July 18, 2004

In Mark 11:24, Jesus had told His apostles that prayer must be made "in faith." But don't forget, our faith is in the God who hears our prayers, and knows better than we what is best for us. We do not always get exactly what we ask for, but we do get what God knows is best for us. As Jesus continued to teach His apostles some principles about prayer, He said, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses," vs. 25-26.

This is at least the fifth time the apostles have received this instruction about forgiveness. In His famous "sermon on the mount," Jesus had given them a model or sample prayer, in which He taught them to pray, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." Then, after the prayer, He elaborated, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. 6:12-15).

On another occasion, they observed that John the Baptist had taught his pupils how to pray, and they requested that Jesus do the same for them. Once again, He used the same sample prayer He had used in the sermon on the mount, Luke 11:4.

Another time, Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Peter probably thought he was being generous, but Jesus answered, "I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Then Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant, whose lack of mercy toward his fellow servant caused his master to withhold forgiveness. He summed up the lesson, "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses" (Matt. 18:21-35).

Finally, in Luke 17:1-4, Jesus taught the apostles, "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

Obviously, our need to develop a forgiving spirit is one of the most important, and most needed lessons of Jesus. If the apostles needed such instruction repeatedly, most of us probably do, too. It is important to take note that actual forgiveness can occur only in a context of repentance. "If he repents, forgive him." But the willingness to forgive must always be there. Likewise, God is always ready and willing to forgive our sins. But we, too, must repent of them as we approach Him to appropriate that forgiveness, Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:38.

While on the radio in Louisiana, there was a show on before me run by some Baptist organization that played pop-rock songs - ones that supposedly had "decent" lyrics expressing some truth. One of these songs had, as its chorus, "I'm only human, born to make mistakes." I suppose, due to the nature of the program, that this song was played in support of the Calvinist concept that a man is born depraved and sins because of this "inherited depravity." Why do we sin? Calvinism answers, Because we're only human. . ." In other words, we can't help it; we were born this way.

While most members of the Lord's church would reject Calvinism, we still hear smatterings of this kind of concept: that we sin because we're only human. It's as if we are excused for our actions because, after all, we're only human, and it's not our fault that we were born this way.

Well then, whose fault is it? Since we are not responsible for making ourselves, that only leaves one alternative: God. God created us; he made us human. He created us in his own image and gave us bodies in which to live while on this earth. So, while it is true that we are "only human," does it then follow that this is the reason why we sin?

If we sin because we are "only human," I wonder if the angels that sinned (2 Pet. 2:4) could say, "we're only angels." Perhaps some of them might argue that they have a "sinful angel nature" and could not help it. Ridiculous? No more than humans saying that we sin because we're "only human." The fact that the angels could sin shows that sin is not limited to the human flesh. No, there has to be another reason.

To suggest that we sin because we are "only human" is to accuse God of making us sin. We are saying, in essence, it is God's fault for making us this way. Whether those who use this phrase mean to convey this thought or not, they ought to be more careful and think through what they say.

Why do we sin? Very simply, we sin because we choose to. Sin is a result of making the wrong choice, not having no choice. God created us with free will. We are not a bunch of robots programmed to behave a certain predetermined way whether we want to or not. We are creatures of choice with the ability to decide the way we will go. Humans were created this way; angels were created this way. Thus, humans sin for the same reason that angels do: they choose to. If it is not by choice, then God, not man is to blame for sin.

There has been a lot of talk as to whether or not man "has to sin." No, man does not "have to." Man is not made with a built in mechanism that says, "It is time for your daily sin. You must do it." Again, man does not have to sin any more than angels do; which brings the responsibility for sin right back into the lap of each individual.

Though man is not born with a "sinful nature," the Bible declares, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). No mere man can claim sinlessness (1 Jn. 1:8). This does not mean God makes us do it and we are not responsible; it simply means that all who are "only human" have sinned. The question that the Bible addresses has to do with taking care of that sin. The answer, of course, is Jesus Christ - his death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:3,4) - which in turn gives man hope of eternal life if he will, by his own choice, obey the Lord (Heb. 5:9).

God has given us the ability to deal with temptation as it comes upon us. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13; see also Jas. 1:12). Does this promise sound as though we can be excused because we are "only human"? I think not. To say such a thing is to question the very faithfulness of God.

There is no doubt that we are venerable to weakness and sin. If we will trust in God and submit fully to him, we can overcome sin and have the victory God promised to those who love him (1 Cor. 15:57; 1 Jn. 5:4). Let's be careful.

Plant four rows of Peas

1. Presence

2. Promptness

3. Purpose

4. Prayer

Plant four rows of Turnips.

1. Turn up at every meeting.

2. Turn up with a smile.

3. Turn up with enthusiasm

4. Turn up with your friends.

Plant three rows of Suash.

1. Squash gossip.

2. Squash indifference.

3. Squash fault-finding.

Plant four rows of Lettuce.

1. Let us love one another.

2. Let us be true to our obligations.

3. Let us be governed by the truth.

4. Let us be faithful to Him.

1. Notify the elders when you will be away so they will not have to wonder about your welfare.
2. Take your Bible with you. While the body is relaxing you will want to feed the spiritual man by reading and meditating on God's Word.
3. Make plans to assemble with Christians wherever you are. Don't just hope to find a place - find a place ahead of time.
4. Leave your contribution with someone, or make up for the Sundays you missed when you return. Don't let the Lord's work suffer because of your vacation.
5. Make note and observation of effective ways that others are serving the Lord or accomplishing certain tasks.
6. Drive carefully! Life is precious for you, your family, and those you meet on the road.
7. Return with new vigor and deeper insight into spreading the gospel, determined to be a more effective Christian!