Today’s lessons do not deal with the denial of sin, or even with the hiding of sin, but rather with the lack of awareness of sin. In the Old Testament lesson as well as the Gospel sin is easily seen in others but not in themselves. They teach us that we can be guilty of horrible things – even of murder – and not be conscious of it. Unless there is an awareness of sin, we will never confess it, become contrite, nor repent. Today, we face the situation of sin abounding while the consciousness of sin is minimal.
Though the world is saturated with sin, we seem to be unconcerned about it. A daily newspaper is a tabloid of sin – in every segment of modern life. There is no place where there is no sin: organized and unorganized crime, government, business, and even the church. Until David was confronted by Nathan he had no clue that he had sinned against God. Paul must confront Peter with his sin of backsliding. Simon – he could see the woman was sinful but not himself. All three lessons beg the question – Can we sin and not even know it?
1. We can sin and not even know it when we don’t consider it sin. David must be made away of his sin of murder. The Lord uses Nathan as His messenger. David must be made aware of his sin because he has become blind to its presence. Possibly David had convinced himself that he was above it all. This happens when sin is dismissed as a disease, a normal way of life, a social maladjustment, a mismatching of genes, a behavioral disorder. We need the Word which says, “You are that man.”
2. We can sin and not even know it when sin is covered by self-righteousness. We see this in the Savior’s conversation with Simon the Pharisee as a sinful woman anoints the Savior at supper in Simon’s house. Do you consider yourself better then most? Really? Are you without fault or blame?
We need to see that it is far better to give a true confession of sin than not to give one. He who claims he has no sin misses out on the greatest things of life. The poor, unfortunate character was not the sinful woman but the good, proud Pharisee. His life was empty. There are many good Christians who claim guiltlessness but are perfectly miserable.
Sinners outside the church belong inside. (Vv.36-39) Though they man not, like Simon, realize they are sinners, church members are sinners. Sin transcends sex, station, and status. Sinners like Simon in the church need to invite sinners to come to church to be with Jesus.
3. We can sin and not even know it when we sin without God. Paul must publicly oppose Peter at Antioch for compromising the gospel. There is only one correct response “I have sinned against the Lord.” Any harm or wrong done to man is at the same time done to God. All in is sin against God – a violation against the 1st Commandment. Though adultery and murder involve people they are sins against God who commands men not to treat each other harmfully.
In non-essentials Christians have freedom; in essentials, unity. Christians have and will continue to adapt to changing times – to new situations, new needs, new problems. We dare not compromise the essentials of the faith. Peter adapts to the Judaizers to avoid offense, but he compromises the essentials of the faith – justification by grace. Paul is quick to see the error and openly condemns Peter for his compromise.
Today we may be tempted to compromise with the secular world and to pagans for the sake of being accepted. We need to have people like Paul bringing us back to the essentials of the gospel; salvation by grace, grace coming through faith, faith is sufficient.
Though the world is saturated with sin, we seem to be unconcerned about it. A daily newspaper is a tabloid of sin – in every segment of modern life. There is no place where there is no sin: organized and unorganized crime, government, business, and even the church. Until David was confronted by Nathan he had no clue that he had sinned against God. Paul must confront Peter with his sin of backsliding. Simon – he could see the woman was sinful but not himself. All three lessons beg the question – Can we sin and not even know it?
1. We can sin and not even know it when we don’t consider it sin. David must be made away of his sin of murder. The Lord uses Nathan as His messenger. David must be made aware of his sin because he has become blind to its presence. Possibly David had convinced himself that he was above it all. This happens when sin is dismissed as a disease, a normal way of life, a social maladjustment, a mismatching of genes, a behavioral disorder. We need the Word which says, “You are that man.”
2. We can sin and not even know it when sin is covered by self-righteousness. We see this in the Savior’s conversation with Simon the Pharisee as a sinful woman anoints the Savior at supper in Simon’s house. Do you consider yourself better then most? Really? Are you without fault or blame?
We need to see that it is far better to give a true confession of sin than not to give one. He who claims he has no sin misses out on the greatest things of life. The poor, unfortunate character was not the sinful woman but the good, proud Pharisee. His life was empty. There are many good Christians who claim guiltlessness but are perfectly miserable.
Sinners outside the church belong inside. (Vv.36-39) Though they man not, like Simon, realize they are sinners, church members are sinners. Sin transcends sex, station, and status. Sinners like Simon in the church need to invite sinners to come to church to be with Jesus.
3. We can sin and not even know it when we sin without God. Paul must publicly oppose Peter at Antioch for compromising the gospel. There is only one correct response “I have sinned against the Lord.” Any harm or wrong done to man is at the same time done to God. All in is sin against God – a violation against the 1st Commandment. Though adultery and murder involve people they are sins against God who commands men not to treat each other harmfully.
In non-essentials Christians have freedom; in essentials, unity. Christians have and will continue to adapt to changing times – to new situations, new needs, new problems. We dare not compromise the essentials of the faith. Peter adapts to the Judaizers to avoid offense, but he compromises the essentials of the faith – justification by grace. Paul is quick to see the error and openly condemns Peter for his compromise.
Today we may be tempted to compromise with the secular world and to pagans for the sake of being accepted. We need to have people like Paul bringing us back to the essentials of the gospel; salvation by grace, grace coming through faith, faith is sufficient.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use
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