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We indulge in cigarette smoking and drinking hard liquor even when we know that these are bad for our health. We harbor anger, hatred, resentment, and bitterness towards others, even when we know that these can cause physical ailments. Others consent to a live-in relationship, adultery or fornication even though they know that sex outside of marriage is against God's Will and that it has a corresponding punishment. Some continue with their immoral lifestyles as gays or lesbians, although they know that these are against the Word of God. It is written in Leviticus 18:22 that any indecent act or lustful relationship between two persons of the same sex is an abomination to our God, El Shaddai. |
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Brothers and sisters, I have good news for you: despite our sinfulness, God loves us so much and is telling us: "Come now, let us reason together... Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool" (Isaiah 1:18). And in Jeremiah 31:3, He tells us, "I have loved you with an everlasting love...." You might ask me, "Bro. Mike, why can't I experience God's love?" In the Book of John 3:1-21, it is written: "Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ "In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!’ "Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water, and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, "You must be born again." The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’ "‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘You are Israel's teacher,’ said Jesus, ‘and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the One Who came from heaven the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have Eternal Life.’ " The Holy Bible tells us, "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." (Romans 3:23) and "...the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23). Because of sin, we have been separated from God's grace and have experienced the so-called "spiritual death." In this state, we don't have the desire to listen to His Word and put It into practice. We cannot even believe that God Himself has already paid for the penalty of our sin by giving up His Son because of His love for us. Thus, we fail to receive the Salvation and Eternal Life that He is offering to us. |
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