INTRODUCTION

The scripture clearly identifies two categories of sin: sins against the Lord and sins against man (Exodus 10:16Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.
See All...; 1 Samuel 2:25If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
See All...). It is important to note that every sin against man is also a sin against the Lord. Yet, every sin against the Lord is not necessarily a sin against man. The Bible confirms this truth when it says, “when ye sin so against the brethren . . . ye sin against Christ.” (1 Corinthians 8:12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
See All...). When a man sins against other men, he sins against man’s Creator. For this reason, He is not only accountable to make that sin right with the Lord but also with the man against whom he has sinned. As for the wronged individual, he should be ready to forgive those who have sinned against him (Matthew 18:21-22 [21] Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? [22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Saul's persecution of others was also against Christ (Acts 9:1-5 [1] And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, [2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. [3] And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: [4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
  See All...). Read the prodigal son's confession to his father (Luke 15:21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
  See All...). Stephen forgave his enemies (Acts 7:59-60 [59] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. [60] And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
  See All...). Joseph forgave his brothers (Genesis 50:15-21 [15] And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. [16] And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, [17] So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. [18] And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. [19] And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? [20] But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. [21] Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
  See All...). What can we learn from these events?
• (For everyone): Have you wronged others without trying to make it right? Is it worth hindering your walk with God because you refuse to make things right with others?
• Have you been wronged by others? Do you pray for them and, more specifically, their walk with God? Would you be willing to forgive them as Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
  See All...)?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to show you if you have sinned against others.
• Ask God for the courage to make things right.

HYMN

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

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