WE ARE ALL SINNERS – DEVOTIONAL
Howdy Friends! It had been a rough week for the lad. The ‘issue’ wasn’t the big deal to Grandpop. The issue was how the lad had treated it when his folks told Grandpop.
“We all get in trouble some time!” The lad tossed his hands in the air. “I mean even the Bible says we’re all sinners.”
“Yeah by golly, that’s sure enough the truth.” Grandpop grinned.
“I know! So what’s the big deal?”
“Big deal?”
“Yeah, what’s all the fuss. I mean nobody’s perfect, right?” The boy stomped in a circle. “Let the guy without sin cast the first stone.”
Grandpop made a show of admiration. “By golly ya can sure enough pluck them verses out that seem ta suit ya, can’t ya.” After a long pause he added, “That might be yer problem though.”
“What?” The boy shot back. “How is quoting the Bible a problem?”
“Son,” A look of seriousness washed over Grandpop’s face. “Quoting the Bible isn’t the problem. That’s a good thing… The problem rides in with yer intent. Ya doing it ta justify yer wrong doin’?” He gave the boy a look that shouted ‘LISTEN.’ “Ya doin’ it piecemeal ta build yer case? Or are ya quoting God’s word to help somebody, build them up? And by golly, we better be sure we understand what we’re quotin’, before we toss it out there like ammunition.”
The boy tried to turn away from Grandpop.
“Hold on there son. One more thing ta ponder fer ya. Of course we’re all sinners, but ta toss it out there as a defense tells everyone that a fella don’t grasp, or care, about what the true issues with sin are. And the damage they do.” Grandpop ruffled the boy’s hair. “A fella ought not look for ways to make his failin’s justified. He oughta seek the man upstairs guidance to end his desire to embrace them. Gotta turn away from sin, and doin’ what ya know is wrong, not set out ta find ways ta hang onto ‘em.”
The boy walked out into the sun, slow and thoughtful.
“Ponder on it son.” Grandpop called after him. “I’ll be around ta lend ya a hand. Lean on yer parents. They’ll work with ya. We all gotta ride this tossin’ bronc. And we all need help doin’ it.”
~ Gitty Up, Dutch.
*************************************************************
Bible Verse – Proverbs 28:13 -“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Bible Verse – Psalm 139:24 –“See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Bible Verse – Hebrews 12:1 –“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”
Bible Verse – Acts 3:19 – “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
Bible Verse – James 5:16 –“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Bible Verse – 1 Thessalonians 4:7 –“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
Bible Verse – Luke 15:7 –“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Bible Verse – Luke 13:3 –“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Bible Verse – Matthew 3:8 – “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
