How Do I Know if My Love For God Has Grown Cold?

How do I know with my love for God has grown cold busters. One of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity why this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez. This is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. We would love to hear from you in our phone lines are open right now will be taking your calls for the next 25 minutes at this number 833, the court, that's 1-833-843-2673 that we also have a YouTube channel and you can watch Israel live right now in the studio on YouTube and send him your question. That way the course are always welcome to email us at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to a voicemail from one of our listeners. This is coal in Sacramento, California. I have mine to my life I've been in my mind recently fallen into sexual with someone like she's not married dating Christ with another woman and this is been something that has been occurring last for five years in different ways. I am worried friend because I care about all I want him to find hope in Christ. But I also want him to have some sort of resources or something that can help them get past that. I know thing to cry yesterday. I guess I just don't know practically how to help them. What would you advise I do to help him find freedom in Christ and look forward my question.

Thank you call. I am grateful brother that you are there for this individual. And I can tell just based on your your question in the way that you asked it that you mean that this is someone that you really close with that you care about him as a brother in Christ, and that he's blessed you administered to you in the difficult seasons of your life. One thing that concerns me is how you say that this this seems like a pattern of behavior over several years. For years you you said.

And so it seems like this is this is something that's recurring and I don't know if it's you know, in the same relationship. He continues to cheat on his girlfriend or are just this is a pattern in all of his relationships or he gets it someone that's it. That's a big that's a big issue did is it so we have to take sin seriously in the church. You remember what the apostle Paul said to the Corinthians in first Corinthians chapter 5 or he's writing to them. He says look I wrote to my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people, not all meaning the sexually immoral of this world with the greedy and swindlers or idolaters. Since then, we need to go out of the world. But now I'm writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual morality or greeter is an idolater revile her drunkard or swindler swindler, not even to eat with such a one, what have I to do with judging outsiders is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge. Now Paul is not saying you know, just know cut this individual out of your life and and you know thrown to the dogs. That kind of thing. Don't eat anything. We make these judgments in the body of Christ because we care about each other's souls and when we see someone who who has a pattern of behavior that's very clearly contrary to God's law there there there brother in Christ, and they continue to do this. I think I think there needs to be the church stepping in and so I don't know if the church is done that.

I don't know enough this individuals in the church, he's been you know, honest, confess this to maybe the elders of the church that you guys are a part of, but I think he needs accountability, oversight, and when there are again these. These are patterns of behavior. Sometimes you do get church discipline, and so I think I think 11 of the ways you love him is by being brutally honest with him about about how serious this is and about your concern for what seems to be a pattern and then so there is that there is also what the apostle Paul says in Galatians chapter 6 brothers.

If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

And so I think you can be honest with him you can say look, this is serious needs to be dealt with. The church needs to be involved and it's through that that gentle restoration takes place, and we humbly look look at ourselves as well. Knowing any of us can be tempted and so we need the grace of God each and every one of us, lest you know let let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he should fall now again with regard to that the sort of pattern of sexual immorality. I think I think other other recent you need the help of the church needs the help of the church accountability there is such a thing as sexual addiction as well and I think people can create these patterns of addictive behavior you think of the pervasiveness of Internet pornography and binoculars all all of these things assertive contribute to that and I think sometimes getting professional help to call can be a really wise thing to do them in the right thing to do that sort of going in and maybe seeing someone who specializes in addictive behavior. Let's not. Let's not make an excuse for what were calling it sin it is sin, but getting getting. I think some professional help as well. In terms of thinking through why we engage in these particular patterns and how we can fight it at at the foot of root cause I think is important is a bill that mean that as as a counselor someone is trained in this thinking about addictive behaviors. We would you say with with something like sexual sin that that can become an addiction that needs to be at addressed what it sounds like it may be that very situation with this friend of Cole's and it makes me think what happened in this guy's past that is making him do this and a lot of times it's observed behavior something that happened in the family of origin some kind of deep hurt. I don't know, and I think I love your recommendation. He does need to say.

I think a Christian counselor's specializes in addictive behavior to really get to the root of this. Why is he doing this and why is it over and over again as you said, we don't know if this is happening with the same woman, or if this is a pattern with several different women but I think Cole is right to be concerned. And I guess my question for you is if if he hasn't been confronted by the church's call.

Is it his responsibility. Let's say they go to the same church. If you talk to this friend and doesn't get any resolution should he then follow that example and go to the elders of the church. Yeah, I mean I think so. If it means fish when you have a clear pattern of behavior you go and but but I think I think this individual should long for all the help he can get me when this clear that this is a real struggle. And I do want to go back and even though were talking about the importance of even get away with with addictive behavior. Getting professional help is sin, it sin that needs to be put to death that needs to be mortified.

That can only happen by that by the grace of the Holy Spirit. As Paul says this of the call is one to repentance and confession of sin and repentance.

But in terms of fighting our sins. Either we we employ every every give every resource that we have at our disposal to help with the church that the care of good friends, elders, professional help therapy whatever whatever it takes. We want to use everything that God is put before us to fight it with all of our might and so I think that that's that's what needs to happen and call me. I know you love this guy you can be a good brother to him by by just stressing you know that the concern that you have regarding this pattern of behavior and saying, look, let's let's get the help that you needed it. If he hasn't opened up with his girlfriend about this yet is he hasn't confess that I think that he needs to do that as well and so man so much there. But call me Lord be with you, give you wisdom and may God bring healing and the situation in genuine repentance meant good counsel. Israel, thanks for that. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

Our phone lines are open and we are open to your calls.

Maybe you have a question about the Bible. Maybe there's a Bible passage that always costs dumped you, and you need some clarification on that. Maybe there's something about your Christian walk right now that you're struggling with. Maybe it's the way that your Christianity is, rubbing up against what's happening in our culture, and you got some questions there or maybe you have some doubts about the Christian faith. They were open to your calls as well. Our phone lines open for the next 20 minutes and here's the phone number 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 can also email us your question at questions@corechristianity.com here's an email from Wendy she says my house church just finished a study on the old versus the new covenant we are doing your core Christianity Bible study called how to read the Bible and on page 34 where it mentions the Torah. It says this these laws, such as do not murder and do not steal our eternal moral principles. They apply to all people in all times and all places.

The moral law is easy to understand and apply in our lives today. Well the person teaching our Bible study made a point to pause and say that that particular sentence is not correct. He said the law only applies to those not saved. They also said there is no specific action that constitutes sin and they used. Romans 14 is an example.

In other words, whatever is not done in lover against your conscience is sin. It is based on a person's internal internal motivation. They also said that Jesus did it all. From the moment you get saved. If you never go to church again or open your Bible, you are not any less holy. There is no such thing as progressive sanctification because you can never be more holy than you are. I'm wondering for your thoughts on this. I don't agree with what was said but I seem to be the only one in our group that feels this way.

Okay wow so I hate to disagree with your Bible study leaders, but she does it there using one of our core Christianity, Bible study, so thanks for using that. But I did I would have some issues. At least with some of the things there one just in terms of the definition of sin.

It sounded like based on Romans 14 what was being said was sin is just you know if Angie whatever goes against our conscience. Maybe not.

What is sin. Sin is any want of conformity to or transgression of God's law is of God's law reveals to us what God's will is for us for our lives. Sin is when we turn away from God's law would we fail to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law that positive command to love so we have a concrete standard objective standard given to us by God. This is why why you know we talk about right and wrong. The meaning in a culture and in a world where there is no sort of object of truth and people think it is you believe whatever you want. That's good for you. Not good for me right for you.

Not right for me.

We say no God actually has a standard and he's given it to us. He's revealed it to us, and in many ways, are one in one sense, is just naturally through his revelation, but also to his word. We have very clearly there given to us and so having a proper definition of sin I think is important and it is sound to me like there was a confess some confusion there about what sin is also some confusion about sanctification. The idea that signification isn't something progressive that's taking place in the life of the believer. Now justification is this definitive thing that that we received from God is a gift. It's an act of God's free grace whereby he pardons all of our sins and accepts us as righteous only for the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us credited to our account received by faith alone. It's it's an act of God's definitive pump till you're at it. It's it's done. We are not justified because were justified. We have peace with God is what Paul says in Romans chapter 5, but sanctification is that process of inner renewal by the grace of the Holy Spirit whereby our sins are mortified by the power the Holy Spirit put to death and we were growing in the image of Jesus Christ were called to be holy were called to be sanctified that to not work that we do. It's a work of God is not an act, not not a moment in time, per se. It's it's a work it's as progressive thing that happens in the life of the believer. Now it flows from our faith in Jesus Christ and were sanctified as those who have been justified.

In other words, are our justification alike, are more justified. The more sanctified you get you are already justified accepted in the beloved. But we do grow and were called to grow in the Christian life. And so God's love does relate to us as believers, not in the sense that were under it so that it can condemn us pulse as you and I are dead to the law through the body of Jesus Christ. This is clear. Romans chapter 6 through eight. Now we by the spirit.

Romans eight are free to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, not so that we might be justified or accepted by God because he's already accepted us. He's already received this it's it's out of gratitude out of saying, Lord, thank you for saving me for making me your child for adopting me into your family for justifying me sinful as I am and help me to live in light of what you call me to ultimately to love you and to love my neighbor. And isn't that what Jesus said was the summary of the law and so we are called to that as believers, not so that God would love us more or justify us in Newark so that we might become justified that justifies sinners by faith but inmates were called to.

As Christians, as I would I would have some some disagreements there and so I think again. Those two things a proper understanding of sin, definition of sin in a proper definition of sanctification are key. Thank you for that question. Wendy you know I drilled the apostle Paul would be very proud of you.

I hope so man is when my heroes. I like file).

I believe that was basically you just summed up Romans in a bit, about one minute. That's that's awesome. Thank you for that you think is good stuff. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Our phone lines are open. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Give us a call right now at 833 the core that's a 33 843-2673. By the way, one of the major concerns in our society today is as you. I'm sure you know is depression. And yes, depression affects Christians to and today we want to offer you a brand-new free resource on the topic of depression will you know that one of the unique things about Christianity is that in Jesus Christ we have a Lord and Savior who weeps wheat we see the gospel, who wept for his people.

Scripture described him as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The Bible addresses depression. It gives us examples of others who have suffered like us, gives us a language words to bring to God in the midst of our difficulties. I think of the Psalms of lament. In particular, often in the cry of God's people don't. During those very dark seasons those those times of feeling abandoned feeling alone and so this is this is a real issue, but I think the Scriptures speak to and that's we want to get this resource in your hand is called three biblical ways to fight depression you can get it over it. Core, Christianity.com and again we think it will be a real encouragement to you or to loved ones who you know wrestle with depression. This is a complementary resource you can downloaded by going to core Christianity.com/offers again core Christianity.com/offers look for three biblical ways to fight depression. Would love to get that in your hands because chances are if you were not depressed there somebody in your life that is a family member or friend work associate and you could help them with that, so feel free to get that again a core Christianity.com will receive voicemails here at the core and you can leave us one 24 hours a day at 833 the core and here's a voicemail that came in from one of our listeners named Karen change will I hear other Christians say that they love the Lord but I struggle to do the same. I know I should say it but I have immense guilt so much like a hypocrite, and the words just won't come out and knowing the love of the Lord, my love, just doesn't seem like love at all. How do I overcome this and I thank you so much for your ministry. I supported and pray for you daily. Thank you for your prayers for your support for your encouragement and I think many of us could say that we know that feeling. The longing to love God better than we do and and and then feeling guilty me know when we fall short of of that love is what I mentioned earlier is with the love God calls us to love for God and love for our neighbor and it's something that each of us falls short of nobody loves God perfectly. None of us love our neighbors perfectly so we repent we confess that sin but we are called to grow in a love for the Lord and so, to what you do what I think of that beautiful scene in the Gospels, where after he had denied Jesus, Peter is met by Jesus on the shore and what is Jesus dreaming Peter has has totally betrayed the Lord denied him three times in Jesus makes him breakfast there on the shore in John chapter 21 and when they had finished breakfast.

Verse 15 Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these he said yes Lord you know that I love you and he said and feed my lambs said him a second time.

Simon son of John, do you love me and he said to him. Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. He said to him, tend my sheep. He said to him 1/3 time. Simon son of John, do you love me and Peter was grieved because he said him the third time.

Do you love me and he said to him, Lord you know everything you know that I love you and how had Peter demonstrated his love for Jesus. I mean, is that what a great tension there is there. I mean, he had just denied Jesus daring his his moment. Our Lord's moment of need, as he is being crucified right peers is that I don't know him. He meekly curses. He swears I don't know him, I got a letter know that guy and no doubt turn he was, he was crushed by an immense sense of guilt. And yet Jesus didn't abandon him. Jesus didn't say, okay your worthless, you don't really love me, didn't you. If Peter saying you know that I love you Jesus is all yeah will then why did you do this know Jesus is so gracious and kind and good and forgiving and he restores Peter and that's that's the Jesus that we worship.

That's the Jesus that you worship. We come to him and say Lord I love you, but man I struggle I fail like is like the guy in the offices, I believe, help my unbelief is like Lord I love you help me in those areas where I fall short of loving you and God in his grace and in his mercy he does the amazing things about me about this. This scene is no Peter denied him because he he atmosphere of of man right that the people were asked do you know him and and Peter is afraid of is afraid of what others would do to him for associating with Jesus, Peter still struggled with that throughout his life. Later in the book of Galatians in Galatians chapter 2 Paul rebukes Peter because Peter was eating with the Gentiles don't have any girl time with them and then when certain Jews came, he drew back he wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. Why out of the third fear of manner, or a desire to please people. The same thing.

He struggled with their noise Jesus was being crucified, struggle with later after Pentecost is the fear of man and yet Christ didn't abandon him and he doesn't abandon you.

Either Karen and so I think each of us feels that weight. That sense of Lord I love you please help me to love you more in Christ in his mercy is gracious and forgiving and does indeed buy that by the power of the Holy Spirit help us write me not none of us is perfect for making the slow unit taking the certain baby steps. If you will in in the Christian life and the life of holiness and and so it's as I've mentioned before the broadcast is if you like two steps forward, one step backward, but that sense of immense guilt that you feel that shame of minimum such as a hypocrite just just see that story with Jesus and Peter and his kindness and his goodness and know that that same kindness and goodness and mercy is for you when you go to Jesus. He loves you and we love him because he first loved us a man. This is core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez. Let's go to Shane calling in from Texas shame. What's your question for a drill question is that Scripture and what I don't. Two of them that you got up looking into one is Psalm 82 words that the divine counsel on the assembly and in first Kings 22 verses 19 when the Lord sitting on the throne all the house of Evan and he gets one of those host to put a false word into profit for I have what you got take to minimize counsel about Elohim floral versus singular in Hebrew and that the question same excellent question.

The divine counsel to me. You see this in various places and in the Old Testament we ask you throughout the Bible and the earliest chapters of Genesis, we talk about the divine counsel were talking about that angelic counsel around the throne room of God. His heavenly court. If you will, where God is seated, enthroned as king there surrounded by his subjects who do his bidding, which is what you see there in that text in first Kings chapter 22 I think you mentioned same thing also.

And in Psalm 82 beginning in verse five where we were verse six, where God is speaking to these unjust rulers you are. I said you are God's sons of the most high. All of you. Nevertheless, you shall die like men out there, in particular is talking to the unjust rulers in Israel who were supposed to serve as judges, but did so unfaithfully and so they were subject to death. Sorry go short but that's that's your answer bless thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together