THE TREE AND THE POWER OF GOD
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1 Corinthians 1:18 |
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| For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. KJV |
For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. NIV |
In the beginning, Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They disobeyed and were banished from God’s presence. Ever since then, the issue of sin and rebellion has been the greatest problem man has had to face, not only with sin but with the punishment of sin.
Sin is an affront to God’s Holy Character; it is a blight on His Creation and will lead to the utter destruction of that Creation. It is an assault on God’s right to rule. It is an attack on God’s supreme prerogative to be God and to order the universe. Men may shrug their shoulders at sin, they might seek to cultivate their own particular sins in secret – after all, what is wrong with it if it doesn’t hurt anyone else? But it does hurt someone else, it hurts God!
- Men are more commonly tempted with pride.
- Women are more commonly tempted with vanity.
- Pride focuses more on ambition and attainment.
- Vanity focuses more on appearance and approval.
- Our Saviour endured the Cross – suffering death is the end of PRIDE.
- Our Saviour despised shame – suffering shame is the end of VANITY.
If the Cross doesn’t cut deep at the root of your PRIDE and VANITY, it is not doing its work in your life and you must ask why?
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Psalm 130:3-4 |
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| If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. KJV |
If You, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve You. NIV |
In the Word of God there is hope.
In the Word of God there is forgiveness.
Surrender yourself to the One who can supply both in abundance!
Another wonderful teaching in life’s journey. And so much to think about.
Thank you for your comment. We have so much to be grateful for, but sadly we so often don’t appreciate it.