Foundations of Faith

Welcome to Our Newly Remodeled Website!

This website has been developed to help you understand the Word of God, the Holy Bible. We believe that the Word of God holds the keys to a peaceful, fruitful, joyful life. Jesus said that the "truth shall make you free." As you walk with Jesus and learn what the Word of God teaches you will find a new found freedom in your life.

Some of the teachings on this website may be unlike any you have ever heard. Let me encourage you to keep an open mind and also to search out what is being taught here to see if it lines up with the Bible or not. If you have problems with any of the lessons and don't agree. Send me scriptures and we can discuss your differences. Many of the lessons contained in this website will step on the toes of traditional Christianity. Jesus said that the "tradition of man makes the commandment of God of no effect." It is time to get rid of tradition and believe what the Word of God really says!

Online Bibles
The Bible Gateway
Online Parallel Bible
Bible.com
Bible Logos.com
Blue Letter Bible

Study Aids
Biblios
GloBible
Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society
The Dake Annotated Bible and Other Study Material

Information About Cults
Utah Lighthouse Ministry

Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

What is Sin?

by Suezette Griffin

The apostle Paul defines sin in 1John 3:4 (KJV)
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Romans 3:23 (KJV) tells us
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;

Therefore we can know that it is sin which keeps us from becoming what God intended and created us to be. Sin, and the effects of sin on our lives, will keep us from using and developing the gifts which God has given us…this in turn will cause us to miss the target…to not be able to reach that place of maturity which God intended for us.

Once we give ourselves up to sin, by following our own desires, even knowing those desires are contrary to God's Word, sin becomes our master, and Romans makes it clear that it is a personal decision to allow that happen:

Romans 6:12-13
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.

To commit a sin, to go against what we know God would have us do is a decision by man to listen to self over God. This decision has immediate and long term consequences. Sin begins by causing us not to respond to God's voice within us to turn from that sin and, just as disease and aging begin to harden the arteries of the physical body, sin hardens the spiritual heart to the gradual effects of that sin, causing moral, physical, and spiritual death. Over time the affects of our sin estranges us from God and then begins to make us fear God's anger. While the Bible teaches that, because of Jesus Christ, we are sons of God, sin makes us enemies of God. All because we have chosen to follow our own desires instead of the loving desires of our Father. Thank God there is a simple solution to this problem we have created.

1John 1: 5-9 shows us the way:
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The very act of the believer to confess his sins to his Father brings not only the forgiveness for that sin but the cleansing of everything which does not conform itself to His will. It brings the believer immediately back into fellowship and right relationship with his God.

So the question becomes "How do we learn daily to avoid the sin which estranges us from God and keeps us from enjoying the gifts He has for us?" And the answer is that obedience to God's will, in thought, purpose, and actions, comes from instruction in the Word of God and our commitment to obey that Word. The scripture was given for that very purpose as the apostle Paul told Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:16,17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

And, we are told that we must use those scriptures to be changed into the person God has called us to be.

Romans 12:1,2 (KJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And, be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

By your very decision to "choose life" instead of the death caused by sin you can bring yourself into right relationship with the Father and allow Him to show you the way to reach all that He has for you.