The Worst Sin

 

 

So what is the worst sin?  Lust? Greed? Materialism? Violence? While those choices cause harm to ourselves and others as well as offending our God, none of those is the worst. Well, then perhaps the worst sinner is the murderer, or the one who abuses a child, or the one who creates chaos in human relationships, or a war-monger?  Those are horrific choices, too, but they are rooted in the worst sin of all. America is in the grip of this of which I write today.

In fact, it’s the ‘acceptable’ sin, hard to see in ourselves, hiding behind so many good things, corrupting the best things. It blinds me to my own foibles but gives me the eye of an eagle to see the stains on another’s character. The appeal to Eve in the Garden was built around it. Solomon was deceived by it. It is equally at home in a palace and a pigsty.

This sin, according to Isaiah, was in the heart of the most noble angel and caused his banishment from the Presence of God. “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, (Lucifer) son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. Everyone there will stare at you and ask, ‘Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble?" (Isaiah 14:12-16, NLT)

Yes, the worst sin is PRIDE, that choice to make ourselves god rather than serving the Living God. When we become convinced that we can rule our own destiny, that we can control the world, that we can buy or bargain our way into power, that our desires are paramount over those of any other, we have become prideful, capable of doing terrible things to others, for we have no restraint. Jesus shocked the disciples when He said “I assure you that any sin can be forgiven, including blasphemy; but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. It is an eternal sin.” (Mark 3:28-29, NLT)  What did He mean?  Does not the sacrifice of the Cross reach to all depths?

Most assuredly, but the person who has given himself over to pride, who is convinced that he needs no one including God, rejects the very Holy Spirit that would draw him to repentance and faith.  Persistent pride makes a person deaf and blind to the work of the Spirit, leaving that one in terrible darkness. John speaks of this in slightly different terms referring to the ‘sin that leads to death.’

I believe that more Christians shipwreck on the rocky shores of pride than because of lust, greed, laziness, and apathy combined!  Growing up in a holiness church I heard many sermons about ‘sin,’ and most focused on human failures but I heard little about the subtle deception of pride.  In fact, we held up as models many who were very proud of their good works, who gave themselves to a kind of perfectionism that produced many good works, even noble humanitarian work, all the while careful to conceal their own inconsistencies and struggles.  Whether it is the atheist screaming obscenities against God or the church-goer wrapped in his own self-righteousness, pride is deadly!

The wisdom of the Scripture warns that "Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor." (Proverbs 18:12, NIV) James teaches that the gateway to greater grace is found in humility "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites." (James 4:7-8, NLT)  

• Are you convinced that you must do more as a Christian, not to serve God’s purpose but rather to prove your worth?

• Does your heart congratulate you when you do something noble and then beat you up when you don’t meet the measure of success, when a project fails to produce the desired objective?

• Do you often compare yourself to others, envying some, treating others with disdain?

• Do you try to ‘go it alone’ reluctant to seek counsel or contribute to others?

If so, pride is stalking you.

There is but one antidote to the poison of pride.  We do not find humility in the fountain of greater work, nor is it gained in vain attempts at putting ourselves down. Even the choice to take second place or to do that which is of low esteem can feed pride’s ravenous appetite.

Only true worship: kneeling and waiting before the Lord, allows the Spirit to break the hold of this “acceptable” sin. When the Spirit whispers a warning to our heart about a proud attitude, when need to find a quiet retreat. When we find ourselves looking desperately for affirmation, craving a word of praise, we know that we are but a step from pride and it is time to find a place with the Lord where He renews our joy in serving for His honor.

Our model is Christ Jesus. "Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names." (Philippians 2:4-9, NLT)

Take this word from the Word and invite the Holy Spirit to preserve you from this most subtle sin.

"First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. It’s better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous."   (Proverbs 16:18-19, The Message)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

 

Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood

See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

 

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were a present (an offering) far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all

 

Isaac Watts © Words: Public Domain

Authority

 

“You two are not my favorite people right now!”  Our teenager flung those words at us in anger because we had disciplined her for failure to follow the rules. Many years after the fact the memory makes me laugh. In the moment, however, it was painful to feel that emotional distance from our little girl. It’s natural for an emerging adult to struggle with the authority of parents and equally hard for parents to know who and when to allow their child to test their own wings.

Moses was God’s man, appointed to lead, but he found his authority tested constantly.  Repeatedly the Word says that the “people grumbled against Moses.”  Another version says they ‘murmured.’ Their resistance was not outright rebellion or overthrow of his authority. They just resisted, complained, and whispered among themselves about what they saw as his failures. Consider the example of Israel. When they obeyed God and willingly submitted themselves to Moses' leadership, they prospered and were at peace. When they grumbled, griped, and rebelled - they found themselves under the judgment of God, divided, and eventually dying.

Authority (and many despise that word) is necessary.  Leadership is part of God’s design for human order. It not just an unpleasant necessity. That is why we need to encourage those who lead us, pray for them, and help them to govern well.   

The Bible teaches us that "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.

Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience." (Romans 13:1-5, NIV)

So, let me ask, how do you deal with authority?
Are you a keeper of the rules or someone that tests the limits?

Authority principles run through all of society - the family, the government, and even the church.

• A family where the children recognize the authority of parents will be a family that knows peace. Ask any parent of teenagers how much fun it is to enforce necessary rules. It is hard to have our kids dislike us, resist us. They even think we're being tyrants. Because it is hard, some parents abdicate their God-given authority!

• A citizenry that respects the governing authorities will be prosperous, ordered, and productive. Those who provide leadership in a nation have to deal with resistance, too! I can't think that reading opinion polls that show declining support is all that enjoyable for our elected officials.

• A church where those with spiritual authority are not allowed to lead will be a joyless, conflict filled place. Pastors who lead wisely and humbly lead cooperative congregations find joy in their ministry and those churches become productive places in God’s work, too. There is real pain in congregations who are poorly led or who refuse to accept leadership. When people pray for their spiritual leaders and follow them willingly, unity grows; relationships deepen, and amazing things happen in the Kingdom of God.
  

Here's a word from the Word to think on today - "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13:17, NIV)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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I Will Follow

Where You go I'll go
Where You stay I'll stay
When You move I'll move
I will follow

All Your ways are good
All Your ways are sure
I will trust in You alone
Higher than my sight
High above my life
I will trust in You alone

Where You go I'll go
Where You stay I'll stay
When You move I'll move
I will follow You
Whom You love I'll love
How You serve I'll serve
If this life I lose
I will follow (You)

Yeah I will follow You yeah 

Light into the world
Light into my life
I will live for You alone
You're the One I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in You alone
In You alone

In You there's life everlasting
In You there's freedom for my soul
In You there's joy unending joy
And I will follow

Yeah I will follow You yeah
I will follow You yeah
I will follow You yeah

 

Chris Tomlin | Jason Ingram | Reuben Morgan

© 2010 Rising Springs Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CLI License # 810055

Stand Still!

 

The young baroness, newly arrived in Kenya, went for a ride into the bush, not knowing the dangers. When she got down from her horse, she failed to take her rifle from the saddle’s scabbard. Suddenly the horse bolted and Baroness Blixen found herself staring at a lioness moving in her direction.  A voice from nowhere commands – “Don’t move!”   Seeing Denys, a big-game hunter and guide, in her peripheral vision, she cries – “Shoot her, now!”  He replies with the same command – “Don’t move.”  She stood still as the lioness looked in her direction and then moved on.  When the crisis passed, Denys explained that he knew the lioness was not hungry but if she decided to run, the lioness would see her as prey and chase her down.  (Out of Africa, 1985)  

When we find ourselves in the middle of a crisis, when we are full of fear, one of the most difficult choices we can make is to stand still!  Why not run around in panic? Why not scream, kick, and yell? Because we only add to the chaos and forfeit our ability to think clearly as well as to hear the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit who will lead us, keep us, and comfort us. 

Moses had just led the Israelite nation out of Egypt three days earlier. They were joyous over their new-found freedom, ready for the journey to Canaan, their home, God’s Promised Land. Then this happened. "When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites were not planning to return to Egypt after three days, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all these slaves get away?” they asked. So Pharaoh called out his troops and led the chase in his chariot." (Exodus 14:5-6, NLT) "As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic, and they cried out to the Lord for help." (Exodus 14:10, NLT)    

There was an army behind them and the sea in front of them. It was time for panic, or was it?  The people quickly turned on their leader with angry accusations.  "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV)  We know the rest of that story. God opened a way for them through the sea and then closed the waters over the army of Egypt and the threat was gone.

This principle of quiet faith and patience waiting on God’s will and deliverance is one repeated often in the story of God’s people.

“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD
is about to do before your eyes!" (1 Samuel 12:16, NIV)  

"Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes." (Psalm 37:7, NIV)

This passage sustained me in 2008 when my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and his life was closing. It was my first encounter with death in our family. Complicating the matter beyond sorrow was the fact that there were still 5 children in his household that my mother, then 72 years of age, would be left to care for.  I quoted these lines prayerfully more times than I can remember. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, … Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:1-2, 10, NIV)

What’s your challenge today?
Are you feeling panic?
Does there appear to be no way forward, no answer?

Stand Still! 

The command is not to become passive or to hide our face from the reality of life. Rather, God invites us to hit the pause button and let the Spirit reveal His comfort, His plan, to know that He is still Lord of all even in the time of crisis.

Here is a word from the Word. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:8-11, NIV)  

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Battle Belongs

When all I see is the battle
You see my victory
When all I see is a mountain
You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow
Your love surrounds me
There's nothing to fear now
For I am safe with You

 

So when I fight I'll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
O God the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I'll sing through the night
O God the battle belongs to You

 

And if You are for me
Who can be against me
For Jesus there's nothing
Impossible for You
When all I see are the ashes
You see the beauty
When all I see is a cross
God You see the empty tomb

 

(An) Almighty Fortress You go before us
Nothing can stand against
The power of our God
You shine in the shadows
You win every battle
Nothing can stand against
The power of our God

 

O God the battle belongs to You

Brian Johnson | Phil Wickham

© Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])

Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])

Bethel Music Publishing

CCLI License # 810055