JULY 1, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

JULY 1 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING:  ROMANS 5:12-21

We live in a world that likes to make excuses and place the blame on others. The last thing people ever want to say is, "I am responsible, and I am accountable." We have seen in past, rioters destroying their own neighborhoods because of what they thought was injustice. But then the apologists began making excuses for the horrible behavior by putting the blame on everything and everyone except those responsible. We see this attitude magnified even in recent days as when horrible acts of mass killings took place; people began blaming an inanimate object, rather than the person who perpetrated the evil. We are responsible for our actions, we sin and we are accountable.

Some would say, but you don't know the environment that these individuals have grown up in. While I would not argue that environment can certainly have an impact on people, it does not equate to environment determines how someone is going to turn out. We are not destined to being either good or bad simply because of our environment. We are all sinners and responsible for our choices and we all need Christ. I have met some of the most caring, loving, godly people who grew up in the worst environments that were filled with abuse, ungodliness and poverty. By the same token, I have met some of the most ungodly people who were brought up in loving and caring Christian homes, with wonderful parents and all their needs met. If we are merely creatures of our environments, this type of thing could never happen.

We are all guilty of sin and left in that sin we would walk all the days of our lives in rebellion, then spend eternity in hell. God loved us and sent His Son. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sin, that we might be forgiven and have eternal life. But no one can or will come to Christ unless first they recognize their own sin. At that point of accountability of sin, we see our need for a Savior. At that point of conviction, we call out to Christ.

Please share your thoughts.