One thing for me was to get a peek at how devastating sin and our sinful nature has utterly corrupted mankind. I don't think we really understand how filthy and vulgar we appear before a righteous God.
I mean, we tend to fit punishment to the crime. When I considered that Adam and Eve's disobedience to God - by simply eating what they were told not to eat - condemned not only themselves, but all mankind to death in a cursed world, I am humbled. We took a very good creation from God and made it insignificant, justly deserving eternal hoplessness and torment apart from God in the lake of fire.
When I think of this, I can only guess how much God hates sin. I also can only glimpse how much He loves us. From this, and seeing the sin in my life and the world, the profound gratitude for what Jesus did for me becomes increasingly real.
How about you?
2006-09-28 06:05:55 · 23 answers · asked by BowtiePasta 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"The very concept of sin comes from the bible. Christianity offers to solve a problem of its own making! Would you be thankful to a person who cut you with a knife in order to sell you a bandage?" - Dan Barker (former preacher)
2006-09-28 06:12:21 · answer #1 · answered by AiW 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I follow Christ's teachings and know he is always with me in my times of turmoil. He has seen me through many health issues and other problems. But I have trouble with Christians who think God/Jesus planned all the bad stuff for a reason. I think bad stuff is the work of Evil in the world and we, as mere humans, have choices to make. Jesus came to teach us a better way to live. Read the Old Testament. What awful stuff was happening there! Talk about Sin! We were actually doing better than those folks who commited harem, etc., until recent times. Now we are heading in the wrong direction again. I think some Christians forget, however, that Jesus was a Jew AND He was GOD incarnate. That means when he said you could not get to Heaven but through him....he meant through belief in GOD. So, to me, anyone who believes in God and follows God's commandments has a good chance of finding Heaven and that includes Christians, Jews, Moslems, Hindus and the like. If all humans treated every other human being with dignity and caring, we would have a peaceful, happy world. Think about it.
2006-09-28 13:23:05 · answer #2 · answered by Wiser1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree with you on this. But also I find my self in that same state of graditude just by "counting my blessings". It sounds so Cliche but it's the best thing. During the mountain times when we can see clearly all the blessings God gives us. Go through and think of every time the Lord came in to help us. From the little things like the birds singing when you wake in the morning... or the day you woke up on time even though your alarm clock didn't get set properly lol ... To the times where money was short but some how Everything was ok... or the healings you've recieved and your salvation. Literally write them down in a notebook...with dates if you can. So when you get to the valley times... when all seems lost you can look and SEE what he's done for you and you can remember how faithful he is and praise in the storm. I don't know about you but there are times where my heart hurts and praising seems so hard... and in those times your memory isn't so good. With that list it's like having my own gospel or psalm of sorts... showing what he's done!! Not only is it good for you... but it may be a great witnessing tool for a friend who is going through.
Another thing is to make a list of his atributes.... Of who he is... He is Creator protector savior... again reminding us of how great is the God we serve!
God bless you Abundantly!!!
2006-09-28 13:18:54 · answer #3 · answered by Jembee1720 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank you for posting this. I had the vile sin of cursing and taking my anger out on God with the mean words I said I must have given it over to God a million times BUT I did not give up totally until recently the hate, frustration, bitterness and envy that I had in my heart as well as the unforgiven I had as well not only what people did but what they failed to do.when I did this and surrendered and let go and let God take over that is when I started experiencing healing and deliverance. God bless you and those that surround you. Stay close to the Lord and pray always.
Encourager4God
2006-09-28 13:12:59 · answer #4 · answered by encourager4God 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Very well said. Thank you for this reminder. We see it every day, the way people cheat each other, and steal from people who have less than they do and call it business or politics. Or the more obvious things like being sexually immoral in every way possible with no apologies whatsoever, calling it self-expression or natural, or worse, profitable. These things make God very sad, like a parent whose child takes a wrong turn in life. The sacrifice that was made for us- how could I not believe, and how could I close myself off from the depth of that love? It is the only thing we can truly count on.
2006-09-28 13:44:54 · answer #5 · answered by catarina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am thankful God loves us enough to pay the ultimate penalty for my sin.
That He was willing to sacrifice His only begotten Son so that the sins of the entire world could be forgiven .
I am profoundly grateful that He was willing to go to the cross to save me from my just judgment, hell.
I cannot but be amazed at the grace, love and mercy God has toward insignificant, wicked man.
How can anyone express the proper gratitude to Him in that not only did he love us when we hated Him. but He also adopts us as His children.
There is no love as great, no grace so far reaching, no mercy so generous, as what God did thru Jesus for us.
Thank you Lord!
2006-09-28 13:19:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all mark, I am grateful that there are those who know the things that you were writing about. I think it is a great gift to know about sin, about the cleansing power of Jesus Christ, and about how God loves us, so amen to all you have said and praise God that you realize these things.
Jesus took me from being a fearful, confused woman and gave me peace and assurance. He forgave me, cleansed me, and has set my feet upon the rock of His word. I am grateful that God has shown me I can trust His word, the bible, as true. I think most of all though, I am grateful that he had mercy on my Dad, who said yes to Jesus four days before he died at age 91. A most wonderful answered prayer. Thank you, thank you Lord.
2006-09-28 13:13:31 · answer #7 · answered by Esther 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm thankful to Him everyday because of his love for us. To sacrifice his only son for the forgiveness of our sins proved how much he does love us. Is there "unconditional love" anywhere in the world? It would be nice to think so, but nothing compares to the love and forgiveness He provides.
I'm also grateful because I'm never alone. He is always with me. I wish more people felt that. It's so comforting.
2006-09-28 13:19:42 · answer #8 · answered by seeya 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I look back over my life, and think of all the things God has brought me out of and how Jesus wasn't made to come down to earth and die....He did it willingly. He paid a debt that I owed. He paid a fine that I wasn't able to pay. He has thrown all my sins into the sea and remembers them no more! How can I not thank Him for saving me? For forgiving me? For dying for me? For setting me free from sin and shame? I love the Lord! Thank You Jesus!!!
2006-09-28 13:12:18 · answer #9 · answered by Monique 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Amen
2006-09-28 13:25:37 · answer #10 · answered by Not perfect, just forgiven 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you have said is so true. What motivated me is his love for me by waking me up to a new day even though I don't deserve to see another day. His mercies are new every morning and I am very grateful for the life he has given.
=0)
2006-09-28 13:12:02 · answer #11 · answered by Pashur 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋