HOW DOES GOD DEAL WITH SAINTS WHO SIN?
Ps. 51:11
INTRO: In the case of a bride murdered on her wedding day by her ex-lover, the defense tarnished her name, said she invited violence and argued for a lesser charge of 'passion provocation' murder. On Oct. 23, a jury rejected a "crime of passion" defense when it convicted Agustin Garcia of the murder of Gladys Ricart on Sept. 26, 1999. He shot her as she stood in her wedding dress and surrounded by her wedding party, preparing for the nuptials at her home in Ridgefield, N.J. He was not in a position to dictate to the judge or jury HOW he should be punished. He was at their mercy.
Standing before Almighty God we have no business trying to dictate our punishment either. So How does God deal with saints who sin?
I. SIN IS PUNISHABLE
1. Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death” We know death to be a separation. No one has to tell that one who has lost a loved one that it is separation. A precious song the Gaither’s sing is: Knowing You’ll Be There.
The other day I passed the place You always liked to go and I picked up the phone because I thought you’d want to know But I forgot you weren’t there I miss you on these days That I’m reminded of your smile and the funny things you’d say
When the death angel comes to claim another soul it separates us from the ones we love and takes a tole on our emotions, changing our lives from that point on.
But the death of Rom 6:23 is not just physical, but rather it is spiritual. It is separation from God, from good, from love…. Forever. The greatest punishment of Hell will NOT be ***the flame, ***the pain, ***the darkness so dark it can be felt ***the loneliness of isolation ***NO it will be separation from God. Separation from anything that would ever bring pleasure or comfort or satisfaction. 2. 1 Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Death has been defeated by the resurrection of Christ. Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He paid the price of sin for us. That’s why the Father had to turn His face away from the Son on the cross, as Jesus cried, “My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”
Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: Gods grace is always greater than sin. That’s why He is able to save to the uttermost. That’s why He encourages us to “come unto me.” The Lord gives unto those who trust Him, eternal life. Jn 3:15 “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life “ Jn 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish Rom 6:23 but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. Eternal life has not end, it is forever and ever. My soul is secure with Him. SONG: For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able, to keep that which committed unto Him against that day
11.SAINTS DO SIN There are numerous examples of God’s saints who sinned after having faith in the Lord. Our text is a prayer of David asking God for forgiveness over sin he had committed. In the New Testament there are many others. Peter who the Lord had to rebuke at times and later denied the Lord as he stood by the world’s fire warming himself. Paul who said Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
We still have the sin nature. Paul called it the “old man.” He said he had to battle it daily. 1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection. If indeed saints do sin and the penalty for sin is death then how can we have eternal life? David understood this mystery and made reference to it in his prayer. Ps 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. The word used here is not thoroughly which by definition means “to mend” as used in KJV but rather the word is throughly which means “to multiply exceedingly.” David was asking the Lord to forgive his past sins, he present sins and his future sins. What good is having our past sins forgiven only? When we sinned again we’d be back in the same boat….. due to pay for our sins with DEATH. But Jesus died to pay that debt for us. The eternal Son of God died on the cross, shedding his precious, eternal blood to forgive our sins for eternity. That’s how He can give us ETERNAL LIFE. When we place our faith in Him He secures our soul forever. John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Rom. 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Hallelujah….Do you understand what that means? Sin cannot abound in your life to the point that grace does not cover it. That does not mean we should sin the more that grace may abound the more, NO. But your salvation is absolutely secure in Christ.
111. SAINTS WHO SIN The Lord deals with saints who sin as a father would deal with a son who had erred. He doesn’t throw the kid out with the dirty bathwater, but he corrects him. He doesn’t remove him from being a part of the family, however there is some punishment. Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Pro 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
God chastens us to get our attention and correct our behavior. He does know how to get our attention. 1. He will turn a deaf ear to our prayers. Though the debt of sin is paid for, sin still separates us from God. God’s holiness will not allow Him to tolerate sin. When our prayers are answered “no” it begins to get our attention. We start evaluating ourselves as to the reason why. 2. He will vex our soul. I mean to say that God causes us to have anguish of soul and uneasiness in our heart. We call it a conscience. It torments us. It causes a lack of sleep and an uncomfortable feeling when we hear preaching or study the Bible. The scripture calls it conviction. 3. He will take away the blessedness of fellowship. Being around other Christians becomes a burden instead of a blessing. Prayer looses its appeal and we find ourselves drifting out of the habit of praying. The Bible loses its appeal and intrigue to us. We seem to be at a loss when we to study the scriptures because the Holy Spirit isn’t leading us to the truth of scripture. The understanding of the Word becomes difficult and therefore becomes dull to us. 4. He takes away our joy. Ps 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; David had lost his joy because of sin. Certainly our Lord gives joy when He saves our soul. Ecc 2:26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost
But when saints sin… the joy is hard to find. He knows how to get our attention. He knows what it takes to bring about conviction. God cares so much for you that he will not allow you to continue in sin and enjoy it. ***Your greatest peace is when you are right with God. ***Your most comfort is when you have confessed your sin. ***Your best assurance comes from a right relationship with the Lord.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
THERE IS NO OTHER WAY HAVE THINGS RIGHT THAN CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE.
ILLUS: When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his quilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, "That'll be ten dollars -- a dollar for every mile you went over the limit." Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. "You have violated the law," he said. "The fine must be paid--but I am going to pay it for you." He took a ten dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats repentant sinners!"
