Discussion by Margaret:

Genesis 6:5-6 (NIV): ‘The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.’

Romans 3:10: ‘As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;”’

Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent in the Garden of Eden. God gave them a choice whether to eat of the tree or not, they succumbed and ate the forbidden fruit. Sin was now in the world.

God had created a world where people were free to love him or not, knowing full well that many would turn away from him which they did. He never coerced them into loving him because that would not be love.

He was most distressed at this situation. He didn’t leave them in their sin but provided a way of redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Today we still have that same choice. There is much sin in our world, we have all sinned ; many have chosen not to believe , but there are millions who have given their life to Christ.

We know many of them personally and can attest to their kindness. They have sinned as we all have, but know that Jesus died for them and that they have been forgiven.