The Seriousness of Sin
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What is Sin
What is Sin
Sin is anything that goes in opposition to God. To live in defiance to God and His commandments.
Sin essentially means “to miss the mark”. Like shoot an arrow or throwing a dart. If you don’t hit the bullseye, you have missed the mark. Let me give you an example. Let’s say I challenged you by saying: I want you to throw a rock as hard as you can and hit the North Pole. You take you rock and I mine. You may have thrown yours further than mine, but the point remains, we both missed the mark. In fact you may say: “Nate, that is an impossible task. Of course I didn’ hit the North Pole.
Well I think that sin is a comparable thing. Us living a perfect life is like you or I trying to throw a rock so far and with such precision that we were to hit the North Pole…It would never happen. Sin is missing the mark.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
In addition, sin is not only disobedience or failure to “hit the mark”. Sin is an infinite offense against a Holy God. When we sin, it is against God specifically. It is personal. It is real. It is defiant. Hear the words of King David after one of his greatest failures and sins in life: Psalm 51:4
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Okay, so now we have a general idea of what sin is. And we know that it manifests itself in countless ways and forms.
What are the Consequences of Sin in General and in the Life of a Believer?
What are the Consequences of Sin in General and in the Life of a Believer?
In General:
In General:
So, we shouldn’t just settle at “what is sin”. It is also important for us to know what are the consequences. What is the result of sin in a person’s life.
To begin with, I am just going to describe the consequence of sin in general across all of humanity.
Just one sin against an infinitely Holy God is worthy of death. Romans 6:23
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
23 For the wages of sin is death
Now it is important to know that when the bible speaks of death, it does not mean the cessation of life. That a person ceases to be in every capacity. No. Death is better understood in the bible as separation. When a person dies here on earth, their soul is separated from their physical body. If someone has ever led you to believe that dying means that you will cease to exist, they have deceived you. Many people commit suicide thinking that dying will mean an end from pain and life. While that may result in the end of one type of pain, it is important to know that our souls are eternal. Our soul will live on forever. The real question is: where will you spend your eternity?
So, to get back on track, the bible says that the cost or wage of sin (something that your sins earn) is death. This death means not only the fact that we will die here on earth physically, but it also means that you will be separated from God for all of eternity. This is the worst kind of death.
To make this a little more personal, let me ask you…have you ever sinned? If you didn’t raise your hand then you are lying and therefore just sinned. haha. No matter how significant your sin may seem (like murder) or as insignificant as a “white lie”. One sin makes you guilty of the whole law James 2:10
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
Before God, just one little slip up, just one wrong thought is enough to make you guilty of the whole law before God. And just one little sin, however insignificant it is, is enough to cause eternal separation between you and God for all of eternity.
If you haven’t gotten my drift yet, let me make it more clear: “SIN IS SERIOUS!!!”
It’s nasty business and its contagious! The world went crazy over COVID. Well let me tell you what…sin is an even worse disease and its one that is a whole lot more costly too.
Not only does sin affect your eternity, but there are also natural consequences of sin too. I don’t think I have to go too far in detail to help you think of an experience in life where your sin got you into a lot of trouble or a led to a lot of pain.
I’m probably sounding like a Debbie Downer right about now. But just hold your judgement, because, I have some good news too!
In the Life of a Believer:
In the Life of a Believer:
So, we just talked about sin in the life of people anywhere and in general. But that was mainly focused on the first half of Romans 6:23
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
23 For the wages of sin is death… but there is a second half to this verse. Let me read it to you:
Romans 6:23 “ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
It makes quite the difference when I read the whole verse doesn’t it?
Things were looking rather gloomy. As they rightfully should. But now there is a message of hope being offered. You know what the most critical word in that sentence is? “But”. That one word shifts the scene from that of condemnation to one of hope, love and forgiveness.
Now, some of you may be listening to me right now and thinking: “How could God send people to hell? That doesn’t sound like a God who loves.”
Let me first respond by saying that God is as equally loving as He is Just. It would violate God’s just character to simply ignore or overlook sin. Remember, it is an infinite offense against a holy God. He cannot overlook it and remain just. If He wasn’t completely just, then He wouldn’t be God.
My second response is: DID YOU HEAR THE SECOND HALF OF THAT VERSE?????
“BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
Let me read another verse that may help you see the picture:
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.
14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
God is both just and loving. How? How could He be accomplish both? Jesus!
It was always Jesus! It is always Jesus! It always will be Jesus!
***Take large nail and go to a wooden cross. Hammer in the nail and make the point that my sins are placed on that cross.
Above a criminal who was crucified was their charge or sentence of crime. In essence, Paul is telling us that the plaque above Jesus’ head was the sin of every person who has ever lived. Not one belonged to Him. They were YOUR SINS… they were MY SINS that kept Jesus nailed to that cross.
God knew that the sins needed to be paid for. Someone had to die. Someone had to experience separation for sin. So instead of making us responsible for our own sin, He loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to become a person and endure the weight and sin of the entire world on that cross.
What happened to your sin? It was nailed on the ugly tree with Jesus. He paid the price of your sin. But the only way for your to receive this forgiveness and accept this sacrifice in your place, it to trust in Jesus. It seems to simple doesn’t it. Jesus had to endure the cross and I get to walk away forgiven? YES! This is the Gospel! Jesus paid it all! All my sins are gone!
The Bible says that you need to surrender your life to Him and CALL upon the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. Believe in Jesus.
Here is what scripture says:
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
AMEN?
When we are saved by God, we are forgiven for all sins (past, present, and future).
WHEF!!! But that does not mean that there is no consequence for us when we still sin. Let’s be clear, there is no longer any condemnation for us left. We are going to heaven when we trust in Jesus. There is no longer any penalty of eternal separation for the believer. Romans 8:1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
The Bible does say that there are still other consequences in the life a believer for sin. Remember: sin always has consequences (thankfully not eternal ones, but consequences nonetheless).
Specifically, the bible says that there are consequences in the life of a believer who habitually or regularly sins in a specific way. First, this is so serious, that it actually hinders our fellowship with God. Fellowship here is similar to what Jesus talked about when He describes Himself as the grape vine and we are the branches. We need to be connected to the vine if we wish to have fruit and “abide”. This is the idea of a close and real relationship. One that nothing stands between. A relationship of primary importance.
When we are out of fellowship with God, it is us allowing sin to stand between us and Him. It hinders us from experiencing the relationship we should have. It keeps us from bearing the fruit which we should in our lives.
Now, lets also be clear. When we sin, God has not abandoned us or left us. We are still saved. We have not lost our salvation. But when I am actively choosing to regularly follow sin, it means that I am placing that above my relationship with God.
Is anything in your life more important than your relationship with God? If you have found a sin that you regularly give in to, then you have found your answer. Yes, there is something connected to that sin which you are choosing to say yes to more than you want to obey or honor God.
The bible describes that there are always consequences to sin. Maybe it will be with the law, maybe it is with relationships (they can heal over time, but it will be a hard journey to get there), and in extreme cases, we see in scripture where there is a type of sin which leads to God calling that believer home prematurely. God allows them to die and brings them home rather than allow them to keep living in whatever this serious sin is. This is not something that we should become fearful of..that if we mess up somehow, God will allow us to die promptly. Rather our focus should be on the fact that if we are commited to wanting to follow God, then don’t give in to a lifestyle of sin.
You were saved from such a life, it should be nearly impossible for the believer to live in sin in a habitual and regular way. Why? Because it is no longer their new nature. They are born of God now.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
With this being said, we all make mistakes. And that is part of us still being human. But sins that are mistakes and ones that we repent of immediately are not those we need to have fear of. Sins that we regularly practice should be ones that I warn you will invite the discipline of God into your life. It is compared to as a Father disciplining their child. It is not something to be rejected but humbly welcomed knowing that His discipline is not him condemning you, but rather Him brining you back to repentance and to a restored life of fellowship with Him.
Point is: If you want uninterrupted fellowship (that is close and intimate relationship) with God, then be serious about repentance and do not keep making excuses for your sin! Act based on it.
Are We Committed to Following Jesus?
Are We Committed to Following Jesus?
We have gone over quite a bit now regarding sin and its consequences.
But this leads me to my last point: Are you committed to following Jesus? If you have not actually surrendered your life to Him, you will never choose Him over your sin.
There needs to be a commitment! Listen to Luke 9:23
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Let me ask you something:
Why would Jesus say to carry a cross?
What is a cross good at?
It is good at killing!!!
You must die to your own desires and follow Jesus!
First, you must make a commitment to follow Jesus.
Second, You Must learn how to repent when you fail 1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Third, you must learn how to forgive yourself as God as forgiven you
- Romans 7 is a comfort that even the Apostle Paul knew what it was like to battle with sin
Take comfort in scripture. Take comfort in knowing that many of the heroes of the faith commited some terrible sins and yet He still calls them things like: “A man after my own heart” or “A friend of God”
Fourth, you need to make a plan. Do not run without purpose. Listen to what Paul says:
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
You need to have purpose in your life. You need to have goals and purpose in following Jesus. Don’t do it blindly or without focus or a goal. Keep chasing Jesus with a plan for success.
Don’t just complain about continuing to make mistakes when you have no commitment and plan to change.
Show John Piper video about declaring all-out war on your sin!
Don’t befriend your sin!
I know my areas of weakness and needed repentance. But do you?
Think only for a moment and I’m sure you can find some sin in your life that you need to learn how to kill, to starve!
You must declare all-out war with your flesh. Don’t create or dwell in opportunities of sin!
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
Need help creating some goals for pursuing Jesus in spite of sin?
Let me prompt you with a few ideas:
Are you struggling with forgiveness? Can’t seem to move forward? Remember God’s commandment to forgive as you have been forgiven. Forgive also as you want to be forgiven. Do you desire God’s forgiveness in your life? Let that be the motivation to forgive others (not the basis of you earning it).
Are you struggling with the fear of others more than God? Remember who made you and who’s opinion matters for eternity.
Are your struggling with sexual sins (Pornography or masturbation… adultery…lust)? Remove access to viewing it and find someone who you trust to keep you accountable. Memorize scripture that speaks of the sin which sexual immorality is against your very own body. Ask God regularly that you would desire Him more than physical pleasures.
Are you struggling with gossip or slanderous speech? Study scripture. Remember how hurtful it is when someone does that to you. Remember what Solomon says: Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps his mouth shut. We have two ears and one mouth. Therefore, we should listen twice as much as we talk. All speech should be fitting to give grace to those who hear you. Consider that often and pray for God’s help!
I could go on and on. But ultimately you must have the desire to repent and follow Jesus. I cannot force you to. And until you give your life to Him, you will be unable to say no to the power of sin.
But if you are ready. If you want to live well and enjoy fruitful fellowship with God, then you should first repent, and then take action.
This cross is still up here. Do you need a tangible reminder for yourself that your sin is nailed to the cross? That it has been paid and you wish to leave it there!
Well during worship or afterwards, I would encourage you to take the time to write whatever your struggle is, and then physically nail it to the cross.
You may be embarrassed to walk up in front of others… but let me tell you. If the Spirit was at work stirring up your heart today, then do not quench it. Be bold and take action. This is a great first step because it is you acting on your convictions and creating a vision before yourself. Visual aids and actions of the heart that are led to action are ones that I can say will have greater motivation to follow through with.
Israel did things like this in the Old Testament when they would get big boulders or rocks and set them up as memorials and visuals. So that when they saw them, they would remember whatever event it was associated with.
Commit yourself to Jesus and declare all out war with your sin.
Your fellowship with Jesus and you daily joy depends on it!