The Americus Times-Recorder
AMERICUS —
Before law, there was no sin
The Law of God (commandments) were Not sent to save us. 1 Corinthians 15:56 the sting of death is sin, the strength of sin is. the law of Moses.
I spent many years confused about the my salvation. I still have so much to learn, but I continue on this exciting journey, of living in my salvation through Jesus Christ! today my life is more than lip service. and trying so desperately to work my way into the goodness of God. Endlessly, I did all I could to be a "do gooder"! and every time it left me frustrated, exhausted bitter and eventually returning to my old ways of living, those that I so well knew.
I have come to understand that God sent the law, "10 commandments" for people to see that they were sinning. See back then, (before the law was written) people were living all kind of ways. mixing with one another in the worst ways, but the truth, they were not sinning! wow. it was only until the Law (commandments) sent from God through Moses. was set in place. that lawlessness could even be counted as sin. God sent His laws to guide and showpeople that they were sinning. He sent a manual (commandments), for all to compare their "nasty ol' dirty" ways of living with. But He didn't send the laws to save them! just to put order in motion and to guide. There could be no sin if there were No Laws. that's the importance of the commandments. But the commandments do not save us from sin! if anything they provoke us into strongholds of guilt and shame, because we compare ourselves, many times to the "Thy shalt not’s"! and we will come up short of God's Glory, every time.
We are sinners by nature. and that's what we do, we sin in our old nature. but God didn't intend for us to stay in our old nature. that's why Jesus came, to set us free from sin. Once we receive Him as Lord of our lives, we then become made New in the likeness of God. that always confused me as well. "How can this dirty ol’ girl be like God! That’s blasphem!. it took years for me to understand. that it wasn’t my body or soul (mind). that was made in the likeness of God but rather my spirit!
Once I started getting revelation of what that meant. "my living in Christ. Christ living in me, I had to have more!
After God sent His commandments. (Not to save us, but to bring law, order and to guide). amongst a whole nation of people with wrong ways of living, while being overlooked, because. before the law there was no sin.
God then sent Jesus to save the lost, so we can be made the righteousness of God. in spirit! and in spirit only were we made the likeness of God! but our body and mind, remained the same. we still hold sin residue. that is to be brought under the submission of the Word of God through reading His Holy Bible. getting alone with Him, listening for what He is saying, for us to do through the Holy Spirit that now lives in us . as His Word says. Seek Him first and His right ways. and all things. "that's all things that He Has for us”. will be added to us. so Come to Jesus. do the do's, and He will do the rest if you will let Him.
Kathy Bishop
Americus
Farewell Al Newkirk
We were saddened to hear of Mr. Newkirk's passing and we regret that we did not have an opportunity to attend his memorial service.
Mr. Newkirk was one the most giving people I have ever known. He did carpentry work for us on a number of occasions during the past several years. His work was always excellent and we found him to be so willing to please at every turn. What a humble, gentle soul and with such a quiet spirit. We did not know alot about his background or family but marveled at how he always had the time to help us in his spare time after working full time for Habitat.
I never received a bill from Mr. Newkirk without calling him several times to request it. It was as though his work was more a service rather than a means for him to profit. This community was blessed to have had such an individual come our way. The world would indeed be a wonderful place if there were more Al Newkirks.
We will miss him and are thankful to have had him cross our path. Farewell good and faithful servant!
Dr. and Mrs Charles W. Davis
Americus
