[454 words]
We’ve all heard the story of the preacher who was asked, “What are you preaching on Sunday?” He responded, “Sin.” The querist retorted, “Well are you fer or agin it?” It seems sin is a taboo topic in our world today. The politically correct movement wants us to use words like “illness,” “mistakes,” “misguided” or some other term that will not make someone feel guilty or responsible for sin.
However, sin is an important subject and it is dealt with through out the Bible. We need to be warned of sin’s danger. We kneed to understand its consequence. We should remind people the price paid for it. The entirety of Scripture surrounds God’s plan to redeem mankind from the penalty and problems of sin.
Jesus gave His life because all accountable human beings have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). This problem of sin comes at a high price and penalty DEATH (Rom. 3:23; Eze. 18:20). It seems the devil spends all his energy and time tricking and tempting us to sin (1 Pet 5:8). Our advocate who helps us overcome the wicked one gave His life as ransom and payment for the sins of every person who will accept that pardon (1 John 2:1)
Sin creates a rift between God and mankind because God is of purer eyes than to behold evil (Hab. 1:13; Isa. 59:1,2). The only thing that reconciles us back to the Father is the blood of His dear Son (Heb. 10:4; Col. 1:20). It is through Christ that God’s price is satisfied (1 John 2:1-2).
The gospel message is that Jesus receives repentant sinners. He frees us from the curse of sin (Rev. 1:5). When you think of the high price paid to save you and me it should cause us to flee even the appearance of sinfulness. If you are a Christian will you not share the Good News that Sin cannot defeat us, that Jesus paid the debt for our transgression?
Erdmann Neumeister penned these beautiful words that remind us of the cheer bringing words:
Sinners Jesus will receive;
Sound this word of grace to all
Who the heavenly pathway leave,
All who linger, all who fall.
Come, and He will give you rest;
Trust Him, for His Word is plain;
He will take the sinfulest;
Christ receiveth sinful men.
Christ receiveth sinful men,
Even me with all my sin;
Purged from every spot and stain,
Heaven with Him I enter in.
Sing it o’er and over again;
Christ receiveth sinful men;
Make the message clear and plain:
Christ receiveth sinful men.
We need to be talking about sin a lot more. We need to expose its ugliness and teach the world how to be freed from it.
Joseph D. Chase
North Loop church of Christ
Gladewater, TX