“As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.”

Romans 3:10-11

The key to understanding the nature of sin is to realize that it’s not just specific acts of disobe- dience, but the inclination of the heart that produces those acts. Sin is fundamentally a state of alienation from God, an ongoing state of enmity against God, which expresses itself in specific acts of disobedience. Sinful acts come from a sinful heart.

The Bible says ‘no one is righteous’, in other words we are all sinners. Does this surprise you? It doesn’t mean that we are all equally sinful, or that hatred is as bad as murder. But it does mean that the hater and the murderer are both sinners and both guilty. It means that every person stands before God a guilty sinner.

On Monday, we spoke about forgiving in other to be forgiven, and today again we are looking at ‘the need for forgiveness’. You may have been badly mistreated and may need to forgive those who have wronged you. But the doctrine of sin tells us that each of us needs to be forgiv- en also. We need God’s forgiveness and also other people’s forgiveness.

Unless we are willing to recognize our own sin and our own need of forgiveness, we will never be able to truly forgive others. The consequences of sin lead to death and judgement. Sin alien- ates us from God and from one another, it corrodes and destroys relationships. But thanks be to God our Father who has given us the antidote to sin.

Acts 2:36-39 read “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Brethren, only God can determine if one sin is greater than another. But one thing is clear: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). God’s standard of perfect obedi- ence is revealed in Jesus Christ and so all of us; whether victims or perpetrators stand in help- less need of God’s divine forgiveness.

The glorious message of the gospel is that God has provided salvation to everyone who accepts His Son Jesus Christ, whether the sins are great or small, Jesus is able to forgive them all.

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Garment of Praise

Monthly Insights for Spiritual Growth, Encouragement and Personal Victory.

Oluyemisi Onanuga

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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