What is sin? What is sin? Why must sin separate us from God? What is the only remedy for sin? These questions are germane to understanding Christianity; indeed, they are so central to Christian thought, that I do not think you can understand the Christian message at all, if you do not understand sin. I would like to define sin in a Biblical manner. First, however I wish to do away with some common misconceptions. Many people believe that all sins are equal. Balderdash! While it is true that any unforgiven sin will separate you from God, it is not true that all sins are equal. Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” What is the greater sin? In this case, it was the betrayal of Jesus that was a “greater” sin than the trial of Jesus. Be sure that God does recognize differences of sin, even as a man might recognize that yelling at his child is a worse sin than exceeding the speed limit. But I am not sure we can say much more than that; it is enough that we trust in the Judge, who sees into the hearts of men. Today’s culture is repeating the folly of many previous cultures, and I particularly notice it in America. We are so busy assuring each other that their lifestyle is okay that we have forgotten that our basic lifestyle is always one of sin before the Father. Many of today’s Christians make the mistake, at least tacitly, of entering into the prevalent philosophy: I will embrace your lifestyle if you embrace mine. It is very unlike the toleration taught by our American forefathers, who earnestly believed that we are to “put up with” or tolerate other people because it becomes the only way that we can insure freedom for all, and tyranny toward none. The idea of early toleration was that we are to give others the right to be wrong, as we conceive of wrong, and that we ought not compel a man to act against his conscience. Along with that misconception is another one that I find common in our American culture. Everyone makes mistakes- let us not major on “sin”. For the Christian trying to present the message of God, this misconception is exactly opposite to where we need to be. I find it extremely difficult to present the gospel, if people reduce sin to something meaningless. Sin is always an affront to God, and becomes part of what the convert does repent from, once he believes, of course. Notice the order here. I am not saying that we teach someone how evil he is, or how much he has sinned; rather we are enjoined to believe first, then repent and be baptized. Peter (Acts 2) demonstrates this proper order, giving the crowd a message that they were believing, as demonstrated by their question, what shall we do? After they believed, Peter told them they were to repent and be baptized. When we are presenting the gospel, I think we do better when we major on a message of grace for sinners, not sinners for grace. The last misconception that would be Christians sometimes voice is I am too sinful, and it is too late for me. The truth is that it is not too late, and that there is no sin for which Christ has not already died. The grace of God is completed in the pouring out of his wrath upon his son. Chafer says it this way, “How can He remain just and still justify the sinner whom He loved with an everlasting love? He was the mediator between His own righteous Being and the meritless, helpless sinner. The redemption price has been paid by the very Judge Himself.” Death seems to be the only door at which it becomes too late. It is given for man once to die, and after this the judgment. The picture of the parson pleading with the murderer on death row, who is moments away from getting his sentence enforced, is a valid one, for we Christians are to always hope and pray for redemption. Which of us would have foreseen the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, or perhaps more recently, Whittaker Chambers? As Christians we are called to love the sinner, but hate even his clothing tainted by his sinful lifestyle. Saints too often err on one side or the other, either we have trouble loving the sinner, or we end by embracing the sin. Saints are called to fully love the sinner, with all the concern and giving and caring that he can show, even while firmly repulsing the sinful lifestyle, which is never, for a single second, going to find acceptance before God. Chafer again says, “If men go to perdition it will be because every possible mercy from God has been resisted.” The last misconception of sin, it seems to me, captures a lot of saints. We feel sometimes that God somehow overlooks our sin now that we are Christians. I think this might be misconceived because we know that we have grace and forgiveness of sin. The saint who confesses his sin, that is, agrees with God, about his sin is always forgiven (1 John 1:9). It is one thing to know that Christ has died for every one of my sins; it is quite another thing if I forget that the wrath of God was poured out on his son for those sins that I choose to continue in, thinking God will overlook them. Those sins, which I commit either in my ignorance, or in my folly, are part of the punishment the Savior took for me on the cross, and I should never forget it. While Jesus teaches us that we are now free, yet, the horrible cross should remind me that it matters how I walk with him today. The definition of sin? A simple definition, and somewhat complete, would be disobedience to God. I am amazed by the number of people who I have presented Christ to, who try to justify themselves with saying, “oh, I am not so bad. I keep the 10 commandments.” Their unstated statement is that they think they will be able to meet God based on their own record. When I point out that the first four commandments have to do with worship of God, and that we both know they are not keeping those commandments, they will mutter that they are doing their best to keep the others. Paul teaches that we are sinners by nature, without hope, and beyond redeeming ourselves. Let us not go into that good night, therefore, supposing that we do not need complete redemption. We are but disobedient children. Lewis Sperry Chafer (2008-07-24). Salvation (Kindle Locations 302-303). Taft Software, Inc.. Kindle Edition. Lewis Sperry Chafer (2008-07-24). Salvation (Kindle Locations 426-427). Taft Software, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 22:58:17 +0000
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