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Godly Sorrow for Sin
Read 2 Corinthians 7:8-10
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (v. 10).
“I don’t want to go to jail,” wailed one of my sons. Little sister joined in the crying, “He doesn’t have to go to jail, does he? I don’t want him to go to jail!” I was amused at how quickly what had seemed so funny was now so serious. You see, the little man had discovered how to call some- one and block the Caller ID so that it would show up “Restricted.”
He was having such fun calling random numbers and teasing whoever happened to answer the phone (without my knowledge or permission). One little girl he called thought he was her friend and would not believe he was just a random prankster, so to prove it he sent her a picture as a text. This time his number showed up, and it was not long until her father called and left an urgent message. I was able to talk to the father and apologize. Soon the matter was resolved, but not before my son experienced some godly sorrow. (Daniel Edwards)
Once in sin’s darkest night I was wand’ring alone;
A stranger to mercy I stood.
But the Savior came nigh when He heard my faint cry,
And He put my sins under the Blood. — Nellie Edwards
True repentance makes you sorry enough to quit!
This devotional is the entry for Monday, April 6, 2015, of Opening the Word.
Photo credit: "Liberation" by jar () used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized, cropped.
Steps to Salvation
Lesson 7 - April 12
Focus Text: Acts 2:36-39; Luke 13:1-5; Romans 10:9-13

Central Truth: Salvation involves a change of allegiance from self to Jesus.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to clearly explain how a person may be saved.
- The Recognition of Sin (Acts 2:36-39)
- Repentance for Sin (Luke 13:1-5)
- The Response of Faith (Romans 10:9-13)
Proof of the Resurrection
Read Luke 24:36-44
“Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (v. 39).
We have all waited as the jury struggled with the evidence. I can only imagine the difficulty it would be to sweep away all bias and make a decision based entirely on evidence.
Not that Jesus was on trial, but the disciples were able to see and even handle the evidence. I can only imagine what it must have been like to see and feel those nail-scarred hands, and see the scars showing through the straps of His sandals.
Let us not miss the impact of this scenario. Here is the evidence of the most epic event in the history of the world. God dispatching Himself to earth, reaching out to humanity, and while He is reaching, they pierce those outstretched hands and those good-news traveling feet. They pierce them because of so-called evidence, and mount them on a cross thinking they have served the community by getting rid of a rabble-rousing resister. It seems unfair, and it was illegal. Actually their evidence was none at all. But they followed through on their mission, silenced the crowd, and tucked Him in the tomb.
But we know the rest of the story! He arose and shared the evidence with His disciples and the world that HE LIVES! (Rick Tallman)
Thankfully we know the rest of the story!
This devotional is the entry for Sunday, April 5, 2015, of Opening the Word.
Photo credit: "Jesus' Tomb" by upyernoz used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized, cropped.
A Rugged Cross and and Empty Tomb
Lesson 6 - April 5, 2015
Focus Text: Matthew 27:50-54, 57-61; 28:1-8
Central Truth: Jesus’ bodily death and resurrection is the central claim of the Christian’s faith.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify reasons why Jesus’ bodily death and resurrection is the central claim of the Christians’ faith.
- Jesus' Death (Matthew 27:50-54)
- Jesus' Burial (Matthew 27:57-61)
- Jesus' Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8)
Sin’s Pull Downward
Read Romans 1:21-32
“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (v. 25).
It is unspeakably sad that man would take the very knowledge of God and pervert and change it to fit their own hearts’ desires. We see the results of sin so vividly in these verses, turning men from the knowledge of truth and of God to embrace their own sinful and twisted lust. Thus they were both darkened and depraved.
Is there judgment for these actions? Tim Keller says it this way, God’s judgment on godlessness and wickedness is to give us what we want. He “gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts.”
To lose God is to lose everything. To lose connection with Him is to sink into an abyss of darkness, intellectual and moral. It is to be fitted for wrath which always follows the life who does not esteem Him or give Him the worship due His name. And of course when sin is so embraced our life is filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, maliciousness, back-biting, despitefulness, even haters of God. (William Cook)
What a downward spiral! What a sad rebellion!
This week's featured devotional is from the Thursday, March 26, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Photo credit: "Downward Spiral" by M. Clarise Moore used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized, cropped.
Man, His Creation and Fall
Lesson 5 - March 29, 2015
Focus Text: Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19
Central Truth: Sin has utterly corrupted mankind, God's crowning creation.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state the sad results of the Fall and declare how the image of God can be restored in mankind.
Lesson Outline:
- Humanity Without Sin (Genesis 1:26-27)
- The Fall to Sin (Genesis 3:1-7)
- The Consequences of Sin (Romans 5:12-15)