WHY SIN IS UNREASONABLE

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1-2)

Devotion 1 of 23

INTRODUCTION

Sin, in all of its forms, and under all circumstances, is unreasonable. It cannot be defended, explained, or justified. It is always wrong, always brings a curse, and never produces benefit. Sin consistently yields shame and guilt, driving a wedge between men and the Lord. It is never an advantage to sin, nor a disadvantage not to sin.

Wherever sin is found, Satan has been active, and wherever sin is overcome, the devil has been thwarted. The presence of sin indicates a choice to yield to temptation. Sinning requires evaluation, choice, and action. These are always present where sin is found. Just as with the original transgression of Adam and Eve, sin is not committed until the person wants to do so. If men "fall" into sin, it is because they walked too close to the pit, and not close enough to the Lord.

Sin and the forgiveness of sin are always greater than they appear to be. Sin brought us lower than we can imagine, and the remission of sin brings us higher than we are capable of fully discerning. We should expect Satan to make every effort to lead us to minimize the magnitude of sin, and fail to consider the greatness of salvation from sin.

The purpose of this study

The purpose of this study is to affirm the total unreasonableness of sin. There is a rationality that supports the prohibition of sin. Sin separates from God (Isa 59:2), and alienates the transgressor from the life of God (Eph 4:18). When a person sins, the heart comes closer to being hardened, and the conscience to being seared. Sin moves people in the direction of condemnation and hell. Additionally, ever sin has the potential of leading to eternal condemnation.

It is irrational to transgress the Law of God, and it is logical to "abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thess 5:22). This perspective, however, can only be developed within the light of "the Sun of righteousness" (Mal 4:2). Proper perceptions are only possible as we fellowship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ the Lord (1 Cor 1:9).

Addiction to sin, therefore, is evidence of the lack of affiliation with God's Son, profession notwithstanding. Such individuals may have a faint desire to know the Lord and walk in the light, but they neither know Him nor are walking in the light. It is ever true, "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:9).

PRAYER POINT: Father, I pray with David, "Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression" (Psa 19:13).

-- TOMORROW: MORE SEEN IN CHRIST THAN UNDER THE LAW --