August 26 , 2007

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths (2 Tim 4:3-4, NLT)

I. “Sin” is word many people want to avoid. Why?

A. We cover up our sins because we feel condemned if they are found out.

B. Or, we don't take sin seriously when we decide to blend in .

II. Theological mythology. If we can reshape our theology to diminish sin, then we can sin all the more. These myths are misleading half-truths:

•  “God has already decided where I will spend eternity, so my personal sin is not an issue.”

No -- You cannot assume to know election. It is solely the prerogative of a Sovereign God. Instead, the saved person perseveres in sanctification (that's consecration and dedication to God), and puts sin in his body to death.

B. “The atoning death of Jesus has already covered all my past, present and future sins. So when I sin now, it was already forgiven 200 years ago.” No -- The effects of the atonement are clearly provisional in Scripture.

C. “I can sin all want, for God's forgiving grace will abound toward me.” No -- Shall we go on sinning that grace may abound? By no means! (Romans 6: 1).

D. “My personal sin doesn't matter, because I believe the creeds of the Christian faith.”

No -- Intellectual belief is not the same as the new birth and a transformed life God requires.

E. “I am totally pleasing to God, and He has accepted just as I am . Therefore, there is nothing I need to change.” No -- I am justified, but Jesus is also in me through the Holy Spirit, sanctifying me, convicting me, conforming me to the life of Christ. (See Romans 12:1-2)

F. “God sees me robed in the righteousness and sanctification of Christ. Therefore, my sin is never the issue in my relationship with God.” No -- I am robed in the righteousness of Christ, but not to sin with; but to grow in holiness in the sight of God. God does not deceive Himself to the reality of sin in my life.

Being “robed in the righteousness of Christ” allows me access to God in confession, prayer and worship, and allows me to grow in my Christian life without condemnation. But the Holy Spirit will convict me of sin and of the need to grow toward a more godly life.

G. “Since Jesus died for the sins of the world, then all the world is saved.” No -- That's universalism, or unlimited atonement, to the unbiblical extreme.

H. “Once saved, always saved. I will always be saved. So I can live as I want. My lifestyle is not the issue in my salvation.” No -- Election and security are not to sin with, but to grow in holiness with, and conquer sin issues in our lives. Perseverance marks the true child of God.

I. “As long as I love God, I can sin all I want.” No…If you love God, you will want to do the will of God. Instead, you may have chosen to love some sin more than you love God.

These theological/mythological half-truths are motivated by the core myth: “Don't Take Sin So Seriously.” Like so many other misleading myths and false teachings, there is part truth that draws our assent, but our sinful nature is entitled by the myth to act as we want.

III. Here's what the Bible says: 1 John 1:8, If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us . God goes for reality and responsibility when it comes to sin.

• For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11-12).
• We should no longer be slaves to sin (Romans 6:6).
• Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master… (Romans 6:12-14).
• If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:13).
• I urge you in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God –this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Ro 12:1-2).
• If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! (Gal 2:17-18)
• My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1).
• Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:24).
• Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb 12:14).
• For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. (1 Thess 4:7-8)

• Others: Romans 6:1-2, 11, 22-23; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 12:10-15; 1 John 1:9-10, 3:8-10, 5:18; Heb. 12:1, and many more.

IV. The real problem with the myth, “Don't Take Sin So Seriously ,” is that God takes sin seriously. And we may pay a steep price for the consequences for not coming clean with God:

A. A guilty or seared conscience .

B. Clouded judgment . And perhaps…

C. Eternal condemnation .

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