Our Greatest Enemy -- SIN (Part 2)

AGGRAVATED SIN

            Our sins are often made more offensive in the sight of God because of the way we use many of His blessings.  Such sins have sometimes been described as “God’s blessings to us gone astray in our use of them,” rather in our misuse of them.  Think of it!  Accepting God’s blessings and making them an occasion of sin against Him!  Many examples of might be cited.  Our health authorities tell us they are disturbed because so many people are very much overweight—a common fault—and detrimental to their health.  Call it intemperate eating, gluttony, or what not, it is sinful to endanger our health by eating beyond our needs—not to mention the fault of consuming food that should go to the needy ones who are undernourished!  God gives us food to sustain our bodies and we use it to excess and impair our health!  Here’s another example of blessings misused.  As a mode of transportation, the invention of the motor vehicle has been a boon to man, and almost revolutionize our way of living.  It has been a blessing to the work of the Church.  A minister said that by the use of an automobile, he was enabled once to hold four services on his charge on an Easter Sunday.  But because of recklessness, carelessness, or some fault due to mishandling of the vehicle, we are killing yearly on our streets and highways throughout the country form 35,000 to 40,000 persons.  God gave us the material that goes into the making of an automobile and the intellect to invent its manufacture—but see how we use His gifts!  Many more examples might be given, showing how we turn God’s gifts to sinful use.

IS IT SINFUL?

            Many people ask that question—especially people who want a religion that governs by rule—and there are two many of that kind!  Such persons may never become mature Christians.  They take a narrow view of what it means to be a Christian.  Such persons would like to have a Bible as big as a suitcase, indexed with every conceivable act of conduct, and be able to run to it and read a “yes” or “no” response to such questions as, “it is wrong to dance, or to play cards?”

            Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles Wesley, once wrote to John when he was in college: “Would you judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of a pleasure, take this rule:  Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of your body over your mind, that thing, to you is sin.”

            After two centuries, that is still good advice—for young and old.

SOME REASSURING THOUGHTS

            When we think of God’s attitude toward sin, let us ever keep in mind that while God hates sin, He loves the sinner.  “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezek 33:11)

            Here is a source of comfort that we should not miss.  Because God’s attitude toward sin is one of antagonism—forever against evil in every form, and forever working to uphold the right and the pure and the good—evil can never eventually prevail, but will be overthrown by God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.  Let us be sure that we are always on God’s side, working with Him and all the forces of righteousness throughout the earth.  All the forces of evil combined cannot eventually prevail against God.  Notwithstanding the weaknesses of His followers—their indifference, opposition, and infidelity—Christ firmly believed that His cause would win the world from evil.  The New Testament has been called the most optimistic Book on earth, and the last Book of the Bible breathes words of assurance.  The Kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever” (Rev 11:15).

--H. H. Smith, Sr. 1959