The Ways of Transgressors

Today's Devotion Monday, April 1, 2019

The Way of Transgressors

Today's Text Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. Proverbs 13:15

The news of man's fall spread through heaven. Every harp was hushed. The angels cast their crowns from their heads in sorrow. All heaven was in agitation. A counsel was held to decide what must be done with the guilty pair. The angels feared that they would put forth the hand, and eat of the tree of life, and be immortal sinners. But God said that He would drive the transgressors from the garden. Angels were commissioned immediately to guard the way of the tree of life. It had been Satan's studied plan that Adam and Eve should disobey God, receive His frown, and then be led on to partake of the tree of life, that they might live forever in sin and disobedience, and thus sin be immortalized. But holy angels were sent to drive them out of the garden, while another company of angels were commissioned to guard the way to the tree of life. Each of these mighty angels appeared to have something in their right hand, which looked like a glittering sword. Satan triumphed. Others he had made to suffer by his fall. He had been shut out of heaven, they out of Paradise. By transgression Adam lost Eden. By the transgression of God's commandments man will lose heaven, and an eternity of bliss. These are no idle tales, but truth.... I ask, On which side are you standing? It is true that Satan's path is made to appear attractive, but it is all a deception; in the way of evil there are bitter remorse and cankering care. We may think it pleasant to follow pride and worldly ambition; but the end is pain and sorrow. Selfish plans may present flattering promises, and hold out the hope of enjoyment, but we shall find that our happiness is poisoned, and our life embittered by hopes that center in self. In the downward road the gateway may be bright with flowers, but thorns are in the path. The light of hope which shines from its entrance fades into the darkness of despair; and the soul who follows this path descends into the shadows of unending night. “The way of transgressors is hard,” but wisdom's “ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 13:15; 3:17. Every act of obedience to Christ, every act of self-denial for His sake, every trial well endured, every victory gained over temptation, is a step in the march to the glory of final victory. If we take Christ for our guide, He will lead us safely. Note: In some areas phrases have been omitted by the compilers for whatever reason. I have restored them as underlined text, that the full intent of the author may be given.

My Thoughts: My friend, the path of transgression puts us at enmity with God. By Adams sin, all of mankind has been led into sin. Though we are not guilty of his sin, we have inherited his sinful nature, and as such "... all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23). The church today teaches that righteousness is right doing, and many strive to do right by keeping the law of God, believing that their right doing will eventually produce righteousness. But this is not so. Righteousness is more than just good works, it is right works that flows from a righteous nature. Man's nature has been corrupted by sin and as such cannot produce true righteousness. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;" (Isaiah 64:6). In order for us to be saved we need a transformation of our very natures; we need a new heart. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." (Ezekiel 36:26). The new life that is given to us is the Spirit of Christ that lives within us and leads us into the paths of righteousness. As we accept Christ as our Savior, He abides within our hearts and glorifies us step by step until we are ready for heaven. My friend, unless you have the Spirit of the only begotten Son of God, you do not have Christ. How sad it is today that the whole of the Seventh-day Adventist church has accepted a counterfeit in place of the true. The trinity is a false representation of God and as such all those who have accepted this false god in place of the One true God, are led to have a form of godliness that leaves them without the power of God to overcome sin in their lives. This lack leaves the soul searching for a righteousness that they cannot obtain. It leads them away from the grace of God unto the bondage of the law, and as such they become legalistic, making the law of God their righteousness. The righteousness that we need is the righteousness of God, and we can only receive it if we receive the true Son of God. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3). May you look away from the trinity unto the the One true God through His Son Jesus Christ today. God bless,

I encourage your comments: wtaitague@gmail.com or directly in the blog (Click Here)

The End of the Law - David Clayton Brother David Clayton speaks to a group in Houston Texas in March of 2019. He presents a message of righteousness by faith in the Son of God. RESOURCES: Archive of Daily Devotions Melodies of Prayer Free Bible & Commentary Bible Study Resources The Truth About God The Final Protest Revelation1412.org

Tuesday: First Promise of Redemption