Before we move on with this incredible book, let’s have a real talk about sin. Sadly, too often we downplay the seriousness of sin by calling it a mistake or a weakness or a bad habit. The truth is sin is horrifying, cruel, gory and deadly. We only need to behold the bloody Cross if we ever forget the terrible consequences of sin. This is not to make us feel guilty…by the Grace of God, once we sincerely surrender ourselves to Jesus, we are forgiven, forevermore. Yet, it is not wise to forget the role we played in killing our King. The balance is simply to pray: Lord, forgive me… and thank You for forgiving me!
Sin is immoral and evil, and sin must be dealt with if we have any Hope of living this Abundant Life God so generously has given us. Some will falsely say, “I am not hurting anyone!” The truth is, you most definitely are hurting many “someones.” First and foremost, we are hurting God’s heart. The God Who loves us, Who saved us, Who wants so much more for us. We are disrespecting God and dismissing all He has done for us. Sin always hurts, even if we may not physically see it…then again, I point us, once again, to the Cross. That is what sin looks like and it most surely hurts.
Once we are born again, continuing sinful behavior can block our ability to bear fruit for God. Think of a straw that is filled with gunk and grime. Can the water flow through it well, if at all? While the Holy Spirit lives forever in our spirit, in order to access His Fruit, we must be able to connect with Him, with as little hindrance as possible. There must be a flow from Him to, then through us. If we have enduring, unconfessed and/or unrepentant sin in our lives, the flow trickles and we will not be able to grow to sense more peace, joy, patience, kindness etc. Again I point us to the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 because this is KEY to the Abundant Life! Always with God’s help, the more, and quicker, we behave according to those virtues, the more, and more deeply, we will experience and be able to share this fulfilling life God wants us to enjoy.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
<>< Peace, Diane
