Two Sides of Sin

Two Sides of Sin

December 7, 2008

Introduction

Two sides of the coin. We’ve heard the expression many times, but what does it mean? What is the real significance of two sides of the coin. I think the more practical aspect of “two sides of the coin” is the fact that there are two sides of many things. We often hear the statement, “There are two sides to every story.”

This morning, we want to consider something else which has two sides that we may not have thought much about. There are two sides to sin. Both sides are important. As in the case of the statement, “Two sides to every story,” we find people who like to emphasize one side or the other. This morning, we want to look carefully at the two sides of sin that we have expressed this morning: condemning or forgiving.

Body

I. What about Condemning sin?

A. We must be told of the prohibitions.

1. God has clearly told of the prohibitions:

(Gen 2:17 NKJV) "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

a. The act was condemned. “you shall not eat,”

b. The warning/penalty clearly stated. “you shall surely die."

2. Some refer to the 10 commandments as a list of “Thou shalt not’s”

3. Clearly, much of the Bible spells out the prohibitions as well as the things we should be doing.

B. We must tell the prohibitions.

1. Paul told Timothy to reprove sin.

(2 Tim 4:2 KJV) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2. Paul warned that the time was coming when it would be very difficult to get people to listen to rebuking sin.

3. We must encourage people to turn from sin and evil.

(2 Tim 4:3-5 NKJV) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; {4} and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. {5} But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

C. Do we condemn sin, or the sinner?

Recently someone told me she met a man who seemed somewhat effeminate and weak, but he was very kind and courteous. Her question: Is he gay and suffering from AIDS? Here is a man who may be suffering from a disease caused his sin of homosexuality, but how do I respond.

As I was told this story I had to realize that I usually have little time or sympathy for those in that condition, but then I had to stop and think. How would Jesus treat such a person?

II. What would Jesus Do?

A. There is the story of the woman at the well

(John 8:3-11 NKJV) Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, {4} they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. {5} "Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" {6} This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. {7} So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." {8} And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. {9} Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. {10} When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" {11} She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

1. He did not approve of her sin-- “go and sin no more.”

2. He did not condemn her "Neither do I condemn you;

3. We raise the question, “Are we forgiving?”

B. What about doctrinal error?

1. What would Jesus do?

(Mark 9:38-40 NKJV) Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." {39} But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. {40} "For he who is not against us is on our side.

2. What did Aquila and Priscilla do?

(Acts 18:24-27 NKJV) Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. {25} This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. {26} So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. {27} And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;

Conclusion

I. What is the lesson that we are to learn today?

There are two sides to the coin, and two sides to sin

1. Paul tells us how to deal with the “flip side” of sin.

(2 Tim 2:24-25 NKJV) And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, {25} in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

2. What about those that step over the line and do not obey the doctrine?

(2 Th 3:14-15 NKJV) And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. {15} Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

The consequences of sin are deadly, and are not to be taken lightly.

1. The real question for us today is are we handling the problem correctly?

2. The surgeon who performed life saving surgery for me has retired because he did not want to try to handle the stress of life and death any more.

3. What will we do?

II. If you have never had your sins washed away by the blood of Christ, you can do that today.

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