ANSWERS TO ASSIGNMENTS FOR 1996

1. Job helped the poor, fatherless, widows, perishing, blind, and lame (Job 29:12-16; write out three of these verses).

2. He who is chief should be as one who serves (Luke 22:26,27; write out).

3. “Dead in trespasses and sins” is spiritual death (Eph. 2:1; write out). “In Adam all die” (1 Cor. 15:22; write out). “Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Rev. 20:6,14; 21:8; write out all three verses).

4. “The heart is … desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9; write out). “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6; write out). “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10-19,23; write out at least three of these verses).

5. Three verses with “trespass”: Lev. 5:6; Josh. 7:1; Matt. 6:14 (write out verses).

6. Sins of omission: Luke 10:10 or 13; 10:31,32 (write out verses).

7. “Do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31; write out verse).

8. Paul and Silas sang praises (Acts 16:25; write out verse). Rejoicing in all situations and praying instead of being anxious bring glory to God (Phil. 4:4,6; write out one or both verses).

9. Matt. 20:20,21 (write out at least verse 21). Hypocrites sinfully desire glory for themselves; God should receive glory (Matt. 6:2,13; write out both verses).

10. Consequences of sin: physical sickness and tiredness (Psa. 32:3,4, 10; write out at least one); God won’t answer our prayers (Psa. 66:18; write out); we reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7,8; write out one or both verses).

11. “If a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Gal. 6:3; write out). The apostle Paul feared that he would find wrath, strife, tumults, uncleanness, fornication, and lasciviousness among the Corinthian believers (2 Cor. 12:20,21; write out). God will give us power over sin if we take a position of weakness (2 Cor. 12: 9,10; write out one or both verses).

12. The sword would never depart from David’s house (2 Sam. 12:10); David’s wives would be taken away from him (12:11); David’s child would die (12:14,18); David’s son raped his half-sister (13:14); David’s son Absalom killed his half-brother Amnon (13:28,29). (Give three of these consequences.)

13. Be reconciled to your brother, agree with your adversary (Matt. 5:23-25; write out at least verse 24 or 25). “I repent” (Luke 17:3,4; write out one or both verses).

14. Personalized responses.

15. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3: 23), or a verse with a similar sentiment.

16-1. No, work is not a curse (Gen. 2:15,19; Rev. 22:3; write out two of these verses).

16-2. (a) For a husband to love his wife means to give of his time, energy, interests, and preferences for the welfare and happiness of his wife. (b) Lesson from the three R’s: be diligent in carrying out your household duties and responsibilities.

16-3. Four consequences of Adam’s sin: (a) The entire human race became sinners (Rom. 5:12-19; write out at least one verse). (b) Death came upon mankind (Gen. 2:17; write out). (c) Several kinds of separation occurred (Gen. 3:8,10, 12,18, 19; 4:8; write out at least one verse). (d) Pain and suffering came upon the human race (Gen. 3:16-19; write out at least one verse).

16-4. Rom. 5:12,15,17-19 (write out at least one verse).

16-5. Sin=missing the mark; iniquity=lack of righteousness, justice, or fairness; transgression=stepping over a boundary or breaking a law.

16-6. Sin of commission: Exod. 20:15; Prov. 24:9; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 1:29-31; Eph. 5:4; Col. 3:8,9 (write out one verse). Sin of omission: Exod. 23:4,5; Jas. 4:17 (write out one verse).

16-7. Sin resulting from zeal: Luke 22:31-34; Acts 21:23-27; Phil. 3:6 (write out one verse).

16-8. No, God wants us to do the right thing all the time (Num. 20:12; write out).

16-9. Speaking against the testimony of the Holy Spirit concerning the Lord Jesus and saying it is of Satan is the unpardonable sin.

16-10. Instead of being a confession, it blames the other person for being too sensitive.

16-11. Forgiveness is a promise that I will not bring up the matter again to the forgiven one, to others, or to myself.

16-12. Christ suffered (a) from the hand of God when made sin (Matt. 27:46); (b) because of the results of sin in the world (Mark 7:34; John 11:33,35,38); (c) because of the sin, unbelief and hardness of heart of the people around Him (Matt. 23:37-39; 26:56; Mark 3:5; 8:11; Luke 22:24, 61); and (d) from man’s hatred toward Himself (Matt. 11:19; 12:24; Luke 4:29; John 8:48,59; 10:20,39; Psa. 22 and 69; Matt. 26 and 27). (Write out one verse from each of three of these categories.)

Foundations of Faith

Running the Race

Foundations of Faith
THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST

We have just completed a series of articles on the topics of the Fall of man and sin (Mar96-Nov96). We trust that by now all of our readers are thoroughly convinced that they are sinners. Earlier (Nov93), when studying the attributes of God, we learned about the holiness of God and His hatred and intolerance of sin. The Lord Jesus, when here on earth, reminded the people of God’s holiness; He told them often about the “outer darkness,” the “weeping and gnashing of teeth,” the “torment,” the “everlasting punishment,” and the “flame” of “hell fire” that awaits unrepentant sinners (Matt. 5:22; 8:12; 18:8, 9; 22:13; 24:51; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:23,24, 28).

In view of the Bible’s teaching concerning our sin (Rom. 3:10-23) and the eternal punishment God has prepared for sinners, what are we to do? Is there any hope for mankind? Or are we all doomed to eternal darkness and separation from God because of our sin?

These questions lead us into the next series of topics that will occupy us through much of 1997, if the Lord hasn’t come by then. These are topics related to the wonderful teaching in the Bible about God’s salvation of sinners. Specifically, these topics will include atonement, propitiation and substitution; repentance and faith; conversion and regeneration; foreknowledge, election, and predestination; the blessings that accompany salvation; and the eternal security of the believer.

As we shall learn-and most of our readers know it already-our salvation is based on the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, followed by His resurrection from the dead. In the Jun94- Oct94 issues of GROWING we took up a study of God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ His deity and humanity, His virgin birth, His attributes, His sinlessness, His names, titles, and offices, His life, His example for us, and His resurrection. We put off a study of His sufferings until we came to the topic of salvation.

In preparation for our study of atonement in the next issue, let us take a brief look at the sufferings of Christ. These sufferings are sometimes divided into two classes-His atoning sufferings (that is, those He experienced when He was punished by God for our sins) and His non- atoning sufferings (that is, those He received from man).

Christ’s Atoning Sufferings

These were Christ’s sufferings from the hand of God when He was on the cross. He experienced them particularly during the three hours of darkness, during which He cried out, “My God, My God, why host Thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:45,46). This is when the sinless One was made sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21), and “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24); when He was “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:5).

Christ’s Non-Atoning Sufferings

Sufferings because of the results of sin in the world. Even when He was about to use His miraculous powers, Jesus wept and sighed (or groaned) because of the disease and death brought upon mankind because of sin (Mark 7:34; John 11:33,35 ,38).

Sufferings because of the sin, unbelief, and hardness of heart of the people around Him. He sighed when the Pharisees tried to trip Him up with their questions (Mark 8:11). He grieved at the people’s hardness of heart (Mark 3:5). He wept over Jerusalem because of the people’s sin and soon-coming judgment (Matt. 23:37-39). How it must have grieved the Lord, on the eve of His crucifixion, when “there was … a strife among [the disciples], which of them should be accounted the greatest”; when “all the disciples forsook Him and fled”; and when one of His most faithful disciples denied Him three times (Matt. 26:56:Luke 22:24,61).

Sufferings from man’s hatred toward Himself. Months before the crucifixion, on several occasions the religious leaders tried to kill Him (Luke 4:29; John 8:59; 10:39). They charged Him with being a glutton, a drunkard, and a madman, having a demon, and casting out demons by the power of Satan (Matt. 11:19; 12:24; John 8:48; 10:20). Leading up to and during the crucifixion, the Jewish and Roman leaders and soldiers spit in His face, slapped Him, accused Him of blasphemy, wrongfully condemned Him to death, whipped Him (with leather cords weighted with sharp pieces of bone or lead), mocked Him, beat a crown of thorns into His head, stripped Him, pounded nails into His hands and feet, and taunted Him as He hung on the cross (Psa. 22; 69; Matt. 26;27). While the Lord took these insults with the greatest patience, grace, and even forgiveness (Luke 23:34), yet how His perfect, sinless spirit, soul, and body must have been acutely sensitive to every one of these horrible acts against Himself.

In these non-atoning sufferings of Christ there are some very important lessons for us:First, He is an example for us:”Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps…. Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not” (1 Pet. 2:21-23). Second, He is a help to us:”In that He Himself has suffered being [tested], He is able to [help] those who are [tested]” (Heb. 2:18; 4:15,16). Third, He gives us the privilege of being “partakers of [His] sufferings (1 Pet. 4:13).

Running the Race
Assignment 16 (continued): This is the second part of a review quiz based on the 1996 issues of GROWING. Please refer back to the indicated issue when answering each question.

4. (Apr.) Write out a verse that illustrates Adam’s federal headship.

5. (May) Write down the meanings of these three words: sin, iniquity, and transgression.

6. (June) Write out two verses, one describing a sin of commission and one a sin of omission.

7. (July) Write out a verse that illustrates sin resulting from zeal.

8. (Aug.) Is God satisfied if we do the right thing most of the time? Write out a verse to back up your answer to this question.

9. (Sept.) What is the unpardonable sin?

10. (Oct.) Why isn’t the following statement a proper confession of sin: “I am sorry if I did anything to hurt you.”

11. (Nov.) Write down a definition of “forgiveness.”

12. (Dec.) Write out verses that illustrate three different ways in which Christ suffered.

Foundations of Faith
SIN (VII)

What Should I Do if One Sins Against Me?

Scene: Sunday school class.

Teacher: Last time we discussed the question, “What should I do if I sin?” This time we will consider the “other side of the coin”:”What should I do if one sins against me?”
Who has some thoughts about this question?

Sarah: Doesn’t it depend on whether or not the sinner confesses the sin to me?

Teacher: Yes it does. What should you do if the one who sinned against you confesses that sin to you?

Tom: I think that depends on what the sin was like.

Teacher: Would you explain what you mean, Tom?

Tom: Well, if someone does something really bad to me, I’m not about to forgive him.

Karen: Is that the attitude you want God to have toward you, Tom?

Tom: I’ve never done anything really bad toward God.

Teacher: Tom, I think you had better stop and reconsider what you are saying. (See Assignment 15)

Teacher: What do the rest of you think about forgiving one who confesses to you? What does the Bible say?

Rick: “If your brother trespasses against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he trespasses against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you, saying, I repent, you shall forgive him” (Luke 17:3,4).

Tina: “Be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32).

Bill: Even if the sin is so bad that it is very difficult to forgive, the Lord tells us, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you; that you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:44,45).

Teacher: All of those verses give very good answers to the question. Now what exactly is forgiveness?

Rick: I remember someone saying something like this:forgiveness is a promise that I will not bring up the matter again. I won’t bring it up to the forgiven one to throw it in his/her face; I won’t bring it up to others to gossip about it; and I won’t bring it up to myself to brood over it.

Teacher: Excellent! True forgiveness of others is patterned after God’s forgiveness of us and includes restoration to full fellowship (Psa. 103:12; John 21).

Lisa: There is a popular saying that goes, “Forgiving is forgetting.” I think I have really forgiven people but I haven’t been able to erase the matter completely from my memory. Am I not really forgiving?

Teacher: You have brought up a very important question, Lisa. God says “I … will not remember your sins” (Isa. 43:25; Jer. 31:34). But He never says “I will forget your sins.” The expression “He will remember their iniquity” (Jer. 14:10; Hos. 8:13) refers to God bringing judgment upon the sinners. So there is a difference in the Bible between forgetting and not remembering. We may never fully forget the sins that others have committed against us, but we can chose not to remember them in the sense of punishing the sinner or holding a grudge against him.

Tom: What if someone steals from me and comes and confesses his sin to me. If I forgive him, does that mean that he doesn’t have to repay what he stole.

Teacher: Not at all. The Bible is clear that if someone causes you to suffer loss, he/she must make restitution to you (Exod. 22:1-14; Lev. 6:1-5). You may forgive that person and have fellowship restored between the two of you while he/she is faithfully paying off the debt. On the other hand, just as the Lord Jesus has totally paid the far greater debt that you owed to Him, you have the privilege of forgiving that person of the debt as well.

Let us briefly move on to the question of what to do if the offender does not confess the sin to you. Does the Bible have anything to say about this situation?

Bill: “If your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone; if he shall hear you, you have gained your brother” (Matt. 18:15).

Tina: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).

Teacher: Just the verses I was looking for! Now why do you suppose the offender may fail to confess on his/her own?

Tom: Pride and embarrassment. Also the fear of getting “blasted” if he confesses. I realize that I am pretty tough and unforgiving toward such people; I guess I need to learn to be more gracious.

Teacher: Good points, Tom; it looks like you are learning some things from this lesson. What are some other reasons?

Rick: Maybe the “offender” is not really guilty. Perhaps he has been totally misjudged.

Karen: Besides that, sometimes the offender may not be aware of what he has said or done.

Teacher: Very good. Don’t these various possibilities illustrate the wisdom of going to the “offender” in a humble spirit, according to Matt. 18:15 and Gal. 6:1? This way all kinds of misunderstandings and misjudgments can be cleared up. For the offended one to keep quiet could lead to an unnecessary separation between the two parties.

Let me summarize this lesson. If someone sins against me, I have only two scriptural responses:either (1) I confront that person about the sin or (2) I forgive that person and never bring up the matter again. Holding a grudge is not an option.

Running the Race
Assignment 15: How would you answer from the Scriptures Tom’s claim that he had never done anything really bad against God?

Assignment 16: This is the first part of a review quiz based on the 1996 issues of GROWING. Please refer back to the indicated issue when answering each question.

1. (Jan.) Is work a curse? Write out two verses that support your answer.

2. (Feb.) (a) What does it mean for a husband to love his wife? (b) What lesson is to be learned from the three R’s-Rebekah, Rachel, and Ruth?

3. (Mar.) Write out verses describing each of four consequences of Adam’s sin.

(More review questions next time.)

Foundations of Faith
SIN (VI)

What Should I Do if I Sin?

Scene: Sunday school class.

Teacher: Today we are going to discuss the question, “What should I do if I sin?” Who can answer that question with a verse from the Bible?

Tom: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).

Karen: Is that necessary if we are already saved? The Bible says, “In [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:7).

Rick: Isn’t it important to confess our sins daily to God in order to stay in a good relationship with Him?

Teacher: Yes, do you have some verses to support that?

Rick: In Psalm 51 David confessed his sins against Bathsheba and Uriah. He did not ask God to save him again but he did say, “Restore unto me the joy of my salvation” (verse 12).

Teacher: Good. I would suggest that each of you read Psalm 51 several times. It is a wonderful example of a prayer of confession that God can accept. Some other benefits of confessing our sins, and consequences of not confessing them, can be found in Psalm 32:3-7 and James 5:16.

Lisa: In verse 4 of Psalm 51 David says, “Against … Thee only, have I sinned.” Does this mean we only have to confess our sins to God, and not to the people we sin against?

Teacher: Excellent question, Lisa! Let me point out that the word “only” in verse 4 is better translated “especially.” So all of our sins are especially against God, though they may be against other people as well. Who can find a verse about confessing to other people?

Tina: “Confess your faults one to another” (Jas. 5:16). (See Assignment 13)

Teacher: Excellent! Now Tina, what words do you use when you want to make a confession to the person you have sinned against?

Tina: Well, let’s see. I guess I would say, “I’m sorry if I did anything to hurt you.”

Teacher: Let’s analyze that statement. What did you really confess?

Tina: Oh, I see! I didn’t really confess anything. Instead I sort of blamed the other person for being too sensitive.

Teacher: Now we’re on target. What would be better language to use when making a confession?

Rick: “David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Sam. 12:13). He also said, “I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psa. 51:3). So when we confess to others, shouldn’t we just tell the persons what we said or did to them and say that we were wrong in doing so?

Teacher: Exactly, Rick. The word “confess” is homologeo in the Greek and means “to speak the same thing.” God and the people sinned against already know what you did. When you confess, you are agreeing with them about what you did. This, more than anything, opens the way for true restoration of friendship with the one sinned against. There is a similar Greek word, apologeo. We get the English word “apology” from it. The word means “to make a defense.” The statement, “If I did anything to hurt you, I am sorry,” is an apology, a defense, rather than a confession. Let us consider one more question before our time is up. How do you respond when someone confronts you or rebukes you concerning some sin or fault of yours. Do you say, “Yes, you are right. I sinned. I failed to show the love of Christ to you. Will you forgive me”? (There is dead silence.)

Tom: Sometimes I say, “You’re crazy, I didn’t say anything like that!” even though I know the other person is right.

Karen: Just the other day I responded angrily, “Do you think you are perfect?” when someone pointed out a fault of mine.

Aaron: I often hear children, and sometimes even myself, saying things like, “It’s not my fault!” or “I couldn’t help it!” or “He hit me first!” (See Assignment 14)

Teacher: I appreciate your honesty. Often it takes real courage and a strong push from the Holy Spirit for one Christian to confront another about a sin or fault. Such persons have a real love and concern for our spiritual welfare. Let us try to be prepared to respond humbly, confessing our wrong if we have sinned. If you think the person is wrong and that you are not guilty, don’t get angry. Rather, gently probe for more information since there may be some misunderstanding between you. This leads us into a question that we shall discuss next time:”What should I do when one sins against me?”

Running the Race
“GOD FORGIVES, DOESN’T HE?” (II)

I was conducting a Bible study with a group of jail inmates. We were discussing the ninth commandment about bearing false witness (Exod. 20:16). Most of the men were preparing to go before a judge or jury to face the charges against them. I urged them to tell the truth in court, even if it meant receiving a long prison sentence.

One fellow looked very troubled at what I had just said. He raised his hand and asked the question: “But God forgives, doesn’t he?” It was immediately obvious what was going through his mind. He was going to lie to the judge; if the judge believed him and found him not guilty, he would confess his lie to God and God would forgive him. As simple as that!

I assured the young man that God indeed forgives us when we confess our sins, but there was one thing he was forgetting. In order for us to be fully forgiven and restored to the Lord, we must also confess our sin and make restitution to the people we have sinned against. In this case, it would include the judge to whom he had lied and the person whom he had robbed. If we want to have God on our side, we must confess our crimes and sins up front to all concerned.

On another occasion I gave the same lesson. A fellow came up to me afterward and told me that he had lied in court concerning a charge of petty crime. The judge believed him and set him free. Not having learned his lesson, he then proceeded to commit a far worse crime and was now facing a 20-year sentence. Let us not play games with God!

Assignment 13: Write out verses in Matthew 5 and Luke 17 that express the thought of a person confessing his/her sin to another.

Assignment 14: How did you respond the last time someone confronted you concerning a sin?

Foundations of Faith
SIN (V)

Are Some Sins More Serious Than Others?

All sin is serious. The tiniest sin is an act of rebellion against God (May96). Still, there are degrees of wickedness. Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that there were matters of the law such as “judgment, mercy, and faith” that were more important than paying their tithes of herbs and spices (Matt. 23:23).

People may be surprised to learn what God considers to be the more serious sins. Jesus said that it would be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for the city of Capernaum. Those who rejected Christ in spite of personally witnessing His miracles of healing committed a sin that was worse in God’s eyes than all the awful perversions of the men of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 13:13; 19:5).

Some rebels may have the idea, “Since I am probably going to hell anyway, I might as well sin as much as I can now.” But these are heaping up God’s wrath for themselves since God “will render to every man according to his deed” (Rom. 2:5,6; Rev. 20:12,13).
On the bright side, the worst sinner who ever lived can still be saved by God’s grace. The Lord Jesus prayed for God’s forgiveness of those who were in the act of committing the worst crime imaginable (Luke 23:34).

Here is a word of caution to our young Christian readers:If you do not think you are capable of sinning just as badly as the worst sinner, be careful:you are deceiving yourself. (See Assignment 11)

What Is the Unpardonable Sin?

This is one of the most widely asked questions by young Christians today. It is based on the Lord Jesus’ response to the Pharisees who had claimed that Jesus cast out demons by the power of Satan:”All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven Him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come” (Matt. 12:22-32).

To say that Jesus was performing miracles by the power of Satan was blasphemy. Yet, that sin was forgivable while Jesus was still on earth. Later, the Lord Jesus finished His work on earth, made atonement for man’s sins on the cross, was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit into the world. The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict sinners of their need of a Saviour and to declare all of the truth concerning the Person and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:7-15). One who speaks against this work and testimony of the Holy Spirit concerning the Lord Jesus, in spite of all the evidence and eyewitnesses (Acts 1:3; 1 Cor. 15:3-8), and says that it is of Satan, is guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Such persons are so hardened against the Lord Jesus and the testimony of the Holy Spirit that they will never come to repentance and thus never receive forgiveness.

Are you afraid that you may have committed the unpardonable sin? Be encouraged! The very fact that you are concerned about it shows that you have not become hardened against the Lord Jesus. If you are already saved, the Holy Spirit will keep you from committing such a sin (John 10:28; Rom. 8:35-39). If you are not saved and want to be, the word for you is:”He who comes to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

Saul of Tarsus was “a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious” (1 Tim. 1:13). He was “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” when the Lord stopped him short and miraculously saved him (Acts 9). Even he who consented unto the death of Stephen in his rage against Christ and Christians (Acts 7:61) did not commit the unpardonable sin!

What Is the Doctrine of Total Depravity?

The term, “total depravity,” is not found in Scripture; however, the truth of it is. This expression refers to the fact that sin affects every part of a human being. This includes the will (Rom. 7:14-24); the mind and understanding (Gen. 6:5; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17); the affections and emotions (Rom. 1:24-27; 2 Tim. 3:4); and the outward speech and behavior (Mark 7:21-23; Gal. 5:19-21; Jas. 3:5-9). This phrase does not mean that we are “utterly depraved” or as evil as we possibly can be. (This is true of Satan and his demons but not of humans in general.) Rather it means that no aspect of our nature is unaffected by sin. Because of this, we are totally unable to save ourselves. (We will come back to this later when discussing salvation.)

The next two months we shall consider what we are to do when we sin and when one sins against us.

Running the Race
“GOD FORGIVES, DOESN’T HE?” (I)

I was conducting a Bible study at work over 20 years ago. It came to my attention that a young woman who regularly attended the Bible study, and who professed to be saved, had taken up living with a fellow. I talked to her about this and she confessed she knew it was wrong. However, the relationship had progressed to the point where she felt she could not break it off. “Besides,” she said, “I have confessed it to God. God forgives, doesn’t he?” I assured her that God does indeed forgive, but also told her that her confession was meaningless if she was continuing in her sin. She went on to marry the man and has had a problem-filled marriage ever since.

Do you ever plan to sin with the idea of confessing it to God and receiving His forgiveness when you are all through sinning? Think it over carefully before you do such a thing. Are you prepared to accept the consequences of dishonoring God, reaping what you sow (Gal. 6:7)? Are you prepared to miss out on God’s blessings, unable to count upon His help and presence while you go on sinning (Deut. 28:15,23)?

Assignment 11: Write out verses in Galatians 6 and 2 Corinthians 12 that support the last point and that show that God helps us when we take a position of weakness.

Assignment 12: Even though King David eventually confessed his sins of adultery and murder, give from 2 Samuel 12 and 13 three consequences of his sinful behavior.

Foundations of Faith
SIN (IV)

What Circumstances Led the People of the Bible to Sin? (Continued)

4. Sin resulting from trials and “natural” circumstances. All of us experience trials and tribulations at one time or another. We all have had to take tests and exams in school to show the teachers what progress we are making in the different subjects. Just so, God may test us with different kinds of problems or difficulties to help us see what progress we are making in our Christian walk.

After bringing Abram safely to the land of Canaan, the LORD tested him by allowing “a famine in the land” (Gen. 12:10). Abram failed to continue to trust in God and let God direct him. He went down to Egypt, and there, to secure his personal safety, asked his wife to lie and tell the Egyptians that she was his sister. Abram sinned by going to Egypt, and sinned again once he was there. The end result was trouble for the Egyptians and shame to himself (12:11-20). Doesn’t this often happen in our own lives? We allow one small sin in our life and that leads to more and bigger sins.

The LORD promised to give Abram a large number of descendants (Gen. 12:2; 15:5). Then He tested Abram and his wife Sarai by not giving them any children (16:1). Again, Abram failed the test, taking matters into his own hands by having a child by Sarai’s maid, Hagar (16:2-5). This sin of impatience by Abram led to problems between Sarai and Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael later on, and the nation of Israel and the Arab nations up to the present time.

The Lord Jesus tested Simon Peter’s faith by asking him to do something that was humanly impossible-walk on water. In obedience and faith, Peter did it! for a while at least. But then he took his eyes off Christ and began worrying about the wind and the waves-and began to sink (Matt. 14:22-31). Peter began with great faith and ended up with little faith and a reprimand from the Lord. Peter made a valiant attempt but “missed the mark.” (Do you recall the definition of “sin” from the May96 issue?)

The last example shows the high standards God has for His children. But what blessings He has for those who pass His tests! Job illustrates this very well. In a very short period of time his children, his possessions, and his health were taken away from him. Yet “in all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 1,2). Later we read, “The LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning” (42:12).

5. Sin resulting from the bad behavior of others. As long as we live in this sin-filled world, we are going to meet up with other people’s sinful and offensive behavior. God may sometimes use this as a means of testing His children. All too often, we respond to the sin of others by sinning ourselves.

God does not excuse us if we believe another person’s lie that contradicts His Word. The prophet of Judah disobeyed God through believing another prophet’s lie, and was killed by a lion as a result (1 Ki. 13:1-26; see also Gen. 3:1-6). When the Gibeonites lied to Joshua, he believed them without asking counsel of the LORD. As a result, Joshua made a peace treaty with the Gibeonites, contrary to God’s will (Joshua 9).

Moses responded wonderfully to the frequent complaints of the children of Israel (Exod. 14:10-14; 15-23-27; 16:2-8; 17:1-6; Num. 12:1-15; 14:1-5). Yet on a rare occasion when Moses responded with impatience and anger, he was severely punished by the LORD (Num. 20:1-12). This reminds us that we must not be content with doing the right thing most of the time.

Many of God’s servants met with acts of aggression and hostility. King Saul, in a jealous rage, pursued David for several years. At times, David responded to this in a mature, God-honoring way; he even spared the king’s life on two occasions (1 Sam. 23:10-12; 24; 26). But at times, David seemed to forget all about God and behaved very sinfully and shamefully in response to Saul’s threats (1 Sam. 21; 27). King Asa of Judah took matters into his own hands when threatened by the king of Israel. Instead of crying out to God, he turned to the king of Syria for help. When the LORD sent a prophet to reprove him, King Asa added to his sin by throwing the prophet in prison (2 Chron. 16:1-10; compare 14:9-14).

In order to avoid getting herself and the Israelite spies in trouble with the authorities, Rahab told a lie (Josh. 2:1-6). Some might argue that she had no other choice. However, had she known more about the God of Israel, she might have trusted Him instead of resorting to lying. The One who had put a cloud of protection between the Israelites and the pursuing Egyptian army, and the One who had blinded the Syrian army, was well able to protect both Rahab and the two spies (Exod. 14:19,20; 2 Ki. 6:18).

In summary, in these examples we find the following sins in response to problems:(a) taking one’s eyes off the Lord; (b) seeking help from others instead of the Lord; (c) trying to escape from the problems; and (d) trying to lie one’s way out.

We shall continue with a few further issues related to sin in the next issue.

Running the Race
SO WHAT IF I SIN?

I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and, on the basis of John 3:16, I have eternal life. I am one of Christ’s sheep, and John 10:28 says that no one is able to pluck His sheep out of His hand. So what does it matter if I sin occasionally?

Consider the following illustration: Your house catches on fire and you are trapped in the second story. Your neighbor, hearing your cries, rushes over with a ladder and-at great risk to himself-helps you to safety. Initially you are grateful to your neighbor, but in time you forget what he did for you. You carelessly throw trash on his lawn; you tease his dog; when he asks you to help him, you find excuses. How would your neighbor feel about such behavior? How does the Lord feel about your careless, selfish, sinful behavior after all that He suffered for your sins?

Furthermore, our sins are often accompanied by consequences. Breaking the law may result in a prison sentence, sexual sin in AIDS, alcohol consumption in a traffic accident. Unconfessed sin leads to loss of communion with the Lord and of His help in our daily lives.

Assignment 10: Write out verses in Psalms 32 and 66 and Galatians 6 that speak of the consequences of sin.

Foundations of Faith
SIN (III)

What Circumstances Led the People of the Bible to Sin?

In the last issue we gave examples of sins of commission (doing what God doesn’t want us to do), that may involve our actions, attitudes, words, or thoughts, and sins of omission (not doing what God wants us to do). In this issue we shall bring these categories and examples closer to home by considering ways the people of the Bible sinned. We shall organize these examples by the types of circumstances that resulted in sin. This is because we have a tendency to excuse our sins because of the situation. For example, do you ever remember giving the excuse, “He hit me first!” in your younger days? As we read, let us check whether any of these people of the Bible reflect ourselves in their sin and failure.

1. Sin resulting from selfish desires. This is no doubt the most common source of sin. “The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16) all stem from selfish desires.

Jacob lived much of his life scheming to get his own way. He made Esau sell his birthright to him for a pot of soup (Gen. 25:23,30-34). Later, he tricked his father into giving him, rather than Esau, the blessing of the firstborn (27:1-40). This was not only sinful, it was stupid. The LORD had announced at Jacob’s birth, “the elder [Esau] shall serve the younger [Jacob]” (25:23). How much trouble we would avoid if we would just wait for the Lord to work out His perfect plan for our lives!

David already had at least seven wives (2 Sam. 3:2-5,13-16); but when “he saw a woman washing herself, and the woman was very beautiful” (11:2), he wanted her too. Before it was all over, David had committed several very serious sins.

Gideon also had selfish desires, but of quite a different kind-a more respectable kind-from those of Jacob and those of David. He had just gained a great victory over the Midianites through faith in God. The people wanted to make him king, but he modestly turned them down. Instead, he made a golden ephod out of the jewelry taken from the Midianite soldiers. The ephod was a part of the prescribed clothing of the high priest of Israel. It contained the mystical Urim and Thummim by which the priest determined the mind of God. With selfish pride, Gideon desired to have the golden ephod as a memorial of the fact that God had spoken directly to him (Judg. 6,7). While the desire to be honored and recognized and remembered by others may seem more respectable than the “lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes,” it is still sin. It is “the pride of life”-taking honor for ourselves that rightfully belongs to God alone. (See Assignment 9)

2. Sin resulting from zeal. Is it possible to be too zealous or too enthusiastic about a project or a cause? Saul of Tarsus was very prominent among the Jews as a persecutor of Christians (Phil. 3:6). He meant well, but in God’s eyes, he was dead wrong! Many years later, the Apostle Paul’s zealous desire for the salvation of the Jews got him into trouble. He did something that was contrary to his relationship with Christ and that confused the gospel message (Acts 21:23-27).

Peter was another disciple of Christ who was full of zeal. When Jesus forewarned him that Satan wanted to trip him up, Peter responded with great confidence, “I am ready to go with Thee, both into prison and to death” (Luke 22:31-34). You know the rest of the story.

Fifteen centuries earlier, Moses sinned in his zeal to defend God’s interests. When the children of Israel complained about lack of water, the LORD told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come from it. Moses thought the LORD was being too lenient with the people, so he angrily called the people “rebels” and struck the rock with his rod instead of speaking to it. God wanted to show His grace to the people, but Moses misrepresented Him as impatient and angry. For this Moses was deprived by God of the privilege of leading the people into the promised land.

Zeal is good, but it must be brought into submission to the Lord (Gal. 4:17,18). We want zeal so we will not lag behind God’s will. But in our zeal, we also must be careful not to go ahead of God.

3. Sin resulting from trying to add our own works to those of the Lord. Jephthah, a judge of the children of Israel, was a skillful, experienced military leader. When asked by his people to lead the army of Israel against the invading Ammonites, he responded by putting his dependence upon the LORD (Judg. 11:27-29). Then, with the Spirit of the LORD on him, ready to go to battle, Jephthah blew it! Not content to rest totally upon the gracious help of the LORD, he made a vow. If the LORD would help him win the battle, he would make a certain offering to the LORD (11:30,31). This was a disastrous mistake by Jephthah, for he unknowingly had promised to offer his own daughter as a sacrifice to the LORD. One of the most difficult things for man to learn is that God delights to be gracious-to give to those who don’t deserve it. Not wanting to be in debt to God, we despise God’s grace and try to add our own works to those of God’s. Many millions, perhaps billions, of people have tried to earn salvation by their own works or by adding their works to the work of Christ. The outcome of such attempts will end in disaster, as with Jephthah.

(To be continued.)

CONGRATULATIONS!

Three of our readers completed all of the assignments for 1995. Drew Johnson of Bedford, Pennsylvania led the way with a score of 98.1% for the year. Lisa and Carrie Keillor of Acton, California each had scores of 93.7% correct answers. Christopher Ochieng of Kenya, East Africa and Marisa Scheidecker of Clarksville, Iowa answered over half of the assignments. Kevin Bennett of Jessup, Maryland and Andrew Okezie of Nigeria, West Africa got late starts but both completed all of the assignments for 1994. Christopher Ochieng answered over half of the 1994 assignments and Andrew Okezie did the same for 1993.

Running the Race
Assignment 9: (a) Write out a verse or two in Matthew 20 that tell of a woman who desired glory for her loved ones. (b) Write out two verses in Matthew 6 that tell who should, and who should not, receive glory.

Foundations of Faith
SIN (II)

In the previous issue, we considered several words in the Bible that express the idea of sin in different ways:Transgression, trespass, iniquity, perversity, lawlessness, ungodliness, rebellion, and unbelief. We shall now consider specific kinds of sin.

What Are Some Categories and Examples of Sin?

Roman Catholic doctrine divides sins into two categories, mortal and venial. Mortal sins are those so serious as to cause “death of the soul,” or loss of salvation; according to this teaching, salvation can be restored only through the performance of acts of penance. Venial sins are less serious ones. There is no Biblical support for this distinction. In one sense, all sins are mortal sins in that they deserve death; in another sense, no sin is mortal, for a soul that is truly saved will never be lost because of any kind of sin. (We shall take up this topic in more detail in a later issue.)

There are sins of commission and sins of omission. Sins of commission are acts that are forbidden by the Word of God. The Bible says, “You shall not steal” (Exod. 20:15). Stealing is a sin of commission. A long list of sinful acts given in Romans 1 includes such serious matters as murder, fornication, and hating God. Mixed in among these are such things as envy, debate (or arguing), and whispering (or talking behind one’s back), which might be considered rather minor by most people, but not by God.

Sins include not only physical actions (such as murder and stealing), but also attitudes (such as pride and envy), words (such as backbiting, blasphemy, filthy language, lying, and foolish talking), and thoughts (such as foolish and lustful thoughts) (Prov. 24:9; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 1:29,30; Eph. 5:4; Col. 3:8,9).

Sins of omission occur when we fail to do what God wants us to do. “To him who knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin” (Jas. 4:17). “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again” (Exod. 23:4,5). (See Assignment 6)

(To be continued.)

Running the Race
IDOLS OF THE HEART

The sin that, more than anything else, led to the downfall of the nation of Israel, was idolatry (Isa. 10:11). This was not only worshiping images of wood and stone, but setting up idols in their hearts (Ezek. 14:1-5). What is an idol of the heart? It is any desire of our hearts that is greater than our desire to please and glorify God. (See Assignment 7)

What are some idols of our hearts-things we may desire more than glorifying God? Happiness, friends, a Christian husband or wife, a successful career, a beautiful home, good health, being well liked by others. There may be nothing wrong with many of these objects of our desires. But if our all-consuming goal in life is to obtain happiness, good health, or any other earthly object, it is sin. Any desire that exceeds my desire to bring glory to God is an idol.
You may ask, “How can I know whether I have any idols of the heart?” Perhaps the best way is to be aware of how you respond when something or someone gets in the way of your achieving that desire. Let us consider two examples.

There was a Christian man, let us call him Pat, who had his heart set on being promoted to a vacant position in his company. The position was granted to Joe, a man whom Pat considered far less qualified than himself. In a fit of rage, Pat stormed into the office of his boss and chewed him out for his poor judgment and unfairness. When the boss was finally given an opportunity to speak, this is what he said: “You know, Pat, the reason we did not offer you that position was that we are in the process of establishing a new position even higher than that one. We were going to ask you to take that new position. But given the immaturity and lack of self-control you have just shown, we cannot possibly offer you that position now.”

How sad! not only that Pat lost out on his desired promotion, but that he gave such a negative testimony as a Christian! If his supreme desire had been to glorify God, think of how he could have turned this seemingly negative experience into a positive testimony for Christ. Suppose a co-worker had come to Pat, offering sympathy to him for not receiving the promotion. “You certainly were more deserving and qualified than Joe will ever be!” might have been his encouraging words. Then Pat could have responded, “Thank you for your kind words. I have placed my life and my career in God’s hands. Whatever He wants for my life is fine with me. I am going to go over and congratulate Joe and assure him of my support and cooperation.” Whether or not Pat received a promotion, he had the satisfaction of glorifying God before his co-workers. And the Lord sometimes adds a special blessing to those who put His glory first.

As another example, a woman may be so desperate to “catch” a certain man to be her husband (or the other way around) that she literally drives the desired man away through her jealous possessiveness. If, on the other hand, her supreme desire is to bring glory to God and to do His will, then she will be content to let the Lord work out the details of bringing her together with His choice for a marriage partner. (Review the February 1996 issue for more on this point.)

Suppose you break your leg in the middle of the football season while on the way to being named “All-Conference” … or the girl you have a crush on will not pay any attention to you … or the night before you are to fly to Europe with your classmates your appendix ruptures. How will you respond? If your response is anger, bitterness, depression, self-pity, hurt feelings, or wanting to end your life, this is a pretty clear indication that your desires are “idols of the heart.” They are more important to you than giving glory to God.

Assignment 6: Write out two verses, one in the first half and one in the second half of Luke 10, that illustrate sins of omission.

Assignment 7: Write out a verse in 1 Corinthians 10 that shows that the most important desire of the Christian should be to glorify God.

Assignment 8: Write out a verse in Acts 16, and one or more verses in Philippians 4 that show how we can glorify God even when things are not “going our way.”

Foundations of Faith
SIN (I)

Introduction

We have referred to the topic of sin several times in previous issues of GROWING. Jesus Christ could not sin (Aug94); Satan was the first created being who sinned (May95); Adam and Eve were the first human sinners (Mar96). We discussed the doctrine of original sin and the consequences of man’s sin (Mar96, Apr96).
In this and the next couple issues of GROWING, we shall discuss questions such as:(1) What is sin? (2) are some sins more serious than others? and (3) so what if I sin?

How Sinful Is Sin?

Answer:Sin is exceedingly sinful! These may sound like a silly question and a trivial answer, but they really are not. In the world today, sin itself is trivialized, or considered by many or most people to be unimportant or non-existent. For example:fornication is not considered to be a sin; it is called an affair, or a one-night stand. Homosexuality is called a lifestyle. Drunkenness is called a disease. Crime is called a social disorder resulting from poor education and faulty upbringing. Abortion is called a personal choice to rid oneself of undesirable, unformed tissue. “It is okay if I do not hurt anyone” is a common expression today. Another is, “Sin is relative; it depends on the situation.”
The well-known psychiatrist, Karl Menninger, may have had some of these ideas in mind when he wrote his book, Whatever Became of Sin?

The exceeding sinfulness of sin is proven in the Bible in three ways:

1. When the highest angel committed but one sin, he drew after him a huge company of demonic followers who will be the enemies of God and separated from God through all eternity.

2. When the first human being committed but one sin, sin and death came upon the whole human race.

3. The Son of God suffered to an infinite degree and died on the cross because of sin.

What Is Sin?

The nature and character of sin are expressed by a variety of words in the Old and New Testament. It might be noted that several of these words are clustered together in Psa. 32:1-5.

1. Sin. The Hebrew and Greek words commonly translated “sin” literally mean, “missing the mark.” We have here a picture of one who takes aim at a target, but misses the bull’s-eye. The same Hebrew word is found in Judg. 20:16:”Every one could sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss.” So sin is failure to follow perfectly God’s Word and will, down to the smallest detail of our thoughts, words, and actions. Man’s idea of sin is often limited to the gross offenses such as murder, assault, rape, and stealing. However, God’s idea of sin includes angry thoughts such as, “I could just kill him!” (Matt. 5:22); cursing, or assault with one’s words (Exod. 21:17); lusting after a woman (Matt. 5:28); and stealing time from one’s employer, cheating just a little on one’s income tax, or finding something and not returning it to the owner (Col. 3:22; Rom. 13:7; Lev. 6:3).

2. Transgression. This word in English means “a stepping over or across a boundary” or “an act of breaking a law or commandment” (see Num. 14:41; Josh. 7:11). “Where no law is, there is no transgression” (Rom. 4:15), but man may still sin, even though no specific law may have been given to him (Rom. 5:14).

3. Trespass. This English word is similar in meaning to “transgression,” namely, “going beyond the limits of what is considered right or moral.” However, in the Bible, it is the translation of three different Hebrew and Greek words. These words have the meanings of “guiltiness,” “acting treacherously or sneakily,” and “stumbling or falling away.” (See Assignment 5)

4. Iniquity. This English word is related to “inequity” and “unequal”; it has the meaning of lack of righteousness, justice, or fairness (see Acts 1:18; Rev. 18:5).

5. Perversity. This word is not found in the King James Version. However, a Hebrew word that is translated “iniquity” throughout the Old Testament, including Psa. 32:2, 5, has the basic meaning of “bending or making crooked” or “being perverse” (see 2 Sam. 19:19; Prov. 12:8). We sometimes speak of persons “bending the truth” and those who are “crooked” or “crooks.” A curse was pronounced upon those who would “turn aside out of the way” which God had commanded (Deut. 11:28). One of the most familiar verses in the Bible gives the meaning of this word very clearly:”We have turned every one to his own way, and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity [or perversity] of us all” (Isa. 53:6).

6. Lawlessness. “Sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4, literal translation). Sin involves not only disobeying God’s law, but living and acting as if God has no law or will for His people. One may obey the letter of God’s law as given in His Word; but at the same time he may become involved in sinful activities that are not specifically prohibited in the Bible. “The Bible does not say anything about it, so it must be okay,” expresses the thinking of a lawless person.

7. Ungodliness. Similar to lawlessness, ungodliness is living as if there is no God. “Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6; see also 1:18; Tit. 2:12).

8. Rebellion. The word “transgression” in Psa. 32:1,5 is different from the one that means “crossing a boundary” or “breaking a law.” This word literally means “a breaking away from authority,” that is, rebellion or revolt (see 2 Ki. 8:20; Isa. 1:2). So, while the word “sin” may include the slightest deviation from God’s revealed will, “rebellion” refers to a willful, wholesale turning away from God to do “our own thing.”

9. Unbelief. “They could not enter in because of unbelief” (Heb. 3:19). This is failure to trust God. “Without faith it is impossible to please [God]” (Heb. 11:6). This, more than any other kind of sin, is the reason why so many people will spend eternity in the lake of fire (compare Rev. 20:15 with John 3:36).

(To be continued.)

Running the Race
Assignment 5: Write out three verses with the word “trespass” in the King James Version. The first is Lev. 5:6 where it has the meaning of “guilt.” The second is Josh. 7:1 where it has the meaning of “taking something sneakily.” The third is Matt. 6:14 where it has the meaning of “stumbling” or “falling away.”

Foundations of Faith
MAN (VI)

In this concluding article on man, we shall discuss a few additional features relating to man’s fall into sin.

Original Sin

“Original sin” is a technical expression coined by Bible scholars. It may be used to describe the first sin committed by man. However, it is more commonly used to refer to the result of the first sin-the fallen condition in which every human being is born. God created Adam in His own image and likeness. But that image and likeness was greatly marred due to Adam’s sin; therefore we read that “Adam … begat a son in his own likeness, after his image [rather than in God’s likeness and image]” (Gen. 5:3). The psalmist writes, “I was shaped in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psa. 51:5); and “The wicked … go astray as soon as they are born” (58:3). Because of their sin, not only did Adam and Eve themselves receive a sin nature, but the whole human race is born with one. We are not viewed as sinners because we sin, but because we are sinners by nature (the root), we commit acts of sin (the fruit). (See Assignment 4)

Adam’s Federal Headship

“Why do I have to suffer because of one man’s sin 6,000 years ago? It just is not fair!” Have you ever heard this or thought it yourself? The answer is that God chose Adam to be the representative of the whole human race. He tested man under the most ideal circumstances-and man flunked the test. God could have tested every one of us in the same way, and He knows that every one of us would have failed. The truth that Adam is the “federal head” or representative of all mankind is the theme of Rom. 5:12-19.

Instead of brooding over our being born with a sin nature because of Adam’s sin, let us focus on the positive side of the passage in Romans 5:”As by the offense of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of One [Jesus Christ] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous” (verses 18,19). Through receiving the free salvation offered as a result of the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf, we transfer from being under the federal headship of Adam to that of Christ. “Is that fair?” we might ask. If we are honest, we must admit that God was totally fair in having Adam represent us in the test of obedience; but it surely was not fair that a totally righteous and obedient Man should suffer so much that we who are unrighteous and disobedient might be saved. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable [or indescribable] gift” (2 Cor. 9:15)!

Why Did God Allow Evil in His Creation in the First Place?

Could not God have created both angels and man without the ability to sin and rebel? Yes, of course He could have! But would that have suited God’s purposes for His relationship with man? Imagine having an electronic, programmable robot as a girl friend or boy friend. You can program it to throw its arms about you at different times and exclaim, “I love you passionately!” But would not this kind of friend wear thin after awhile? Would you not appreciate much more one who could choose either you or a dozen others, and chose you as best friend or life partner?

Just so, God decided that He did not want to create puppets or chatty dolls that obey, serve, and worship on command. He derives far greater pleasure in those who voluntarily obey, serve, and worship Him out of immense gratitude for what He has done for them.

One “Little” Sin- Such Great Consequences

By today’s standards, Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden seems trivial. But what terrible consequences, not only for themselves, but for the whole human race! It is well to keep this in mind in our attempts to win souls to Christ. A common reason people give for refusing the gospel is, “I’m good enough; I’m not a big sinner; I think I have an excellent chance of making it to heaven.” It is well to ask such people, “How many sins did Adam and Eve have to commit to be kicked out of the Garden of Eden?”

Summary:The Peccability of Man and Christ

Here is a word to add to your vocabulary. Perhaps you have learned a related word, “impeccable,” meaning “flawless.” “Peccability” is another technical term used by Bible scholars. It means “capability of sinning.” There are four possible categories that can apply to intelligent beings:

1. Capable of sinning.

2. Incapable of sinning.

3. Capable of not sinning.

4. Incapable of not sinning.

We have already learned that Adam before the Fall fell into classes 1 and 3, and after the Fall became 1 and 4. The Lord Jesus Christ differed from unfallen Adam, being in class 2 (see the August 1994 issue of GROWING). Believers in Christ have both a sin nature (classes 1 and 4) and a new, Christ-like nature (class 2).

Running the Race
HOW COULD EVE HAVE KEPT FROM MESSING UP?

Let’s look at the facts of the case:

1. God commanded Adam not to eat the fruit of a particular tree, and told him the consequences of disobedience (Gen. 2:17).

2. Adam obviously passed this information along to Eve (3:2,3).

3. The information that the serpent gave to Eve disagreed with what Adam had told her (3:3,4).

4. Either (a) Adam misunderstood what God told him, (b) Adam misrepresented to Eve what God told him, (c) Eve misunderstood what Adam told her, or (d) the serpent lied to Eve.

In the face of all these possibilities, what should Eve have done? Obviously, she should have gone to Adam, and Adam to God, if necessary, to clarify the matter. There are important practical lessons here for all of us. Satan wants very much to lead God’s children away from doing His will, just as he tried with Jesus (Matt. 4:1-10). We must be aware of this and constantly pray to God, study His Word, and seek the counsel of others to find out if we are going God’s way or Satan’s way.

Assignment 4: Many people cling to the idea that human beings are basically good. Write out a verse in Jeremiah 17, one in Isaiah 64, and at least three in Romans 3 that declare just the opposite.

Foundations of Faith
MAN (V)

Man’s Fall

The Circumstances. Adam and Eve were in the garden. They had plenty of delicious food to eat, the wonders and beauties of God’s creation to enjoy, human companionship with one another, and companionship with God Himself (Gen. 3:8). They were free to enjoy all that was in the garden, with but one restriction:God had told them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They did not possess sinful natures as we do, so did not have natural, inward tendencies to go their own way or disobey God. While for us, temptation often comes from our own fleshly lusts (Jas. 1:14), for them, the temptation to sin could only come from some outside source.

The Temptation. Sin had already entered God’s creation. The highest ranking angel, Satan, had rebelled against his Creator by wanting equality with God (Isa. 14:13,14). As a result, he had been cast down from his high position. Satan, in the disguise of a serpent, lied to Eve, raised questions in her mind about God, and tempted her along the lines of his own rebellion:”Has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? … You shall not surely die; for God knows that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:1, 4,5). We see these same elements of Satan’s temptation in false religions today:(1) questioning the Word of God or replacing it with other writings; (2) denying man’s ruin and eternal judgment; and (3) promising man a status of equality with God.

The Fall. Eve believed Satan and distrusted God. So “she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat” (Gen. 3:6). While Eve was the one who sinned first, in the New Testament we mainly read of Adam being the one responsible for sin coming into the world (Rom. 5:14-19; 1 Cor. 15:22). Eve sinned, being deceived (1 Tim. 2:14), but Adam sinned with his eyes wide open; his was the more serious crime. One might wonder, since Adam had heard the commandment directly from the LORD and was not deceived, why he ate the forbidden fruit. Perhaps it was because he loved his wife so much he did not want to be separated from her. She became an idol to him-more important to him than God who gave her to him.

What was so special about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that made it so serious a sin to eat of it? There probably was nothing special in the tree itself. It may have been an ordinary date or fig or pomegranate tree. (There is no evidence in the Bible that it was an apple tree.) God Himself set it apart by commandment to serve as a test for the first man and woman. They were created with the capability of sinning or not sinning; the choice was theirs. By eating the fruit of that tree, they gained knowledge through their own bitter experience of what evil is, and how it differs from good.

The Consequences-All Made Sinners. Because of Adam’s sin, the entire human race became sinners:”By one man sin entered into the world…. By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners” (Rom. 5:12-19). As mentioned earlier, Adam and Eve before the Fall did not have sinful natures:they were capable of not sinning. But once they sinned, they received a sin nature and thus became incapable of not sinning. (The double negative here is very important.) Furthermore, every person born into the world by the union of man and woman since then has inherited this sin nature. (We shall say more about this in the next issue.)

The Consequences-Death. Because of Adam’s sin, death came upon mankind:”In the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:17). This death has three aspects- spiritual death, physical death, and “second death” which is eternal judgment in the lake of fire for those who do not receive God’s free gift of salvation (Rom. 6:23; 2 Thess. 1:9). (See Assignment 3)

The Consequences-Separation. Adam’s sin has caused several kinds of separation:

1. Man is separated from God, not enjoying communion with Him, because of sin. “Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden” (Gen. 3:8). This is the same as spiritual death mentioned in the previous paragraph. If this separation is not overcome by one receiving the salvation God Himself has provided (Eph. 2:1-10), it will end in the “second death” which is eternal separation from God.

2. Man is separated from the rest of creation. Instead of harmony there is conflict. The ground brings forth thorns, thistles, and weeds, requiring hard labor (Gen. 3:18,19). Raccoons and woodchucks eat the crops, foxes eat the chickens, and, in some areas of the world, tigers eat the farmers. Man, in turn, pollutes the environment.

3. Man is separated from other humans. Marital conflict began at the Fall when Adam blamed Eve for his troubles (Gen. 3:12). And the very first man to be born into this world became a murderer (Gen. 4:1,8).

4. Man is separated from himself. He is self-conscious and embarrassed about his nakedness (Gen. 3:10). He is not satisfied with the way God has made him (Matt. 6:27,28; compare Psa. 139:14-16) or prospered him (Psa. 73:3). He is self-deceived (Gal. 6:3; Jas. 1:22, 26), unable to face his own guilt before God and man. He is filled with fears and anxieties because he cannot control everything that happens around him (Phil. 4:6).

The Consequences-Evil and Suffering. God gave pain and suffering to the human race as a constant reminder of the seriousness of sin (Gen. 3:16-19) and the need for repentance toward God (Acts 20:21). Some pain and suffering may come directly from God as part of His schooling of His children (Job 33:14-18); the trials that God allowed Satan to inflict upon Job are an example of this (Job 1 and 2). Some is a natural consequence of one’s own sinful behavior (Prov. 26:27; 28:10; Eccl. 10:8; Gal. 6:7). And some results from other people’s sins, such as war, murder, stealing, rape, or drunk driving (2 Ki. 6:24-29).

(To be continued.)

Running the Race
Assignment 3: Write out a verse in Ephesians 2 that refers to spiritual death, a verse in 1 Corinthians 15 that shows that physical death originated with Adam, and three verses in Revelation 20 and 21 that speak of the “second death.”

Foundations of Faith
MAN (IV)

Man and Woman

Adam was surrounded by birds and animals, and no doubt received much enjoyment from watching them. He also had plenty of work to occupy his time. But still he was lonely (Gen. 2:18). God remedied this by making “a help meet [or suited] for him.” This helper was a woman who-through a perfect blend of sameness and difference-was completely suited to Adam’s needs. Adam now had one with whom he could relate and communicate in ways not possible with the animals.

The woman was not made from the dust like Adam but from Adam himself-from one of his ribs. As has been stated at many wedding ceremonies, woman was not taken from Adam’s head to dominate him, nor from his feet to be dominated by him, but from under his arm to be protected and from near his heart to be loved by him.

Following the making of the woman from Adam, we read a very significant statement about the relationship of a man and his wife:”Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). Let us discuss the three statements made in this verse.

First, marriage involves leaving one’s parents. This doesn’t necessarily mean moving to New Zealand and never seeing your parents again. It means severing those strong emotional ties you had with your parents so that new ones may be made with your spouse. It means that you become more concerned about your mate’s ideas, opinions, and practices than those of your parents. And it means moving out from the under the authority of your parents and forming a new household with a new leader. This is made more clear in the New Testament. “The head of the woman is the man” (1 Cor. 11:3). “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church” (Eph. 5:22,23). Some may dislike these verses. But when read along with verse 25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it,” they display God’s wisdom and love.

The marriage of two Christians ought to be a picture of the relationship of Christ and the Church. Christ is the Head; the Church is submissive to Christ. Does Christ use his headship to abuse the Church and trample on it? Of course not! Rather, He loves the Church and has given Himself for it. Following this pattern, the Christian husband will take the lead in loving and serving his wife and family. By the giving of his time, energy, interests, and preferences for the welfare and happiness of his wife, she will delight in submitting to him and loving, serving, and giving to him in return. (See Assignment 2)

The second part of our verse in Genesis says, “A man … shall cleave unto his wife.” The word “cleave” here has the meaning of adhering to or becoming attached or glued to something or someone. For the Christian husband and wife, this is a close-knit, long-term relationship of love. It involves (1) spending time together, (2) talking together, (3) communicating together (finding out what each other really thinks and feels about things), (4) tenderly respecting each other, (5) working through problems together, and (6) supporting and helping each other physically, materially, emotionally, and spiritually.

The third expression is really the outcome of the first two:”And they shall be one flesh.” This includes not only the physical union that a man and wife enjoy together, but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual unity that will be enjoyed by those who are truly married “in the Lord” (1 Cor. 7:39), that is, both giving the Lord first place in their lives.

The Lord Jesus quoted this verse from Genesis and added the familiar line, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6). So we see that God’s plan for a married couple’s greatest happiness is a permanent relationship-until the bond is broken by the death of one or the other. The Christian husband and wife who are truly growing in likeness to Christ throughout their lives, will at the same time continually grow closer to one another. Thus, it will not only be a permanent relationship, unbroken by divorce or separation; it will also be a relationship of ever-increasing mutual joy and happiness.

Our study of man will continue next month, Lord willing, with a discussion of man’s fall into sin and its far-reaching consequences.

Running the Race
HOW CAN I FIND THE MARRIAGE PARTNER THE LORD HAS FOR ME?

Adam and Eve had it easy, didn’t they? They didn’t have to try to figure out whom they were supposed to marry; they were literally made for each other-by God. Christian young people today who want to find the right marriage partner-the one God has prepared for them-may find it more difficult than did the first bride and groom.

Examples in Scripture of Premarital Interactions

Let us look at some examples in the Bible of “boy-meets-girl” situations and man-woman interactions before marriage; then we shall try to draw some lessons and principles from these examples for Christian young people today.

1. Isaac was content to let Abraham’s servant, through God’s guiding hand, find a bride for him (Gen. 24).

2. Jacob helped his cousin (and future wife) Rachel water her sheep (Gen. 29:10,11).

3. Dinah “went out to see the daughters of the land” and got raped (Gen. 34:1,2).

4. Moses protected the seven daughters of Reuel as they watered their sheep; as a reward, he was given one of the daughters, Zipporah, to be his wife (Exod. 2:17-21).

5. Samson’s relationship with Timnath was a selfish one-based on her pleasing him (Judg. 14:1-10).

6. Samson supposedly “loved” Delilah but didn’t have an open, honest relationship with her, and it destroyed both the relationship and himself (Judg. 16:4-21).

7. Ruth was a Moabite whose Israelite husband died. Boaz learned of Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi-her mother-in-law and Boaz’s cousinin-law-and so he encouraged Ruth to glean in his field and provided protection for her. Ruth had a reputation as a virtuous woman and this attracted her to Boaz (Ruth 2,3).

8. David committed adultery with Bathsheba while she was married to Uriah, and then had Uriah killed so he could marry Bathsheba and cover up her pregnancy. The consequences of these sinful actions haunted David the rest of his life (2 Sam. 11-18).

9. Joseph felt disgraced and nearly broke his engagement when he discovered that Mary, his bride, was pregnant (Matt. 1:19; Luke 1:27-35).

Dating and Courtship Today

The following questions often are asked about dating: How old should a girl be before going out alone with a boy? How late should a couple be allowed to stay out? Should kissing be permitted on the first date? any date? Is it okay for a Christian to date a non-Christian? We won’t try to answer all of these questions because there are other, more basic, questions that need to be asked about dating: Is dating scriptural at all? What purpose does dating serve in discovering God’s choice for my marriage partner? Does dating tend to turn one’s attention away from (1) seeking God’s will concerning a lifetime partner, and (2) devoting oneself to growing in the Word of God and in likeness to Christ so as to be the best possible marriage partner for the one of God’s choice?

Let us see what we can learn about dating from the scriptural examples given earlier and from scriptural principles.

1. Going out and looking for a fellow or girl or a fun time or a romantic evening often leads to disaster (Dinah was raped; Samson’s marriage with Timnath was very shortlived; Samson’s friendship with Delilah led to the loss of his strength; David’s voyeurism led to his committing adultery and murder; and wasn’t Bathsheba inviting trouble when she bathed in view of nearby residents?).

2. Several women in the Bible were discovered by men-eventually leading to marriage-while they were engaged in their daily household responsibilities or helping their parents. These include Rebekah, Rachel, and Zipporah when they came to the public well to draw water, and Ruth when she was gleaning in Boaz’s field to provide food for herself and her mother-in-law. Abigail impressed David at their first meeting because of her industriousness (she prepared a huge meal for David and his men) and because of her fearless, faithful, but gentle rebuke to David which kept him from shedding innocent blood (1 Sam. 25:24-42).

3. The wife of Proverbs 31 was attractive to her husband because he could safely trust her (verse 11), she consistently did good things for him (verse 12), she worked diligently each day to provide the family with food and clothing (verses 13-22), her labors resulted in enough additional clothing to sell (verse 24), she was not selfish but helped the poor and needy as well as her own household (verse 20), she habitually spoke words of wisdom and kindness (verse 26), and she feared the Lord (verse 30). She did not require physical beauty to be attractive and highly respected (verse 30).

4. It is an unequal yoke for a Christian to marry an unbeliever (2 Cor. 6:14). Therefore, a believer should never enter into a relationship that could lead to marriage with an unbeliever. If an unbeliever asks you for a date, make a counter invitation to gospel meeting, Bible study, or a discussion of the Scriptures at your home with you and your parents.

5. Sex before marriage is forbidden by God (Prov. 5:1-14; 6:20-35; Matt. 15:19; Acts 15:20; 1 Cor. 6:18; Eph. 5:3; 1 Thess. 4:3) and can lead to disastrous consequences. It was an expected thing in Israel that a bride be found to be a virgin on her wedding night (Deut. 22:13-21; Matt. 1:19). Therefore, avoid any and every situation that might give room to temptation. Don’t trust your ability to triumph over temptation. Peter confidently claimed, “Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). Pray, “Lead us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13), and then cooperate with God by not giving temptation any opportunity to assert itself. Instead of going out on “dates,” just the two of you alone, try taking walks in public places. Or plan activities at home where you can be doing things together (like baking cookies, washing the car, making a puzzle, playing a game, or studying the Bible together), are free to talk together, can interact with other family members (perhaps your future in-laws), and thus not be far away from other people who can serve as a buffer zone against temptation.

6. Some may ask: “Isn’t sex okay if we love each other, particularly if we are planning to get married anyway?” The scriptures and arguments in the preceding section still apply. Mary’s purity during her engagement to Joseph qualified her for great blessing from God. God will also bless all young men and women who remain virgins until marriage.

7. Scripture places a high value on being a “One-Woman Man” and a “One-Man-Woman” (1 Tim. 3:2; 5:9). This doesn’t forbid breaking an engagement if it becomes clear that it is not God’s will for the two to marry. But it does suggest that it is not God’s purpose for His children to be flitting from one date to another or one relationship to another.

8. Follow the example of Abraham and his servant who counted upon “the LORD God of heaven” to provide just the right wife for Isaac. Pray much and experience the blessed result, “I being in the way, the LORD led me” (Gen. 24:27). Girls, don’t try to attract a potential husband by your beauty (or attempts to be beautiful or sexy); fellows, don’t try to attract a potential wife by your handsome looks, muscular build, or athletic ability. If you marry someone who is only attracted by your youthful good looks, what is your mate going to do when your beauty fades, the wrinkles appear, the muscles lose their tone, and the fat begins to build around the middle?

9. Take advantage of school lunch hours, athletic events, Bible conferences, Christian youth groups, retreats, and other large group events to get to know and be known by different young people. Be diligent in your school studies; be diligent in carrying out your household duties and responsibilities (remember the three R’s-Rebekah, Rachel and Ruth); be conscientious, honest, dependable, and responsible in your employment (Rom. 12:11); be respectful to your parents (Eph. 6:2); dress modestly (fellows too!) so that those of the opposite sex will not be overly attracted to your body (1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3:3,4); exhibit the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23); be faithful in speaking of your Lord and Saviour (2 Tim. 4:5) in your conversations with other young people. You may not attract Handsome Hunks and Homecoming Queens this way, but you might attract the attention of a serious-minded, dedicated Christian who is God’s choice for a life-partner for you.

10. Introduce your friends to your parents and give them an opportunity to get to know your friends. Ask for your parents’ approval and advice before pursuing any relationship with one of the opposite sex (Prov. 6:20-24; 13:1; 30:17).

Assignment 2: Write out two verses in the first half of Luke 22 that show that a true leader is a server.

Foundations of Faith
MAN (III)

Man’s Occupation

Try to picture the scene:A garden with beautiful trees; the trees bearing delicious fruit; the garden filled with animals, birds, insects, and other living creatures of all sizes, shapes, colors, and sounds; and a beautiful river flowing up out of and through the garden. And now one additional creature is put into the garden-a male human being named Adam, meaning “man” (Gen. 2:8-10,19). What now? What was Adam to do in that garden? His Creator did not leave Adam guessing. We read that “the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it…. And … the LORD God … brought [the animals and the birds] unto Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof” (Gen. 2:15,19). God gave Adam work to do caring for His creation. These were not at all unpleasant tasks for Adam. It was work, though not hard work. This work was a blessing to Adam from the LORD. No doubt it gave to Adam a sense of purpose and satisfaction to be able to give of himself and do these things for the LORD and His creation.

In the Book of Revelation we have a similar picture given to us of heaven:a pure river, the tree of life bearing a different kind of fruit each month, and the inhabitants of heaven serving God (Rev. 22:1-3). The point of all this is to stress the fact that work is not a curse. It is not God’s punishment of man for sinning. Work and service were instituted by God before man sinned and will no doubt continue throughout eternity as one of God’s blessings to mankind. In connection with our work, the Apostle Paul exhorts us, “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men, … for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23,24). Young people, do you see the application? Do not follow the popular trend of despising work and personal responsibility so that you might devote yourselves to securing “happiness.” Otherwise, you will, like the Prodigal Son, go out full and come back empty. Don’t look for shortcuts to wealth and success (see Prov. 28:22). Be content with starting at the bottom, if necessary, and working your way up to better jobs through hard work, dependability, and a good attitude. Do not be quick to quit your job because you don’t get along well with your boss; God may be allowing this trial to show you your pride and ego (1 Pet. 2:18-20). Remember:even in that disagreeable job with low wages and a difficult boss, your real “Boss” is the Lord Jesus Christ. Serve Him well and see how He will prosper you as He did Joseph some 4,000 years ago (Gen. 39:1-6).

(To be continued.)

Running the Race
HOW CAN I SERVE THE LORD?

In the previous article we suggested ways of serving the Lord by being a dependable, honest, careful, diligent worker in our daily employment. This would apply whether we are talking about a paid job, household chores, or homework for school. Now let us explore additional ways that you-as young people-can serve the Lord. We shall do this by considering the activities and service of men and women of the Bible.

Prophecy

“Speak, LORD, for thy servant heareth” (1 Sam. 3:9). Most of our readers have learned from childhood who spoke these famous words. The child Samuel was given an urgent message from the LORD to deliver to his master Eli, the High Priest of Israel. This is an example of “prophesying,” meaning, literally, “delivering a message on behalf of another.” Mary Magdalene was another one who delivered an important message from the Lord, namely telling the disciples that their Lord was risen and alive (John 20:17, 18). If you, dear young reader, are walking close to the Lord, He may ask you to serve Him in this way. He may “lay on your heart” or suggest to your mind words of encouragement, comfort, warning, or gospel from the Bible to deliver to an acquaintance.

Prayer

“Peradventure there are 45 righteous: wilt Thou destroy all the city for 45?” (Gen. 18:28). Do you remember who made this appeal to the LORD? It was Abraham pleading for the city of Sodom. Anna and Epaphras served the Lord with their prayers (Luke 2:37; Col. 4:12). And have you ever noticed how long the Apostle Paul’s daily prayer list must have been (Rom. 1:9; Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:4; Col. 1:9; 1 Thess. 1:2)? If you do not know any other way to serve the Lord, surely you can serve Him by praying often for your family, relatives, friends, neighbors, schoolmates, fellow believers, heads of government, people in the news, and so forth (Eph. 6:18; 1 Tim. 2:1-4).

Evangelizing and Teaching

“He read in their ears all the words of the Book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD” (2 Chron. 34:30). Was this one of the elderly priests or prophets who read God’s Word to the people? No it was young King Josiah who was in his twenties (34:1,8). Timothy’s mother and grandmother taught him the holy Scriptures when he was a young boy (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15); young Timothy himself was encouraged by the Apostle Paul to “do the work of an evangelist” (4:5). What a broad field of service is open to all of us-young people included-in teaching children as well as older ones the Scriptures and the way of salvation!

Ministering Comfort, Counsel, and Encouragement

“David [when he was a youth] took a harp and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed” (1 Sam. 16:23; 17:33). “Caleb stilled the people” and encouraged the people by saying, “The LORD is with us” (Num. 13:30; 14:9). Manoah’s wife encouraged him when he was afraid (Judg. 13:23). King Solomon administered wise counsel (1 Ki. 3:5-28). In a world of depressed, distressed, fearful, lonely, and confused people, what opportunities lie open to the Christian who knows the One who can wonderfully meet those needs.

Helping with Physical and Material Needs

Noah built the ark, the Levites erected and transported the tabernacle, the widow fed Elijah, the woman of Shunem housed Elisha, Dorcas made clothing for the poor, and Rahab protected the spies. What can you do for the Lord?

Assignment 1: Write out three verses in Job 29 that speak of ways Job helped people in need.