Two basic truths

“For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are now justified by God’s grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:22-24).

Truth #1

All human beings sin in some way. It is as simple as that. We can't help it. Humans, of all God's creatures, can "decide" to do something other than be dependent upon God. We can choose from a multitude of options for our focus at any given moment. We can live in the past...we can focus upon the future and anticipate any number of joys that may or may not be "of" God. God, always present, is most accessible to us right "now"...We may work to discipline our minds to attend to what is going on right now. Most of us discover that when we still our "selves" and experience the settling of OUR thoughts, words, even our physical movements, God is "there".

I have been told that "sin" is anything that moves us away from God...it may be a large thing that is easily named...or it may be more subtle...elusive...seemingly benign and therefore inconsequential. But ANYTHING that diverts us from attending to God first and foremost is Sin. And Every One has "something" that competes with God for our undivided attention.

Truth #2

Jesus not only taught us what is required to be in relationship with God...faith and trust in His Words. He also cleared the path and opened the portal so that even our sins will never have the power to block us from dwelling in that relationship. He did that for us by experiencing human suffering firsthand...dying...and living again, assuring us the identity of Children of God.

Our faith, made possible only because of God's love lavished upon us, drawing us into God, is what frees us forever to walk through and past sin, and all of the empty promises of the world.

Truth number one left alone would make you want to give up.

Truth number two reminds you that when you do give up and admit that you can't combat sin on your own, you have entered the kingdom of heaven where sin has no capacity to overcome you.