[395 words]
Sin begins in the heart and works out through our lives. It comes out in our thoughts, actions, words, and character. David wrote: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You” (Psalm 51:10-13). David understood that sin had to be removed from the heart and the heart must be renewed. We live in an age where we are afraid to call sin what it is: sin. We live in an age where millions have no fear of living in sin. Remember these words of King David: “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions” (Psalm 51:1). David understood that God would forgive and give mercy.
Sin destroys life but Christ offers hope: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Notice 1 Peter 1:22-23: “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” We need to live for Christ! Peter makes it clear that we must purify our souls by obeying the Gospel and this will lead us to living for Christ together. It is time for Christians to renew their hearts to Christ. It is time for Christians to put Christ first in this life. It is time for Christians to put their brethren first in this life. It is time that we live for Christ by obeying Him (Hebrews 5:8-9).
So what is the point? Sin exists. We exist. God exists. What we must determine is what is the priority. Do we want to live in continual sin or do we want a better way? Sin destroys the heart but a life in Christ revives the heart to give mankind the strength to know there is a better way!
Jonathan Burns
Findlay church of Christ
Sparta, TN