SIN IS EXCEEDING SINFUL
Our world makes sin look good and even glamorous. However, we must remember that there are miserable consequences that come from sin. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8) Nothing good ever comes from practicing sin. It is completely destructive. Some have the proper view of sin as they recognize the need to be made new in Christ. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Others, like the Pharisee who prayed in the Temple, are not able to see their own sins. “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:11-12) We must learn that sin is exceedingly sinful. “Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” (Romans 7:13)
Because sin is exceeding sinful we must not be indifferent toward it. We cannot allow ourselves to be unmoved, and uncaring about sin. In fact, Christians must greatly detest sin. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Romans 12:9) It is God’s desire that we get out of sin. “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil.” (Isaiah 1:16) The faithful child of God cannot be indifferent toward sin!
Because sin is exceeding sinful we must not be ignorant of it. Many are willfully ignorant concerning sin and its effect. The willfully ignorant assume they are wiser than God. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” (Romans 1:22-27) These people make the grave mistake of being ignorant of sin and its effect.
Because sin is exceeding sinful we must not be involved in it. As people of God we must learn to hate sin and do our best to avoid it. “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13) In order to avoid sin examine your thoughts, motives and desires and make sure that you are focused on what God wants. Jesus wants to set you free from sin, but He cannot do so against your will. Do not forget that Satan is a liar and a deceiver! He is busy trying to get you involved in sin. Satan speaks lies and partial truths, even twisting Scripture for his own purposes. To some Jesus said, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
If we want to have the best life now and eternal life hereafter, we must come to Jesus and obey Him to be saved. (Hebrews 5:9) To be saved from sin we must hear and learn "That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) We must believe that Jesus died for our sins. (John 3:36) Jesus will not forgive our sins if we do not repent. (Luke 13:3) If we truly believe in Jesus Christ, we will confess our faith in Him. (Romans 10:9-10) We must be baptized for forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38) Be saved today. Do not allow sin to destroy you!
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street,
Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA