It is good for us to spend time in the Old testament of the bible and be reminded that God has zero tolerance for sin. This is portrayed graphically in his dealings with Israel and Judah, he allowed them to be taken into exile because of their rebellion and sin (2 Kings). We are also exhorted to hate evil (Ps 97:10).

In the new Testament we are told that sin causes spiritual death (Rom 6:23), all people sin (Rom 3:23) and that sin separates us from God. Jesus paid the price for our sins by his sacrificial death (1 Peter 3:18) and won justification for us (Rom 3:24). This simply mean that if we repent, ask his forgiveness and ask him into our life as Lord and Saviour we are forgiven and made just as if we had never sinned. Our sins were washed away by his blood (Rev 1:5), the price was paid and God sees us as righteous in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:21). To be righteous is to be in right standing with God.

Does this mean God has gone soft on sin? Absolutely not (1 John 1:5). We are told as Christians that we should not go on willfully sinning (1 John 3:6-9). However, we are still flesh and blood and we will sin (1 John 1:8), but if we repent and ask God’s forgiveness, he is quick to forgive (1 John 1:9). To repent is to simply turn from our sins and do what’s right.

The next question is, as Christians, are we soft on Sin? Do we have things in our lives that we wink at or ignore? Well, you know, God knows I get it mostly right but a few minor issues I am sure He can tolerate? God is still black and white on sin and he tells us to take of the old man and put on the new (Eph 4:22-24). That’s all of the old man and all of the new. Let’s not limit God in our lives by ignoring sin. Now don’t get condemned, God knows our hearts (Ps 44:21) and as we desire to be everything he wants us to be, he will provide grace to help us to change (Eph 1:7-9). The apostle Paul never claimed to be perfect (Phil 3:12) and God does not expect us to change overnight. Keep on keeping on, the blessings are amazing.

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In Ephesians 6:5-7 Paul teaches us that we should not do things to please men but work to please God. Chasing after the affirmation of man is an elusive and frustrating trail to follow. We should encourage each other but the true affirmation that edifies and uplifts is to hear God say: "well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matt 25:21; KJV). God wants his fullness to be exhibited through us (Eph 1:23). We are his hands and feet and voice upon this earth (Matt 28:19).We are not just workers on the job but ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20), not just a shopper in the store but a light shining for him (Matt 5:14) and not just a face in the crowd at a social gathering but salt (Matt 5:13).

Salt should season things wherever it is spread. On the job we should be on time, go the extra mile: “do all things without murmurings or disputings” (Phil 2:14). We need to have God in our spiritual eye all day so we please him and hence our employer. We can do this; we have the greater one on the inside of us (1 John 4:4) and in the word we read that: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13). What did the Lord say in the parable of the talents to the good servants? The Lord said: “Enter into the joy of thy Lord" (Matt 25:21). I don't know about you but enjoying God’s abundant life (John 10:10) sounds good to me.

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In the epistle to the Philippians chapter 2 and verses 5 through 8, we are shown how Jesus humbled himself and became a man on this earth. He was obedient to his Father even to the point of dying on a cross. He was so confident in who he was and in his relationship with his Father, that he was able to humble himself and wash his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17). In that passage Jesus also told us we should copy his example of humility: “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15; KJV).

How often growth in our Christian walk is hindered by pride; our unwillingness to change, to be obedient to his word, or to throw ourselves completely over on him in humility at his feet. We think we know better; we limit God or we are afraid of what people will think of us. “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). James wrote that if we humble ourselves before God, he will lift us up (James 4:10). God dwells with the humble and teaches them his ways (Isa 57:15; Ps 25:9).

Look how David humbled himself and danced (twirled and spun) before God in praise and adoration; no fear of what people might think of him (2 Sam 6:14). Look how God blessed David and called him a man after his own heart (Acts 13:22).

Abandon yourself at God’s feet and give him your all, nothing held back and see him bless you.

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“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7; KJV).

There are many people in the world today who do not have peace of mind. They are mentally troubled (or agitated) and fearful. However, in his gospel, the apostle John quoted Jesus as saying: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Jesus himself gives us his peace, a peace that is far superior than any peace the world has to offer. The Greek word for peace is eirene and it means the secure, assured state of peace and tranquility that Christians have as we rest in all the promises of salvation that Christ won for us.

Jesus will show us how to walk in the peace he has made available to us (Luke 1:79). In the book of Colossians, the apostle Paul exhorts us to: “let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Col 3:15) and he assures us in his letter to the Ephesians that Jesus: “IS our peace” (Eph 2:14).

If we have Jesus living on the inside of us then we have peace on the inside of us (Gal 2:20). Peace is a fruit of the spirit and as we spend time abiding in the God’s word that fruit will develop and we will experience more of God's peace in our lives. “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Ps 119:165).

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When troubles, trials and challenges come our way they may involve people but people are not our problem, the opposition comes from satan and his minions. We face a spiritual battle: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12; KJV).

In Ephesians chapter 6, the apostle Paul went on to write that God has given us armour for this battle (v13). Now the wonderful good news about this warfare is that we are already winners as Christ won the victory over satan and all his minions (Col 2:15; 1 Cor 15:57). We just need to stand and walk in that victory (Eph 6:13-14) by faith.

I love this passage from Ephesians on the armour of God (Eph 6:14-17) and as I read it again the other day, I realized that it all comes down to knowing and standing on God’s word. We are told to stand with the truth around our waist (v14); truth is God’s word. We are to have our feet prepared to run with the Gospel (v15). We need the shield of faith and we know that faith comes from hearing God’s word (v16; Rom 10:17). In v17 salvation comes from knowing about God, Jesus (the word) and it says our most effective weapon is the sword of the Holy Spirit which is the word of God. When troubles, trials and challenges come against you find out what God’s word says about your situation and stand on his word in faith, speak it, and the word says satan must flee from you (James 4:7).

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