WHAT CAN YOU KNOW? Devotion 21 of 32 "All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death." -- Tomorrow:
The recovery from sin thus described is not intended to diminish the heinousness of sin to us. Sin is to be hated, and its consequences to be feared. As it is written, "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; HATING even the garment spotted by the flesh" (Jude 1:23). And again, "Ye that love the LORD, HATE evil" (Psa 97:10). The modern church could do with a healthy increase in hatred for sin. People are not apt to avoid what they do not loathe.
Although there is some sin that can be resolved, and other sin which cannot, still all sin has the same essential character, and every sin, if not repudiated, is potentially damning. All sin is "unrighteousness," and "all unrighteousness is sin." This word "unrighteousness" means wrongfulness. It is essentially and incontrovertibly wrong because it does not square with the Law of God, and is opposed to the character of God, which is reflected in the Law. "Unrighteousness" is conduct that is unlike that of God Himself. Let it be clear in your mind: anything that is unlike God, or that conflicts with His holy Law, is sin. Because this is, in fact, the nature of sin, deliverance from its dominion is imperative if one is to dwell forever with the Lord. Nothing defiling will enter into the glory (Rev 21:27). We must therefore be rid of such defilements now – in this world!
Lest all hope be dashed to the ground, and yet compelling us to take a most serious view of sin, the Spirit adds, "and there is a sin NOT unto death." There is a sin from which recovery is possible. There is a sin for which the prayers of the faithful avail. Such a sin is the exception, not the rule – praise the Lord! Which sin is it? We do well to hope and pray it is the one we have committed! One of the sure evidences such a sin has not been committed is a goading conscience. Notwithstanding, even in such cases, the prayer of some faithful brother or sister may be the only way to recovery.
Notice, the Holy Spirit carefully guards against us developing a casual attitude about sin. He does not say "MOST sin is not unto death," but "there is A SIN that is not unto death." Neither, indeed, does He say "ALL sin is not unto death," but "there is A SIN that is not unto death." No person believing this word can feel comfortable in sin of any measure – not if their heart is sensitive. Too, there is a ray of hope held out for the person walking in the light, that his prayer may be the means of recovery. How blessed to ponder this truth. Here is a most excellent example of "working together" with God – an activity into which we have been called (1 Cor 1:9; 3:9).
Adding to the sobriety of this text is the affirmation that attends the announcement of the effectiveness of the Gospel of Christ. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom 1:18, NKJV). This it not the announcement of the Law, but of the Gospel, which the previous verses affirm "is the power of God unto salvation" (1:16). In that Gospel, a righteousness that comes from God through faith is revealed (1:17). What God thinks of sin is also made known in that Gospel. If you are given to ponder what the Lord thinks of sin, and how it affects Him, look to the cross. There Jesus bore our sins "in His own body on the cross" (1 Pet 2:24). There, on that cross, Jesus "was made to be sin for us" (2 Cor 5:21), as the Lord "laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:6).
What God did to Jesus confirms what He thinks of sin! When Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross, He was "made a curse for us" (Gal 3:13). He was thrust into the winepress of the wrath of God, being forsaken for a small moment (Matt 27:46), in order that we might be accepted for all eternity. It is said of the Father, "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all" (Rom 8:32). He was "smitten of God and afflicted" (Isa 53:4). That is what God thought of sin when it was imputed to His own Son, "who did no sin" (1 Pet 2:22). Ponder what He will think of sin if it continues to be found in you after such an awful judgment was exacted upon the Son for your sake!
The worst possible view of the character of sin must be embraced by the believer – "unrighteousness." No tolerance for it must be allowed in the child of God. Sin is something that, by its very nature, incurred the wrath of God. "But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile" (Rom 2:8-9).
Thus, the Spirit has sensitized our hearts to the absolute seriousness of sin, and to the relevance of prayers for those whose sin does not lead to inevitable death. He has so directed our thinking as to discourage minimizing the enormity of sin or exaggerating the effectiveness of prayer. A sinning brother is always in a serious condition, and must never be viewed as ordinary or acceptable in any way. On the other hand, our prayers, while infinitely more effective than men are prone to think, are always subject to the will of God. There are some matters that cannot be resolved by prayer. However, bless God, there are cases that CAN be effectively changed by the prayers of righteous people. Such prayers require discernment (SEE a brother sin), and asking according to the will of God. Both of these are the result of a strong faith. They are part of the heritage belonging to all those who believe on Christ, and are to be pursued with zeal.
These are things that can be confidently known.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, teach me to hate sin as You do, that I may fellowship with You in my disdain for what brought Your judgment upon the Your own Son.