May 30, 2012
The ‘S’ Factor
Or
The Effects of Sin
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Hebrews 11:24-26
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:12-23
Quote of the Day
“The seven deadly sins are: Politics without principles; Wealth without works; Commerce without morality; Pleasure without conscience; Education without character; Science without humanity; Worship without sacrifice.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Today’s Thoughts and Insights:
The effects of sin are lasting and often far reaching.
For the lost soul who has not accepted God’s free gift of salvation through Christ Jesus, sins effects are eternal: leading to and resulting in perpetual torment, agony and suffering an eternal separation from God and an ever after in the fires of hell. If an individual dies without having embraced and accepted God’s salvation this is the impact sin will have on them.
For the Christian sin, though forgiven and washed away by the blood of Jesus and though covered by mercy and grace when repented of: still can carry lasting effects that result from the act or deed that is a sin. Often even though the sin may be forgiven the consequences of that sin still linger. Whether in damage to the physical body as a result of abuses inflicted upon it: whether by damage done by hurt in relationships with others who might have been affected by said sin: or any other natural consequence that could be a result of a particular sin: often even when forgiven Christians still find themselves dealing with the effects of those acts of sinfulness.
Maybe one of the most far reaching effects of sin from a spiritual perspective is that it knaws at our joy and often causes us to experience less than the fullness of what God intends because we become overwhelmed with the affects of those acts of disobedience. Did you realize if you add the ‘s’ from sin to laughter it creates slaughter? How apropos in that often the effects of sinfulness can in effect, begin to kill or deteriorate the fullness of our relationship with God.
How do we avoid these effects? Well the simple answer would be to stop sinning: but as humans the probability of that occurring are somewhat minimal, since we will not be perfect until we see God face to face. However, we can cast our cares on Him, lay our burdens at His feet and make ourselves dependent on His grace, mercy and strength as well as His wisdom and discernment to enable us to deal with the aftermath of our disobedience in ways that will strengthen our faith and still draw us closer to Him.
Today’s Prayer
Father, you’re compassionate and forgiving yet just and fair and even though I know if I will confess my sins to you – you will always forgive them: I also realize that sometimes I may still have to deal with the aftermath and effects that my disobediences have created: so grant me grace, mercy, wisdom strength and meekness to yield to you, surrender to your will and to learn from my mistakes so that I do not find myself repeating them with any degree of frequency.
“Two things never live up to their advertising claims: the circus and sin.”
–
Anonymous
“This is my cry: This is my song,
You are my guiding light, when the way is unknown;
And when the sunny skies, turn shades of gray,
I’ll stay close by your side: As you lead the way.
Jesus lead on I will follow:
Jesus lead on, let your love light the way… “
- Lyrics from ‘Jesus Lead On’ by Brent Helming
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