11/6/19 – Pastor Brian’s Blog
Judy and I are on vacation this week, trying to get some rest, but more focused on moving into our new home. Because of that I am posting a very thought provoking blog that my friend Matthew Little wrote. May God use it to help us continue to see things … as God sees things!
Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin:
The famed 19th century Presbyterian evangelist J. Wilbur Chapman told of a pastor friend who delivered a powerful sermon. After the service, one of the church officers confronted the minister in his study and offered what he thought was some needy counsel. “Pastor,” he said, “We don’t want you to talk as openly as you do about man’s guilt and corruption, because if boys and girls hear you discussing the subject, they will more easily become sinners. Call it a mistake if you will, but do not speak so plainly about sin.”
The pastor removed a small bottle from the shelf behind his desk. Showing it to the man, he said, “You see this label? It’s called ‘Strychnine,’ and underneath in bold red letters is the word ‘poison.’ What you’re asking me to do would be like changing this label. Suppose I write over it ‘essence of peppermint.’ Someone who doesn’t know the danger, might use it and become very ill. The milder the label, the more dangerous the poison becomes!”
It must grieve the heart of God that when the world tells the Christian to “tone it down,” we oblige by softening the blow of our words. The justifications for such a step are many. Some say “we need to show them we love them;” “we don’t want to turn them away;” “they won’t listen to us if we offend them;” “doesn’t God call us to be people of love?”
Yes, we need to demonstrate the love of Christ, and yes, our lips need to be marked by grace. But, in an attempt to be relevant, we often change the label and the people are still drinking poison.
Romans 7:13 says, “… that sin by the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.” The law says that sin is “exceeding sinful.” What in the world does that mean? “Exceeding” has the idea of going beyond all bounds. It means there is nothing more sinful than sin itself. It is saying that the only thing worse than sin is more sin piled on top of it.
Sin is not a harmless toy; it is a poisonous snake. The Bible teaches that God does not simply want us to see that we are sinful, rather He wants us to know that we are exceedingly sinful.
In many Christian circles, others are being convinced to tone down the sin rhetoric, but the suggestion of Scripture is that we haven’t toned it up enough. The message of redemption, through the blood of Jesus Christ and faith in his finished work alone, becomes all that more impressive in the midst of the sober reality of the depths into which sin has plunged us. We are not simply sinners; we are exceedingly sinful.
Luke 7:47b says… “but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth little.” The deeper understanding of our own sin, the more deeply we will love the One who has forgiven us.
Matthew Little is the President of New Brunswick Bible Institute (NBBI), a Bible Institute that began in 1944. Located in Victoria Corner, New Brunswick, Canada, NBBI offers a 1, 2, 3, and 4 year Bible program. If you know of someone that is not sure what to do after high school graduation then encourage them to consider taking the 1 year Bible program.
For those that are considering going into full time ministry, the 2, 3 or 4 year programs at NBBI would be excellent to consider. For more information go to: http://nbbi.ca/
