One of my takeaways from the Everyday Gospel Devotion for today is the devastation that sin has. I know. I know. I already know that. I have seen it and lived it. I have experienced the devastation in my own life, enough to not be shocked by it. But that still does not stop me from sometimes doing what Adam and Eve did in Genesis 3. When confronted by God in the Garden as they hid from Him, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. Personal responsibility? What is that?
Yeah…been there done that. Worse is the denial of sin or trying to minimize it. It is so much easier to look at someone else and point a finger at their sin than for me to look inward and realize, “Oh man. I’m just as bad or worse.” The comparison game is so insidious. Their worst vs my not-so-worst. Not a fair fight!! But that is human nature at its “finest.” It is far easier to be more concerned about or irritated by the sin of others than my own. I was reading just yesterday about a preacher and an intern who were going to talk to a man who really messed up when the pastor asked the intern about whether he could commit that sin. The intern said, “Oh no way!” The pastor told him that he better stay away and he would go himself, because unless he realizes he could commit that same sin, he should not visit the man. I totally agree. The moment you and I think we are incapable of committing a sin is the moment we become the most vulnerable. I also remember reading about a pastor who publicly proclaimed that he would never cheat on his wife. There was a woman in the audience that day who took him up on that challenge. Needless to say, the end result was not a good one.
Minimizing sin by either not seeing its “power factor” or thinking “it would never be me” is a dangerous game to play. It immediately puts us in the crosshairs of the Hunter (our enemy, Satan) who will consider it a challenge causing us to fall. And he will use every means possible to make that happen. I think we can all agree that sin is real. In fact, before Cain killed Abel (Genesis 4) God warned Cain that his anger and jealousy would be his downfall. Not long after that Cain killed Abel.
The words found in Genesis 6 are frightening. It says, “God saw the wickedness in the heart of man and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” It also says that it “grieved God’s heart and He regretted that He made man on the earth.” Those are devastating words to read. The flood followed.
We can’t handle sin on our own. The best gift ever given was God’s redeeming grace. Sin loses its power when stacked against that.
What a way to start off the New Year. This is a good one, Bill! Happy and healthy New Year to you and your family and church!
Thank you Diane. I pray you will be blessed and have a joy-filled 2025 that only Jesus can bring
Where would any of us be without God’s redeeming grace? May we not blame others or point fingers, but thank our loving Father for His gift of forgiveness through Jesus, His only Son. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Blessings, Bill!
Agreed Martha! I am beyond amazed by God’s redeeming grace.
I grew up in a church that put sins in a category. Venial and mortal, and on top of that, you went to the priest instead of God to ask for forgiveness. The priest would minimize sins by saying, say these prayers and you are forgiven, never really holding the sin accountable for what it was SIN. That just makes me cringe and sick when I think about that. Sin was so devastating that Christ on the cross said why Father have you forsaken me. Thinking how hurt God was that he wanted to destroy the people He created in His image and loved so much, makes me look at sin, and realize how devastating sin is. It makes me want to hold myself accountable and never minimize sin. I wish I was strong enough to never sin again, but I know that is not possible. God’s amazing grace is something I want to treasure and be grateful for always. I want to try and live my life extending grace to others.
Your former story rings with authenticity Gail and sadness at the same time. Oh, how so many people are missing out on knowing God’s true forgiveness does not come from reciting lines but from the blood of Jesus.
All I can say is I love this new devotional and know it will be a faithful companion in my quiet times. I so appreciate your recommendation and nudge to grab hold of a copy.
Thank you again, Bill.
I’m glad you like it Linda. I am now into February due to sermon work but am going back to reread the daily devos. They are just as good or better the second time.
Would you allow me to quote from your post here? God has told me that my word for this year is GRACE. I’d love to include the last two lines of your post in mine on Tuesday. Of course, I would give your all the credit! 🙂 Thanks, Bill!
Yes, of course Martha. I would be honored
Thanks!!!
My pleasure