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 2 of 23

MORE SEEN IN CHRIST THAN UNDER THE LAW

In Christ, the saved perceive more of the nature of sin than is possible under a system of Law, Justification provides us with a stronger reason to deny ungodliness than is viable through a statute or commandment. The Law, in all of its forms, is "weak through the flesh" (Rom 8:3). The reason for this condition is because its righteousness is accomplished by men, independently of Divine influence. The Law is not weak in itself, but rather "through the flesh," or because its effectiveness is accomplished through human effort.

The Law cannot make a defiled person pure. It cannot cleanse a soul that has been contaminated by sin, or reconcile those at enmity with God. Justification is strong because it is facilitated by God Himself, thereby enabling those who have been purified to see sin from the Divine perspective. Thus, the glory of justification is seen in its effects upon the soul.

The relevancy of this subject is seen in the dominating influence of sin in our day. This is not an ordinary dominance! It has been preceded by a repudiation of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. The professed church itself has been caught up in the flood of iniquity. In a frantic effort to correct the downward spiral, administrative wizards have focused on small group therapy, recovery groups, cell groups, etc. Special programs, promoted by self-acclaimed experts, are offered to the weakened constituents to assist them in making a recovery. These profuse efforts, however, have not yielded satisfactory results, nor have they stopped the downward moral spiral.

The fact of the matter is that sin is reasonable to the multitudes; that is why they continue to serve it. Mark it well, those who imagine sin has any advantage will be unable to keep themselves from it. It is only as sin becomes completely illogical that men will engage in relentless efforts to avoid it. The absurdity of sin must be seen if it is to be shunned. Even then, all of our efforts, together with the "whole armor of God" (Eph 6:10ff) and "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Pet 1:3) are necessary to the realization of triumph over evil.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, thank You for the clarifying affect of the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. How invigorating and liberating is the vision induced by justification!

-- TOMORROW: WHAT IS "SIN"?, #1 --