His Gift to Us

Both general sins, the kind committed by people as a whole, and specific sins, the kind committed by an individual, can be overwhelming.

We're often plagued by one of two problems when dealing with our overwhelming sinful nature. We might refuse to acknowledge the sin because the thought is too much for us—so we do not accept God's gift of salvation. Or we might be overcome by guilt because the sin seems so awful that it cannot be forgiven—so we do not accept God's gift of salvation.

A psalmist looked at our dilemma differently. He wrote, If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness. . . . (Ps. 130:3,4a NIV)

The psalmist was not downcast or dismayed when he reflected on his sinful state because he looked beyond himself and directed his attention to the One who can provide a solution. He affirmed the nature of God, because God, not people, holds the key. The psalmist recognized that, with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. (v. 7b)

God clearly states in His Word—including the Old Testament—that salvation for forgiveness from sin is a gift that He provides. Our sinful nature is real and fearsome—but God’s solution is big enough to take care of it.

Originally published January 14, 1983.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

You Also Be Open

We are strange creatures, we people. Sometimes we are angry with others not because of what they have done to us—but because we feel guilty over what we have done to them. Or because of the way we feel around them. They remind us of our failures or weaknesses—our imperfection—our sin. Sometimes our feelings are so intense we dislike the other person intensely—and at best, we are uncomfortable.

The Corinthian Christians experienced these feelings when they thought of the Apostle Paul. He was their spiritual father but, in his absence, they had followed false teachers. Later, when they recognized their error, they were ashamed to admit it. Paul loved them with a pure heart, but they said hateful things about him. Although he was their spiritual father, thinking about him made them uncomfortable.

Paul wrote a long letter to these mixed-up people. O Corinthians! he said. We have spoken openly to you. Our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your affections . . . You also be open. ( II cor. 6:11,12, 13b NKJV)

All of us have failed other people at times. How do we feel around them? Are we open about our failure?

Originally published September 22, 1989.

Living With the Past

Past sin can be a burden—a great weight upon a person—because everything that goes wrong seems like just retribution—like deserved punishment.

At least that was how it worked for Joseph’s brothers. They had hated Joseph when he was young, so they got rid of him by selling him into slavery. Years later, when accused of spying, they were sure their sin had caught up with them.

Years later! How many other ventures-gone-wrong throughout their lives had seemed only fair to them—because they had sinned a terrible sin.

The brothers had no idea the boy would prosper as he matured—that he was, in fact, the very official accusing them. Talking between themselves they said things like, we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us. (Gen. 42:21 NKJV)

Their sin against Joseph did not relate to spying against Egypt. It couldn’t. But they made the association because they lived with a burden of guilt.

Through a miracle of God’s grace, Joseph had learned to forgive. He comforted his brothers: God sent me before you to preserve life . . . to save your lives by a great deliverance. (Gen.l 45:5,7)

Through his forgiveness, Jospeh overlooked the guilt of the past and blessed his brothers.

Originally published July 3, 1992.

Cut to the Heart

Of the many world religions, only Christianity teaches that repentance removes guilt. Other religions either deny sinful human nature—claim people are basically good—or they teach that people can pay the penalty for sin with a sacrifice or with good deeds.

But Christianity teaches that people can do nothing by themselves to save themselves from sin. Our only hope is to repent from sin (change our direction) and to receive Jesus Christ. When we repent, we can trust that His death paid—and still pays—the penalty for sin because He shed His blood on the cross. His sacrifice covers any penalty we might incur.

On Pentecost, the day the Christian church came into being, Peter preached a sermon centered on Jesus. Then he confronted people with their sin, and the people were cut to the heart. They said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do? (Acts 2:37b NKJV)

Peter replied, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. . . . (v. 38b)

Originally published March 16, 1990.

To Justify Himself

A religious leader planned to catch Jesus with a trick question by asking how a person could, “inherit eternal life?” (Lk. 10:25 NIV) This would seem simple, but it was controversial because organized religion was in the habit of complicating simple truth. One group—the Sadducees—even taught there was no life after death.

Scripture contained an answer, however, and the simple truth was well known. Jesus let the man begin their discussion by asking the man to quote it: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” And “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (v. 27)

Perhaps the expert was even waiting for superficial excuses in tune with prevailing ideas of the culture, but Jesus confronted him: “You have answered correctly . . . Do this and you will live.” (v. 28)

Simple truth is usually hard to live. Although the religious man recognized his guilt, he wanted to rationalize a way to ignore God’s clear command. The Bible says, “But he wanted to justify himself.” So he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (v. 29)

Originally published May 2, 1986.