Colossians 3:17 English Standard Version (ESV) And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Why are you there? By there I mean with a body of believers, or alone. Everyone has a reason to be there. Personally I have been attached in one way or another to seven different administrations of the Christian faith. It has always been Christian.

At times between those different churches I have been on my own. Yet I was not alone. During those times I witnessed to neighbors and on the internet. My connection with internet witnessing has had a long history. It began with chat rooms.

Chatrooms invites in all kinds of vicious attacks from a variety of unbelievers. What is lacking in that arena is the essence of deeds. With neighbors I could see their struggle and those deeds were readily available. It is nearly impossible to have deeds with mere words.

Paul’s greatest contribution to the body of Christ was perhaps his epistles that form the bulk of the New Testament and gives structure to our churches today. Being placed under house arrest and then prison was the reason his ministry was limited to the written word.

But is that true? We know little of the personal contact Paul had with other prisoners and his jailers. Just because we are not left with a record of great accomplishments during those times does not mean that God didn’t use him in deeds.

During this current season I find myself once again left with words. The face of our churches has been altered by this pandemic, but they are still seen and they still have deeds. It is not as public as before but circumstances do not deter the will of God.

What are your opportunities for words and deeds?

God does not stop just because of a slowdown in the world around us.

Genesis 3:11 English Standard Version (ESV) He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”

Up until the time that Adam disobeyed God they walked and talked together every morning. It did not bother God that Adam was naked. Nor was it a problem for Adam.

Once sin entered guilt creeped into every part of Adam’s being making him fearful of being exposed. In one literal sense sin told Adam he was naked. Shame left Adam feeling exposed. Adam only felt that shame because God said don’t.

Moses brought the Ten Commandments down from Mount Sinai. What did men do before these laws were given?

Numbers 15:39c English Standard Version (ESV) followafter your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined…

Here is a hint of life before the law. Another hint is found in Judges.

Judges 21:22a English Standard Version (ESV) And when their fathers or their brothers come to complain

People complained about how they were treated and disputes were settled in whatever manner seemed satisfying.

Raising children without setting boundaries begs for disputes to arise from complaints.

Sin hates boundaries and loves complaints. If we do not deal with sin, it will continue to eat away at the fabric of our souls. We will be left naked and afraid, just like Adam.

Do we believe that sin goes away just because we found Christ?

1 John 1:8 English Standard Version (ESV) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Maturity does not remove us from sin but it does give us better tools to deal with sin.

Unlike Adam in Genesis 3 we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to warn us when sin is at the door.