Understanding Sin's Widespread Impact and the Path to Redemption
Joshua 22:20
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
Sin always has a much more devastating effect than what one might anticipate. The old saying, "It's my life, and I'm not hurting anyone but myself!" simply is not true! Romans 14:7 says, "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself." The truth is your personal sins and my personal sins have a trickle effect; the negative impact reaches much further than we would be willing to admit. Perhaps the people who suffer the most are our immediate friends and family. Sin is UGLY, not some of the time, but ALL of the time! The reason it's so devastating is because it always starts out looking so harmless!
For example, the drug addict never started out saying, "My goal in life is to be hooked on crack cocaine!" Rather, he most likely started out with one joint of marijuana, thinking to himself, "Just one won't hurt!", and before you know it, progressively tried more and more, then started getting into harder drugs, until at last he woke up one day a crack addict. My point is this; never underestimate the devastating effects of even the "smallest" sin, because behind that door is a whole new world of deceit, dishonesty and disgust that can become your worst nightmare.
Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The good news is that you can overcome the power, deception, and condemnation of sin by turning from your sin to Jesus Christ! When you trust Christ, here's what happens: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12. It's awesome to realize that before Christ one has no power in and of himself to get free from the pull of sin, but after Christ, He empowers us to do so!
The difference now that I'm a believer is this: before, I couldn't quit sinning if I wanted to, but NOW I have an option! I have Christ in me, who empowers me to say NO to sin, and better than that, changed my whole appetite to where I do not even like sin the way I used to! If you want help out of your sins, and their devastating consequences both here on this side of eternity, as well as Hell on the other side, then put your trust in Jesus Christ!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
Sin always has a much more devastating effect than what one might anticipate. The old saying, "It's my life, and I'm not hurting anyone but myself!" simply is not true! Romans 14:7 says, "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself." The truth is your personal sins and my personal sins have a trickle effect; the negative impact reaches much further than we would be willing to admit. Perhaps the people who suffer the most are our immediate friends and family. Sin is UGLY, not some of the time, but ALL of the time! The reason it's so devastating is because it always starts out looking so harmless!
For example, the drug addict never started out saying, "My goal in life is to be hooked on crack cocaine!" Rather, he most likely started out with one joint of marijuana, thinking to himself, "Just one won't hurt!", and before you know it, progressively tried more and more, then started getting into harder drugs, until at last he woke up one day a crack addict. My point is this; never underestimate the devastating effects of even the "smallest" sin, because behind that door is a whole new world of deceit, dishonesty and disgust that can become your worst nightmare.
Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The good news is that you can overcome the power, deception, and condemnation of sin by turning from your sin to Jesus Christ! When you trust Christ, here's what happens: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12. It's awesome to realize that before Christ one has no power in and of himself to get free from the pull of sin, but after Christ, He empowers us to do so!
The difference now that I'm a believer is this: before, I couldn't quit sinning if I wanted to, but NOW I have an option! I have Christ in me, who empowers me to say NO to sin, and better than that, changed my whole appetite to where I do not even like sin the way I used to! If you want help out of your sins, and their devastating consequences both here on this side of eternity, as well as Hell on the other side, then put your trust in Jesus Christ!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill