The Many Dimensions Of Sin

We as Christians, tend to underrate sin. We give sin lip service and we talk about forgiveness like it is automatic and that forgiveness is owed to us. We tend to ignore the consequences of sin by saying we have been forgiven and it is all forgotten.

But, there is so much more. Listen, as we look at a Psalm of David. A psalm of confession, remorse, repentance and a plea for forgiveness.

Psalm 51

When I was asking for a sermon topic, several people suggested I preach on sin. Well, I’m not preaching for sin, but I will preach against sin.

Sin is not a word we should use lightly. It today’s world, the word “sin” is not a politically correct word. It offends people, including Christians. It's been described as an an antiquated word.

However, the word “sin” needs to offend people. I could use nicer words like “not meeting my spiritual potential,” or “being off target,” or “I simply made a mistake.” But I will use the word “sin” for three reasons.

First, it the word the Bible uses in its various forms, sin, sinning, sinful, and sinner. In the NKJV, the word sin alone is used 326 times in the OT and 120 times in the NT. There are similar results in the mainline translations. The very notion of sin appears to have some importance in scripture.

Second, the word sin carries a concept of more than just doing wrong. We find in scripture these various meanings associating with sin:

Rebellion & Lawlessness;

Perversion & immorality;

Evil

Breaking God’s laws;

Falling short in our very character;

Being unfair;

Being unkind;

Being selfish;

Living in ways contrary to the will & nature of God;

Not worshipping God as we should;

Not loving our Lord with all our heart, mind, soul & strength;

Not loving our neighbor as ourselves;

Missing the mark – at times not even understanding what God wants;

Doing the things we shouldn’t and not doing the things we should

Let us not forget the very notion of sin is an offense before a high and most holy God.

And third and last, the word “sin” is personal. It is something we have done and there is no shifting the blame. We cannot blame sine on our environment, on our upbringing, on our circumstances, on our weaknesses, or on what we are predisposed to do. [1]

Romans 3:23 (NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

This morning I want to concentrate on the Biblical title to this psalm of confession, repentance and plea for pardon.

Psalm 51 (NKJV) To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David When Nathan the Prophet Went to Him, After He Had Gone in to Bathsheba.

King David wrote this psalm when Nathan the prophet confronted him with his sin. To David’s credit, he did not make excuses or shoot the messenger. David owned up to his transgression and confessed all.

2 Samuel 12:13 (NKJV) So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

David said I’m sorry, I confess. But that is not the end of the story. Let me review the story briefly for you, found in 2 Samuel 11-12.

With the nation at war and troops gone, as David stayed and did not accompanied the troop, while he was on his roof of his palace, he spied the lady next door, Bathsheba, and lusted after her, even though she was the wife of Uriah, one of David’s mighty men, who off fighting the war with the rest of the army. Already David had sinned. Jesus said:

Matthew 5:27–28 (NKJV) “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

But David summoned Bathsheba up to his place and the next thing you know, she is pregnant.

James 1:15 (NKJV) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

So David went for the cover up. He ordered Uriah home for some consultation, and thought that while Uriah was home he would go and see his wife. They didn’t have DNA testing in those days so who would be the wiser 8-9 months later?

But Uriah did not go home. He was an honorable man and if his troops in the field could not go home, neither would he. David got Uriah drunk and still Uriah did not go see his wife.

So David sent Uriah back to the front with sealed orders for the commander to put Uriah up front in the heaviest fighting and withdraw from him. So they did and Uriah was struck dead by the enemy. So David takes Uriah’s widow and makes her his wife and all is right with the world? Right?