Just One Inch
Introduction
Isaiah 59:2 tells us that something has come between us and God. There has been a separation and reconciliation is needed. What is sin and why does it cause so much trouble? It seems that every time we turn around we are faced with sin and its consequences. Put briefly, sin is anything that breaks God's law and violates His Word. Sin is anything displeasing to Him.
When man sins, he needs forgiveness for that sin. But, before man can be forgiven for sin, he must first repent for sin. These two doctrines, Repentance and Sin, go hand in hand if man is going to gain forgiveness. You must have true repentance if sin is going to be forgiven.
Satan will not initially go after the "whole nine yards" concerning an issue of sin, but, he will tell you that all he wants is "just one inch" in your life. "That won't hurt anything", is his argument. "It'll be fun and no harm will come from it." Initially this may seem to be so. He will give you a thrill and then protect you. No one knows; nothing seems to happen; you begin to trust Satan whether you would admit it or not. But, then you discover something. One inch is as good as a mile when it comes to sin against God. You also discover something else: Satan doesn't have to break his promise to you and push you farther and farther away from God, because you will do it for him. He knows human nature and is confident that you will destroy yourself if only he can get you to let your guard down and sin against God...."Just One Inch."
Let’s look at these two Doctrines and see what we can learn.
I. Sin
A. Sin Originated with Satan
Isaiah 14:12-14. How do you get sin out of the spiritual world and over into the physical world? You get a man to do commit the sin in the physical world. When you commit sin, you are doing something that originated with Satan.
B. Sin Entered the World through Adam
Look at Romans 5:12.
C. Everyone is Guilty of Sin
See Romans 3:23
D. Sin is Very Powerful
Sin is viewed as very powerful with far-reaching consequences. Note John 9:2. Look at Exodus 34:5-7, where we learn that sin reaches to the third and fourth generation. Numbers 14:18 states the same truth.
E. Sin Will Enslave You
Read John 8:34
A song states,
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go.
Slowly but wholly taking control.
Sin will keep you longer than you want to stay.
Sin will cost you far more than you want to pay.”
Remember, Satan only wants one inch and he has you trapped.
F. All Unforgiven Sin Produces Death
Romans 6:23 reads, “…the wages of sin is death…” Look at 1 Corinthians 15:56, where we read that the “…sting of death is sin…”
II. Repentance
Now, let’s look at repentance.
A. God's Goodness Leads you to Repentance
See Romans 2:4. The Greek work “metanoia” is the word for repentance. It speaks of a "compunction for guilt, including reformation.” In other words, it speaks of the reversal of one’s previous decision.
B. The Purpose of Repentance
Read Acts 26: 17-18, and verse 20.
C. God wants Everyone to Come to Repentance.
Note 2 Peter 3:9.
D. Cleansing from Sin comes only through the Name of Jesus
You cannot be cleansed from sin in any other name or any other way than through the name and person of Jesus Christ. Look at Luke 24:47.
We find that word "repentance" (metanoia) in Romans 5:8. See also, 1 Timothy 2:5.
III. Victory
Sin has been rendered powerless to those who have accepted Christ and then live obedient lives.
A. Sufficiency of God’s Grace
Don’t you see, God’s grace is far more sufficient for salvation than than sin was for destruction...and still is!!!
B. Sin Can Be Overcome
Look at Romans 6:1-7. Sin can be overcome and does not hold final power over the Christian.
C. Servanthood and Yielding
Look at Romans 6:11-18. Yielding and servanthood interrelate. A slave does not have a choice; he must yield. But, we are not slaves to sin any longer. We do not have to yield.