Billy Graham was once asked, "What is the definition of sin?" He gave this answer: "A sin is any thought or action that falls short of God's will. God is perfect, and anything we do that falls short of His perfection is sin."
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Sin is the only thing that separates us from God. Sometimes we do not even realize it, but we sin by the thoughts we think, by the things we do, and by the things we do not do. Sin is doing things our way instead of doing things God's way. Sin is going against God's standards. Sin is knowing what we are supposed to do and choosing not to do it; it is also, knowing what we are not supposed to do, but doing it anyway.
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In Greek, the words for sin mean "to miss the mark." This refers to archery, so it is saying that sin is like an archer missing his target. God has set standards for us to live by. He gave Moses the Ten Commandments (see below). These commandments reveal God's thoughts and they never go out of date. But, of course, we are human and we are far from perfect. We cannot avoid sinning completely. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall shorts of the glory of God." That does not mean that we should not even try to live by God's standards, though. We sin daily, and we are accountable for our actions, and God does not overlook any sin. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death..." This is why God sent his son Jesus for us. At His death on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for all of our sins (past, present & future), and as long as we put our faith in Jesus and choose to live for Him, our sins will be forgiven. Jesus rescues us from the power or sin and death.
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The only unforgivable sin is the sin of never turning away from our sins and putting our faith in Jesus Christ. God gives us the choice to obey Him or not, to believe in Him or not, and to continue to live in sin or seek Him. If you will put your faith and trust in Jesus, you can rejoice because sin has already been defeated by Jesus' sacrifice. If not, sin can overtake, conquer and control those who refuse to believe.
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Ask God today to change your heart so that you will do what is pleasing to Him rather than doing what is sinful in His sight.
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Salvation Prayer: Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner. I ask that you forgive me for my sins. I believe that Jesus is your son, and that you sent him to die on the cross for my sins, and that he was resurrected and is alive today! I want Jesus to come into my heart and into my life. I pray that you change me. I want to become the person you would have me to be and live a life pleasing to you. I want you to be the center of my life. I thank you for saving me and for answering this prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen!
