OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Articles Next 

WHAT TURNING FROM SIN LOOKS LIKE (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

            Sin can easily creep into our lives.  Before a person knows it, sin dominates his life.  Even when sin is dangerous and destructive, it can be difficult to overcome.  Satan enslaves us.  Deep within, however, we know we must remove the sin from our lives.  We know we must repent, or else, we will perish.  This is the message of Jesus found in Luke 13:3.  “I tell you, Nay:  but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”  He gave a similar message to the church in Ephesus.  “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Rev. 2:5).

            There have been many in the Bible who have found themselves lost in sin and needing to repent.  In the remainder of this article, we will look at three individuals who were deep in iniquity, but turned from their transgressions.  Perhaps one of the most well-known examples involves King David.  David committed two heinous sins.  First, he committed adultery with Bathsheba.  Second, he attempted to cover up his transgression by having Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, killed, and by taking Bathsheba to be his wife.  David did not immediately confess his sins.  It was not until the prophet Nathan confronted him that he finally admitted his sin and turned from it.  We read Nathan’s pointed words to the king in 1 Samuel 12:7-9.  “And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.  Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; and I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given thee such and such things.  Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight?  thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.”  These words struck deep into the heart of the monarch.  “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Sam. 12:13).  Note David finally admitted his sin.  In Psalm 51, we have the poem of David that expresses his deep sorrow and his earnestly longing to be forgiven by God for what he had done.  “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:  according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:  that thou mightiest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest” (Ps. 51:1-4).

            Another example of one who turned from sin is found in the apostle Peter.  Peter was an apostle who longed within in heart to be faithful, strong, and courageous.  At one point in his life, he never thought that he would deny his Master and boldly affirmed such (Matt. 26:33).  However, Jesus informed him that he would deny Him that very night.  “Jesus said unto him, Verily, I say unto thee, That this night before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Matt. 26:34).  After hearing those words, Peter still affirmed that he would never deny the Christ (Matt. 26:35).  Most of us know the story.  Peter did deny Jesus.  In fact, he denied him three times.  Let’s read about Peter’s third denial and what progressed after that.  “And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him; for he is a Galilean.  And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest.  And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter.  And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Luke 22:59-61).  The crowing of the rooster and the gaze of Jesus convicted Peter that night.  Peter had to make a decision about his transgression.  Luke 22:62 reveals how Peter’s decision.  “And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”  Peter did as James instructs all sinners to do in James 4:8-10.  “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:  let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up.” 

            A third example is found in Acts 8.  Philip, an evangelist, entered into Samaria and preached Christ unto the residents of that city (Acts 8:5).  Philip had much success there.  Even a certain sorcerer named Simon was converted.  “Then Simon himself believed also:  and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding them miracles and signs which were done” (Acts 8:13).  Because Philip was not an apostle, he could not give miraculous gifts to the Samaritans.  But, the apostles who were in Jerusalem heard Samaria had received the word of God, and “they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost…Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:14-17).  This ability intrigued Simon.  In fact, it intrigued him so much that “he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:18-19).  Simon was now in the throes of sin, and Peter immediately rebuked him.  “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou has thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter:  for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:20-23).  Peter’s words were strong and clear:  “Repent, or perish!”  Fortunately, Simon’s heart was good, honest, and tender.  “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me” (Acts 8:24). 

            We have looked at three men who were taken in some ugly sins:  David in adultery and murder, Peter in denial of the Lord Jesus Christ, and Simon who coveted something that did not belong to him.  Each of these men needed to turn from their transgressions and did.  When confronted, they acknowledged their sins.  This is often one of the most difficult things for a sinner to do.  The heart of man does not want to proclaim that it is wrong.  Once they admitted their transgressions, there was deep sorrow.  They were not sorry they had gotten caught.  They were sorry because they had truly violated the will of God.  Each of these men sought forgiveness at the throne of God by confessing their sins.  These actions brought forgiveness to each of them.  The Bible tell us:  “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).  Dear readers, this is what turning from sin looks like.  It is not easy.  It is humbling.  But, forgiveness is found on the other side of that turning.  Once forgiven, God can continue to use us to do great things in the kingdom.  The lives of both David and Peter testify to this wonderful truth.