The Separation of Sin

 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” -1 Timothy 1:15.

It isn’t bad to tell someone that God, or Jesus loves them, but people do repeat this a lot, which has a way of diminishing its value. We often repeat this phrase in the lightest possible way, yet scripture shows that the real proof of it comes through Jesus’ atoning death on the cross for our sins; this is the critical, often overlooked aspect of salvation we’ve largely become insensitive to.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” -1 John 4:10.

But our SIN is what actually separates us from God, and why we need Him to save us; men find it far easier just to receive love from God, and NOT accept His condemnation for their sins! Even Jesus said the world HATED Him for saying its works are evil (John 7:7).

Scripture warns that in the Last Days men will abandon sound doctrine and become proud, and boastful, lovers of their own selves, with a form of godliness which actually denies Him (2 Timothy 3:1-5); even though all the while the letter to the Galatians affirms that God accepts no man’s person (Galatians 2:6), and concludes everyone to be guilty under sin (Galatians 3:22)!

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” -Romans 3:23.

Consider also that Jesus said only God is truly good (Mark 10:17,18), and that He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance; if we don’t recognize our true sinful state in God’s eyes, how can we repent from sins, and be forgiven by God?

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” -1 John 1:8-10.

But instead of the right way Jesus shows us through His Word, mankind usually  turns away from teachings that confront our sins, because they make us feel guilty;  and in the end we wind up fulfilling prophecy by embracing teachers (2 Peter 2:17-21) who support the desires of our flesh, turning us away from the right path. The danger here is that many will likely receive a false conversion (Matthew 7:21-23) not based upon the scripture, but one which tries to only receive God’s love, without FULLY surrendering their old lives and practices. (See also Acts 5:1-11, 8:18-24).

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” -2 Timothy 4:2-4.

            Paul once testified to the Corinthians that he had determined not to know any thing among them, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2), which is the real focal point in this blog; a focus that reminds us that in our flesh we are naturally sinners (Romans 7:18) who deserve God’s wrath, but have instead received His mercy (Romans 9:15,16) through the precious blood atonement He provided through Jesus, His Son.

Let us pray for grace to always tell the truth about God’s real love for mankind, never being ashamed for the cross of our Lord, nor any ridicule it may bring.

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” -2 Corinthians 5:18-21.

I also have a short YouTube video on this subject that can be found at https://youtube.com/shorts/oJ6irry5U1I?feature=share.

The Context of 2 Thessalonians 3:10

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” -Psalm 37:25.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus told us that when we seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; that He will provide everything we truly need.

This verse was often quoted in the church of my teen years, yet many times someone would quickly add, “Yeah, but you still need a job”; to which all of us would readily agree! It was a faithless addition to scripture, yet I fear the misapplying of verses like 2 Thessalonians 3:10 may lend to this conclusion, for taken by itself it says; “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”

We need to keep in mind that chapters & verses were added to the Bible well after it was written, and 2 Thessalonians 3:10 is a part of ONE complete letter, and the letter is a part of God’s complete Word, which has 66 books. Paul explains one direct reason for the instructions of v.10 in v.11, where it says,

“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”

 Too much idleness lends toward gossip, and other mischief that working can help people avoid, and this is the direction being pointed out.

Every Christian is an individual member of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:14,15), and our functions differ greatly in appearance; which becomes a point of stumbling when we expect other Christians to look too much alike in their service to God. We also take a lot for granted if we’re thinking that every job will have paychecks, or a time clock, or other visible things we can point to, when we know that FAITH is the evidence of things UNSEEN (Hebrews 11:1).

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” -John 7:24.

Godly work doesn’t always receive tangible rewards, like when the Apostles refused to wait on tables, and gave themselves to the Word of God and prayer, instead (Acts 6:1-4); or when Jesus commended Mary for listening to His teaching, instead of helping Martha serve (Luke 10:38-42); or when scripture shows that elders labouring in the word and doctrine are worthy of double honor (1 Timothy 5:17,18). Even Paul points out that he & his group could “forbear working,” yet they labored to set an example for others (1 Corinthians 9:6-14). Related scriptures are in the description. If we would take time to realize the importance of the Golden Rule in dealing with others, we’d know that it’s a work duty each of us has, that may not get much notice.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” -Matthew 7:12, a.k.a. the Golden Rule.

“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”       -Luke 17:10.

When we read the passages about God’s provision for those who seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:25-33, Luke 12:22-34), Jesus never even hints that we should labor to supply our own needs, but actually seems to discourage it; thus allowing the emphasis to rest upon His will for our lives, whether or not that means work men can see!

Often our real struggle isn’t about knowing or carrying out God’s will, but with the loud opinions of protest we’re subjected to for being different. Pray diligently to be sure of His daily will for your life, then be strong in remembering the Bible’s admonition that;

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.” -1 Corinthians 7:23,24. 

I also have a short YouTube teaching on this subject, that can be found at https://youtube.com/shorts/vL8ekDIT2zI?feature=share.