We are taught to watch out for the use of words like all, everyone, entirely, and other inclusive words. We are taught that with most things, ideas, and even people, there are exceptions to the sameness within the group. The scriptures teach that all people have a God-given spirit that has the potential to live forever. We cannot say where the spirit within all people will live in eternity. But we do know that those that are found with unforgiven sins at the judgment day will not live eternally with God. And the scriptures do state that all people have sinned, from the first man to the end of time. The sinfulness of humanity is apparent from Genesis and Exodus to Jude and Revelation. From the earliest recorded history in the Bible, we see examples of people that have been found guilty of sin.

Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, Able offered sacrifice for his sins, and Cain killed Able, Genesis chapters 3 and 4. Moving to chapter 6, we find these words as the people attempted to build a tower at Babble to reach into heaven. “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Through the sacrifices he offered, Noah was declared to be “A righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). Noah was not declared sinless but blameless. Another creature died, and its blood took the place of Noah’s death to compensate for Noah’s sin.

We read further and come to Moses, Aaron, and Marian. Lawgiver, mediator, and prophetess. Moses sinned when he struck the rock (Numbers 20:11-12). Aaron built a golden calf and led the people in idol worship until Moses came down from the mountain (Exodus 32). Aaron and Miriam both “Spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married” (Numbers 12:1). Even the Lawgiver, the High Priest, and their sister sinned against the Lord.

Then after Israel was in the promised land, there was a continuous cycle of sin, punishment, and deliverance. The problem was the same as at Babble. “Every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). The difference was that at Babble, the people did not have a written law, but Israel had the Law of Moses. Both had God as their King and a priesthood to communicate with Him. But they loved self and their selfish desires more than they loved God.

During the years when King’s were rulers of Israel and Judah, most of the kings were idolaters. As the leaders of the people, they led the people into sin and away from God. Several kings tried to restore God in the minds of the people, but they were too far gone. Even King David, known as “A man after God’s own heart,” was guilty of adultery, deception, and murder. David did not live in sin, but the sins he committed had disastrous effects on his family and the nation.

The Babylonian captivity drove idol worship from the people, but the people practiced many other sins after returning to the land of Judah and the city of Jerusalem. After building their own houses first, they rebuilt the temple and the city walls but never returned to the practice of the law that governed their worship. By the time Jesus came, the people were teaching and practicing “the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7). People were so far from God that they crucified the Son of God, who God the Father sent to save them from their sins.

Because “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and the time was right, God made the final preparations to send His Son. God sent the herald John the Baptist to prepare the way for the messiah. He was the fulfillment of the prophecy, “A voice is calling, ‘Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God'” (Isaiah 40:3). John preached that all should repent and get ready for the Kingdom of God. Repent of sin, clean the conscience, and accept the Lord and King, who was prepared to save those answering the call. When John was imprisoned, “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'” (Mark 1:14-15). Speaking to thousands, recorded in Luke chapters 12 and 13, Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). The Christians today echo these words to the world.

Are You Sowing the Seed of the Kingdom — #783

Are you sowing the seed of the kingdom, brother,
In the heat of the noonday’s glare?
Are you sowing the seed of the kingdom, brother,
In the morning bright and fair?
Chorus:
For the harvest time is coming on,
And the reaper’s work will soon be done;
Will your sheaves be many,
Will you garner any,
For the gath’ring at the harvest home?