Sin IS Serious

Allow me a few moments to talk about a very serious issue. The issue is SIN. I know that this is not a popular topic of conversation, however, I feel the need to address it.

I was listening to a sermon by Henry Blackaby yesterday about "Viewing Sin from God's Perspective" and something was brought to my attention. I began to realize that with all of the preaching and talking about the forgiveness of God that we can neglect the fact that sin (our sin) is serious. Yes, God forgives...yes, we are accepted...yes, we are being made into the likeness of Christ...and yes, God is a loving God...BUT we cannot overlook the truth of Scripture that sin is an offense against God.

James 4:17, "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." In other words: When you and I choose to do what is wrong (we rebel against the truth of Scripture) we are in sin. Sin is, according to God's Word, transgression of the law. God has given us His law in the 10 commandments and when we break that law (transgress) we are in sin. Sin is also unbelief. When we fail to believe that God is who He says He is, fail to believe the promises of God, or fail to respond to the directives of God's Word we are in sin. Sin is more than a moment of weakness. Sin is an abomination to God.

With all of our focus on the "good" aspects of God we often fail to see the negative aspect of sin in our life. What does sin do in the life of a Christian? How does sin blind us to the truth? Why are so many Christians living in sin? Because we have failed to see sin from God's perspective. We have failed to understand that sin cost the life of Jesus Christ to bring about forgiveness. We have failed to recognize that our sin hinders our relationship with God.

Too often we are like a child who is told to not go into the pool. We see the water before us - it's inviting - it looks pleasurable - but for our own good we are told to stay away. The child says, "Can I go near the pool?" Sure, just don't get in. The child then says, "Can I put my feet in the water?" Sure, just don't get in. After a few moments you hear the splash and the child has "fallen" into the water. What happens in our life is that we skirt sin for a while, then we dabble in sin until we ultimately fall into sin. Sin is deceptive. And when we "fall" it's not until we are completely drenched and come under the correction of a parent that we understand the seriousness of what just happened.

Friends, I don't want you to view God as harsh, strict, or unjust. As believers we understand that He is our Heavenly Father. And as our Heavenly Father He has every right to tell us what is acceptable and what is not. He also has every right to punish us when we fail to follow His commands.

God has said, "You shall have no other gods before me." What are we currently following after that has nothing to do with our relationship with God?
God has said, "You shall not make any graven images (idols)." What are the idols in our life that takes the place of a true relationship with God?
God has said, "You shall not take the name of God in vain." How many times have we blasphemed the name of God by our words or actions?
God has said, "Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy." Who hasn't dishonored the Lord's day by doing something other than worshipping Him?
The list goes on:
God says, "Honor your father and mother", "You shall not kill", "You shall not commit adultery", "You shall not steal", You shall not bear false witness" (lie), and "You shall not covet." Now - who hasn't dishonored parents, hated someone without cause (which is the same as murder according to Jesus), lusted after someone (which is the same as adultery according to Jesus as well), stolen something, lied, or coveted something that was not theirs? The point is that we have ALL sinned, we have ALL fallen short of the glory of God.

For a believer to continue in sin - we must do so with the understanding that God has done everything possible for us to be forgiven. He has given us His Son, He has given us His Word, and He has given us His Spirit. We have to walk over all of these truths to live in sin. Sin IS Serious!

The good news is that 1 John 1:9 tell us that if we will confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So believers, will we continue to live in sin or will we turn to God and accept our failure and seek His forgiveness? God is waiting to forgive us. He delights in mercy.