Sin

Sin is within us, it is our natural tendency to sin. Through one man, sin entered the world (Rom 5:12). Adam was created in the image of God, innocent and righteous. Then he fell from righteousness into sinfulness. As a result, sin entered the world, and since we are born in the image of Adam, we have his sinfulness. You see, as a baby we did not learn selfishness, greed, envy, and jealousy, among other things, but yet at an early age we expressed these characteristics.

What is sin? Sin is the transgression of God's law. There are two types of sin. Those of commision and ommision. Those of ommision make us just as guilty as those of commision. Being ignorant of the sins of ommision in your life does not make you innocent (Lev 4:1-35, 5:14-19, Num 15:25-29). Jesus said that a servant who does not know his master's will and does not do his will is not excused because of his ignorance but he deserves punishment (Luke 12:48).

Our God is perfect and cannot look upon sin. So the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23) and God's son, Jesus Christ, paid that price with His life. God is an eternal being who created the universe and all that is in it. He keeps the planets perfectly aligned and we are weak evil creatures who have no way of knowing the true weight of sin that Jesus carried to the cross. We have no way to fathom the hideousness of our evil sin in the sight of God.

Man has always downplayed his sin. Thinking that some sins are small and others are big like there are different levels of sin. Sin is sin and all are equally evil. Some say, "I'm not hurting anyone", or "surely God won't send me to hell for something this small" or "everyone else is doing it". Sin is sin and its a deadly enemy, yet rarely does it present itself as such." The forbidden fruit seemed good and desirable to Eve; yet it cast her out of Eden" (Holiness).

We must humble ourselves in front of the throne of grace and come to a realization that we are sinners. We are "corrupt creatures in the sight of God" (Holiness). A Scriptural view of sin draws us closer to Christ. It shines a light into our, dark sin-filled, hearts so that by it we may see that we are in need of a Savior.

Sin is still ever present in our hearts even after we give ourselves to Jesus Christ. Even after we have been born again- even after we have been washed, sanctified, and justified- the roots of sin cleave to our hearts. Like leprosy it never goes away. Having the correct (Scriptural) view of sin enables us not only to come closer to Christ but to have control over the sin in our lives. Having control over sin means that sin will no longer have dominion in our lives and we can live a life of victory with the help of the Holy Spirit.

There is something wrong with Christianity today. Many people call themselves Christians, but the majority do not fit the Scriptural description of a Christian. The fix to this problem is a Scriptural view of sin. People will not be convicted, and take God's Word seriously, until they feel that they are in danger of hell.

"God be merciful to me a sinner" Luke 18:13

Turning to God

I started reading the Bible again from the start.  I am in the Old Testament, 1st Kings to be exact.  As I was reading about David in 1st and 2nd Samuel, it struck me how every time before going into battle, David would plainly ask God if he should go up against whoever happened to be his opponent in battle.  David would just out right ask God, "Shall I go and attack?..."  God would answer him and David obeyed.  Even when David's wives had been taken captive he asked God, "Shall I pursue after this band?  Shall I overtake them?" (1 Sam 30:8 ESV).  Any normal man, myself included, would not have hesitated to pursue and bring to justice those who have captured his wife.  After all it is his wife!  David, however, was committed to God, he knew where his victories came from.  How many times in our own lives when we are faced with trials do we turn to God?  How committed are we to the one who gives us victory over all things?  Do we ask God if we should do this or that?  Are you facing trouble at work?  Trouble at home?  How about school?  Turn to the one who will give you the answers you need.  Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."  All things, although we may not like them at the time, work for the good.  Just turn to Him!