Heart of a Father Lesson 2
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Get to Know God’s Word
Get to Know God’s Word
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Sin
Sin
The word sin literally means to miss the mark. Last week we talked about our purpose. We are supposed to be image-bearers of God. When we fail to be that reflection or we fall short of what we were meant to be, that is when we sin. Don’t get this wrong men. There are times when you sin and don’t know it; however, for the most part, sin is reactionary. Think about that. When you get angry and you decide to cuss someone out, thats sin. The Bible says be angry but don’t sin. When you’re looking at a woman and having lustful thoughts, thats sin. Men, its not a sin to look and admire beauty. Its what you do with those thoughts that determine right from wrong. You may be thinking “Chap, I’m a guy. I can’t help it sometimes.” Men I’m here to tell you the Bible tells us that we’re supposed to take every thought captive and one of the fruits of the spirit is self-control. Check out this example of reactionary sin.
The first place that we see the word sin is in Genesis 4:6-7
6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
I believe what God is telling Cain is that sin is coming for you! It wants to have you. It wants to entice you. Its desire is to ruin you, but you should rule over that desire. I don’t believe that He says that Cain should rule over the sin itself, but he should rule over the desire to sin. In other words, self-control.
If you notice earlier in the chapter it says that Cain brought a fruit offering of the fruit of the ground. Then it says that Abel brought the firstborn and the fat. What’s the difference here? Why did God accept Abel but not Cain? Its because of the attitude behind it. Cain says here you go God, I’ll give you some, but not the best. Abel said God my best is yours. Cain says I did the hard work, I’m keeping the best. God you can have what’s leftover. Abel said God it all belongs to you anyway.
Sometimes we try to get God’s best without giving our best and it doesn’t work that way all the time. Let me give you an example.
20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Why did Peter feel devastated when he denied Jesus three times? Its because he knew he gave into his fear. It wasn’t until later in Peter’s life that he didn’t fear losing his life anymore. His faith had increased, but only after he was restored by his Master. Peter learned that only by submitting to the Master can you truly rule over your desire to sin.
We can’t just sit here, say we love God without doing anything. Jesus said that we are his disciples if we abide in him. That word abide is a verb. What I’m trying to make clear here is not that salvation comes by works, but that faith without works is dead as James says. It comes down to our choices.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.