Tag Archives: sin

January 28
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“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the Lord always.”  (Proverbs 23:17, NASB)

The sinner does not regard the law of the Lord as applicable to him; nor does he consider valid the instructions of his Creator.  The fact is this: We all have been active sinners; dismissive of God’s law and disdainful of His rightful authority.

Are we tempted to envy those we see cruising on sin’s easy boulevard while we endure the inconveniences of the narrow moral road?   Yes!  We feel the tug because of our humanity.  However, we were created for grander purposes.  Do not give-up; and do not give-in to envy.

To “live in the fear of the Lord” is to continuously mindful of the things that matter to the Lord — and to allow your heart to follow the Spirit’s leading.  – Luther

 

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December 6
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“So then, if we do not do the good we know we should do, we are guilty of sin.”  (James 4:17, Good News Translation)

You will not find a more simple, direct, or pure definition of sin than what is written in today’s scripture verse.

This definition does not cover all sin, but it does address what we refer to as “sins of omission”: Knowing but not doing.  Following this principle, it might also be said that we sin when we have but do not share what we have with others.

James’ letter is, I think, the most practical book in the New Testament.  It addresses the common issues of our life as disciples of Jesus, and is well worth the 15 minutes or so it would take a slow reader (like myself) to cover its five, short, chapters.

James reminds us that we need not sin.  – Luther

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September 27
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“’In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”  (Ephesians 4:26-27, NIV)

There are some things in life that ought to provoke us to anger.  However, remaining in a perpetual state of anger — even over situations that ought to make us angry — is a bad thing.

For the disciple of Jesus, anger has an expiration date: Sundown.

Deprive the devil of his foothold by turning your anger into a productive plan for good.  Pray to God for wisdom in how to address the situation in question.  Pray for those whose actions have offended your sense of fairness.  Give to God — by sundown — any residual anger in your heart.

Carrying anger past bedtime often means a sleepless night.  Bottling-up anger past its expiration allows it to fester into resentment, and to ferment into rage.

Better to rise to fight at dawn with a rested body; a clear mind; and a renewed spirit.   – Luther

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