Dealing With Sin
The sermon emphasizes the importance of moral transformation in salvation, warning against a message of forgiveness without transformation.
Greek Word Studies delves into the meaning of 'strateuomai,' which signifies engaging in spiritual warfare, orchestrated by the indwelling flesh inherited from Adam. This ongoing battle against fleshly lusts is a continual struggle for believers until they see Jesus Christ. The term 'strateuomai' is not just about fighting but encompasses all aspects of military service, portraying a planned expedition against a spiritual objective. Believers are urged to resist fleshly desires that wage war against their souls, as depicted in the allegory 'The Holy War' by John Bunyan.
Text
Many evangelical teachers insist so strongly upon free, unconditional grace as to create the impression that sin is not a serious matter and that God cares very little about it! They make it seem that God is only concerned with our escaping the consequences. The gospel, then, in practical application, means little more than a way to escape the fruits of our past! But the heart that has felt the weight of its own sin and has seen the dread whiteness of the Most High God will never believe that a message of forgiveness without transformation is a message of good news. To remit a man's past without transforming his present is to violate the moral sincerity of his own heart.
To that kind of thing God will be no party!
For to offer a sinner the gift of salvation based upon the work of Christ, while at the same time allowing him to retain the idea that the gift carries with it no moral implications, is to do him untold injury where it hurts him most!
Sermon Outline
- The Misconception of Free Grace
- The Consequences of Untransformed Sin
- God's Stance on Unrepented Sin
- God's moral sincerity and justice
- The importance of transformation in salvation
Key Quotes
“But the heart that has felt the weight of its own sin and has seen the dread whiteness of the Most High God will never believe that a message of forgiveness without transformation is a message of good news.” — A.W. Tozer
“To remit a man's past without transforming his present is to violate the moral sincerity of his own heart.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- True salvation involves a transformation of the heart, not just forgiveness of past sins.
- God's moral sincerity and justice demand that we take sin seriously and seek transformation.
- A message of forgiveness without transformation is not a message of good news, but rather a false promise.