What To Do With Sin

“ …. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...” — Hebrews 12:1

We attended a church in Savannah, Georgia where the pastor, when he read a passage like this would say, “When you read the word ‘therefore’ you must look at the previous verses to see that ‘therefore’ is there – for. Well, chapter 11 was about people living by faith and the example they set for us.  You may not want to compare yourself to them or even other people you know that you consider “super-saints”, but the truth is that we are all the same.  Once the seed of Adam and now born again through Spiritual seed by faith.  Faith in the same God that those people mentioned in chapter 11 had – anointed by the same Spirit. Set apart like them to bring glory to God the Father.

So Paul is telling us that they are part of a great cloud of witnesses – witnesses of what? Of God’s faithfulness and the reality of living by faith. They can give witness to the fact that it is possible.  And therefore – knowing that – believing that – we should do as they did.  Live a life of faith. Putting a priority of living a life that honors God and is distinctively different from the way the world lives.  That we have the spiritual capacity to lay aside every weight that interferes with “right” living. That we can successfully resist the constant temptation to sin.  Sins of omission and sins of commission. Sins that are hidden in our hearts and thoughts and sins that we carry out. 

Do you think about sin much? By sin I mean practicing a life that is contrary to the new life that God has made so plain to us in His Word and through His Spirit. All of those people mentioned as heroes of the faith, struggled with it and , at times, succumbed to it. Yet they are seen as examples to be emulated. So they were not perfect and neither are we.  They stumbled and so do we. The point is that that they got back up, dusted themselves off, and pressed on in the race.  Sorry for the sin and committed to live a life that reflected their faith and honored God. They were not hypocrites who pretended that they were perfect – but humble – self-professed sinners – forgiven by God in whom they trusted and for whom they lived.

And that is who we are.  So what do you do when you sin? Make excuses for it – blame it on someone else – ignore it – redefine it and say it is not really sin or at least not as bad as what others people do – or maybe deny it. 

“Also He [Jesus] spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 18:10-14

So what are we supposed to do with sin? Confess it. Confession means to agree with – not reveal a secret. Unconfessed sin is like having a physical problem that you deny you have until it grows worse and causes even more physical problems – maybe even death. I see the turmoil that so many people live in – and that is their reality – that is what everyone’s life is like – so far as they know and have experienced.  But it is not. If they are Christians they have a choice to live another way – but not if they are wrapped up in sin.  Sin ensnares and entangles us. It keeps us from living a life of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23) The life God intended for us.

So what to do with sin? King David was one of those listed in Hebrews 11. He struggled with sin – stumbled. When confronted with it – he confessed and repented. He agreed with God and turned away from it. You cannot overcome sin through “won’t” power – but only by faith and the Spirit. Overcoming sin is a spiritual act. If we could do it on our own, Jesus could have stayed in heaven – the Cross would not have been necessary. But we can’t and the Cross was necessary.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone