The Sinfulness of Sin (Protestant/Evangelical Devotional)

Ligonier ^ | 5/14/2019

[Gamecock]

“Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”

- Romans 1:32

The Apostle Paul utters a scathing indictment of humanity in Romans 1:18–3:20, telling us that we are so radically corrupt that sin affects not only our behaviors but also our very thinking. It is not that we are sinners because we sin—we do not start life as basically neutral or basically good and then through a series of bad choices and misdeeds make ourselves corrupt. Instead, we sin because we are sinners—our corruption precedes our actions. Since the fall of Adam, all people born in Adam are born guilty of his sin and with a nature inclined to disobedience to the Lord (Rom. 5:12–21). As a result, sin is a “normal” part of human life apart from God’s saving grace. All people break the law of God in some capacity, and even at our best, apart from grace all we are capable of is external conformity to the Lord’s commands. Apart from grace, we are never motivated to do what is right out of love for God and a desire to please Him.

When Paul speaks of the sins of the gentiles in Romans 1:18–32 (note that in Romans 2, he says Jews are guilty of the same evils), he gives a rather full list, including heinous transgressions such as murder, malice, and hatred of our Creator (1:29–31). As bad as these sins are, Paul does not show the true depth of human depravity until verse 32, when he tells us that although we all know that those who engage in sin impenitently deserve to die, we not only continue in sin but give approval to those who sin. Here is true perversity: we encourage and applaud others when they violate the Lord’s standards.

It is bad enough that we break God’s law, but how truly wicked we must be to encourage one another in evil. And experience shows us how true Paul’s words are. How often, when others express reticence about repeating a piece of gossip, do we encourage them to share it in the interest of “spreading the truth”? How common is it, in our day, to see people who are engaged in wanton sexual sin show no shame but instead join public parades that call for pride in flagrant immorality? It is not enough for us to sin personally and privately. No, we want to fool ourselves that what we are doing really is not all that bad, so we surround ourselves with fellow sinners to whom we can express approval and who will approve of us in return.

In our fallenness, we attempt to normalize sin because we love sin and do not want to give it up. By nature, we would rather take people to hell with us than confess and forsake our transgressions. Such is the perversity of our present condition.

Coram Deo

Our radical corruption is plainly evident in our attempt to excuse the sins of others and to find people who will approve of our transgressions. Misery loves company, and unless God changes us, we would rather suffer condemnation together than recognize ourselves as sinners and turn to Christ in faith for forgiveness. Are you seeking approval for your sin or are you earnestly desiring, with God’s help, to forsake all evil?

Passages for Further Study

Exodus 32:1 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”

Judges 19:22 As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him.” 23 And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this vile thing. 24 Behold, here are my virgin daughter and his concubine. Let me bring them out now. Violate them and do with them what seems good to you, but against this man do not do this outrageous thing.”

Acts 7:54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Saul Ravages the Church

8 And Saul approved of his execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

1 Peter 4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

[Gamecock]

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