In a world apathetic in attitude toward wrong,
it is unpopular and sometimes dangerous to warn people that their
actions are, indeed, sin. In a world apathetic in attitude toward wrong,
it is unpopular and sometimes dangerous to warn people that their
actions are, indeed, sin.
The word sin is defined as missing the mark. The
mark is behaving rightly. One sins when he misses that goal. 1
John 3:4 defines sin as "a transgression of the law"
(KJV) or "lawlessness" (NKJV). That is to say that sin
ignores any kind of law of behavior. What a pertinent description
that is of the attitude of the modern world.
The follower of Christ has an obligation to point
out sin to people out of the motive of love. Christ warned that
the lawless would have no part with Him in eternity (Matt. 7:23).
The wrath of God is stored up for those who do not obey the truth
but obey unrighteousness (notice a comparison with lawlessness)
(Rom. 2:5-8). Thus, those who walk in sin are in grave danger,
whether they admit it or not. Their apathy may temporarily excuse
their consciences from pangs of guilt, but there will be a day
when the Maker of all things will "render to each one according
to his deeds" (Rom. 2:6). Love dictates that those who know
of such a coming judgment share the knowledge. To hide such knowledge
betrays another sort of diabolical apathya lack of care for the
well being of fellow mankind. Love dictates telling people of
their sins.
This sort of love is manifested in the sermons
of the apostles in the historical record of Acts. The first
gospel sermon has Peter convicting the audience of their guilt
of crucifying Christ no less than two times. "Him (Jesus)...you
have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death"
(Acts 2:23). "Therefore let all the house of Israel know
assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both
Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). Acts 3:14-15 carries this accusation
to a crowd gathered at the temple: "But you denied the Holy
One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead,
of which we are witnesses."
It is, at best, uncomfortable, and, at worst,
perilous, to inform people of the wrongness of their deeds. Some
will become angry and even resort to violence (cf. Acts 7:53ff.).
Yet, the job is done with the hope that the pricking of the heart
(Acts 2:37) will result in genuine repentance. After all, it is
the goodness of God that so leads one (Rom. 2:4).
Our world needs reminded, by the public proclamation
of preachers and the private conversation of patient teachers,
that sin is both prevalent and eternally devastating. All of this
should be done "in a spirit of meekness and gentleness"
(Gal. 6:1), but it must be done. Sermons should carry a balance
of causing faithful Christians to feel good about their salvation
and reminding those who may be unfaithful of the severity of the
consequences they are engendering toward themselves. Christians
who are friends with non-Christians really do the non-Christians
no favor by never gently bringing up the subjects eternity, sin,
Christ, repentance, and grace.
When Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to
help the apostles, He noted the Spirit's purpose: "And when
He has come, He will convict the world of sin, of righteousness,
and of judgment" (John 16:8). The Spirit does that now through
the revealed word that sets all standards of morality and ethics.
It is a necessary part of evangelism to make the grace of God
known to people. This grace, however, is not understood without
the knowledge of the reason for it - to relieve the obedient of
the penalty of unrighteousness. People won't understand grace
without understanding sin.
Even the church, in some places, does not like
to hear lessons on sinfulness, but the topic of discussion is
absolutely necessary if the church is to understand the fullness
of the grace and love of Christ. 30 Tarrytowne, Washington, WV
26181. andyrobison@juno.com