From the Pen of Paul. . .

"I Have Sinned"

The Bible teaches that "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). John wrote in his first epistle, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (I John 1:8); and two verses later he writes, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us" (I John 1:10).

From these scriptures, we readily learn that all sin; to say otherwise is deceitful and untruthful. God has even made a way for our sins to be forgiven. His plan of salvation must be obeyed before one's sins can be "remitted" (Acts 2:38), "washed away" (Acts 22:16), and result in one "being then made free from sin" (Rom. 6:16-17).

God has even provided for the continual cleansing of our sins if we "walk in the light, as He is in the light" (I John 1:7), and He has provided us with "an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1). John also states the willingness of God to forgive us when we fail to live as we are instructed to live in His word. He informs us that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unright-eousness" (I John 1:9).

In light of these wonderful promises, why is it so difficult for men to say "I have sinned"? In my judgment, these are probably the hardest words in our language to repeat. It is not easy to say "I was wrong." Why? Probably because of stubbornness and pride? Or maybe, it is an attempt to justify self in our own eyes? Whatever the reason, these three words, I have sinned, seem to be very difficult. Let's look at the times these words were spoken in the Scriptures.

Exodus 9:27—Pharaoh: "And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked."

Exodus 10:16—Pharaoh: "Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you."

Numbers 22:34—Balaam: "And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again."

Joshua 7:20—Achan: "And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done."

I Samuel 15:24—Saul: "And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice."

I Samuel 26:21—Saul: "Then said Saul, I have sinned......"

I Samuel 15:30—Saul: "Then he said, I have sinned....."

II Samuel 12:13—David: "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord."

II Samuel 19:20—Shimei: "For thy servant doth know that I have sinned"

II Samuel 24:10—David: "And David said unto the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in that I have done"

II Samuel 24:17—David: "And David spake unto the Lord...and said, Lo, I have sinned and I have done wickedly"

I Chronicles 21:8—David: "And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly..."

I Chronicles 21:17—David: "And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed..."

Job 7:20—Job: "I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men?

Psalm 41:4—David: "I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned."

Psalm 51:4—David: "Against thee, and thee only, have I sinned..."

Micah 7:9—Micah: "I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him..."

Matthew 27:4—Judas: "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.."

Luke 15:18, 21—Prodigal Son: "I have sinned against heaven, and before thee..."

How about you? Do you find it difficult to say, I have sinned?
—Paul M. Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

Providentially Hindered

"We hear the words 'providentially hindered' in reference to missing the services of the church. Just exactly what is the meaning, where did it originate, where is it found in the Scriptures, and what reasons for missing services does it cover?"

First, what does the word "providence" mean? Webster says: "The act of providing, exercising foresight, or preparing. Divine guidance or care; also, an act or instance of it."

When people talk about being providentially hindered from attending the worship services of the church, they seem to think that God has arranged matters which prevent them from being in attendance. I hear statements like this sometimes in prayer. It is my conviction that people sometimes make statements in prayer and Bible study which they have never thought through. They have heard others make the statements and they do the same.

Sometimes the Lord is blamed for things for which He is not really responsible. It was the devil that afflicted Job and not the Lord. It is true that God permitted Job to be tempted of the tempter, but God did not afflict him. His friends thought Job was receiving divine retribution because of something he had done against God.

Even today, many things happen and people are prone to blame God. We should remember that God has set up the laws of nature and when these laws are transgressed by ignorance or otherwise we must pay the price.

It is hard to think that God would do anything to keep people from worshiping Him. He has commanded that His creation do so. While man may be unable to attend the services of worship and to do the work of the Lord due to causes beyond his control, we should not hold God accountable. When people say they were providentially hindered by God from doing the Lord's work, I question the statement.

Let me add, to keep someone from drawing a wrong conclusion, that I do know it is impossible for people to attend the worship period of the local congregation at times, and that God will not hold such a person accountable. God does not expect of us more than we can do. He is a just God in every way.

Second, where did the statement "providentially hindered" originate? It could possibly have arisen through a person who believed that God's hand is in everything that takes place.

While we know that God is aware of all which takes place, we must also understand that He is not in support of all happenings and events. I cannot say where the statement had its origin.

Is the statement "providentially hindered" found in the Bible? Such is not found in the Bible, to my knowledge. The word "providence" is mentioned only one time in the Word of God. It is found in Acts 24:2 and has reference to the Roman ruler Felix, who was given credit for his leadership ability.

I think it would be worthy for us to state that many Bible believers accept the fact that God does work in the affairs of men through providence. It is worthy also to say there is a great difference in God's providence and a miracle. When God rules through a providence He uses the forces of nature, but a miracle is the laying aside of nature or bypassing it.

The reason Christians can rest assured that all things work together for good is due to God's providence (Rom. 8:28). The Roman writer is not saying that all things which happen to Christians will be good. What he is saying is that God will take every situation which happens to His children and work it out to their good.

Third, what reason for missing services does it cover? This I do not know. Those who use the phrase might be able to tell us. I think those who use this phrase possibly do not think that God is behind the things which cause one to miss the worship period.

One might better state his feelings by saying people miss the Lord's work due to causes beyond their control. Then if God does have a hand in this, then, He knows; and if He does not, He also knows.

One good lesson we learn from this is that we should always search out all things religiously. The Bible is behind such (Acts 17:11). We should all do our very best to please God in everything, and make sure we continue to do so.

The question is, are you doing your best to serve God today? If not, you are the one losing and missing the blessings. Believe and obey God's will now and then you may rest assured that whatever comes your way God will turn it into a blessing.
—Malcolm L. Hill