by Richard Mansel

The story is told of an animal trainer who raised a young boa constrictor to slither out of his cage over to the trainer and wrap around his body until he stared him in the face. Years past and he continued to work on the stunt. Then one day with the crowds present, the full grown snake slithered over, began to move up his body and tightened his muscles, thus killing the trainer (Knee Mail, October 05, 2004, Mike Benson, editor).

Sin is a beast that appears friendly until we realize it is killing us. It stands between us and salvation (Isaiah 59:1,2). We must determine what sin really means so we can avoid it, because Ezekiel 18:4 says, "the soul who sins shall die" (NKJV).

We must acknowledge that man's usage of "sin" varies greatly from God's definition. The dictionary definition of "sin" is "a transgression of a religious or moral law," which lacks specificity. Paul writes in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

The Greek word used for sin most often in the New Testament means "missing the mark." In Judges 20:16 we read, "Among all this people were seven hundred select men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair's breadth and not miss." They would shoot and always hit their mark. This is an excellent example to help us better understand the term.

Spiritually, we cannot consistently hit the mark. We are weak and fail to live up to the standard God has established. "God has a high and holy standard of what is right, and so long as man follows the Divine standard he will see himself as he truly exists in God's eyes. The flat statement of the Almighty is that all men have fallen short of God's required standard. Let no man ever think that he comes anywhere near the standard set by God" (Lehman Strauss, The Doctrine of Sin).

Man's definition is subjective, while God's is objective. Upon this key point lies the source of so much confusion. Under man's subjective definition of sin, Romans 3:23 would be proved false. Not everyone would be sinners. If the definition were subjective, men would develop their own definition so they would be found righteous.

God's definition of sin is objective because it is based on a standard. John wrote, "Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness" (1 John 3:4). Violation of the law of God is sin. We cannot live up to the standard God has laid before us. Therefore, we need grace in order to be saved. It will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-10).

The standard of Scripture that will judge us on the last day (John 12:48) is not influenced by changing times, opinions, styles, or philosophies. It is never influenced by the mental and emotional frailty of human beings. Instead, it stands high above human weakness as a mountain fortress, guarding the truth of the ages. We can rest within its borders as long as we approach it in humility. Violation of its laws is sin, not just an opinion or choice.

Strauss writes, "God, because of who He is, could not stoop to the human standards of man's sinful heart." God had to lift his standard above us in order to lift his children higher. It is there that the light resides with endless supplies of peace, clarity, and comfort. Outside of that light, in darkness, is the snare and endless captivity of sin. The choice is clear.

by J. Randal Matheny

Each society and culture has its own identifying marks. Language, history, values, and world view distinguish one people group from another.

The gospel can reach every group, meeting every need and addressing every concern. The many threads of redemption woven together in a single cord manage to penetrate the thinking and issues of every culture.

So a few weeks ago, I shared with a congregation "The Jesus that Brazil Needs." While each point addressed a feature of Brazilian culture, these truths about the Christ need to resound in every place.

1. Jesus is Lord.

We live in a time and place where, like Israel during the judges, each one does what one thinks best (Judges 21:25). Not only in Corinth is the slogan "Everything is permitted" chanted with enthusiasm (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Saying Jesus is Lord means at least three things:

(a) He has all authority (Matthew 28:18). Authority means obedience is essential (Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46). We are servants of Christ, or better, his slaves (Romans 6:16-18). And when things get out of hand? Get back to the original word of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23).

(b) Jesus is our unifier (Ephesians 4:4-6; 6:9). If we all obey him as Lord, we step together. Peter finally woke up to the radical truth that all may come to God through him, making him "Lord of all" (Acts 10:36; cf. Romans 10:12).

(c) Jesus as Lord means we have been given a revelation (1 Corinthians 12:1-3). The Holy Spirit shows who Jesus is and what his Lordship means. So we must always, says Paul, "remember the words [his revelation] of the LORD Jesus" (Acts 20:35).

2. Jesus is power (to save).

Brasil has long awaited the "savior of the country," who will never appear. People feel impotent to change their lives and their own society. And right they are.

Washed with the strongest soap, man still retains his sin (Jeremiah 2:22). Who can say, "I have purified my heart, I am free from sin?" (Proverbs 20:9). No one can even identify his own sins (Psalm 19:12). Nor can anyone redeem his brother (Psalm 49:7-9, 15).

The answer to the disciples' question, "Who then can be saved?" is "No one." "For man this is impossible, but for God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:25-26).

Now, for Jesus to be Savior, he must first be, to us, Lord. The full phrase "Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" is found only in Peter (2 Peter 1:11; 2:20; 3:2, 18) and always in this order. The order is important, for it is not the nice sound which dictates that "Lord" is written before "Savior," but theology -- to get into the eternal kingdom, Jesus must first be Lord, must be obeyed (Matthew 7:21-23).

The commandment of God spoken by Jesus to all men "is eternal life" (John 12:50). Not just "means" eternal life, or "brings" eternal life, but obeying the commandment of God (in the age of grace!) is so identified with eternal life that Jesus says the commandment IS eternal life. Hard to get around that one.

Jesus' power to save means he saves completely (Hebrews 7:25). He is ABLE to save. Only he can make it happen. ("Able" is from that Greek word "dunamai" from which we get "dynamite.")

Jesus saves completely, absolutely, in every way, cleansing our past, holding us in the present, guaranteeing our future. He can save everyone in every place, in every time.

Jesus can save the worst: a hated, traitorous publican (Luke 19:9-10); a criminal on death row (Luke 23:40-43); a dogged persecutor (1 Timothy 1:15-17).

Next time, more about Jesus as our fullness, our wisdom, our example.

by Michael E. Brooks

"... A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, 'Come for all things are now ready.' But they all with one accord began to make excuses" (Luke 14:16-18).

Twenty-three Christians traveled to Narayanghad from Badurjahula for our two day Bible Study and workshop. Because there was a dispute over a bridge which Park authorities had closed to bus traffic, the bus companies had called a strike and no transportation was available. These brothers and sisters, including two very old "grandmothers" walked sixteen hours one way in order to attend our session. We were able to halve their return walk by providing hired cars to take them much of the way.

Now just why is it that we cannot worship God on Sunday? "I don't feel real good"? "The Church meets in an inconvenient location"? "The air conditioner is always too cold (or too hot)"? "The preacher keeps us too long"? "I need one day to sleep in"? Should we perhaps rethink our complaints?

In Jesus' parable of the great supper, he is harsh with those who put their own interests and desires ahead of God's. The master (obviously intended by Jesus to represent God) declares, "none of those men who were invited (and who offered excuses for their refusal to come) shall taste my supper" (Luke 14:24). God is not fooled by our pretensions. He knows our hearts and our abilities. Excuses will not appease him or prevent his anger at our rejection of His grace.

God has indeed prepared a great feast for us. His son has come, redeeming us from sin and making us able to enter God's presence. His invitation has gone out. All is ready for our eternal enjoyment. Why will we not come? Is there some trivial excuse for our refusing his great supper? Do we think God will overlook our rejection, or agree that we have adequate reason? Jesus invites us, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). What possible reason can we offer for refusing?

by Greg Tidwell

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

The deity of the Christ is seen in his unchanging nature, for only of God can we say: "... you are the same, and your years have no end" (Psalm 102:27, ESV). Jesus, being fully God, is the object of our worship and adoration. He is central in every aspect of our faith, defining what we believe and determining what we do.

Many problems arise when the church fails to honor and serve Christ in all things. Conversely, looking to Jesus, we find guidance for every aspect of our lives as Christians. If we want to improve, either individually or as a congregation, Jesus Christ provides an essential starting point.

Considering the unchanging nature of Christ, we see how this truth provides an essential support for our understanding of what God's people are to accomplish. As William Barclay observed:

"It is in the nature of things that all earthly leaders must come and go. They have their day and they lead their generation, and then they must pass from the scene. They have their part in the drama of life, and then the curtain comes down. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day and for ever. His preeminence is permanent; His leadership is for ever. And therein there lies the secret of earthly leadership. The real leader is the man who is led himself by Jesus Christ" (The Letter to the Hebrews, p.223).

How can we have confidence in the direction the church is headed? Only by looking to Jesus. He, in His unchanging nature, provides a constant assurance that we are on the right track.

When the church remains true to the Lord it can work through any difficulty. If we fail at this point, however, nothing else matters.

by Tim Hall

"I'm not afraid of Old Man Hanks. Why, I wouldn't be scared to run up to his house and knock on his door."

"Oh, yeah? Well, I dare you!"

Such conversations are common between young boys. Some are prone to making big boasts of what they can do, and others aren't slow to call their bluff. "I dare you" is another way of saying "Prove it!" Show me by your actions that your words are true.

God has issued challenges like that to us. But we're not the ones of whom he speaks; he speaks of himself. Yes, he has made bold claims. But before we can mutter our doubts about what he has promised, he urges us to "Prove it!"

In the days of the prophet Malachi, the people of Judah had lost faith in the promises of God. They brought inferior offerings to God instead of the best of their flocks. Their gifts fell short of the amount God had commanded. God responded with this challenge: "'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it'" (Malachi 3:10, NKJV). Those who had faith enough to do as God commanded would realize that God is always true to his word.

God's challenges extend to us as well. Just how much does God expect of us? Here's how Paul described it in Romans 12:1,2: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind ..." Reflect on those words and realize the awesome nature of the demand. God doesn't ask for a few hours of our weeks -- he asks for our entire lives! Why would anyone respond to that kind of calling?

The final words of the passage appeal to our faith: "... that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). God's will is good, acceptable (to us) and perfect. I often stand in pulpits and confidently proclaim that message. But in the final analysis, I can't prove that claim to you or to anyone else. You've got to prove it for yourself. And the only way to do that is to accept God's challenge and put him to the test.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in him!" (Psalm 34:8) God dares you! Come give his will a try. Hold back nothing; throw yourself completely and unreservedly into his will. When you do -- and only when you give it everything you've got -- you will discover that God can indeed be trusted. Deceptive advertising didn't originate with him.