“Go and sin no some more.”
Those were the words that continued to ring through my head as I listened over and over again to all the news reports on the life and death of Anna Nicole Smith.
It was in 1983 when she quit high school at the age of 16 to work as a waitress and a cook. Shortly thereafter she married Billy Wayne Smith, another fry cook, and together they had a son, Daniel Smith VIII. The marriage lasted less than a year, and Anna Nicole, then known as Vickie Lynn Hogan, moved back to Houston to work at Wal-Mart, a restaurant, and a topless strip club as a dancer. It was there at a strip club in 1992 where she would meet her second husband, billionaire oil-tycoon, J. Howard Marshall II. In less than 10 years, she when from a high school drop-out and hometown waitress to the verge of marrying into billions (even though he was old enough to be her grandfather).
But the prospect of billions was not enough. A year later she made it on the cover of Playboy magazine, and Hugh Hefner made the public statement that Anna Nicole would be the next Marilyn Monroe. It is reported that throughout her life, indeed, she considered it her ambition to be just like Monroe, and tragically, her short-lived life ended in a very similar fashion.
The last chapter of her life began with a reality show (“The Anna Nicole Smith Show”) where cameras followed her life story. In between reality shows and bankruptcy, Anna Nicole’s life was constantly in the courts, trying to get the millions from the Marshall family after the death of her husband. And just last year, with the birth of a baby girl, her son overdoses and dies there in her hospital room. Mourning after the death of her son who apparently was the love of her life, she became more and more depressed and found new court battles to face, in particular over who was the father of her newborn baby. And just five days ago, Anna Nicole collapses and dies in her hotel room at the age of 39.
This is a brief summary of a woman who, for 39 years, heard the words “Go and sin some more.” She had everything this world could possibly offer: beauty, riches, sex, fame, etc. Coming from a small town in Texas a high school drop-out, this looks like the American dream. After all, what was it that America could offer that she did not receive?
Yet over the past week, I heard testimony after testimony from her friends, family, and associates about how lonely, depressed, and empty Anna Nicole was her entire life. One of her closest companions shared that Anna Nicole felt no one loved her and that no man cared enough to pursue her, so much that her last husband, her lawyer, came by default since he was her closest friend. This woman, having walked the red carpet, lived in mansions, and posed before thousands of cameras couldn’t look at herself in the face and accept who she was.
I hearkened back to Scripture and more specifically to the life of Jesus Christ to think about a couple of Anna Nicole’s in Jesus’ day. I recall a woman of Samaria who had many men in her life (John 4:1-42), a woman of the city who was characteristically known as “a sinner” (Luke 7:36-50), and a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). Like the Samaritan woman, Anna Nicole had experienced many men in her life. Like the woman of the city, she prostituted herself for riches. Like the woman caught in adultery, she knew what it was like to be in a courtroom, being judged by others. Jesus was no stranger to the Anna Nicole’s of his day.
But Anna Nicole was a stranger to Jesus Christ. She had not met the man who “told me all that I ever did” (John 4:29). She did not hear the question, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” (Luke 7:49). She did not hear the words “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). No, she heard the opposite from the world around her. At every point in her life, whether as a stripper, a Playboy Playmate, an unfaithful wife, or wrapped up in drugs, sex, and fame, she heard the words, “Go and sin some more.” And ultimately, such wages of sin lead to her death (Rom. 6:23).
Everything that she wanted she had, and everything that she had led to her death. Such is the story of a life wasted by the world, ruined by its supposed benefits, duped by its fleeting promises. What did Anna Nicole need?
She needed the gospel.
She needed forgiveness of sins.
She needed a man who could tell her all that she ever did.
She needed to hear the words, “Go and sin NO more.”
She needed Jesus.
The money, the sex, the riches and the fame, were all broken cisterns which could hold no water (Jer. 2:13), leaving a thirsty soul parched, barren, and empty. She drank of the water which made her thirsty again and again, but she never drank of the water that would be a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14). She knew many men in life, but she didn’t know the Son of Man who died so that we might live. Until her dying day, Anna Nicole fought up to the U.S. Supreme Court for $474 million only to find that riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death (Prov. 11:4). Having succumbed to death, an even higher court she must face as she stands before the Judge of the earth on that day of wrath where the wealth of the world cannot vouch for a bankrupt soul.
Turning to myself, I have to ask, “Who are the Anna Nicole’s in my life?” No, I am not talking about strippers or playmates or Hollywood superstars with millions to spare. I am talking about those who, like Anna Nicole, have never come to treasure Jesus Christ as the all-satisfying Savior and Lord of their life. Have I so presented Jesus to them that they would be lead to reply, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water” (John 4:15)? Or have I become a modern-day Pharisee who would tell Jesus, “If you were a prophet, you would have known what sort of woman this is who is touching you” (Luke 7:39)? Do I find my hands filled with stones or does my life reflect that I am a debtor to sovereign mercy?
The fact is that I am not better than Anna Nicole or the men who she stripped for, save the grace of God. What I most desperately needed was forgiveness of sin, for I am all the more a worm, wretched and blind, rotten and wicked. Yet, having become a debtor to mercy and a child of God, it is my privilege to go to the Anna Nicole’s with the love of Christ and say, “Go and sin no more.” It is my lifelong calling to call sinners to repentance who long to be like the Marilyn Monroe’s to long to be like Christ. It is my earnest prayer that, whether in life or in death, Jesus Christ would be on display, that words would be spoken of Him and His great salvation, and that all would be gain because I have treasured Him.
I tremble to think that my world might hear the words, “Go and sin some more” with the way I live my life. I shutter to think that the Anna Nicole’s in my world would find a Pharisee in me, questioning the worth of their alabaster box rather than kissing the feet of my Savior. May God spare me the horror of such disgrace and use these recent events in the death of Anna Nicole Smith to awaken me to the tragedy of a wasted life and the glories of treasuring the excellencies of Jesus Christ.
It may be that you may be reading this, and you can relate to Anna Nicole. You have tasted the bitter water of this world and find that it does not satisfy. You have bought into the bad deal of goods this world has to offer, only to find yourself restless all the more. To those weary, restless, and thirsty, come to Jesus and be satisfied in Him alone. Turn from your wretched ways and trust in Jesus to save you, and His promise is true and faithful, that He will accept you no matter where you are or what you have done. The only hope of God being satisfied with us is in the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the death he died was once and for all for sinners like you and me, so that we might be accepted in heaven because of His sacrifice and taking our place on the cross. The message the world tells you is to go and sin some more. Yet such sinful living has an eternal price tag to pay, and that is everlasting separation and punishment in hell. Jesus tells you to go and sin no more because He came that we might be forgiven of our sin through His victory over it on the cross. Flee to Him today, and treasure Him for a lifetime, yea for eternity.
Great text. She has been on my mind in a similar fashion, from the moment I heard about her death.
Another scripture comes to my mind, the one telling us that God works all things for good. So from her life and death may we learn this profound lesson, that it matters how we live our lives, and it matters what we do with our time.
good stuff- lengthy, but good still. glad you took the time to deal with this issue- thanks.
illreezon.blogspot.com
As a mother, I felt said for her baby, the one who will carry a legacy with her for the rest of her life. And I felt sorry for Anna, too, because she had no idea what she was missing out on.
What a wonderful, eye-opening post. I was not a fan of Anna Nicole but for some reason her death tugged at my heart. Especially because she had given birth to a baby girl only 4 months ago. We all may not have lived a life in complete comparison to Anna’s but if we take a hard look at ourselves I am sure that most of us can find something that has drawn/is drawing our attention away from Christ. I pray for protection over her daughter as the battle continues not only over Anna’s estate but over the paternity of this baby girl. What a sad, sad situation.
Very powerful, thanks for sharing these thoughts. Wow!
How do you know that Anna Nicole (or anyone else for that matter) didn’t know Jesus? How can you know another’s heart? Knowing Jesus doesn’t make us sinless. Churches are full of sinners. Do you think your sins are somehow better or less hurtful than hers? We will all die and face our maker to answer for the sins we have committed. Maybe Anna Nicole struggled each day and prayed each day to be strong enough to change her life here on earth. Maybe she was weak, as each human being is weak. Maybe each day Jesus wrapped His loving arms around her as she prayed for forgiveness from her sins. Maybe He is holding her now. It is not ours to say that a person did not know Jesus. The scripture also says, “Judge not, lest you be judged.” The beauty of knowing Jesus is knowing that He took our sins upon Himself. Yes, Anna Nicole’s life was a tragic life filled with great mistakes and I would guess great sins. But also from the Bible, “let you without sin cast the first stone.” Maybe if those of us who claim to be Christian could stop pointing our fingers and judging others, true non-believers may want to know more about Christ and the salvation He gave us.
Melinda: You completely missed the point of Timmy’s post. The tree of faith in the life of a regenerate follower of Christ will bear fruit… I hardly believe any of us can say that she displayed or even attempted to display a life of holiness or godliness. Her life and death is a stern reminder, as Timmy has so wonderfully presented, that we need to take the gospel to the Anna Nicole’s of our world. You speak of judgment, but apparently missed Timmy’s statement, “Do I find my hands filled with stones or does my life reflect that I am a debtor to sovereign mercy? ” Yes, we are all sinners — none of us are righteous within ourselves, but that does not mean that our lives will be lived out in continuous, willful rebellion against God. The interpretation of Jesus and His love has failed to recognize He’s also a God of wrath and holiness that has expectations of His people. I’m curious to know where you draw the line to determine/indicate what is and what isn’t tolerable in the life of a Christian… there’s a way to live for holiness in a way that is completely opposite of Pharisaical and that’s by grace alone. You missed the point…
Timmy: Beautiful post — very well written and convicting.
Superb heartfelt words. j Wonderful example of speaking the truth in love. keep on. Very edifying, and God glorifying.
I stand with Melinda. The Scriptures are replete with saints who lived lives entirely like Anna.
Anyone who thinks poor conduct is a measure of whether or NOT a human has believed that Jesus of Biblical fame is The Christ,The Son of God simply has not been properly taught .
For heaven’s sake! God warned SOLOMON not to worship IDOLS,who do you sinless people think you are? His father David,a man after God’s own heart, among other crimes committed adultery and murder,I assume you guys would say David was not saved as well. He also publicly exposed his “unit” to the maidens of Jerusalem,too much for the legalists here I guess.
Get your eyes on the CROSS where humanities sins are NAILED and off the tree of good and evil and realize the gift Christ offers us is FREE for us,not for Him. We do nothing to attain or maintain the promise of eternity in Heaven,HE handled that.
Forget the un Scriptural nonsense that a believer is what you guys consider “good”. How a human acts after belief is as varied as the colors in a rainbow and meaningless to their final destination. Please,before making public comments like this,take a while to study the Scriptures,they are mostly about failed saints,rarely about winners and the winners as well made tremendous errors.
I certainly hope Anna was a believer.
Today has been a bit overwhelming as I have come to see how this post has been picked up by several folks on the blogosphere. Thanks to all of you who have been so kind to post it or link to it. I pray God uses my feeble words to communicate God’s great grace to the chief of sinners and bring the gospel of Jesus Christ front and center in the current events in our culture.
Although I feel that Nick has done a very fine job expressing my intent, I feel that I need to say a brief word to Melinda.
Melinda, I wrote my post with a broken heart, not with a desire to be judgmental. What I have seen and read about Anna Nicole’s life is tragic in many ways, and while I have hope that Anna Nicole came to know and trust in Jesus as her Savior, there is no reason or evidence to support that through her words and her life. If you have taken my words to conclude that I have come with a judgmental or Pharisaical heart, then I have done a terrible job in trying to communicate the truth of the gospel with the love of Jesus Christ. Tonight, I am heading to work with several dozen printed copies of this article I wrote to hand to my non-Christian coworkers, praying that they will see the perils of a wasted life and in turn look to Jesus. If God could use this situation to draw sinners to himself, it would be worth it. I appreciate your concern and hope to convey the message of the cross and the compassion of Christ will humility and grace.
To those of you who commented, thanks for the encouragement and kind words. As we look and listen to the news of our day, I desire to see all of life with a God-entranced view and lift him up in any way I can. May we strive together for that goal together and exult only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Coram deo,
Timmy Brister
I believe this article was right on point.
Behavior is a BIG marker on whether someone is genuinely in Christ or not. The Bible says in Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who practice such things will noit inherit the kingdom of God.”
Anna Nicole Smith’s life is a parable for this present generation to learn from. We need to be reminded that sanctification is also an aspect of our salvation. Libertinism is rampant among “professing” Christians today.
Well written, Timmy. Sola Deo Gloria!
It has to be said that when you’ve got big breasts and an ego to match you can get places. Trust me I know from experience. I admire her courage to pull herself up by her boot straps using what God blessed her with. Such a tragedy that her buxum legay is now lost forever. God bless her.
I came across this post from Tim Challies website and was immediately struck with how heart-felt your words were. I’m always a bit skeptical of people’s motives and why they write certain things, but honestly I don’t think I have read a more un-condescending, clearly written, and humble look at this topic.
Thank you for the provoking post which at least turned my eyes back to the gospel, and also for your gentle and humble response to those who missed the point of your post.
Timmy,
Thanks for this post. It is so good to see hearts that long to give the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. The people who have disagreed with you have failed to see that you commented on Smith’s lifestyle, not to exalt your own, but to exalt Jesus. I felt you very ably communicated that the same Jesus who calls us to repentance and holiness, is also the Jesus who sat down with the harlot at the well and talked to her about…well…himself. He is the Holy Judge, and he is the Great Savior.
I enjoy your blog and I enjoy reading anything where the true gospel that was “once for all delivered to the saints” is shown forth to be sufficient for the salvation for vile sinners like you and me.
Amen.
“He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.”
We are all created weak , capable of commiting wrong. God knows it. we will err at some point in our lives. This is why there is forgiveness.
“Indeed, those who fear their Lord without seeing Him, There is forgiveness and a great reward for them.”
A good deed erases an bad deed.
nizam
Very nice Tim!
Just discovered your site, Tim, through “Between two worlds.” It’s now on my “favorites” list.
This post on Anna Nicole is the one I wish I had written. A real blessing. Thanks
Great post! I think Anna Nicole’s death made a lot of people think, but of course Christians will analyze the tragedy from a theological point of view. For me, an ex-exotic dancer who almost died of alcoholism prior to coming to the Lord, this truly made me praise Him for His merciful goodness. Awesome blog, I’ll be back. Keep up the good work, God Bless!
@ nizam
Not sure what you mean by a good dead erases a bad deed? It doesn’t! Even if we could do good (and we can’t) we could not fix up our mistakes by doing good. That is a legalist position- that we can earn our salvation. The only thing that can erase a bad deed is Jesus’ blood that is sprinkled freely on those who believe.
Thankyou to the author! I found this post through the Biblical Christianity blog and will be back.
Timmy,
I have been thinking along these lines myself since her death. I was and am so tired of hearing about her on the news all day long. The networks glorifying her death to sell air time. It’s sad, but it really tells us more about the society in which we live and just how many Anna Nicole’s live in it. So I kept coming back to how sad it all is and that whether or not she knew Christ (it doesn’t seem like it) there is certainly no testimony of Him in all of this news coverage.
I was also reminded again that I’m no better than she. That I shouldn’t look down my nose at her in self-righteousness, but look up to Him with thankfulness.
This, again, tells me that we are very good at going to church, but very poor at being the church.
Mark
While I would love to reply individually to everyone who commented, I will at this time simply share a few thoughts in reflection.
First, I had no idea that my article would receive the exposure it has, and those of you who were kind enough to link to it had a huge part in that, so thanks.
Second, I want to do my best to be fair and understand the criticisms and objections to my article, and your difference of opinion is something I welcome even though we may have to agree to disagree. I appreciate the input I have received from all (except for the person who said I wasn’t being culturally relevant for using the word “hearken” – just kidding).
Third, my belief about salvation and the Christian life affect how I write and view the culture and contemporary issues. For instance, I believe that when a person comes to faith in Christ, a change takes place–a change characteristic of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That change is biblically called repentance. Such a transformd life will manifest in a genuinely saved individual through their attitude, affections, actions, etc. When we as Christians look for the least common denominator regarding the minimum requirement for going to heaven, I fear the case becomes that we give into a sentimental ideology more than a biblical theology. It is evident that in our cultural mileau and postmodern ethos that even speaking about someone’s eternal destiny is unacceptable, an observation I made from reading some of the responses.
Last, let me say that the article was intended to paint a picture of grace and truth, of mercy and righteousness which is supremely found in the cross of Jesus Christ. We all have images in our mind from the news like a slideshow of Anna Nicole Smith. I simply wanted to put a picture of Jesus and the gospel in that slideshow of images and pray that one would survey the wondrous cross on which my Savior died. If I can help turn but one person’s eyes towards Jesus, to look on His wonderful face, I believe the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. It is the things of the world that are earthly treasures which rust and can be stolen. It is the things of the world that are fleeting and fading. It is the things of the world that Anna Nicole spent her life pursuing. And it is my prayer that one image of Christ can be so brilliantly portrayed that one might look to Jesus and find in Him greater delight, deeper love, and eternal treasure in knowing Him as Savior and Lord.
Thanks again for the encouragement and kind words and for visiting P&P.
A debtor to sovereign mercy,
Timmy Brister
Quote from Kim: “It has to be said that when you’ve got big breasts and an ego to match you can get places. Trust me I know from experience. I admire her courage to pull herself up by her boot straps using what God blessed her with. Such a tragedy that her buxum legay is now lost forever. God bless her.”
Kim, if you will check out the pictures of Anna Nicole Smith (ANS) when she was young, those picture clearly show that she is the one that altered the body that God blessed her with. It seems that she was a very unhappy person. The trend today is to do make-overs on the body that was designed before we were formed in our mothers wombs. It is a slap in the face of God to increase a bust size, plastic surgery, or alter anything that is not life threatening. It is like the world is saying that they are smarter than God, and they want to look the way they want to look, and that He made a misstake when he made them!!!
God did bless her every day she lived, but, it seems that she rejected His Way, His Love, and forgiveness for Sin, and chose to do her own thing. I certainly hope somebody tried to witness to her and she excepted Jesus and called on His name before she died? I just hope so!!! If not it is too late for her now, I pray that her daughter and other family members, and the Playgirls, and playmates will wake up and know that Jesus died that they might be free and they don’t have to expose and sell their bodies, they are worth more than that!!!
The very base on which the american society is thriving has gone wrong. There is no need of Jesus, if he was in need, then he should have descended long back to control the opulence under which this society lives. An opulence which only a very few have th share; which makes other to dream and vie for it. Some achieve it , some dont. Anna Nicole smith had all the factors working in favour for her to realise this fallacy called “american dream” . If jesus was the answer, he should be for all those vying for this particular american dream. This is a very cynical writing; without touching the base on which, how these people become prominent in society. Hooker and whores and porn is sufficiently available, may be i will sound lik this retrograde pooh, but in a society which allows to trade your flesh and make money, where does jesus stand? I wonder. There will be more and more anna nicole. No jesus can save her. neither do i beleive in such a society jesus will be there to save anyone. No wonder that all you people beleive in this imminent “Armageddon” .
http://www.alternet.org/story/46908/
I would much rather serve a god(Jesus) who loves me enough to do what He did and still give me a choice rather than the god Clash seems to search after: a god who is no lees than a supreme tyrant who dictates love. How great is our God that he still seeks after us when we want nothing to do with Him. That’s the one I follow. The word cynical is thrown in clash’s post at Timmy. Too often I fear it is the cynics who throw that word the most. I’m prayng for you, Clash, that God would touch your heart and you will see the truth, that one day I may meet you in His presence.
Timmy, I thought this was a most profound commentary. Your sentiments reflect my own. I linked to it on my blog; I hope many people in the blogosphere will read it.
In tragedies such as this, and many others that occur, I rest in the FACT that God is sovereign over His creation. Though I may not understand the “whys,” I know that He is indeed in control. And I do not merely give lip service to the word, ‘control.’ God is in His heaven, sovereignly orchestrating the events of this world in order to bring glory to Himself and to draw men to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you again~
Tim,
Good commentary. I live in Texas and was saddened to hear just a few days ago a sound bite by one of the pastor’s in Mexia, TX who said, “she is not one of us”. I understand that he was speaking in the context of Anna Nicole not being from Mexia nor an active part of the community except for some brief times in her teen years, but I could not help but wonder if we as Christians often send that message to those outside a relationship with Jesus?
I am not on a guilt trip here – I don’t know the opportunities she rejected. But I do wonder if she actually had opportunities to reject.
Thanks for this post….I just read it today and passed it along to some folks. You’ve summed up my heavy heart over this situation so beautifully.
I wrote an email/blog the same day she died, that was much more brief, but pretty much said the same thing…she had everything and nothing at all.
None of us can know if she was fundamentally saved, or not. I know that after Daniel died, I heard her say in an interview, in reference to her mother and how she avoided her mother as a means of honoring her because any communication would’ve been full of anger and bitterness…she said (paraphrasing) “I’ve left her alone and never said anything about her because The Bible says we are to honor our mother and father…” So, it makes you wonder…what did she know, and better yet Who did she know? I have to agree that although behavior is a great scale by which to guess if someone knows the Lord, I really believe that she was manipulated, enabled and controlled by everyone around her and that many things were entirely beyond her own control—either because other people were making professional decisions for her, because her mind was totally handicapped by her drug and alcohol abuse, but mostly because of her self-hatred from which all this stemmed from. It’s just one of the saddest things I’ve ever witnessed in my life. I pray for that baby girl of hers…that somehow God will put people in her life and along her path to plant seeds in her life and her heart for Christ. In my heart of hearts, I really hope she knew the Lord because I really want her to finally be at peace…and death from this world doesn’t equal peace if you don’t belong to the Father through Christ.
Can you people handle the TRUTH???
Ok, here is the TRUTH….:)
Anna Nicole Smith Knew Jesus & Jesus knew Anna Nicole Smith!
Watch her TESTIFY “Jesus Christ is her Lord and Savior and will always be”.
Check out this awesome video!
http://www.youtube.com/user/RandyNein
(I’m sure this pisses off the devil, the religious spirit and the secular media)
‘No one can say, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit’. 1 Corinthians 12:4
‘Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.’ Luke 12:8-9
‘But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us’. Romans 5:8
Yet the demons also believe, and tremble.
Please go to FreeCd.com
There you will read about people who have gone to hell and heaven
Especially to those who have confessed Christ AS there Lord and
Saviour. Please read your BIBLE, there are many Christians in Hell MILLIONS of them who said they excepted Christ as there Lord and Saviour. But do not obey his law. When we repent of our sins,
Jesus forgives our sins. However we do no go back in to sin.
Please people, to be lovers of this world is not of God. We must stop sinning, don’t wait until its to late Chirst our Lord and Saviour is coming for a Bride without spot or wrinkle (sin). Prepare to meet him, It could happen for you and I Today. He is coming for his Bride
Pray, live in his word be obedient to his word. Jesus loves his people, however he must be obedient to his word. Im praying for everyone who is responding to this comment. Our Lord Jesus Christ is showing people that there is a Hell and Heaven. I have seen both. Please pray, we are at the midnight hour. Pray that you will be able to stand in these evil days, and done all to stand, with your mind steadfast, looking for our beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Remember hes coming for a gloryfied Church with sin. If you are a true believer, you will confess and obey his word and be not partakers of the world., If you love the world, the love of God is not in you, Mathew 7:13 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad in the way that leads to destruction, and there are MANY who go in by it. Because NARROW is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to LIFE, AND THERE ARE FEW WHO FIND IT.
Correction in Spelling
“Remember he is coming for a gloryfied Church with OUT sin”.
Correction in Spelling
“Remember he is coming for a gloryfied Church with OUT sin”.
Go and Sin NO MORE
DD, Amen with or without the correction in spelling, your article was on target!!
Deception is running rampant in the Land. . .Men are calling evil good, and calling good evil!!! Light and darkness has no fellowhip, Jesus said, “IF” you love me keep my commandments, . . . not break them. These were not suggestions, but, commandments!!! Also, Jesus said, I am THE way . . . He didn’t say there would be many ways! Lastly, he told us to come out from the world and be separate, anytime someone says yes to satan they are saying NO to Jesus Christ and rejecting Him! There is no gray area, either you are for Him or against Him!! We have a choice!!
People don’t be deceive you WILL reap what you sow, if you sow to the flesh you will reap corruption ultimately ending in (death)! For the wages of sin is death, but, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord! There is no way to get to heaven unless you go through Jesus. Some have stated, “she is now with her son,” death is neither an automatic entry to heaven, nor an assurance of being with a loved one that has passed on, if you are not saved! If neither were saved they are lost, sadly they are in hell, IF THEY NEVER EXCEPTED the only begotten son of God!
Satan is a liar and a deceiver who comes to steal, kill, and destroy!!!!
Amen, I agree with you guys!
However, why did GOD choose to bring the majestic blood of Jesus through bloodline of Rahab the Harlot ?
Also, why did Jesus say “he who has no sin, cast the first stone”?
And, why was the brother so upset with the fact the GOD loved the Prodigal Son?
Why did he love Mary Magdalene? (she was one beautiful ho I’m sure)
Why did Jesus say, nothing will ever separate us and his love for us?
Also, why we were yet sinners, why did Christ Jesus die for us.
Oh, and how can we forget the women at the well – who also had 5 husbands? (reminds me of Anna Nicole Smith)
Not to mention, that no good scoundrel theif on the cross – next to Jesus that made it into Paradise the same time as JESUS…:)
Jesus also said – Whoever believes in me shall not perish – but have eternal LIFE…:)
Sounds pretty simple to me, but yet RELIGIOUS folk make it so hard and confusing!
Amen, Satan is a LIAR and a THEIF!
The spirit of Jezebel is who we need to cast down in the world today!
(she is history too)
Thank GOD for his amazing GRACE and his WORD that will not return void.
Jesus Rules, Now and Forever!
Amen
Where ever Anna’s soul is, she is crying out to all of us, repent
and be saved. before its to late. Jesus is holy, He is telling his Church to be holy, You cant pretend to serve the Lord Jesus. He knows the intent of the heart, He knows all things that we do and say even the idle thoughts of the human heart. In Heaven there is no Sin. Be Holy as I am Holy. On this earth, when we accept Christ, he takes away our sins. With the Holy Spirit living in us, he is a gentleman, He is waiting for us to obey him, by reading the word of God. Don’t be part takers of this world. Mathew 7:15 You will know them by their fruits, Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. The Lukewarm Church, Rev:3:14 I know your works you are neither cold or hot., I will vomit you out of My mouth. Christ is calling people who have said, I have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my saviour, but yet they do not obey his word, they are telling the world yes I have accepted Christ as my Lord, yet they live their lives in the world doing things that are evil and against him. Dont you hear him, repent, repent of your sins, come out from among them and be separate. Jesus said go and SIN NO MORE. Don’t go back to the dogs vomit. Hes telling the Church Im coming soon, He could come tonight. Behold I stand at the door and knock, Jesus is seeking entrance in to the Hearts of people who say they have accepted him. Dont let evil abide in your hearts, he wants to fellow ship with his Church, however the enemy hates Jesus and especially his Church. The enemy will do any thing, to stop the Church from being obedient to Living Word of Christ, remember he comes to steal and kill. He rules our lives when we disobey the Living Word of Christ. The enemy wants to be gloryfied. The Lord says Be Holy as I AM HOLY. GO AND SIN NO MORRRRE. Jesus Loves his creation, however he is HOLY, BE Ye HOLY
May Christ Bless you Jami and give you more boldness and favor
We must all pray, The Harvest is great Christ is raising his True Church to go out and preach his loving word. Its time for the True Bride of Christ to stand up and tell people they are living in sin. People dont want to hear the truth, but remember we must obey the Holy Spirit, when we here and see people on there way to Hell. The Gospel must be preached to the lost and dying who say they accepted Christ as there saviour, Having a form of godliness, but deny Christs powers. Time is running out we are one minute before the midnight hour. Jesus Christ is doing exploits, Christ is taking People to Heaven and Hell, The Lord is worning the Church and the world to repent these are the last and evil minutes before he calls the Bride the True Church that obey and keep his commandments to the great catching away. People say they have accepted Christ, However they are in darkness. The enemy tells them lies and they believe him. The True Bride of Christ, who have accepted the Lord Jesus will obey his loving word.
In his Christ Service
Michael, You said, ” Jesus also said – Whoever believes in me shall not perish – but have eternal LIFE…:)” Sounds pretty simple to me, but yet RELIGIOUS folk make it so hard and confusing!
The Gospel at its best is Simple, so simple fools stumble at it!” Did you forget that devils also believe, yet they are not obedient to God. They want to destroy every good thing that God has created and made for his Glory. Yes even Anna Nicole, they kept on until they took her life, yet God is not willing that any should perish! The enemy is on a mission to turn peopl away from God, and have them serve him. He has not changed, he can’t he is a liar, and always will be!
Jesus said, “A tree is known by the fruit it bears” now that is easy to figure out. If you go up to a tree, and its fruit is yielding ungodliness, adultery, fornication, lasciviousness, lying, etc., that tree is corrupt. On the other hand if you go up to a tree, and that fruit is yielding, Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, etc., that’s a godly tree. The Woman at the Well, The Prodigal Son, Paul, David, The Thief on the Cross, yes all of these individuals, when they met God/Jesus, their lives were never the same! So it is with us, when we ask Jesus into our lives and accept the Good News of the Gospel, when his Spirit comes in old things are passed away. Not over night, but, as we grow. You can not grow in Grace, if you are not praying, reading/studying God’s Word, fellowshipping with believers. If you are sowing to the flesh you will reap what you sow, drugs, adultery, fornication, liying, stealing, disrepecting your Mother none of these are indicative of anyone that has a relationship with the Lord. God hates sin, remember when he turned his back on Jesus on the cross when he had taken on our sin?
I am not implying that God hated Anna Nicole, he hates sin!!! Homosexual try to insinuate that Christians hate “them” no, it is not geared toward them personally, but toward the Sin. You are right “he commended his love toward us while we “were” sinners” “were” lets us know that we should have made a change, we were not suppose to stay in our sin!!
I thank God for His Grace & His mercy . . . There is a scripture that tells us not to frustate His Grace! If we can continue to sin and do the same old things we did before we got saved, then why even get saved? Just continue in your sin, I still agree with the word of God. If any man/woman/boy or girl, be IN CHRIST (THEN CHRIST IS IN HIM), he/she becomes a new creature!!! If His seed is in you, you will not habitually sin, day after day, year after year, You confess your sin, repent, and forsake it. Sin does not have dominion over us (See Romans 6, a very good chapter)!
As I said before, “deception is rampant,” those of us that know the truth must speak it in love. As DD said, many do not want to hear the truth these days. They want to continue in their sin with one foot in the world and one foot in the Church!!! It won’t work, either Jesus is Lord of ALL, or He is not Lord at ALL!!! He will not compromise, His word is true, it is up to us to believe and receive and live it!!!
The World wants us to be politically correct, and accept everything they throw our way, if it means compromising the Word of God, then we can not do this!!! We must all pray for the lost, people are as bad as they were in the days of Noah, Sodom & Gommorah!!!
Be Blessed!
Jami, from what I read in your comments, perfect Christians get into Heaven, and the rest go to Hell. I could be misreading your comment, but that is what you seem to be saying. A couple of you guys keep forgetting the most important part. It’s not about us. It isn’t about what we can do to get in. It’s about what God in His mercy has done for us. You keep saying we have to be godly to get in. A muslim or buddhist can act Godly, only a forgiven, born-again saved Christian will get in, regardless of the sins he/she commits prior or post-conversion.
Dan, Praise the Lord! I am sorry if anything I wrote gave you the impression that “I” have enough power or the ability to pass judgment on anyone and determine whether they will go to heaven or hell!! I do apologize, however, I can not apologize for speaking the truth, my desire is that it be spoken in LOVE! I intend to say what God says about a circumstance or situation, and He tells us in His Word how to “rightly” divide the word of truth, so apparently there is a wrong way.
Please, here me out, I am not saying I know every thing. My comments were based on my life as a sinner then as a born again Christian!! I went to church in my mother’s womb, held membership in a denomination, was in Church until I was 40, singing, participating in church work, partying, living basically like Anna Nicole, sleeping around, had a baby out of wedlock, reading my horoscope, you name I tried it!!!
I met a delivery man one day at work, he asked me a question, “If you died the next day would you go to heaven?” I was baffled because I thought I was on my way there! My reply was, well, I go to church, sing on the choir, I am a good person, “and a lot of the other nice things a nice girl would say, because I was a nice person” Notice none of the things I mentioned will warrant entry into heaven, I was destined for hell!!! Not because of my liftestyle, but, because my faith was in what I thought was the right thing to do. I had heard that Jesus saved at the age of 12, received that and got h20 baptized. However, I did not make Him Lord of my life, I did not have a “relationship” with Him. Only head knowledge, which is what a lot of people have, Oh, we have made sure that everyone hears about Him, but, they don’t know Him as Lord and Savior. See (Romans 5:12,17,19 especially, the whole chapter when you get a chance, also Romans 6 tells us that we don’t have to live in sin, because of what Jesus did)!
At 40, I set out to find the truth, the Lord sent people across my path that shared the WORD with me and showed me a more perfect way. A new found life in Christ, we started hanging together in His Word, the truth of His Word set me Free. I made Him Lord of my life! You can not live life apart from the knowledge of His Word!!! My life was changed, the things I did in the past, were horrible to me once the Holy Spirit revealed Christ to me…The darkness no longer appealed to me. My friends turn away from me, there was a change, I didn’t play cards with them, or drink or party,etc. I was a new creature now, I found out I was bought with a price (The blood of Jesus), I was no longer my own, my body did not belong to me . . .
Most people, yes even “some” christians think it is Ok, to continue in a sinful lifestyle
we can not be representative of Christ if we look like and act like the world we are called to be Holy, just as our God is Holy!!! Holiness is not don’t do this, or don’t do that Holiness is taking on the nature of God. He is our father so we are becoming like Him, not lilke the devil!
In the Bible in most instances the word “PERFECT” means being mature. We all need to grow every day, none of us have arrived, but we must be on our way. I disagree with the prhase, “It is not about us” it really is when you think about how much God loves us and how he gave his only begotten son to die for our sin so we wouldn’t have to, yes, it is about us, he had you and me on His mind. You are right about the Muslim or Buddhist and some folks in church, they can act godly too. But again, Jesus himself said, “A tree is known by the fruit it bears!” if you are a pretender, you will soon be exposed, in your speech or your actions.
Yes, your are right, those that are “truly” born again, will enter in, there must be a change in the heart, not head knowledge. If they ask for forgiveness when they sin (which includes “ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS”). As christians we have the Power through the Holy Spirit to live a life of Holiness. It is a choice, just as salvation is. God will not make us choose between right and wrong, it is with our own volition that we make choices! The Scripture plainly tells us how we are to live for God, anything done outside of His Will that is unrighteous, is sin. I know it sounds hard when we think that someone is going to a burning hell, this is not make believe, nor did I make it up! If you are not living for the Lord, you are living for the devil. (See John 8:44; 2 Cor. 4:4)!
I apologize for this long epistle, but, these are perilous times that we are living in, men/women/boys and girls must know the truth. We can not walk in the counsel of the ungodly (Oprah, Dr. Phil, Jerry Springer, etc.) and based the way we live on information gleamed from them.
Be Blessed!
Jami,
Don’t apologize for your ‘epistle’. I was very encouraged reading it. I appreciate you letting myself and those who read it into your life. That was an awesome testimony you gave. I think a lot is lost in typing. I think we are on the same page as each other on aout 95% of this conversation, but some gets lost and seems as disagreement. I think it is important though to remember that all though we don’t return to sin, we are going to sin. If we say we never sin we are lying. Thanks for your story it really was encouraging. Please don’t think my comments were an aim to back up all these claims of Anna being saved. I have a hard time believing it even after watching the video on utube. I won’t 100% say no though, because that’s not our place.
Dan,
Amen, we are on the same page!!! As born again believers my only other point is, yes we may sin again, but, we can ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:8-9). Thank God he will forgive us, then it is important that we forgive ourselves. I have shared with christians that have sinned and they feel so condemned because they did, God has forgiven them but, then the devil makes them feel like God could never love them again because they sinned. The devil is a liar, there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ, who walk not after the flesh but, after the Spirit. Once you are saved, you don’t sit around making plans to go out and commit adultery, lie, steal, get high, or drunk, etc. , or commit any unrighteous acts. When we sin we have the presence of mind to know the difference, ask for forgiveness, and repent quickly. (I believe Romans 6 sums this up very well)! The Holy Spirit is our teacher!!
Regarding the video on Anna, I am still troubled in my spirit about that video!!! It was almost like mockery!!! However, I hope and pray that she had the opportunity to repent and call on Jesus before she went comatose!
I am reminded of the little girl, that followed Paul and Company around, saying thou art the servant of the most high God!! She was correct in what she said, but, Paul discerned that she was demon possessed, and working for the soothsayers!! Anyone listening would have thought she was saved, she sure sounded like it!!!
Well, have a good week-end, and thanks for listening!
This was a good and provoking post. I thought the same things. I am glad to see how humbly you come across in your blog, as the only interaction with you I had was at the BIC II, where I didn’t meet you but only saw you, and heard when you were asking a question at Dr. Thornbury’s lecture. Honestly, you didn’t seem very humble there, but I realize that perception was mistaken as I read your blog. Continue strong brother.
Ooops!!!
David, is there more than one Jami Freeman out there? This is my firt time ever making comments on a Blog. A friend at work encouraged me to go to this site and read the article by Timmy B. on “Go and Sin Some More.”
I couldn’t help but comment on some of the statements. I don’t have a clue where BIC II, is or who Dr. Thornbury is . . .
One thing is right I am humble . . .
I think David was addressing his comment to Timmy. 🙂
Ooops (again) . . .
Thanks Dan for the correction . . . Whew!
No problem. I didn’t mean to embarass you. If I did I’m sorry.
Dan:
Not a problem, no need to apologize, I wasn’t embarassed!
Thanks for your concern though . . .
we really know nothing, but God knows everything.
att: judith
For what it’s worth, I heard Anna Nicole say in an interview on Larry King Live that, she “loved the lord.”
Sure demons believe and tremble….
However, Only by the HOLY SPIRIT can anyone SAY – JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
PRAISE GOD FOREVER ANNA NICOLE SMITH SAID JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Anyone that wants to refute that can refute GOD and his word – He and his father is a LIAR!
If it isn’t for us to know, but for God to know, than why do you keep arguing whether or not she was saved? This argument has no benefit. Anyone can speak words whether in the Spirit or not. But to truly mean them is by the Spirit. Maybe she accepted Christ at a young age, but she obviously didn’t live it. The point of this post, from what I read, was not to argue for or against her salvation but to open our eyes to the opportunities in front of us that we pass by. How sad is it when you’re more concerned over someone who is gone than you are about the ones you still have a chance to reach. I ache thinking she may be in hell, but I don’t know and worrying about it does more harm than benefit. Get off of it.
I thought this a healthy discussion not an arguement. As CS Lewis said (paraphased): God does not expect his children to be non thinking beings. While descention is a certainly bad thing within the community debate in my opinion is healthy. I love the idea that God in his mercy would reach out to to a lost Anna Nicole. The thought frankly helps me to be a better christian. Why would someone want to “Get off something” that is helpful?
My point was not to forget about Anna or what God may have done in her life. I agree, it should make us want to be better christians. But, when our focus is on debating over someone’s salvation who has died, since we cannot know for sure, it’s a disservice to what our focus should be. We should be focused on the mission of reaching others for Christ. what benefit does it have to try and convince someone of another’s salvation or lack thereof. There is no true benefit to our life. It may bring a slight peace having the idea that she may be in heaven, but show me the true benefit. The guy in the video seemed to be acting like, “Hey everyone, see she said she’s saved. Everything she’s doing is cool, because she says ‘Jesus is Lord.'”
After having read the posting, I found myself thinking of people in my life that I have not shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with. I pray today, publicly that the Lord might give me oppurtunities to share with others about his saving grace, because I am a sinner saved by grace. When I am faced with Jesus, I want Him to say to me “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” This is my prayer.
Amen Laura. May God provoke us to great love for the lost and passion to communicate his gospel to our world. You know, the easiest way to waste your life is to spend it doing things that simply don’t have eternal consequence. I fear that too many of my thoughts have been consumed with “to-do lists,” worrying, or planing, and not praying, meditating, and thinking about reaching my world for Jesus’ sake. How easy for my heart to be divided over worldly attractions or trivial pursuits! May God set us on a trajectory to blaze a path for His glory.
Being a Calvinist and a follower of the doctrine of God’s grace, I truly believe, by scripture not by feelings that we all are depraved in the flesh and fall very short of pleasing God. Only through Christ Jesus are we saved, as most of you know. However, I hear Christians, continuously saying things somewhat out of context…. The Book of Matthew 7:1, tells us not to judge in a hypocritical way. Example; The worker stealing from the boss shouldn’t condemn the person in the office, which is having an affair. That is what Matthew 7:1 is saying. We are not to judge others with a speck when we too are in debt (a log) to sin!!!! However, there is a scriptural judgment and a correcting judgment. John 7:24 tells us, ” Judge by a righteous judgment not by appearances. Also, St. Paul, 1 Corn chapter 5:, told the Christians of the time, to go forth in a sinful world and take care of business. Paul also told them if a Christian is sinful within the church that you are to bring judgment and to cast him out of the body if needed. Paul reminds the church how wrong you are for letting such sinfulness and evil things go on…. However, Paul reminds the reader that we are not to judge the outsider (unbeliever). Paul further explains that God will judge the outsider….Remember the Christian who was sleeping with his step-mother? Not my words but the words of Apostle Paul…..
The Bible tells us that we should be kind to one another, and show long-suffering, however our fruits will be a witness to us and our life. Remember, once the man repented St. Paul later allowed the man to be reinstated within the body, upon his change of lifestyle. Once his perfidiousness was resolved he was in good standing.
One last thing, we all need to remember is that in the Book of Matthew 7:22 these people have to be those who think they are saved by saying; Lord, Lord I prophesied in your name, I casted out demons and performed most wonderful works. Jesus replies, I never knew you; depart from me you workers of sins. If the old man is truly passed away one has to ask themselves should I continue in my sinfulness? Yes, we all will struggle with sin until we are called home. St. Paul talks about himself, in the Book of Romans chapter seven, whereas he says I try to do what is right but inherently I come short, but only through the grace of Christ am I made right. We shouldn’t bring condemnation to those outside of the church….However, we do need to bring correction in love within the church. In my 50 plus years, I have seen a lot of people despise discipline within the body of Christ, but usually these are the same ones who are hiding their own personal sins behind the cloak of salvation, and that is why they detest correction.
Peace, Christ Jesus is Lord
Jeff
I believe that Anna Nicole Smith died because of her son. I feel bad for her daughter Daniellyn Hope because she will never know who her mom was. She was trying to start a new life for herself, and her new daughter. As for coming to Jesus Christ i believe that in her own way that she made peace with her maker. Her mom oviously said in the court that she did go to church when she was younger like everyone she new the truth but didn’t apply to it, or responded, but Melinda is right only Jesus Christ can judge others, because he is the MESSIAH. Love Jill
Hi Timmy
I read your to our church on Jan 6, 2008, to give a perspective on the need to live for the Lord this coming year. I told everyone that you had written it, and it was wonderfully received. Thanks for the article “Go and sin some more” and the thoughts it provoked.
–Hardy Smith
I will be happy if send me some of your biblestorybooks.
Please change adress.
This seems to have struck a major chord in a lot of people.
Those who seem to be the most free may be the most enslaved.
HAVE JUST READ THE BRILLIANT WRITINGS OF TIMMY BRISTER AND I THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR GODLY INSIGHT. WHEN THIS POOR WOMAN DIED I HAD TO LISTEN TO THE AWFUL COMMENTS OF NON-BELIEVERS; BUT IT’S WONDERFUL TO LISTEN TO A CHILD OF GOD RELATING FROM THE ‘HEART’. I JUST WANT TO DIE WITH THE GOLD AND SILVER FRUIT IN ME NOT HAY AND STUBBLE.