School of Sin
Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • 1/6/2023
“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom 6:1b-2).
Sadly, we have all heard the following statements, even in church circles, that many accept as “gospel”. The world we live in is an educational experience. It is the ‘School of Sin’ for those who submit or live for this world. And by the way, satan is the ‘headmaster’. Let’s take a look at four (of many) ‘sayings’ (wordly statements) you may have heard. There are too many to print (literally hundreds) so I’ll just cover four (4) popular and un-Godly phrases and some verses that refute (deny) those statements.
1. He (or she) will learn by their mistakes.
That is possible but most likley, a lot of earthly ‘mistakes’ are repeated continually in this sinful world. “Just one drink won’t hurt me” or “one little discretion won’t hurt” or “if it feels good, then do it” or "we're all basically good by nature" (Rom 5:12 & Rom 3:23). By continuing in your errors and rejecting God’s word, you are on your way to a degree from the “School of Sin”, perhaps even a doctorate degree. “And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:45). And “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Eph 5:1-2). And “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pet 1:16).
2. God helps them that helps themselves.
If one who calls himself a ‘follower of Christ’ believes this, they definitely need to re-examine their lives (2 Cor 13:5). Thinking of oneself continually is prideful and self-centered. Their focus is not on Christ. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt 16:24). And “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). And how about this one? "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor 6:20).
3. We are all God’s children.
That is a lie from the devil. The verse below explains it all. If one lives for this world, they are enrolled in the School of Sin. “In this the children of God are manifest (made known), and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 John 3:10). Jesus said to the Jews, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). And “For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother” (Mark 3:35).
4. There are many ways to heaven.
Even many TV evangelists preach this lie from their thrones on the great media networks. This may be comforting and popular with their audience, but the Bible says there is only ONE WAY to heaven. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). And “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
As 'children of God' (born again believers), let us all remember that this world is not our home.
And we definitely are not graduates from the School of Sin.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15).
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for
the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" (Phil 3:20)
Thanks for 'Taking 5' - Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
www.iamnotashamed.com - God bless and bless GOD