Many Christians seem either obsessed with calling out sin or they ignore it altogether. But what does the Bible say? In this message, Pastor Jamie shares what you need to know about sin.
What is sin?
To sin is to do something wrong or to trespass.
Sin is any behavior, whether done intentionally or accidentally, that is outside of God’s boundaries.
Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
What does the Bible say about sin?
1) Sin is not just an action, it is your nature.
Romans 5:12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
You were born with a “carnal, fleshly, unspiritual” nature. You don’t have to try to sin – it will come naturally.
2) Sin is selfishness.
1 Corinthians 10:24“Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.”
Every sin has “I” at the center.
3) Sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
Genesis 3:6-7
Every time you sin you are “biting the apple” and substituting God’s ways for your own.
Why is sin a big deal?
- Sin hurts you.
Romans 6:23“The wages of sin is death.” - Sin hurts others.
Hebrews 12:15 - Sin hurts God.
Ephesians 4:30“do not grieve the Holy Spirit [bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live.”
Three things that do NOT work against sin:
1) Trying really hard.
Romans 7:21-23
Righteousness comes from God’s power, not will-power. Freedom is found in surrender, not in striving.
2) More rules.
Col 2:20-23
Rules don’t fix your want-to.
Gal 2:21“For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.”
3) Anger.
James 1:20 “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
You can’t punish someone into purity.
3 Things that DO work against sin:
1) Confessing and cleansing.
1 John 1:9
2) Repenting and retraining.
Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of direction.
Luke 3:8
Christians don’t just repent FROM sin, we repent TO righteousness.
3) Relying and relating.
Romans 5:18
Jesus took the penalty of sin and overcame the power of sin.
Religion: I messed up. My Dad is gonna kill me.
Relationship: I messed up. I need to call my Dad.
Are you biting the apple?