Mark Colosimo

Good Morning, Please join me for a daily scripture break. (It is a little long.) James 4:17: "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” Well, it seems many people are exhibiting a post-election hangover. I believe the best way to reset is to begin with yourself. Let's get focused; let's get honest with ourselves. Our goal is to strive for a life of holiness. Today’s scripture reminds us that we cannot excuse our sin.  Our culture is inculcated with a sense of no accountability, no responsibility; it is always someone else's fault. The most powerful action a person can take is to make a favorable change in themselves. Christians are not exempt from the consequences of sin. So the idea that it is okay, wink-wink, not to hold yourself accountable for your sin; wake up. Someone may be ensnared by sin such as pornography and they can’t get out.  Seek help from your church leaders for guidance, counseling and support. Don’t delay because sin wreaks havoc in our lives. I. The Consequences of Sin. 1. Colossians 3:25 - "Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism." 2. II Corinthians 13:7 - “Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong - not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed." 3. Daniel 9:5 - "we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws." 4. Luke 12:48 - "But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." The idea that everyone is rewarded the same in the Kingdom of God isn't true. In Romans 2:6 it says, "God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 5. Romans 6:23 - “ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 6. Numbers 32:23 - "But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out." Moses was giving the Israelites instructions before battle. 7. I Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 8. Proverbs 28:13 - "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." 9. Psalm 51:3-4 - "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so You are right in Your verdict and justified when You judge." 10. Ezekiel 18:20 - "The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them." Our culture has become too comfortable with sin even Christians. We must actively resist sin. One may ask, so what should I do to guard against this familiarity with sin?  Do not take God's Mercy for granted. We've become so "accustom" to receiving the Mercy of God but let’s not forget - God hates sin. God is offended by sin. Although we can’t injure God with our sin, we should recall all God has done to redeem us, He loved us before we loved Him, He gave His Son as a sacrifice for us; we should be ashamed of our sin. When we sin we should feel severe discomfort; a "spiritual" pain for placing a barrier between us and the Lord because of our poor choice. We should seek forgiveness and repentance with a sense of urgency. Thank God we have a way to repent; to restore our relationship with God. II. The Actions of a Repentant Heart. 1. I John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 2. Psalm 103:12 - "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." 3. Romans 5:20-21 - "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." 4. Hebrews 4:15-16 - "For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one Who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." 5. Matthew 9:13 - “but go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." 6. Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." 7. James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." 8. Lamentations 3:40 - "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." Others scriptures to consider. 9. Ecclesiastes 8:11 - "When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong." That is an interesting notion when we consider our culture. Delayed justice encourages more sin. 10. Isaiah 1:16 - "Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong." 11.  Matthew 3:2 - "and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” III. When you seek forgiveness and repent you will begin to experience the peace and love of the Holy Spirit. You will observe a change in your manner. 1. I Corinthians 13:6 - "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." 2. Romans 13:10 - "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." 3. I Thessalonians 5:15 - "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else." 4. Romans 12:9 - "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." 5. Romans 14:1 - “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters." 6. I Corinthians 13:4-5 -Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." 7. II Corinthians 12:9-10 - “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” There is a reason we are called to endure until the end.  In II Thessalonians 3:13 it says, “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” We can’t allow ourselves to get lazy, make excuses, or join the crowd. This post-election hangover has exposed a rigid, indulgent complacency in "reasonable" people and some Christians alike that could lead to disastrous results in our culture. So how do we stay on track?  I look to the life of Jesus on earth.  He spent quite a bit of time in prayer with His Father.  It is so important to take the time everyday and spend it with the Lord. We must reframe our existence; “renewing our minds” in the Word of God. Try something for me. Go back and just reread the foundational verses for today. The Holy Spirit will speak to each of you individually and share what you need to know.  I have learned when reading the Word of God initially, your mind is processing what you are reading but the second time you read it; it is your spirit that “hears” it. Have a blessed day. Peace and be prepared.