Granny's Place

Fools mock at making amends for sin, but good will is found among the upright. -- Proverbs 14:9

The biggest mistake Christians make is to underestimate the power of sin. We don't like to admit it when we sin because then we'll have to make amends for it or change our behavior. So, we rationalize that we haven't really sinned at all. The first thing we do is find a better name for it. Sin sounds so old-fashioned. So harsh. Let's call it a "mistake," or a "habit," or a "lapse in judgment." That sounds better. Next, we make a case to explain why we did it: "Everyone else was doing it." "I didn't think anyone would get hurt." "It wasn't my fault; I have an addiction." Finally, we de-emphasize the results: "People are too uptight these days." "They need to stop being so sensitive."

It comes down to a control issue: we don't like being told what to do. We want the freedom to make our own choices. But we fail to understand one thing: we don't control sin; sin controls us.

Sin is any attitude or behavior that goes against God's desires.

God's Word sets a clear standard for how he wants us to live. The Bible also warns us of the consequences for disobedience. Why?

Because sin is serious. Sin destroys. Sin kills (Romans 6:23). That's not what God wants for us. He wants us to have life. He wants us to be free from the guilt, shame, and consequences of sin. As long as we refuse to take sin seriously, we'll never experience life the way God desires. That's the power sin has over us.

Don't be afraid to see sin for what it is. Don't allow a distorted view of sin to rob you of the life God intends for you. Ask God to tell you how you can make amends for your sin.

Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. -- 2 Corinthians 5:11

The fear of God is the greatest deterrent for sin (Exod. 20:20; Prov. 16:6). Those who perceive God as a benevolent and gentle grandfather will treat their sin superficially. They will worship halfheartedly. They will live life on their own terms rather than God's. But a reverent fear of holy God will dramatically affect the way a person lives. Even though Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ, he feared God and knew that one day he would stand in judgment to give an account for everything he had done (2 Cor. 5:10).

Our world does not applaud fearfulness. We teach our children to love God, but not to fear Him. We want to present a loving and nonthreatening image of God to nonbelievers in the hope that Christianity will be more appealing to them. One of the great condemnations of our day may be that we have lost the fear of God. We promote Him as a "best friend" who saves us and "lives in our hearts," but we do not fear Him. It is true that we are God's adopted children and that we are fellow heirs, even friends, with Jesus (Rom. 8:16-17; John 15:14-15), but we are not His equals. He has forgiven us, but we are still His creatures. He is God, and we are not!

If you find that you have become complacent with God's commands and have become comfortable in your sin, you are completely isolated from God's holiness. Take time to meditate upon the awesome holiness of God and allow the Holy Spirit to instill into your life a proper reverence for almighty God (Isa. 40:12-26). A deep sense of awe is essential to knowing God.

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