“Therefore ….let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12.1)
In the previous article, it was established beyond a shadow of doubt that there is nothing like little or big sins. Sin is a category all on its own, whatever its size, dimension or intensity. Despite all vain attempts at minimising sin by labelling it as ‘faults, errors and mistakes’ they still fall under acts of disobedience and are an infringement of God’s commandments. He does not take kindly to that whichever way we view it.
God is calling us to a life of sanctity; He is inviting us to do away with the sin that is bound to cloud our relationship with Him. To live a new life, and be whole, we ought to desist from sin in all its forms and facets. Paul, the apostle, warns us to “Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast – as you really are.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)
Getting rid of ‘the old yeast’ means dying to self; it requires turning a new page altogether - breaking away with our past. We have all at one time or the other deviated from the norm by indulging in practices that do not honour God. Who has not stolen, lied, cheated and even killed? But that was our old self. In Christ we have become new creatures. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
As we lower our guard and sink deep in sin, we become insensitive to the still small voice - no matter the constant warnings we receive. We seem to have built a wall that separates us from God. There comes a time when the small voice ceases to call our attention and the act gradually becomes a habit that grows and develops into something that gets out of hand. The difference is that somewhere along the line our conscience tells us this is wrong but we stifle it, ignore it and pursue our evil deed, nevertheless. By the time we know it the practice has taken hold and we fail to see what is wrong with what has become our second nature.
Sin always starts small and develops disproportionately in size with time if we do not quit. Furthermore, it takes root in the realm of our thoughts. Have you noticed that sin starts as a suggestion? Sometimes it sticks like a bug and never wants to go away. God has prepared a way out for us. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Paul tells us. If the devil insists, God has found a way out for us as well.
Temptation is of the devil, not God. “For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15)
We tend to shrug off sin because we are wont to believe we are not hurting anyone, the harm is being done to ourselves – besides, it is nobody’s business. That is a wrong notion of sin. Sin offends God. Even when others do not know about it, God does. It estranges our relationship with the Father and fellowship with Him becomes an ordeal. The long and short of is that what ever it is we are indulged in as ‘insignificant sin’ will be found out. “…and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)
Sin has nothing to do with size; its dimension matters little. However its frequency does, more so if we continue to think it would not make a dent in our dealings with our Maker - because He is a merciful God. We are being put on our guard for strongholds can be likened to mountains that are derived from molehills. Though they may take time to mature, the end result is death. Satan wants to fool us into believing that God will overlook sin; the story of original sin by Adam and Eve denies that. Simply eating an apple from the forbidden tree has cost humanity a mighty lot.
We can learn a lot from Moses’ attitude towards sin when he turned his back on vanity in Pharaoh’s palace and opted to break away with his past. “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.” (Hebrews 11:24-25)
There is nothing that we can hide from God’s view, He sees and knows everything even on a cloudy day. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)
Yes, before the judgment throne of God would we be found wanting? Would our names be written on the Lamb’s book of life? Those answers will be determined by how we live Now. While we still have time let us work at improving our rating vis-à-vis our stand with God. “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4) said our Lord Jesus.
