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Why must we call sin "sin"?
This very question was presented to me, and others, during a Bible Study not too long ago. Ever since then it has been on my mind constantly, almost to the point of obsession. I can't stop thinking about it, not because I enjoy dwelling on the gravity of sin all the time (even though we should be reminded of it).
I believe that I've thought about it so much because there is an Enemy of our souls that desires for us to have nothing to do with God, and he's willing to do any and everything to destroy our communication with God.
Satan is real. Demons are real. Evil is real. Sin does exist.
Before we talk about how and why dealing with sin is important in the life of a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, we must define what sin is. When I was younger, sin was simply defined to me as this: anything that you do (your deeds), say (verbal or written), and think (mental/heart) that displeases God. Sin is the act of breaking God's law. The Bible states that there's no one good, not even one (Ecclesiastes 7:20), and through the original sin of Adam and Eve, sin has been passed to all me, "therefore, all have sinned"(Romans 5:12). There is nothing of ourselves that we could have done of ourselves to save us from the ultimate punishment that sin carries - death (Romans 6:23a).
With the gravity that sin presents for everyone, here are some reasons for calling out the sin in our lives.
1. We're sinful by nature -
Romans 3:21-23 states:
Romans 3:21-23 states:
"But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all an don all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
We have all sinned, whether it be a small white lie, petty theft, or sins that some consider too large such as murder and sexual sins - we are all sinners. Our sin separates us from God. How? Because God is a holy God, and sin cannot stand in His presence.
We've been called to be the light of the world. We are to shine our lights on the sins that ensnares this world. Because of this, we can't tolerate sin at all - in this world, but especially in our own lives. Yes, the message of the Gospel will offend the unbeliever because the truth that this message contains, but wouldn't you rather them be hurt, offended and know that God can and will forgive them, than take the opposite path of not sharing the truth of Christ and them dying and going to Hell?
I'm not trying to scare anyone here, but we, as followers of Christ, should have these things on our minds.
2. We would deceive ourselves -
1 John 1:8 clearly states that anyone who claims to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Our sins cannot be rationalized by and through our human, fleshly sense of emotions or desires. There is no justification for the toleration of indwelling habitual sin in the lives of a professing Christian.
We are not called to tolerate sin - we're called to kill sin, denounce it from our lives and magnify the supremacy of the Gospel of Christ in our lives. This doesn't mean that we won't sin, but that if and when we do sin, we are able to confess them to God, and He is faithful to forgive them and cleans us from our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
3. We care for and love those who are lost -
If you saw someone heading down a path that you knew would ultimately lead to destruction and death, would you do everything you could possibly do to stop them from going down that path (see How Much More)? To hate sin, we must also care and be concerned for those who are still lost in sin, because Jesus loved us enough to die for us while we were still in sin (Romans 5:8). There will come a day that sin will be punished, but while there is still time now, we as followers of Christ should be wholeheartedly committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (see God's Love tap).
Let us all be committed and diligent in our calling in Christ Jesus. We have much at stake. Share the Gospel, even if it hurts, if it offends, and even if it may be scary at times.
Share the Gospel.
SDG
*****
Sources:
Exposing Sin by Bill Brinkworth at Open Thou Mine Eyes
The Man Who Rationalizes Sin by Ray C. Stedman in his sermon series Maintaining Fellowship at his RayStedman.org (October 9, 1966 - All questions related to his article can be sent to him at webmaster.RayStedman.org - Copyright © 2010 by Ray Stedman Ministries — This material is the sole property of Ray Stedman Ministries. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to www.RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet. Please direct any questions you may have to webmaster@RayStedman.org.)
We are not called to tolerate sin - we're called to kill sin, denounce it from our lives and magnify the supremacy of the Gospel of Christ in our lives. This doesn't mean that we won't sin, but that if and when we do sin, we are able to confess them to God, and He is faithful to forgive them and cleans us from our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
3. We care for and love those who are lost -
If you saw someone heading down a path that you knew would ultimately lead to destruction and death, would you do everything you could possibly do to stop them from going down that path (see How Much More)? To hate sin, we must also care and be concerned for those who are still lost in sin, because Jesus loved us enough to die for us while we were still in sin (Romans 5:8). There will come a day that sin will be punished, but while there is still time now, we as followers of Christ should be wholeheartedly committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (see God's Love tap).
Let us all be committed and diligent in our calling in Christ Jesus. We have much at stake. Share the Gospel, even if it hurts, if it offends, and even if it may be scary at times.
Share the Gospel.
SDG
*****
Sources:
Exposing Sin by Bill Brinkworth at Open Thou Mine Eyes
The Man Who Rationalizes Sin by Ray C. Stedman in his sermon series Maintaining Fellowship at his RayStedman.org (October 9, 1966 - All questions related to his article can be sent to him at webmaster.RayStedman.org - Copyright © 2010 by Ray Stedman Ministries — This material is the sole property of Ray Stedman Ministries. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to www.RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet. Please direct any questions you may have to webmaster@RayStedman.org.)
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