As a Christian (a disciple-follower of Jesus Christ) it is easier to see the miserable state of the wicked now than when we were numbered with them. When I use the term wicked what do I mean? I mean those who are not born-again in Jesus Christ, those who have not believed the gospel of our Lord. That is those who do not know God and who have not obeyed the gospel. How does the Bible (God’s Word) describe the wicked?
- They desire evil – (Proverbs 21:10)
- He does not hate evil – (Psalm 36:4)
- They have no peace – (Isaiah 48:22)
- Their speech pours forth evil – (Proverbs 15:28)
- They are far from God – (Proverbs 15:29)
- They walk in darkness – (Proverbs 4:19)
- There is no fear of God in them – (Psalm 36:1) (Romans 3:18)
- They are self-righteous – (Psalm 36:2)
- His speech is wicked and deceitful – (Psalm 36:3) (Romans 3:13-14)
- He has no wisdom – does no good – (Psalm 36:3) (Romans 3:10, 12)
- He devises wickedness on his bed – (Psalm 36:4) (Romans 3:15)
Much of man’s religious activity that we see today does not address the real problem man faces, the defilement caused by sin. Sin has separated man from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) (Ephesians 2:13) (Romans 3:23). In sin we are in darkness and are separated from God (Colossians 1:13-14), and unless the problem of sin is adequately addressed, man will die in his sin (Romans 6:23). That is not good news!
One of the major problems with the world today is that it tries to make sin look good, to look glamorous, to make it look like it is the in thing to do. Advertisement has made sin to look as though it always brings us or is associated with the best things that life has to offer and if you aren’t doing what God says is sinful then something is wrong with you. Just think what television has made out of fornication and other sins, where they now seem to be acceptable. Society has taught us that it is okay to teach and live alternative lifestyles. Alternative to Who, God? Who says that’s ok? Certainly not God! It teaches that sin (lawlessness towards God) is more than acceptable, and it is encouraged. It teaches that people are not responsible for their sin, that they are victims instead. The world calls sin everything under the sun except what it really is, SIN.
It is imperative that the world is told, and understands what sin is, that it’s lifestyle choices are SINFUL and EXCEEDINGLY so (Romans 7:13). Sin is exceedingly sinful. Sin works death in man, and it is like a cancer, so it should thus be greatly abhorred (Romans 12:9) (Isaiah 1:16). But that’s not all. Sin is very deceptive (Hebrews 3:13) (Titus 3:1-3). When are we deceived by sin?
- When we say we have no sin – (1 John 1:8-10)
- When we think that evil companionship will not corrupt – (1 Corinthians 15:33)
- When we are hearers only and not doers of the Word – (James 1:22-25)
- When sin promises liberty – but brings slavery – (2 Peter 2:18-19)
Sin appears attractive, but is hideously ugly and has caused for us a great deal of anguish. Today, recognize what you have been delivered from as a child of God. Give the Lord praise!