New Outlook on Sin

[Navigator]

I will start by saying that the content behind this post was acquired from a sermon I listened to tonight by Tim Keller. If you've seen some of my other posts elsewhere in the forums..I really like his stuff, and this one on sin really hit me hard. The passage that Mr. Keller used for the sermon was in Jeremiah 2, verses 1-8 I believe, and also verses 23-28, but I will focus more on verses 2 and 3.

2 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:

“This is what the Lord says:

“‘I remember the devotion of your youth,
how as a bride you loved me
and followed me through the wilderness,
through a land not sown.
3 Israel was holy to the Lord,
the firstfruits of his harvest;
all who devoured her were held guilty,
and disaster overtook them,’â€
declares the Lord.

Keller introduced the fact that to overcome sinful "habits," we need to change our outlook on sin. We tend to view sin as breaking God's LAW, but what Keller suggests (and it makes sense), is that we are actually breaking God's HEART. He then proceeds to talk about divorce and that going through a divorce is one of the most heart-hurting processes to go through...especially if it is your partner who rejects you. You became vulnerable and loved that person, and they turned away from you and chose either single life or someone else instead. He likens this practical situation to the relationship between us and God.

In Jeremiah 2 and 3 we see that God views us as a bride, who he loves so very much. The visual that Keller portrays is actually kind of funny. He calls us and God "lovebirds," where we are the beautiful bride and God is the loving groom who is ready to "knock the socks off" anyone who even looks at his new partner funny. He loves us so much and we continually "divorce" him for other things when we sin...

I'm not old enough to understand the pains of divorce, and I hope I don't ever have to when I finally do marry, but I know families who have and it seems miserable for the one who was left...having the feeling that I do that to God when I sin makes me sick.

Does that change anything for any of you? I know Jesus was meant to make it so God sees us blameless, but just the idea of betraying God to that degree when we sin truly wakes you up...you know?

 

[Stan53]

I think anyone who has a real relationship with Jesus and knows they are joint heirs, sons and daughters of God, looks at sin as hurting God.
Divorce is a big issue in the Church today, but not new. Jesus addressed it in His earthly ministry and it hasn't changed. ALL sin is not acceptable in God's eyes.
Divorce is not worse than hypocracy, self-righteousness or any other sin that you can name. We put degrees of severity on sin, Jesus doesn't.
James 4:17
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

The sad thing is, as we walk with Jesus, we get comfortable and lazy and talk ourselves into accepting sin in our lives. Just as you will never have a close relationship with your parents or siblings if you don't keep in touch and talk with them, the same thing happens with God. You are probably too young for this song, but it reminds me of how we should want to walk with Jesus. It called
Just a closer walk with thee

1. I am weak, but Thou art strong;
   Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
   I’ll be satisfied as long
   As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
   • Refrain:
     Just a closer walk with Thee,
     Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
     Daily walking close to Thee,
     Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
2. Through this world of toil and snares,
   If I falter, Lord, who cares?
   Who with me my burden shares?
   None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
3. When my feeble life is o’er,
   Time for me will be no more;
   Guide me gently, safely o’er
   To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

 

[Navigator]

I guess I shouldn't have said "new," but thank you Stan for your response. Since I don't want to speak for anyone else, I'll address how I view things sometimes and hope that others share that view. Sometimes when I sin, I scold myself saying: "Justin, seriously get your act together; you're 'breaking the rules,'" or something along those lines. Sin sometimes becomes an "oops" moment...like "Well, I messed up...Better luck next time!" which is so wrong. I haven't closely experienced divorce in my own immediate family (mom and dad) but a few aunts and uncles have gotten divorced, and one of my uncles in particular took it REALLY hard...he was miserable and visibly hurt. The thought that my sin does that to God was a wake up call for me...and something I really needed towards not succumbing to the pressures to sin..

 

[Stan53]

I guess I shouldn't have said "new," but thank you Stan for your response. Since I don't want to speak for anyone else, I'll address how I view things sometimes and hope that others share that view. Sometimes when I sin, I scold myself saying: "Justin, seriously get your act together; you're 'breaking the rules,'" or something along those lines. Sin sometimes becomes an "oops" moment...like "Well, I messed up...Better luck next time!" which is so wrong. I haven't closely experienced divorce in my own immediate family (mom and dad) but a few aunts and uncles have gotten divorced, and one of my uncles in particular took it REALLY hard...he was miserable and visibly hurt. The thought that my sin does that to God was a wake up call for me...and something I really needed towards not succumbing to the pressures to sin..

It could very well be new to some and maybe even the pastor who preached it. I'm not trying to demean your experience, just convey my perspective. We all having different coping mechanisms. The basic thing is to agree with God when sin is in our life. That means recognizing it and confessing it. We don't need to do the "wailing wall" routine every time we confess. It is a matter of our heart attitude, NOT our outward demonstration, that counts.
One thing everyone has to remember, and it is found in Romans 8:1;

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. <sup class="versenum"></sup>
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