Stop, Look, Listen
Erosion is a slow and silent process and no one is immune from it. If you don’t stop yourself in a downward spiral, then last week’s wrong choice doesn’t seem so bad this week. And on and on.
All Resources
All Resources
Sin
Sin isn’t a popular word. Most people think of sin as doing something really bad, like murder, assault, or robbery. But the word “sin” has the idea of missing the mark, not hitting the target.
The idea is that God has set a glorious standard and when we fail to live by it, we sin. We say, do, and think things that are contrary to God's standard, and the problem is that no matter how much we try and achieve change by ourselves, we just can't succeed.
The Bible teaches that our nature is imprisoned to sin. We miss the mark because we choose creation over the Creator. We look to succeed by our own strength, yet we never shake our own selfish sin. No matter what our education, religious heritage, ethnicity, or financial status, we cannot overcome the power of sin by ourselves. This is a problem.
Remember the Victims
The world says our main goal should be getting what we want. And if we have to sin in order to do so, that’s OK. But the reality is getting what you want can leave a wake of victims. Sin always has consequences.
Caught in the Backwash
Even though we are forgiven by God’s grace, sin has consequences and sometimes they’re devastating. When our actions harm others they can have lifelong ramifications.
Preventative Theology
Many of us are programmed to have “corrective theology,” where grace is used as a tool to justify sin or take away the pain of consequences. Grace is not a cure-all and there are always consequences for sin.
Deception and Accountability
It’s important to live an accountable life because once a man can lie to himself he can lie to anyone.
Finally...Justice Rolls Down
In this message, Pastor Chuck Swindoll teaches on God’s wrath against Job’s friends and the surprising solution for their sin (Job 42).
Consequences
Here is the principle: We reap what we sow, forgiveness notwithstanding. Confessing our sin does not take away the consequences. However, God’s grace means God, in forgiving us, gives us the strength to endure the consequences.
Celebrating with my Fellow Felon
And may I remind you once again? Salvation is a gift, and this gift demonstrates the goodness of the Giver, not of those who receive it.
Erosion
Erosion is dangerous because you don’t see it happening when all the while it’s eating away, disintegrating, destroying...slowly, silently, and subtly.
Learn to Run
Wondering how to stay pure in a world filled with temptation? Learn to run. As soon as you find yourself starting to lust, run. You cannot lust and run at the same time.
