… who gave himself for our sins …
Summary: The idea of someone giving himself for our sins only has meaning if we understand what sin is all about.
“Don’t play down by the water!”
The words were still wringing in Joey’s ears when his feet slipped. The winter rains had come early, and the ground was soaked and muddy. Fall’s leaves were everywhere, adding a layer of slipperiness to an already slick surface.
If he had slipped over by the big maple tree, the worst that would have happened would have been a face full of mud. Mud is fun when building something like a road or a dam, but when you have strayed too close to the water like Joey had, mud is not fun. It is terrifying.
Within the blink of an eye Joey’s feet had slipped out from under him. In the time it took to gasp, his hands flew out to his sides, struggling to find his balance point again. The combination would have been comical if not for the dark water churning a few feet away. Muddy little feet rotated like a cyclist backpedaling a bicycle. Arms flapped as if they could fly. Joey’s little yellow raincoat glistened in the rain, and the waters called out to Joey, “Come here…”
Splash!
The struggle with slippery mud was over, but a new one began. Joey’s head went under. His coat felt like it was made of lead. Cold wetness closed around him and dragged him down. Little arms struggled again, this time splashing water instead of stirring air. For a moment, Joey’s head popped out of the water, sputtering and gasping.
Splash!
Joey’s eyes blinked the water away. As he gasped for air, a dark streak splashed into the water next to him. Something caught Joey’s coat behind his back. At first, he felt like he was being pulled down. Then, a jerk pushed the air out of his lungs. Joey was lifted up and out of the water. It was as if he had been spit out of someone’s mouth. He hit the ground and held tight to a rock. He was going to be okay!
Joey’s heart was pounding like it would jump out of his chest. He breathed and breathed, and it was wonderful. The rain had a happy sound now. He was going to live.
Joey had just discovered the nature of sin. “Evil” doesn’t feel bad until it bites. He didn’t mean to do wrong, but his curiosity had almost killed him. Then Joey wondered, who had saved him?
When we fall into sin, and we all do, someone has to jump in and save us. The problem is that there is a price, their life for ours. We are all Joey. We all do things that seem innocent but are not. We all walk onto that slippery path that leads to hell.
Joey didn’t know who had jumped in to save him, but we know who died to save us: Jesus. Its an old story but a true one. If we want to live, we need Jesus.
Application: Let Jesus save you, then listen and obey.
Food for Thought: How do we know what sin is?
How do we know what sin is?
We know that sin is lawlessness ( John 3:4-6) that we should put to death sin (Colossians 3:5–6) that our flesh has desires of sin and wants to do works for it (Galatians 5:19–21) things that are not righteous. It is still early and I will be back again after pondering and hunting.
Thanks Tim!
I pray that God blesses your hunt with safety and success.
The Bible is clear one where sin begins:
James 1:14–15 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
The Bible talks a lot about desire. How desiring after the world or the flesh leads to death. It talks about how desiring God leads to life through Christ. I think sin is desiring anything that does not bring honor and glory to God. That is the real “heart” of the law. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Also, Jesus told us in John 16:8 that the Holy Spirit is here with us to help us turn from sin “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”
When I look back on my life, before my walk with the Lord, I really always knew what the righteous path was, I just chose to go my own way. That the voice was easily ignored. Now, in my walk with the Lord, I find that I have the same “fork in the road,” but the difference is the voice of the Spirit is louder in my heart because I am seeking to follow His will. The desire of my heart is to follow Him.
That’s a good question this morning, I appreciate it!
Chris,
I like the “fork in the road” metaphor. If a person’s desire of their heart is to follow Jesus, they can’t go far wrong.
I appreciate the other comments. I think there are two ways that we know what sin is:
1. What everyone knows through their conscience by being created in the image of God. What C S Lewis called universal archetypes. (Romans 2: 14 – 15). This is why adultery l, etc. is considered wrong even in cultures before they had God’s word.
2. The special revelation of God’s word. (Eg Romans 3: 20). The 10 Commandments, etc.
Thanks Rich!
The “archetype” you mention is a great affirmation that we are made in God’s image. I like that! And, of course, the Word is our written link to God’s will. The more we dive into God’s Word, the more clearly we understand his will.
James 4: 17 is an interesting reference for this topic as well
“ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” – Jame 4:17
Good ol’ James …
Yes, this passage has power to convict. Righteousness is not sitting on the sidelines. The righteous answer the call of the Spirit to do God’s will. Great point!
12-07-2023, How do we know what sin is?
Our Bibles, written and preserved by men as directed by God who sent His Son Jesus Christ as the propitiation for all sin. “Propitiation is a two-part act that involves appeasing the wrath of an offended person and being reconciled to him.” 1 John 2:2
Our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
We have God’s word, the teachings of His Son who came as our teacher, our example and in the end, the sacrifice of God, paying the price for all sin, and “the Holy Spirit who is convicting the world of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgement to come.” John 16:8.
Romans 14, Ends with, everything that does not come by faith is sin. Only actions and thoughts of Jesus in us, and expressed toward others are pure.
Thanks Ron!
The reference to Romans 14 is a good one. The verse before the one you mention (Romans 14:22) adds this bit of wisdom:
“So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”
The “these things” he mentions are things that cause others grief.
I really enjoy the great wisdom in Romans 14, broken down into simple truth’s easy for us to comprehend. I liked V19, Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Peace and mutual edification! You seem to be gifted achieving this one.
Blessings!
Ron
Blessings
Thanks Ron! 🙂