What About Sin?

I am so thankful that you have a heart to learn and grow in your relationship with the Lord. Thank you also for joining us . I pray that today’s teaching will speak to your heart and give you any knowledge and encouragement you may need. Eric

We read in Judges 21:25 (ESV), "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This ideology that whatever seems right in your own thinking is right, was prevalent during Israel's history during the time of the Judges.

"'Doing what seems right in ones own eyes' refers to acting according to personal judgment or preferences rather than recognizing an external ultimate standard of authority. This expression highlights moral and spiritual autonomy absent any deference to divine guidance. This time in Israel's history was a time of spiritual decline and social chaos. The Judges era was replete with corruption, violence and disunity." (Bible Hub.com).

Sadly, we are facing the same prevailing ideology in the world today. Many, not knowing the absolute truth of the Word of God, have believed the lie of the devil. They have claimed or 'taken in' the lies and deception of those who walk in darkness as their own truth. They have become convinced that what they believe is right and subsequently act upon what has become 'right in their own eyes' with the end result being corruption, violence and disunity.

Proverbs 14:12 (BSB) reveals, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." The phrase 'there is a way that seems right to a man,' "highlights the human tendency to rely on personal judgment and understanding. We see though in biblical context the fallibility and limitations of human wisdom." We read, "and do not rely on your own understanding." in Proverbs 3:5-6 (CSB). The Hebrew word translated 'rely' indicates that one's understanding is insufficient as a foundation of life." (Bible Hub Study Bible). Man's heart is described as 'deceitful above all things and beyond cure." (Jeremiah 17:9). "'The way of death' can be understood both literally and spiritually. Theologically, it points to the ultimate consequence of sin and the need for redemption, which is fulfilled in Jesus with His sacrifice." (Bible Hub Bible Study).

Proverbs 14:34 (BSB) clearly reveals, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” 'Righteousness' refers to living in accordance with God's standards and moral laws. When a society, as a whole, remains devoted to God's principles, it experiences peace, prosperity and divine favor. Chatta'ah, the Hebrew word translated 'sin' in this verse means: an offence, or misdeed. The root, chata means: to be at fault, to harm or to offend. Sin then, are actions and attitudes which go against God's commands. It includes both personal and communal transgression. 'Disgrace.' checed, which conveys 'shame or reproach, is associated with the consequences of sin and disobedience. It is often depicted as a form of divine judgement and can be evident in various ways, such as, social unrest and moral decay. We see Biblical examples of this 'disgrace' shame or reproach because of sin, in the downfall of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) and Israel's time of exile which came about because of their disobedience (2 Kings 17). We need to understand - this phrase, "sin is a disgrace to any people" applies to any who turn away from righteousness.

Hmmm...social unrest, moral decay and divine judgement. I believe these words accurately describe many of the societies we in live today.

So, when men reject God's ways and follow their own inclinations, that is sin. Painfully, because of men's ideology of 'self-rule' today, I believe many would say, "There is no sin." Let's read Psalm 2:1-3 (BSB), "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the Lord and against the Anointed One. 3 "Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords."

Hamartia, the Greek word most often translated 'sin' in the New Testament, means, to 'miss the mark.' I can accurately say that sin is anything in opposition to God's will. When Adam chose his own will instead of God's he brought death to humankind. (Romans 5:12). The consequences of sin is death, physically and spiritually. In this 'death' we would all be separated from God for eternity, because we all have sinned.

Before we go further, I need to express what being separated from God would look like. All that God is, would not be present in your existence. Apart from His, there is no holiness, righteousness, love, mercy, light, joy peace,, gentleness, goodness, justice, grace...etcetera.

Here is what the Word of God declares about mankind:

Romans 3:10-12, "As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

Romans 3:23a, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Man's self-rule (autonomy) is all inclusive, so the death is also all inclusive of man's spiritual, moral, social relations and physical existence.

Apart from God, men's hearts are evil and perverse. Mark 7:21-23 reveals, "For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come--sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person." Evil behavior begins in the heart. Living righteously comes from a heart full of faith, love and trust which we have with a new life, when we are reborn in Christ.

There is only one cure for sin. In a dream, in Matthew 1:21 we read that an angel of the Lord appeared to and told Joseph these words concerning Mary, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." John 3:16, reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." 'Believes' means to trust in, have faith in, be fully convinced of and to rely on. It is reliance upon and a personal trust that produces obedience. Obedience includes submission and a positive confession of the Lordship of Jesus. 'Perish' means: lay waste, destroy utterly, and disintegrate. It is not the loss of being, it's the loss of well-being (apollumi). In John 14:6 we read, "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

How amazing! Because there was no other way for humankind to be set free from the penalty of sin, God sent His Son to pay that penalty of sin. In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were needed to atone for sin, but, through Jesus' sacrifice the price was paid forever. Hebrews 9:12 (BSB) reads, "He (Christ) did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once and for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption."

Ezekiel prophetically described what would take place because of the redemptive work of Jesus. We read in Ezekiel 36:26, " I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." We see the fulfillment of that prophecy in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV), "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

When we are children of God, 1 John 3:9 reveals, "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God." Since Jesus shed His blood for our sin, sin no longer has power over us. However, since we have been given a free-will, we still must choose to not sin. Romans 6:15-17 instructs us, "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance." In verse 16, the word 'slaves' means one in bondage to or subject to another. Usually the service is voluntary in which a person willingly offers obedience to his master.

How then, do we insulate ourselves from sin? Romans 12:2 instructs us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then, you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." "Don't live by the transient standard of 'this age', Don't identify yourself with them. Conforming to the world would mean you take on the shape or form of what you see. You align or make a conscious choice to act like they act and think like they think. Visible conformity to this wicked world signifies your allegiance to the world instead of God. When you 'conform' to the world, you are controlled by the thoughts and pursuits of this present time.” (Thayer's Greek Lexicon).

You must make a conscious choice to not act or look like the world.

Romans 13:14, "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." 'Clothe', endyo conveys wrapping yourself up in the merit, character and life of Jesus! 'Think' means to make no provision, have no deliberate forethought. HELPS Word -studies defines ‘forethought’ as: enabling for something to happen. Then, 'desires of the flesh' are referring to sinful appetites. If you allow your thoughts to continually dwell on the desires of the flesh, you are setting yourself up for failure. You must take control of your thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:4 and 5 reveals, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Our weapons for this spiritual battle are: truth (the Word of God), righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and prayer. Our 'divine power' comes from God. 'Strongholds' are false beliefs, ideologies and sinful patterns that oppose the knowledge of God and resist His Truth. To 'demolish' indicates we have a complete decisive victory over arguments, pretensions and thoughts that oppose God. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God gives us not only the weapons we need but also His power to be able to destroy our spiritual enemies?

If we mess up and fail, we have the blood of Jesus that purifies us from all sin. We confess our sin and His is faithful and will forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:7-9).

We can also invite God to examine our heart to see if there are any wicked, offensive or hurtful ways or idols present. If He reveals those things in us, we confess, repent (turn away) and ask for forgiveness and allow Him to cleanse us from those vile things.

When we are free from the slavery of sin, we can effectively accomplish the work He gives us to do for His kingdom. Praise God for His grace and mercy!

If you have recognized that you are living a life of sin apart from God presently, I urge you wholeheartedly to make a decision today to accept the sacrifice Christ made for you. What must you do to receive Christ as Savior? Redemption is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 and 9 reveals, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - 9 not by works, so that no one can boast."

There is no special prayer you must pray. However, you can make that decision to place your faith in Jesus, right now. You could say a prayer similar to this: "Dear God, I realize I am a sinner and that I can do nothing to earn salvation. Right now though, I choose to place my faith in Jesus Christ, Who gave His life on the cross for me. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live daily for You. Thank You for Your love, the gift of forgiveness and eternal life! Amen

If you made this decision today, the Word declares the angels in heaven are rejoicing with you! (Luke 15:10) We also are rejoicing with you!

If you have been in relationship with Jesus for some time or came into that saving relationship now or haven't yet decided to make that vital decision, we are praying that our faithful God will pour His love, peace and divine protection out upon you.

Remember:

Don’t depend on your own thoughts or understanding .

Any action or attitude which goes against God’s commands or will is sin.

To be separated from God, means that all that He is, is absent.

The only cure for sin is the blood of Jesus applied to our hearts.

When we accept Him as Savior, we become new creations!

Choose to not be conformed to the world!

Wrap yourself up in the merit, character and life of Jesus!

God loves you!

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures are taken from the New International Version.

ESV English Standard Version

BSB Berean Standard Bible

CSB Christian Standard Bible