...................................................?

Well...

Controversy is a part of life. Don't you agree? If you don't, then already we have...
Controversy.

Here, in this blog, today and everyday, I welcome controversy. Often it is the only way to truly see all sides of an issue. And, in my experience, all issues have more than one side.

Take sin, for example. The word itself is somewhat controversial.
Is it a deed, or a condition?
What do you think?
As a child, I learned the Catholic definition of sin in my catechism, which was a sort of rulebook for beginning Catholics. Lots of definitions.
Anyways, back then, sin was something you did.

Later I realized, through trial and error, that sin was much more than that. I now believe that sin is a condition we are born with, a permanent tint to our souls.

It is a condition born out of free will, which often takes us on our own selfish path, away from our Creator.
Now, I believe that God knew exactly what He was doing when He created us. No mistakes there. Sin was a part of the picture from the beginning.
He also knew that we could never handle it on our own. Thus, Jesus was born, lived and died. Forever giving us life and freedom from sin's chains.

This I believe with all my heart....We can never defeat sin. We all will fall short, no matter how we work at perfection. Only true faith in Jesus Christ can save us.

Sadly, many people have distorted this truth to suit their own needs. From the Crusades, past the Spanish Inquisition, to the many slave producing cults of today, humans have used the word of God for their own benefit....to control, and to achieve personal power over those around them.
It is a horrible thing to do, in effect re-nailing Jesus to the Cross to suit themselves.
With the help of Satan, they whisper that we are no good, they point their fingers at other Christians, pointing out fault and judging..

And, it is a lie.

We are saved by faith alone.

When we begin a new life in Christ, inviting Him into our heart, it is all over for sin.
Not just the sins of the past, but any and all sin, present and future. The whole condition, on judgment day, will be hidden from God's view by the glorious image of Jesus.

Amazing.
True!

Some call this "easy faith", but there was nothing easy about it.
Watch Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" if you doubt this.

So, those who are in Christ need not punish themselves for the condition they're in.
I do not condone sin, or say "go for it" when tempted. An honest daily look at ourselves can help us to become better people, for sure.
We also, as Christians, should strive to be good examples to others, especially the "Seekers", those who have not yet found The Lord.
Our behavior can definitely hinder God's work.

But, I will say that the voice in the middle of the night that causes us to weep and gnash our teeth because of our failings is not the voice of God.
Satan will use anything he can to discourage us in our walk.

Don't buy into him, or anyone else who tells you to do as he says or you're doomed.
Be suspicious of a husband who tells his wife that the way to salvation is to be a better servant to him!

Control is too often the name of this most insidious game.


YOU GET THE POINT!