Do You Excuse Yourself for Sin?

Most people are about the same; when sins are committed, there is an endeavor to justify the behavior. There seems to be an almost universal loathing to acknowledge mistakes, but the excuses that are offered when attempting to justify wrong doing are worn threadbare.

Some say that they know the course to be wrong, but that they have gone so far in it that they cannot change. It is possible to do this very thing, but one has not arrived at this point if he still has the will to try. The position is only hopeless when desire fails (Ecclesiastes 12:5) and instead of saying that they cannot change they should be encouraged to say, "I can if I will."

Justification is attempted when people call sin by pretty names. Witchcraft is called a "St. Christopher's Medal, Lucky Charm, Rabbit's Foot," and so on. Lying is called "Good Business" and approved if the results are favorable to one's financial or religious standing. Cursing is called, "Habit"; Gambling is referred to as "Playing"; Laziness is "Leisure"; Revelry is "Having a good time," and on and on. These pretty names seem to soften sin and make it less evil — to the guilty.

There are those who attempt to justify sin by hiding behind the screen of popularity. A sacrificing of the soul on the altar of public approval is a poor trade, but one often made. No amount of explaining will right the behavior when the world calls the plays and the saints carry the ball toward worldly goals lest they be booed by the stands. The Lord has set the standard, and His people are to maintain it or be rejected in the judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). Righteousness has never been the most popular course and never will be. (Matthew 7:13,14)

Sometimes the attempt to justification is made by saying, "Members of 'your church' do it." This accusation is too often right, but they are no more the standard than are those who are not members of the church at all. What others do will not shield one from the wrath of God. Judgment is to be pronounced upon individuals, and not upon groups so that any one can be covered by the presence of another.

Sin is really committed because of moral blindness — people just do not think! (Luke 23:24.)

- Author Unknown

Personal Work Group

The Personal Work Group is scheduled to meet tonight after the PM services in Assembly Room "B".

Teacher's Meeting

There is a Teacher's Meeting planned for this afternoon (Sunday) at 4:00 - here in the auditorium. The topic of discussion will the "Bible Lab" teaching program that is currently under consideration. All of our teachers and interested members should plan to attend.

Sign-Up Sheets

The sign-up sheets for the year 2000 will be taken down shortly. If you have not already checked the list to see if your duty assignments for the coming year are satisfactory- please do so as soon as possible.

Jesus did not find the path to Calvary easy, comfortable, nor convenient. No, Jesus suffered "leaving us an example, that we should follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21). If the master's way was demanding, challenging, hard, costly, and self-denying, those who follow in his steps should not expect a soft, convenient, and unchallenging way.

- Bill Norton