Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 2
Monday


PRISONERS
OF SIN

READ:
Galatians 3:19-29
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The Scripture has
confined all under sin,
that the promise by
faith in Jesus Christ
might be given to
those who believe.
__Galatians 3:22
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A 2008 report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said, "At any given time there are more than 10 million people imprisoned worldwide." Since some prisoners are being released while new ones are being sentenced every day, there are more than 30 million total prisoners worldwide each year. Statistics like these have caused many people to work for prison reform and a reexamination of sentencing laws.

From a spiritual perspective, the Bible offers an even more staggering statistic: "The Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin" (Gal. 3:22 NIV). In what is sometimes considered a difficult passage to understand, Paul says that although the Old Testament law could not impart life (v.12), it was an effective teacher in showing us that we need a Savior who can give life (v.24). The bad news is that "the Scripture has confined all under sin," and the good news is "that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe" (v.22).

When we give our lives to Christ, who has fulfilled the requirements of the law, we are no longer imprisoned by sin. Instead, we enter a fellowship of people from every nationality and social status.

In Christ, we are free indeed! __David McCasland
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`````````````````The law reveals the mind of God,````````````````
``````````````The prophets too made clear His will;````````````````
```````````````But christ alone brings life and peace,```````````````
``````````His words our deepest needs fulfill. __D. De Haan``````````
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Deliverance from sin is the greatest of all freedom.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Galatians 3:19-29*********

19 What purpose then does
the law serve? It was added
because of transgressions,
till the Seed should come to
whom the promise was
made and it was appointed
through angels by the hand
of a mediator. 20 Now a
mediator does not mediate
for one only, but God is one.

21 Is the law then against
the promises of God?
Certainly not! For if there
had been a law given which
could have given life, truly
righteousness would have
been by the law. 22 But the
Scripture has confined all
under sin, that the promise
by faith in Jesus Christ
might be given to those who
believe.

23 But before faith came,
we were kept under guard
by the law, kept for the faith
which would afterward be
revealed. 24 Therefore the
law was our tutor to bring us
to Christ, that we might be
justified by faith. 25 But after
faith has come, we are no
longer under a tutor.

26 For you are all sons of
God through faith in Christ
Jesus. 27 For as many of you
as were baptized into Christ
have put on Christ. 28 There
is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor
free, there is neither male
nor female; for you are all
one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if
you are Christ's, then you
are Abrahams's seed, and
heirs according to the
promise.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In verse 28 of today's Bible reading, we see what would have been
one of the most radical statements imaginable in the first century.
Paul is declaring to the Roman world of social strata and exclusion
that all who are in Christ--regardless of economic standing, ethnic
identity, or gender--are equal. __BILL CROWDER