Romans 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

I never studied law in school. The only way I knew I had done something wrong was when I got caught and was punished. That taught me to be more careful.

My parents were not religious so God’s laws were not implemented in our household.

I cannot speak for everyone but this is an example of how parents have the greatest influence over their children’s behavior. What is going on in the world today speaks directly to parental control or a lack of it.

How do children learn to hate? They may be brought up in that atmosphere or if the parents are neglectful, outside influences teach children who and what to hate.

We don’t have to teach children to be selfish, it is bred into us. If parents do not counter those instincts they will only get stronger.

Now it is time for the individual to focus away from parental influence and take responsibility for your own life.

If you do not believe in God then you don’t care what He thinks about you.

If you are getting caught and punished for succumbing to your basic instincts, then perhaps it is time to care about what the High Court thinks about your final judgment. I am not talking about man’s law, I am talking of God..

Ultimately it does not matter about what others think of you or your own opinion, it only matters what God thinks.

If you still refuse to believe there is a God of the Universe, then where is your help going to come from? Surely not from the parents that failed you to begin with.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Ephesians 1:18-23 English Standard Version

¹⁸ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ²⁰ that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²² And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

We led off yesterday with You Are Mine, YAM.

Here is that mystery we have been dying to discover, Christ in us and what that means.

Essence number one, He loves you more than life itself. He gave His life for you.

Essence number two, you are His to do whatever is needed to fulfill God’s plan for your life.

Essence number three, your cooperation is desired, but not required, God’s will be done.

We only get as much out of a relationship as we put into it.