Sin prevents peace - 26 September 2024

Jesus Christ urged his disciples not to let their hearts be troubled (John 14:27). Yet, the only time I know of when the God of the universe’s heart was grieved or troubled was when he regretted making human beings.

How utterly sad and devastating that the Creator had pain at the hands of created beings – fallen angels and errant humans – once again. The travesty of the angels having fallen contributed greatly to the ache in God’s heart if you consider the passage in full.

Much the same way that sin had been found in Satan’s heart, this same corruption was in the hearts of mankind. Satan had sought to usurp power and desired to be on par with God. Unable to do that, he rebelled. Humans are no different: when humans are not in step with the Spirit and disobedient to God, a thirst for power and violence are also by-products.

Isaiah 59:1-8 illuminate the consequences of sin so perfectly: “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. … they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.”

The God of the universe is long-suffering. For millennia, He has put up with the sins of man not wanting any to perish but for every one of us to come to a knowledge of the truth. Looking at the mayhem in the world today, sin is still reigning in the hearts of power-hungry mankind.

Frighteningly, the situation just seems to be worsening. We are not only drifting further and further from our God, humans are actively seeking to distance ourselves from his Word. Even worse, mankind is actively choosing what displeases God and putting ourselves at odds with our Creator. It will not end well. I am so grateful that God is patient with us, humans. CS Lewis profoundly stated: “Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won’t last forever. We must take it or leave it.”

The passage in 2 Peter 3:9 puts it this way: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

One day, that final soul will be saved and God’s plan will work itself out fully. William Ewart Gladstone’s wish will then reach fruition: “We look forward to the time when the power of love will replace the love of power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.”

Prayer: Father God, please give us clear conviction about sin and help us to overcome. We pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen