Sin was
never GOD'S idea ...
that recipe of rebellion was cooked up in Lucifer's laboratory.
"Let no man say when he is
tempted, I am tempted of GOD: for GOD cannot be tempted with
evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted,
when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then
when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when
it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my
beloved brethren."
Sin was pitched into GOD'S
lap, if you would; but once it grew horns and a tail, HIS role
was to then define it for what it is:
"...that sin by the
commandment might become exceeding sinful."
In our day of
progressive thought, alternative renderings abound; but nowhere
apart from Holy Writ is the definition of sin to be held in any
esteem when it contradicts the CREATOR'S assessment. Sin
always appears as black as Hell in the light of Scripture! ...
and furthermore, as early as Eden, it is evident that sin's dark
debt must be paid. When men determined to follow Satan,
rather than GOD, the cost of that decision instantly became more
than we could afford. From the outset of sin, our
ancestors priced us out of the market; and we became an indebted
race living on borrowed time. The combined international
arrears
of the entire world pales in comparison to the genetic debt of sin men
have mounted against Heaven; yet the former gets constant
billing, while the latter is ignored with damning calculation.
"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."
The good news (i.e. the gospel) is that the FATHER forever
judged sin in HIS SON and by virtue of HIS death, burial, and
resurrection, we can have forgiveness. Astounding it is
though,
to ponder, that HE WHO defines, judges, and condemns, is the ONE
WHO also paid sin's fine.
"... for it is written, vengeance is MINE; I will repay, saith
the LORD."
Vengeance is understandable
and even anticipated of anyone with a conscience; but who could
have ever dreamt the JUDGE would step down from HIS bench, and
take on the attire of the very ones HE condemned. That,
beloved, makes vengeance a friend, and forgiveness inexplicable!
"But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were
yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. Much more then, being now
justified by HIS blood, we shall be saved from wrath through
HIM."