The Tragedy Of Sin
Randall Caselman
1/21/98
The Tragedy Of Sin
Sin's tragedy had its beginning with Adam and Eve. Unfortunately, we have all followed in their footsteps. Indeed, sin has shattered our lives in numerous ways:
Sin brings spiritual tragedy. God created us to have an unbroken walking and talking relationship with Him and with one another. But when sin entered Adam and Eve hid from God. We are still hiding from Him.
Adam and Eve traded their treasured relationship for something they thought was better, pleasure and wisdom.
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.
It was Amos who said,
two cannot walk together unless they agree. Adam and Eve enjoyed this intimate relationship until they disobeyed, until they disagreed with God. We too will experience the same effect when we disagree with our Creator. John tells us how to regain this togetherness,
If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Sin causes mental tragedy. Guilt is such a burden? Guilt is a cancerous growth that eats away at our peace of mind and destroys our happiness.
• Guilt drove David to write,
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long... Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish... My strength fails... My bones grow weak... I have become like broken pottery.
• Guilt caused Pilate anguish and fear. It drove him to admit that he had suffered many things because of his actions toward Jesus.
• Guilt caused Judas to take his own life.
• Guilt drove Paul to his knees in prayer for three days before Ananias came.
Sin destroys us mentally, but the answer comes from the lips of David and Paul,
Happy is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered... There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Sin results in physical tragedy. Death and disease were not a part of God’s original plan for us. We must know that all the bad things which happen to us, all the pain and sorrow we experience, are the result of sin, ours or some one else’s.
God warned Adam and Eve that disobedience would destroy them. Sin is still destroying us. The law of sowing and reaping is certain. The law of sin and death is still operative. Ezekiel declares,
The soul who sins shall die. However, Ezekiel does not leave us hopeless. But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all My decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. More good news from the pen of Paul,
Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Sin causes relational tragedy. Have you noticed that previous to their sin, Adam and Eve never had an argument, never an unkind word? Life was perfect. Then, as soon as sin entered their lives, they begin to play the blame game; Adam blamed Eve, Adam blamed God, Eve blamed the serpent.
It’s true, our relationary problems are caused by sin. If we would treat one another as God instructs, there would be no ruptured relationships. Scripture has the prescription.
• Do to others what you would have them do to you.
• As far as it depends upon you, live at peace with everyone... Help the weak... Look to the interest of others... Bear one another’s burdens... Do good to all men.
• Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Sin's tragedy does not need to be fatal. God has provided us a way of restoration.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life... In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. God has dispatched His only begotten Son to restore us to our former state.
Praise His name!
—Randall Caselman
