Dave’s Monday Blast – August 10, 2015
The ways of humanity can be disconcerting. Like many of you no doubt, I have been dismayed by the latest revelations concerning Planned Parenthood. Although our Heavenly Father does not consider any sin (falling short of His glory) worse than any other, I know that at times we do. We tend to categorize sins, rating some as small and inconsequential, but others as huge and far-reaching in the damage they cause. In reality, no one sins in isolation. Each disobedience to God affects not only the sinner but also countless others in both the present and the future.
If we were to separate Adam and Eve’s sin from its 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.
However; INTENTIONAL men know that God has a totally different view of our sins. Each one is followed by negative consequences. Adam and Eve’s disobedience led to pain and frustration in two basic areas of fulfillment…relationships and meaningful work. The whole earth fell under sin’s curse, and every person born since then has entered the world with a sin nature that alienates each one from the Lord.
In Touch Ministries states it this way, “That first rebellion plunged humanity into a terrible condition. Civilization is now plagued by countless ramifications of the innumerable sins committed by human beings throughout the ages. Is it any wonder the world is in such sad shape? Sin not only causes suffering; it robs us of God’s best. The Garden of Eden is closed and locked to sinful mankind.” (Genesis 3:14-19)
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. Each act of obedience is huge to Him. I must remind myself of these truths when in pride I consider the ways of others as more evil than what lurks in my own heart.
