SIN (PART ONE)

John 5:14

The above statement of the Lord to the formerly impotent man is compelling us today to stop and think seriously. The subject of sin is a major one. It is the height of foolishness, self-deceit and destruction for any person not to take the issue seriously. If sin can bring a worse condition than a 38 year old paralytic condition, then it is superfluous to say that the issue is a serious one. In fact sin determines man's state and standing with God now and in eternity. Therefore no real person can afford to toy with the issue.

1. SIN DEFINED

SIN is the express transgression of the law, that is, anything said or done which goes against God's written, spoken or acted Word (Hebrews 2:2; 1 John 3:4). All manner of unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17) - vain talk (Proverbs 10:19); contempt for others (Proverbs 14:21); foolish thoughts (Proverbs 24:9); unbelief (Romans 14:23); neglect of opportunity (James 4:17); all works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). Sin is primarily against God and secondarily against fellow man (Exodus. 32:33; 1 Corinthians. 8:12).

2. SIN UNIVERSAL (Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalm 14:3; 53:3; 130:3; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes. 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; 64:6; Micah 7:2; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8).

THE universality of sin is as a result of the depravity that was passed on to all men from Adam (Genesis 5:3). The natural man has sin enshrined in his flesh. It is not that he commits sin, but that he must commit sin (Romans 7:14-24).

With the spiritual man, that is, the one who has been given the Spirit of Christ, sin is no more enshrined. Another law is now at work in his members (Romans 8:1-3).

3. SIN ALLURING (Genesis 3:6; Joshua 7:21; Proverbs 9:17; 14:12; James 1:14; 2 Peter 2:18)

SIN is alluring because of the sinful flesh that man is carrying and because of the pleasure therein (Hebrews 11:25). The Lord, His angels and the saints who do not possess our kind of flesh cannot be attracted by sin, rather their nature/flesh repulses or hates sin (Deuteronomy 25:16; 2 Samuel 11:27; Psalm 5:4; 11:5; Proverbs 6:16; Zechariah 8:17; Luke 16:15).

4. SIN DECEPTIVE (Romans 7:11; Ephesians 4:22; 1 Timothy 1:14; 2 Timothy 3:13; Hebrews 3:13; Revelation 19:20).

THE pleasure of sin is deceitful. A deceitful thing is that which tries to hide the consequence of doing that thing to the doer. Satan so magnifies the pleasure of sin that the destruction behind it is not readily seen.

5. SIN DESTRUCTIVE (Psalm 34:21; 140:11; Proverbs 8:36; 11:3,19; 18:7; Isaiah 3:9; Hosea 13:9; Matthew 7:13; Romans 7:11; 1 Timothy 6:9).

The destruction that sin causes is such that we must all stop and think. Sin is destructive to both the flesh and the soul at last (Matt. 25:41-46). Sin must therefore be forsaken (Job 11:14; Isaiah 55:7; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 2:11; Hebrews 12:1). Once repented of, confessed and forsaken, sin will be pardoned (Proverbs 28:13). All manners and magnitudes of sin are pardonable (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 78:38; 85:2; Mark 2:5; Colossians 2:13), except the sin unto death (Matthew 12:31; 1 John.5:16).

If we must see sin in its true perspective, we must know something of the unique nature of God Almighty. The Lord Almighty is an embodiment of Holiness. Hence such statements as, "who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness" (Exodus. 15:11 compare 1 Samuel 6:20; Psalm 99:9); "holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:3; compare Revelation 15:4); "holiness becometh Thy house" (Psalm 93:5); "mine holy One; Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil..." (Habakkuk 1:12,13).