And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” Genesis 3:11 NASB Who told you – What is God’s tone of voice in this question? Is it harsh, condemning: “Who told you that you were NAKED? Have YOU EATEN from the tree?” Is…
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 NASB Have sinned– Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away, I was taught that it was just my nature to sin. In fact, I couldn’t help it. I was lost, and as a lost one, the only rescue possible was for God…
“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5 NASB Knowing good and evil – Read the text again. What does the serpent claim will happen? Sometimes we think that the serpent offers eternal life (“You will be like God”), but that…
Christ paid the price to free us from the curse that the laws in Moses’ Teachings bring by becoming cursed instead of us. Scripture says, “Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.” Galatians 3:13 (God’s Word translation, 1995, God’s Word to the Nations) Paid the price– THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO GO OUT ON MAY…
Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20 NASB Who continually– Isn’t it nice to know that the Teacher (Qohelet) allows for the ups and downs of ethical behavior? He notes that no one continually does good. And we agree, of course, since his observation matches ours. Sometimes we do…
“With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity; You consume as a moth what is precious to him; surely every man is a mere breath.” Selah. Psalm 39:11 NASB Reproofs– The apostolic letters don’t stray far from roots in the Tanakh. We should not be surprised. The letters are commentary on the Bible of the apostles, the Tanakh. So…
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Romans 6:3 NASB Baptized– For a moment, put away your familiar associations with the joy of baptism. Set aside the usual celebration when someone expresses faith through immersion ritual. Ask yourself, “Isn’t it odd…
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. Romans…
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 NASB Have sinned– Let’s reconsider Paul’s declaration. If sin is basically disconnection (i.e., disconnection from the source of life—God—and consequently from His creation including other people), then Paul is declaring that each and every one of us experiences, at some level, a sense…
“Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself? Job 7:20 NASB Done to You– In the grand scheme of things, in the cosmic order, do you think that your little sins really make any difference? You are…
