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| No sin in a vacuum, as demonstrated on a bus! |
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Our selfishness always affects the people around us. Though it’s tempting to deny, when we’re honest I think we have to admit the truth. Recently I witnessed a clear example.
Some of the riders on my commuter bus to work organized a “bus party” for the holidays. First the partiers passed plates, plasticware, and napkins around the bus, followed by the goodies. Donuts, bagels, pastries, cookies, brownies…even a couple of entrée plates! So much food was passed from front of bus to back, then forward again!
As you might imagine, some chose not to participate. Yet many of these at least willingly passed food so others could partake. But a few riders wouldn’t even do that. These either kept eyes shut feigning sleep, or simply waved off the food containers. These resolute non-participants ended up depriving riders around them from receiving the items being passed. Who can argue that this steadfast selfishness didn’t affect those who may have wanted to receive but couldn’t???
Though this example may seem far-fetched, when we look at our daily lives we see the same thing happen when we sin. Our sins always affect people around us!
But what about those supposed “personal” sins? How can they affect others? Consider, for example, how an unexposed lie increases the likelihood of future lies, and also results in greater mistrust of others. Or how viewing racy images or reading trashy literature in secret affects our attitudes towards members of the opposite gender, even causing unrealistic expectations of spouses. Or how quietly harboring bitterness can eventually manifest itself in angry outbursts or unintended harsh words. Or how cheating on tests or taxes erodes our regard for authority (look at how we drive!).
Or consider how our prayerlessness can slowly strangle our ministry to others.
So not only should we actively seek to purge our lives of sin in pursuit of personal holiness, but we should also do so out of a deep concern for others. Think about it!
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| To add a comment to "No sin in a vacuum, as demonstrated on a bus!" |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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Hi Mike!
I can see your point indeed. Sin does a tremendous harm not only to ourselves but also to those around us. It most definitely can have a ripple effect and often those ripples extend way beyond our field of view.
It reminds me of Jabez praying that his life would not cause others pain. His very name was given to him because he bore so much pain to his mother at birth. (1 Chronicles 4:9-10)
I have prayed that same prayer many times. I caused so much pain to others in my former life. I have told God many times that I would much rather suffer myself than to ever bring pain or sorrow to another. That may have a great deal to do with why I live a quiet and somewhat isolated life now. I'll definitely be pondering on that!
Have a great day my friend and thanks for stirring up my morning!
The Pain of Jabez
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| January 18, 2009 |
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In & out of season we must keep our eyes on Jesus. Praise the Lord. Amen & amen. |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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| There is nothing in this world that we do, whether good or bad, that doesn't affect someone...gotta stop and think. |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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| This is absolutely true. It always affects someone else, just thinking of how it hurts God should be enough, but it isn't. |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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| Amen brother! |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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I often refer to it as the ripple effect. Good or bad ripples the water. I have that Jabez verse on my cube at work and made a melody to sing it so I could memorize it. I even use a form of it as a password for some sites to remind me as I type it. This is a great reminder. I kept secret debt from my husband while separated. I finally decided that satan had me in chains of fear that if Jim and I were going to get back together that he would find out and not consider reconciliation. I opted to come clean and he has not shunned me. I still face the consequences of it and the Lord has graciously comforted me. I have had 190 dollars UNEXPECTEDLY come to me from two sources since Friday. One was a bonus from my supervisor on top of the bonus the company gave to me. I am applying it to the debt and it will be paid. I am impulsive by nature and learning to weigh the decisions against the word and in prayer before making them. I have said..I have stumbled but I will not fall. I praise the Lord for second chances. |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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A good word Mike..and I love how CL puts it so succinctly "There is nothing in this world that we do, whether good or bad, that doesn't affect someone." |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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| Great blog Mike |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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| yeah, the prayerlessness I relate to...but I'm back in the game. Great word! |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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I would have loved to have been on that bus with you.
It's sad that a sour apple can spoil things for other people.
One domino placed incorrectly can mess up the the whole process when ya go to hit the first and make fall down. Does that makes sense?
Selfishness... Greg made me aware of my own selfishness just Saturday. Sad.. but true. |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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| You are right on the butten,I go right along with what you have said. God bless you Mike and Loura. God bless you Mike and Loura. |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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Pass the plate!!!
A few 'sour grapes' can spoil the feast. May sweetness only embrace you and your family for I know you fellowship for the sake of Christ! Thank you for sending out sweet ripples of love to others in life and on this site...touching our lives.
Give a hug to your sweet wife for me!~ |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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Well, it's been a full Lord's day -- just getting on here (but not for long, unfortunately). By God's grace I was able to watch some football with my dear family...even Laura! But alas, my team (Ravens) were overcome by a stronger foe and will not be going to the Superbowl this year. Very sad!
As I sat on the bus the morning of the party, and witnessed the selfishness of those who refused to pass along the goodies, I really thought deeply about my own sinfulness, my attitudes, thoughts, and choices, made in selfishness, and how it affects other people, even indirectly. It was very convicting!!
Oh, I thought of another example....staying up late (alone). Not hurting anyone else, right? Maybe even helping, if I'm spending the time trying to bless others on MyChurch. But if I'm tired the next day, I've deprived my family and others of the best "me" I can be. My self-focused thoughts affect others! |
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| January 18, 2009 |
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I cherish each comment (& star), as well as the hearts from which they came....thank you!!!
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| January 19, 2009 |
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A perfect example, from the scriptures, of how our sins affect one another is from Joshua 7, the defeat of the Israelites before the men of Ai. The chapter begins with the statement: 7:1 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things; for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things; and the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel. The result was, 3000 men were defeated and fled before the men of Ai. Joshua's response is very intersting and I believe that we can definitely relate! 7:6 Then Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust upon their heads. 7:7 And Joshua said, "Alas, O Lord GOD, why hast thou brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! 7:8 O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! 7:9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and will surround us, and cut off our name from the earth; and what wilt thou do for thy great name?" He blamed God!!! And God's response is just as interesting! 7:10 The LORD said to Joshua, " Arise, why have you thus fallen upon your face? 7:11 Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant which I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, and lied, and put them among their own stuff. 7:12 Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become a thing for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. 7:13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, God of Israel, "There are devoted things in the midst of you, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies, until you take away the devoted things from among you." It wasn't God's fault. The other interesting thing to ponder is the fact that one man's act affected the entire nation! We know that these things were written for our instruction as 1 Corinthians 10:6 says. So this might shed some light upon why Paul admonishes the Corinthians (Cor 5) to remove the wicked from their midst. It also is something to ponder with respect to our own assemblies. Best regards,
Craig |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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Craig, thanks for your input brother. The wisdom you share is appreciated. We also must differentiate between the consequences of sin and judgment for sin. Yet the two are easily confused.
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| January 19, 2009 |
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| I like the "ripple effect" analogy Juanita. True, both good and bad actions/thoughts affect others, with the effects greatest to those nearest, and diminishing the farther away you go. |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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Dad often spoke of how it is no one's business that he smoked and hurts no one but himself. I have grown up inhaling second hand smoke however and everytime he is hospitalized and near death, it hurts me and all his kids. They live near him and have to deal with his physical needs because of this and there really is no such thing as hurting only yourself. I am guilty as anyone for many offenses. It is sobering to see and I am thankful for the reminder. Even in testimony last night, Pastor's wife said her mom wanted her to end her relationship with Pastor before they married, but her dad said he deserved a second chance. Ripple effect? 3 kids would not be in existance and who knows where he would be without the beautiful wife that supports him in his ministry. He is an outstanding man of God and yet I suspect that Elaine has more to do with that than is up front and center every Sunday morning. |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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As soon as we wake each morning (by the grace of GOD) we affect someone in some way. We need to stop and think how what we do or say will play out in that persons life. I know most of the things that we do are automatic but we need to consider their consequences. Easier said than done, huh!!! Not really. It starts with us and our attitudes towards our fellow sisters and brothers.
Respect, humility, honesty costs nothing except love for one another....
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| January 19, 2009 |
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Amen Mary....AMEN!! We've all heard the saying, "no man is an island." I imagine we are each like a strand in a giant web. Or like Juanita said above, concerning the "ripple effect". Our thoughts control our actions, which have consequences for those around us.
Juanita, excellent example of how one can hold to the mistaken idea of sin in isolation. Sorry your dad was such a clear example. |
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| January 25, 2009 |
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| Excellent comments. Excuse me, I need to pray... |
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