Gingerbread Crumbs & Company

My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
1 John 2:1 RSV

Dwight L. Moody once said, "there are two ways of covering sin--man's way and God's way." The difference, he pointed out, is that sin covered in man's way is not buried at all--but sin covered by God is buried for good, never to be uncovered again. As a finite man I can not grasp the magnitude of that redemption. How God can forgive me I do not need to understand. All I need to do is accept the fact of that forgiveness. Then I should live a life worthy of His calling, knowing I have an "advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous."

Taken from the book, "Today, Lord, I Will"

Just a few Thoughts rolling around in my head:

As I read this devotion this morning I noticed the ugly word, "sin." "Do I post this?" I thought to myself. Then I decided, Yes! In this day and age that's a word we don't like to hear because it has such a negative connotation. Very rarely is it preached from the pulpit because many pastors fear offending their flocks.

I remember when I first gave my life to Christ I used to wander about saying, "I'm such a sinner! I'm such a sinner!" And I was (still am as a matter of fact). It made my mother down right crazy!!! And one day she said to me "Oh Lainy (that's what she calls me) your not a sinner you've just made a few mistakes." A few? My life was one huge act of rebellion against the Lord who loved me more then I would ever be able to comprehend.

One day while at church the pastor did a study on "SIN." Did you know that it's nothing more than a term used in archery? It simply means you've failed to hit the bulls eye. Didn't get it dead center. Colored outside the line. It's a pretty simple word with a simple meaning, but with out acknowledging that ugly little word in our lives it's impossible to be forgiven, impossible to heal, and impossible to grow into spiritual maturity.
So in closing I'd like to say, "Do not be afraid of the word sin. yes I know it's ugly, trust me, I know how ugly it has been and is in my own life, but it's there so we can look to the Messiah who knew no sin so He can cover ours.