Sin is Still SIN!

If there is one thing that just about everyone wants to ignore, including Christians, is the Biblical view of what sin is. While we may not mind looking at the Ten Commandments, there is almost a standard refusal to see what Jesus said sin is. Why? Because it takes sin out of the action itself to the motivation of the heart that produces sin. For  sin is rarely impulsive, it stems from a desire in the heart that is carefully crafted in the mind, that waits for an opportunity to manifest in the flesh.

With this in mind, it would behoove us to look afresh at the Beatitudes. They are found in Matthew, Chapter 5, let’s begin with the first:

“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. Matthew 5:3 (AMP)

Jesus begins on a positive note. We purposely looked at the Amplified to see it – amplified for us. Jesus says that the person who is to be admired are those who are “poor in spirit”. He defines that person as being  free of “spiritual arrogance”, and not being that “significant”.  He begins this Sermon on the Mount by saying that these persons who will be inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven and the Amplified adds – “forever”! This is a big deal because it goes so contrary to human nature. Even if we can walk sincerely in humility for a season, it is hard to maintain that attitude consistently. Invariably someone is going to push our button and make us rise up and say, “what about me”? We’re going to feel walked on, taken advantage of, and any other numerous kinds of objections to unfair treatment.

If this is the case, how can we expect to be in that number that will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven – forever? Only with Jesus! Only by His grace and mercy and His capacity to forgive us over and over again. Scripture  states emphatically that:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (KJV)

Because of His faithfulness to His Word, we can become cognizant of the sin of wanting our own way, and when that spirit rises up within us, we can repent and be restored to one who is “poor in spirit”, once again, reflecting that character of our Lord. It’s so simple, that we can miss it. We can easily get in the habit of feeling as if we are justified for our feelings of arrogance or superiority and ignore taking these ungodly thoughts to the throne, feeling as if Jesus should understand. Jesus does understand, and I believe that is why He came right out with bringing this to our attention. For when we become “me” focused, it may seem to begin in a small way, but it has an amazing capacity to expand into other areas of our life. If we’re not careful that selfish, self-centered spirit will justify other sins. As 1 John also says:

For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. 1 John 2:16 (AMP)

You see there are some spirits that hang out together, and above are the three – and they stem from our wanting to have our way and feeling justified about it. They are all something we can recognize, place them on the altar, and once again be free to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven – forever!

Maria