Sin & Sinners

The Old Testament is a history of sin.

The cause: Adam and Eve.
The history: Genesis 1:6.

“The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5)

430 years in Egypt
40 years in the desert
400 years of Judges “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”
(Judges 21:25)
Israel, the Northern Kingdom, 9 dynasties, 200 years of kings, all of them evil
Judah, another hundred years of increasing evil
From Malachi to Jesus, another 400 years of sin

Sin defined:

“And where there is no law there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15b).

“But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness” (I John 3:4).

Sin is ubiquitous.

“As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one'” (Romans 3:10).

“All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12).

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

“Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

Sin earns death.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17).

I have been an observer of sin in newspapers, novels, history books, movies, internet, and personal contact. I have also been a participant. In other words, I have seen both minor and gross sins in great quantity.

Does this make me cynical or despairing? Not at all!

See the next post.

In the Lord Jesus Christ,

Jim Wilson

Peace Treaties

William Jennings Bryan, about 100 years ago, was Secretary of State of the United States. He was a great orator and a committed Christian. He was a great leader in the abolition of war and for arbitration.

Between 1913 and 1914 he signed twenty-six treaties of peace with foreign nations. The first World War began in August 1914.

At present there are attempts in Qatar for the U.S., Taliban, and Afghanistan to make peace. Hamas and Israel have not been at the peace table since 2008. North Korea and South Korea signed a truce, but not a peace treaty in 1953 (60 years ago). Shiites and Sunnis in several different countries are at war. Even if there is a treaty signed by governments, there are great movements, the press, internet, and religions that will override the treaties.

Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:17).

Peace will not bring in righteousness, Righteousness will bring in peace.

“The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17).

Prayer can bring in peace.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior” (I Timothy 2:1-3).