sin Archives - Page 23 of 41 - Plain Bible Teaching

Andy Sochor October 11, 2012

The Rise and Fall of the United States: A Biblical Perspective

“Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust” (Isaiah 40:15).

The United States is a relatively young country. It had its beginning when thirteen colonies declared their independence and defeated the mighty British army. From its beginning, its citizens have enjoyed liberty. This liberty led to prosperity, which led to the United States becoming the most powerful nation in the world.

However, the United States is still just “a speck of dust on the scales” of Almighty God. Lately this country has seemed to be in decline – morally, economically, and in terms of personal liberty. Will this decline result in the inevitable fall of the United States? No one knows. But it does have people asking questions:

Does the United States hold a special place in God’s plan?
Has God blessed the United States because of its founding upon Biblical principles? (Not that it is a “Christian nation” – there is no such thing.)
Is the United States in danger of divine punishment for the growing tolerance and practice of sins like abortion and homosexuality?

In this article, we are going to examine certain passages of Scripture that will help give us some perspective as we consider the rise and eventual fall of the United States.
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: government, judgment, kingdom, prophecy, sin

Andy Sochor October 10, 2012

“First Take the Log Out of Your Own Eye” (10/10)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 5-7.

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:1-5).

The beginning part of the first verse is a favorite among many. When you ignore both the immediate and remote contexts, it appears to teach that it is wrong to judge others. In our “politically correct” culture, judging others is an intolerable act so such an interpretation would fit right in line with what people want the Bible to say.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: judging, sin

Andy Sochor October 5, 2012

Those Who Need a Physician (10/5)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 4; Luke 4-5; John 1:15-51.

After Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him (Luke 5:27), Levi held a reception for Him, inviting his fellow tax collectors and others. This drew the scrutiny of the Pharisees and the scribes.

“And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance’” (Luke 5:29-32).

There was a simple reason why Jesus associated with “tax collectors and sinners.” He was not encouraging or condoning sin, but as “a physician” He was trying to heal them of their sin sickness.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: obedience, sin

Andy Sochor September 24, 2012

"They Did Not Lay Their Hands on the Plunder" (9/24)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Esther 6-10.

After Esther revealed Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews to the king, letters were issued in the king’s name that would allow the Jews to defend themselves against those who would seek to do them harm.

“In them the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right to assemble and to defend their lives, to destroy, to kill and to annihilate the entire army of any people or province which might attack them, including children and women, and to plunder their spoil” (Esther 8:11).

The provision that allowed them to defend themselves was understandable. But the decree went a step further and explicitly permitted the Jews to plunder the spoil of their enemies. However, while the Jews certainly defended themselves, they did not take the spoil.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: government, obedience, sin

Andy Sochor September 23, 2012

The Moral Influence of Those in Power (9/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Esther 1-5.

The morals (or lack thereof) of those in positions of power can have a great influence on society as a whole. When sinful conduct is seen as normal by those in the public eye, it will eventually be seen as normal by a host of others.

The advisors of King Ahasuerus understood this. When Queen Vashti disobeyed her husband (the King), this was the advice they gave:

“Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women causing them to look with contempt on their husbands by saying, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought into his presence, but she did not come.’ This day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s conduct will speak in the same way to all the king’s princes, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: example, sin

Andy Sochor September 21, 2012

"Return to Me, That I May Return to You" (9/21)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Zechariah 1-7.

The book of Zechariah opened with a call to repentance.

“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of hosts’” (Zechariah 1:3).

The call to repentance was made in order to restore fellowship with God. If they returned to the Lord (repented), then the Lord would return to them (restore fellowship). God’s acceptance of them was conditioned upon an appropriate response to their sins.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: forgiveness, repentance, sin

Andy Sochor September 10, 2012

“Let Them Put Away Their Harlotry and the Corpses of Their Kings” (9/10)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Ezekiel 42-43.

God punished the people of Israel because of their sin. But God was willing to forgive them and restore them to their place if they met His conditions of pardon.