Is sin dead? Does anyone sin any more? Does anyone believe in it? Where did it go?
It used to be believed that sin affects everyone - that it is humanity's most fundamental problem. However, nowadays, it has become a quaint and outdated idea.
Look at modern-day preaching. You will readily recognize a noticeable absence of the "S" word - "Sin" - the word with the "I" in the middle. It used to be the veritable watchword of the old time prophets of God. But now this "old- fashioned pietistic word" is rarely - if ever - heard. This once strong, ominous, and serious word - with its notion - has almost disappeared.
Does that mean that sin is no longer committed...that no one any longer is guilty of anything...or that wrong things are not being done? Is no one answerable or responsible any more?
Obviously, in our day and time, sin is not a popular subject. Men - whether in the world or in the church - desperately want to get away from acknowledging their sins or even thinking about them. They go to great lengths to hide, rationalize, or deny them - using all kinds of euphemisms for them, such as - error, mistake, issue, etc.
What effect does this kind of thinking have on a society?
Read what the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary had to say to find the answer to that question -
"Find out what a person believes about Jesus and what He thinks about sin... It will tell you a lot."
"To think correctly about Jesus, you must think correctly about sin. When you see sin for what it is, you will immediately see your need - the world's need - for Jesus as your advocate and your 'atoning sacrifice'..."
Is this why many people - in the world and church alike - do not see their need for Jesus? Is this why we have not yet seen a "mighty move of God" in the church of America or across the world?
Ron Sellers, the President of Ellison Research made this statement in reference to sin - "A lot of this is relative. We tend to view sin not as God views it, but how we view it."
Michael Horton, professor of theology at Westminster Seminary, added this comment in response to an old newspaper headline he once saw - "'To hell with sin when being good is enough.' That's the drift of American preaching today in a lot of churches. People know what sin is; they just don't believe in it any more. We mix up happiness and holiness, and God is no longer the reference point."
In an interview with Larry King, one of the most popular pastors, evangelists, and authors admitted that he never mentions sin in his TV sermons or best sellers. This is what he said when interviewed - "I never thought about it (using the word 'sinners'), but I probably don't. Most people already know what they're doing is wrong. When I get them to church, I want to tell them that you can change."
That sounds fine and dandy - but is what this popular Preacher thinking and saying - "sound judgment"?
Do "most people already know what they're doing is wrong"?
In 2007, the Ellison Research did a study on "what Americans call sin." Their findings showed the percentage of people who considered certain sins to actually be "sin" -
81% - Adultery
74% - Racism
65% - Using hard drugs
63% - not saying anything if cashier gives too much change
56% - having an Abortion
52% - Homosexuality
50% - Reading or watching pornography
47% - Gossip
45% - Sex before marriage
43% - Sexual thoughts about someone you are not married to
41% - Getting drunk
30% - Gambling
14% - Drinking alcohol
Once again, we ask you - do "most people already know what they're doing is wrong"? Is this "Preacher" correct in his thinking?
Michael Horton responded by calling what this Preacher is doing - "moral therapy" - "It's changing your lifestyle to receive God's favor. It's not heaven in the hereafter but happiness here and now. But it is still up to you to make it happen...If you can solve your problems or sins yourself, what difference does it make that Christ was crucified?"
Once again, we ask that you read the above-mentioned quotes -
"Find out what a person believes about Jesus and what He thinks about sin... It will tell you a lot."
"To think correctly about Jesus, you must think correctly about sin... "
"A lot of this is relative. We tend to view sin not as God views it, but how we view it."
"We mix up happiness and holiness, and God is no longer the reference point."
Should a man or a woman call themselves a "Preacher" if they do not dare - on a regular basis - to address "sin" in their audience or congregation?
What is "sin"? Perhaps the church needs to come back to a clear definition of what it is!
What matters is not how the world or the present-day church view "sin," but how does God view it!
Once again, God needs to be the "reference point" for all!
For starters, "sin" can be defined as any thought, word, or deed that falls short of His standard of holiness and perfection. It is "missing the mark" - if you will.
In Genesis 18:20, the LORD referred to the "sin" of homosexuality as being - "grievous" - "...Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous" - meaning so very provoking - urging Him to punish it.
In Genesis 39:9, through the words of Joseph, we see that "sin" is an offence "against God" - "...how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" It is contrary to His holy nature, revealed will, and righteous law. It is "against" His love, dominion, and design.
In 1 John 3:4, the Apostle John defined "sin" in this way - "...for sin is the transgression of the law." Here he offered a general definition of it. He described it as being a contrariety to the divine law - in other words, as being lawlessness. It is a rejection of the divine law...divine authority...and God Himself. It is not the absence of law but an active rebellion against it.
In this particular verse, John was not referring to an occasional "sin" but a consistent lifestyle of placing one's own will above the will of God and refusing to acknowledge Him as rightful Sovereign - Who alone has the right to be obeyed.
In 1 John 5:17, John openly addressed "sin" by saying - "All unrighteousness is sin..." As a preacher of righteousness (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit), he made it plain and clear that everything which does not conform to the holy law of God is to be regarded as "sin." That includes all wrongdoing...every breach of duty...every act contrary to justice...every unbrotherly expression ...as well as everything coming short of God's righteousness.
Who ultimately determines what is "sin" and what is not?
The Apostle Paul answered that question for us in Romans 3:20 when he said - "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
God's law was given to ascertain what sin is and to expose it. A man may esteem himself to be very right and correct until he compares himself with a rule or law. Hence, God gave the law to show him his sinfulness and departure from duty.
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary explained it in this way - "'By the law is the knowledge of sin.' The crookedness of a line is shown by being brought into juxtaposition with a straight ruler."
Matthew Henry said it in this way - "For, as an acknowledged straight edge is the only way in which the straightness or crookedness of a line can be determined, so the moral obliquity of human actions can only be determined by the law of God."
Barnes' Notes offered this comment - "The effect of applying a rule to our conduct is to show us what sin is."
Believer's Bible Commentary added - "We could never know what a crooked line is, unless we also knew a straight line. The law is like a straight line. When men test themselves by it, they see how crooked they are. We can use a mirror to see that our face is dirty, but the mirror is not designed to wash the dirty face. A thermometer will tell if a person has a fever, but swallowing the thermometer will not cure the fever."
Is sin dead? Where, indeed, did it go? What has became of it?
The above-mentioned popular "Preacher" answers those questions for us when he admits that he never mentions "sin" in his TV sermons and best sellers. He doesn't use the word - "sinners." And, sad but true - "That's the drift of American preaching today in a lot of churches."
God is calling His Preachers to take the "straight ruler" - His "law"... unadulterated Word...whole counsel - into the pulpits when they preach.
On the contrary, most people do not already know that what they are doing is wrong. What they need is an "acknowledged straight edge" in order to see the crookedness of their lives and lifestyles.
What has become of sin?
Perhaps, we should ask it in this way - What has become of the "Preachers" who will dare to obey God and carry the "straight ruler" into their "pulpits" - no matter what the cost?
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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