Dead to Sin

This is a reflection on the morning devotion I read today, which is a book titled "Daybreak: Practicing the Presence of God," by Adrian Rodgers.

One of the things that really bothers me is when people misuse the phrase that certain people are "living in sin." For example, when a couple is dating and they decide to move in with one another, they admit, "Yeah, we know that we are living in sin." Well I have a newsflash for you-WE ALL ARE LIVING IN SIN!! DUH! Remember, Jesus died for us, "For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard" (Romans 3:23).

What makes me even more upset, is when people feel the need to judge others by saying this same phrase! This occurs often when another's behavior is disapproving to others. I didn't realize that there were so many people in this world that were experts on what is or isn't a sin! Both Christians and non-Christians. Wow! Well I have something to them them also-who are they to judge? Now I have to admit-I am certainly not perfect. I find myself judging people often. It's one of my downfalls, and I am definitely working on it. But when it comes to judging whether or not someone else is more of a sinner than I....well I tend to stay away from that mess.

Here is what Adrian Rodgers has to say about judging in today's devotional:

Sometimes Christians look at people who have committed adultery or murder and compare themselves to them. They may even say, 'They're dead in their trespasses and sin.' I want to tell you something. They are no more dead in their trespasses and sin than your sweet daughter or precious parent who has not received Jesus Christ's gift of salvation. There may be some degree of corruption, but there are no degrees of deadness.

All lost people are dead people in need of the Savior Jesus Christ. You may think that you don't have a testimony to share because you didn't get a Ph.D. in sin before you were saved. Perhaps you were saved as a little child. Well, it took as much of the grace of God to save you, as it did to save a murderer on death row. Never forget that, precious friend. Dead people need to stop comparing themselves with other dead people. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged. Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned. Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." Luke 6:37

**Just some final thoughts from Adrian: Has Satan ever tempted you to play the comparison game? What if he were to start today? Practice what you are going to say to him, right now, to defeat him at his own game before it begins.