Not a suggestion

If we were to separate Adam and Eve’s sin from it’s context, few of us would convict them of great transgression. All they did was swallow some fruit from a tree with a “do not eat” sign. Today, people think nothing of ignoring commands – even Biblical ones.

We tend to categorize sins as small and non-impactful, or large and severe. But God has a totally different view of our sins. Each one is followed by negative consequences.

The good news of Christ’s grace and forgiveness is our only real hope in this fallen world. Though unpleasant, focusing on sin’s consequences is necessary at times to remind us of the greatness of our salvation and to move us to obey God, even in the small things.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, August 15, 2020.

Light of the world

God’s whole plan of salvation of man hung upon two beams of wood.  The sacrificial death of Jesus is the the only way that we are reconciled to the Father, being justified by Christ’s blood.  Therefore, we can’t be justified by being nice.  Our good works will never justify us-they will never outweigh our bad deeds.  If that were true, Jesus’ painful death would be pointless, senseless, and unavailing.  If Jesus’ death were so, then a Father who accepts multiple paths to salvation and still sacrificed His Son could not be called loving or good.  Many people witnessed Jesus’ miracles, they saw them with their own eyes, and still would not accept Him.  Don’t allow your heart to be cold, allow the light in (John 8:12).

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world.  Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

 

 

Storm photo credit:  T. Link