I think it’s important for us to know just how GOD FEELS ABOUT SIN, Ezekiel says, “…another message came to me from the LORD…if wicked people TURN AWAY FROM ALL THEIR SINS and begin to obey my decrees and DO WHAT IS JUST AND RIGHT, they will surely LIVE AND NOT DIE. All their past sins WILL BE FORGOTTEN, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done. Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. However, if RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE TURN from their righteous behavior and start doing SINFUL THINGS and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? NO, of course not! All their righteous acts WILL BE FORGOTTEN, and they will DIE FOR THEIR SINS.” (Ezekiel 18:1, 21-24)
Oh, but that’s the Old Testament, well here is the New, “For the wages of sin IS DEATH (thanatos: the miserable state of the wicked dead in hell) …” (Romans 6:23) “…each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; AND SIN, when it is FULL-GROWN, GIVES BIRTH TO DEATH (thanatos).” (James 1:14-15) The Bible tells us to, “Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…” (Acts 3:19)
It is very important for us to know that if WE DO SIN, we need to ask the Lord to forgive us, remembering what Jesus said about the woman who sinned committing adultery, the religious leaders brought this woman to Jesus…they said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery…Now Moses, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, (soon) Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; GO AND SIN NO MORE.” (John 8:3-11)
-Bill Stockham