Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Fall - violation of the purpose of
creation.
Rev. Manoj Idiculla
Carmel MTC, Boston
“Not
everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but
only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”. Vs.21
Jesus in
the Sermon on the Mount discourses at length on the subject of true faith vs.
false professions, using the technique of contrast and comparison. Verses 13-14
describe two paths on which people walk through life, the broad road that leads
to eternal destruction and the narrow path that leads to eternal life. In
verses 15-18, Jesus again contrasts the two types of people by using imagery
well known to those in an agrarian culture—sheep and wolves, grapes/figs and
thorn bushes/thistles, good trees and bad trees, good fruit and bad fruit.
Having established the idea of dichotomy in the minds of His hearers, He goes
on to apply these truths to the spiritual state of all within His hearing.
Sin is defined as
follows
· Dictionary – “Sin is a transgression, evil, a violation of
accepted moral, religious code.”
· Sin is any lack
of conformity to the character of God.
· Sin is rebellion
against God.
· Sin is the
opposite of holiness, of God, and of morality.
The most popular Greek word for sin is hamartia, “to miss the
mark.” Sin is a problem of the will and desire. We are known by our
actions, and defined by our nature.
Jesus goes on to
describe those who will be able to call upon His name on the Day of Judgment.
It will be those who hear His words and put them into practice, those who bear
good fruits, who obediently do the will of the Father in heaven. True believers
are the good trees that produce good fruit, who look to Christ, depend on Him,
commit themselves to Him, trust in Him, and believe on Him for righteousness,
salvation, and eternal life. They are the ones who will enter into the Kingdom
of Heaven. We are called to fulfil the purpose for which we are created
and if we are missing the mark, then we are violating the purpose for which we
have been created.
PRAYER
Lord, we thank
You for being above us and knowing what is best for us. Give us a
spirit of acceptance and a heart open to discern Your will in our life – AMEN
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
For I know the plans
I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11