One Another Ministries

Apart from Christ, we don’t think we are sinners; we think we are good based on comparisons. In Christ we recognize that we are wretched before the holy God. Romans 7:24, where Paul laments: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Apart from Christ, we can only compare ourselves to the world. We might say I am not as bad as my co-worker. We think we are better than a friend or a neighbor. We tend to judge ourselves based on our intentions, but we judge others by their actions. I know I have done that; how about you? Do you see God’s grace in others, or do you see their sins first? God asks of us to “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Do we use the same amount of grace towards others that has been given to us by God? I know for me I easily forget how gracious God has been to me when I look at others sins. We can see the fruit in our lives and those around us, but we can never know the true condition of someone’s heart. If the fruit is not attached to the vine, it withers and rots. It is not useful for its intended purpose. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God, as Romans 3:23 tells us. How do we recognize sin in our lives? We have to be connected to vine. No connection, no nutrients. No connection, no power to overcome sin. Do you think you don’t need God and can live this life apart from God? Life circumstances and our sins can be very destructive and harmful and cause much suffering. We are all created in the image of God, but we are fallen. We have all fallen away from God, not with a plan to do so, but because of Adam. Our Adamic fallenness is inherited from him. We don’t have to be taught to sin. We are born into sin. If you have been around a 2 year old, you will see this. Yes, they are so sweet at times and bring much joy, but what is their favorite word? MINE! They think the world revolves around them. We are like that as well, aren’t we? We like to put our sins in the categories. Some sins are acceptable sins.When we see a successful businessperson that works 60+ hours a week and neglects his family, we may see them as a good person. After all they are providing well for the family. But if we ask their spouse and children if they think that they feel loved you will get a different story. They have sinned against their family by not being there for them and neglecting them.

When I get angry at my wife and give her the silent treatment, it is a form of murder. Jesus said that I will face judgment for this. When I give the silent treatment I am saying to my wife, you are not worth the effort to try to explain myself. You are dead to me. I’ve sinned against a God image bearer. Ultimately, I’ve sinned against God. All sins against others are also sins against God. Once I was taught this from the scriptures, I learned that I must confess that to God and ask for forgiveness and the strength to repent and turn from it in the future. Then I had to go to my wife and tell her that I had sinned against her and God and that I had confessed that to God and asked for his forgiveness and strength to turn from that sin. I then asked for her forgiveness and help in overcoming this sin. She now knows more about how to best pray for me. This was not just saying sorry. Sin requires a transaction to take place. Confess, ask for forgiveness, and help in overcoming the sin. Before this conviction from God’s word, I saw that it was just better not to say anything. Hence the silent treatment. Both of these examples may be sins that are so easy to hide. Satan wants us to give up and not stay in the game. I know I am rambling a bit, but getting back to the opening statement, I made a comparison of our view of sin based on being apart from Christ or being in Christ. The difference being, do you have a relationship with Jesus? Has God shown you that your sin has incurred a debt that you cannot pay? Will you accept his free gift? The gift is only obtained by placing our faith in Jesus. He paid the debt when he died on the cross for you and me; all that is required of us is to put our trust in him. When we do that, he removes our heart of stone, forgives our sin, and we are reborn and given a new life and a heart of flesh. Our sins are placed upon Jesus; His righteousness is given to us; we are a new creation born not of the flesh but of the spirit.  We now seek to please him. This is a miracle from God, and it’s hard to comprehend. 

Stuck in sin and don’t see a way out? 

God has provided many means of grace to help us: 

His people, prayer, His word, memorize key passages related to your struggle, personal worship, corporate worship, biblical teaching. 

Which of these do you need to increase in your life?

God has provided Christian Friends, Pastors, Elders, Deacons, and Biblical Counselors to help you.

Will you tell someone and ask them to help you?

Will you be that person that comes alongside someone to show them the way out?

Don’t know how? I can assist you.

Can I serve you in any way?

There is hope and a way out!!!