Are Little Sins OK?

All sins show a desire or a delight, or a preference for them more than a preference for God. We do not love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and thus fall short of the glory of God. We need to love an infinite being in an appropriate way and not lust after things of such finite value. Why do we not do that? The Lord knows that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. The devil does not force us to sin, but tempts us to it. And James says, "But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by His own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (Jam.1:14,15).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom.6:23). So we can praise God that we have been forgiven and not forsaken, we can praise God that we have been pardoned instead of punished, and we can praise God that we have been justified instead of condemned. But as Paul mentions, the principle of evil is still present in him, yet because He is filled with the Holy Spirit he still wants to do good (Rom.7:21). Though we were formerly in a state of alienation with God, He has committed to us the word of reconciliation; though we were formerly in a state of condemnation with God, being children of wrath, the Holy Spirit has put forth a work of sanctification in our lives and though through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

So are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? Paul says may it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it (Rom.6:1,2)?  That includes all sins, little or big. James Montgomery Boice has something to say to each one of us in regards to sin, ”Fathers, your sins of family neglect or drinking will hurt your family. They will hurt your wife and your children. Mothers, your socializing will hurt your children, who need your love and care. Young people, the sins of your youth -- your drugs, drinking, and promiscuity ---- will hurt everyone with whom you have contact. They will hurt your peers, for you will be part of the pattern of life that destroys them and their potential. In the future, you will be less prepared for the work you have to do. Ministers, your sin of neglect of Bible study and sermon preparation will hurt your parishioners. Employers, your sins will hurt your employees. Workmen, your half-hearted work and wasted time will hurt your company and other workers. Politicians, your sins will injure the people you are elected by or appointed to represent."

We must see that our sinful actions effect negatively all those that are around us or come in contact with us. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:6, "Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Verse 7, "Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed." Verse 8 sums it up, "Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

Elder Randy Slak