Tag Archives: sin

Atonement Day

06 Tuesday Feb 2018

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On the DAY of ATONEMENT, in Leviticus 16, one reads of the seriousness of sin in the life of the nation (and individual) – from the Lord’s perspective. Sin in the life of a person, under the teachings of the Old Testament, was so serious it actually adversely affected one’s relationship with the Lord. If not taken seriously by the one who was guilty of sin, that one’s relationship with the Lord would be severed on Judgment Day. Can you envision that?! I can, and thus the words of Paul in 2 Cor. 5:11 become very real to a person like me. “We know what it means to fear the Lord, and so we try to persuade others” (Good News Bible).

It will do us well (spiritually) to reflect on that in our own lives today. I am afraid there are many who fail to understand the seriousness of sin in one’s personal life. It is deadly and damning. RT

Why Blood?

05 Sunday Nov 2017

Posted by in Bulletin Article, Genesis, Salvation

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When was the last time you read Genesis? Perhaps it was not long ago; can you tell someone about the story of Genesis? It’s a very good story, but the people, circumstance and events within its pages are all true. Because many people think it is not, properly understanding worship escapes them.

In six days, the Lord created the heavens and the earth, and on the 6th day the Lord created the male and female. In Genesis 2, the Lord attached the female to the male and humanity has the divine introduction to the smallest unit in the community, the family. This attachment is very important for the family unit and for society. About the family, since the Lord does the attaching, the individual ways of thinking the male and female will certainly have must be bonded together under the banner (teaching) of the Lord to form one unit. Whose opinion holds sway when the perspectives are so different? The only perspective to hold sway is the Lord’s, thus the two become one flesh.

The Lord set up the family, the perfect creation of the smallest unit to beautifully enhance the community. It did not take long, however, before outside influences created havoc with the Lord’s perfect creation of the family. This indicates something important for us. The male and female were created perfect in all-respects, and that included with free-will, or the ability to choose freely. It’s up to each person to choose to do or not do whatever is desired. There are consequences to each choice, the but the choice belongs to each.

Adam and Eve both freely chose to eat fruit forbidden by the Lord, and with this choice sin corrupted the couple. This spiritual corruption could not be helped, but to also pass down to the children taught. Even if the vast-majority of that which was taught was virtuous and righteous, that little bit of corruption was still there! Since that time, man has “bent-over-backwards” to reach God, to bridge a gap that could never be bridged. So, in the interim, God gave a substitutionary method of being pleasing to Him.

The method was blood sacrifice. Why blood? Life is a gift of God, and the life of man is in his blood (Leviticus 17:11). Yet, man’s life (his blood) is now tainted/corrupted by sin. Thus, the life of a human being was not “taint-free” or “corruption-free” of sin. Select animals of God’s choice were not however. Why animals? The blood (life) of man could not atone for his own guilt, his own sin. Yet, the Lord did not want His creation to be left with no remedy to address the separation, wherein he could reach God. He gave man an avenue to cross the bridge to reach God via the substitutionary method of animal sacrifices. The blood (life) of animals was not tainted with corruption like the blood (life) of man. Since life is in the blood (cf. Lev. 17:11; Gen. 9:4-7), and man could not of his own ability bridge the gap to God, God gave a temporary substitute-bridge (the blood of animals).

Why did an animal have to die? When sin enters life, spiritual death results. God could justifiably take one’s life physically since He is the giver of life both spiritually and physically. God, however, chose not to do this. In His mercy, He chose the blood of creatures that could not have sin (ever) taint their blood (or life). Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22; 10:4).

In Genesis, we read of man’s effort to get to God, of man’s effort to live without God and God’s redemptive plan unfold. RT

Ex-Church of Christ (3)

28 Sunday Aug 2016

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  1. Every time you sin you are lost until you ask forgiveness.

See here and here for examples of this teaching.

“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”  –Romans 6:14. Paul teaches that we live under forgiveness.

“12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14because by one sacrifice he hasmade perfect forever those who are being made holy.” –Hebrews 10

“23The words “it was credited to him [Abraham]” were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness–for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”  –Romans 4

For more on this click here.

Having looked at the links (to Gospel Advocate and Truth Magazine), I noticed the links did not open to the desired location. Perhaps this is why there was some additional words within the thematic website (http://ex-churchofchrist.com/PhariseesCoc.htm) that addressed it. I find, however, since I have come to see how they handle the Bible to mistrust what they say in citing the writings of another. Be that as it may, let me address what was said and the reply to follow.

In an article in the Fulton County Gospel News, Mammoth Springs, AR (Nov. 2004) a writer states,

“If a person is to receive the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and if that person is to remain in a saved condition, he must ‘sin not.’ ‘But,’ many might interject, ‘don’t we all sin from time to time?’ To be sure…The remedy for individual, momentary acts of sin, of which every Christian who is blessed with life is guilty from time to time, is found in I John 1:9–penitent confession to God.”

Note the minimizing: “individual, momentary acts of sin”. The apostle Paul stated that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). I don’t know about you, but I believe I fall short of the glory of God, and the example of Jesus’ life on earth, 100% of the time. I am convinced that sin is a much more pervasive and insidious issue in our lives than the Fulton County Gospel writer believes.

RT – The only critical remark made is that the critic believes sin is more pervasive than the lifted words of the Fulton County Gospel News. The critic did not say the writer was biblically wrong, only that sin is more insidious that the original post. The author of the original post did not deny Romans 3:23 (at least as far as the lifted-from-the-context remarks are concerned).

How did Paul use his remarks in Romans 3:23? In the larger context of his address to the church in Rome, Paul addressed his words to both Jews and Gentiles, declaring that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. The point of those words was (and is) in relation to the need for salvation, that is, the need for Jesus. It is later (in the same chapter) that Paul speaks to this precisely in relationship of faith contrasted by the purpose of the Law of Moses (3:20).

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it–the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one–who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. (Romans 3:21-30, ESV)

Sin is pervasive and it is insidious, but Jesus is the remedy for sin. If one is to apply the teachings of the Lord to the behaviors of one’s personal life, is it not the case that the insidious nature of sin can be (and is) overcome? Certainly it is, otherwise, there is no power in the word (Romans 1:16-17).

I find it interesting that the web-article author cites Romans 6, Hebrews 10 and Romans 4 to make his case. Romans 6 speaks directly to the need of baptism, something the author makes no mention of; Hebrews 10 speaks to the Law of Moses and the role of the priest, not the obedience of one who fears and loves the Lord under the authority of the New Covenant; and Romans 4 makes the greater point that Abraham was saved by the Lord without obeying the Law of Moses because it had yet been brought to the people of Israel.

See what you can do when there is no regard to the context!

Romans 7 Summary

22 Thursday Oct 2015

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In Romans 7, Paul once again goes back to the Law of Moses. Some are of the opinion that the word “law” is not specific, but it is my contention that Paul is specific with his use of the word. Throughout this discourse he has been making reference to the Law of Moses, and there is no reason, in my estimation, to think that he is not doing the same here (cf. Deut. 22:22-24; Num. 5:13-31; Ex. 20:14). In any event, Jesus took the Law of Moses to the cross with Him. When he was buried, the Law also was; when He was raised, the Law was not. The “old husband” (Law of Moses) was now dead. Thus, those of Rome who are in Christ had already been made free to marry a “new husband.” Continuing with the analogy, the “old husband” brought judgment, but the “new husband” brought life and peace. The old husband served “his” purpose, making clear man’s sinful tendencies. Since the Law of Moses could not save anyone (Acts 13:39), all it could do was bring to one’s mind his own failings (sins). This is the nature of the principle of “law” (without specific regard to the Law of Moses); it can only pint out failings. With this knowledge “in hand,” Paul said, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (7:24). The answer is, and can only be, Jesus (7:25).

Time Catches Up With You (A Word to the Wise)

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

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The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death (Proverbs 14:32, ESV). According to Scripture, it is axiomatic, concerning that which has been sown it is sure to produce a crop. The Lord said this through Paul in Galatians 6:7, and the Lord said this through Moses in Numbers 32:23. Both of those passages speak to the important principle of life concerning sowing and reaping. Lest someone think their sin can be (will be) hidden, in the end that sin or sinful behavior will meet with the Lord. What then? Just like the evil that is sown will be seen at the proper time, the good that is sown will also be. For a great many, the sown seed is seen even now – how much more when we meet the Lord! RT

The Beginnings

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

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Genesis is the story of man’s beginning. It was the time of the Lord’s creation of the male and his help-meet, the female. It was a time when, via the natural processes the Lord set in place, that two children (boys) came from the womb of Eve. It was also a time where sin took hold of man and would not let go. So tight was the grip that the two boys born from the same mother were at odds with one another. We don’t learn that one of the two (Abel) was at odds, but we do learn that the eldest was insecure and, to some degree, irreligious. Because Cain felt threatened by his younger brother’s religious devotion to the Lord, he sets out to eliminate that threat. Sin had a grip so tight on Cain that he thought he could get away with the evil deed (Genesis 4). But He who has eyes searching over all His creation misses nothing. Eve learned a hard spiritual lesson when she took the forbidden fruit, but the lesson that became exceedingly painful was the lesson that spiritual shortcomings, many times, result in physical consequences experienced. Sin in one’s life is the beginning of much heartache!

It Seems Unfair

29 Friday Nov 2013

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It seems so unfair that the behavior of the generation before us makes me suffer today. It may be unfair, but it is the course of life. That which is sown must be reaped by those who have sown it and by those who will experience its ramifications. When abortion is sown into the wind, the whirlwind of harvest is a devaluing of life (consider euthanasia). When homosexual marriage proponents sow the wind immoral selfishness, the whirlwind reaped is the degeneracy of morality for the larger community. When political survival is sown, the whirlwind of “at all cost” is reaped. It seems so unfair when men and women who call themselves Christians vote for men and women who are politically partisan rather than for the ways of Christ. It seems so unfair—and it is. Now let us reap what we have sown.

A Mistake in Interpretation

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

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It is a mistake in interpretation to look upon the Law of Moses as a decree of God that could (or would) save a person. Note what Paul said in Romans 8:3, “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh” (ESV).

Pay particular attention to the commas, and remove the phrase between the commas and then read what is said: “For God has done what the law could not do.” Why could not the Law of Moses save? Because it was not designed to save anyone (cf. Acts 13:39), but to point out something the Lord wanted man to know: there is such a thing as sin, and it is damning! In the early stages of man’s existence, this concept was not unfamiliar, but now with a law in place, the Lord removed what excuse man was prone to make (Romans 3:19-20).

Thus, the Jew who tried to gain justification with God via the Law of Moses could not do so because the law brought to man’s knowledge his inability to hit “God’s mark” (sin means to miss the mark). Not only that, however, but in order to help man hit the mark, the Lord declared what kind of response man was to give, and He used Abraham to illustrate the point: faith. Note what Paul said, “but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works” (Romans 9:31-32, ESV). In other words, they used their perceived “obedience” (or compliance) to the God’s (or the Law’s) demands as “work” to be done, and then “payment” to be made by the one who made the demand. Consequently, they thought, God “owed” them wages for that which they did, and this, they believed, was salvation.

The Law of Moses had a purpose, and that purpose included bringing the Savior into this world (Galatians 3:13-16, 19-27; 4:4). Thus, no one could be saved by the Law of Moses, even if lived perfectly. Those who tried, failed; they failed because, among other things, they failed to understand its purpose.

The Heavy Weight

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

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The Psalm reads (in part):

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine indignation; Neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over my head: As a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, Because of my foolishness. I am pained and bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with burning; And there is no soundness in my flesh. I am faint and sore bruised: I have groaned by reason of the disquietness of my heart. (38:3-8, ASV)

One man said, “Suffering is a form of God’s discipline in the school of righteousness” (VanGemeren, p. 352). When one reflects on the teachings of righteousness as seen in Jesus and as it has found a home in the heart, the discipline experienced is weighty. “Your not wicked, your just feeling blue” is the line in a song lyric (Feeling Blue” Jazzmasters), but when one fails the standard of righteousness, you can’t help but feel as wicked as one can – especially when it seems to be a continuing struggle. David knew well how he felt, and the weight of his guilt did not allow him to see brightness during the course of the day (or days). It has been said that time is a healer, but time does heal guilt, it only moves it further and further back into the recesses of the mind.

Can you relate to these sentiments? If you know what David knew you can.

Any Virtue in Psychology?

19 Sunday Feb 2012

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The Virtue of Sin?

Through the years many Christians have heard some psychologists advocate sinful behavior. Just the other day I received an email from creation revolution that said a few words about one psychologists who is doing exactly that with a new book. It’s all about evidence, we are told. “Lust makes you smarter and evidence that seven deadly sins are good for you.”

It makes you wonder a bit about the word “evidence”!

I wonder if the evidence of the Lord’s existence and His forthcoming judgment is anything these psychologists of Satan actually give any thought to.

They will!