It's True!

In 1997, Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old student at Eagle Rock Junior High School in Idaho Falls , conducted a science fair project that he entitled, "How Gullible Are We?"  Zohner's project won first prize in the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair and he 
received a lot of attention from newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations, universities, and congress people.  His project involved presenting a report about 
"The Dangers of Dihyrogen Monoxide."  Such dangers include:

1.  It can cause excessive sweating and vomiting.
2.  It is a major component of acid rain.
3.  It can cause sever burns in its gaseous state.
4.  Accidental inhalation can kill you.
5.  It contributes to erosion
6.  It decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.
7.  It has been found in tumors of terminal cancer.

Zohner asked fifty ninth-grade students what (if anything) should be done about the chemical. Forty-three students favored banning it, six were undecided, and only one correctly recognized that 'dihydrogen monoxide' is actually H₂O — plain old water.

It's true!  Dihydorgen monoxide (water) can do all of the things listed above.  Yet, the majority in Zohner's study did not recognize it by its REAL NAME!

In the same way, "SIN"  is called by many different names and described in a myriad of ways to make it more palatable and acceptable.  Yet, the truth is: SIN is DECEPTIVE (Hebrews 3:13), DIVISIVE (Isaiah 59:1-2), and DEADLY (Romans 6:23).

It's true!  SIN is DESTRUCTIVE – to a nation (Proverbs 14:34), to a family 
(1 Peter 3:7), and to an individual (John 8:24).

It's ALSO true!  JESUS died on the cross to pay the price for SIN.  "For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Those who believe in Jesus and place their trust in Him (Acts 16:31), repent of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ (Acts 2:38), received the forgiveness of their past sins.  Those who CONTINUE to follow Christ as a way of life will CONTINUE to be cleansed from SIN (1 John 1:7).

It's true!  Dihydrogen monoxide can cause some damage when misused, even 
though it is also vitally important in our lives. But SIN does not accomplish ANY good.  
Call it what you will, but SIN -- by ANY OTHER NAME -- is still SIN, and it is DESTRUCTIVE!  "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).

God bless you!

David A. Sargent, Minister 

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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