SIN

No topic is more misunderstood and abused especially by the CHURCH as is the topic of SIN.  I will not be able to give an absolute definition of the term, but this calls for a time of a little heart-to-heart talk.

Let us begin with an idea of what SIN is not. Many in the CHURCH have an incomplete and sometimes unfounded idea of just what SIN is. The most common misconception among men is that sex or sexual acts are SIN.  The very statement that all men are 'born in sin' has led the misinformed to teach that sex itself is SIN.  This could not be farther from the truth.  All you need to do is to use a little 'spiritual logic'.  You see, the very first commandment that GOD THE FATHER gave to man in the
Book of Genesis, was "BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY", in Genesis 1:22 and 1:28. This is the only command of GOD THE FATHER that mankind has not had a bit of trouble obeying. If indeed sex were SIN, GOD THE FATHER would not have commanded it.

A second misconception is that a sinful act is SIN itself.  This is no more true than to say that the leaves on a tree are the tree itself.  The tree itself consists of a deep root, bark, branches, and at the very tip, leaves.  Likewise SIN is something that comes from the very root of man.  Those things which we call sins are but outward manifestations of the evil that is growing deep within.  Adultery, for example, is the outward manifestation of the root of SIN that lies within.

A third misconception is that we have some sort of control over sin.  Stop sinning and be good and GOD THE FATHER will accept and bless you is what the CHURCH teaches.  We can no more stop sinning than a tree can change its nature and produce anything but the fruit it was intended to produce.  Here we must accept the work of JESUS CHRIST on the cross as the only true way that can stop a man from sinning.  Sinner turns into Saint because of JESUS CHRIST.  Man becomes a 'new creation' with a nature that no longer has SIN as the driving force in his life.

True change must come from deep within.  A man or woman can stop drinking and yet still be an alcoholic.  Likewise a thief can quit stealing, but that may be because he is locked behind bars and is unable to steal.

Only the work of JESUS CHRIST can cause the necessary changes that need to be made within the heart of a man to change from a nature of SIN to a nature of obedience to the good and Holy commandments of GOD THE FATHERJESUS dealt with the root cause of SIN by going to the cross.  It was at the cross that the basic, deep, corruption caused by SIN was dealt with and defeated.

There are many characteristics of SIN. Outright rebellion and hatred of GOD THE FATHER is but one characteristic. Disobedience to an instruction given by GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT would be another.  Ignoring or making lite of the salvation earned for you by the work of JESUS CHRIST on the cross would be yet another.

The root cause of SIN was destroyed when JESUS shed his blood while on the cross.  All SIN - PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE - IS FORGIVEN AND FORGOTTEN.  Now, when GOD THE FATHER looks down upon us, HE sees only HIS BELOVED SON, JESUS CHRIST who now lives in our hearts.  Once enemies of GOD THE FATHER, in HIS righteousness, HE has made us to be not only HIS friends, but also equals with JESUS, the firstborn Son.

This great work of forgiveness of SIN was done for us by JESUS on the cross.  We were not worthy of it.  We did nothing to earn it.  It was a gift given to us freely by the grace and mercy of GOD THE FATHER.  The death of JESUS ended the rebellion.  SIN was destroyed by JESUS.  And the Scriptures reveal to us that
teaches, but this could not be further from the (Hebrews 13:8) "JESUS CHRIST, THE  THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER." HE took the curse of the FATHER upon SIN upon HIMSELF.

Now as Christians - those of us who have accepted the work of JESUS for ourselves - our SIN and the resulting SINS are forgiven, forgotten, and totally erased from the memory of GOD THE FATHER.  Yesterdays SIN, today's SIN, and even tomorrow's SIN - all gone!  We have received a new identity.

Therefore, do not use the Satan inspired phrase, "I am just a sinner saved by grace." This is based on a false attempt at humility. To even say 'I am a sinner." is a lie!   You used  to be a sinner, but the work of JESUS CHRIST changed all of that. You are now a blood bought, blood washed, HOLY SPIRIT led child of THE LIVING GODSIN no longer controls you.  It does not have dominion over you.  Therefore, after receiving these glorious gifts from GOD THE FATHER it makes a mockery of the work of JESUS CHRIST on the cross.  What you now should say is that " I AM A SON (OR DAUGHTER) OF THE MOST HIGH GOD.   PRAISE BE UNTO THE FATHER THROUGH THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

                                 GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature

                    The above Scripture tells of what is called "The Great Commission" given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. For nearly 2000 years it has been the mandate of the true Church to preach the GOSPEL (THE GOOD NEWS) to every living creature.

                          Although many denominations from the Roman Catholic Church down to the independent church on the inner-city street corner claim to be preachers of the GOSPEL, the question that must arise is, "Exactly what is the GOSPEL?" Since GOSPEL means "GOOD NEWS", exactly what is the good news that we are to proclaim?

                       In order to understand this question we must refer back to the basics - the realities of which we need be aware.

 

                        1) ALL MEN ARE SINNERS

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The one exception to this scripture is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself! SIN is REBELLION AGAINST GOD. SIN is DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD. Thanks to the original sin of Adam and Eve, sin has become the basic nature of mankind. This nature of sin taints even the newborn, for no one comes from the womb seeking the Word of God - the Word which gives eternal life. JESUS taught from the Scriptures that:

Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
 

                       2) SIN is no small matter with a holy and perfect God. It is of the utmost importance in our relationship with HIM. The eternal demands of justice in regards to sin is nothing short of the shedding of the BLOOD of the sinner. All through the Old Testament, this fact is made known. The sin offerings of the Old Testament were the blood of bulls, goats, lambs, sheep, fowl, and birds and were administered to by the priests of the Jewish temple. The BLOOD was poured onto the alter as a payment for sin.

 

 

                           3) SIN is a great barrier between us and the Eternal God. Sin is so ingrained in our being that the Scripture says that it infects the entire creation (ROMANS 8:22). In the story of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, the sin of the 2,000,000 + Jews in the wilderness was so great that God wanted to destroy them all! Think about that. Not a single one was acceptable to God. Had it not been for the intercession of Moses, the Israelites would have died in the wilderness! And it is they who are the chosen people.

 

                         4) GRACE AND TRUTH came in the person of JESUS CHRIST:

John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

JESUS CHRIST - the Eternal Word of the Living God - was the only person born since Adam that was born without sin. This is why the story of the Virgin Mary is important - for it points to Jesus as one born without sin. He became the LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH who would serve as the sacrifice to take away the sins of the world. He was the perfect BLOOD SACRIFICE acceptable to the divine justice of God. JESUS DIED IN THE PLACE OF US. HE SUFFERED A SINNER'S DEATH. HE PAID THE ULTIMATE PENALTY - SO THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY!

                                 On the cross, all of our sins were judged! God will never judge them again. ALL OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN!  The work of Jesus on the Cross was so complete, that the root cause of sin was destroyed forever!!

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

                            5) The purpose for which Jesus followed the perfect will of the Eternal Father was manifold. Through the obedience of JESUS, Satan was defeated once and for all. The sins of mankind (yours and mine) were forgiven and forgotten FOREVER. GOD will never again look upon our sin. Rather, He will look upon His Son on the cross. The same Son, who after paying the dearest price possible, cried out:

 

                   "IT IS FINISHED!" (JOHN 19:30)