Seriousness of Sin

Dear Victorious,

I teach a Sunday School class of adults, and my wife and I participate in a home cell group. Inevitably, when the discussion is about sin, people tend to gloss over the issue. For instance, one of the members of our group wanted to confess something. When she did, the others in the group basically trivialized the sin, telling her that "everyone has done that," or that she "should beat yourself up." I'm a sinner too, but I somehow have the sense that we aren't really understanding the seriousness of sin. What do you think?

Adolph N. - Grand Island, NE

Dear Adolph,

I think that when you say you "somehow have the sense," it is a case of the Holy Spirit convicting you of a Biblical truth. Sin is way more serious than most of us realize. While God is willing to forgive all sin, His disposition toward any sin is extreme, to say the least. Today, we have Jesus serving as the "scapegoat" - having taken our sins upon Himself and intervening for us with God.

If it were not for Jesus standing between us and God, we would still be experiencing the natural consequences of God encountering our sin. For a look at what those natural consequences are, look in the Old Testament at how God dealt with sin. For example, in the book of Leviticus we have the incident where two of Aaron's sons (who were ordained priests) burned incense at the altar, in the temple - in addition to doing everything else God told them. It would be tantamount to our pastor lighting a scented candle in addition to everything he did for a church service. But God had given specific instructions, and the burning of incense was not included. So Aaron's sons were being disobedient - not following God's instructions. In response, God immediately flashed fire from the altar killed them both by fire! The congregation had to carry their charred, dead bodies out. God takes sin that seriously.

Listen to your conscience. It is the sound of the Holy Spirit showing you one of God's truths. Sin is incredibly more serious than any of us can probably comprehend. We should spend more time trying to develop a proper regard for sin. In other words, we should try to view sin the way God does. It is the most detestable, reprehensible thing known to God. It should be viewed the same way by His people.