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What is Sin?
The scripture tells us that sin is the transgression of God’s Law 1 John 3:4 NKJV.
Looking closely at the word sin in the bible, we will discover that God actually places it into two categorizes; namely, Sin described as Fault and Sin described as Iniquity or evil. This runs contrary to what many false teachers are twisting in order to conceal the truth that God cannot bear with the sins described as iniquity or evil in anyone who names the name of the Lord 2 Tim 2:19.
In the main, there is sin that does not lead to death James 4:17 and there is sin that leads to death (separation from God) Gal 5:19-21.
It should interest believers to know that the devil’s mission is not just to get God’s people to sin. He understands
that the once for all time sacrifice of Jesus and the continual propitiation of His blood that defeated him on the cross stands in defense of those rescued from his grip. So, sin is just the means by which he attempts to achieve his main aim which is this; to plant the “DECEITFULNESS OF SIN” in a believer’s heart.
What does the Deceitfulness of Sin Do to a Believer’s Heart
Deceitfulness of sin steals, kills and destroys the believers love for God and consequently other people Matt 22:37, 39. The phrase that captures its main effect on the heart is hardness of heart.
What is the effect of the Hardness of Heart in a Believer
When the heart hardens, a believer actually prefers to worship the sin nature than worship God because the person has fallen from grace Heb 12:15. It is not just sinning that makes a believer reject the Holy Spirit rather; it is the hardness of heart that is caused by the deceitfulness of sin Heb 3:13.
It is the deceitfulness of sin that causes a believer to start thinking or being mindful of the country from which God has delivered and is delivering the believer from. Hebrews 11:15 states, “If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return“.
The experience of Judas holds a strong lesson for believers. The devil is still frantically looking for those who will betray and crucify Jesus the second time Luke 22:3, Heb 6:6, 1 Cor 10:12.
It is also because of this hardness of heart that the whole world has not been saved though the grace of God has appeared to all men and the gospel is for the benefit of all.
If you have been a Christian for any length of time, sadly you may have seen this extremely painful event happen to a believer you know.
They would usually confess to the fact that they have lost the enablement to live for God- they can talk about God enthusiastically but cannot stop deliberately continuing in particular sin(s) that fall within Gal 5:19-21 especially cultism or sorcery, immorality (homosexuality, adultery, fornication and pornography) and materialism. The sad thing is, it’s almost always a sin or sins they had gained mastery over after they became a Christian.
Our usual assertion that the person was never a believer is questionable, see 2 Peter 2:20.
Given room, some so-called theologians will deny that a believer’s heart can be hardened against God but anyone who teaches that is in a sorry situation!
When Peter and Barnabas went into hypocrisy, the Spirit did not leave them, but helped them repent by reproving them through another believer, Paul.
What would have happened if they insisted and persisted in living that way and claimed they were sealed by the Holy Spirit till the day of redemption?! Or, if Peter had reminded Paul that he (Peter) has more authority in the Church than he (Paul) and Barbanas remind Paul that he (Barnabas) was the one who helped Paul gain recognition when the Church was reluctant to accept him (Paul) as is the case today.
It is strange and sad how modern theology is not helping us live a repentant life-style like the Apostles who are examples to us Phil 3:17, 1 Cor 10:11. Modern theology rather has helped many of us to TRIPLE JUMP God’s gracious warning in Eph 4:30a “…do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” to seemingly land safely and quickly to claim Eph 4:30b “by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” unwisely. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit does not leave a believer except, when rejected deliberately.
A believer who participates in the sins in verses 19-21 of Galatians 5, shuns God’s grace towards him or her as expressed 2 Peter 1:3-4 and as such, is walking in the midst of death and heading to damnation. So dangerous is the situation that Peter describes anyone in this situation as “blind” and forgetful (ungrateful) 2 Peter 1:9. Peter passionately exhorts believers that in the light of God’s grace in verses 3-4 of 2 Peter 1, we should yield to God’s nature as outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-8. Having pleaded and exhorted, he swings into firm admonition in 2 Peter 1:10 and tempers it down into strong exhortation to show believers the benefit of giving heed to his extempore.
Adding Peter’s warning to that of Paul in verse 21 of Galatians 5, we can see how serious neglecting the warning can be. It should serve to encourage us to be vigilant over our hearts to love and obey our savior and Lord Jesus Christ knowing that; exclusion from the Kingdom of God is inclusion to the Kingdom of hell. Our opinion is of no importance in this matter!
Our opinions are inconsequential because the one who sets the axe to the root of every tree is the only judge of all. Therefore, our judgmental opinions on the servants of God is unwise but we all must be wise and not deceive ourselves by ignoring the warning of our maker.
Let’s humble ourselves and take seriously the warning in Gal 5:21, “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.
We, as Christians, do RUN AWAY from sin and hold-on to a broken and contrite spirit which is a gift from God not because Christ’ blood is not sufficient to cover our sins if we fall, but because it’s deceitfulness can harden our hearts against Christ who laid down His life to save us 1 John2:1. He did not only lay down His live to save but, also, that we might worship the Father acceptably Heb 12:28.
The quickest way to get God’s people to sin is to sell them false doctrine. So, for many people these days who are quite offended just hearing the word doctrine it’s only wise that you reconsider and run back quickly to the doctrines of the Apostle in the bible.
For those of us who have manufactured our own thought, condensed it as dogmas but have presented it to the Church and the world as Christ’s doctrine, it is time to humble ourselves and repent for the Lord’s return for His bride is at hand.
The admonition to us in 1 Tim 4:16 NLT “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you” is paramount now than ever before!
Every doctrine gives birth to a life-style. False doctrine (bread) has an unseen hand (power) serving it though the seen hand may seem cute and ordinary Matt 7:15. The watch-word from God’s is this: Beware!
To practice “Beware“, these are inevitable essentials:
Avoid strife at all cost 2 Tim 2:24
Avoid evil company at all cost 1 Cor 15:33
Reading and meditating on the word of God Col 3:16
Consistent private fellowship with the Holy Spirit 1 John 1:3
Consistent fellowship with the body of believers Heb10:25
Under every circumstance keep your eyes on Jesus Heb 12:2
Respect all believers- all are anointed by God 1 John 2:20
Be prepared to lose your life than lose Christ John 12:25
Let love be your rock and watch-word in all situations Gal5:14
What is the remedy for sin/sins
Proverbs 16:6a makes it clear that, only mercy and truth can atone for sin. This truth plays out itself in Christ Jesus alone – the Lamb of our atonement Psalm 85:10. No structural adjustment of our behavior can atone for sin- it has never and will never!
But, Proverbs 16:6b, states without ambiguity that is by the fear of the Lord that man departs from sin or evil. So, anyone whose sin is atoned for but decides not to fear/reverence the Lord will drink sin like water, but, we need to hear Paul’s admonition in Rom 6:1-2.
Thanks for reading! May the love of our Lord Jesus Christ overwhelmingly fill your heart and mind leaving no room for any other lord. Amen.
Maranatha!