JAN 9

Psalm 58:3
Memorise Romans 3:10-11
“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Yet another distinctive is the focus on man’s fallen estate. According to the Bible, man in this world is altogether sinful. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, the whole human race has been corrupted and defiled. We don’t have to look far to understand this, for newspaper reports daily show us the many heinous crimes committed everywhere in the world. Man is truly deprived, and left to ourselves, we will bring nothing but destruction and calamity to this world. Man’s sinful nature begins at birth. All babies are born with it. Even before they learn to talk, they know how to get their own way by crying. As toddlers, they start to disobey their mothers, and deliberately do things that they are told not to do. Children are also capable of telling lies even though no one taught them how to do it. Without parental guidance, they go astray easily, learning bad words, being rude and obnoxious. David in Psalm 58:3 speaks of this inherent sinfulness of man, that “they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.”

Man in his fallen condition has no ability whatsoever to gain entrance into heaven. Romans 3:10-11 tells us, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Even the most morally upright man with what seems to be the best conduct is still a sinner. He still sins because of his sinful nature. The Reformers went through great pains to remind their audience that they must realise their sinful estate and their dire need for a Saviour. They also stressed that life after salvation still involves a daily spiritual battle with sin, a battle we will never have complete victory over while we remain in this mortal body.

Dear teen, when you accepted Christ as Saviour, did you confess you are a sinner? Do you also confess your sins daily? You should examine yourself daily to see if there be any known or secret sins and make a thorough confession. This is needful so that we can serve God with clean hands and a pure heart. The heart weighed down with sin can hardly appear before God and wholeheartedly serve Him. Confess your sin, and God is faithful and just to forgive.

Thought: Sin is not only what we do, but also what we are.

Prayer: Our loving Father in heaven, help me to die to self and sin daily that Christ might be glorified.