Wednesday, April 24, 2013

News Flash: We are all sinners

As our world slips farther and farther into deception, we continue to hear people giving their “solutions” to all of the world's problems. 

These "problems" are actually sins in a sin-filled world.

Some people say things like, “If we only do this or that” --- as they whittle away freedoms in the name of their so called “safety“.

But are people really safe as the world slides down the slippery slope?

The truth is that we are all sinners.   Some of us are sinners saved by the wonderful grace of God through Jesus.   Other people are not.   Both people groups are sinners.

In our culture “sin” is now a blurry grey area - even for Christians.   The lines have been blurred as to what is right and what is wrong.   Thus freedoms are trumped in the name of what is “right” for those who control us with any kind of power they have.

Some examples of blurry lines and blurry thinking:

I have heard people claim that they cannot live without sexual relations (of any kind). In speaking with them logically about this subject they do not understand the difference between the necessity of food and water or even shelter compared to any other choice in life.

I have heard people claim they cannot help themselves while driving, so they speed.  They receive large fines which they do not want to pay because they feel that speeding for them is a natural force they cannot control.   They cannot logically communicate when comparing following the law in driving to following any law (such as robbing or murder, etc.)

All of this leads to Christians who are speaking about these subjects.   Some say that we do not have to follow the law of the land - but only God’s law.  Once again we see a "blurring" of what is the truth.

God's word says:

Romans 13:1-7
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 
Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority?
Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;  for it is a minister of God to you for good.
But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.  Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 
Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,  or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 
For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

The News Flash is that we are all sinners who continue to sin, and as time draws closer to the return of Jesus there will be more and more evil sinning by sinners. 

As women who love the LORD and live for Him, we need to be aware of the "blurring" of the lines of His truth.  We can choose to follow Him in His truth no matter how our culture blurs the lines.

1 Peter 4:7-19
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Food for thought:

“When Christians step up and accept responsibility for all we say and do, God is pleased.
We may have a majority going against us, but God rewards those who accept responsibility for their choices.”
unknown

“God pays in joy that is fireproof, famine proof, and devil proof.”
Billy Sunday

2 Corinthians 4 16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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