Identifying Sin

The Bible describes sin as transgression against God, the failure to measure up to His righteous standards, whether it be due to a rebellious heart or in ignorance.  While some sins are clearly defined, in practice distinguishing sin can be tricky.  Because the root of sin grows in our heart, basing our answers only on what we see can miss the point.  Pharisees who kept the letter of the Law of Moses were condemned for their pride by Jesus who knew the hearts of men.

It is a good question to ask when we are personally convicted by our conscience:  is this sin?  God's word often prompts us to consider and judge ourselves according to God's standard of righteousness rather than conform to the values of the world which justifies sin for countless reasons.  The flip side of identifying our sin is to repent and do what pleases God instead.  Avoiding sin is half the struggle:  we need to look to God in faith to be strengthened to do what He says is right.  If we only look at what we do or avoid doing we can miss the necessity to examine our own motives and intentions completely.  We will be forever chasing down symptoms of sin rather than rooting them out at the source.

Another important point is to understand there are things that are not sinful in themselves but are sin for you.  Boasting, for instance, often has a negative connotation because it is often evidence of pride.  Yet it is possible with a humble heart like David and Paul to make their boast in the LORD.  It is in this context of boasting in what we will do James wrote in James 4:17:  "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."  It is sinful not to acknowledge our complete need for reliance upon God for our lives.  We can sin by what we do and also by leaving what we know is good undone.  There are things that are legal but not helpful, activities which are not sinful in themselves but do not edify.  We are unwise to submit ourselves to what harms us and undermines our relationship with God (1 Cor. 6:12).

Even though Christians are not under the Law of Moses and our sins have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, this is no excuse to treat sin as without consequence.  See how James ended his epistle in James 5:19-20:  "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."  The implication here is brethren can wander from the truth.  This is not speaking of evangelism but the restoration of misguided believers who are going their own erroneous way.  Our salvation is assured by the Gospel, yet sin continues to retain its deadly consequences.  As we walk in the truth let us do good, repent of our sin and walk in humility before God and man.

Tripping Over Salvation

When people come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, it is common for them to be concerned about the eternal future of those they know and love.  They have made a decision to receive eternal life through the Gospel, and it isn't uncommon for them to be earnest in sharing with others.  It is fitting to put a high priority on eternity, for this life we experience now on earth is a breath by comparison.  The alternative to spending eternity in the presence of God in heaven is eternal torment in hell, so the stakes are shockingly high.

What I have observed is when the loved one does not see their need for Jesus Christ or pushes back against the Gospel, conflict can arise.  The well-meaning believer can exert pressure on others by trying to change their minds with arguments.  Others can be very preoccupied with what I will call the "salvation status" of someone else, believing they are not born again or wondering if they are going to heaven.  In many of these cases the Christian does not demonstrate the peace, joy or rest God provides at all, frustrated or afraid for their loved one who does not love Christ.  Not content with assurance of our salvation by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, some also long for assurance concerning the salvation of others.  It is strange the one made upright by God's grace and walking with Jesus can be preoccupied over one particular person is saved or not.  Perhaps it is better not to have that assurance of salvation for someone else you are hoping to find, otherwise you might stop praying for them!

Praise the LORD God is a Saviour, and we can rest assured His will is not that any should perish.  I read a great passage this morning that shows God provides opportunity for repentance and deliverance even to people He knows will not listen.  Jeremiah 36:1-3 says, "Now it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, that this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: ² "Take a scroll of a book and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah even to this day. ³ It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the adversities which I purpose to bring upon them, that everyone may turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin."  The tenor of God's words show He looks for the opportunity to forgive.  In addition to giving human beings a conscience, God provided warnings of the dire consequences of sin.  It wasn't that God couldn't or wouldn't forgive, but people refused to listen to Him.  That wasn't God's fault, seeing He also gave them eyes, ears and the ability to think and reason.

As Paul reasoned with the Greeks concerning the true God who Created all things is not an image made of gold, silver or stone, fashioned by man, he said in Acts 17:30-31:  "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹ because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."  The resurrection of Jesus is proof He has the power to forgive sins and give eternal life, and also that He will judge the world in righteousness.  No one is righteous in themselves except Jesus, and praise God His righteousness is imputed to all who trust in Him.  Since we are assured of so great a salvation, when we are concerned for others let us first seek our Saviour and commit our loved ones into His hand.  God shed His own blood to save them (Acts 20:28), and He is able to use us or anything He desires to bring them into eternal glory by grace.  Whether we sow, water, reap or wait on the LORD, let us exhibit the fruit of the Spirit by patience with fullness of joy.

What Nebuchadnezzar Learned

God has given us the ability to learn from the mistakes of others, and God is able to redeem ignorance and sin to bring divine revelation.  We observe this in the life of king Nebuchadnezzar, God's chosen servant.  The odd thing is, for a long time Nebuchadnezzar had no knowledge of this.  From the captives taken to Babylon to teach them the language and ways of the Chaldeans, Nebuchadnezzar received a crash-course in the glorious God of Israel who is sovereign over all, the KING OF KINGS.

There are three notable incidents recorded in the book of Daniel that all end with king Nebuchadnezzar having his eyes opened to the almighty God:  after Daniel revealed his dream and interpretation, after Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were miraculously preserved in the fiery furnace, and after king Nebuchadnezzar was rendered senseless like a beast for 7 years.  After Daniel revealed the dream and interpretation to the king no wise man or astrologer in the kingdom could, he fell on his face before Daniel in worship.  Daniel 2:47 says, "The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret."  This acknowledgement of God with his mouth was far from Nebuchadnezzar surrendering his heart before the LORD of all.

In Daniel 3 Nebuchadnezzar built an enormous statue of his image and commanded all the rulers in his kingdom to worship before it at the sound of music.  The three aforementioned Jews refused to do so, and were challenged by the power-tripping king:  "Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?"  When they were not swayed by his threats, the king commanded they be thrown alive into a burning furnace.  To his amazement they were unharmed by the violent flames that slew his mighty men who threw them in, and there was a forth man who walked with them likened to the Son of God.  After he called them out and inspected them, having observed no singeing or even the smell of smoke on them Daniel 3:28-29 states, "Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! ²⁹ Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this."

Nebuchadnezzar knew God revealed secrets and delivered those who trusted him, yet he was not humbled before him.  After Daniel interpreted the dream of the king and urged him to repent, a year later the king was proudly walking through his palace when the LORD stuck Nebuchadnezzar and deprived him of a sound mind.  He was suddenly feral as an wild animal and ate grass in the field.  His unkempt hair became matted and his neglected fingernails resembled claws.  Daniel 4:34-35 reads, "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. ³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?"

Nebuchadnezzar, through the testimony of God's people and personal experience, came to know the God of Israel is the God of Gods, the revealer of secrets, one who delivers those who trust in Him, He is eternal with an everlasting dominion, and no one can question or restrain Him from doing anything.  The final words of Nebuchadnezzar recorded in scripture are found in Daniel 4:37, a summary of the glorious God he served:  "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down."  Praise the LORD who reveals Himself to mankind, whose works are truth and ways justice.  God is able to humble the proud, and how blessed and privileged people are to serve Him.

Invitation for Communion

It is traditionally common before momentous occasions like weddings to send out invitations to select people.  It would be nice to invite all family and friends who would enjoy attending an event, but due to space and budget restrictions it is not always feasible.  I am blessed God is not hindered with our limitations, for His invitation for people to come to Him to be forgiven and receive eternal life are given to all.  Like the parables Jesus told when servants were directed to seek out the blind and lame in the street to come to the feast already prepared, so the LORD seeks us out to compel us to draw near to Him in faith for salvation and continual fellowship with Him.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in regards to their observance of the LORD's supper, and this is an ordinance what is commonly called "communion" in Christian  circles.  He critiqued their factions, excesses and carelessness concerning one another.  Instead of the LORD's supper being a stand-alone rite or observance as it can be today, it was incorporated into meals they shared with one another--even as Jesus instituted communion during and after the Passover meal.  Paul said it was wrong some people went away hungry because they lacked bread whilst others were inebriated from wine.  Their observance of communion was a hypocritical display due to the lack of unity and love for one another Jesus modeled that is to mark the lives of every genuine believer.

Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 11:26-29:  "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. ²⁷ Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."  Some people take this as a prohibition and warning against receiving communion to avoid judgment from God when it is actually the opposite:  it is an invitation to communion with God by repentance of sin.  It would be hypocrisy for professing believers to refuse to receive communion out of fear of judgment of sin by God when Jesus Christ has provided the means of forgiveness and true fellowship with God.  In thinking it is hypocritical to take communion when in sin, it is also hypocritical to refuse to repent when you know you are in sin.  The point is we ought to examine ourselves inside and out.  To the one partaking of the LORD's supper it was not merely bread or wine but symbols that point to the sacrifice of Christ and are partakers of the atonement by faith in Him.

No one is worthy of salvation or to partake of God's Spirit by "clean living," yet by God's grace He has sent Him to fill and regenerate people once dead in sins to new life.  We are unworthy in ourselves, but having been born again we can partake worthily by examining ourselves and seeking to walk in purity even as Jesus is pure.  God invites all people to have fellowship with Him, and receiving communion is a step of faith, obedience and identification with Jesus who was crucified for our sins and rose from the dead glorified.  Even as we eat food daily, self-examination is to be a daily exercise as our eyes are fixed on Jesus:  confession of sin, repentance, choosing to do things that please God according to the scripture, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, and heeding our conscience are disciplines that aid us to walk worthily of Jesus our Saviour who is our Life.