Meditate. Think about your thoughts.
Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
This is so
controversial and I am not one to protest or stir the pot. I feel that to break
one of the Ten Commandments is to break them all—and I am not perfect. I cannot
condemn someone else’s lifestyle or actions. Because Jesus taught that to think
it (a sinful action) is to do it…I am not sinless, just forgiven. Jesus addressed sinfulness in a couple of ways.
In His teaching that we know as “The Sermon on the Mount,” He explained how
people were to live…and that included avoiding adultery.
You have heard the commandment that
says, 'You must not commit adultery.' But I say, anyone who even looks at a
woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:27-28
Much earlier in
my life I thought about a guy who was not my husband (same as looking)…and considered
how great it would have been to have him as my husband. Wrong! I didn’t marry
the wrong guy. God gave me just the right man to be my husband…until death do
us part. We’ve made that commitment to each other and stuck by it for over
forty-nine years. I asked the Lord to forgive me for my inappropriate thoughts—that
sin…and thankfully He has.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only
fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to
him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and
showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:8-10
Will this soap wash away your sin?
Lavender Soap
Cleansing is a good thing. Without that assurance, we’d be carrying around a truckload of guilt and shame, making a fool of ourselves to God and others. I am grateful for the scripture today…you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
In another
instance Jesus taught His disciples that words…not food can make us unclean.
Then Peter said to Jesus, "Explain
to us the parable that says people aren't defiled by what they eat."
"Don't you understand yet?" Jesus asked. "Anything you eat
passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you
speak come from the heart—that's what defiles you. For from the heart come evil
thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.
These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile
you." Matthew 15:15-20
A right relationship with the Lord for you today may need to include a time of confessing sin—whether it is in thoughts, words or actions. Sin is sin. It separates us from the Lord and remember that the punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus already died for our sins…so we don’t have to die…just humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness. Can you call on the name of the Lord?
Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, forgive me for the improper thoughts I had today…and the unkind words that came out of my mouth as I was frustrated with traffic…or…. My actions even speak louder than words to those around me…so please guide not only my thoughts and words, but also my actions that others would see the reflection of You…of Your light in my life…and be drawn to the security and love that only You can provide.
Verses of
Salvation ~ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by
believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by
confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us,
"Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." Jew and Gentile
are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to
all who call on him. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will
be saved." Romans 10:9-13
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