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3. “Following every fleshly impulse” is a way that writer and philosopher C.S. Lewis describes the Biblical word “SIN” (Mere Christianity). This word is often misrepresented as “any fun thing God wants me to give up”. In actuality, the word means “crooked behavior that breaks trust with our creator or others” (Bible Project). When trust is broken, relationships are hurt. Sin most often happens when a person puts a personal desire for money, power, comfort, or sensual experience above the good of someone else who will be hurt when one of these things is pursued the wrong way. Committing adultery on a spouse, assaulting a person for money, or cheating an employee of just wages to increase self-profit are all examples of crooked behaviors that break trust. Breaking trust misses the mark of God’s design because God makes us foremost to enjoy good relationships with him and other people.

4. Clement of Rome invented the word “laity” in the late first century. He argued for re-establishing the OT order of priests, labeling non-leaders as “commoners” or “laity” to help advance his cause. “Clergy” or “special class” was invented in the second century by Tertullian. He wanted to further position himself and fellow church leaders as a higher class of Christians who were unaccountable to the laity, should be obeyed without question, and paid living salaries.