Posted on by anthonyhopkins33

Good Afternoon Everyone!  I am new to the group, and I have only written three books within a 23 year period.   My Books are as follows:  My Grace is Sufficient for Me, Essays, and The Best of Anthony Hopkins.   I have been writing for a total of 41 years now.  My Book Publisher is Authorhouse Publishing Company in Bloomington Indiana.   I have written and published my own book on July 1, 2000.  I also want all of you to know that I have 12 years of experience in working in College and University Libraries in Toledo Ohio and Charlotte, North Carolina.  I am also a former Licensed Social Work Assistant in the State of Ohio from September 21, 1993 through September 21, 2010.

Posted on by anthonyhopkins33

What is the difference between a sin and a transgression?This is a comparison and contrast paper that compares two definitions.  The first word is sin and the second is transgression.  What is the definition of the word sin? A sin is an immoral act that goes against divine law.  Whereas, a transgression is an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense.  Next, when we think of a sin, it has a lot to do with wrong doings in a person’s life.  A transgression is when a person does something wrong intentionally.  When we think of a transgression, this is something that is done with or without malice.  The definition of the word malice is the intention or desire to do something evil.   Moreover, in some cases, a transgression is an intentional act or action on the part of a person, place, or thing.  Sin itself is an intentional act as well.  There are times when people do things without thinking.  For example, on May 30, 1973, I had taken my first drink of alcohol.  My mother told me and my siblings to stay away from the refrigerator.  Instead, I opened the refrigerator anyway just to see what was inside of it.  As soon as I opened the refrigerator door, I saw my mother’s Miller’s Beer.  Afterwards, I opened a can of beer.  I had taken one sip of beer, and I was intoxicated.  I didn’t like it; I acquired a taste for it.  As soon as my mother got home from the Club, she asked all of us in a sarcastic manner; who had drunk a can of her beer?  I flat out denied it!!  She smelled my breath, and she smacked me in my face.  She told all of us to stay away from the refrigerator, but I had other intentions.  Therefore, I had become an alcoholic; simply because of curiosity.  Eventually, my stepfather took me to the Club with him.  I met all of my mother and stepfather’s friends at the Club.  I was around grown people anyway.  When it comes to sins and transgressions, I have had my share of them.  From 1972 to 2015, I have had 43 years of troubles.  I have done so much in my life that my own family members do not talk to me anymore. Anyway, the difference between a sin and a transgression is that both of them are bad.  On the other hand; the intentions of sins and transgressions tend to vary according to behavioral action.  There are times when people do things without thinking about the consequences of their actions.  In my case, I ended up joining street gangs, smoking cigarettes and marijuana at the age of 9.  I ended up getting into trouble at school because I was hanging around the wrong crowd.  When it comes to a sin and a transgression, we must look at the Bible.In the Bible, it states that our sins has separated us from God.  However, I want to inform everyone that God is merciful and just.  He is slow to anger and abounding in mercy.  I want to say that God has been good to me for the past 60 years.  Even though, I have made a lot of mistakes during a 45 year period.  God has given me a second chance at life.  I am very happy that I have made amends with my mother and my siblings.  I want to say that I am a whole lot happier right now than I was when I was in the streets. God is good!!  Please give Him a chance!! I had given Him a chance to be involved in my life.  Currently, I am attending church on a regular basis.  I am also reading the Bible, sharing the Good News with others, and making amends with everyone that I have wronged in my life.  I have even made amends with all of my enemies.  Thank you for reading my essay.

Posted on by anthonyhopkins33

The Sinful Nature Vs The New Man        This is an essay concerning the Sinful Nature vs The New Man.  Who do you think will win?  The sinful nature consists of the Old Man Nature.         The reason why I brought this up as a topic is simply because there are some things that I am struggling with as a Christian.  For Instance, I do not use any vulgarity.  I will admit that I am a lonely man right now.  I am not involved in a relationship right now because I was doing things that did not make sense.        Next, I want to say that it is not easy for me to deal with this problem.  I really need everyone to please keep me in your prayers.  The New man is a man that is holy.  The new man is very honest, truthful, considerate, respectful, and Christ-like.  When it comes to the Old Man, it thrives on things that are not of God.        I know that this information does not pertain to the Old and New Man, but it is helpful when it comes to dealing with issues that I am dealing with right now.In Colossians 3:9-10 the apostle Paul mentions the “old self” and the “new self” as he writes “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.” He says that the old self has been put aside. Why would one want to put aside the old self, or old man? We are taught to put aside our old self because it is being corrupted.”if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,” (Ephesians 4:21-22).We can see that once we have been taught about Jesus Christ that we should want to do away with our old self that is full of sin, corrupted with the lusts and deceit of this world. We can further see that we can put off this old self by having it crucified with Jesus Christ. As he was crucified on the cross so that we may have forgiveness of sins, in like manner, our old self is nailed to that cross so that we will not walk in an unrighteous manner afterward. Paul says “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” (Rom 6:6). We also put off this old self by regeneration in accordance with Galatians 3:26 and Ephesians 4:23-24.       We have learned that the old man is one that is full of sin and worldliness. But what is the new man? The new man is the one that is full of the righteousness and holiness of God! “And put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:24). Also, if you go back to the beginning of this article and read the text you’ll notice that this new man is one that is renewed according to the image of God (Colossians 3:10).        Once one has decided to put on the new man (and this can only be done through baptism (Gal 3:27), and put off the old, then there are things that must follow after doing so. One cannot expect to go to heaven by accepting Jesus Christ and then quit trying to live the Christian life. There are several things that the new Christian must strive to do every day to live a life for Jesus. It starts by speaking the truth about Jesus. We should feel so good about Him, that we would WANT to tell others about the wonderful happiness that we have found in Jesus. We should want to tell our neighbors about Him.”Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).In the past we might have gotten angry and sinned, but now the new man understands the righteousness of God and when one gets angry they will “sin not” as it states in Ephesians 4:26. We would be moved to do good works accompanied with good speech, while at the same time striving daily to resist the devil and all his temptations (Ephesians 4:27-29). This will be a struggle for the new babe in Christ but it can be done. Remember, God will not allow you to be tempted greater than you can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). A new man will be moved to practice kindness to others. “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).Knowing that Christ died for us, forgiving us of all our sins, we should likewise be quick to forgive others in like-manner.When the old self has been put away, the new Christian will strive to have compassion on others (Colossians 3:12), and be long-suffering towards others (Colossians 3:13).The new man stands out because he has learned to put on love. “And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity”. (Colossians 3:14).There is a big difference between the old man of the world and the new man.