Taking a Leap of Faith (Hebrews 11:1, 6)
 
Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
 
The impala is a medium-sized antelope that roams the terrain of eastern and southern Africa. It is quick, agile, and swift on the run. It is primarily known as a fleet runner with an amazing ability to leap. It can jump up to ten feet high and thirty feet long. Quite literally, it can jump over any obstacle in the flatlands where it abides. But as nimble as the impala is, it has one limitation: the impala will not jump if it cannot see where it will land. Zookeepers can actually keep the impala enclosed with nothing more than a 3 feet wall.
 
Many Christians live this same way. They have great abilities, God-given talents, and even passionate desires; but they have a hard time taking a leap. The reason being, they cannot see where God wants to take them. Hudson Taylor said, “Many Christians estimate difficulty in light of their resources, and thus they attempt very little and they always fail.” Those who refuse to take leaps of faith feel as though they are safer and more secure, when in reality, they actually position themselves as a prey. Faith is believing and trusting God even when we do not know where we will land. Take a leap of faith, and trust God to take care of the rest.
 
Hebrews 11 is the great faith chapter of the Bible. Some have called this chapter "God’s Hall of Faith” or “Faith's Hall of Fame." The Christian life is a life of faith. It is impossible to please God without faith. By faith is meant a living, active faith, a faith that knows and follows God, communes and fellowships with God. It does not matter what a person does; without faith he cannot please God. The person will never be acceptable to God nor accepted by God. Trusting in God brings blessing, while trusting in man brings curse. Sooner or later man will always disappoint us and let us down. God is not that way. Trusting in man is like being a bush in the desert, dependent on inconsistent rain to have our needs met. Trusting in God is like being a tree planted by a continual source of water. Psalm 1:3, And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Those who live by faith will enrich the community they have been entrusted with. It is not enough to experience blessings handed down, but we must add to it. The place where you live can either become worse, remain as it is, or become better; it depends on your faith and work.
 
God gives us instructions to do something, whether it’s using our gifts, relocating to a new city, or even applying for a new job, and once we take the initial leap, we get comfortable and don’t anticipate any change beyond that. The moment that God says, “It’s time for your next move,” we allow fear to overcome our thoughts. But what if everything God promised you is waiting at your next stop? What if the only way to get there is to be obedient and take the next leap of faith? It’s an honest human reaction to want to stick with what’s familiar, because fear of the unknown often seems like too big of a giant to defeat—especially since we don’t know what’s waiting on the other side. But even though we may not know, we must remember that God does. He sees all and knows all, and He will never lead us to a place we’ll have to navigate on our own.
 
There will always be something that God asks of you that doesn’t necessarily make sense at first, but that initial step between comfort and obedience is where He does His best work. Here’s my advice: Don’t wait until your back is against the wall and you’re forced to take a leap of faith. Take the next step the moment God tells you to move. Don’t give the Enemy the satisfaction of seeing you hesitate because this next level that God is calling you to is going to require your full yes. It would be much easier to stick to what you know, but you’ll miss out on so much more if you don’t take that leap. And you don’t have to be fearless to take that next step. You just need to trust God and take one step at a time. Not only will He get you to the place you’re supposed to be, but He’ll make sure everything that He has in store for you is ready and waiting with your name on it.
 
We can learn a lot about our walk with God by watching squirrels. They are so busy jumping from limb to limb that they don’t worry about falling. Of course, it’s not falling they have to worry about, but landing. For example, sometimes a squirrel will jump for a branch on a nearby tree, only to miss it and hit the branch below it. When this happens, the squirrel doesn’t have a fit because he came up short of his mark. He keeps on going, because he knows he ended up farther ahead than he would have been if he didn’t jump. If we looked at following God’s will the same way, we wouldn’t have to worry so much about the unknowns and what-ifs of life. Many people are afraid to serve God because they think something awful is going to happen to them. They think they will fall flat on their faces, ending up miserable and disappointed. The truth is, God may change our plans, but He never gives us less than His best. His will for us is greater than we can even imagine. We just have to make up our minds to jump for it. When we first put our trust in Jesus, it’s by faith. As we continue following Him and our faith is tested, we can remember how God came through for these servants in Hebrews 11. Even when we don’t know the why’s and how’s, we can trust God with the outcome.
 
10 points regarding a person who has genuine faith in God will:

• Believe in God.
• Converse with God.
• Depend upon God.
• Entrust one's life to God.
• Fellowship with God.
• Grow with God.
• Live for God.
• Seek God.
• Trust God.
• Witness for the Lord.

A person who really believes that God exists will do these things.
 
Questions to Consider:
When has your faith resulted in God’s hand of protection?
How do you see God working in your life because of your faith in Him?
Are you afraid of what lies beyond your “security branch”?
 
PRAYER: Father in Heaven I know the thoughts and plans You have for me are for Your glory and for my good. Whatever I may face today, I can expect that You are working for good in all of it. So I’m going to step forward in faith, trusting You in all things & seeking to cooperate fully with Your plans for me. I know I can’t possibly imagine all the good You have planned for my life, but I also know it’s all coming in Jesus’ name, so I can say, amen!
 
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​Wise Men & Shepherds (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11)
 
In Matthew 2:1-11 and Luke 2:1-20, we are introduced to wise men and shepherds. Have you ever noticed the differences between the Wise Men and the shepherds? Yes! They were literally worlds apart. Also, these two groups were different socially, financially, religiously, and even intellectually. Matthew 2:1, Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Luke 2:8, And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:15, And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Luke 2:18, And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:20, And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
 
The Wise Men were more than likely from oriental descent. They studied the stars and paid much attention to the mysteries of the universe. They were affluent, educated, and respected men of degree. The shepherds on the other hand were considered unlearned and unclean men.  In many ways, they were much lower on the social ladder. They were poor, common, and men of low estate. Paul explains this deeper in Galatians 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
 
“There is neither Jew nor Greek.” No matter what our social status may be, the ground is level in Christ. This speaks of unity and equality. We are one in Christ. Our position in Christ surpasses all racial, social and gender boundaries. We are all one in Him. This is speaking of positional truth. Our position in Christ is the same.
 
“There is neither bond nor free.” No matter what our personal status may be, the ground is level in Christ. All are blood-washed saints of God there will be no distinction between Jew or Greek, or between bond or free, or between male and female. We have roles to play out. But the roles we have do not make one better than another Christian. There are no big “I”s and little “you”s in God’s family.
 
“There is neither male nor female.” No matter what our racial or gender status may be, the ground is level in Christ. There is no room for racial conflicts between Christians. There is no place for pride of social position between the master and the servant. There is no room for a man dominating and lording it over a Christian wife just because he is her head in this life. We are all one in Christ.
 
Jesus Christ is the answer to all the prejudice, bitterness, hatred, oppression, and inequalities of earth. How can He solve the divisions among men? Every believer stands on an equal footing before Jesus Christ: the footing of faith. No person is accepted for any other reason than faith. Yet, Jesus Christ accepts them. Jesus Christ reaches out and embraces all believers despite their being so much less and so different from Him. Therefore, when we look at another believer and he differs from us, we do just what Jesus Christ did for us. We love, accept, and embrace him; differences do not matter. All that matters is love, acceptance, and brotherhood in Christ. Every true believer loves and stands in Jesus Christ. Therefore, when we look at another believer, we see him or her in Christ. We do not see the believer, but we see Christ covering the believer. We pay no attention to his color, nationality, sex, social status, or any other differences. Differences just do not matter. All that matters is that we all grow into the image of Christ—love, accept and become more and more the brothers and sisters of God.
 
All believers make up one body. The body of Christ is not divided. Paul explains this in Colossians 3:11, Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew. Each was skeptical and prejudice toward the other. The Jews viewed the Greeks as lesser vessels because they were not of the chosen race. The Greeks viewed the Jews as legalistic bigots. Paul reminds the church that race creates no division in the body of Christ. The Lord didn't view them as Greeks or Jews, He viewed them as children. I think we all understand that and yet many of our churches don't reflect an acceptance of that truth. Publicly they may admit their acceptance, but privately they still hold on to racial bias.
 
Where there is neither ... circumcision nor uncircumcision. It is evident in the writings of Paul that he had grown weary of this debate. The Jews sought to bind the Greeks to the tradition of circumcision. They saw no way one could be right with God apart from that practice. This had become a major point of religious contention.
 
Where there is neither...Barbarian or Scythian. I am sure many were astonished at this statement from Paul. These were considered outcasts by society and to be avoided at all costs. The Barbarians were viewed as ignorant and unlearned, so much so that the term Barbarian became a slang term to identify people of lower education. This was detestable among the Greeks. The Scythians were known as a violent people. Josephus, the Jewish Historian said, "The Scythians delight in murdering people and are little better than wild beasts." The Colossians and even many within the church didn't want that kind of people within their congregation. Paul reminds them of the grace of God that brought salvation to all men. They may have come from a different background. There may have been personal issues in the past, but they were not to be resented because of their culture or genealogy.
 
Where there is neither ... bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Slaves were considered the bottom on the social ladder. They were viewed as nothing more than personal property to be used as their owner pleased. These would not have been welcome in most circles in society. Paul declared that a slave who was born again in Christ was not viewed any differently in the eyes of God than the wealthiest man in the church. Their physical bondage had nothing to do with their spiritual freedom.
 
As different as these wise men and shepherds were they had one thing in common: they both came to Christ. Interestingly enough, Christ came into their world to unite those who were worlds apart.  In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, bond or free. Faith in Christ guarantees our position in His body, thus uniting the most diverse and varied men. In the book of Revelation, John testified that people from all nations, all tribes and all tongues were singing praise unto the One that united them together (Revelation 7:9).  Christ gives all men, regardless of ethnicity, economics, or environment, the opportunity to become part of one family, that is the family of God. The same differences which divided the Nicodemus (John 3) and Samaritan woman (John 4) divide people today. Differences are very real, and we need to acknowledge them rather than pretend they do not exist. However, we should also remember that beneath the surface all people share the need for salvation. Jesus Christ can meet that need and He wants to do it through us. He works through us when we learn to see beyond others’ differences their spiritual needs. When you see people from other cultures, do you see their differences or their needs? Do you conclude someone from their culture is better equipped to reach them with the gospel, or do you take it upon yourself? You might not be comfortable interacting with people who are different from you; but if you are a Christian, your Saviour transcends their differences. He transcends your prejudices. And He will use you to lead them to Him if you will allow Him.
 
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Giving It All to God (Colossians 3:17) PART 3
 
Colossians 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
 
Paul gives us three procedures.
1.       Everything should be done proportionately. "whatsoever ye do in word and deed...."
We have a Great Commission to fulfill (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). We have a healthy balance to maintain. For too many people, Christianity is all talk. The word Christian is found only three times in the entire New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26-28; I Peter 4:16). The Christian life is not all words; it is also deeds. A man's name signed to a check authorizes the withdrawal of money from the bank. The President's name signed to a bill makes it a law. Jesus Christ is God and we have authority in His name.  All that we say and do should be associated with the name of Jesus Christ. By our words and our works, we should glorify His name. We must do and say everything on the authority of His name and for the honor of His name. Bearing the name of Jesus is a great privilege, but it is also a tremendous responsibility. We suffer persecution because we bear His name. (John 15:20-21). Every parent tries to teach his children to honor the family name. In just a few minutes, a person can disgrace a name that it has taken his ancestors years to build.
 
 
2.       Everything must be done properly "whatsoever ye do... do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Good works are a part of the Christian life. But it is not a question of doing good works for their own sake. These things are a means to an end. We do them in the name of the Lord Jesus. We do them, hopefully, to win people to Christ.  Everything we say and do must be linked to the incomparable, indescribable name of the Lord Jesus. Paul's instructions are simple, do and say everything under the controlling influence of the saving, sovereign, safeguarding name of the Lord Jesus. If we cannot bring the name of the Lord Jesus into our conversation, then shame on us. If we cannot ask the Lord Jesus to endorse a decision and a line of conduct, then we have probably made a wrong decision.
 
3.       Everything must be done prayerfully "giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
Here is a great question. Does God care who wins a game? This question often leads to other questions, such as, "Does praying before a game determine which team will win?" Is it possible that one team loses because the players didn’t pray as hard as the players on the winning team? Do you really think God is concerned with who the next World Series, or Superbowl, or Finals, or Stanley Cup? I believe God is honored when believers pray to Him, asking that He give them the ability to honor Him through their efforts. I think God is also celebrated when believers pray for the safety and salvation of unbelieving athletes. I also think God enjoys when His children gather with their friends and family and enjoy watching super-talented young people perform at the peak of their abilities. While I don't believe God’s focus is on who wins or loses games, I do think God can and does use any person in any position to bring Glory to His name. Based on today’s verse, we are instructed to do whatever we do in a manner that brings praise and honor to Jesus. And in doing so, we give thanks and reverence to the One who created each player and gave them the talent to perform their roles in the first place. We have been deepened by the Word of Christ and dignified by the name of Christ; therefore, we want to honor and glorify Him.
 
It doesn't matter if we succeed as an athlete, a teacher, a janitor, a doctor, a lawyer, a businessman, or a full-time parent. What is important is that you bring God the Glory He deserves. "Word or deed" takes in everything in life. "Deeds" can be preaching, teaching, eating, exercising, driving, cleaning house, shopping, visiting, working, playing (basketball, soccer, tennis, fishing, even watching) everything! Our words are everything that passes our lips, even in unguarded moments. Everything we say or do is to be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus." Our actions must say that Jesus is and does exactly what he claims! Just a few seconds of sin can disgrace the greatest of names. When our lives are full of Christ, praise to his name in word and deed floods our paths, bringing refreshment to all. What a responsibility is ours!
 
Below are listed 12 commitments of the Christian life we have opportunity to give our all to God:
1. Seek those things above (Colossians 3:1).
2. Set affections on things above (Colossians 3:2).
3. Mortify all sinful members (Colossians 3:5-7).
4. Put off the old man (Colossians 3:8-9).
5. Put on the new man (Colossians 3:10-12).
6. Forbear with all men (Colossians 3:13; I Corinthians 13).
7. Forgive all men (Colossians 3:13; Matthew 18:35).
8. Put on divine love (Colossians 3:14; I Corinthians 13).
9. Let peace umpire the life (Colossians 3:15).
10. Know the Bible (Colossians 3:15; II Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17).
11. Teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16).
12. Use the Christian's power of attorney (Colossians 3:17; John 16:23).
 
We are all aware that our lives are being observed and scrutinized more than we care to admit. The world offers so many opportunities and paths to travel, but many are seeking truth. We have the humbling privilege and responsibility to share that truth with those who need to be born again in Christ. Every believer is responsible for being a living witness for the Lord. Apart from Him such a task is impossible, but through Him we can be used to reach others. Each of us needs to examine our hearts and be honest about where we are. We may be active and even fruitful for the Lord, but there is room for improvement in each of our lives. I want to be used of the Lord in this life. Seeking to possess and portray the attributes described in this passage will certainly help ensure that. Christ alone can save from sin, and He alone can equip us to reach others and be a blessing to one another. If there are needs, Christ is the answer!
 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, inspect and investigate my life to see if I am living in a way that honors You.  Help me recognize the attitudes and actions that don’t honor the Holy Spirit or exalt the name of Jesus in my life. I am serious about my walk with You, help me to become sensitive, In Jesus name, Amen.
 
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Giving It All to God (Colossians 3:17) PART 2
 
Colossians 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
 
Few people realize the great price paid by the men who wrote and signed our famous Declaration. When they signed this document, they literally put a death warrant on their heads by committing treason against the British government. Of the 56 signers, 5 were captured and tortured by the British army as traitors, 12 had their homes ransacked and burned, 2 lost their sons as casualties of the Revolutionary War, 2 had their sons captured, and 9 fought in the war and died from their injuries. Our hearts swell with patriotic pride as we hear Patrick Henry’s famous words, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” Yet how many Christians are willing to say, “Give me Christ, or give me death!”? Are we willing to pledge life and loyalty to our Saviour? Such a bold declaration has to be backed up with bold dedication.
 
The believer is to have a heart that does all in the name of Christ. Whatever he does in word or deed, he does all in the name of the Lord Jesus. As believers, we have options, choices, and decisions to make. He is the one who speaks and acts; no one speaks and acts for him. Whether or not he speaks and acts for Christ is his choice. The command is there: "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus," but the choice as to what he talks about and does is his. He and he alone are responsible for his words and deeds. What are some examples of giving it all to the Lord? To live, learn, and love in the name of Christ. To trust and depend upon the name of Christ in all that we do. To claim the name of Christ in all that we say and do. To represent Christ in all that we say and do. The bottom line is, we must do nothing that dishonors Christ. Whenever we speak and whenever we act, Christ is honored by our behavior. We must always remember something: Christ hears every word and sees every deed. We love Him with all our hearts; therefore, we seek never to hurt or cause pain for Him by what we say or do. We diligently seek to bring only honor to His name.
 
1.Our Activity. Colossians 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
This truth is simple enough to understand and yet it is very profound. Whatever we do, whether in word (conversation) or in deed (activity), all is to be done in the name of Christ. Essentially all our activity is to be done in such a way that Christ is honored and uplifted. We should engage in no activity, whether word or deed, that the name of Christ could not be associated with it. That doesn't mean our lives are to be void of any fun or pleasure, but everything we do should reflect Christ and bear witness of Him. Honestly, could we say that all our activity this week could be viewed as being done in the name of Christ? Probably not. I pray this will be a challenge to each of us to consider our activities and ensure that we honor and reflect Him in all we do. I Corinthians 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
 
2.Our Appreciation. Colossians 3:17, Giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Not only are we to live in such a way that honors the Lord, we are to express our appreciation unto Him for providing the life we live. Really when we think about it, we accomplish nothing in and of ourselves. God provides the strength we need to go about our daily activities. He provides the wisdom we need to navigate life and process all that we encounter. His blessing is evident in every aspect of our lives, even those times when we are asleep or completely unaware. He is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving for all of His many benefits in our everyday lives. Romans 14:7-8, For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. Keeping this in its context, we could not be of help in advancing the kingdom were it not for His help and guidance. God chooses to use human instruments to further the gospel, but ultimately He is worthy of all the praise. We are just vessels used of the Master!
 
We need to examine our lives and see if we are living in a way that honors the indwelling Spirit and the name of Jesus. The truth is, you probably already know what you do that doesn’t honor the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus. You may have hardened your heart so you don’t feel conviction about it anymore — but if you are serious about your walk with God, you must turn from these things that grieve Him and renew your tenderness to the Holy Spirit and your honor for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If your heart has already been hardened in an area that causes you to do and say things that are displeasing to the Holy Spirit and dishonoring to the name of Jesus, it will require your solid commitment, not based on feelings or emotions, for you to return to your first love (Revelation 2:4). You must decide with steadfast determination that you are returning to a life and a lifestyle that pleases the Holy Spirit and brings honor and glory to Jesus’ name.
 
I urge you to take a good look at your words and actions and see if they bring honor or dishonor to the Holy Spirit and to the name of Jesus. If you have fallen in an area, ask the Holy Spirit to help renew you and bring you back to a place of tenderness, where you would never want to do anything to offend His presence or Jesus’ precious name. If you are willing, He is willing to start the process of renewing and refreshing you today. 
 
Questions to Consider:
How much are you willing to give for your faith in Christ?
Will you gladly suffer reproach from friends, neighbors, family members, and co-workers for His sake?
Can you honestly say that you are living a life that causes the Holy Spirit to dwell comfortably inside you and that gives honor to the name of Jesus?
If the Holy Spirit brings an area of your life to your attention in which you’ve been grieving Him with your words or deeds, how will you respond?
 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, inspect and investigate my life to see if I am living in a way that honors You.  Help me recognize the attitudes and actions that don’t honor the Holy Spirit or exalt the name of Jesus in my life. I am serious about my walk with You, help me to become sensitive, In Jesus name, Amen.
 
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​Giving It All to God (Colossians 3:17) PART 1
 
Colossians 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
 
What if you had to sign your name to everything you said and everything you did? Suppose that somehow a nametag attached to every one of your actions, whether good or bad, so that everyone could see who did it. Sometimes we are sloppy about what we say and do precisely because we don’t think anyone notices what we are doing. Let’s take this a step further. What if Jesus had to sign His name to everything you say and everything you do? For every careless word, the name “Jesus Christ” was attached.

His name is attached to our words and deeds because His name is attached to us! We are followers who claim to walk in His steps. We call Him our Master, our Saviour and our Lord. We tell the world that we have left everything to take up our cross and follow Him. We even call ourselves Christians, Christ-followers. Whether we like it or not, HIs name attaches to everything we say, even the foolish remarks, the unkind words, the angry insults, the swear words, the threats we utter, and all the rest. And His name attaches to our complaints, our excuses, our boasts, our lies, our flattery, our moral compromise, our laziness, our dishonesty, and even to the worst sins that we can commit. We would be more concerned about the details of life if we remembered that we are the face of Jesus on the earth today. We like to say that Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), and He is. But we are also the light of the world (Matthew 5:16), reflecting His light. As the saying goes, we’re the only Bible some people will ever read, and we’re the only Jesus some people will ever see.
 
Paul instructs us that whatever we do for the Lord Jesus covers every aspect of life.  The word “whatsoever” describes every little detail, even the smallest, most minute, miniscule detail. This is important, because it tells us God is concerned about every action in our lives; not only the large ones, but even the smallest. Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do ….” The word you “do” here infers any action that one does. We must be careful about whatever we say and do, for every little action has an impact on our internal Resident, the Holy Spirit, and on the honor we should bring to the name of Jesus with our lives.
 
1.Our Mouth. "Word." Everything that comes out of the mouth is to be sanctified.
Matthew 12:36, Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. This idle word speaks of and careless or useless word. Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word ….” The word “word” comes from the Greek word logos, and it depicts spoken words. This means that our words have an impact on the indwelling Holy Spirit and the manner in which we honor the Lord Jesus. In other words, there are some types of verbal communication that should never come out of the mouth of a committed Christian. We are commanded in Ephesians 4:29-30, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
 
I want you to especially notice it says that we must not allow “corrupt” communication to proceed out of our mouths, for it “grieves” the Holy Spirit. The word “corrupt” is the Greek word sapros, which describes anything that is rank, foul, putrid, rotten, corrupt, or worthless. This could include gossipy language or simply putrid talk. Ephesians 4:30 says that it “grieves” the Spirit when a believer talks like this. The word “grieve” is lupete, and it means it deeply pains the Spirit when a believer talks in this fashion. This tells us that when a Christian uses corrupt language, which could include anything that doesn’t minister life to someone else or any language that is rotten and worthless, it grieves the Holy Spirit and brings dishonor to the name of Jesus. Therefore, we must avoid gossip or using language that is not worthy of Jesus’ name or the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence.
 
2.Our Manners. "Deed." The believers' manners as well as the believers' mouths are to be sanctified by holy conduct. James 1:22, Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.
Colossians 3:17, And whatever you do in word or deed….” The word “deed” is a form of the Greek word ergos, which refers to our actions or deeds. This would include our treatment of others, how we handle our money, what we do with our time, what we look at on TV or on the Internet, etc. The Bible does not list every sin known to man, however, if you will listen to the indwelling Holy Spirit, you will know when your actions or deeds grieve Him. When that occurs, simply back off, immediately repent, and resolve not to do it again.
 
3.The Meaning of the name. "In the name" does not mean to speak His name over and over as some do, but it means to act according to His will, in His power and authority, and for His honor.
The word “all” in Greek is the compound word panta which is the word pan, meaning all, with the affixed ta, referring to everything. Therefore, the word panta means all things, nothing excluded. In all that we do, we should be conscious of the precious name we bear, and bring honor and glory to Him.
 
4.The Man in the name. "Lord Jesus" The believer must keep his focus on the One Who saved him if he is going to have holy conduct.
Life is filled with tasks and responsibilities. The attitude with which we approach those tasks determines to a great extent how we will carry them out. If we dread doing something, fearing that it will be hard, it is not surprising if it does turn out to be difficult. Instead we are called to begin every task with gratitude and a determination to do it the way Jesus would if He had our assignment. Whether the job is great or small, whether it is public or one that no one will ever know we did, it should get our very best. We are given the opportunity to represent the Lord Whose name we bear and to serve others just as He did.
 
When a Christian chooses not to serve others, that Christian fails in Christian living. Everything we do reflects on God. People cannot see Him, so their opinions of Him are formed in large measure by what they see in His children. When we perform with diligence and serve others with humility, it does not glorify us, but Christ. This is God's plan for us, and it applies to every part of our lives. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, inspect and investigate my life to see if I am living in a way that honors You.  Help me recognize the attitudes and actions that don’t honor the Holy Spirit or exalt the name of Jesus in my life. I am serious about my walk with You, help me to become sensitive, In Jesus name, Amen.
 
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To God Be the Glory (Part 2)
 
To God Be the Glory (Part 2) How Can We Glorify God? (I Corinthians 10:31)
 
I Corinthians 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
 
The Bible commands us to do all to the glory of God. So, how can we glorify God? The Bible gives several ways that we can glorify God. Below are a few of these ways. If we will focus our efforts in these areas, our lives will truly bring much glory to God.
 
We glorify God:
 
1. By Preaching the Gospel. II Corinthians 4:4, In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The Gospel is glorious because it makes known our glorious God’s nature and His simple plan of salvation. The gospel leads ignorant, weak, sinful, degraded men to a world of light. It is glorious and enlightening because of its splendor, beauty, certainty of heaven, forgiveness, fellowship and love that it gives to men, compared with the dark, despairing and hopeless systems of philosophy and heathenism that man thinks up.
 
2. By Offering Praise to God. Psalm 50:23, Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
Praise involves giving God our love, thanksgiving, worship and talents to serve Him. When a sinner receives Christ as his Saviour and confesses with his mouth the Lord Jesus, he is glorifying God. Do you praise God daily? John 16:14, He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. Do you glorify Christ?
 
3. By Bearing much fruit. John 15:8, Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
In John 15, Jesus spoke of fruit, more fruit, and here He speaks of much fruit. Two blessed things result from bearing much fruit. It becomes the basis of discipleship, and the Father is glorified.
 
4. By finishing the work which God gives us to do. John 17:4, I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Jesus recalls to His heavenly Father that He has glorified Him during His earthly presence. He finished the work God gave Him to accomplish. His very ‘meat’ was to do “the will of him that sent, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). He now had. Again, He has left an example for us. He finished His work. So should we.
 
5. By Keeping ourselves from evil in the world. John 17:10, And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. Jesus was glorified in them. The example by the disciples becomes a goal for us to seek; to glorify Him.
 
6. When we fulfil God’s will for our life II Thessalonians 1:11-12, Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The name of our Lord Jesus Christ is glorified. When we fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power. The truth is, your "mission" today might look as simple as showing kindness to someone who needs it or working diligently in your career with integrity. It could mean lending a listening ear, sending a thoughtful text, or praying for a friend who’s silently struggling. Whatever role you are placed in today, however seemingly insignificant or daunting it may appear, it carries eternal significance when done for the glory of God.  Jesus himself modeled this perspective. Every action He undertook, no matter how big or small, was aligned with God’s purpose. When we approach our daily jobs with this framework in mind, we become not only workers but witnesses to His grace at work within us.  Has the thought crossed your mind today? What is my role as a follower of Jesus? 
 
7. When the Word of God has free course. II Thessalonians 3:1, Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
The thought is that the ministry of the Lord might have an open course. This carries the idea of a runner in a race. The greater thought is of the Gospel having a strong race. His prayer request was that word of the Lord be glorified.
 
8. When we as the Oracles of God, and minister (serve) to the best of our ability that God gives us. I Peter 4:11, If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Suppose you spent 8 hours a day sleeping, 8 hours working, 3 hours eating, and 2 hours traveling to and from work. You would have 3 hours leftover. Now, if you gave 2 of those to your family, then you would have just 1 hour left! Many people think “offering yourself to God” means doing some ministry. That’s a great thing to do. But if that’s all “offering yourself to God” means, then you will only offer Him a very tiny part of your life. Jesus spent three years in public ministry, but before that He was a carpenter for about 20 years. He cared for His mother. He offered Himself to God, as much in His carpentry and in caring for His mother as in preaching the gospel and in performing the miracles. We are talking here about a pattern of faithfulness and obedience that honors the Lord in the ordinary routines of life. You can honor Jesus Christ in everything you do. We acknowledge that every breath in our lungs and every beat of our hearts is a gift from Him, meant to be used for His glory. Reflect on how you’re offering yourself to God.
 
9. When God delivers us from evil. Psalm 50:15, And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
What God truly is interested in is mankind coming to Him in simple faith, trusting Him for deliverance. That is more important to God than endless animal sacrifice. When we in simple faith call upon Him, particularly when in trouble, God has promised to deliver His people. In turn, it becomes our duty to glorify Him.
 
10. When we are reproached for the name of Christ, and respond cheerfully. I Peter 4:14, If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
The thought here is that if we are opposed or are persecuted because of the name of Christ, be glad. The reason is that the spirit of glory and of God will rest upon us. Though according to those in the world our Lord is evil spoken of, by us He is glorified.
 
Point to Ponder:
May we give all to the Glory of God.
 
Question to Consider:
Are you glorifying God now in all that you do.
 
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To God Be the Glory (Parts 1-2)
 
To God Be the Glory (Part 1) Doing It All to the Glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31)
 
I Corinthians 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
 
Many people are looking for a purpose or meaning in their lives. Books regularly hit the best-seller list by promising help in this search. Television is filled with programs and advertisements that offer (usually for a small fee or three easy payments) to guide people to finding meaning. Yet such efforts are focused in the wrong place. This life is not about us, but about God. We do not belong to ourselves, but to Him. 
 
Nicolas Herman, or Brother Lawrence as he was commonly known, was a dishwasher in the institution where he lived.  He often spoke about washing those dishes for the glory of God.  When finished with his menial work in the kitchen, he would fall on his knees and thank God for the opportunity to serve.  He said, “I wouldn’t as much as pick up a straw from the floor, but I did it for the glory of God.” Some may think this sounds silly or extreme but hear the words of the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 
 
In the Old Testament, the word “glory” means splendor or greatness. In the New Testament it means “dignity, honor, praise and worship.” To glorify God means to recognize God’s greatness and to worship Him and give Him praise. The word glorify means “to reveal or make clear.” In simple terms, we were created for the express purpose of showing or revealing God more clearly to others. By our lives and very existence He should be seen more clearly, even magnified in others’ eyes. There is no higher motivation or purpose in all of life. What a different and contrasting purpose than what we see in modern-day pop-culture. The message of the world is simply, “Glorify self!” The secular world idolizes mankind, magnifies the pleasure of man, and promotes the worship of self.
 
Romans 1:21–23, Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. We live in a self-glorifying culture. We name states, counties, cities, streets, bridges, buildings, schools, holidays, etc, after men. The path to happiness seems paved with self-worship and self-promotion. We see celebrities, professional athletes, and influencers get rewarded for their self-exaltation. Today’s world’s system from the educators, to the Hollywood producers, to the fashion designers, to the musicians, is not concerned with glorifying God at all. Even in Christian ministry, there is much popular teaching about promoting self, building brand, and the development of personal platform. But for those of us who know God, who have received Christ, our hearts’ desire and purest passion should to glorify Him; to make the Lord Jesus Christ more clearly known before men.
 
John the Baptist’s highest ambition was to expend his life for Christ’s glory. He said in John 3:30, He must increase, but I must decrease.” John made Christ’s magnification his life mission, and he was satisfied by its completion. When God’s glory becomes our motive and our passion, it is a joy to expend our lives for Christ alone. Glorifying God is typically an act achieved in the ordinary everyday walk with the Lord.  We tend to think that God is only honored when we lift our hands or voices in some corporate experience of worship. But the truth is, we have the opportunity to glorify God in every moment of life, even in the most boring and seemingly unproductive. Today you have a great opportunity set before you: to glorify God in all that you do.  Transform each mundane moment into a cathedral of praise by honoring and glorifying God in all things.
 
Charles Spurgeon said, “If God had willed it, each of us might have entered Heaven at the moment of conversion. Why then are we here? Would God keep His children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground; as heralds publishing salvation. We are here as the ‘salt of the earth,’ to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life.” The life that is aimed at bringing glory to God will look different from one that is focused on human accomplishment and meaning. Rather than trying to be promoted, we will be humble. Rather than trying to be prominent, we will be serving. Rather than trying to be successful, we will be faithful. The world may not value such a life, but God certainly does.
 
Our God is excellent and worthy of our most excellent efforts. When His glory drives us, we dig deeper and strive to give Him our utmost in every area of life and service. God sees every part of our hearts and lives, and His glory calls us to absolute integrity and sincerity. What’s “good enough” for me, may not be “good enough” for God’s glory.As God’s image bearers, our chief purpose is to glorify Him with our lives, to enjoy His goodness, and to make Him known, God does not need us to glorify Him. We can’t add to or take away His glory, but as followers of Christ, we can honor, praise, and worship Him through our thoughts, actions, and relationships. When we live in a way that genuinely glorifies God, we are the most alive and happy. If we miss out on this chief purpose of our lives, we miss out on living our best lives. When we turn away from our self-centered pursuits and accept that our chief purpose is to adore and enjoy God, we really begin to shine. The heaviness in our hearts slowly begins to lighten as we take the pressure off ourselves to find our purpose and relax into the destiny God has for us: to be loved by Christ, to love others well, and to make Him known. Any good in us is God in us. Every breath we take is because God has allowed it. We are dust apart from Him. It is one thing to have confidence in our self and our abilities, but it is another to become prideful of them. Glorifying God requires a posture of humility. When we live a life fixed on adoring and praising God, our eyes turn away from ourselves, and we actually become more blessed and content in the process. We are happier when we are living for God rather than striving to make ourselves worthy of love and attention. We are also more enjoyable to be around because our gaze shifts from inward to outward.
 
Points to Ponder:
You were created for His glory, and you’re never more fully alive than when you are living to bring Him glory. He is never more fully pleased than when your life is truly glorifying to Him!
Seeking to glorify God in all that we do changes how we think, how we speak, and how we act.
 
Questions to Consider:
Are you willing to be consumed for Christ?
What is your highest motivation?
What drives you right now?
When God examines your heart motives, does He find first and foremost a deep desire for His glory?
What would it look like for you to glorify God in all you do?
Ask yourself, How can I glorify God in this moment?
 
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All It Takes Is Just One Sin (Romans 5:15-19) – PART 2
 
Romans 5:15-19, But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
 
Men complain, “How can we be guilty for what Adam did?” This is a fair question. Let me answer this question with a story. In addition to being one of the most successful baseball managers of his day, John McGraw may have been responsible for there being a third-base umpire. Long before he became a famous manager of the New York Giants, John was a third baseman with the Baltimore Orioles. John was very competitive and had a terrible habit of hooking his finger in the belt of the base runner who was tagging up to score after a long fly ball. This trick usually slowed the runner enough so that he was thrown out at home plate. Despite the violent protests, McGraw got away with his trick for several months until one base runner secretly unbuckled his belt. When the runner dashed for home plate, he left his dangling belt in McGraw’s finger. The need for a third-base umpire could not have been clearer. Adam sinned, but we are all sinners too, and our actions prove it. We prove our guilt and our oneness with Adam with our sinful living. Even today, we see that the actions of one penalizes many in the world of football. When one player violates a rule, the entire team is penalized. It is not fairness that we need, it is God’s mercy. Thank God we have His mercy through the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Romans 5:19 explains that Adam is the sinner, while Jesus is the Saviour. The Scriptures inform us that Adam was "disobedient". This means that Adam went against the command of God and committed a sin! Romans 5:15 tells us that Adam committed an "offence". That is, he crossed a line that God had drawn, Genesis 2:17. When Adam sinned, his sin did not just affect him, it also affected you and me, Romans 5:12. So, we see that Adam the Sinner transgressed against the Lord and brought sin to every human being.
 
Romans 5:19 informs us that Jesus acted differently than Adam. While Adam disobeyed, Jesus obeyed the Father and gave His life a ransom for sin. This is made clear in Philippians 2:5-11. While Adam brought sin to all of humanity, the death of Jesus on the cross opened the door of salvation to "whosoever will" in Revelation 22:17. The contrast between the first Adam and the last Adam must not be missed! Everything we lost in the first Adam was regained by the last Adam. Everything Adam gave away in the Garden, Jesus purchased back on the cross! Romans 5:15 tells us that what Jesus did was "much more" than what Adam did! Adam sinned one sin and it brought death to all men. Jesus died one death and it brought the possibility of life to all! When Jesus died on the cross, His blood paid for all the sins of all men who have ever, or who will ever live. Of course, this only becomes effective for those who exercise faith in Jesus and believe unto salvation. I Corinthians 15:22, For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
 
Adam was “one” who made a difference upon humanity. He brought sin and death into the world. Christ made a difference, redeeming mankind and providing hope for a lost world. The word “offense” in verse 15 means “to deviate from the path; to go where one should not go; to trespass.” When Adam ate the forbidden fruit, he entered a God- forbidden realm. He went out of bounds with God. Satan never shows us the final outcome of our disobedience. He promised Adam and Eve they would be like God.  The result is they became more unlike God and were separated from Him. They expected to be like God but their sin produced the opposite result of what they desired. They became unlike Him. Such is the nature of sin. The drunkard tries to drown his sorrows and feel good about his troubles. He ends up creating more problems by his actions and feels sick. The adulterer seeks the thrill of sex and closeness with another. Then he or she gets the bill for treating sexual diseases, unwanted pregnancy, or court expenses. Some suffer loneliness by being dumped by a man or by being avoided by men. A thief steals to get things to “satisfy” him. He ends up being robbed of satisfaction, peace, and worries about being caught. Sin abounds, but grace much more abounds. The power of sin can be broken, the power of Christ cannot be cracked. II Timothy 1:10, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Sin and death cannot break the power of Christ. The condemnation of Adam’s sin is reversible, the redemption of Jesus Christ is not. God hates sin, but has great love for the sinner. He provided redemption for all men. II Corinthians 5:19, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. In Christ we are victorious. I Corinthians 15:57, But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. For this reason, we can rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
According to Romans 5:16, 18, 21, if a person chooses to reject the free offer of eternal life and forgiveness through the Lord Jesus Christ, then that person will be condemned by God. To refuse to come to Jesus is to choose to remain in death and it is to choose to go to Hell! If a lost sinner will simply trust Jesus Christ by faith, he will be saved and justified by the blood of the Lamb. This person will go to Heaven. Keep in mind what Jesus did for us after what Adam gave us. According to Romans 5:17, all those in Adam are under the reign of death. That is a sad thing! However, by contrast, all those who are in Jesus, reign in grace. One of two things is true about you. Either you are a slave to death, or you have been raised from death and made a child of the king in Christ. Which is it? After all, we are all just made men! According to Romans 5:19, either we are made sinners by being in Adam, or we are made saints by being in Jesus Christ! Which is true concerning you? 
 
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All It Takes Is Just One Sin (Romans 5:12) – PART 1
 
Romans 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
 
Thomas Brooks had this to say about the effect of one sin, “One flaw spoils the diamond; one treason makes a traitor; one turn sends a man out of the way; one leak sinks a ship; one wound strikes Goliath dead; and one Delilah betrays Samson. So many men, by favoring one sin, lose God, heaven, and their souls forever.”
 
We have become grossly tolerant, in our society, with the presence of sin. We embrace it, practice it, indulge it, accept it, rationalize it, and even promote it. We did not get here overnight, but have gradually and progressively accepted the presence of sin in our culture. Though it starts with one sin, I assure you beloved, it doesn’t stop with one sin. Adam and Eve committed one sin, but from that cursed taste of self-indulgence a superfluity of sins spread across the table bringing ruin, destruction, and separation from God. The Scriptures warn us of the sorrow, sadness, sickness, and shock of one sin
 
In one sin, man may gain a moment of pleasure, a swift thought of ecstasy, a fleeting rush of satisfaction; but what he loses is infinitely worse. Many souls today sit in the dungeon of despair, not realizing their one sin was the chain to such a dreaded place. Rid sin from your life, no matter how harmless it may seem. Its effects are far-reaching.
 
Jesus, the last Adam, is the representative of a redeemed humanity. What we lost in Adam, we gain in Jesus Christ. In Adam, all men are sinners. In Christ, all men are saints. Because of Adam, death reigns. Because of Christ, deliverance rules. In Adam, his life brought death because of sin. In Christ, His death brought life because our sin was placed upon Him. I Corinthians 15:22, For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Looking at Adam, God’s focus is on his offenses. Looking at Jesus, God’s focus is upon His obedience.
 
Romans 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: By one man, sin entered into the world.  Eve disobeyed God first, but the responsibility for sin was upon Adam. God gave the command directly to him.  Eve was deceived by the serpent. Adam sinned with his eyes wide open. It was deliberate. I Timothy 2:14, And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Since Adam was the head of the human race, his sin nature has passed down through humanity. Paul did not say that sin originated with Adam. Only the sin in this world began with him. Sin originated with Satan. A flippant, cocky teenager asked a preacher, “You say that unsaved people carry a weight of sin. I don’t feel anything! How heavy is sin? Is it ten pounds or eighty pounds?” The preacher replied by asking the teenager, “If you laid a 400 pound weight upon a corpse, would it feel the load?” The youth replied, “It would feel nothing because it is dead!” The preacher concluded, “That spirit, too, is indeed dead which feels no load of sin or is indifferent to its burden and flippant about its presence.”  The teenager was silenced. The penalty for sin is death. Death has passed upon all men. I Corinthians 15:22, For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
 
A person dies, not for his or her sins, but for his or her sin nature. We are born in sin. Psalm 51:5, Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 58:3, The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Job 15:14, What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? A person does not become a sinner by committing sins, he commits sin because by nature, he is a sinner. A person does not become a liar when he tells lies, he tells lies because he is deceitful in his heart. He is not an adulterer when he commits adultery. He is an adulterer because he is this way in his heart. Matthew 5:28, But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. A person becomes a murderer when he contemplates murder in his heart. I John 3:15, Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. God looks at sin differently than the way man looks at it. Men tend to classify sins such as bad, big, little, not so bad. God hates sin so much that eating forbidden fruit brought the death penalty upon the human race, separated man from God, and caused Adam and Eve to be exiled from the Garden of Eden. Men take a mild view of sin. “Who determines what is a bad sin and an OK sin?” God and men do not think alike when it comes to sin. The following gives a stark contrast of man’s viewpoint of sin and God’s point of view.
 
Man’s View of Sin                                            God’s View of Sin
1. Sin is an accident.                                        1. God calls it an abomination.
2. Sin is a blunder.                                           2. Sin is blindness.
3. Sin happens by chance.                            3. Sin is a choice.
4. Sin is an error.                                              4. Sin is enmity with God.
5. Sin is infirmity.                                              5. Sin is iniquity.
6. Sin is liberty.                                                  6. Sin is lawlessness.
7. Sin is a trifle.                                                 7. Sin is a tragedy.
8. Sin is a disease.                                            8. Sin is depravity.
9. Sin is a mistake.                                           9. Sin is madness.
10. Sin is weakness.                                        10. Sin is willfulness.
 
Sin brings spiritual separation from God and physical death. Sin also brings eternal death and everlasting punishment. It is called the “second death.” Revelation 21:8, But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Spiritual death prevents earthly joy. Physical death brings an end for the opportunity to be saved. Eternal death brings everlasting punishment. The Christian, however, is not to fear death.
 
The most important question are you ready to meet Him? Most importantly have you placed your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ the lamb who was slain. Have you put your trust in the one who took your debt, your bankruptcy, your fallen state in his very own body and died on the cross.
 
He took all our sin and then He took all His righteousness, all of His perfect track record and He imputed it; He gave it to you as a gift if you want it! Because Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins, he can also give us the gift of righteousness. His righteousness not only can he wash away our sins, but he can make us holy in God's eyes so God doesn't see us in our bankruptcy and all the wrong things we have done He see the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
So I ask you, what does God see when He looks at you? Does He see you clothed with Christ’s righteousness or are you clothed with your own son? Come to the Lord Jesus Christ today realize your spiritually bankrupt. Realize your debt and ask Jesus to pay the price and to take that debt and give you eternal life. Trust in the one who's risen from the grave who's in heaven right now and He's coming back for a people.
 
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Freedom through Forgiveness (I John 1:7)
 
I John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
 
 This study reminded me of a sermon illustration I once used during a sermon. The illustration goes as follows. André Cassagnes, the French-born inventor was in his early thirties when he created a plastic device with a glass screen on which children could draw by turning little knobs. Since the inside surface of the screen was coated with aluminum powder, moving the knobs resulted in drawing images on the screen as an unseen movable stylus scraped away the powder. By turning the device upside down and shaking it, the little black images would magically disappear. Cassagnes called his little invention "L'Ecran Magique," or "the magic screen." The Ohio Art Company renamed Cassagnes's toy Etch A Sketch and began distributing it in the United States beginning in 1960. Since that time more than 100 million of the little laptop drawing machines have been sold allowing it to be named one of the top 100 toys of the 20th century. It's unlikely that André Cassagnes had any idea the toy he created in his basement half a century ago would become so popular. It's also unlikely that he imagined his hand-held creation would provide Christians with such a powerful illustration of grace. Like an Etch A Sketch, sin makes it mark on the screen of our lives. The evidence of our disobedience is indisputable. It's not a pretty picture, but when we trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the blotches of sin on the screen of our lives are erased and we are made like new.
 
The principle of cleansing and a new beginning is seen in David’s life in Psalm 51. David devastated not only his life, but the lives of Bathsheba and Uriah by his wickedness. Uriah was dead and Bathsheba was pregnant from her adulterous affair with King David. David sought God’s forgiveness for what he had done. He wanted a new beginning in his life and realized that cleansing was an important factor in starting over again. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, as a result, we are freed from the guilt of sin. When we walk in the light of Christ, God sees our sins covered by the blood of Christ. He accepts us in Christ. Our sins are forgiven by the blood of God's Son. The word “cleanseth” means that the blood of Christ continually cleanses us from sin. If we are walking in the light of Jesus Christ, then His blood is always cleansing us from our sins. If we walk in fellowship with Jesus Christ, we are constantly confessing our sins, we are living in open confession before Him.
 
Man is guilty of offending God and of transgressing God's law. Therefore, just as with any law, when the law is broken, the penalty has to be paid. The lawbreaker has to pay or else someone has to step forward to pay the penalty for him. This is just what Jesus Christ did. He not only came to reveal God to us, He came to take our sins and transgressions upon Himself, all the guilt of them. Jesus Christ died for our sins. Jesus faced the judgment for us. Jesus suffered the punishment for us. Jesus bore the condemnation for us. The blood of Jesus Christ was shed upon the cross for us. Therefore, to walk in the light of Christ means that we walk believing that Christ died for us. The believer is to walk in fellowship with Christ all day long every day. He is to walk acknowledging God in all His ways, praying, praising, and confessing his shortcomings and sins all day long. The believer who walks in fellowship with Jesus Christ like this is being constantly cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
 
Hebrews 9:22, Without shedding of blood is no remission. Where sin makes us dirty, Jesus' blood cleans us up. Robert Lowry's hymn "Nothing But The Blood" says it well, "What can wash away my sin, Nothing but the blood of Jesus." Part of the great gift of salvation is not only that our sins have been forgiven, but that God never holds them against us again. Once we have confessed and forsaken our sins, God welcomes us back into full fellowship with Him, and He restores the joy that we forfeit when we sin. Satan always tries to obscure what we lose when he tempts us to sin. But God is faithful to forgive, and while there may be lasting consequences for what we have done, He never holds our sin against us again when we seek forgiveness.
 
This is the point so often missed by man, no person cannot erase the sins of their past. He has no way to pay the penalty and judgment of his sins, and they have already been committed. Therefore, the penalty must be paid. The payment must be made by Someone who is perfect, for God is perfect. Only perfect sacrifices can be acceptable to God. And this is the terrible problem that man faces, for who is perfect other than God? No man is, only the Son of God is perfect. This is the reason the Son of God had to come to earth. He had to come to sacrifice Himself for man. He had to take man's sins upon Himself and become man's substitute in death. He had to die for man. It is His death, the sacrifice of the blood of God's Son, that covers our sins. No person is ever acceptable to God unless he is free of sin, unless his sins are cleansed and forgiven by the blood of Christ.
 
PRAYER: Lord, You are so faithful in accepting our heartfelt repentance and giving us a clean heart and a right spirit within us when we acknowledge guilt and the sin that produced it. Thank You that when we come to You brokenhearted for mercy, You are ready to forgive and restore. In particular, thank You for the times You have restored to me the joy of my salvation. I know I can’t be free any other way. In Jesus’ freedom-giving name I pray, Amen.
 
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