Do Not Mention Sin

Here's a 'novel' idea for believers to discuss; sin! We are hearing of more and more Pastors/Preachers who refuse to mention sin from their pulpits. Some of these head the biggest congregations in the World. Perhaps that's why. "We mustn't have the flock and seekers feeling uncomfortable"; even if it is for their eternal benefit. Anyway, moving on from 'fantasyland' and moving into reality, lets take a brief look at what God says. Since there are so many verses to choose from and this is only a blog entry and not a thesis, lets look at just a couple of aspects of this topic.

The word sin is mentioned several hundred times in the Bible in English. In its Hebrew and Greek original forms, over 500 times by my reckoning (check for yourself, for example in a Strongs Concordance: Hebrew: Strongs no:02403 "Chatta'ah" & no:02398 "chata'". Greek: no:266 "Harmatia" & no:264 "Harmatano"). Amazingly, when you include allusions to sin there are many more mentions of the topic in the Bible.

Here are just a few verses that mention our unmentionable word. Please take the time to read them in context, lets say at least the chapter they are taken from. They are not chosen completely at random but neither am I trying to show anything other than the fact that it is a common theme in the Bible and is mentioned by all the major characters within it.

• The Lord: And the Lord said, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave" Genesis 18:20
• John the Baptist: The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29
• Jesus: Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” John 5:14
• Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin John 8:34
• Stephen: Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep Acts 7:60
• David (as quoted by Paul)“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. “BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.” Romans 4:7-8
• Paul: What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Romans 6:15
• James: Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin ^[p]is accomplished, it brings forth death James 1:15
• Peter: and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed 1 Peter 2:24
• John: but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin 1 John 1:7
• Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin 1 John 3:4-5

Did you notice that among the very small number of verses listed here, some could not be counted as 'negative'. Romans 4:7-8 is a good example. So why not preach on the topic? Here what we think, and we have decided to offer our thoughts in the form of our first poem.

It seems to me that so many preachers are preaching a message of grace & forgiveness without referring to the fallen state of people because they want to remain 'positive', seeker friendly & don't want to put the flock to flight. However, should we ignore the example Jesus has set?; These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come. Then He said again to them, "I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come." John 8:20-21.

Furthermore, we must not preach forgiveness without explaining what sin is and that everyone has sinned. If we preach forgiveness without this, what is the listener being forgiven for? By the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, we offer salvation, but salvation from what? What do the Scriptures say? "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. Explain to them that they have sinned and they will be more able to understand clearly the offer of God's gift of salvation and the price Jesus paid.

I think we have stated our case despite the fact we could refer to so many more points within the Holy Scriptures but let's finish on this encouraging passage which just happens to mention that word. You know what it is don't you?

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15: 54-56.