Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
November 7, 2001 Bobby Dockery
A Robber In Ambush
Jesus told the story of a certain man who was ambushed by thieves on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho. After robbing him, the thieves fled, leaving him near death. (Luke 12.30)
God warned Cain that sin is waiting to ambush and rob those who lower their guard: “If you do not well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (Genesis 4.7)
In what way is sin a robber? Consider the following:
1. Sin Robs Us Of Our Character. Sin is a destroyer of moral fiber. It can easily change a pillar of virtue into a participant in vice. An old proverb says: “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.”
2. Sin Robs Us Of Our Judgment. Sin often takes away our ability to discern good from evil. In Hebrews 3.13, we are warned of “the deceitfulness of sin.” Sin is a deceiver which can eventually blind us so completely that it renders us incapable of making moral decisions.
3. Sin Robs Us Of Our Self-Respect. It is impossible to sin and feel good about it! Isaiah compared the sinner to “the troubled sea, when it cannot rest.” (Isaiah 57.20) Instead of fulfillment, sin leaves only shame, humiliation and loss of self-esteem.
4. Sin Robs Us Of Our Spiritual Life. In James 1.15, we read: “Sin when it is finished bringeth forth death.” Paul warned, “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6.23) Ezekiel solemnly cautioned God’s people of old that the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18.20)
5. Sin Robs Us Of Our Eternal Reward. One of the most sobering passages in all of the Bible is found in 2 Thessalonians 1.8-9, where Paul warns that Jesus will one day come back to earth “in flaming fire” to take vengeance on those who have defied him in sin by punishing them with “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.”
Sin is a robber which waits in ambush to plunder unsuspecting victims. What a fortune in souls sin has looted from this fair earth!! Sin will steal more than we can possibly afford to lose. Therefore, “These things write I unto you that ye sin not.” (1 John 2.1)
BOBBY DOCKERY
Fayetteville, Ark.
