Friday "Light:" Sin and Punishment

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"For if the guilt of sin be so great that nothing can satisfy it but the blood of Jesus; and the filth of sin be so great that nothing can fetch out the stain thereof but the blood of Jesus, how great, how heinous, how sinful must the evil of sin be!"  - William Bridge

After coming upon a fig tree by the road, Jesus found it had nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again." Immediately the fig tree withered away. His harsh sentence was carried out promptly (Matthew 21:19).

For that reason, this passage is worthy of our attention, since it concerns us very deeply, to remember that although the Lord our God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, He who is perfect Holiness cannot stand deliberate and unrepented sin (Psalm 145: 8).

He who is the Truth (John 14:6) itself will not put up with hypocrisy, and the deception of righteousness in those who are not. Carefully reflect on what the real forgiveness of sins is and its conditions. Let's look at two signficant facts about sin and forgiveness:

First, nature is brazenly impartial. Those who keep her laws, prosper. Those who break them, suffer. We all recognize this to some extent in external things around us, and adjust our lives accordingly. However, the laws of our moral nature are not any less serious.

We might entertain the thought about playing with the fire of lust or anger, and walking away from it unmarked; but that's not the case. Before we know it our souls are scorched and marked with scars that nothing on earth could ever remove.

Whenever you are enticed by temptation consider what you are doing, not only to yourself but to others around you. In this world there is no forgiveness of sins. Still, we believe that God will pardon and heal us, if we genuinely turn to Him (1 Corinthians 10:13).

For this reason, Jesus Christ died on the Cross, so that you and might be cleansed, and restored, and live with Him forever. Secondly, there is no forgiveness without repentance, none! True repentance means doing as well as feeling. 

With every passing day and every passing hour the choice of good and evil is offered to you. Every time you choose to do good, you are bearing fruit acceptable to God. If you give in and do the worst you are losing the capacity to do so.

One last word, if you continue on refusing to do God's will, and doing what seems easiest; a time will come when it will be too late. At that time the will is utterly incapacitated, and repentance is only desperation.

Scripture: James 4:17; Romans 6:23; 1 John 1:9; Galatians 5:16;  Proverbs 28:13

Prayer: "For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you."  - Psalm 86:5 (ESV)

Grace and blessings,

Margot