All accountable people have sins. 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”. One preacher said, “You cannot spell “sin” without the “I,” and where is the “I”? It is smack dab in the middle of the word. The wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23. What Shall We Do With Our Sins?
One person says, “‘I’ll forget I have any, so maybe they won’t really exist.” You may forget about (or try to forget) your sins, but God doesn’t. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 25:7, “Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.” He knew his sins would be remembered by God.
Another person says, “I’ll run away from sin.” But where will you run? Psalms 139:7-8 teaches, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there”. This is comforting to those that love him. That they will never be where they may not find their God. Yet this is a fearful thought to those that disobey Him. That, as much as they may wish it and try as they might, they can never find a place where there is not a holy God!
Someone else says, “I’ll blame my sin on others.” God had commanded that Adam and Eve were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Genesis 2:17, 3:1-3. They sinned when they disobeyed God, Genesis 3:6. Adam in effect blames God because He was the one who gave her to him. Adam blames the woman, the woman blames the serpent. How well did that work? See Genesis 3:22-24
Another person says, “I’ll cover up my sins.” You cannot hide your sins, God knows everything because “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good”, Proverbs 15:3. This statement is a terror to the sinful and great encouragement to the faithful. Christ told the church at Smyrna, “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:9-10.
Some people say that they’ll get rid of their sin tomorrow or at a more convenient time when they put off obeying God’s will. God says we must do it NOW. 2 Corinthians 6:2 teaches, “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
We should plan for eternity, not tomorrow like the rich fool did in Luke 12:16ff. We should not say “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” like Felix did in Acts 24:25. As far as we know this “convenient season” never came for him.
Dear friend, don’t try to ignore, run away from, pass the blame, try to hide, or put off dealing with your sin. Obey the Gospel today. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, Repent of a life of sin, Confess the name of Christ, be Baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, and live your life in obedience to Christ. Do it today. You will never regret it.
-Jerry D. Sturgill
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