9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans 3:9-11
What do “respectable sins” mean to you? What are some common forms of “respectable sins?”
Jesus spoke frequently of sin, death, and hell because He wanted to give His fallen creation the reality of their problem so they could avoid eternal punishment one day. Jesus spoke more about hell than heaven.
- The word sin is mentioned 112 times in the New Testament. Jesus said in John 8:34:
whosoever commits
- Slave to evil passions and desires.
- “Is the servant” is the slave of sin. He is bound to it as a slave is to his master.
Sin Is a Spiritual and Moral Malignancy/Cancer
Malignancy describes a tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally into adjoining tissue by invasion and systemically, by metastasizing into other parts of the body.
A. Definition of sin
Missing the mark or falling short of the moral standard of God as Paul wrote in Romans 3:9.
B. We are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1)
C. Sin is a transgression of the law (1 John 3:4)
…it is concerned with the will and affections, the tendencies and desires of the mind, as well as the outward actions of life; lustful desire is a violation of the law, as well as actual sin; and especially a course of sinning both in heart, lip, and life, is a continued transgression of it.
Plain and simply, sin is lawlessness which means a complete disregard for the law of God and a deliberate rejection of His moral will in favor of one’s own desires.
Believers are Called to Be Saints (1 Corinthians 1:1-2)
A. Current cultural definition of a saint
B. Biblical definition of a saint
Paul wrote that believers in Christ are not only saints but they are sanctified (to be made holy or set apart). Saints do not have to be dominated by our sin. (Romans 6:11-13) There are three active words in those verses.
- Reckon– reason in your mind to come to a conclusion of what? To be dead to sin!
- Let not sin reign – to rule over or conquer. Notice it says, “let not sin reign” verse 12. This means we have a say in how much sin rules over us. We have the power within us to say no to it.
- Neither yield yourselves (verse 13) – to give yourself over to or give up to; never surrender to sin.
We battle with the “law of sin” (verse 23)
Are even “respectable sins/sin we tolerate” ugly?
Are you in a battle to conquer them?
Try to see them as God sees them and practice daily renewing your mind with the law of God to ward off this lurking malignancy!
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2