"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
A good question to ask indeed! What is sin today? I remember asking that question as a very young teen. Like everyone else, I could see that with the generations passing, things were changing. What seemed to be sin in grand-mother's day didn't seem to be sin anymore! What does God say?
How easy and practical it is to design our own rules to live by rather than follow God in the way He has appointed! It ought not to be so, the Bible, God's own word should be our guide!
How easy and practical it is to design our own rules to live by rather than follow God in the way He has appointed! It ought not to be so, the Bible, God's own word should be our guide!
First, the Bible tells us that God doesn't change... HE IS GOD! "For I am the LORD, I change not" (Malachi 3:6). TRUTH doesn't change either or else it wouldn't be truth! "Jesus said: I AM THE TRUTH" (John 14:6). "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
For starters, we all know the 10 commandments God gave to Moses for His people
(Exodus chapter 20):
1) You shall have no other gods
2) You shall have no statues or the like
3) Don't take the name of the Lord God in vain
4) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
(Christians have the Lord's Day in the New Testament)
5) Honor your parents
6) You shall not kill
7) You shall not commit adultery
8) You shall not steal
9) You shall not lie
10) You shall not covet
Now, in Matthew chapter 5, the Lord gives his 'Sermon on the Mount', and in verse 17 He declares: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." He approved the law, and fulfilled it in every way, did no sin, and could not sin.
In that same sermon, the Lord instructs us to go beyond the law of the commandments. He goes straight to the heart! He teaches that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention! Sin starts in the heart and if encouraged or left there, it comes out by our actions. Pretty strict guidelines you may say, but remember God is thrice holy, and sinful desires are just as damaging to obedience!
So, what is sin today? Same as it always was ... failing to obey God! Disobedience is likened to witchcraft and idolatry in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 as it sets up self-will in total opposition to the divine-will. Disobedience is what brought sin into the world (Romans 5:19) and what has marked every transgression since that time.
In that same sermon, the Lord instructs us to go beyond the law of the commandments. He goes straight to the heart! He teaches that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention! Sin starts in the heart and if encouraged or left there, it comes out by our actions. Pretty strict guidelines you may say, but remember God is thrice holy, and sinful desires are just as damaging to obedience!
So, what is sin today? Same as it always was ... failing to obey God! Disobedience is likened to witchcraft and idolatry in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 as it sets up self-will in total opposition to the divine-will. Disobedience is what brought sin into the world (Romans 5:19) and what has marked every transgression since that time.
Special Note: While the Law (commandments) does not justify a person in the sight of God, it does guide in daily Christian living (Romans 3:20). The Bible is clear that an individual is not justified by the Law but by faith in Jesus Christ; no one will ever be justified by good works. Justification (made just) is an act of God through Christ, freely making righteous anyone who trusts Him through faith. "For by grace are you saved through faith, it is not of yourself, it is the gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast". Ephesians 2:8-9
Precious Pearls:
-did you know that "To him that knows to do good and does it not, to him it is sin"? James 4:17
-did you know that "To him that knows to do good and does it not, to him it is sin"? James 4:17
-what was sin in Jesus' day is sin today
-disobedience to God's Word = sin
-there is forgiveness God does say, through the blood (1John 1:7; Col 1:14)
-helpful reading: The book of Romans, the Third Epistle of John and the Gospel of John.
-did you also know that Jesus has power on earth (only) to forgive sins, and that after death comes the judgment? (Hebrews 9:27)
-God wants all man to be saved and is calling out to you today: "Come NOW, and let us reason together says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18
-"The blood of Jesus, God's Son cleanses us from all sin" 1 Epistle of John chapter 1 verse 7
-did you also know that Jesus has power on earth (only) to forgive sins, and that after death comes the judgment? (Hebrews 9:27)
-God wants all man to be saved and is calling out to you today: "Come NOW, and let us reason together says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18
-"The blood of Jesus, God's Son cleanses us from all sin" 1 Epistle of John chapter 1 verse 7
"For the wages of SIN is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans 6:23
"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5:9)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hears my word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life". John 5:24
"Repent and believe the gospel" Mark 1:15
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hears my word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life". John 5:24
"Repent and believe the gospel" Mark 1:15
Claudine
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