Archive for the ‘Sin’ Category

3 Jun

What’s In Your Mind?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, God's Word, Sin, Temptation.

Some time ago, I made the decision to join Facebook. I sometimes wonder why I ever did such a thing? Some of the things posted there make me want to leave and never return. On the plus side, I often find material for these weekly articles.

Recently, I’ve notice two trends. One, there are a lot of really interesting recipes being posted, and two, it seems a number of people are concerned about healthy eating, and what they may or may not be putting into their bodies.

The question then arises, “how many people are as concerned about what they are putting into their minds”? From a pastor’s perspective, I suppose it is only natural to wonder about that. The scripture says “man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Jesus rebuked the devil with this verse when he being tempted in the desert (Luke 4:1-4).

The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). By doing these things we will be following Paul’s instructions to the Romans: “Do not conform any longer to the patter of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

What’s in your mind?
Feeding on His Word,
Pastor Jerry

—
“Christianity isn’t all that complicated, it’s Jesus.” — Joni Eareckson Tada

18 Mar

Sin In The Camp(er)

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Forgiveness, Sin, The Good News.

I don’t remember if I mentioned we bought a used camper last fall. When we got it, we knew it had some issues with water damage. Upon further examination, there was much more damage than first appeared. What we saw on the surface did not prepare us for the internal damage that had been done. I had planned to do the work myself, but we decided to take it to the camper repair place. They are doing a great job of restoring our “bargain” to usable condition.

Isn’t that just like what happens when we allow a small amount of sin such as anger, or bitterness to creep into our lives? It doesn’t seem to be a big deal on the outside, but left alone it can spread until it destroys everything on the inside.

In a spiritual sense, sin has the same effect on our lives as did the water that crept into the walls of our camper. Whether it is jealousy, envy, anger, bitterness, immorality, profanity, or any number of things I could mention, it starts out small and seemingly harmless. It then begins to spread until it takes over completely. There is no way we can get rid of it without help. The only one who can bring about restoration of the soul contaminated by sin is the Lord Jesus Christ. “Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14).

If someone had taken steps to prevent the water from entering the camper walls, much damage could have been prevented. We, as Christians, also need to take preventive measures against sin creeping into our lives. Here are a few suggestions from Scripture: Flee from evil desires (2 Timothy 2:22). Resist the devil (1 Peter 5:8-9). Keep away from temptation (Galatians 6:1). Be in prayer (Mark 14:38).

And, if we find that sin has crept into our life, here is the remedy: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Faith in Christ is the remedy for removing the stain and guilt of sin in our lives. There is no other.

Because He lives,
Pastor Jerry

11 Mar

Sin’s Definition

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Evil deeds, Forgiveness, God's Word, Sin, Truth. Tagged: , .

Dear friends,
On the home scene, life remains busy. If there is a time in life when we are not busy anymore, it hasn’t appeared on my horizon. The change to daylight saving time supposedly gives us more daylight hours, and I’m going to need every minute.

I think it is clear to most people that it is not popular these days to talk about sin. Sin, as described in the Bible, is minimized, glossed over, white-washed, or ignored, but few people are willing to call it disobedience to God’s commands.

Here is a case in point: The television series “The Bible” is airing this month. I did not see all of the first installment, but I will. I did read a review of that episode. In it the reviewer stated that people watching it would get the idea that Sodom and Gomorrah were judged and destroyed for their lack of hospitality. When I read the account in the Bible, I come away with the understanding that those two cities were destroyed because of rampant sexual immorality, including the sin of homosexuality, and others. There were not even 5 people in the cities who met God’s standard of righteousness.

I believe the lesson here for us is this: If we don’t preach and teach that every word in his Book is faithful and true, we are setting ourselves up for a similar judgment at some point. Those ten commandments are not the “ten suggestions.”

Sin is sin. To call it anything else is to call God a liar (1 John 1:10). The good news is Jesus Christ died on the cross to provide forgiveness of sin, no matter what the sin. God forgives all who come to him on the basis of the shed blood of his Son. The end result of this, according to the apostle, is that the one who trusts in Christ will not continue in his or her sin. “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9).

Let us call sin what it is. Follow that up with confession. Confession is agreeing with God that we are sinners. Then, ask his forgiveness, trust his Son Jesus to save you, and as Jesus said, “Go and sin no more.” And if you should sin again, which you may very well do now and then, do as we are instructed in 1 John 1:9… “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Forgiven,
Pastor Jerry

11 Feb

Stand Firm

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Faith, Sin.

We’re spending this Sunday afternoon waiting for the remnants of our first real winter storm of 2013 to fade. We didn’t receive a lot of snow, but we did get nearly a half-inch of rain last night, and the wind is blowing hard. Further north and west, they are dealing with some significant snow and wind. I remember those times when our days were spent feeding and caring for livestock. And, I am glad that for me, they are over.

There is increasing pressure for evangelical Christians to accept “same sex marriage”, and a host of other sinful behaviors. Our reaction cannot be to hide in a cave hoping it all goes away. We must stand firm on God’s Word. I believe his people must not compromise his truth. As we are pressed more and more to conform to the ways of the world, it seems appropriate to revisit some instructions from several of the apostles’ letters in the New Testament.

Paul, writing in Romans 12:2… “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Peter, in 1 Peter 1:14… “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (This scripture calls us to live godly lives.)

John, in 1 John 2:15..”Do not love the world or anything in the world.” Also, chapter 3, verse 7: “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray.”
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (false teachers), because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Finally, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5).

Do not let the world mold you into something contrary to God’s plan for your life. We, who are called by His name, cannot compromise on these issues and stay true to our Lord’s calling. We must speak the truth, and do so in humility and in love.

In Truth and Love,
Pastor Jerry

21 Jan

An Unhappy Anniversary

Posted by sandhillspastor in Evil deeds, Forgiveness, Prayer, Sanctity of Human Life, Sin.

This week (Tuesday) marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in America. I want to say a few words concerning the sin of abortion. I believe we must call it sin, because God created humans in his image, and to destroy human life is murder. It is murder at any stage of life. Nowhere in scripture is the murder of a human being at any stage of life condoned, especially the lives of innocents.

Much is made in the news media of the murder of young people in a school, or the slaughter of people attending a movie, but there is no outcry, no sorrow over the millions of lives terminated by abortion in the last 40 years. In the most recent report from Planned Parenthood, we find the organization performed 333,964 abortions in 2011. This amounts to 915 abortions per day. Where is the media uproar over this?

There has been much talk recently from the president and others about stricter gun laws, but I have heard nothing about the clear and present danger to the unborn in the form of abortion. I believe the issue is not one of taking guns from law-abiding citizens. Instead it is about a country, a government that breaks God’s moral law by sponsoring abortion (murder).

God is not mocked. Whether as individuals or as a nation, we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). When the Israelites were sacrificing their children to pagan gods, God judged them (Leviticus 20:2-5).. Why would we think he will not do the same when our country is in effect sacrificing our unborn children to the “god of convenience”, or to the “god of choice?”

I believe that our country will be judged for this sin, if in fact we are not being judged already. Sin has consequence, and even if America would confess her sin and repent of it, she will surely suffer some consequence of her past actions.

The Bible is God’s Word, and if God’s Word says murder is a sin, who are we to try to tell Him He is wrong? In my mind and in my understanding of the Bible, there can be no justification for abortion for any reason.

Praying for America,
Pastor Jerry

17 Dec

Some Thoughts on This Week

Posted by sandhillspastor in Evil deeds, Faith, Forgiveness, Sin, The Good News.

We have had some praiseworthy events this week. Alex has permission from the doctor to start leaving the crutches behind. It appears his surgery is having the desired effect. My knee is healing, although I now know there is a problem with some arthritis. And, probably the most encouraging event of the past week has been the rain we received here Friday night into Saturday morning. I suspect there has been a lot of happy dancing out there.

The annual Wheeler County Community Choir concert was held Sunday afternoon in two locations. It is a blessing to hear talented volunteers sing the songs of the season, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Still another violent tragedy has happened in our country. What happened at that school in Connecticut is beyond our comprehension. Most people have an opinion of why these things happen, but I believe the only source for the answer is God’s word. If we don’t understand these things from a Biblical perspective, we basically are left with no hope, and no answers. I also believe that we will never have all the answers, because God doesn’t give them all to us. However, he does give us enough to carry us through.

It is unimaginable to us that these things happen, but at this season of the year I believe it is of the greatest importance for us to remember that Jesus Christ came to earth to be the specific remedy for sin in the world. It is sin, after all that is at the root of this horrible act. I don’t pretend to know why God did not prevent this from happening. There are so many things in life for which we have no answer. I do know that God tells us his thoughts and his ways are not the same as ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9). In that same chapter of Isaiah, there is an invitation to come to God, to call on him for the forgiveness our of sin, and to receive his salvation.

At the risk of sounding overly simplistic, I must say I believe that unless and until all people acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, events similar to last Friday can and will occasionally happen. Until that time, God is still sovereign, He is still on His throne, and He is still in control of times and events. Praise His Name forever!

Leaning on the everlasting arms,
Pastor Jerry

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