Canceled (2)

We started this series called canceled. What we believe and why we believe it. We believe Jesus came to the Earth as an infant and was crucified on the third day he rose again spent time with his disciples and ascended into Heaven. Simply put. We believe Jesus isn’t dead that he is alive and active and he intercedes for us on our behalf to the father.

We spoke briefly about people who are going to come and attempt to set you in the wrong direction. We discussed that Jesus is the only way to Heaven and to the Father.

This morning we are going to discuss sin. It’s believe and even preached that when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior our sin is canceled. It’s a dangerous belief. Sin is never canceled. Now we will get into sin being forgiven, but let us understand what it means to be canceled.

Canceled: To Remove, Omit, Withdraw, or Delete

In today’s culture canceling literally means to remove its

present presence and its past effects.

It a TV show is canceled you won’t see reruns. If it ends- like friends or the Nanny reruns happen all the time.

So what is sin: Sin is anything that goes against the Word of God. Sin will happen in the heart long before it happens in the world.

James 4:17 ESV

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

There are some sins that are black and white. There are some things the bible is so clear on that there isn’t much room for debate, but there are other things that fall within the confines of ones Conscience.

Some people believe swearing is a sin. The bible says we will be held accountable for the words we use, but others state that it isn’t sinful. We are told not watch what comes out of our mouth, but there isn’t a list of words in the bible that will send us to hell.

Lying—Lying is a sin—Little, big, white lie. Lying for someone else's benefit. It’s all sinful. Rebellion is sinful.

So when you know what to do and you fail to do it sin occurs.

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

God knows none of us are perfect. It’s why he gave the Old Testament Jews a formula of forgiveness and it’s why he sent Jesus to the cross.

For the forgiveness, not the cancelation, of our sin.

Why is this distinction important?

If your sins are canceled—then they are completely wiped away, the effects, the decision, everything means nothing is owed and therefore Jesus’ sacrifice was for nothing.

If your sins are forgiven it means that your debt hadn’t been removed, but rather paid by someone else. The sin never went away. The debt still needed to be paid. Jesus just paid for it in your place.

Forgiveness is much harder than canceling.

If you do something wrong and I cancel our friendship---it means that it doesn’t exist anymore. But if you do something wrong and I forgive it means that we are still friends I just paid the price for it.

Words can’t be unsaid. Things can’t be undone. Actions can’t be taken back. Once something is put into motion it’s out there forever.

Forgiveness is recieving and working through the pain of the offense without holding onto a grudge. By constantly bringing up the offense you are in affect making someone pay for their mistake over and over again. By dealing with the pain and forgiving that person it means that you have let that offense go and you and that person can move on.

The same is true with God. In justice a debt had to be settled when we sin. BUT the loophole doesn’t say who has to settle it.

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The only requirement is confession. Now for those of us who grew up Catholic this doesn’t mean you have to tell me everything you ever did wrong in your life. Unless you absolutely need my help to overcome the sin in your life it is unnecessary for me to know because God says that we can confess them to Christ and he will forgive—He will pay our debt for the sin so that we can continually be one with God.

The term cleanse means to wash clean. Confession of the sin is recognizing that behavior is wrong and doing your best to change it while allowing God to assist you in the change.

You can’t rely completely on God to change your behavior. There has to be an effort put forth my by you, but God will fill in where you fall short.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.