Nobody measures up to God
If you have come to the conclusion that there is one knowable God who has revealed Himself through the Bible, then the next necessary question is: what are God’s thoughts concerning humanity and am I doing what He wants?
The God who revealed Himself to us in the Bible has certain things he likes and dislikes. Just like you have a preference about who you would marry, God has preferences on who He will spend time with. Most of his preferences are for our good. If we do these things life will be good. The action of Going against God’s desires is called sin.
Why did God make the tree?
In the Garden of Eden, God gave man liberty and choice, except for the fruit of one tree. But why did he even create that tree? The reasoning is really quite simple to understand. God did not create robots to sing and dance and say “I love you” until their batteries ran out. He created living beings and gave them the ability to choose. Choice is a great thing to have, but without options then there is no real choice to be made. So God had to give the option. The decision in the Garden was to love God and follow Him or to choose something else. It doesn’t really matter what the other choice was, it was something in the place of God. Eve ate, then Adam took from her and ate too.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:…For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners…” Romans 5:12-19
The 10 commandments show us that sin is more than just failing to honor God, but also failing to honor people who are made in God’s image. Sin against people is sin against God. A story from the book of Genesis makes this clear. When Potiphar’s wife wanted to cheat on her husband with Joseph, Joseph’s response was, “…how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?“
A thorough study of the 10 commandments makes it clear that we have all failed to meet God’s standards, we have all sinned. You may be a good person in comparison to your neighbor or as recognized by your culture or society. But God does not measure your status by majority opinion, He has given us His standard. You must meet His requirements.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
The time won’t be taken here to look at each of God’s commandments but suffice it to say that if you think you have never offended God, you should read through the 10 commandments in Exodus 20, Jesus’ later teaching on them in Matthew 5, Paul’s instructions in Romans 3 and finally James’ words in chapter 2.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8
It is imperative to see that we are in a dreaded situation. God is Holy, Holy, Holy, and we are not. He has made his expectations known and we have failed to meet them. Humanity is in trouble.
“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” Matthew 9:12
This should be obvious, but can you clearly see that you are not perfect, we are all sinners?
Nobody measures up to God
If you have come to the conclusion that there is one knowable God who has revealed Himself through the Bible, then the next necessary question is: what are God’s thoughts concerning humanity and am I doing what He wants?
The God who revealed Himself to us in the Bible has certain things he likes and dislikes. Just like you have a preference about who you would marry, God has preferences on who He will spend time with. Most of his preferences are for our good. If we do these things life will be good. The action of Going against God’s desires is called sin.
Why did God make the tree?
In the Garden of Eden, God gave man liberty and choice, except for the fruit of one tree. But why did he even create that tree? The reasoning is really quite simple to understand. God did not create robots to sing and dance and say “I love you” until their batteries ran out. He created living beings and gave them the ability to choose. Choice is a great thing to have, but without options then there is no real choice to be made. So God had to give the option. The decision in the Garden was to love God and follow Him or to choose something else. It doesn’t really matter what the other choice was, it was something in the place of God. Eve ate, then Adam took from her and ate too.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:…For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners…” Romans 5:12-19
The 10 commandments show us that sin is more than just failing to honor God, but also failing to honor people who are made in God’s image. Sin against people is sin against God. A story from the book of Genesis makes this clear. When Potiphar’s wife wanted to cheat on her husband with Joseph, Joseph’s response was, “…how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?“
A thorough study of the 10 commandments makes it clear that we have all failed to meet God’s standards, we have all sinned. You may be a good person in comparison to your neighbor or as recognized by your culture or society. But God does not measure your status by majority opinion, He has given us His standard. You must meet His requirements.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
The time won’t be taken here to look at each of God’s commandments but suffice it to say that if you think you have never offended God, you should read through the 10 commandments in Exodus 20, Jesus’ later teaching on them in Matthew 5, Paul’s instructions in Romans 3 and finally James’ words in chapter 2.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8
It is imperative to see that we are in a dreaded situation. God is Holy, Holy, Holy, and we are not. He has made his expectations known and we have failed to meet them. Humanity is in trouble.
“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” Matthew 9:12
This should be obvious, but can you clearly see that you are not perfect, we are all sinners?
