Responses to Sin

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 7:7-11

I. Awareness of sin

A. 1 John 1:8 – If we say we have no sin we are lying to ourselves

B. Romans 3:23 – all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory

C. Some do not acknowledge their sin

D. The idea of “sin” is not fashionable in our culture for it is a judgment upon someone’s practice and implies that they have violated some standard. Thought the world may not wish to admit it there is right and wrong behavior; there is sin and there will be judgment at which all will be judged.

E. Since we all sin, what will be our reaction to sin?

II. Be remorseful but not repentant

A. When confronted with our sin we can become remorseful and be sorry that we sinned but still not repent.

B. Matthew 27:3-5

C. Judas regretted that he had betrayed Jesus and that the Lord would die. However, instead of trying to right the wrong or seek forgiveness from God, he went out and hanged himself. Peter denied Jesus three times and wept bitterly for it yet he returned to the Lord and became useful in the kingdom; Judas could have been forgiven and made useful in the kingdom but he did not seek it.

D. Oswald Chambers: ‘Never mistake remorse for repentance; remorse simply puts a man in hell while he is on earth.’

III. Repent of sin

A. Acknowledge the sin in your life

B. Psalm 32:1-5 – Failing to acknowledge our sins destroys us from within1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins they can be forgivenA person can never regain their health if they do not acknowledge their sickness and visit a doctor who can proscribe a course of treatment. Likewise, if we do not acknowledge the disease in our soul the Great Physician can do nothing to cleanse our hearts and heal our spirit.

C. Sorrow for your sin

D. Some people repent—or go through the motions—because they have been caught in a sin and feel they must do something to acknowledge the wrong. However, true repentance involves a broken heart that is ashamed of the sin even if no one else knows about it and a desire to reunite with God. Psalm 51:17 – the sacrifice of a broken spirit

E. The Corinthian example

F. Paul had to write some hard things to the Corinthians to address sin in the church; he wrote with an anguished heart and tears.2 Corinthians 7:7-11 – They turned from sin and were cleared The godly sorrow was not enough but it fueled their repentance

G. Turn from sin

H. The word repent means to have a change of mind concerning sin, a change that should be reflected in one’s life Acts 26:20 – repent and bear fruits of repentanceISBE (“repentance”); “The intellect must function, the emotions must be aroused, and the will must act.”

I. Fortify oneself against sin

J. Romans 13:11-14 – Enough of sin, pursue righteousness Hebrews 12:1 – lay aside sin which ensnares to follow Christ1 Corinthians 9:27 – Bring self under subjection

IV. Do nothing

A. Some arrogantly ignore the concept of sin and their sinfulness

B. Some stubbornly refuse to change their lives

C. They acknowledge sin but do nothing to root it out of their lives Jeremy Taylor: “A man is first startled by sin; then it becomes pleasing, then easy, then delightful, then frequent, then habitual, then confirmed. The man is impenitent, then obstinate, and then he is damned.” One who says, “God will just have to accept me as I am because I cannot give this particular sin up,” forgets that God does not have to accept them.

D. Some simply do not make an effort to change their lives

E. They constantly acknowledge their sins whether it be inordinate lusts, uncontrolled temper and tongue, lying, and indifference but make no serious effort to change their lives. Revelation 3:15-16 – lukewarm life disgusts God

V. Conclusion: What will be your reaction to your sin? When I say “you are a sinner” I am not saying that I am better than you but that we suffer the same condition. God will not force you to repent; repentance is the ultimate act of a person’s free will. Will you care enough about your sin to beg God to forgive you and fight with your being to destroy sin in your life? Or, will you leave this assembly—like you have left many other assemblies—with no remorse or regret for your sin, no desire to change your attitude about sin or a particular sin, and no change in your life? The decision is yours alone and the consequences of your decision will be yours alone. “Repent so that times of refreshing may come for your soul.”

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