Good day everyone. I was watching sports news yesterday and heard the sports commentators condemning some athletes for “possibly” using performance enhancing drugs and I started thinking about how Christians are so quick to condemn those around them who are Christians and fall off the path momentarily so I put this message together. Stay blessed.
Today’s Prayer
Father, I have prayed this prayer before and after talking with people in the last couple weeks it deserves repeating; in times of trials and suffering, when we feel overwhelmed, and our faith shrinks to the size of a “mustard seed,” forgive us! Forgive us for focusing on the magnitude of our problems instead of the magnitude of our God! Help us see that accepting Your sovereignty is no longer just an academic question, but an everyday necessity as the basis of our Christian faith. For if we really accept Your sovereignty, then we must believe that You are adequate for all of our needs. I pray that the Holy Spirit will make known to us whether we are to act or to wait. Help us trust that You can bring something meaningful even out of our crisis-situations, and to learn that Your grace, Your mercy, and Your love are indeed sufficient for all of our needs, for You are faithful to Your Word. I pray this and all things in the wonderful name of Jesus, Amen and Amen.
Let’s eat.
Condemnation
Condemned
Romans 5:12-19 –
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
By Nature; Not Condemned
John 3:17-18 –
God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.
Through Grace; No Condemnation
Romans 8:1-2 –
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Quote of the Day
Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. Faith is the belief that God will do what is right.
Max Lucado
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REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
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James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.