Why do we sin?
Dec 31, 2009
The Case for Grace - part fourteen in a study of the book of Romans
Mike Gaudet
Which statement is truer?
We choose sin.
Sin chooses us.
Why do we sin?
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Romans 6:11-14 (NIV)
We view sin is an act.
We view sin is a thought, attitude or action that displeases God. When we choose to “do the don’ts” or when we choose not to “do the do’s” we call that sin.
God views sin is a power.
Sin “reigns.” It is called a “master.” God views sin as an evil tyrant . . . as a ruthless slave owner. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:34 Sin makes us slaves.
Sin is not merely an act that we choose. Sin is a power that chooses us.
Just before Cain lured his brother Abel into the field to kill him, God told him, “sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7
Cain didn’t just choose sin.
Sin chose Cain!
Like a hungry predator, sin was “crouching” at Cain’s door, waiting to pounce and kill him. Sin is a predator. It drags us away and consumes our energy, our hopes, our dreams, our lives.
Imagine being on safari in a wild game preserve. A lion crouching in the grass suddenly and violently pounces on one of members of the group.
This is sin. It sinks its claws into us and refuses to let us go.
Is there a way to escape?
When Jesus died, “he died to sin once for all.” Jesus disabled sin so that He might rescue sin’s victims from its murderous intent. Jesus is the only one able to rescue men and women from being dragged away by sin into eternal death.
Let’s return to the safari. When the lion pounces, an alert guide springs into action. He disables the beast and rescues the victim. This is what Jesus did. God the Father sent His Son to rescue us from being consumed by the sin that crouches at our door.
Because God overcame sin at the cross, He tells us what He wants us to do. “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness,”
God wants us to resist the controlling influence of sin in our lives.
Fortunately, God also tells us how He wants us to do this. “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”
God warns us that only “under grace” is it possible to resist sin’s influence.
When we live “under law,” we believe that God loves us “because of” what we do. We do good things and avoid evil things in order to earn God’s acceptance. Those who are “under law” are not able to resist being mastered by sin.
When we live “under grace” we believe that God loves us “in spite of” what we do. We do good things and avoid evil things because we have already received God’s acceptance as a free gift. Those who are “under grace” are able to resist being mastered by sin.
The choice regarding sin’s influence in our lives is made at the juncture where we place ourselves either “under law” or “under grace.”
When we place ourselves “under law,” the influence of sin over our lives automatically increases.
When we place ourselves “under grace,” the influence of sin over our lives automatically decreases.
We all struggle with sin . . . but because Christ died on the cross, sin can no longer separate us from God’s love.
In spite of sin in your life God promises . . .
. . . “I am still in you. I am still with you. Good is still ahead of you. Guaranteed.”
Believe this and something amazing happens.
Sin’s power in your life is reduced.