_ So, first, all of us have been betrayed by our own sinful desires. We live as sinners by choice, by nature, and by desire.
Second, what is sin? It’s possible that what we’ve done in our modern world is to re-define sin. Simply stated, if we miss out on what the Bible teaches about sin, we will have no reason to turn our hearts to the Cross for God’s forgiveness. Here’s what sin is.
1. First, sin is disobedience to God. I John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Genesis 3:3 “But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
2. Sin is refusing to listen to God. Jeremiah 11:10 “They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; …”
3. Sin is neglecting to do what you know is right. James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
And this is why sin must be punished. The punishment for sin is clearly stated in God’s Word. The wages for sin is death. Hell and death are the punishment for our sins. In Matthew 25:41 Jesus tells us this. Matthew 25:41 “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:…”
Revelation 20:11 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
That’s what the LORD says about sin. And that is why Jesus had to come into this world. It was because of your sin that Jesus went to the Cross. You are tell just how horrible your sins were when you see just what God had to do with Jesus on the Cross to deal with them. Generally we think we are good. We want to see ourselves in the best light possible. Yet, the reality is that we were born and we were raised in sin. And if it hadn’t been for the work of Christ on the Cross we’d never know just how wicked our sins are.
First, all of us have been betrayed by our own sinful desires.
Second, what is sin?
Third, lastly, our sins are always in the sight of the LORD. II Samuel 11:27 says this. “And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.” God sees exactly what we do and He knows exactly why we do it. And it’s either pleasing to Him or it displeases Him.
The Prophet Jeremiah put it like this. Jeremiah 17:10 “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
I Samuel 16:7 “ … for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Fortunately for us, God has provided both present and eternal forgiveness. That’s what the Cross of Christ is all about. We’ve all failed miserably and we all deserve Hell. Yet, Christ single-handedly attacked and defeated sin and death on your behalf. And today He lives so that you and I might be completely forgiven and restored to a place of true fellowship with His Father.
Here’s God’s simple plan of salvation. Repent of your sins. Repentance is simply changing your mind about your sin and accepting what God has to say about it. Then, believe. Trust in Jesus Christ alone for your eternal security. Have you repented? And are you trusting Christ as your personal LORD and Savior? If not, why not?
Here’s a prayer for you to pray for forgiveness. “I admit to You that I am a sinner and deserve Your justice for my sins. I now see that you are a God of grace and that by grace I can be saved. Please forgive me of my sins. I receive Jesus Your Son as my Savior and LORD. Amen”
And here’s the Submission Prayer. It’s ours to pray and to believe and live. “LORD, I submit all I am to you, my spirit, my soul, and my body. Do with me what is most pleasing to you. Work out Your will upon me today.” Amen The End
Second, what is sin? It’s possible that what we’ve done in our modern world is to re-define sin. Simply stated, if we miss out on what the Bible teaches about sin, we will have no reason to turn our hearts to the Cross for God’s forgiveness. Here’s what sin is.
1. First, sin is disobedience to God. I John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Genesis 3:3 “But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
2. Sin is refusing to listen to God. Jeremiah 11:10 “They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; …”
3. Sin is neglecting to do what you know is right. James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
And this is why sin must be punished. The punishment for sin is clearly stated in God’s Word. The wages for sin is death. Hell and death are the punishment for our sins. In Matthew 25:41 Jesus tells us this. Matthew 25:41 “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:…”
Revelation 20:11 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
That’s what the LORD says about sin. And that is why Jesus had to come into this world. It was because of your sin that Jesus went to the Cross. You are tell just how horrible your sins were when you see just what God had to do with Jesus on the Cross to deal with them. Generally we think we are good. We want to see ourselves in the best light possible. Yet, the reality is that we were born and we were raised in sin. And if it hadn’t been for the work of Christ on the Cross we’d never know just how wicked our sins are.
First, all of us have been betrayed by our own sinful desires.
Second, what is sin?
Third, lastly, our sins are always in the sight of the LORD. II Samuel 11:27 says this. “And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.” God sees exactly what we do and He knows exactly why we do it. And it’s either pleasing to Him or it displeases Him.
The Prophet Jeremiah put it like this. Jeremiah 17:10 “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
I Samuel 16:7 “ … for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Fortunately for us, God has provided both present and eternal forgiveness. That’s what the Cross of Christ is all about. We’ve all failed miserably and we all deserve Hell. Yet, Christ single-handedly attacked and defeated sin and death on your behalf. And today He lives so that you and I might be completely forgiven and restored to a place of true fellowship with His Father.
Here’s God’s simple plan of salvation. Repent of your sins. Repentance is simply changing your mind about your sin and accepting what God has to say about it. Then, believe. Trust in Jesus Christ alone for your eternal security. Have you repented? And are you trusting Christ as your personal LORD and Savior? If not, why not?
Here’s a prayer for you to pray for forgiveness. “I admit to You that I am a sinner and deserve Your justice for my sins. I now see that you are a God of grace and that by grace I can be saved. Please forgive me of my sins. I receive Jesus Your Son as my Savior and LORD. Amen”
And here’s the Submission Prayer. It’s ours to pray and to believe and live. “LORD, I submit all I am to you, my spirit, my soul, and my body. Do with me what is most pleasing to you. Work out Your will upon me today.” Amen The End