SIN

Sin! What exactly is it? Most would say it is “doing something wrong.” The dictionary definition is “an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law” (Oxford Dictionary). I John 3:4 says that “sin is transgression of the law.” We know that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). For “if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:8-9). Why is this important? Paul revealed in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death”. Sin is serious business!

This morning Steve used a quote in his sermon on sin. He said, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” Think about that. The sin of telling a lie can cause to you tell other lies and lead to far greater consequences, affecting others as well as yourself. What can the sin of adultery lead to or the consequences of envy, pride, or wrath?

We should not overlook the sins of omission as well as sins of commission. These are sins that we do when “we do nothing at all.” They could include: failing to speak up, failure to worship as commanded, or failure to do good, if it is in our power to do so. The priest and the Levite who passed by on the other side of the road to avoid helping the man who had been beaten and robbed in the parable of the good Samaritan are examples of those committing sins of omission.

Friends, one sins leads to others. But, if “we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). We must “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17). “As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31). “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30). One of my favorite ways to avoid temptation is to “write on my heart every word” for the psalmist said, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).

Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. “Purify your hearts” (James 4:8) and “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). Simply blessed, Courtney