Sick of Religion? Week 7: Devotional Day 4

Sick of Religion? Week 7: Devotional Day 4

DAY 4 – Thursday

Daily devotional

Read

Mark 3:28, Romans 10:9-11, 1 John 1:9

Ask

What is the good news for all those who accept the offer of forgiveness (Mark 3:28)? What is your response to Jesus—acceptance of his forgiveness, or rejection and opposition of his Holy Spirit? What does your eternity look like as a consequence?

Reflect

So far, in the first three chapters of the book of Mark, we see that John offered forgiveness through a baptism of repentance, Jesus offered forgiveness of sins as he healed the sick and lame, and now we come to understand that we can be forgiven even of blasphemous words and attitudes that are contrary to Christ. This is good news!

Unfortunately in our culture, it is harder to see our need for a savior, and sometimes harder still our need for forgiveness. We tend to classify sin as mere mistakes, or missing the mark. While it is true that one of the best Greek definitions we have for sin (hamartia) expresses that sentiment of missing the mark, it really means that we have fallen short of God’s standards for our life, and without forgiveness our relationship with God can suffer. This is why it is important to continually check oneself in regard to sin. Read 1 John 1:10.

Spend some time journaling on our culture’s attitude toward sin. Is there sin in you and your circle of friends that gets glossed over because it is socially acceptable? Can you think of socially acceptable sin that you may need to confess or separate yourself from? How do you stand up for God’s truth in your life when those around you seem immersed in the culture?