One of the most common phobias, stretching across all cultures, is ophidiophobia- fear of snakes! While working in the vegetation around my koi pond, a little harmless snake suddenly came into my field of vision. Yes, I jumped back, even though my rational mind knew there was no threat to my safety. The fear goes deep, almost like it is hard-wired into my brain. When we lived in Wyoming, before we let our toddler out to play in the yard, we did a rattlesnake check. We took no chances with the safety of our child. If a venomous snake crawled into my home there would be only one response for me – kill it!
Sin is like a venomous snake, full of poison, prepared to strike and harm. Why is it that we fail to see that the only response is to kill it? So often we try to tame it, keep it like a pet, until it grows too big and strong to control and we are destroyed by it. We cannot just ‘sin a little’ and escape without harm. In a shocking metaphor Jesus told us about the necessary ruthless response to sin: "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet." (Mark 9:43-45, NLT) He was not actually counseling self-mutilation! The point was that radical action is required to defeat sin’s control.
Inspired by the Spirit, Paul says "Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God." (Romans 6:13, NLT) Our sin kills us – often physically- always spiritually! "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, NLT)
Some of you are sophisticated and find this talk of ‘sin’ somewhat amusing. “Aren’t you a little over the top on this subject, Jerry? You sound like a fanatic.” What I am is a shepherd of the people. In many years of ministry, I have seen the results of yielding to temptation in the lives of people every day, homes torn apart, children’s lives scarred forever, families weighted down by debt, regrets piled high, tears flowing freely. How many times have I heard? ‘We thought it was no big deal.’ Some ‘small thing’ was tolerated, like a poisonous snake in the living room, until it struck and destroyed. "And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death." (James 1:13-15, NLT)
Christians need not be sin-obsessed. Indeed, an obsession with ‘sin’ is likely to lead to a fall. Our focus in on the love of the Father, on worshiping Him in a way that leads us to life. If we try to defeat temptation and sin by emptying our lives of them, we only create a large vacuum that needs to be filled. The Word teaches us that we defeat sin by driving it out, by replacing it with holiness. John speaks of ‘light overcoming the darkness.’ A person cannot make darkness leave unless he introduces a source of light, can he? In Colossians, Paul wisely reminds us that we cannot become holy by writing stronger rules for ourselves. "Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." (Colossians 2:22-3:2, NLT)
Got a sin problem? You’re not alone. "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." (Romans 3:23, NLT) But, common is not normal, nor is it acceptable. Christ came to set us free, to give us the ability to kill the snake!
Here is a word from the Word. May the promise compel us to a new way of life, where sin’s power is broken and the beauty of a whole and holy life shines through us. "By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." (Romans 5:1-4, The Message)
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Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of Glory, the King above all kings!
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?
Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of Glory, the King above all kings!
This is amazing grace,
This is unfailing love,
That You would take my place,
That You would bear my cross.
You laid down Your life,
That I would be set free,
Oh Jesus, I sing for all that You've done for me.
Who brings our chaos back into order?
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?
The King of Glory, the King of Glory!
Who rules the nations with truth and justice,
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?
The King of Glory, the King above all kings!
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.
This Is Amazing Grace
Jeremy Riddle | Josh Farro | Phil Wickham
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