What we don't know CAN and often DOES hurt us. This is so true when it comes to our spiritual formation.
We wrapped up our series this week and our topic was SIN. If you missed the message, check out atleechurch.org.
We discussed several things we need to know about sin. But the biggest "need to know" has to do with the resolution of our sin.
According to the Bible the only appeasement for sin is death.
Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is death!
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22)
The wages of sin is death – death is the only appeasement for our sins!
But not just any death. Only the sacrificial atonement of something or someone innocent or perfect.
According to the apostle John, the only appeasement for sin is Jesus:
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation (appeasement) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
Propitiation - To appease, to regain the favor of
Jesus death is the appeasement for our sin! Through His death we are able to regain favor with God!
That’s part one of the resolution. Part two requires something from us.
Forgiveness requires confession.
Why is confession such a big deal?
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)
Confession is admitting to what is true.
Somehow we've come to believe we are better off to hide our sin. Maybe because we are afraid of the outcome. But as we saw in the life of King David, hiding our sin can't bring about the life that God intends for us.
Maybe our fear of how God will respond keeps us from confessing. But God's response might surprise you!
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
(Psalm 103:8-12)
I like the way Rob Bell defined sin - "Anything we do to disrupt the peace and harmony God desires for this world."
We discussed several things we need to know about sin. But the biggest "need to know" has to do with the resolution of our sin.
According to the Bible the only appeasement for sin is death.
Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is death!
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22)
The wages of sin is death – death is the only appeasement for our sins!
But not just any death. Only the sacrificial atonement of something or someone innocent or perfect.
According to the apostle John, the only appeasement for sin is Jesus:
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation (appeasement) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
Propitiation - To appease, to regain the favor of
Jesus death is the appeasement for our sin! Through His death we are able to regain favor with God!
That’s part one of the resolution. Part two requires something from us.
Forgiveness requires confession.
Why is confession such a big deal?
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)
Confession is admitting to what is true.
Somehow we've come to believe we are better off to hide our sin. Maybe because we are afraid of the outcome. But as we saw in the life of King David, hiding our sin can't bring about the life that God intends for us.
Maybe our fear of how God will respond keeps us from confessing. But God's response might surprise you!
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
(Psalm 103:8-12)
I like the way Rob Bell defined sin - "Anything we do to disrupt the peace and harmony God desires for this world."
In other words sin is disturbing the peace, and we are all guilty of doing it.
When we sin it not only disrupts the peace of God in the world; it disrupts the peace of God in our personal lives.
So what's stopping you from confessing your sin and letting God restore the peace in your life?
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