— Spiritual food for today —

Of Seed & Sin

As gardeners, we perennially stand in awe of new life springing from old seed — each faithfully reproducing according to divine design.  Beans veritably leap into the air as if to shout, Hallelujah! Cucs, squash and melons rush to praise with succulent, upturned leaves ... followed by graceful peas.  Tiny basil seeds release itsy-bitsy sprouts and the wispy beginnings of juicy tomatoes and zesty cilantro hang back like dessert.  They all spring forth with boundless potential ... yet only the strongest will survive ‘til harvest.  Though God’s life-design exists in each, unless they are nurtured by light, warmth, water and good soil, they’ll weaken and perish.  True also if disease isn’t kept at bay or treated.  Unhappily, gardeners must weed out the weak, sickly and/or unfruitful.

Mankind is even MORE amazing because God patterned us after Himself, intending we live fruitful lives which emulate and glorify Him.  But man’s genetic disease of SIN bears the fruit of death, estranging him now and eternally from his Creator (Ro 6:23).  That’s why God provided the remedy of confession, repentance and forgiveness — essential for the unsaved to be born-again (regenerated) and establish a relationship with the epitome of holiness — God Himself (Jn 3:3,7; Acts 2:38; Rom 10:9,10).  However, born-agains still sin and sin always quenches divine fellowship and fruitfulness.  That’s why God also provided a sin-remedy for the Church:  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1Jn 1:9).

Although the price for all mankind’s sin was paid in Christ’s all sufficient atoning blood, God’s forgiveness does not become personally effectual until one confesses their sin and seeks absolution.  As with many of God’s promises, forgiveness is conditioned upon an “if.”  IF we do our part (confess) - God will do His (forgive).  Until that’s transacted, sin inhibits divine fellowship.  The cliche: “my sins; past, present and future, were forgiven at the cross” tends to obscure this truth.  But the Bible reminds: "... we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad" (2Cor 5:10).

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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