"The Power of Sin" | March 30, 2025 | Ps Joel Lowery

In a world that often blurs the lines between right and wrong, it's crucial to revisit the fundamental truths of our faith. Today, we're diving deep into a topic that's not always popular but is undeniably important: sin. Understanding the gravity of sin is essential before we can truly appreciate the magnitude of God's grace.

Let's start with a basic truth that echoes throughout scripture: God hates sin. It's not a matter of intolerance or lack of compassion; rather, sin is fundamentally opposed to God's nature and His intentions for His creation. To grasp why God takes sin so seriously, we need to examine its effects, which can be summarized by the acronym SENS:

Separation from God: The very first consequence of sin, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve, was separation from God. What was once a close, personal relationship in the Garden of Eden became fractured. Isaiah 59:2 reminds us, "It's your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore."

Indictment of Death: Romans 6:23 states clearly, "For the wages of sin is death." Sin against a holy God, choosing our own path over His perfect way, leads to only one outcome - death. This isn't just physical death, but spiritual death and separation from the source of all life.

Never Hitting the Mark: The root word for sin literally means "to miss the mark." Romans 3:23 tells us, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." No matter how hard we try, our own efforts will always fall short of God's perfect standard.

Shame that Enslaves: After Adam and Eve sinned, Genesis 3:7 describes how "their eyes were opened and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness." Sin brings shame, and shame binds us, keeping us from living in the freedom God intended for us.

It's easy to categorize sins, justifying some while condemning others. But the truth is, we all fall short. We might not struggle with the same sins, but we all struggle. This realization should lead us to compassion rather than judgment. As we live longer and experience more of life, we often find ourselves falling for things we never thought we would. This is why grace becomes increasingly precious as we grow in our faith.

The good news is that God hated the effects of sin so much that He devised a plan to deliver His people. Romans 3:24-25 declares, "Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin."

This is why we call it amazing grace. God loved us so much that He sent His Son to break the power of sin. When we give our lives to Jesus, the chains of sin are broken. This doesn't mean we never sin again, but it means we don't have to. There's always a way back to God.

The early church understood this profound truth. In Acts 11:18, they referred to salvation as "the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life." It's not something we should beg people to consider or shame them into accepting. It's a privilege we're all invited to embrace.

As we approach Easter, it's vital to remember that this isn't just about tradition, eggs, or family gatherings. Easter celebrates the pivotal moment in history when Jesus defeated sin and death, offering us life that's unavailable through any other means. Without Easter, our faith would be meaningless. But because of Christ's death and resurrection, we have the opportunity to experience true life and freedom.

So what's our response to this amazing grace? We savor God's goodness. When we truly understand and experience the freedom God offers, sin loses its appeal. We don't need a list of rules to follow; we simply need to keep falling in love with our Savior. The more we love Jesus, the less we want to do things that separate us from Him.

This journey of faith isn't a one-time decision but a lifelong pursuit of continually surrendering to God. It's about repeatedly coming back to Him, knowing that He always welcomes us with open arms, no matter how many times we've strayed. His grace is truly amazing – not just a catchy phrase, but a profound reality that changes everything.

As we reflect on these truths, let's consider where we stand. Are we living in the freedom Christ offers, or are we still bound by chains of sin and shame? Are we extending the same grace to others that God has shown us? Are we savoring God's goodness in a way that makes sin lose its appeal?

Remember, salvation is available to everyone, but the path goes through the cross. It requires acknowledging our sin, repenting, and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. Whether this is a first-time decision or a recommitment, it's a privilege extended to all of us.

Let's embrace this amazing grace, allowing it to transform not just our eternal destiny, but our daily lives. May we live in a way that reflects the freedom we've found in Christ, extending compassion to others and continually surrendering ourselves to God's perfect will. In doing so, we'll experience the fullness of life that God intended for us from the beginning.