BiblicalInsights.net

A recent letter to the editor of the Columbus Dispatch touched on a word missing from our every day vocabulary.  Can you guess what it is?  The title of the letter was, “‘Sin’ disappeared from lexicon long ago.”  The letter pointed out that the high priests of journalism have “outlawed” the word “sin” from the common vernacular.  This prompts the question, “why?”
I would like to offer two reasons.   One reason lies in the psychological coping mechanism we call “denial.”  Denial is a psychological defense where we will not face reality, instead, we deny reality so that we will not have to deal with it or the pain that it brings.  Another reason is redefinition of truth.  When we define truth subjectively rather than objectively, everything is permissible.  The ideology called postmodernism does this.  If everything is permissible, then sin vanishes.
The Problem.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”  Rom. 3:23.  And, “the wages of sin is death…” Rom. 6:23.  Sin is a universal experience of mankind.  The consequences are serious both now and for eternity.  While some may deny the reality of sin, and others have redefined truth to make it disappear, the reality of sin keeps confronting us.  One way to force a realization of this is to look at the numbers. The price we pay for sin is enormous. Consider the following:
Internet Gambling.  The estimated social cost of internet gambling is 25 billion dollars per year. (Does God Exist, Jan./Feb. 2013, p. 27).
Alcoholism.  The cost of alcoholism to the American taxpayer is 43 billion dollars per year.  (Does God Exist, Jan./Feb. 2013, p. 29).
50% of all fatal accidents involve alcohol.
80% of all fire deaths.
65% of all drowning deaths.
40% of all assaults.
77% of falls.
55% of arrests.
Unwanted Pregnancies.  The annual cost to the American taxpayer of unwanted pregnancies is $11 billion dollars.  (Guttmacher Institute, Huffington Post.com, 5/24/2011).  Two-thirds of unintended pregnancies–a million births-are publicly funded by Medicaid and other government programs.
Addicted gamblers.  The costs associated with addicted gamblers in the U.S. is between 32.4 billion and 53.8 billion dollars a year.  This amounts to about $274 per adult annually.  Gambling in America, Baylor University professor Earl Grinols from dailyfinance.com., July 22, 2011).
Drug Abuse.  Substance abuse and addiction breaks down as follows:
Illegal drugs–118 billion a year.
Alcohol:  185 billion a year.
Tobacco:   193 billion a year.
Totals:   559 billion a year  (Drugabuse.gov  National Institute on Drug Abuse, 4/9/2013.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases.  Sexually transmitted diseases for Ages 15-24 costs $6.5 billion a year in 2000 dollars.  Among all age groups the cost go up to between $9.3 billion to $15.5 billion (includes HIV).  Guttmacher.org. Guttmacher Institute (Jan./Feb. 2004, vol. 36, no. 1).
Crime.  The annual cost of crime in the U.S. is $1.7 trillion dollars.  David A. Anderson, “The Aggregate Burden of Crime.”  This amounts to $4,118.00 per person in the U.S.  (David Anderson is professor of economics at Davidson College, North of Charlotte, North Carolina).
Divorce.  Family fragmentation costs:  $112 billion a year.  Benjamin Scafidi, J. Whitney Bunting School of Business at Georgia College and State University.  Ph.D. in economics from the University of Virginia.  “The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing” c. 2008 www.americavalues.org.
Pornography.  The financial costs to businesses productivity in the U.S. alone is estimated at $16.9 billion annually.  The human toll is far greater.  Webroot.com “Internet Pornography by the numbers; a significant threat to society.”  Consider some stats:
Every second 28,258 users are watching pornography on the internet.
Every second $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography on the internet.
40 million people in America regularly visit porn sites.
35% of all internet downloads are related to pornography.
One-third of porn viewers are women.
2.5 billion emails sent or received every day contain porn.
Abortion.  The normal cost of a first-trimester abortion runs between $350 to $550.  Guttmacher Institute www.guttmacher.org.  “In 2009, the median charge for a surgical abortion at 10 weeks gestation was $470.  The median cost of  a medication abortion was $490.  In 2008, 20% of all abortions were covered by Medicaid (State funded).  In 2008, there were about 1.2 million abortions performed in the U.S.  Total costs:  $112 million dollars.
The total costs exceed 2 trillion, 35 billion dollars!  And, these are just the financial costs.  May we add the emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual costs?
How can we deny the reality of sin when it is costing so much?  Why not let God define sin?  Sin is a transgression of the law of God (I John 3:4).
The Solution.
The first step is to face reality.  We must admit to ourselves and to God, “I am a sinner.”  This confession will produce guilt and shame if prompted by godly sorrow and move us to repent and turn to God.
The second step is to pursue the pathway of redemption and righteousness.  We must say, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.”  We must seek forgiveness from God who is the only source that has the power to remit sins.  We must yield to God’s Will for our lives.  We must repent.  Repentance involves a turning away from sin.  It involves a cessation of the practice of sin.  We must be baptized to “wash away our sins” (Acts 22:16; Acts 2:38).  And, we must pursue righteousness.  The way of righteousness is the strait and narrow way that leads to eternal life (Matt. 7:13-14).  The problem is sin.   The solution is “Christ in you and you in Christ.”

Most would like to drop the word sin from their vocabulary.  However, sin is the only intrinsic evil.  The Bible defines it clearly.  “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” (I John 5:17).  “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4).  “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
When we sin, sin changes us.  For this reason, sin is radical.  It brings about significant changes within us, in our relationships with others and, most significant, in our relationship with God.  Consider the following thoughts.
Sin Diminishes Us.  In Gen. 3:8, Adam and Eve hide from God after transgressing His law (Gen. 2:17).  When they sinned, they lost their innocency.  They lost virtue.  They lost purity.  This type of loss is costly to the human mind and heart.  The first couple now experience fear and shame.
Sin Redefines Us.  When we sin, we become a sinner.  Our self-concept is radically altered.  No one can really be proud of sin.  Sin is not to be praised.  While many may boast because of their sin, they do so ignorantly.  In Gen. 4:23-24, Lamech boasted of murdering another human being.  We are disappointed in such a boast.  His humanity is tainted.
Sin Separates Us.  Sin separates us from God.  “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isa. 59:1-2). Sin involves a loss of intimacy with God.  When we sin, we die spiritually.  To be spiritually separated from God defines being lost.  Sin also separates us from one another.  Lies, gossip, envy, jealousy, greed, adultery and many other sins have destroyed untold relationships.  Sin always is destructive to relationships.
Sin Corrupts Us.  It devalues us.  The world before the flood was wicked.  Every imagination of the thoughts of the hearts of men was only evil continually (Gen. 6:5).  The earth was corrupt and filled with violence (Gen. 6:11).  God was grieved.  God changed in His purpose toward man and determined to punish him with destruction.  God could no longer delight in man.
Sin Enslaves Us.  While many practice sin as an expression of freedom, they are deceived.  Sin makes us slaves.  “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34).  When we sin, we loose our freedom.  We enter into bondage.
Sin Condemns Us.  When we sin, we fall under the penalty of sin.  Sin changes our spiritual status before God.  We are defined by sin as: wicked or children of the devil (I John 3:10).  Our new identity is not pretty.
Sin changes us, but not for the better.  Because of sin, we need a transformation by the power of God.  Jesus Christ was manifest to take away the works of the devil and restore purity to our soul.  He offers cleansing through the power of His blood.  Salvation is desparately needed by all who sin.  Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).  Jesus can change us and our lives will be better than ever!  He offers forgiveness, peace, and hope.

The betrayal and arrest of Jesus exhibit the power of darkness in the human heart.  When we see such, we turn away.  We shutter at the capacity of the human heart for sinful conduct.  We wince at the darkness that can envelope the human soul.  When we see the true nature of sin and its capacity to reign in the hearts of men, confirmation is made of the need for salvation.

THE BETRAYAL OF JESUS

In Luke 22:3 we learn of the conspiracy made by Judas Iscariot and Jewish leaders to betray Jesus.  While Jesus was completing His discourses in the upper room, a conspiracy to take His life had commenced.  Judas was a key player in this event.  The chief priests and scribes actively sought to kill Jesus.  The treachery born in their hearts involved evil thoughts, motives and actions.  Now, they waited for the right time and place to carry out their dark intentions.
Satan entered into Judas (Luke 22:3).  Satan suggests to Judas evil thoughts that develop into evil intents and eventually bring forth evil actions.  Judas does not resist.  Satan does not flee.  Judas was one of the twelve apostles.  His treachery will forever mark him as a traitor.  Judas’ role in the plot to kill Jesus involved identifying Jesus and delivering Him to the captains of the temple for arrest.  The Jewish leaders feared the people (Luke 22:2) so they had to plan to arrest Jesus in some obscure place and under secrecy if possible.  Jesus sought a place of solitude to fortify His spirit.  He chose the Garden of Gethsemane.  In this garden, late at night (around midnight)–the perfect time and place–the arrest was made.  Earlier that night, Jesus had revealed that Judas would betray Him.  Yet, this exposure did not deter Judas.  Evil intents gripped his heart.  It is the power of darkness.
Judas agreed to betray Jesus for money–thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 27:9; Luke 22:5).  Judas was a thief (John 12:5-6).  Money adds to the motive and helps fire the evil intent.  Judas made a profit from the conspiracy, but afterward, the blood money tormented his conscience and he rid himself of it.  The devil says everyman has his price.  What’s yours?  It is the power of darkness.

THE ARREST.

After Jesus’ agony in the Garden, while He yet spake the words of warning to His disciples, the band of men who would arrest Him entered.  Judas led them (Luke 22:47).  The betrayal was accomplished with a kiss.  A kiss would normally be the sign of friendship.  The incongruity of the moment caused Jesus to say, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”  The breach of trust is obvious.  It is the power of darkness.
Jesus’ friends did not remain passive.  They were ready to fight as promised.  Peter draws his sword and cuts off the right ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest.  Jesus rebuked Peter and healed Malchus.
Jesus then spoke to the chief priests, captains of the temple and elders and said, “Be ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves?”  The Lord was not a violent man.  He had never been a violent man.  When He was teaching daily in the temple they did not attempt to arrest Him (Luke 22:53).  What would they arrest Him for?  For teaching eternal truths?  For the miracles He performed?  Their actions were unfounded.  It is the power of darkness.
They led Jesus away to the house of the high priest to begin to interrogate Him.  Nothing He said would stop them from doing what they had imagined and schemed for so long.  Their envy and jealousy was fully developed.  They will kill Him.  It is the power of darkness!

EVIL WITHIN

Satan tempts the human heart to think, intend and do evil things.  In the moment of temptation, we have the will to decide to act to either glorify God or succumb to Satan’s lies.  In that moment, either the power of righteousness and truth will prevail or the power of darkness.  We decide.  When we sin, it is the power of darkness.
Is there any hope for people in the grip of evil?  Yes.  Jesus died to liberate them from sin–its practice and its eternal consequences.   It is the power of love! (Acts 2:38; Eph. 1:7).