THE CHARACTER OF SIN (PART FOUR)

Bob Myhan

n the last three issues of Faith Builder we have dealt with the deceptiveness, degeneracy and destructiveness of sin. We have noticed that each of these leads naturally to the next. Another of its chief traits is divisiveness. It is divisive because of its destructiveness; that is, it divides by destroying relationships—biological, social and spiritual.

in divides the sinner from his family. The "Generation Gap" too often becomes a "Sin Gap," whether on account of tyrannical, overbearing, distrustful, unreasonable and non-understanding parents (see Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21) or as a result of rebellious, cynical, belligerent and disobedient children (see Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20). Husbands and wives also have mutual and reciprocal responsibilities (see Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18,19). Bossy wives and henpecked husbands do not strengthen one another spiritually. Neither do unfaithful spouses.

esus Himself said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth, I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;’ and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:34-37). Of course, those in a family who come out of sin come to be at peace with God. But those who remain in sin become enemies of their own family members.

in divides the sinner from his friends. If one becomes an impenitent sinner his friends must not subject themselves to his adverse influence, because “evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Cor. 15:33). The inspired apostle goes on to write,

   “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? But you are the temple of the living God. As God has said ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty’” (2 Cor. 6:14-18).

in divides the sinner from himself. That is, he is at odds with himself. “’There is no peace,’ says the LORD, ‘for the wicked’” (Isa. 48:22). “So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (Rom. 7:25). It was only when the prodigal son “came to himself” that he decided to return home (Luke 15:17-21).

in divides the sinner from his brethren because those who are faithful will withdraw from those who will not forsake their sins. “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us” (2 Thess. 3:6). This is to be done in order to accomplish two ends: to “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” and “purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump” (1 Cor. 5:1-7).

astly, and most importantly, sin divides the sinner from God. When the kingdom of Judah was about to fall, the problem was not the presumed shortness of the Lord’s hand nor the heaviness of His ear; the problem was that Israel’s iniquities had separated them from God and their sins had hidden His face from them (Isa. 59:1,2). This is precisely what Paul meant when he wrote, “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Death [even a figurative death] involves a separation, or division, of one person or thing from another (James 2:26). &

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN? (PART TWO)

Bob Myhan

ast week we noticed, in the first of the three passages where the word “Christian” is used, that a Christian is a learner and a follower, or one who learns for the purpose of following.

n the second of those passages, we gain an even greater understanding of what a Christian is. After hearing Paul’s account of the events that had led to the attempt on his life in the temple at Jerusalem, “Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian’” (Acts 26:28).

rom this we necessarily infer that one who has actually become a Christian has been fully persuaded. But of what has he been persuaded? He has been persuaded of at least four things.

irst, he has been persuaded of the basic facts of the gospel. Those facts are recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and summarized several times in the book of Acts and in the epistles (Acts 2:21-36; 1 Cor. 15:1-7, for example).

he facts of the gospel include [but are not limited to] the virgin birth, the sinless life, the sacrificial death, the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus Christ. No one has ever become a Christian without first having been fully persuaded of these facts.

econd, he has been persuaded that a Christian can live a faithful life of service (1 Cor. 10:13; Phil. 4:13). There is no need to fear that we cannot make it to heaven so long as we remember that we are “kept by the power of God through faith” (1 Peter 1:5). This faith, of course, is an active, obedient faith (James 1:21-27; 2:14-26).

hird, he has been persuaded that being a Christian is worth the price he must pay (2 Tim. 2:12; Luke 14:25-33). “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17).

ourth, he is persuaded that being a Christian will provide spiritual security, purpose in life, happiness and peace. Spiritual security comes, specifically, when and to the degree that you “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6,7; 3:12).

he Christian’s purpose in life is to “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Eccles. 12:13,14).

eing at peace with God is the innate result of having been justified by faith. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).

he happiness and peace of being right with God are amplified by way of an active, worry-free life of gentleness and prayer.

   “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men, The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:4-7).

ear friend, have you been fully persuaded of these things? If you are not a Christian, won’t you become one, soon? &