Tag: sin
Cover to Cover Reading: Joshua 7:1-10:15 Focus: Joshua 7 Where one’s leadership is as good as their followers (see yesterday’s entry), the strength of a group is only as good as its weakest link, regardless of its leadership. This was certainly the case with Israel. Already, in Moses’ lifetime the disobedience of the Israelites cost them a high price. An entire generation returned to the desert to die because they feared the inhabitance of the Promised Land rather than trusting God to deliver them. Yet, they still don’t seem to get the point.
Cover to Cover Reading: Numbers 14:1-16:35 Focus: Numbers 15:22-36 With children, when they make a genuine mistake, parents are gentle and understanding. However, when they deliberately disobey or cause trouble, parents need to discipline them. One of the hardest things for parents is to draw the fine line between grace and discipline; especially when the genuine, unintentional mistakes are quite serious in matter. The sudden outburst of frustration is not what the child needs, but rather understanding even when accompanied by a firm, yet gracious, rebuke. However, discipline must be made firm, even when gracious, that a child recognises the…
Cover to Cover Reading: Leviticus 1:1-4:35 Focus: Leviticus 1:1-4:35 As one reads through the details of the various sacrifices, one can’t help but notice that it paints the picture of nothing short of a slaughterhouse. Let’s not try and avoid the fact, the act of atonement for humanity’s sins is a bloody one. Any offering that involved animals would involve death. It is a sobering thought to be reminded that sins before God is not something to be taken lightly.
I’m listening to a lecture on Augustine (iTunes U = free learning) and I’m prompted by a comment about Augustine’s reflections on his life. In an event where he stole fruit, he made the comment that he did not steal for the object itself, rather he stole for the thrill of the act. He stole because he loved evil. The lecture goes on to point out that Augustine was a sex-addict, living with a mistress for 13 years. In a prayer during that time Augustine prayed that he would be celibate… but not yet.
In my reading for my theology class, I came across one paragraph which has really stood out: The essence of sin does not lie in preferring ourselves to others, but in preferring some finite thing to the supreme value, God. Thus, even an unselfish preference of some other person rather than God is wrong. The first great commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Luke 10:27). The second command is to love our neighbor as ourselves. To put the second commandment in the place of the first is wrong and sinful. Erickson, M.…
