The Bible tells us that the wages (results) of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
While that means spiritual death for the unsaved it also has serious implications for Christians.
Sin or wrongdoing is any act that is contrary to the law of God given to Moses.
Sin in the Greek is the word hamartia. (ἁμαρτία)
It is in reference to a tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to a person’s downfall. It is interpreted as a fatal mistake or a missed opportunity.
In other words to fall short of the righteous requirements of the law.
For more information on the history of the word hamartia, refer to the following link.
https://www.britannica.com/art/hamartia
Failure to live up to the law of God has consequences.
The soul that sins, shall die. Ezekiel 18:20
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. James 2:10
Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17
Sin separates us from God.
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2
The unsaved are separated from God spiritually. They are in enmity with God. If they do not turn to Jesus Christ for salvation they will remain separated from God for all eternity.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16,17
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19
And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelations 5:15
The believer who sins experiences a separation from God that is temporal. If they get out of God’s will they will remove themselves from God’s blessings. They may even be turned over to Satan for a while because they have given the devil place in their life.
To give place is topos in the Greek. It means to give a space or limited occupancy. When Satan is ‘given place’ he has legal access in our life because we have disobeyed the word of God.
This means Satan can cause havoc in our lives. Usually through the door we gave him access.
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 5:5
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:26-30
When the believer has sin in their life that they are unwilling to give up, there becomes a breach in the relationship. Like when one party in a marriage commits adultery. That does not mean the parties become divorced but it does mean that the relationship is breached. There needs to be reconciliation in the relationship. This can only happen when the guilty party owns up to their stuff, stops the wrong behavior and makes a concerted effort to walk honorably in the relationship.
Unconfessed sin separates our relationship with God. Until the problem is solved there is a breach in the relationship. The party who does the wrongdoing which is always us, suffers consequences such as not being able to be in the partner’s (Our Lord’s) presence, not being able to partake in the benefits or blessings the relationship would other wise bring, and also reaping in our lives what we have sowed. (getting back bad wages)
https://kimbalogh.online/2022/11/07/be-not-deceived/
Once the sin is confessed and forsaken the relationship can be restored.
There are different reasons that some Christians hold on to sin. It may be due to ignorance, a demonic stronghold undealt with, justifying a sin (making excuses), anger, lust or pride.
Whatever the reason the fact remains that sin separates us from God.
A classic example of God dealing with sin is recorded in Psalms 85.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Psalms%2085%C2%A0&version=KJV
Sin is acting in the flesh or the carnal nature. A Christian cannot inherit or walk in their full position in Christ’s inheritance or the Kingdom of God by participating in sin.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19,21
Scripture’s tell us to walk upright with God or in right relationship with him. While none of us are perfect or ever will be perfect while we are in this earth, we must rely on God’s power to walk as he walked.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Galatians 3:5
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Romans 6:15
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Titus 2:11,12
Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked. 1 John 2:6
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 john 1:2
God does not want us to sin. Sin has negative consequences. Sin produces death. That means our wrongful actions will reap for us a whole lot of trouble.
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 5:5
The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Hebrews 12:6
How does the Christian keep from sinning?
Well, no one is perfect but through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit we can have victory over sin.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15: 57
As we continue to abide in Jesus Christ we will not want to fulfill the desires of the sinful nature.
Psalms 91 tells us that if we dwell in the secret place or in our secret prayer closet with God, he will keep us safe. God will be our refuge, our help in times of trouble or temptation.
By reading, studying and praying the word of God we can also stay close to God.
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:173
If we walk in the light of God or transparency with him, the Holy Spirit will show us our sin. He will continue to mold us into his character or the image of Jesus Christ.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3.18
If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13
It is also important to make a concerted effort with God’s help to stay separate from sinful situations and separate from ‘disorderly’ people.
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers. Psalms 1:1
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 1 John 1:6
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Ephesians 5:3
Lastly, having a godly network of support helps us stay close to God. That does not mean attending a church institution then going home and living our own lives. It does not mean attending a Christian rock concert or entertainment center. Neither does it mean attending a Christian motivational seminar or a religious gala.
It means having godly friends who will stand with us and support us in our walk with God.
The early church met in homes. Church is ekklēsia, which means an assembly of believers who worship God together in relationship. Building one another up. Praying for one another. Being accountable. Studying the word of God together.
Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20
Do not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1
In conclusion, the law of sin and death is a spiritual law that operates just as sure as the law of gravity or the law of motion. That is why it is important to walk in the spiritual law of Life and Liberty in Christ Jesus! Life that is in Jesus the Lord is an abundant Life! A life blessed by God!
To find out more, watch for my next blog.
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