There is a great debate in these End Times about sin. The scriptures prophesy about this very thing, and we are seeing it come to pass. There are many across the globe who want particular things to no longer be considered as sin. Many are demanding that society, and even the Church and synagogues, no longer label certain activities as sin. Their argument is that times have changed, and the insistence of faiths in labeling these activities as sin must change also. Some faiths have acquiesced to these demands, although it was not the institution, but God, who set the standard to begin with.
Contrary to how we sometimes think, sin is not an A-Z list, starting with, say, "Adultery", and ending with "Zoroastrianism", with many things listed in between. It is not a matter of man arrogantly or ignorantly shifting an item from the "Sin" column, to the "No Longer a Sin Because Times Have Changed" column, or the "No Longer a Sin Because Everybody Does It" column. Sin is not a list of words and behaviors about which we can debate. It is also not a list of items of which some are considered minor, and others are considered major offenses. All sin results in the same consequence-death: mental, emotional, physical, spiritual death.
So what is sin then? Are there specific things mentioned in scripture as sin? Oh yes, but the definition of sin in both Greek and Hebrew is: to be without a share in, to miss the mark, to err, to be mistaken, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to do or go wrong, to wander from or violate God's law, a violation of divine law by thought or deed, to miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, to bear loss, to lose one's self, to wander from the way, etc. The definitions point to the imagery of an archery target where any arrow that does not strike dead center, or the bull's eye, is "missing the mark". Any archer will tell you that hitting that bull's eye dead center is a difficult feat.
What is that mark or standard that we must reach or hit? Scripture says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23, 5:12).
The standard that the Law of God demands is to the holiness, perfection, and glory of God, Himself (Lev. 20:7, 1 Pet. 1:15-16, Gen. 17:1, Mt. 5:44-48). This is the center of the target, the bull's eye, that we are required to hit. No amount of debate, changing times, offence, or insistence can change this absolute and eternal standard. Even if we just miss this mark, this bull's eye, by a slight margin, it is as if we have missed the whole target entirely.
If we do not know the whole Law of God, Jesus gave us this guideline when asked what the most important commandment was:
"...you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets."
Mt. 22:37-40
So we have already reduced a very long A-Z list of items to two. The question is, how many of us fulfill even these two commandments? No, we don't get partial credit for just knowing our neighbor's name! In case any of us have successfully met this standard, which is very doubtful, Jesus continues His point as a wonderful young man comes up to Jesus and asks Him sincerely, what "good thing" is required of him that he may have eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the Law, the commandments. The young man assures Him that he does this, and has done it from his youth. Jesus then tells the young man that if he wants to be perfect (this is our standard mentioned above), he must sell all that he has, give the proceeds to the poor, and come follow Jesus. Jesus assures him he will have treasure in heaven, but the young man turns away heartbroken, because he knows he can never do it. He is very rich. (Mt. 19:16-26). Does Jesus ask him to do this because we should not own anything? No. Jesus saw in the young man's heart that there was something more important to him than God, something the young man loved more, needed more. It was so important to his life that he could not walk away from it, even for the benefit of gaining eternal life.
According to the guideline Jesus gave us, we are supposed to love God above all else, and with everything within us. Nothing is to be more important to us than our love of God. We may think that we could give up anything if God required it of us, but as God searches our hearts, He can always find something that we love more than Him, even if we don't want to admit it. He could easily show us our shortcomings by pinpointing those things, and asking us to walk away from them. If He were to ask this of us, it would break our hearts, because we wouldn't be able do it in many cases. So we can't really say that we keep even the two commandments Jesus mentioned above.
Jesus also tells us that if we have an A-Z sin list, we must remember that there are subcategories of categories, because even just our thoughts and feelings have the same consequence, and carry the same guilt, as if we actually commit the act. (Mt. 5:21-22, 1 Jn. 3:15). For this reason, if for no other, the law cannot save us, because we cannot keep it. Hebrews 7:19 tells us that the law made nothing perfect.
Does this mean that Jesus didn't think sin was important? No. He would tell those to whom He ministered to go, and sin no more. Sin means death, and Jesus came to destroy the power of death over us. The Good News, however, isn't about keeping the list of sins. Heated debates about changing the definition of sin will come and go, and we get very upset, even angry, by these debates. It is very sad to our hearts to see men's disregard for God, and for His word. We despair as we see the laws of our land changed as a result of this disregard, but we will see the real fruit of righteousness come when we change. We must change. I must change. I am looking for the world to change, but the world is groaning, looking and waiting for me to change. I am looking to manifest to the world the miracles of Jesus, but I must also manifest the greatest miracle of all, the miracle of salvation and renewal and change in my own life.
Our Good News is that even though we all fall short of God's holiness, perfection, and glory, Jesus offered Himself as our only hope and remedy. That is our message, and that is the truth we offer. As far as the sins of others are concerned, Jesus instructed us that if we forgive others' sins, they are forgiven, and if we retain the sins of others, they are retained (Jn. 20:22-23). So concerning the sins of others, that is our commandment. The Torah agrees when it instructs in 1 Chron. 7:14 that we are to humble ourselves, as the people of God, turn from our own wicked ways, and repent, seeking the face of God. If we are willing to do this, our whole land can see revival and healing. So why hasn't our land seen this revival and healing? Perhaps because we, God's people, are not following this instruction. If we are going to measure guilt and failure, what greater failure can there be than to keep revival from our land because we, the people of God, cannot, or will not, humble ourselves individually in repentance?
Jesus asked how we can see to remove the mote in our brother's eye, when we have a beam in our own eye. First, we must remove the beam from our own eye. Otherwise, He used the term we all dread to hear: "Hypocrites". Once our hypocrisy is revealed, our whole testimony, our whole message, becomes worthless and ineffective to others.
Jesus was challenged by the religious folk with the accusation that He did not keep the law. On one occasion, He was asked about the stoning of an adulterous woman, caught in her guilt. As the encounter ends, Jesus says to let the one among them who is without sin cast the first stone. As her accusers leave, he instructs the woman to go and sin no more. (Jn. 8:4-11). What do I do about these sayings of Jesus? Do I read past them as quickly as possible, and go on to the next scripture? I had better not. What is He telling us? Is He saying that it doesn't matter if we sin? No. When He says, "Judge not, that you be not judged." (Mt. 7:1), how do I incorporate this into my thoughts on sin? Jesus said it is the one who was forgiven much, who loves the most (Lk. 7:47).
My real condition is this: sadly, while I quickly gloss over my own shortcomings and sins, I am very quick to see and condemn in my heart the sins of others. While my own mind and heart are full of destructive thoughts and feelings, I ignore them to focus on the failings of others. All the while, I have the key to revival and healing in my very hand, not just for myself, but for my nation, but I do not use it. How will I face God with this reality? I had it in my hand the whole time, yet I would not use it.
Our whole nation, and even the nations of the world, are being destroyed not by an enemy from without, but by an enemy from within, which is our own sin and rebellion. The Word tells me that the remedy begins with me, and my own repentance for my sins, my own salvation. This is the beginning point, the spiritual turning point. No, I will not compromise what I know is the truth of God's Word, no matter what society may demand. However, that truth needs to not just come out of my mouth, but through my life, as well. In fact, that truth will be most powerfully exhibited when it comes through my life.
The Apostle Paul mourned and wrestled with the fact that he was a wretched man because, even though he tried his hardest, and desired it with his whole heart, he could not be perfect (Rom. 7:19-25). If the Apostle Paul examined himself in this manner, then I think the rest of us should have plenty to keep ourselves occupied. He urged his own churches to examine ourselves (1 Cor. 11:28).
For this very reason, which is our own failing unto death, our Father sent His only Son, who allowed wicked men (all of us) to open His body, and His veins, so that His blood could cover us, cover our sins, cover our shortcomings, and bring us to the mark of the holiness, perfection, and glory of God, and to give us life instead of death if we will accept His provision for us (Jn. 3:16-18, Jn. 17:22).
Does that mean that any effort to avoid sin is hopeless, and therefore should not be even attempted? Does it mean that those who demand that certain things now be removed from the "Sin" column are right after all, because it is impossible to accomplish? No, our knowledge and awareness of our sin, even in list form, can be the first step to change, even as that same knowledge of it condemns us. When we are aware that we fall short, and our hearts' desire is to please God, and to be free from the calamities and death from sin, God can do a changing work in us. Paul said that many in the church had been guilty of certain sins, but were now cleansed (1 Cor. 6:9-11). However, while we are flesh, this conflict will be in us, and with us daily in some form. That A-Z sin list reminds us of how far short we fall, and how widely we miss the mark. It reminds us daily of how very thankful we are that Jesus became our righteousness to make up for the lack of righteousness within each one of us. He is the One who becomes the holiness, perfection and glory of God in our place, and on our behalf, as we continually miss the mark. Changing the sin list will not change the reality, as some might hope or contend, but God can change the reality:
Who then can be saved? "Jesus looked at them and said to them, With men, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Mt. 19:26).
Our Father has given His Son for our sin.
"How Can It Be?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ben2wwGyOk
"
Nothing But the Blood of Jesus"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYjhGeAIG6k
"Lord, I Need You"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuvfMDhTyMA
"Because He Lives (AMEN)"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBvU7arNhQs
"Redeemed"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzGAYNKDyIU
As I write about this topic, I must say that it is not with a clear understanding. I know that there are many more people out there who would know more about it than myself. There are clergy and those who have studied the Word for years, and prayed and walked in the wisdom of God, who could be clearer in thought on this subject. But more and more, I have a feeling in my gut that I have to try and puzzle out. Perhaps a year from now, or two, or three, or more, I will have a different understanding of this issue. The issue I am struggling with is the issue of righteousness. We believe we know what this word means. In Hebrew, the word righteous or righteousness means "to do or bring justice, to have a just cause, to be just, lawful, correct". I find this definition different from the one I had in my own mind. I had viewed righteousness as being in a condition without sin. I think this is the view of most people. But considering the Hebrew meaning, righteousness pertains to actions or works that reveal justice. A form of behavior that reflects "rightness".
There is an interesting story of justice in John 8. The religious people of the society bring a woman before Jesus. She has been caught in the very act of adultery. The Law of Moses says that such a person should be put to death (Lev. 20:10). The act of adultery is certainly forbidden by the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:14). The crowd of religious leaders asks Jesus "But what do You say?". They were testing Him, and looking for a reason to accuse Him of breaking the commandments. But Jesus didn't answer them. In fact, never did He answer them directly in any way. He stooped down to the ground, and began to write in the dirt with His finger, as if He hadn't heard their question. They asked Him again. Jesus stood and said "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." (John 8:7). Then He stooped down and began writing on the ground again. Everyone began, one by one, to walk away, convicted by their consciences. Only the adulterous woman was left standing there. Jesus asked the woman if there were any accusers left. She answered Him, "No one, Lord." Jesus answered her. "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (Jn. 8:11).
We don't know what Jesus was writing in the dirt that day. There is speculation that He was writing in the dirt all of the sins or unrighteous acts of the religious leaders standing there that day. That they also were guilty of breaking the Law of Moses in one form or another.
The religious leaders in the story did not bring a false accusation. The woman did indeed commit adultery (although her partner in the crime seems to be missing from this event!), and the Law of Moses is clear on the punishment. So what does this mean? Is Jesus telling the leaders that they should ignore the Law of Moses? Well, the Law of Moses doesn't cleanse sin, it just makes us knowledgeable of sin. (Rom. 3:20). The
only remedy the Law of Moses could provide was a temporary one of animal
blood sacrifice, that was a type and shadow of the perfect, and all-time sacrifice
that would be provided in the future by God, Himself, in the form of His only begotten Son. So what was Jesus trying to demonstrate, or teach to this group?
There is a principle in our civil law called "clean hands". If you come to court, making an accusation against someone, you must come to court with "clean hands". In other words a drug dealer cannot sue someone saying the person did not pay him for the drugs that were sold. The drug dealer is breaking the law himself, and therefore, he does not have good standing to accuse the other person. He, himself, does not have "clean hands". The court will not hear his case. Perhaps we can say that Jesus was telling the religious leaders that they "did not come to court with clean hands". Their actions did not come forth out of a condition of righteousness.
So who does have "clean hands"?Of our own strength, none of us do! The scriptures say:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one;"
Romans 3:10
"They have all turned aside,
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good, No, not one.
Psalms 14:3, Psalm 53:3
"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
Eccl. 7:20
What about when we want to please God, and try to exercise control over our thoughts and behavior? Can't we be righteous then? We know right from wrong, and can choose to act righteously, can't we? The Prophet Isaiah says:
"But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away."
Isa. 64:6
It is not possible for us to be or act righteously by our own strength and determination alone.
We cannot buy righteousness, we cannot earn it, we cannot deserve it. We cannot follow a law to achieve it. Righteous words, thoughts and deeds, come from out of a re-created, a converted, spirit and soul. It is a flow that should come forth out of the Christ that we have asked to reside in us, the Holy Spirit that dwells in us to lead us into all the righteousness of our Father (Rom. 3:22):
"(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth)".
Eph. 5:9
So often, we, the Church, think this means that we can look at all those around us for the purpose of identifying others' unrighteous acts. Now that we are righteous, we can speak of the unrighteousness of others. But this does not sit well in my soul. It is said that a person cannot repent unless they know they have sinned. So we need to bring that sin to their consciousness. But then, it seems to me that we are no more effective than the Law of Moses was, only giving a knowledge of sin, but not providing the remedy. We are telling people to free themselves of unrighteousness, but we do not tell them that their freedom is not found in the natural, but in the supernatural gift of Christ. I think sometimes we have made people aware, but we do it to accuse, not to remedy. How can we be so quick to point out the sins we see around us, without looking, first, at the sin and unrighteous acts within ourselves? When the world sees us genuinely dealing with, and repenting of our own unrighteousness, they will then be able to take seriously our message to them of repentance and cleansing through the righteousness of God, which is Jesus Christ.
Does this mean that the Church should never call sin what it is - harm, death, decay? Isn't that the truth? Shouldn't we stand for the truth without compromise? So what is the answer?
Inside me, the suggestion comes that if I am indeed a vessel of that free, merciful gift of righteousness through Jesus, shouldn't my life reflect that grace? Though my sin may be visible, regardless of my desire to live righteously, shouldn't there be a quality about my life that leads others to ask: "What is the source of that difference I can see in you? How can I have that also?"
If the only way I can bring the attention of others to the need for repentance is by pointing a finger at them, then haven't I failed in my walk with Christ? Shouldn't my life be an open book of the fruits of my own repentance? Shouldn't righteous thoughts, words and deeds flow out of my saved spiritual condition?
In Eph. 5, scripture tells us to be the same kind of light that Jesus was, and is. It tells us to walk as children of light (Eph. 5:8). This light that dwells in us shines onto works of darkness and exposes them, even unrighteousness covered and hiding in secret (Eph. 5:11-13).
In another place in scripture, Jesus said to the crowd who followed Him, who felt justified in righteousness based on the fact that they were descended from Abraham,
"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our father." For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones."
Luke 3:8
They thought they achieved righteousness by who their ancestor was. We are not born into the condition of righteousness. Righteousness is a way of life that mirrors the Father's words, and actions.
In the story of the woman who was caught in adultery, wouldn't Jesus have been speaking the truth to agree with the crowd, and convict the woman of adultery? Yet He didn't do that. He showed her, and the crowd, something completely different about the condition of righteousness, and then said to her "...go and sin no more."
We, on the other hand want to tell the world "go and sin no more", without showing them the "something different" that comes from the character and wisdom of God. Isn't it so, that the world has become weary of hearing us tell them how they do not walk in righteousness, when they see that we do not either? We call others to repentance, but where is our repentance for our own thoughts, words, and deeds? Don't we want the fruit that comes with repentance that Jesus told us to seek? Isn't it so hard to examine ourselves truthfully, see our personal faults and shortcomings, and ask for forgiveness for them? Yet, we want others to do this, without them even knowing or understanding Who our Father is, Who Jesus really is? Scripture instructs God's own people to humble themselves and repent (2 Chron. 7:14).
Even within the Church, we look at our brothers and sisters, and so easily discern their shortcomings. We point the finger at the other, and talk about their errors and mistakes, but fail to see our own. This is self-righteousness. We are back to thinking that we are righteous by our own goodness and strength, or by who our parents were, or because of what church we attend, or for other reasons of the flesh. It is not possible to be righteous by our own ability, as we saw in the scriptures above.
If we do not examine ourselves first, and do so continually, we are coming to court without "clean hands". If we insist on standing in our own righteousness, then the righteousness of God through Christ, can no longer do a work in us. We will have chosen to stand before God in our own strength, rather than in His strength, in our own righteousness, rather than His righteousness. This is not wisdom.
If I was standing in that circle of religious leaders accusing the woman of adultery, what sins of mine would Jesus be writing in the dirt? I hate to even think of it, but for the woman's sake, as well as my own, I need to take it very seriously. If I want to see her restored and saved, and myself walking in righteousness, I have no choice but to examine what Jesus is writing in the dirt about me.
Before we can even begin to hope to impact the world with calls for repentance and a demand for righteous behavior, we each need to read what Jesus is writing in the dirt about us. If we sincerely deal with these things before Him, then and only then, can we be effective in our call of repentance to the rest of the world. Then and only then, can the righteousness of our Father become a part of our lives. Then our words will ring true and shine with Light, and reveal the works of darkness. Yes, the world seems full of sin, but the Word says, "Where sin abounds, grace does more abound". The power of the birth of Christ lies in the fact that God has good will toward men, and declares peace and reconciliation between men and Himself. All heaven is rejoicing that the Savior who has come to take man's sins away is born!
In Rev. 19, the Marriage of the Lamb is about to take place. The Bride has made herself ready, and is clothed in fine white linen, clean and bright. This fine linen is "the righteous acts of the saints." (Rev. 19:8). It is time not to just speak righteousness, but to BE righteousness.
I believe we need to declare the righteousness of God, our Father (Psalm 40:9-10), to speak the truth of the need and the privilege to walk in righteousness, but the Psalmist also declares this:
"I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart."
Psalm 40:8
In Zechariah, the angel of the LORD says to the priest, Joshua, as He clothes him in righteousness:
"If you will walk in My ways,
And if you will keep My command,
Then you shall also judge My house,
And likewise have charge of My courts;"
Zech. 3:6-7
As the verses above say, the way of righteousness starts with a change in my own heart. Why would the LORD want someone to judge His House, who does not himself, walk in the righteousness of our Father? This righteousness is found through Jesus only, not by my own power.
I do not know if I have the right understanding of this, but I know that what we are now doing, isn't working. We need to really think about this issue, and try to discern what the heart of God truly is in this. Time grows short, souls are in the balance, and there is much work to be done.
Our Father is Righteousness.
"Lord, I Need You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKjmy5pGyqA
"You Are My Hiding Place"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF5ieYJCqnw
