JUNE 16, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

JUNE 16 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: 1 JOHN 1:8-10

Mankind has a two-fold problem.

Our first problem is sin. Sin is always destructive...it always is based on a false premise, that it's not that big a deal...in the end it is always more costly than we could have imagined. Sin lies to us. It promises fun, freedom and fulfillment...while it leaves us depressed, in bondage and empty. Sin is a deceiver that likes to dress up pretty so that it is desirable...but when you pull back the facade, you see the ugliness of sin. Sin offers "real" living...but all it can give is death. Each of us has this problem called sin. It either will eventually destroy us...or in faith, we can trust in Christ who has destroyed sin.

Our second problem is that we deny the reality of sin. The Gnostics just told people it was a lack of knowledge. The New Ager's tell people it is a lack of enlightenment. The Legalistic tell people it is something that you just have to work hard to do better. The Progressives deny it very existence and that it is a matter of wrong thinking. The psychologists tell us that man is innately good. The Liberals just change the name...and therefore change the reality of it. Mankind as a whole tries to set their own definition of sin, by saying, "it might be wrong for you, but it's not wrong for me." And we dismiss any thought of accountability to God or man, by saying, "you have no right to judge me.” But, sin is real. God has defined it and no amount of man trying to deny it away will change that fact.

When we finally come to the place that we can acknowledge our sin, realize that we cannot make ourselves right, call out to a holy God in repentance, put our faith and trust in Jesus who died for our sin...then and only then can we know the forgiveness of sin, that we have eternal life, know the freedom from sin's bondage that comes from Jesus.

Please share your thoughts.