[The Mayor]

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January 16, 2009

A Sin By Any Other Name

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READ: Genesis 39:1-9

How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? —Genesis 39:9

Joseph found himself in a difficult position one day when his master’s wife attempted to seduce him. How tantalizing this woman must have been to a healthy young man! And it must have occurred to Joseph how fearsome her wrath would be when he spurned her advances.

Yet Joseph flatly resisted her. His moral convictions stemmed from his clear view of sin and his reverence for God. He said to her, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9).

Today, it is popular to call sin by more acceptable names. But using euphemisms for offenses against God will only weaken our resistance and trivialize sin’s harmfulness to us.

To Joseph, sin was not just “an error of judgment.” Nor was it a mere “slip of the tongue” or an “indiscretion” in a “moment of weakness.” Joseph saw sin for what it was—a serious offense against the Lord—and he did not play down the gravity of the offense.

God’s moral standards are absolute. It is only when we see sin as something abhorrent to the Lord that we will be motivated to make right moral judgments.

Calling sin by a softer name will change neither its offensiveness to God nor its cost to us.

Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree! —Watts

There’s no excuse for excusing sin.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 39-40; Matthew 11

[The Mayor]

Sorry for the double ping. I posted yesterdays Daily Bread. Oooops. I asked the Mod to delete the post.

[jaycee]

Mr. Mayor, I had just gone back and checked....I was experiencing de ja vue (however you spell it). Even though I didn't reply to yesterday's D.B. I had read it and it was a very good lesson.

Calling sin by a softer name will change neither its offensiveness to God nor its cost to us.

That has already happened in our country, I'm mighty afraid! I pray it can be changed.

By the way, we have climbed to 8 degrees from 0 when I got up. I just heard our 'high' today will be 20. I am cold in the house today and afraid to cut the thermostat up too high. Hope you have a wonderful day.

[Mama_Bear]

Just received this in an email from WVNan, thought I would share it with all of you. This 13 year old boy touched my heart with his story. If you haven't yet met Logan, click the link below....

Meet Logan, the Sky Angel Cowboy

[JustAmy]

Wonderful lesson this morning, Rus. Thank you.

Did I read down a couple of posts that your temps were in the teens today?
Brrr .. hope you can find that heater again today.

Happy Red FRiday.