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Admission of Sin

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Sin, in its essence, represents a profound failure to achieve what we might have been, eroding our potential with each act. It is a personal failing that corrodes our character, impacting not only ourselves but also those who care for us. This self-absorption devours our capacity for proper love toward God, ourselves, and others. Each sin adds to a cumulative burden, weighing us down with bad habits and curtailing our freedom. As a result, sin changes who we are, diminishing our ability to grow into our fullest selves. Habitual sin enslaves us, hardening our hearts and lowering our barriers to further wrongdoing, much like an addiction that demands more to satisfy its grip. Each act of sin not only separates us from our Father's love but also risks bringing worse consequences upon us, as Jesus Christ warns. Yet, through the powerful love of our heavenly Father, we find the antidote to these failings in the life and blood of Jesus Christ, which offers the ultimate solution to break free from the cycle of sin.

Sin, Christians, and the Fear of God

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Sin is viewed throughout Scripture as a profound failure, a succumbing rather than an overcoming. Each instance of sin marks a defeat in life's overarching purpose, hindering the fulfillment of God's intent for creating humanity. God did not design us for failure, but sin impedes proper worship and obstructs the path to achieving His purpose. It is not a minor act but a major barrier, separating us from Him. As Isaiah 59:1-2 reveals, our iniquities create estrangement from God, hiding His face from us so that He will not hear. This separation is as critical as the sense of failure itself, for our relationship with Him is the source of our power to succeed. Sin destroys relationships, whether with fellow humans or with God, and a continuing life of sin demolishes any hope of oneness. Lasting success and sound relationships are never achieved through sin, as it always works to produce division and never heals. God teaches that sin destroys life, emphasizing its severe consequences from the beginning of His Word to the end.

Sin Defined and Overcome

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Sin is viewed with utmost seriousness in the Bible, described as entirely detrimental to one's well-being, allowing no trace of good except for fleeting moments of pleasure or relief. The writers of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, portray sin as heinous and tragic, an impediment that must be turned away from at any cost. They see sin not as a minor act but as a major failure to achieve God's purpose for creating humanity. God did not create us for failure but for success, calling us to victory in a battle for our very lives. Sin represents suffering defeat in life's overall purpose, impeding proper worship, which is seen as a full-time responsibility requiring dedication and discipline. Additionally, sin creates estrangement from God, severing the relationship that is the source of power to succeed and overcome. This separation, illustrated by the physical removal of Adam and Eve from God's presence, underscores the seriousness of sin as it destroys relationships, never healing or improving them, always producing division whether with fellow humans or with God. Overcoming sin, though formidable, is not hopeless, as God judges each individual according to their abilities, gifts, dedication, and efforts, ensuring a personal standard rather than competition with others. Sin's seriousness is further highlighted by its ultimate purpose—to prevent us from becoming one with the Father and the Son, a high calling that demands complete agreement with Them, who do not sin. At its core, sin is a deviation from what is good and right, a missing of the mark, often revealed in various contexts as straying or ignorance, yet still carrying devastating effects even when judged mercifully by God. Even sins of weakness, though unintentional, can have severe consequences, emphasizing that sin, in any form, represents failure in aligning with God's standard and purpose for our lives.

Sin (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Thoughts, words, or behaviors not in alignment with the mind of God are also violations against God's law. Foolishness should never be part of our conduct.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Profit from life is produced by work, requiring sacrifices of time and energy. We have been created for the very purpose of doing good works.

Resuming Ecclesiastes (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Ecclesiastes provides a testimony to the conundrum of life, showing the result of both bad and good choices, enabling us to effectively use time.

The Elements of Motivation (Part Seven): Fear of Judgment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Our fear of being judged negatively by God should spur us to greater obedience and growth toward godliness. The fear of God is a fundamental mindset.

Missing the Mark (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

What is the mark that we so often miss? Most of the time, it is this newly revealed half, the spiritual intent of the law, the standard that God set for us.

Elements of Motivation (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Even though sin offers fleeting pleasure, we must learn to intensely hate sin, regarding this product of Satan as a destroyer of everything God loves.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Sixteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Righteousness consists of applying the Law's letter and/or intent. Sin constitutes a failure of living up to the standards of what God defines as right.

Psalm 51 (Part Two): Psalm 51:1-4

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The phrase, 'a man after God's own heart' modifies God rather than David's carnal character. God chose David because He discerned a heart He could work with.

Psalm 51 (Part Four): Psalm 51:13-19

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Repentance is far more than feeling guilt or apologizing but instead is a spirit-empowered reorientation of heart, mind, and behavior.

Genesis 3:17-19: Consequences for Adam

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Adam sinned, having abdicated his leadership position. His posterity has been cursed with overwhelming toil just to stay ahead. We are perfected by hardship.

Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Five)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Both food and information are readily available in the West. What is our approach to them? Our attitude toward and application of them makes all the difference.