Manna Moment - The Sinful Nature

[Rev. Lyn Bell]

Galatians 5:19-21   “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Good morning it is Wednesday, cloudy, rain and an expected high of 79 degrees.  Save the Date on your calendar for October 22, 2011, Calvary Gospel Ladies Ministry will host its Annual Fall Bazaar!  There will be tons of vendors and the home made baked goods sale as well!  No bike riding this week because of rain, so Zumba and the tread mill will have to do.

Last year this time Manna offered you the “The Fruit Bowl”, which was a series on the Fruit of the Spirit.  As I re-read this passage and looked at the preceding verses, I thought, often we talk about the fruit of the Spirit and our goal to acquire it through righteous living; but we never look at the manifestations of the sinful nature.  Our series for the next few days will be on the sinful nature so we will recognize what is sin.  Often we don’t recognize it.   Scripture states the acts of the sinful nature are obvious and the first one listed is sexual immorality (could we start with something that isn’t so sensitive).  How can that be when often we are told by the world it’s your thang do what you want to do.  We are so conditioned by our natural nature that many don’t think fornication (sexual immorality) is a sin.  It has been said that one must try on the shoe to see if it fits (what???? I thought).  In our minds we have taken on the world’s way of thinking in terms of pleasing our flesh above the word of God.  The word says its sin, but our logical and intellectual minds and the flesh says, no it can’t be.  It’s too good.  Since when is sin something that usually feels bad?  Hmmmm just to get you thinking.  Others often just ignore it and hope for the best because it requires effort to deal with this subject matter and how it will be received.  Some will say don’t discuss it.  But if it’s not discussed then how will one recognize the sin or gain understanding about what is good and what is bad.  Since we are born in iniquity, then it is natural to want to please the flesh.  But the life of the Spirit wars with the flesh.  We should recognize we are in trouble when there is no war going on, because you have succumbed to the flesh at that point.

The interesting thing about this as I researched I read this was written in a Greek era where sexual immorality was not only condoned, but was regarded as an essential part of everyday life (sounds like we have returned to this).  So it has been said that Christianity brought a new virtue into world with chastity.  Wow, I am sure one never thought of this.  In any event fornication is a result of our sinful nature and living in it will result in not inheriting the kingdom of God.  Plainly put, not going to heaven.  Hey have a blessed day.  This is going to be a stuff series.