The consequences of sin

[thesunisout]

In this age, we have made little of sin. Lawlessness is increasing not only in the world, but also in the church. It seems that as the world grows worse, the church keeps lowering its standards in the name of tolerance. We don't think much of sin, or Gods holiness. The fear of the Lord is a forbidden subject in the church these days. We have forgotten that while it was the love of God which sent Jesus to the cross in our place, it was Gods holiness that required it.

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasing to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make wise, she took of its fruit, and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

This is where it all started. We don't think much of disobeying the commands of God, yet here is the reason why we must take God more seriously about sin. Imagine for a moment if you were Adam or Eve. Imagine knowing that because of what seemed to be a very small thing, an insignificant transgression, you could trace all of the worlds wars, genocides, murders, rapes, injustice and every kind of wickedness of man right back to that moment in the garden when you ignored what God had told you not to do. We would all have a new appreciation of the seriousness of sin if we were faced with that stark reality.

We think that sin doesn't have much impact, but what happened in the garden is the proof of why sin is so bad. One sin and the entire world was corrupted for thousands of years. It is the same in our lives. Think about how many people you know who are just like their parents. How sin passes down from generation to generation, spreading like a cancer. Sin, any sin, is a big deal.

This is why God was willing to sacrifice His Son for us. Sin is a big deal to God and He gave the most precious thing He had to remove it from our lives and reconcile us to Himself. Sin has kept us in bondage to the devil and headed for eternal damnation, and the only thing that stands in the way of that is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Only He can deliver us from sin and death.

Let us not think so little of sin when our Lord shed His blood to save us from it. We are not slaves to sin any longer, except willingly. This message is not to condemn but to remind us that sin put our Lord on a cross and we should not make light of it:

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
Hebrews 10:27 but a certain fearful looking for judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Hebrews 10:28 He who despised Moses' Law died without mercy on the word of two or three witnesses.
Hebrews 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy of punishment, the one who has trampled the Son of God, and who has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

 

[thesunisout]

The use of the word "we" coupled with the generalities concerning the world and the church is one reason I've often cringed at many a pastor's sermon or the ritualistic liturgy of some denominations.

I also don't think it can ever be accurate. Human beings can act in group mentality at times and imitate each other, but ultimately every man and woman acts out of their own experiences, knowledge, judgement (or lack thereof), and conscience at the time they are presented with a moral choice.

A conclusion of "moral decay" could be drawn across many different groups at many different times in history - but I'm curious as to why you seem to think it specifically applies to this age.

I think you've missed the point of the post, which could apply to any age, but I think especially to this one for many different reasons which I don't want to debate in this post.

 

[AGBAJE Tunji]

Obviously, the subject of sin and its consequences is as old as humanity itself. We don't have to struggle to sin, it comes naturally.

The issue here is wilfully committing sin. When sinning is wilfully done, it becomes an afront on the pure blood of Jesus sacrificed on the cross.

I believe that the ultimate sacrifice has taken care of my sin, past present and future. However, the future sin in reference is not the ones done wilfully. Hebrews 10:26 is very clear on this.