by Doy Moyer<\/p>\n
Some people are particularly good at troubleshooting problems. Whether electronics, cars, or engaging in household fixes, some just have that knack for figuring out what is wrong and then finding the solution to fix it. We need people like this in service positions. We need them in businesses. We need them in doctor’s offices and hospitals. We need them in churches. Having an eye for the problem and solutions in mind is valuable everywhere.<\/p>\n
Culture at large is broken. People are broken. Something is wrong, and the problem we have in diagnosing this problem is that we have been part of the problem. We have been so invested in our selfish interests that we become blind to the problem and fail to see it for what it is. Yet, in this case, we do not need to be the ones who diagnose the problem; we need to recognize that the problem has already been diagnosed. Further, we do not need to provide the solution, for the solution has already been given. We just need to submit ourselves to it.<\/p>\n
This may sound oversimplified, but it is deeply profound when we understand the problem of sin for what it is. Sin is not just a mistake. It is a grievous offense against the God who made us in His image (Genesis 1:26-28). It is a violation of His nature, His character, and His glory (Romans 3:23). We are essentially trying to remove God from His throne and put ourselves on it so that we need not answer to Him; we want to decide right and wrong for ourselves (Genesis 3:5). We must not minimize this, for by seeing it for what it is, we can begin to appreciate the solution.<\/p>\n
Sin is a problem that no human can fix. Because we are part of the problem and blinded by it, we are not in a position to determine what needs to be done.<\/p>\n
Sin causes death because it is a rejection and rebellion against the God of life. Yet God did not wish to leave it at that. From the time sin entered the world, God put into effect a solution that the wisdom of men would not have formulated (Genesis 3:15; I Corinthians 1:18ff). Jesus Christ, God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14), is the solution. He came into this world and tasted death for all that “he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery<\/em>” (Hebrews 2:14-15). He tasted the consequences of sin (death), though He was without sin (II Corinthians 5:21) so that death would be defeated through resurrection (I Corinthians 15:50-58).<\/p>\n This solution from God means that forgiveness of sin is available to all (I Timothy 2:4). “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace<\/em>…” (Ephesians 1:7). The grace and love of God are on full display through the cross of Christ, and His power over death is fully seen in the resurrection of Christ.<\/p>\n God providing the solution by grace does not mean we get a pass to sin and do whatever we wish. God’s message throughout Scripture is that people need to repent (this encompasses whatever else God commands). “Repent” was a clarion call of the prophets: “Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness<\/em>” (Isaiah 1:27). Repentance is also key to the gospel (Acts 2:38; 3:19). God does not want us wallowing in our sins. He wants us to change, return to Him, and dedicate ourselves to holiness (I Peter 1:13-17). Our eyes are on God’s grace; we do not claim to be perfect and sinless. We can only do this “by grace through faith<\/em>” (Ephesians 2:8-9). At the same time, we must never excuse or enable sin (Romans 6:1-2), for grace teaches us to act as God teaches while we look for the return of our King (Titus 2:11-14). Repentance is not to be feared.<\/p>\n Because we can trust what God promises, we can have a sure hope for our future. God has caused us to be “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you<\/em>…” (I Peter 1:3-4). This hope is “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul<\/em>” (Hebrews 6:19), based on the promises of God. Our hope is not grounded in our own greatness or perfection but rather upon the God who could only swear by Himself since He could swear by no one greater (Hebrews 6:13). The promise is sure and steadfast.<\/p>\n The problem is sin. The solution is God’s. If we wish to take part in His solution, repentance is key. Then, the result is hope. We cannot afford to walk away from God’s offer through Christ.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Doy Moyer Some people are particularly good at troubleshooting problems. Whether electronics, cars, or engaging in household fixes, some just have that knack for figuring out what is wrong and then finding the solution to fix it. We need people like this in service positions. We need them in businesses. We need them in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[47,179],"class_list":["post-84154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-salvation","tag-sin"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":28971,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/solving-church-problems\/","url_meta":{"origin":84154,"position":0},"title":"Solving Church Problems","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"by Bobby L. Graham Sentry Magazine, September 2003 Jerusalem: A Church with Problems While it is true that Corinth is probably the church that most often comes to mind in connection with problems, it is also correct that Jerusalem was the first church with problems. The chief difference is that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/explosion-300x199.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":80858,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-work-of-the-lords-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":84154,"position":1},"title":"The Work of the Lord’s Church","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 3, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Terry Wane Benton It was not to eradicate poverty. The church had no silver and gold for the beggar in Acts 3, yet it was taking care of its own members in Acts 2. Their mission was to get to the heart of man's problem, and that is sin.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":43351,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-should-i-help-the-homeless\/","url_meta":{"origin":84154,"position":2},"title":"How should I help the homeless?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 19, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Dear Sir, I live in a city where there are a lot of homeless people. I need to know what I as a Christian need to do to help them. I give money at my local grocery store that goes to a food bank for those in need, I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":91246,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/men-and-women-need-to-learn-to-like-one-another-again\/","url_meta":{"origin":84154,"position":3},"title":"Men and Women Need to Learn to Like One Another Again","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Source: Emmy Griffin, \"Men and Women Need to Learn to Like One Another Again,\"\u00a0The Patriot Post, 13 October 2025. \"We have often fretted about the devastatingly low U.S. birth rate and the fact that couples aren't having many children. However, as podcaster Brett Cooper recently pointed out, the fundamental problem\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Issues"","block_context":{"text":"Issues","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/issues\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":62928,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-the-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":84154,"position":4},"title":"Why the Change?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 25, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"When the gospel was preached at Corinth, those who were fornicators, adulterers, and homosexuals stopped practicing those sins. \"Such were some of you\" (I Corinthians 6:8-11). Did the preachers actually preach against those lifestyle choices? Did no one worry that this kind of preaching was not politically correct? Are people\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":56879,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/illogical-fixes-to-problems\/","url_meta":{"origin":84154,"position":5},"title":"Illogical Fixes to Problems","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 1, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Samuel 8:1-8 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For over 400 years, God ruled over the land of Israel. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the people became wicked, God sent in an enemy nation to conquer a portion of the land. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the people turned backed to God, he raised up a judge\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=84154"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84154\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=84154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=84154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Repentance Is Key<\/h2>\n
Hope Is the Result<\/h2>\n