The Bible records this, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39). This passage is used by many religions as evidence that we can never really "Fall Away" from the grace of God. But notice, sin is not anywhere in this passage is it? One of the worst ways we, the church, have erred today is telling people that nothing, not even sin, can seperate you from God. If this scripture were implying such a poison, then the Apostle Paul would have said sin in this passage, but he didn't did he?
In fact, Sin is the only thing that seperates you, and it will. The Bible states:"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" (Romans 5:12). This passage leads us to understand that this curse, sin, passed unto all of us at the beginning of Adam's transgression in the garden. Think about it, this sin transgression in Eden forever seperated us from walking with God, talking with God like Adam enjoyed in the garden, and was the reason Jesus had to die on a cross. This statement proves this in Romans, "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (Jesus) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God" (Romans 3:25). He died because of the "sin nature" that was passed to all of us, and rose again from the dead to give us the power to break the curse of the "sin nature" in our lives.
Now, before I go further, lets explore the understanding of the "act of sin", and the "sin nature".
Sin can be defined as the act of disobeying what God has said not to do. To willfully make a decision to disobey God. Some would say can we know what God says is sin? Yes, we can, and I want to let you know that no sin is bigger than the other, or more important, to God everyone of them is just the same, and will destroy you just as much. The "little sin, big sin" doctrine rampant in churches today is a lie, ALL will destroy you. Here is a list of things God said to stay away from:
(Galatians 5:19,20,21 -
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
- ADULTERY
- FORNICATION
- UNCLEANNESS
- LASCIVIOUSNESS
- IDOLATRY
- WITCHCRAFT
- HATRED
- VARIANCE
- EMULATIONS
- WRATH
- STRIFE
- SEDETIONS
- HERESIES
- ENVYINGS
- MURDER
- DRUNKENNESS
- REVELLINGS
"and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.")
I challenge you to look each one of these up in a dictonary for their definition. You will see how serious commiting these "acts of sin" are, for the Bible declares those who do such things above, and will not repent or "turn away" from continuing to do them, will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and let me assure you, if you don't inherit this kingdom down here, you won't get into heaven up there. And, you will probably see it is not the "big ones" that often get us the most, it is the "Little foxes, that spoil the vines"(Song of Solomon 2:15), the small ones, little sins, are the ones preachers rarely warn about, and the ones we are guilty of commiting the most.
Now, let me explain something here. These things mentioned above must be commited (acted out in your life) for them to become sin. You must be doing them. Reading about sin, is not a sin. Being tempted to do these things, is not a sin. The temptation, from Satan or your own Flesh, to do these things doesn't mean you have sinned, only if you commit them, willfully. Think about this, do you believe Jesus Christ was sinless? Do you believe he gave a sinless sacrifice on the Cross? The Bible records that Jesus was in all means "tempted" to sin like we are! "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."(Hebrews 4:15). If you answered yes to the question, then you believe the "temptation" is not sin, or Jesus was so sinful his sacrifice was meaningless, and we are doomed to Hell. It is giving into, not resisting, the temptation that commits the "act of sin", and needs repentance from God, fast.
Further, if God has already forgiven "future sins" as implied by many preachers, that have yet to be commited, then why would this passage even be in the Bible?..."If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:19). Remember, this epistle was written to already converted christians in a already established church, not to unbelievers. And, this passage sets up the fact that without the "asking for forgiveness" part, you cannot be cleansed, or forgiven! Many preachers and denominations use that "future sin already forgiven" doctrine as a means to prove you can never "fall away" from the grace of God, or become in jeapardy of losing Heaven. But then, I shouldn't be finding this stuff in the Bible if that were true, would I?
I hope I have explained the "act of sin" part of this devotional. Tomorrow, I shall explain the "sin nature part. Please, whether you can guess what denomination I am or not, it doesn't matter. Whether you believe me or understand this fully or not, that is ok. Deal with the sin (disobedience) in your life. Talk to God, right now and he will forgive you and help you to overcome it. There is no preacher or church doctrine, or thing in this life that is worth missing Heaven for. You can KNOW you are cleansed and free and ready to meet Jesus. It is just a prayer away. -- ------NEXT DEVOTIONAL.. THE "SIN NATURE DILEMMA"...........
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