Changes Due to Sanctification

“Changes Due to Sanctification”

Prov. 28:13-14; Psa. 139:23-24; Duet. 19:19-20; 1 Jn. 1:5-11 

SUBJECT: CORRECTION ADVERSITY COMPELS US TO MAKE

THEME: Examine Your Attitude Toward Evil and Sin When Trouble Invades Your Life. 

RELEVANCY: God Desires for Us to Correct Our Attitude Toward Evil and Turn Away from the Practices of Sin. Sin usually leads to even more sin; it is certain that the “hardened heart shall fall into mischief.” God desires to compel all of us to engage in periodic self-examination so we may face up to our own sin and to do the difficult work of changing our beliefs and our behavior. 

INTRODUCTION:

The Scriptures tell us, God is a God of absolutes. We are either evil or righteous, based upon what we have decided to do in response to Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross. 

Now that we are saved, our focus must be on sanctifying ourselves unto Christ our Lord. Sanctification is being set apart for God’s special use…being progressively made holy. The ongoing, practical, and experiential growth in grace is the target. The daily journey of moving away from sinful behaviors to embracing a Christ-like lifestyle involving prayer, scripture study, complete surrender, and obedience to God. This is the lifelong work of the Holy Spirit transforming us believers to become more like Jesus Christ in our thoughts, desires, motivations, and actions. 

MESSAGE:  

COMPELS US TO CORRECT OUR HARBORING OF EVIL.

A.  CORRECTION THROUGH SALVATION.  

Persisting in sinful patterns and willful disobedience to God is a primary cause of a hardened heart. God is still calling you to trust Christ as your personal Savior today. He still loves you. His Holy Spirit still attempts to draw you to the Father.  

B.  CORRECTION THROUGH SANCTIFICATION.

Recognizing our sinfulness compels us to journey further, making life changing growth a habit. 

You likely remember that Proverbs 28:13, says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” These observations are key to the sanctification process. Recalling two particulars that are conducive to making sanctifying changes:

• Honestly acknowledging faults and taking responsibility for those wrong actions.
• Truly repenting to not merely say sorry but actively abandoning sinful behaviors.

   1. We Should Feel Compelled to Confess Our Sin.

When we see that we are sinful, we need to come to our heavenly Father saying, “I need Your forgiveness. Please wash me and make me clean in Your sight.” When we recognize that we have committed a trespass against our neighbors, or that we have sinned against God, we should not brush that aside casually as if to say, “Well, that's just my human nature.” Rather, we need to come to God and say, “I have sinned. Have mercy upon me. Change me so I won't desire to do this again!”

a.     Be wide open and straight with God regarding your sins. Psalm 139:23-24, says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: [24] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” David acknowledges that God knows him completely. By asking God to “search” and “try” (test or examine), he invites God to reveal the inner motives and unconscious biases that he might be blind to. David is begging God to search for sin and point it out, even to the degree of examining his very thoughts. He wants God to expose any hidden sins in his life and guide him toward righteousness. This is a humble admission of our fallibility and a desire for God’s transformation.

b.    Beloved, this is ‘spiritual exploratory surgery’ for sin. The phrase “wicked way” refers to anything causing spiritual grief or pain. This is a request for cleansing and realignment, asking God to point out sin so it can be confessed, and to actively guide us onto the path of eternal life. Child of God, how are we to recognize sin unless God points it out? Then, when God shows us (sometimes through others), we can repent and receive forgiveness. Oh, make this verse your sincere prayer. If you ask the Lord to search your heart and your thoughts and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing God’s path of experiencing everlasting life.

   2. We Should Feel Compelled to Reject Sin and Stand Against Evil.

Recognition of evil should bring about a rebuke, a removal of evil, or a stand against evil.

Deuteronomy 19:19–20, Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. [20] And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.

a.     We can note the consequences for a malicious witness who gives false testimony in court. The Law mandates that the false accuser receive the exact punishment they intended for the innocent victim, serving as a severe deterrent to perjury and a way to purge evil from the community.

1)    So, if a person lied in court to get someone convicted of a crime, that person would receive the very same penalty (whether a fine, imprisonment, or death) that the innocent defendant would have faced. The goal was not personal vengeance but community protection to eliminate wickedness from society.

2)    Public justice had a dual purpose: to punish the guilty and to act as a strong psychological deterrent. By carrying out severe, fitting penalties in plain sight, the community would learn to fear the legal and moral consequences of lying. This strict justice system was designed to cultivate a culture of truth, integrity, and respect for the law. (See Bible Study Tools)

b.    Beloved, we too are to live in truth, integrity, and respect for God’s Word. Those who hope that God will tolerate a little sinfulness are those who tend to tolerate sinfulness in themselves.

1)    I have seen some come to the point that they do nothing about their sin even though they recognize it as sin. They usually say something like this, “But we are all sinful. We all fall short of perfection. I’m only human after all.” That is true. Romans 3:23 says it plainly: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

2)    But, when we recognize sin in our lives as Christians, we should feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to do something spiritual about it! A Christian should never tolerate nor excuse his sin! We are to live with truth, integrity, and respect for God’s Word.

c.     1 John 1:9, states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This Christian core promise assures us believers that openly acknowledging and taking responsibility for our sins before God instantly restores our fellowship with Him, guaranteed by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Forgiveness means our sins are entirely pardoned and the barrier between us and God is removed. “...and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” speaks of cleansing or removing the internal guilt and moral pollution that sin brings, making us spiritually pure in His sight. While Christians are granted eternal, positional forgiveness at salvation, daily sins hinder our close fellowship with God. Confession acts like ‘relational dusting,’ washing away daily guilt and restoring our closeness with God.                                                            

   3. We Should Feel Compelled to Break Free of Sin’s Grip.

Jesus told a woman who was caught in the act of blatant sin, “Go and Sin No More”.

John 8:10-11, When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? [11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 

Jesus literally expected her to quit sinning in this area He had dealt with.  He was commanding her to REPENT! It didn’t take her 10 visits with a Psycho Analyzer and $20, 000 dollars to get her life straightened out. It took real faith in the Lord Jesus, and conscious submission to Christ’s Authority in her life, therefore she could break away from sinful practices. She was now saved; therefore, she could stop making a habit of sinning! (Rom. 6)

a.     Look to the Lord Jesus, Who Requires Us to Be Perfect. Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. We believers are called to pursue spiritual maturity, wholeness, and unconditional love that mirrors God’s nature, particularly by showing grace to both friends and enemies.

1)    The word “perfect” means “mature,” “complete,” or “reaching a goal”. It does not mean absolute, sinless flawlessness, as we have real limitations.

2)    However, this is God’s ultimate standard; we cannot achieve moral perfection on our own. Instead, it is a lifelong pursuit of transformation, made possible only by relying on Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

b.    How Can We Be Perfect or Spiritually Mature?

1)    In character. In this life we cannot be flawless, but we can aspire to be as much like Christ as possible.

2)    In holiness. Like the Pharisees, we are to separate ourselves from the world's sinful values. But unlike the Pharisees, we are to be devoted to God's desires rather than our own and show his love and mercy to the world.

3)    In maturity. We can't achieve Christlike character and holy living all at once, but we must grow toward maturity and wholeness. Just as we expect different behavior from a baby, a child, a teenager, and an adult, so God expects different behavior from us, depending on our stage of spiritual development.

4)    In love. We can seek to love others as completely as God loves us.

c.     We Can Be “Perfect” If Our Behavior Is Appropriate for Our Maturity Level—mature, yet with much room to grow. Our tendency to sin must never deter us from striving to be more like Christ. Christ calls all his disciples to excel, to rise above mediocrity, and to mature in every area, becoming like him. Those who strive to be like Jesus will one day be like him because of seeing him as he is (1 John 3:2-3). John also advocates ‘walking in the light’ (1 Jn. 1:5-10) or being honest about your mistakes rather than pretending to be ‘perfect.’ We acknowledge our flaws rather than sweeping them under the rug. We begin to live honestly…transparently with God and relate more appropriately with people!

C.  CORRECTION THROUGH ZERO TOLERATION.

Facing the fact that we are sinful creatures is not the same as tolerating sin in our lives. Again, you may be saying, “But we are all sinful. We all fall short of perfection.” That is true.  You may also say, “Well, nobody is perfect, surely God understands that.”

   1. Understand That Acknowledgment is Not Toleration for Sinful Behavior.

Acknowledgment of sin should lead to cleansing and fellowship—not more tolerance.

1 John 1:5-10, This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

a.     Acknowledging sinfulness means agreeing with God that our behavior or conditions fall short of His standard or expectations. Toleration, however, is consenting to or condoning that behavior. This distinction calls us believers to confess and reject our sins rather than approve of our iniquities.

b.    Beloved, this is a solemn call to real repentance! Psalm 32:5, says: “I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”

    2. Understand That Our Acknowledgment Leads to Rejection.

The Scriptures teach us that God desires for us to hate sin and its consequences and to turn from evil at every opportunity.

a.     We need to not only memorize Psalm 119:104, but we also need to adopt the attitude that it requires regarding sin and evil.  May its truth be our resolve! Psalm 119:104, Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

1)    We are not to imitate evil.

2)    We are not to embrace evil.

3)    We are not to flirt with evil.                                                                  

4)    We are not to be curious about evil.

b.    Realize that Jesus’ death and resurrection were God’s final remedy for sin. John 19:30, When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.  Until this time, a complicated system of ceremonial sacrifices had atoned for sins. Sin separates people from God, and only through the sacrifice of an animal, a substitute, could people be forgiven and become clean before God. But people sin continually, so frequent sacrifices were required. Jesus, however, became the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. The word “finished” is the same as ‘paid in full.’ Jesus came to finish God's work of salvation (Jn. 4:34; 17:4), to pay the full penalty for our sins. With his death, the complex sacrificial system ended because Jesus took all sin upon himself. Now we can freely approach God because of what Jesus did for us.

We believe in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection therefore we can live eternally with God and escape the penalty of death in hell that comes from sin.

 CONCLUSION:

Sanctification can be your reality. This daily journey involving moving away from sinful practices to implementing Christ-like lifestyle measures may be your reality immediately. The Holy Spirit transforming us believers to become more like Jesus Christ in our thoughts, desires, and actions can began for you today. Remember, acknowledging sin before God is the path to forgiveness, not the acceptance of sin. 

   

 

Change Because of Salvation

“Change Because of Salvation”

Prov. 28:13-14; 3:12; 1 Pet. 1:14-15; Isa. 59:1-2 

SUBJECT: CORRECTION ADVERSITY COMPELS US TO MAKE 

THEME: Examine Your Attitude Toward Evil and Sin When Trouble Invades Your Life. 

RELEVANCY: God Desires for Us to Correct Our Attitude Toward Evil and Turn Away from the Practices of Sin. Sin usually leads to even more sin; it is certain that the “hardened heart shall fall into mischief.” God desires to compel all of us to engage in periodic self-examination so we may face up to our own sin and to do the difficult work of changing our beliefs and our behavior. 

INTRODUCTION:

The Scriptures tell us, God is a God of absolutes. We are either evil or righteous, based upon what we have decided to do in response to Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross.

 In Thought, Word, and Deed, You, like Everyone Else in the World, Stand Guilty Before God. We must remember who we are in his sight -- alienated sinners. Don't deny that you are a sinner. Instead, allow your desperate need to point you toward Christ.   It is the person who acknowledges their own sinfulness and expresses a willingness to reject sinful behavior who will obtain mercy.  Don’t try to cover your sin with excuses or try to blame others for your failures, this only leads to a hardened heart and more mischief, calamity, and trouble!

Sin Is in Our Nature and must Be Faced by Every Person.

The last time someone accused you of wrongdoing, what was your reaction? Denial, argument, and defensiveness?

The Bible tells us the world stands silent and accountable before almighty God. No excuses or arguments are left.

MESSAGE:

TROUBLE COMPELS US TO CORRECT OUR HARBORING OF EVIL.

Proverbs 28:13-14, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. [14] Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

Obviously, we invite trouble and mischief into our lives when we harbor sin and evil by refusing to confess and forsake our sins. Again, those who conceal their sins will not prosper, while those who confess and forsake them will receive mercy. Additionally, God emphasizes that a person who fears Him is happy, whereas one who hardens their heart will face “mischief”. It is vitally important to honestly and humbly relate to God.

Hardening one's heart can lead to spiritual blindness and separation from God's rest and promises.

Hardening one's heart, as referenced in Hebrews 3, leads to dire spiritual consequences, including disbelief and disobedience. The Israelites' failure to trust in God resulted in their exclusion from entering the promised land, serving as a strong warning for Christians today. When individuals ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the truths of Scripture, they risk becoming spiritually blind and deaf to God’s voice. This hardened state not only deprives them of the joy and peace found in Christ but also results in a lack of assurance and rest, as they attempt to navigate life apart from divine guidance and grace. Believers are encouraged to remain soft-hearted, always responsive to God’s call (Hebrews 3:8-11, Psalm 95:8-11). (From Bill Parker, The Tragedy of Unbelief)                      

A.  CORRECTION THROUGH SALVATION. 

Persisting in sinful patterns and willful disobedience to God is a primary cause of a hardened heart. The Bible warns that those who continue in sin and ignore God’s commands are at risk of developing calloused mindsets. Hebrews 3:7-8 cautions, “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.” Continually indulging in sins like sexual immorality, greed, pride, bitterness, and hatred corrodes one’s spiritual sensitivity and receptiveness to God (1 Cor. 6:9-10, Gal. 5:19-21, Eph. 4:17-19). (See Bible Gateway)

God emphasizes the importance and preciousness of remaining receptive to His voice/guidance and warns against setting our interest and concerns against Him; He uses Israel’s rebellion during their time in the wilderness to exhort us today.

   1. Receive Salvation as a Free Opportunity of Grace.

Our salvation is not a matter of works but of a willful receiving of Jesus Christ into our lives. (Eph. 2:4-5,8-9).

Titus 3:5-6, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

2 Tim. 1:9-10, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, [10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Salvation is fundamentally a gift of grace rather than a result of human effort. This idea is central to Christian conversion, emphasizing that individuals cannot earn salvation through their own actions or merits. Instead, it is granted by God through faith in Jesus Christ.

1. Understanding Grace is defined as God's unearned favor, which means that salvation is not something that can be achieved through good deeds or adherence to the law. Ephesians 2:8 highlights that salvation comes by grace through faith, underscoring that it is not a result of human effort.
2. The Role of Faith is trusting in Jesus Christ as essential for receiving this grace. It is through faith that believers accept the gift of salvation, which transforms our lives.
3. Misunderstandings of Salvation—A common misconception is that salvation can be earned, leading to a reliance on personal merit or commitment. This belief is countered by the biblical teaching that salvation is God’s gift to believers (Jn. 4:10; 2 Cor. 9:15; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 6:23).

Salvation is a divine act of grace, emphasizing reliance on God’s mercy rather than human effort or determination.

   2. Open The Door of Your Life to Christ to Enter God’s Kingdom.

If we shut the door of our souls to Christ, we are outside God's Kingdom. Thus, the door to our lives must be open by us—God does not force His way in nor manipulate us to gain access. While it is true the Father will draw a sinner to Himself, we sinners still must invite the Lord Jesus into our lives.

Rev. 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.    

John 3:3, Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:5, Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 3:7, Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

John 3:16-17, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

1. The concept of the Kingdom of God represents God's sovereign rule over all creation and the realm where His will is perfectly fulfilled. The accessibility of this Kingdom emphasis both the openness of the Kingdom to all who seek it and the conditions required for entry.

2. The Kingdom of God is presented as both a present reality and a future hope. Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, proclaimed the nearness of the Kingdom, inviting all to enter through repentance and faith. In Mark 1:15, Jesus declares, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” This invitation underscores the accessibility of the Kingdom to those who turn from sin and embrace the good news of Jesus Christ.

3. While the Kingdom is indeed accessible and entrance is free, it does come with the cost of discipleship. First salvation and then discipleship subsequently. Jesus calls His followers to a life of self-denial and cross-bearing. In Luke 9:23, He instructs, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” This call to discipleship involves a willingness to forsake all for the sake of the Kingdom, highlighting the depth of commitment required to access its fullness. Unfortunately, this very point confuses so many people; they have failed to distinguish conversion from discipleship—entrance into the kingdom from continuing with the King!

The Kingdom of God's accessibility is a profound truth that invites all to partake in the divine life through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a Kingdom marked by grace, requiring a response of faith, humility, and obedience. While the path is narrow and the cost significant, the invitation is extended to all, promising eternal life and communion with God to those who enter. (See Bible Hub)

    3.  Choose Eternal Life Instead of Eternal Death.

John 3:36, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Here we have the ultimate spiritual choice: faith in, “the Son,” Jesus Christ which yields eternal life, while rejecting Him results in eternal separation from God in Hell. It contrasts the believer’s present possession of “everlasting life” with the abiding condemnation of unbelief. “Wrath” describes God’s holy, just, and righteous reaction to sin. The word “abideth” means to ‘remains’ emphasizing God’s judgment is permanent for those who die in their unbelief—sin.

     a.  Without Christ, the Results of Sin are Death.

Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You are free to choose between two masters, but you are not free to manipulate the consequences of your choice. Each of the two masters pays with his own kind of currency. The currency of sin is death. That is all you can expect or hope for in life without God. Christ's currency is eternal life -- new life with God that begins on earth and continues forever with God. What choice have you made? (Dr. C. Stanley)

     b.  With Christ, Sins Are Forgiven and Eternal Life Is Given (John 3:36; Rom. 6:23).

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” requires that true belief is not merely mental agreement; it is active trust and reliance on Jesus as the promised Savior. Believers possess eternal life in the present, securing a restored relationship with God.

            1.  Eternal Life Is a Free ‘Gift’ from God (Rom. 6:23).

If it is a gift, then it is not something that we earn, nor something that must be paid back. Consider the foolishness of someone who receives a gift given out of love and then offers to pay for it.

             2. A Gift Cannot Be Purchased by the Recipient.

A more appropriate response to a loved one who offers a gift is graceful acceptance with gratitude. Our salvation is a gift from God, not something of our own doing (Eph 2:8-9). He saved us because of his kindness and pity, not because we were good enough to be saved (Titus 3:5). How much more we should accept with thanksgiving the gift that God has freely given to us. (Dr. C. Stanley)

    4.  Call Upon Christ to Save You Today.

God is still calling you to trust Christ as your personal Savior today. He still loves you. He still calls you, and His Holy Spirit still attempts to draw you to the Father. You are still an enemy of God, not an heir. Why not call upon the Lord in prayer?

Romans 10:9-13, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Sin is like a disease that is beyond human cure. Matthew 8:1-4, When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. [2] And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. [3] And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. [4] And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.  Leprosy, like AIDS today, was a terrifying disease because there was no known cure. In Jesus' day, the word for leprosy was used for a variety of similar diseases, and some forms were contagious. If a person contracted the contagious type, a priest declared him a leper and banished him from his home and city. The leper was sent to live in a community with other lepers until he either got better or died. Yet when the leper begged Jesus to heal him, Jesus reached out and touched him, even though his skin was covered with the dread disease.

Sin is also an incurable disease—and we all have it. Only Christ's healing touch can miraculously take away our sins and restore us to real living. But first, just like the leper, we must realize our inability to cure ourselves and ask for Christ's saving intervention. We need to confess our uncleanness and appeal to the Great Physician to perform a work of internal cleansing and literally transform our lives. Everyone who came to Jesus in genuine faith went away different, improved, transformed, and internally changed forever! (Dr. C. Stanley)

Calling upon Christ for salvation involves recognizing your need for His grace, turning away from sin with a repentant heart, and trusting in His sacrifice as the God accepted payment. It is a personal act of faith where you surrender your life to Him, believing He died, was buried, and rose again to grant you eternal life.

If you want to call upon Him right now, you can do so through prayer, acknowledging your need for His forgiveness and expressing your trust in Him as your personal Savior.

 

 

Our Toleration of Evil

 

“Our Toleration of Evil”

Prov. 28:13-14; 3:12; 1 Pet. 1:14-15; Isa. 59:1-2 

SUBJECT: CORRECTION ADVERSITY COMPELS US TO MAKE

THEME: Examine Your Attitude Toward Evil and Sin When Trouble Invades Your Life. 

RELEVANCY: God Desires for Us to Correct Our Attitude Toward Evil and Turn Away from the Practices of Sin. Sin usually leads to even more sin; it is certain that the “hardened heart shall fall into mischief.” God desires to compel all of us to engage in periodic self-examination so we may face up to our own sin and to do the difficult work of changing our beliefs and our behavior. Once more we want to encourage you to, look at your own heart and life to see what you may need to correct when adversity comes your way. Our goal is to live in total harmony with what Jesus would believe and do.

INTRODUCTION:

The Scriptures tell us, God is a God of absolutes. We are either evil or righteous, based upon what we have decided to do in response to Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross. If we accept that what Jesus did on the cross was for us and for the remission of our sins, and we receive Him as our Savior, then we move from the classification of sinner to the classification of saved.

Sin is the Worldwide separation of people from God.

 Romans 3:9-10, What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; [10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Paul uses these verses to show that humanity in general, in its present sinful condition, is unacceptable before God.

Have you ever thought to yourself, ‘Well, I'm not too bad.’ I'm a pretty good person?

Have you ever lied? Have you ever hurt someone's feelings by your words or tone of voice?

Are you bitter toward anyone? Do you become angry with those who strongly disagree with you?

The Bible tells us the world stands silent and accountable before almighty God. No excuses or arguments are left. Have you reached the point with God where you are ready to hang up your defenses and await his decision? If you haven't, stop now and admit your sin to him.

MESSAGE: 

WHY DO WE CARELESSLY TOLERATE SIN AND EVIL?

We answer this question by asking another one.  What does the Bible say about God's holiness? Our view of sin is directly related to our view of God’s perfect holiness.  With a low opinion of God’s holiness we tolerate and harbor more sinful attitudes and actions.  When we have a high admiration for God’s holiness, we are far less passive regarding our sin.  The following are some principles that help us quickly grasp the infinite holiness of God.

A.  WE DISMISSED GOD’S HOLINESS WHICH IS BEYOND COMPARISON.  

1 Peter 1:14-15, As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: [15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Being holy in the sense of superior moral qualities and possessing certain essentially divine qualities in contrast with what is human—‘holy, pure, divine.’^[1]

We are called to abandon our former, sinful lifestyles and align our daily behavior with the perfect holiness of God. This radical transformation as followers of Christ replaces worldly ignorance with active obedience and moral purity.

The moral excellence of God that unifies his attributes and is expressed through his actions, setting him apart from all others. Believers are called to be holy as God is holy. —Systematic Theology

    1.  God Sets the Standard of Morality.

The God of Israel and of the Christian churches is holy—he sets the standard for morality.

The believers’ living hope based on their new birth should lead to a lifestyle of holiness. Those chosen for new birth are also called to be holy. Peter exhorted his readers to prepare to meet the challenge of obedience by adopting a new mind-set. The price paid for a believer’s redemption calls for reverence and obedience. Obedience involves purifying oneself and practicing holy living, while offering spiritual sacrifices as a royal priest.^[2]

Unlike the Roman and Greek gods, God is not warlike, adulterous, or spiteful. These ancient gods acted like spoiled, jealous, and powerful humans; many ancient religions featured immoral and unethical gods and goddesses. They supposedly had superpowers but also bad habits like stealing, lying, and cheating. Unlike the gods of the pagan cults popular in the first century, Jehovah is not bloodthirsty or promiscuous. He is a God of mercy and justice who cares personally for each of his followers. Our holy God expects us to imitate him by following his high moral standards. Like him, we should be both merciful and just; like him, we should sacrifice ourselves for others.

    2.  God's Holiness Is Our Universal Standard for Pure Living.

God is holy; He is utterly unique, distinct from all of creation, and entirely perfect in moral purity. It is the defining characteristic of His nature; His absolute purity—He is completely unstained by sin or evil. There is no darkness or falsehood in his thoughts, statements, and activities—He is perfectly good and just.  

After people commit their lives to Christ, they usually still feel a pull back to their old ways. Peter tells us to be like our heavenly Father -- holy in everything we do. Holiness for us means being totally devoted or dedicated to God, set aside for his special use, and set apart from sin and its influence. Rev. 15:4, says,

“Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

We’re to be set apart and different, not blending in with the crowd, yet not being different just for the sake of being different. What makes us different is having God’s qualities in our life. Our focus and priorities must be his. All this is in direct contrast to our old ways (1Pet. 1:14). We cannot become holy on our own, but God gives us his Holy Spirit to help us obey and to give us power to overcome sin. Don't use the excuse that you can't help slipping into sin. Call on God's power to free you from sin’s grip.

Commonly God’s standard of holiness is trumped by the “new morality” which is a wide-ranging cultural and ethical shift from traditional, Bible-based absolute moral frameworks toward bases centered on individual self-fulfillment, situational ethics, and bodily self-government. That is moving in favor of flexible, context-driven ethical notions—from God-centered to human-centered ideas! (See Christianity Today). These modern principles emphasize living an authentic, personally rewarding life, prioritizing happiness and emotional well-being over self-denial. Current morality relies increasingly on psychological and observed characterizations of right and wrong. It is closely tied to required concerns for others' welfare, fairness, and justice, driven by secular humanist philosophies rather than traditional biblical views. Our society is presently feeling the woes of that mistake!  

B.  WE DISMISSED GOD’S HOLINESS WHICH CANNOT ALLOW SIN.

Isaiah 59:1-2, Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: [2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

God is always willing and able to save His people, but our willful sins create a spiritual barrier. Instead of God losing His power or ignoring prayers, our iniquity breaks fellowship, causing Him to withhold His deliverance until repentance occurs.

There is widespread perversion of justice and dishonesty. People conceive evil and bring forth crime. Their activities are as dangerous as vipers’ eggs and as useless as a spider’s web. Sin controls every area of their lives—what they do, where they go, what they think. They care nothing for peace and justice, preferring what is crooked. What was true of Israel is also true of the entire human race (Rom. 3:15–17).^[3]

God's inability to tolerate sin is mentioned in Habakkuk 1:13, saying. "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity..."

Sin prevents prayer from being answered (cf. Ps. 66:18). Those sins included murder, lying, injustice (cf. Isa. 59:9, 11, 14–15), and planning evil (vv. 3–4). Their actions were like those of deadly poisonous snakes (vipers and an adder), for they were harming each other. ^[4]

God is absolutely holy. In fact, his moral perfection is so vast that He cannot look upon sin with approval or tolerate its presence. Psalm 5:4, says, “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.” This embraces the concept of God’s zero-tolerance policy toward sin and wickedness.

    1.  There Is a Colossal Problem with All of Us Before a Perfect God—our sins have cut us off from any relationship with Him. Because of our sinful attitudes and actions, he has completely turned away from us and utterly refuses to listen.

    2.  Sin Offends Our Holy God and Separates Us from Him. Because God is holy, he cannot ignore, excuse, or tolerate sin as though it didn't matter. Sin cuts people off from him, forming a wall to isolate God from the people he loves.

No wonder this long list of wretched sins makes God angry and forces him to look the other way. People who die with their life of sin unforgiven separate themselves eternally from God. God wants them to live with him forever, but he cannot take them into his holy presence unless their sin is removed. Have you confessed your sin to God, allowing him to remove it? The Lord can save you if you turn to him.

    3. Beloved, this is God’s Second Correction—the Purging Away of Sin from Our Lives. Proverbs 28:13, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

There is a stark contrast between two responses to sin—concealment versus confession—and their ultimate outcomes.

1. “Covereth” (this is hiding/excusing sin). Trying to hide, deny, or justify wrongdoings. God warns that this approach “shall not prosper”. Hiding sin requires constant energy, leads to inner turmoil, and ultimately blocks spiritual success or peace.
2. “Confesseth” (relates to admitting/owning our sin). Honestly acknowledging faults to God and taking responsibility for those wrong actions.
3. “Forsaketh” (is turning away from sinful behavior). True repentance involves not just saying sorry, but actively abandoning or changing that sinful behavior.
4. “Mercy” (refers to God’s forgiveness and compassion). The reward for complete repentance is God's grace, pardon, and compassion.

1)    Choose Transparency with God over denial. God already sees everything, so attempting to hide sin is foolish. Admitting fault brings peace and breaks the hold that the secret has on your life.

2)    Engage the two-step path to forgiveness. Genuine repentance requires both confession (admitting it) and forsaking (turning away from it).

3)    Take the biblical promise to heart. Align yourself with 1 John 1:9, where God promises that if we confess our sins, He is “faithful and just to forgive us”.

Admitting our faults and actively turning away from these behaviors are the only path to forgiveness and grace. Remember God will never admit a sinful, arrogant soul, into his kingdom. But if we confess our sin, with a broken heart, forsake every evil way, and we give proof that we are serious with God. The sincerity of the confession is proved by our forsaking sins (Job 34:31-32). Then mercy is guaranteed to such a soul (Ps 32:5; 1 John 1:8-10).

     4. God deals with our Shame effectively in Salvation!

These two previous discussions bring us to the unavoidable subject of shame. This is a painful relational consequence of sin that causes a person to feel worthless, exposed, and alienated from God and others. While guilt is about breaking a rule, shame is about feeling that your core identity is irreparably flawed—a valid moral conviction.

Spiritually, shame is often viewed as a heavy burden on the soul rather than a mere character flaw. It is defined as an internalizing force that attacks your core identity, whispering that your whole self is flawed and unworthy of love.—Unknown

Shame causes individuals to hide their authentic selves from God and from their community (like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden—Gen. 3:7-10). It emerged immediately after the Fall when Adam and Eve realized their nakedness, felt exposed, and hid from God. Again, shame is not just an internal feeling; it is a degraded, defeated, or outcast state within a community (e.g., poverty, barrenness, or disease). Experiencing brief shame can motivate a straying believer to repent and return to godly standards.

Practice God's Solution for Shame!
God seeks to remove our shame. Through Christ, God replaces our disgrace with honor, grace, and a new identity.

• Isaiah 54:4: Assures us we will no longer remember the shame of our youth.
• Romans 10:11: says, “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed” (this persistent theme is also promised in 1 Peter 2:6).
• Hebrews 12:2: Highlights that Jesus “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” to secure victory over sin and restore us to fellowship with God.

Guilt is judicial in character; shame is relational. Though related to guilt, shame emphasizes sin's effect on self-identity. Sinful human beings are traumatized before a holy God, exposed for failure to live up to God's glorious moral purpose. The first response of Adam and Eve to their sinful condition was to hide from God, and consequently from one another (Gen 3:7-8; 2:25). Christ's unhindered openness to the Father was both a model for life and the means of removing humanity's shame. Christian self-identity is transformed "in him."

When one confesses Christ and openly rebels against him, however, the work of Christ is publicly shamed (Heb 6:6). Christians must be diligent to renounce shameful behavior, though tempting because of its hidden character (2 Cor 4:2).

Shame is a godly motivator. A virtuous life shames the ungodly, providing a context for evangelism (Titus 2:8; 1 Peter 3:16). A believer's shame for past sin is a spur to forsake sinning (Rom 6:21), to renounce disobedience (2 Thess 3:14), and to minister the gospel (2 Cor 4:2).

Shameless people flaunt their unholiness, calloused to God (Zep 3:5) and glorying in their shame (Php 3:19). Yet no one is shameless ultimately. "Shameless Acts" receive the judgment inherent in the act (Rom 1:27). Also, at the final judgment the nakedness of those not clothed with Christ' righteousness will be exposed (Rev 3:18; 16:15).—Bradford A. Mullen

 

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^[1] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 744.

^[2] Roger M. Raymer, “1 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 842.

^[3] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 984.

^[4] John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1114.