Wednesday, October 7, 2009

1 John 3:10 "Perfection Cannot Coexist With Sin"

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. ~1 John 3:10
God in all His perfection cannot abide sin. The very fact that He is pure love and purely just means that He will not tolerate sin to be in His presence. The two opposites are incapable of existing on the same plane.

Since we are sinful people, how then can we be in relationship with God? How can He accept us into His presence with a pall of sin hanging over us? In the Old Testament, we see that God instituted the method of animal sacrifice for man’s sins. Someone had to pay the price for atonement, so the animal gave their life for our sins so we would be made clean again. In the New Testament, we are given the final sacrifice that ever needs to be made in the person of Jesus Christ. God sacrificed Himself so we could be in perfect relationship once again with Him. We simply must accept His amazing gift and once again be welcomed into the throne room.

Further Thoughts:
  1. What Old Testament examples do we have of God’s holiness separated from man’s sinfulness? (Hints: Former Hebrew slaves and The Promised Land…. The tabernacle….. The Priesthood.)
  2. What is repentance?
  3. Are there any unrepentant sins that are hindering your relationship with God? If yes, what are they?
  4. If you have sins to confess, take the time right now to confess and repent.
Father, I praise You for Your holiness and thank You for making it possible for me to have a relationship with You even though I am a fallible being. Show me where I fall and cleanse me from all sin. Amen.

1 comment:

  1. Hey Jerolyn... Glad to have you "back in the saddle" :-) Have been enjoying the devotionals!

    ReplyDelete