THURSDAY, AUGUST 31
Mark 7:1-13
1 John 3:4

"…sin is the transgression of the law."

A SANCTIFIED CONSCIENCE (5)

Without a proper knowledge and understanding of the holy God and His holy standard, men cannot see how sinful they are before God; and as a result, they do not appreciate or receive God’s plan of salvation. Today, many think that homosexuality, same-sex marriage and abortion are alright. But, to God, they are abominations! Thus, our consciencemust be tuned to God’s standard concerning sins:

a. "Sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). God has given mankind His moral law or the Ten Commandments. If we break or violate God’s law, we have sinned. It is a sin if we worship someone or something other than God the Creator, when we bow down before idols or images, when we take God’s Name in vain, when we say "My God" without reverence, when we fail to keep God’s day of rest holy, and when we fail to honour our parents! You may think that you are good because you have never killed anyone. But before God, even if you hate someone, you have committed the sin of murder (1 John 3:15). You may think that you have never committed adultery, but if you have a sexual lust in your heart after a woman, you have committed the sin of adultery (Matt 5:28). You may think that it is alright to tell a lie or to covet, but before God you have sinned! Have you never lied?

b. "All unrighteousness is sin" (1 John 5:17). "Unrighteousness," in Greek adikía, denotes not only what is unjust, wrong, false, ungodly, or wicked but also what is not right in the sight of God. Many may think that they are doing the right thing when actually their beliefs and practices are not right according to God’s will and Word! They will be shocked when the Lord Jesus comes and rejects them (Matt 7:23). Are you doing the right things before God?

c. "Ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments" (Num 15:22). Many do not observe all of God’s Word. Many observe or keep only the parts of God’s Word that suit their beliefs and practices. And they think that they are keeping all of God’s Word. King Saul was like that, and God rejected him (1 Sam 15:23)! Are you keeping all of God’s Word?

THOUGHT: My conscience must accept God’s Word about sins.
PRAYER: Lord, please use Thy Word and moral law to convict me.