Our Attitude Toward Sin

Our Attitude toward Sin

Introduction: What is Sin? You might name some sins or others might name synonyms of sins. But in layman’s terms: Sin is anything that transgresses God's law. Our attitude toward sin says everything about our Christian witness. Some might think that I am speaking about the sin that surrounds us. As if we are in a bubble of some kind, hating the sin in other people, but excusing it in ourselves. No. Sin is in all of us. Sin should be a reminder of how far we fall short of earning anything in heaven and it should remind us that we have a gracious and loving Savior that sacrificed it all so we can have eternal life in him.

Ill. There's an old story about a man who tried to save the city of Sodom from destruction by warning the citizens. But the people ignored him. One day someone asked, “Why bother everyone? You can't change them” “Maybe I can't” the man replied “but I still shout and scream to prevent them from changing me!”

Lot was a righteous man who should have done some screaming. The record of his life reminds us of how our sense of moral indignation can be dulled by the world - (give modern applicable examples). Lot chose to dwell in cities where there was great wickedness. When Sodom was invaded by hostile kings, he was captured. Even after Abraham rescued Lot, he was still drawn back to that wicked city. And the last chapter of his story is an account of heartache and shame. Abraham may have trusted God and prayed for the righteous, and live a moral life. But Lot was “oppressed with the filthy conduct of the wicked”

The sin of Lot's day may have bothered (oppressed) him, but apparently not enough to do or say anything about it. (adapted from Our Daily Bread: Sermonillustrations.com)

Transition: What is your attitude concerning sin? I only have two points to make today 1. What will happen if we claim we don't sin and 2. What will happen if we confess we do sin? Both are found in 1 John 1:8- I John 2:1

If we claim we don't sin

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves . . .” -I John 1:8

A. We deceive ourselves

You may be or you might know someone who thinks they are such good people they don't need Jesus. They are so innocent, they don't need him; besides that they never asked for Jesus to suffer and die for them. They think - “I don't need his sacrifice, because I am a good person.” The truth is, no matter how “good” you think you are, know this: many worse people than you went to heaven, and many better people than you are burning in Hell today.

Confused? . . . good.

The question is what is your measure of “goodness”? Usually it is measured against a preconceived standard of what “bad” is. We say “I don't steal, drink, or smoke.” “I'm not intolerant or judgmental.” “I never did drugs or killed anyone” “I never been in jail and I'm not like those hypocrites who say one thing and do another.” And because of these standards they set up as bad and they don't do them, therefore they reason to themselves that they are good. So where are they getting these standards from? The Bible or from the world? Because the worlds' standard of 'goodness' and the Bible's standard of 'goodness' are contrary.

I don't think I have to tell you that's what is happening today. The question is what spirit and by what standard of goodness will you live by? When the Bible calls homosexuality an abomination, and the world calls it an alternative lifestyle. Which standard will you agree with? When the Bible defines marriage as between a man and a woman and the world defines it as anyone who loves anyone or anything (which is coming, wait and see). Which standard will you agree with? When God calls you to fight against sin and the world calls you to fight for your right to sin. Which army will join? When God calls us to detest something that the world calls us to defend. Whose side will you choose to be on? The world will always use nonsense to portray you as bigots, homophobes, hypocrites, islamaphobes, haters etc. get used to it and get over it! Sadly Christians think “well we aren't going to win anybody by being mean, so lets follow the world's standard of goodness.” I say this because what God calls evil, the carnal world calls good and vice versa.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” - Isaiah 5:20