SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2018
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
Sin is a three-letter word that we do not like to use today. Many years ago a psychiatrist named Karl Menninger wrote a book titled Whatever Became of Sin? The book underlined the importance of rediscovering sin as a concept t hat helps explain the mess we have made of our world and of so many of our relationships.
Sin, biblically understood, is rebellion against God. Usually this rebellion takes the shape of our refusal to love. We prefer to go the way of selfishness and self-centeredness. The results of this tragic rebellion lie all around us in our broken relationships, broken communities, and broken nations.
Lent provides a wonderful opportunity to let the unselfish and other-centered kind of love that took Jesus to the cross flow more freely throughout our lives. Then our broken lives will overflow in love toward God and our neighbor.
Daily Practice
One practical way for the love of Christ to flow through you is to extend forgiveness to someone who has hurt you. Think of a person today to whom you might offer forgiveness. How can you show the love of Christ to this person? (Trevor Hudson, Pauses for Lent (Upper Room Books, 2015) p.45.)
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If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
Sin is a three-letter word that we do not like to use today. Many years ago a psychiatrist named Karl Menninger wrote a book titled Whatever Became of Sin? The book underlined the importance of rediscovering sin as a concept t hat helps explain the mess we have made of our world and of so many of our relationships.
Sin, biblically understood, is rebellion against God. Usually this rebellion takes the shape of our refusal to love. We prefer to go the way of selfishness and self-centeredness. The results of this tragic rebellion lie all around us in our broken relationships, broken communities, and broken nations.
Lent provides a wonderful opportunity to let the unselfish and other-centered kind of love that took Jesus to the cross flow more freely throughout our lives. Then our broken lives will overflow in love toward God and our neighbor.
Daily Practice
One practical way for the love of Christ to flow through you is to extend forgiveness to someone who has hurt you. Think of a person today to whom you might offer forgiveness. How can you show the love of Christ to this person? (Trevor Hudson, Pauses for Lent (Upper Room Books, 2015) p.45.)
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Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
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