Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. Romans 7:13.

In the words of the shorter catechism: “Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.”

Because it is a breach of God’s Law, it is then a crime against the Holy Law giver – God Himself. Thus, man’s sin in its rebellion shakes an angry and rebellious fist in the face of his Creator. As Job by the Holy Ghost depicts the ungodly saying: “What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have if we pray unto Him?”

THE DISCOVERY OF THE REALITY OF SIN WITHIN US

When the Lord begins his work of conversion in the soul, by the Law of God we begin to discern sin, but because of our deep seated original corruption, such a realisation actually excites and inflames sin within us – as seen in little children, who the more they are forbidden something; the more they desire it. As in the child – so the heart of man inwardly rages against the law of God. The Law which is good, just and holy and given for the benefit of mankind. This is one of the ways by which we discover the exceeding sinfulness of sin.

The law which should have brought life brings in death. As spoke the apostle: “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment which (was ordained to life), I found to be unto death.” Rom.7: 9-10.

When our eyes are first opened to perceive the depravity of our heart, what a storm is caused! Such a revelation by the Holy Ghost, has been compared to disturbing piles of dust in a previously closed room. The windows of our inner man are opened and the sunbeams of the light of God’s Spirit show clearly such ignored and unacknowledged sin within the soul. Then it is seen in all its awfulness. By the compared law of God we are given to see the depravity of our nature and how it infects us in every thought, word and deed. The more we endeavour to obey this law: so, the more we see our utter inability to keep it. This is either a sudden realisation, or after a period of fruitless effort.

John Wesley, George Whitfield with others formed a “Holy Club” while at Oxford University and only after sincere efforts to observe the Law of God with earnestness, did they discover such a ‘holy’ work was in vain. Thus, do men discover the exceeding sinfulness of sin working within them. As when sometimes decorating an old house, we strip paper after paper from the walls, until finally the bare walls beneath show themselves to be crumbling defaced and beyond repair.

THE LAW AND THE NATURAL MAN

The natural man, before the light of God shines into his soul, may, due to the working of conscience attempt to obey the moral law of God, or what he considers to be the precepts of Christ, in his endeavours to weigh off his sins by ‘good deeds’. However, by not submitting himself to the righteousness of God he simply increases his guilt. For this self-righteousness is an affront to God and has at its root pride and self-sufficiency. Like the rich young ruler, we may keep, as we believe, all the commandments from our youth up; yet there will be one thing we lack – the surrender of our hearts to God and the acceptance of that which is outside of ourselves – even the saving work of Christ Jesus in His life and death upon the cross. The Blood and Righteousness of God incarnate made over freely over to all who receive them is man’s only answer to the righteous demands of the Holy Law of God.

The very moment that we see in a resurrected Jesus all that we can possibly need for acceptance with God and acquiesce with all our hearts in this salvation work provided – which is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to “come unto Him”- then we are saved from the penalty of the exceeding sinfulness of sin.

THE EFFECTS OF SIN

That there is a consequence to sin none can deny, except the wilfully blind. The one consequence which should concern all, is that there is a judgement to come for all, when the even the righteous scarcely saved shall be judged, and the ungodly shall be turned into hell. For as the Scripture declares: ” For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in our body, according that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:10.

The miseries of this life due to sin are also plain to see: violence, all kinds of immorality, lying, murder, drunkenness, strife, covetousness and idolatry. Not a day passes in any corner of this earth, without some, or all, of these horrific acts being perpetrated by sinful man. Even the professing Christian is not free from all sin, only free from the habitual practise of it, and its dominion over him. As the Bible tells us concerning those still under the penalty of the law: “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Romans 3:19.

Sin has a tendency downwards.

In the past history of mankind, we have seen a progression in sin in all its forms. In early times men were given over to idolatry and paganism, in following ages there was a form of false religion which claimed righteousness yet denied the power of it. In this age in which we live, we now find infidelity prevailing. This infidelity now has no time for God, often denies Him completely and stresses that science has either made the Creator unnecessary or proves Hiss non-existence.

This is either stated outwardly or implied, quite often blasphemy is allowed in the media unchallenged, and what was now punishable by law escapes all condemnation. In short man is now tolerant of all sects and beliefs except the truths of Holy Scripture, which is the 18th century Latitudinarianism in its extreme form.

This exceeding sinfulness of sin is that it is progressive. Viz. Without the direct interference of God the sinful conditions in this world will grow worse and worse. While there have been times of amelioration in revivals of true religion; the general tendency is towards a final irrecoverable day when sin and transgression will have reached a point (known only to God) when the destruction of this world and the finality of judgement will descend from heaven. The Scripture names this as “when transgressors are come to the full.” or are accomplished. Daniel 8:23.

This final reckoning by God with mankind for their rebellion against Him; will be presaged by the appearance of the Man of sin- an individual possessed entirely by Satan, who will so exalt himself above God in awful blasphemies and wreak havoc in his sinful course opposing God and all who are God’s. This Antichrist will deceive many, and prevail for seven years, the last three years showing himself in his true colours. Sitting in the temple of God showing himself to be God and demanding worship from all as if he is God. Such a manifestation will epitomise in its most terrible form the exceeding sinfulness of sin.

THE TRAGEDY OF SIN

All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life and to the pains of hell forever, (from the shorter catechism.)

Our first parents – Adam and Eve tragically squandered the blessed innocence of the whole human race by their sin, and we in our fallen state have shown ever since our consensual part in this tragedy.

There is in the final lines of Milton’s Paradise Lost a most poignant ending to this poetical account of man’s fall into sin as our first parent were excluded from their happy state:

“They looking back, all the eastern side beheld of paradise so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand; the gate with dreadful faces thronged, and fiery arms. Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon. The world was all before them, where to choose their place of rest, and providence their guide. They hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow. Through Eden took their solitary way”.

O THE TRAGEDY OF THE EXCEEDING SINFULNESS OF SIN

“For He hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” John 19:17