THE PROBLEM OF SIN

WHAT IS SIN: It is defined as actions by which humans rebel against God, miss His purpose for their life, and surrender to the power of evil rather than to God.

Sin as rebellion: One of the central affirmations throughout the Bible is humanity’s estrangement from God. The cause for this estrangement is sin, the root cause of all problem of humanity. Rebellion was at the root of the problem for Adam and Eve (Gen. 3) and has been at the root of humanity’s plight ever since.

Sin is universal – we all sin. God is in no way responsible for sin. Satan introduced sin when he beguiled Eve. Since Adam and Eve rebelled against the clear command of God, sin has infected humanity like a dreaded malignancy.

“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But, now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. (Romans 7: 15 – 17). (NKJV)

The learned, connected, well-to-do and above all one of the most spiritual and favoured servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul, penned the above statement having found himself doing things he did not approve of. Paul had been redeemed, his new inner self no longer approved of the sin that was still residing in his flesh, like his old self did, but rather, strongly disapproved. His sin did not flow out his new redeemed innermost self but from his unredeemed humanness, his flesh. The apostle was eventually rescued totally from sin’s grip by Christ and he became free.

David, the second King of Israel, the man after God’s own heart, was entangled in a web of sin as contained in 2nd Samuel 11: 1- 17; he committed adultery with Bathsheba, plotted and killed her husband – Uriah, and took her to be his wife. However, when he realized the grievousness of his sin and the consequences, he cried to God for forgiveness and deliverance, God heard him and pardoned him.

The prodigal son (Luke 15: 11- 32) was another person who chose the fleeting pleasures of sin instead of the immeasurable blessings that he would have enjoyed in his father’s house again, when he came to his senses he decided to go back home, to his father (God) and he was warmly welcomed and restored to his rightful position.

Sin remains a problem anytime and any day. It is only in heaven that there is no sin, hence Jesus has gone ahead of us to prepare it for those who would like to be there. (John 14: 1- 3). However, the only provision available for doing away with sin is contained in John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Dearly beloved, sin is more dangerous than any dreaded disease known and unknown, worse than any weapon of destruction, the ultimate destination of sinners is eternal death in hell fire, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Roman 6: 23).

As we move majestically into this new week, I earnestly plead with us all to do away with sin, may we all embrace Jesus Christ, cling firmly to Him and He will surely bless us mightily.

Have a most blessed and fruitful week. God bless you.