Part one of this series can be found here.
What’s the worst mistake you can make about sin?
1. That it’s no big deal. Can you imagine thinking so little of your sin that you actually brag about your lifestyle?
What’s the second biggest mistake?
2. That sin is just a matter of keeping the right list of do’s and don’ts under control.
And third?
3. That it has no mastery over you.
Now, I don’t know if it really all goes in that order or not but I know those are the big three—scripture tells us so.
- For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. Psalm 36:2; They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. Romans 1:30…There are infinite examples of this—especially in the Psalms and Proverbs.
- “This is God’s Message: “‘You’re a burned-out case, as good as dead. Everyone has given up on you. You’re hopeless. All your fair-weather friends have skipped town without giving you a second thought. But I delivered the knockout blow, a punishment you will never forget, Because of the enormity of your guilt, the endless list of your sins. So why all this self-pity, licking your wounds? You deserve all this, and more. Because of the enormity of your guilt, the endless list of your sins, I’ve done all this to you. Jeremiah 30:12. Jeremiah got it right when He told the Jews that “the list of their sins was endless.” That’s why keeping a list and trying to follow it is a waste of time. It’s not about “sins” (symptoms of the disease). It’s about “sin,” the actual disease. It’s not what God wants…Look at Philippians 3:7, “Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.”
- Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. John 8:34; Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 6:16; We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. Romans 7:14; Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:25
So, back to the original question…when we sin, is it only against God?
Yes and no.
Ultimately—as far as sin literally being anything that misses the mark of God’s perfection (harmatia, which is the Greek word for sin means, ‘missing the mark.’) all sin is an offense to God. He is the one we ultimately sin against and he is the One who will judge everyone according to their sins—no one else is even remotely qualified to do so.
So what was David doing when He repented of his sin but seemed to isolate all, “I’m sorrys” to God and god alone?
Of course, in doing wrong he has hurt others; the point here is that God is the ultimate judge for all sin (thus harming others is not given less weight, but more.). David is not saying he isn’t sorry or repentant about what he did to all those other people—nor that he has no intention of going back and making things right. What he’s saying is that he remembers now that all rebellion is ultimately against the highest authority—the King. In this case, the king of the universe.
How much better would we all be if we took our sin that seriously?
* Hey Brookie!? BIG weekend this week. We return to our, “Divine” series (The gospel according to John) and, after the lesson we are going to be baptizing all those who recently (as well as not so recently) placed their trust in Jesus Christ as Savior! These services are always HUGE celebrations! So invite your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and whoever else to witness the celebration of changed lives!
Also, anyone who wants to can join us for a one time Saturday evening service as we film this years message for the One Prayer series! I’d love to see folks come out for this as it helps to have more people for the energy and enthusiasm of the presentation. Remember, this message has the potential of being seen by hundreds of thousands over a four week period. Therefore, its IMPACT is huge! Hope you can make it tomorrow evening at 6:30 pm Weddington campus.