Sin  

Memory Verse:  All unrighteousness is sin: …     1 John 5:17a

Bible Passage: 1 John.3:1-10
Introduction: You can dress it up or modernise it. You can trivialise it. You can rationalise it. You can conceal it. You can contextualise it.  You can even describe it as a mere cultural practise or social infraction. But you cannot change its essential nature. It will always be dangerous and deadly. It will always steal, kill and destroy. It will always be sin.

Origin
Sin started with Satan – Isa.14:12-14. It then came into our world through Adam and Eve. He got them to doubt God’s love. He persuaded the First Couple to rebel against God. They disobeyed Him and ate the forbidden fruit, Gen.3:1-8. The Bible is explicit. Pride-fuelled disobedience and rebellion is at the heart of every sin, 1Cor.6:9-10, Rom.1: 29-31, 1Tim.1:9-11, Col 3:5-8. You cannot be wrong in obeying God any more than you can be right disobeying Him.

Consequences
These include:
• Death, Rom.6:23.
• Punishment, Matt.25:46.
• Hell, Matt.25:41.

Your sin will always find you out, Jer.2:22 – e.g. Adam, Cain, Ananias and Sapphira, David, Saul, Demas. However, a sinner can enjoy the joy of salvation again. The powerful blood of Jesus can wash you clean, Eph.1:7, 1 Jn.1:7.

Good News
Anyone in Christ is a new creature, as old things are swept away. He can start afresh, 2 Cor. 5:17. Isaiah said let’s think this through. Even if your sins are as red as scarlet, the Lord can make you as white as snow; even if they are as red as crimson, He can make them as immaculate as white wool. All you need is to be willingly obedient and it will be well with you, even in Nigeria at this difficult time. You will be set free from the burden and penalty of sin in Jesus’ name.

Conclusion
Jesus loves sinners but hates sin. He died and shed His blood at Calvary for the remission of sin. We need to accept the sacrifice and reject and forsake sin in all shape and form, even its very appearance. Repentance, restitution and restoration should be the chief aim of every sinner. Prophet Isaiah’s exposition of the consequences of sin is apposite here: The Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, or his ears heavy that He cannot hear, but your iniquities have separated you from God and your sins have hid His face from you that He will not hear, Isaiah 59:1-2, 1 Jn.1:7. Receive your forgiveness and freedom today in Jesus’ name.