People who always let you know how wrong you are.

Have you been trying to become more like Christ, but met that one person who's always a hammer in search of a nail? You probably know what I'm talking about: they know EVERYTHING that you're doing wrong and will always let you know about how wrong you are in God's eyes and what little thing is indubitably sending you to hell if you don't conform. They're always the stick and never the carrot, so don't expect any "attaboys" from them, because they're there to refine you as with fire. Those people are an example that there is a difference between doing God's work and doing God's job. In 1 Cor 4, Paul wrote,

"Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God....so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other."

We are to be known by our love for one another, which does include reproof and correction, but not done in such a manner that we always beat down and never build up. Furthermore, we should be very careful in pronouncing eternal judgement on our brothers and sisters. We labor for the harvest, but do not replace God as the adjudicator of the eternal soul of man.

Self-deception and the seared conscience.

Self-deception, seared consciences.
BQ: How deceitful sin is! In 1 Tim 4:2, it's mentioned that there are people who are "seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron." We're tempted to think that we can pick some little forbidden thing and just keep it around while getting our salvation. It's kind of like saying your steak is on the grill and as long as you don't turn UP the heat from the current setting, it's not going to continue to cook. The thing is, you will indeed sear that steak through unless you pull it off that hot surface!

Question: When is God faithful to forgive our sins? What does repentance cause? Don't be deceived—who won't inherit the kingdom?

A: 1 John 1:9, 2 Cor 7:10-11, 1 Cor 6:9-11.

If we don't confess our sins and get rid of self-deception, we continue searing our consciences in the heat of the world! Let's get off that hot grill! 
(PN4)