For That All Have Sinned!

"Sin is a plague, yea, the greatest and most infectious plague in the world; and yet, ah! how few are there that tremble at it, that keep at a distance from it!"  - Thomas Brooks (1608–1680)

Is it possible that a single action, by an individual could cause devastating worldwide damage? In the case of sin, it is! Scripture tells us that, "by one man sin entered into the world." Romans 5:12 (KJV)

Sin is the transgression of the law. And the one man held responsible for its introduction into the world is Adam. He committed a violation of the trust that was bestowed upon himself from God. 1 John 3:4-6 (KJV)

However, Adam was not the mastermind of sin. Satan was the instigator of the transgression that led up to the actual act. Quickened by his intense dislike for God, Satan became the tempter, that he might usher sin into the world.

We, too, are aware that the transgression performed by our first parents (Adam and Eve) had an immense impact on humanity. The affect of their potent offense is manifested in some of the associated sins listed below.

For example: (1) unbelief, in that they ignored God's instructions and the penalties that were; (2) ambition, in that they wanted to be like God, and be able to distinguish right from wrong; (3) carnality, because they wished to satisfy sheer, animal desires; and (4) ungratefulness, in that they rebelled against God who had provided them with all that was good.

Thus, was the dispersal of sin triggered. And though theirs was the "original sin," we all pay the price by being "born into sin," and must carry this original sin within us (Isaiah 48:8).

To make matters worse, the penalty of death was imposed on all mankind because of this horrendous infraction (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:17, 19). Besides physical death, spiritual and eternal death were included, as well.

But all is not lost! As sin was brought into this world by the action of one man, "so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people" (Romans 5:18; John 3:16). 

This came by the grace and mercy of God, and the free gift of righteousness and salvation, through Jesus Christ, the man (Romans 5:19). Sadly, some still choose to live under the authority of sin and death. Even so, Christ will never turn anyone away who is willing to come to him (John 6:37).

Scripture: Genesis 2:17; Psalm 53:3; Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:23; Ecclesiastes 7:29

Prayer: Lord, I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. I pray for Your help and forgiveness. Amen  - Romans 7:18-19

Grace and peace,

Alexis

Because We All Belong to Christ

"Christ tears away the wall of partition, the self-love, the dividing prejudice of nationality, and teaches a love for all the human family."  - Ellen G. White

There is a pervasive and harmful element tainting our society. It is driven by hate, ignorance, and xenophobia, or a fear of the unknown. This consistent enmity fades only to reappear with each subsequent generation.

Perhaps you are more familiar with it under the guise of ugly and distasteful thoughts or actions, such as: prejudice, discrimination, racism, or even oppression. It is a sad fact that it is part of what comprises, or makes up, humanity.

Any Christian, who is worth his or her salt, should know that Jesus commands us to love one another as He loves us. In fact, impartiality is one of the traits God demonstrates towards us. And we are expected to show this toward one another. (John 13:34)

Matthew 25:31-46 does an excellent job of illustrating this point. Here, in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, Jesus edifies that God’s people will love others. Including, treating others with kindness; serving them as if it was Christ Himself they were serving.

Spitefulness or maliciousness toward others (you may choose whatever adjective you wish), is not condoned by God in any way, shape, or form. If we treat someone with contempt, we are unfairly abusing them.

We are all created in God's image (Genesis 1:27). Thus, when we focus our maltreatment on someone else, we are in essence hurting another created in God's image. Like us, God loves them and Jesus died for them, as well.

Why is this so difficult for some to grasp..? We, as in every one of us, are of one race; the human race. There is a definite difference between race and ethnicity. The entire human race is composed of many varying ethnicities. (Romans 2:11)

Even John 3:16 shares this point by use of the word "world." The "world" is an obvious reference to all of the ethnic groups around the world. Some may disagree, but it is written there in the Bible, for all to read and ponder.

In closing, it is of great importance to know that by his death on the cross, Jesus Christ put an end to "the dividing wall of hostility" built by animosity towards others. (Ephesians 2:14)

The best thing we, as followers of Jesus, can do is to love and respect each other for who we are and not what we are. If we are guilty of these infractions against others, we must repent. If we are victims, we should offer forgiveness. (Ephesians 4:32)

Scripture: Leviticus 19:34; Galatians 3:28; Acts 10:34-35; John 7:24; James 2:9

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me not be partial in my judgment of others, and to love my neighbor as myself. May Your mercy and grace lead the way. In Your name I pray. Amen.

May your days be blessed,

Bev

For All Have Sinned!

"Sin has turned the world from a paradise into a thicket, there is no getting through without being scratched."  - Thomas Boston  (1676–1732)

Oswald Chambers, an early-twentieth century Scottish evangelist and preacher, had this to say about sin: "Remember what sin is: the fundamental independence of God; the thing in me that says, I can do without God, I don’t need Him."

We can safely say that sin is what happens when we turn our backs on; declare our independence from; and neglect God. Any of these are considered a violation or defiance of God's law, and are deemed as sin.

How foolish the individual who thinks this doesn't apply to them! The Bible describes sin as transgression, or the actual act of violating God's law (1 John 3:4), and disobedience towards it (Deuteronomy 9:7).

There is no way of getting around the fact that sin is part of our life here on earth. Having said that, one naturally wonders about the degree of severity that sin might bring about. 

In comparison to the holiness of God, all sin is equal. Thus, every kind of sin, including anger to murder; the smallest lie to infidelity, is a sure and clear pathway to eternal condemnation (James 4:17; Romans 6:23). 

There are a couple of things I'd like to clarify about the equality of sins, however. First, one has to consider the earthly consequences. There are some sins that will produce worse outcomes than others, such as jealousy and robbery, for example.

Hence, even though all sin is bad, not all will incur the same earthly penalty. Viewed in this way, there are sins that are worse than others. Secondly, not all sins suffer equal degrees of earthly justice. 

A good illustration of this can be found in the parable of the servant waiting for the master to return (Luke 12:47-48). Though it may appear, in these examples, that some sins carry a heavier weight than others, sin is sin, and it is all wrongful.

Dear reader, by now you're probably thinking that all is lost and hopeless. On the contrary, nothing could be further from the truth! Thankfully, we have a forgiving and loving God. 

Yes, we've all sinned and deserve punishment (Romans 3:23). But, it matters not what we've done, we could never out-sin His power and capability to forgive us. God opened a way of forgiveness, not just for certain sins, but for all of it.

How do we know this? It's presented to us in John 3:16-18. It matters not how many nice things you do, or promises made to God. Forgiveness of sin can only be obtained one way, and one way only. 

No! God will only forgive you because of the penalty His Son Jesus paid for your sin. He paid the ultimate price! Jesus willingly accepted all of our sin, then sacrificed his life on the cross so that you and I would not have to bear it. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Scripture: Isaiah 59:2; James 4:17; Psalm 51:5; John 8:34; 1 Peter 2:24

Prayer: "Dear Lord, create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  - Psalm 51:10

In grace and peace, 

Betsy

Video Lesson: Here I Am!| from the series: Here I Am | Part 4 of 4 | Beth Moore

This week, we conclude the four-part series, "Here I Am," with Bible teacher, author, and speaker Beth Moore. 

There will be times in our lives when God calls our name to perform a special function in His name. More than likely, it may be something outside your comfort zone. 

What will you do when the Lord calls your name? What will your response be? How will you answer His call..? 

© Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Key scriptures: Hebrews 11:17-19, Hebrews 10:1-10, Romans 14:8-9, Romans 12:1-2, Acts 9:4, Acts 9:10-20  (in order of appearance)

Beth Moore always leaves us with something that we can use in our walk with Jesus Christ. Her teaching is clear, inspired, and informative. If you've missed any part of this series, feel free to go back and review them at any time.

Enjoy!

~Eve

Apathy is Spiritual Numbness

"Apathy is a spiritual numbness that creeps in and corrupts the good that God intends for our life and the good that He wants us to accomplish for Him and His kingdom."  - Elizabeth George

Are you feeling emotionless or sluggishness in your connection with God? More than likely, it's something that happened over a period of time. Sure, it was easy at first. Everything was new, and you were eager to soak up as much religion as you could.

You've probably heard that life is a marathon and not a sprint. This is a good way of analogizing our relational journey with God. Life is a long road, and there will be many twists, turns, ups, and downs along the way.

During the course of day-to-day life there are many variables, both seen and unseen, that can affect us in different ways. Understandably then, it is difficult for any believer to be charged up all of the time.

Likewise, our relationship with God may experience ebbs and flows. When this occurs we feel disconnected, and even distant from Him. This can cause guilt and sorrow for our declining and sagging faith. 

My friends, you are not alone! Bouts of apathetic spirituality can and do occur (even more often than you might think). Some may recognize this by other names, such as: dryness, lethargy, indifference, stupor, futility, blankness, among others.

"Apathy," derived from the Greek word apathḗs, signifies “unfeeling,” from a-, “a lack of,” and pathos, “feeling.” I like to think of it as a relational discontinuity, or "hiccup" in our connection with God. 

What must be made clear at this point, is that God is not apathetic. In fact, he disapproves of apathy and does not tolerate it. God considers it a sin toward him and his assurances; leading to possibly even more of it. 

So how can we pull out of the downward spiral caused by apathy? We can begin by asking ourselves some tough questions. First, are we walking in spiritual disobedience or indifference in any areas of our life? (Proverbs 17:5)

Sin is the cause of many things in our lives, and it certainly plays a role in spiritual apathy. It's worth noting, feeling impenitent and defiant about our sin can cause a cold, callous attitude toward God. (Ephesians 4:19)

Additionally, we can sometimes make things harder on ourselves than need be. Looking for shortcuts to grow closer to God, or trying to uncover secrets to his power only serve to frustrate and stifle spiritual growth. (Ephesians 5:16) 

Remember, sticking to the basics always works best! Actively read your Bible daily, and pray regularly and fervently. As Charles Spurgeon once said, "Prayer can never be in excess." 

Allow me to share one final piece of advice with you. As I mentioned above, many things can affect our relationship with God in the course of our lives. We must therefore make the effort, and take time, to include God in our thoughts and minds.

Family, work, and other social relationships are important to a healthy and happy life. But, we can't forget to include God in this, too. In fact, in the order of our priorities, God should be at the top of the list! (Romans 12:11)

Not thinking about God leaves us wide open harmful and immoral influences. We then begin to lose sight of the prize He will give us someday. That is, the crown of righteousness. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Apathy can be overcome. Yes, it will take some work on our part, but it is doable. Start with small steps; gradually working your way up as God allows you to. Read, pray, and work at it. The results will come. God promises you! (Matthew 24:13)

Scripture: Revelation 3:16; John 5:39-40; Galatians 6:9; Romans 10:1; Colossians 1:29

Prayer: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen."  - Romans 15:13

May God be with you,

Sophie

Weekend Message: Taya Gaukrodger: God Gives Us Emotional & Spiritual Peace | Full Episode | Better Together on TBN

 Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

As always, it is my great pleasure to bring you quality presentations from some of the best Christian teachers in the world! Each video presentation can vary, but whatever the topic, you can be certain that it will be informative and Bible-based.

Many of us wonder, "Where can I find refuge when life is beating me down?" This week on Better Together, Taya Gaukrodger shares how God offers us a refuge when we become emotionally and spiritually exhausted. 

©Better Together on TBN

Find a comfortable place and join the conversation as Beth Redman, Nicole Binion, Hosanna Wong, and Emily Vogeltanz join Taya Gaukrodger to explore the healing power of peace that comes from fully trusting in God.

Scriptural References:  Psalm 46:10-11, 4-7, 1-3; Job 11:13-15, 16-19; Lamentations 3:26; 2 Corinthians 10:15 (listed in order of appearance).

May God be with you always,

~Eve

True, or False Teaching?

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you."  - 2 Peter 2:1

"Do false teachers exist in today's church?" Recently, this question seems to be raised frequently in my Bible study groups. I believe that this is certainly something worth addressing, although not in depth here due to obvious constraints.

It's true that false teachers have managed to maneuver themselves into the Christian church since its inception. They cleverly use methods such as artful articulation and a captivating manner to deceive and mislead, for example.

Believers new to the faith are especially vulnerable to their alluring, but false teachings. I strongly encourage reading through 2 Peter, chapter 2. Here, the apostle Peter focuses on the infiltration of false teachers in the churches.

Peter, though imprisoned in Rome, wanted to protect his "flock" from deceptive teachers. Thus, he devotes a whole chapter (2 Peter 2) to unmasking these "religious frauds." 

The apostle sought to familiarize them with their methods, thereby enabling them to identify and avoid their flawed teachings. These unscrupulous teachers may appear to teach the gospel truth, but they do not! (Titus 1:16)

Using metaphors such as "springs without water" and "mists driven by a storm," Peter calls out these pretenders. They offer much, but produce little in the way of God's word. (2 Peter 2:17)

They promise things like delivery, pleasure, and life, but produce bondage, suffering, and death, instead. False teachers commonly spurn, or deny the gospel, manipulating and slanting it; even resorting to demonic influences. (Colossians 2:8)

Interestingly, Peter is not the only one to speak against false teachers. Apostle Paul, too, dedicates a good portion of his time and spirit denouncing them, as well (Ephesians 5:6).

Unfortunately, there are religious charlatans out there who peddle promises of satisfaction to yearning souls, but leave their victims deprived and unfilled. Dispensing teachings that are worthless and completely false.

As mentioned at the outset, this interesting and essential topic is too broad to treat properly here. Nevertheless, by being alert and grounded in the Word, you will be better able to recognize the truth. (John 8:32)

Scripture: Matthew 7:15; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; Galatians 1:8; Matthew 24:24; 1 John 2:26-27 

Prayer: "Lord, may you always guide and protect me from the false teachers of the world. Help me to follow only Your teachings and truths; the only true gospel there is. Amen."

May your days be blessed,

Bev