Even a Little Sin Goes a Long Way

Even a Little Sin Goes a Long Way 

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. GALATIANS 5:9 

Almost weekly we hear about a new computer virus that is spreading around the world—deleting files, crashing hard drives, and souring attitudes. Software viruses act like their biological cousins—they spread from one computer to another. The surest way to prevent them from infecting other computers is to delete them as soon as they’re discovered. Hitting the Delete button on a computer is a simple and effective way of staying virus-free. But the language of the New Testament pictures staying sin-free as a little more involved. Paul describes sin almost like a virus. He calls it leaven, the bacteria that makes bread dough rise. Once leaven gets in a lump of dough . . . well, getting it out takes some effort. It’s far better never to let sin get into our lives to begin with. But if it does, what do we do then? First, we must repent—that is, make up our minds to go a different way. Then we confess—agree with God about what we’ve done, and receive His forgiveness. Finally, we put on the armor of God: faith, righteousness, and the Word of God. Don’t let the virus of sin multiply in your life. It is far better to deal with our own sin than to have God deal with it for us.  - Dr. David Jeremiah Morning and Evening 

Excuses. 

The dictionary defines it as "attempt to lessen the blame attaching to (a fault or offense); seek to defend or justify." Or "a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense.".

A grand one in the scope of excuses or excusing the behavior of is the "little white lie".

We are professionals, one and all, at excusing sin and sinful behavior. 

Children, if you hadn't noticed, don't need to be taught how to lie. More proof that we are born in sin.  Even every person mentioned in the Bible, except for Jesus. Every person we have ever read about whom the world lauded as having lead a great and successful life. Even those who lead the greatest causes for humanity. Even the likes of Billy Graham. Everyone is born in sin and as such requires the need for salvation. 

Those who have heard the call and have come to Christ indeed have a new life in Christ Jesus. They indeed have forgiveness of sins at the cross through prayer to God directly and not through any agency of men.  There's no priests necessary nor needed to approach the Throne of God in order to obtain grace and mercy. 

The larger problem we have is excusing our sin. We excuse our reasons for sinning. 

I do it, you do it, everyone is guilty of doing it. It only takes a moment and we do it and off we go. 

In Romans Paul has spoken in great length about sin's impact on us. 

He went into detail about intentional sin. Practiced sin. Sins we do regardless of what the Word of God has said in regards to those thoughts, actions and feelings. 

Stubbornness is a two-edged sword. It can be an asset or it can be detrimental to your health. 

Stubbornness with excuses is extremely dangerous. Taking up a cause that is in direct conflict with God's Word and being a Christian puts you in the cross hairs of discipline from God. 

Intentional sin, in other words, will certainly get you in trouble with God. 

No excuse is acceptable. The tiniest of sins would have been enough to nail Jesus to the cross. 

Even that little white lie.

Even that slip of the tongue. 

That word spoken in anger that should not have been said.

That thing you did that you think nobody saw. 

That thought you had that you that you believe was yours alone that wasn't right before Jesus. 

Those little things were enough to bring Jesus from Heaven to Earth to die on a cross. 

It only shows the greatest need for Salvation in Christ Jesus alone.

You can't just come to Christ and live like you didn't. Not even in the smallest of ways. 

Scripture says that Jesus searches the hearts of all mankind. Everyone who lives or has ever lived. 

There's no defense for any of your thoughts and actions. He knows what you thought or did and exactly the reason why you did or thought it.  There are no secrets from your Creator. 

Forgiveness is available to all who are in Christ Jesus. 

Forgiveness leading to salvation is available to all who aren't there yet. 

Forgiveness has the need of the guilty to turn from what they did. To not repeat it.

Look at your thoughts and actions. Your desires and feelings. Are they Christ-like? Are they God-honoring?  Are you excusing what you do, say, or think in order to keep on thinking or doing those things, thinking those things?

We battle not against flesh and blood. Ephesians 6 :12 "a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense."

We read the other day about taking every thought captive. Meaning not to just allow it to run amok. 

Let today be the day you get serious about sin. Call it for what it is. Deal with it and quit providing excuses for it. Nail it to the cross.