Perceived strength can be one’s own worst enemy. After all, it leads people to think that they are more powerful and capable than they really are.
In many ways, sin is simply sin. However, sins carry varying weights or repercussions. In fact, the Bible testifies that some sins are greater than others.
When an individual gets things right with God, he should likewise look for opportunities to make things right with others he might have done wrong.
There are two categories of sin: sins against God and sins against man. By default, every sin is against God. Yet, not all sin is against man.
Scripture provides examples of specific sins; however, no example DEFINES sin. John's first epistle defines it as the transgression of the law.
Although no person is excluded from troubles, saints have historically understood that God extends mercy as He divvies out life’s trials.
Often the best way to expose one’s motives involves asking and answering the question “Why?” This question may resurface at the judgment seat of Christ.
At times, God called people to enter into war with the goal of killing their enemies. The Bible clearly distinguishes between this type of killing and murder.
Sobriety is not some special and unique requirement expected from an elite group of believers, but rather it serves as the expectation of the Lord for all who have called upon His name in salvation. Certainly God expects sobriety from the leaders in the New Testament church (1 Timothy 3:2, 11; Titus 1:8), but He also expects it from the women (1 Timothy 2:9), the aged men (Titus 2:2), the young women (Titus 2:4), and the young men (Titus 2:6). No group is exempt! If this were not enough, the apostle Paul made an open appeal for sobriety to all believers collectively (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; Titus 2:12). Simon Peter seemed a bit more adamant when he demanded sobriety from his audience (1 Peter 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8).
Men not only develop reputations among other men, but they also develop a reputation with the Lord. A wise individual seeks “favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” Fortunately, the path to favour in the sight of God follows the same course as that of finding favour in the sight of the right kind of men. According to Proverbs 3:1-3, these elements include remembrance of God’s law, keeping the commandments, and forsaking not mercy and truth. Before dismissing the importance of this dual favour amongst both God and man, consider that the scriptures inform us that the Lord Jesus increased in wisdom leading to an increase in “favour with God and man.”
