Rules Of A Godly Life: Part 1: Rule 11

"Never consider any sin as small or of no account, because every sin, though it seem ever so small, is a transgression against God.  A small sin that is loved and nurtured can condemn a man as well as a gross sin.  A small leak, if not repaired, can sink a ship in time; likewise a small sin if continued without repentance can sink a soul and send it to hell.  Beware, then, not only of great sins but also of small.  Make a habit of overcoming every small temptation, and you can be master over great ones, too.  Especially shun willful sinning, that ye provoke not God to anger; for a truth it is hard to obtain forgiveness for sins that were willfully committed."


When someone repeatedly hardens their heart to commit sin, to love sin.  It is hard for them to turn away from it, which is repentance.  Before long they would rather curse God than turn away from their sin.  It is not that God is unwilling to forgive them, for God is not willing that any man should perish, but they are not willing to give up their sin in order to be able to bear God's presence. 

Having put on Christ, through having faith on his name unto obedience in repentance and baptism, we should no longer serve sin, being dead to it.  Read Romans Chapter 6, verses 11-14.


"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

Rules Of A Godly Life: Part 1: Rule 10

"In tribulation be patient and humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, with these thoughts foremost in your mind: first, that it is God who chasteneth; second, it is for your good; third, God will ease the burden; forth, He will give you strength to endure; fifth, He will deliver from affliction at an expedient time."





Some supporting scriptures:


Luke 14:11 KJV "For whosoever exaltheth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."


Phillipians 2:5-11 KJV "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Rules Of A Godly Life: Part 1: Rule 9

"Be not overly concerned in another man's business, and what is of no concern to you, avoid."

The Apostle Peter spoke of this when he wrote:
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters." I Peter 4:15

C. S. Lewis Wrote:


"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
  --  C.S. Lewis