the freedom they enjoy in Christ (Gal. 5:13)?
  • What does verse 13 inspire you to do?

Pastors and other spiritual leaders sometimes attempt to play the role of the Holy Spirit, defining spirituality by a set of rules. This doesn’t mean you should flaunt the reasonable guidelines they set. But it does mean that your growth isn’t necessarily contingent upon your ability to follow religious standards set by others.

5. Freedom from deception and false beliefs.

Most people believe that more money, success, or pleasure will bring them happiness and satisfaction. The truth is, fulfillment in life is found in relationship with the Lord and in following His will.

  • Read 2 Timothy 2:22. What heartaches have you avoided by seeking God’s will?
  • Read John 8:32. Explain a few ways that biblical truth has set you free.

In Christ, we can find freedom from prejudice, worldly perspectives, and harmful beliefs—to name just a few.  

Prayer: The liberties mentioned in this study are a sample of the many we enjoy as children of God.As you finish, thank the Lord for the freedoms He has given you. Include those covered in this study as well as any others that come to mind.

 

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The Truth That Sets Us Free

God wants to deal with your bondage. Are you ready to be set free? How can you truly be free? (Watch The Truth That Sets Us Free.)