Of all bad things, sin is the worst. If I could wish for just one thing as a gospel preacher, I would wish for the ability to adequately describe sin. Some think that the devil is a fallen angel; he may be (I Timothy 3:16). If he is, sin is worse than the devil, for sin made him the devil.

The Bible was written on the subject of sin. If one says: "But I thought it was written on the subject of the scheme of redemption," I would ask. "Redemption from what?" The answer would have to be: "Redemption from sin."

Sin is real. No Bible writer was skeptical of its reality. Jesus did not try to prove that sin was real with philosophical arguments. In fact, He did not try thus to prove anything He said. He was the divine dogmatist'. He just told men that they were sinners, and there was no argument about it (John 8:7, 21,24,44). Those Jesus called sinners were religious people; they were religiously wrong. Some of the worst sins that Jesus rebuked were sins of religious error. When people do things in their religion that are a violation of God's standard as revealed in His Word, they sin!

No amount of sincerity, conscientiousness, and honesty makes such sin any better. Perhaps one of the greatest sins in the sight of God is the sin of substituting traditions, sentiments, and the commandments of men for God's Word. It is a sin to substitute sincerity and honesty for God's Word. One must be sincere and honest if he is a member of God's family, which is His church, but one can be honest and sincere, and still be wrong religiously. And when one is shown that he is wrong according to the plain teaching of God's immutable counsel, His Word, and that one refuses to do anything about it because he has been sincere and honest, then he substitutes sincerity and honesty for God's Word. The Bible is our only guide to heaven, and when we substitute anything for it, we sin grievously' Paul was honest, sincere, and thought he was right while he persecuted Christ and the church of Christ, but he was wrong (Acts 2 2:3,4; 2 3: 1; 26:9-11)! When Paul realized he was wrong, he quit the wrong.

Men sin when they do that which God tells them not to do. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law" (I John 3:4). Transgression of any of God's laws is sin. Many people who believe this seem to forget something else that the Bible teaches on the subject of sin. When one fails to do that which God requires of him, he sins. "Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).

The Bible teaches men to believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son; it teaches men to repent of their sins, and upon a confession Of their faith, to be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (John 8:24; Acts 2:38; 8:35-39; 17:30). When people thus obey the Gospel they become members of the church that we can all read about in the Bible. It does not matter with God how "good" a man may be otherwise, if he does not do that which God tells him to do, he sins.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).

Congratulations
to Heidi and Darin West on the birth of Trevor Lee West this past Thursday morning at 11:22. Trevor weighed in at 6 lbs, 13 oz and was 19” long. At last report Mother, baby, Daddy & Grandparents were all doing well!

SFA Teen Day
The South Florida Avenue congregation in Lakeland will be having a Teen Day next Saturday, August 6th. Daniel Stearsman is scheduled to be the key-note speaker. For further information see the flyer on the bulletin board in the foyer or see Daniel Stearsman.

August Calendars
The August edition of the Orange Street Activities Calendar and Men To Serve List is available today in the foyer. Pick up a copy and be informed of next month’s scheduled activities, events and duty schedules.

Visitation Program
The Visitation Program has changed. We will no longer have meetings to hand out cards and slips. They will now be placed in the container on the bulletin board in the foyer to be picked up. They are still to be returned to Jim Hall or the Littletons after they are completed.
Jim and Janie Hall

You may have an excellent education -- you may have a host of friends -- you may have a top paying job -- you may have a good reputation -- you may give much to charity -- you may have perfect health ... but ... if you haven't settled your account with God: You won't have real peace! You won't get to Heaven! And that.... is what it’s all about!!