This week we will talk about sin. "Go and sin no more," were the words spoken by Jesus to the woman caught in adultery. These are among the greatest words that any sinner can hear. The woman caught in adultery received these merciful words from Jesus when she had no accusers.

Brethren, we have all fallen in the past, but our character is not judged by the sins we have committed, but by how we respond to those sins!! If our past holds ugly sins, we may feel devastated and burdened today, but we CAN START AGAIN, washed in the blood of the Lamb. In Colossians 3, Paul is teaching that since we have been risen with Christ, we are to "put off the old man with his deeds." He goes on to say that we "have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."

The word "renewed" is translated from the word ANA KAINOO (ANA - back or again; KAINOS. - new; not recent, but different). There is a word translated renew which means "new; recent, not different" - NEOS. Paul, however, is not saying that this is a recent man, but that this is a NEW, DIFFERENT man. In the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul said that some of them used to be fornicators, idolaters, effeminate, thieves, drunkards, and the like when he said, "and such were some of you" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). In contrast, however, they are now "washed," "sanctified," and "justified."

I am just thinking out loud here, but here is a list of things you will never be sorry for: For telling the truth; For living a pure life; For your faith in Christ; For acknowledging your sins; For doing your best; For thinking before acting; For hearing before judging; For forgiving your enemies; For helping a fallen brother; For standing by your principles; For being courteous and kind; For money given to the Lord's cause; For being honest in business. The Lord's merciful words should be something that echoes in our minds as soon as we wake up. GO, AND SIN NO MORE!!!! Eric