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The Focus
by Dennis Wheeler
How do you feel when you read the list of 'sins' that are outlined in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10? Do you sweat a little as you see your sin listed there? Or maybe you breathe a sigh of relief when you don't see your 'little' sin listed?
Well...hold on for just a minute, because unfortunately the apostle Paul continues his list of vices in Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:3-5, and Colossians 3:5-9. When you lump all those passages together it becomes very, very clear - - every single one of us has some aspect of sin in his or her life. Ugh!!!!
Then, to make matters worse - Paul even takes a hard view of sin by stating that those sinners who are listed will not enter the kingdom of God. The ultimate punishment! But he's right, you knokw, that's what we deserve. Punishment!
BUT...don't despair...there is hope! The hope that was offered to the Corinthians 2000 years ago is still our hope for today.
[list]We are washed in Jesus' blood!
It has completely removed the stain of our sin!
We are being sanctified!
We are justified by Christ's work on the cross that has drawn us into a restored, personal relationship with the Almighty God![/list]
WOW! There is incredible joy in knowing that we have been forgiven. And it may be difficult to comprehend this...but our sin does not surprise God. In fact, Romans 5:8 reminds us that 'even while we were still sinners...Christ died for us."
Knowing who and what we are...that our loving Father sent His Son to save us. Isn't that awesome?! Humbling?! Exciting?!
This is GREAT NEWS!!
Now...I encourage you to take this great news of God's forgiveness and share it with someone this week.
Give hope to the hopeless!!
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
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