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From Magic City Morning Star J. Grant Swank
John Edwards: Mistake or Sin? John Edwards said that he had committed a "mistake" when committing adultery. Edwards, a United Methodist, should know better than that. That is, unless he's one of the theological liberal break-offs from traditional holiness teaching Methodism. The Bible terms adultery as a sin, not a mere mistake. Therefore, if Edwards seeks divine forgiveness for his adultery, he will have to get to first base with God on the definition of what he did against his marriage. He will need to humble himself in order to acknowledge that his act was a sin against God, then his wife and family. The concept of "sin" today has backed off into the bushes. Preachers tend not to refer to sin as sin. They would rather stroke their hearers with non-sin for the offering plate take. Nevertheless, God's Word never changes. That which is eternal revelation cannot waver for it is provided by the eternally Perfect One. Therefore, when one is unfaithful sexually to one's mate, it is nothing short of a sin in God's eyes. And God's eyes are the eyes that we will match up with at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Consequently, it is wise to get one's definition of one's actions in line with God rather than what is convenient or socially acceptable. "To know to do good and do it not is sin," per Bible. Edwards knew that what he was doing with the other woman was not good. Therefore, Edwards knew in his conscience that he was acting out sin. I don't believe that Edwards is so seared in his conscience that he does not recognize guilt when the Holy Spirit activates it in his soul. Perhaps I am wrong; but I am giving the fellow the benefit of the doubt on this one. If indeed Edwards was open to the Holy Spirit's conviction when committing adultery, then Edwards knew that he was transgressing against God's laws. In that, he was downcast in spirit. He was guilt-ridden. He was knowingly doing that which was not good. We all commit mistakes for we are spiritually damaged creatures due to Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden. But we do not all consciously act out sin every day of our lives. Sin is willfully going against God's will, knowingly disobeying God's commandments. To sin is a matter of choice. It is to choose for the devil's way, going against God's way. There are scores of earnest Christians who seek daily to live the holy life. "Be holy, even as I am holy," God states in both Testaments. Therefore, knowledgeable and spiritually aware believers pray for divine strength to live out that holiness. In other words, there are countless numbers of disciples of Christ who live out holiness via the Holy Spirit's indwelling. They do not live daily in sin. Edwards would be soul smart to admit his sin. Then he would be very wise to offer that sin to God for divine forgiveness by Christ's grace. In that, if Edwards were totally genuine, he would receive mercy in this time of intense pain. There is no other way to take care of the sin he planted in his egocentric days. There is no other way he can tend to his eternal soul but the Bible way. -- J. Grant Swank, Jr. Hard-Hearted John Edwards "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways," per Bible. John Edwards campaigned on saving America's grassroots from corporate corruption. He appeared as the ethical voice on this issue. All the while, Edwards was serving an unethical plight to his wife by committing adultery. Edwards claimed the National Enquirer was nothing but "tabloid trash" while all the time knowing the newspaper printed truth about his unfaithfulness to Elizabeth. Edwards claimed that Elizabeth was the zest that drove his life successes, particularly when appearing with her on such TV shows as "The View." While extolling her virtues, Edwards was in the hay with another woman. Edwards broadcast his deep personal concern for his wife's cancer and all other women suffering from cancer. At the same time he was ditching his wife to bed down with another female. Edwards paid up to $400 for a haircut while informing media that he was just another American seeking the political dream of Presidency. While "just another American" he was in fact an egocentric, narcissistic rich adulterer like unto Bill Clinton. Edwards prided himself on being a practicing Christian as Methodist with down-home values when in fact he was breaking the Ten Commandments, particularly "Thou shalt not commit adultery" and "Thou shalt not bear false witness." Edwards, worshiping at times in a Methodist sanctuary with the family, appeared to be living out the John Wesley teaching of "holiness of heart and life" when in reality he was sinning in word, thought and deed every day. Edwards tried to convince voters that he was the upright individual for the Oval Office when all the while he was the Clintonesque essence of lies and more lies, cheat and more chat, lust and more lust. Edwards smiled his way through dialogues with the likes of Barbara Walters, making himself out to be the epitome of husbandry and fatherhood - taking good care of things at home base - when he was actually undercutting everything of worth at home base. John Edwards is now revealed as the double-minded man, of whom there are scores. However, Edwards is fortunate in that he was caught before death. Now it is up to Edwards to return to traditional Methodist understanding of Scripture. John Wesley preached that a sinner could repent of his transgressions to Christ, find divine mercy for soul, and be cleansed of every wrong. Wesley's interpretation of the Bible was that a mortal could find personal salvation in the Redeemer, then live the holy life by way of the sanctifying Holy Spirit, preparing his soul for the Judgment Seat of Christ at death. Will Edwards get hold of this biblical promise? Only time will tell. At present, it appears that Edwards, theological and political liberal, is intent on continuing to label himself "Methodist" while deserting the Bible John Wesley preached from. If that continues to be the case, Edwards is in trouble not only with Elizabeth but with God the Judge. -- J. Grant Swank, Jr. John Edwards Has a Lying Spirit The media reports such slipping and sliding across the truth board when it comes to John Edwards. Edwards has been caught in adultery. Now he speaks to media from two or six sides of his mouth. In biblical terms, Edwards is possessed. He is possessed with a lying spirit of the devil. There are sins of the flesh. There are sins of the spirit. Adultery is obviously a sin of the flesh. But now Edwards, caught in the unfaithfulness toward his wife and family, is committing the sin of the spirit - lying. He says the other woman was on staff when he met her. He says she was not on staff when they had their twosome. And so the lies tumble down. They are not worth listing for they are predictable. In all of this, Edwards is faced with God's judgment prior to death. Jesus said that some persons' sins face them before death. Others face them after death. Fortunately for those like Edwards who are confronted with their transgressions before dying. They then have the chance to repent sincerely of those sins to Jesus in order to receive his forgiveness. But what must follow after that is a Christian life in accordance with Scripture. That means for Edwards that he must forsake his pro-abortion position. Jesus said that to harm one of the little ones was to have a boulder attached to his neck, then thrown into the waters. Edwards and wife, Elizabeth, have most zealously advocated killing womb infants. If they find Jesus in personal salvation, that means they will have to repent of their endorsement of murdering the defenseless children. In other words, Edwards has lot on his soul plate. But divine mercy is adequate if Edwards means business with God. If he does not, he will lose his soul to the kingdom where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, per Jesus. Edwards' experience is a warning to us all. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We are all in the same spiritually damaged condition due to The Fall. Therefore, as we watch Edwards squirm, let us examine our own standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ. We all will stand there one moment after the last breath, no matter our religious profession or lack of in this existence. The Judgment Seat of Christ is a given. Footnote: Judgement Day Hebrews 9:27: It is appointed unto men once to die, but after that the judgment. Matthew 7:21-23: the words of Christ: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 12:36-37: the words of Christ: But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Romans 2:6-11: God who will render to every man according to his deed: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immorality, eternal life; But unto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honor and peace to every man that worked good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 14:10-12: For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. I Corinthians 4:5: Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsel of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. II Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Numbers 32:23: Be sure your sin will find you out. -- J. Grant Swank, Jr. Read: http://jgrantswankjr.blogspot.com/ © Copyright 2002-2008 by Magic City Morning Star |