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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
I’ve used last week’s and this week’s articles before, but the material is as appropriate now as ever, and in truth is a message that will be forever necessary until Christ’s return. These topics, identifying sin and then the call for repentance from it, have been brought to the fore in particular for me by the election campaigning of both political parties this year; as both sides do and say absurd things and their supporters go through all manner of mental gymnastics to excuse and promote them. (Not to mention the general condition of the world today, often truly depraved.) Redefining what constitutes sin and explaining it away as a mere mistake, slip-up or personal preference is hardly new. The need to call it what it really is and declare God’s clarion call to repent from it is ageless as well.
In fact, this call to repentance is one of the most common messages delivered throughout scripture. (Along with God’s persistent love and promise of salvation.) A cry repeated by wild-eyed prophets, a calmly assured Rabbi and dedicated disciples; a message needed today as in any other age. (And just as reluctantly received.) For as Paul reminds us, “In the past God overlooked… ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30
But what are we to repent of? Sin. And what is sin? The breaking of God’s law, which He has repeatedly warned we must not do if we are to be considered faithful followers of his way. Deuteronomy 27:26 assuring us that, “Cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying it out.” And yet it quickly became obvious that man was incapable, even when he tried, of doing so. Paul again cautioning that, “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse,…” Galatians 3:10; precisely because of that inability. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all.” James 2:10
Does that seem fair? Why would God hold us to such a standard? The human legal system recognizes varying degrees of lawlessness, with varying degrees of punishment depending on the severity of the crime. Yet while that seems to be the proper way to provide stability for society, there is a vast difference between the expectations of man and that of God. God is persistently loving (Jeremiah 31:3 & 1 John 4:16), but intolerantly perfect. (Habakkuk 1:13) Paul dealing with this issue by asking what right and wrong could possibly have in common, what association light and darkness could ever have; what belief could have in common with unbelief? (2 Corinthians 6:14) Good and bad cannot co-exist peaceably, one will overpower the other. And yet, Jesus understands; having placed himself in harm’s way (Matthew 4:1-10), experiencing the allure of temptation and the power of sin’s influence over us. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 As a result, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able (and willing) to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18 (See also Matthew 4:1-11)
We can take comfort in the fact that, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 However, sin’s commonality doesn’t excuse our failure. “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ (Or the devil made me do it) For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” James 1:13,14We sin because at that moment, we want to do wrong more than we want to be right. We really have no excuse. In fact, compared to the loving, perfect, long-suffering righteousness of God, “…all our righteous acts are like filthy rags,…” Is. 64:6
WHAT? Even my good isn’t good enough! WHY? Because much of the time we do good because we feel we have to, being fearful of other’s displeasure or punishment; or we do it in order to gain recognition or some other form of payback. Often the only thing keeping us from sinning is lack of opportunity; we would if a favorable situation presented itself and we stood a good chance of not getting caught. A truly righteous deed or life is one that comes from the heart – we couldn’t, wouldn’t do anything else. The need of repentance is a result of our very nature, our natural inclination to sin. That’s just what we do! (See Galatians 5:17-24& Romans 8:5-8) This natural inclination being little more than selfishness. Repentance then entails an acknowledgement of and sorrow for wrong (accepting responsibility for what we do or don’t do), and a conscious decision to do right accompanied by a change of heart, mind and direction.
Man has to be shown explicitly his undeserving nature, this being necessary by his continued denial of shortcomings and his endeavor to work his way up to acceptability if not equality with God. We pick and choose what we want to do. We compare ourselves to others, we allow for degrees of sin, not realizing that evil as well as good flows from the heart and will seldom find satisfaction in partial expression. Lust, given opportunity becomes pre or extra-marital sex and even rape. Coveting becomes embezzling, stealing and assault. Hate allows for mental and physical abuse which can escalate to murder. (See James 1:15 for the consequences of this progression of sin – death, on so many levels – and Matthew 5:21,22 for Jesus pronouncement on the sometimes critical attitudes we manifest toward others through our words that often lead us to action that goes beyond criticism to hateful deeds.)
Repentance was consistently called for throughout scripture because, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 Even so, identifying sin for what it really is was never meant merely to be a declaration of gloom and doom but rather an offer of a second chance through repentance. “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” Ezekiel 33:11
John the Baptist is revealed in Matthew 3:1-6 as a New Testament prophet modeled after the prophets of old, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3. His primary declaration being one of repentance, followed up however with practical advice for his listeners; revealing the legitimate expectations of a Godly life as well. (Luke 3:10-14) Jesus’ first recorded message was identical to John’s; “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17 His last recorded message then including his desire for his followers to go, preaching and teaching everything He had commanded them – including the absolute need of repentance. (Matthew 28:19,20) It being no coincidence that his disciples were initially trained, paired and sent out to preach repentance and the salvation from sin that allows. (Mark 6:12) Peter, one of his more prominent disciples delivered the very first Christian sermon in Jerusalem, specifically calling for repentance (Acts 2:38), while the first great Christian missionary, Paul, summed up his ministry by saying, “…I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” Acts 26:20.
Check back next week for more on the sin that so easily entangles and Christ’s call for repentance from it.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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