1/28/15

From Gary... Caught


This picture, with its simple message says it all- almost. Animals will eat until they get sick; sometimes even after that. They are what they are- ANIMALS!!! People should be able to recognize when they do something wrong (The Bible calls this SIN), but often refuse to either recognize what they are doing IS WRONG, or refuse TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. If the aberrant behavior is repeatedly practiced, even the worst activities imaginable can seem enjoyable to the extent that it can become a permanent lifestyle.  I like Paul's letters to the Corinthians because they deal with genuine, down-to-earth problems and their associated attitudes. Fortunately, the Corinthians church listened to Paul and changed. In the second letter, Paul writes...

2 Corinthians, Chapter 7
  8  For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.  9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.  10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.

Facing sin and doing something about it can be very difficult- but it is NOT IMPOSSIBLE!!! The Corinthian church was living proof of this.  They made a choice and stopped sinning and so can we. Not only did they stop sinning but they became even more zealous for the cause of Christ.

11 For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.

Do you have a problem with some sin in your life? Listen to what God says about, pray about it, make a decision to turn from it- and actually change your life!!!  If the Corinthian church could- so can you!!!