*Here’s a snippet of a recent sermon. I had a few requests for the lists provided.
We dare not coddle sin but cut it off. Coddle: to treat with extreme or excessive care or kindness.
Ways we coddle sin:
Dismiss it: You know, it’s really not that big of a deal, right?
Compare it: You know, my sin is not as bad as my neighbors, right?
Excuse it: You know, Jesus gives grace, right?
Coddling sin shows signs of a heart in need of transformation.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:29-30, “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
What does he mean? Is he being literal? No. But yes. Gouging out one’s eye can’t stop lust; People can lust with eyes closed. Jesus used this graphic illustration to stress that we are to cut off and cast out sin by any means necessary.
If the computer leads you to sin … do something about it.
If the phone leads you to sin … do something about it.
If idle time on the weekend leads you to sin … do something about it.
If certain situations lead you to sin … do something about it.
If certain people lead you to sin … do something about it.
Ways we cut off sin:
Confess and repent.
Remove situations which provide temptation. It might be people, places, environments.
Surround yourself with opportunities for faithfulness. It might be people, places, environments.
Partake of a healthy diet of Bible reading and healthy exercise plan of Bible living.
Cutting of sin shows signs of spiritual maturity.
If you feel defeated by sin, allow me to give you a glimpse of Jesus’ words later in Matthew’s gospel:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Don’t run give up, run away, or run to sin. Rather, run to Jesus and find forgiveness of sin and rest for your souls.
Sin will never leave you fulfilled or satisfied. But Jesus will. Sin promises so much but it never delivers upon its promises. But Jesus will.
Jeff Gravens 