That sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. Romans 7:13.
In great mercy, according to His divine character, God bore long with Lucifer. The spirit of discontent and disaffection had never before been known in heaven. It was a new element, strange, mysterious, unaccountable.
Lucifer himself had not at first been acquainted with the real nature of his feelings; for a time he had feared to express the workings and imaginings of his mind; yet he did not dismiss them. He did not see whither he was drifting. But such efforts as infinite love and wisdom only could devise, were made to convince him of his error. His disaffection was proved to be without cause, and he was made to see what would be the result of persisting in revolt. Lucifer was convinced that he was in the wrong. He saw that “the Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works” (Psalm 145:17); that the divine statutes are just, and that he ought to acknowledge them as such before all heaven…. He nearly reached the decision to return; but pride forbade him…. He persistently defended his own course, and fully committed himself to the great controversy against his Maker….
Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages—a perpetual testimony to the nature of sin and its terrible results. The working out of Satan’s rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God’s government is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy beings, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its penalty.
The infinite value of the sacrifice required for our redemption reveals the fact that sin is a tremendous evil.
The Faith I Live By p. 70
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for my new friends. The wife had to have a c-section due to gestational diabetes. The baby boy was 15 days early. He is having trouble with his lungs filling with air and unable to breath on his own. His blood sugar level us extremely high as well. Barbara
—–Home from surgery on right wrist. Still need prayer. Worried that I won’t get feeling back in my arm from the nerve block they put in. Sharon
—–I would like to request prayers for my son, Josh. He suffers with mental illness and his mind in not in a good place right now. Jean
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Dear Friends,
When we lived in Washington state, we took a camping trip to our favorite campground which was in Northwest Montana. Other than the campground host, we were the only campers, so all was peace and serenity. That was because we went in early June before the campers and mosquitoes arrived.
One particular day, Ron and I took a canoe ride. As we were enjoying the solitude, Ron spotted an animal swimming ahead of us. Quietly, he sculled our craft closer to get a better look. We discovered that it was a muskrat. Because of Ron’s skill in paddling a canoe, Mr. Muskrat didn’t know that we were there. We followed him as he swam to a protected spot along the shoreline. Overhanging tree branches and a dead tree lying parallel with the shore made a secluded cove for the muskrat family’s home. From their burrow under the bank, Mrs. Muskrat, along with four or five little ones, emerged and greeted him happily. We sat motionless and watched the proceedings.
Suddenly, another muskrat face appeared at the entrance of their den. This creature spotted us and gave a warning whistle. Instantly our muskrat family disappeared. As we looked at the spot where they had been a moment before, we spotted one baby looking at us with fear-filled eyes. In his fright, he had forgotten where the hole was and had run in the opposite direction. Realizing that he was discovered, he flattened himself against the bank under an exposed tree root and hoped for the best. Quietly we watched to see what he would do. Moments later, one of this terror-filled baby’s parents came to the entrance and whistled softly. That terror-strickened youngster did not need a second invitation. Instantly, he made a dive for the burrow.
Just as that little muskrat became confused and disoriented, so we sometimes find ourselves in a similar situation. We have lost our way. Trouble is all around. We know not which way to turn. We are as a sheep who has wandered away from the flock. Our dear Saviour assures us, “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:4-7
Praise God! We have a Good Shepherd, Who left the glories of Heaven, endured all of the hatred that the evil one could heap upon Him, and gave His life for His perishing sheep. What love: what wonderful love! He will never leave us or forsake us!
Just as that muskrat parent gave his child direction to his home, so our Loving Father promises, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Isa 30:21; Ps 32:8 Precious promises! We do not have to wander any longer! We do not have to stay confused, disoriented, and lost! There is a Way of escape! Our Dear Saviour is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! John 14:6 We can safely follow His leading!
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.” Jude 24, 25
Rose

Sin— Exceedingly Sinful