In many ways, sin is simply sin. However, sins carry varying weights or repercussions. In fact, the Bible testifies that some sins are greater than others.
Sin is not to be considered a light matter. In other words, it is not to be mocked. Only a fool would demonstrate this kind of behaviour toward sin.
People in the world are generally quite self-centered. Even saved people are often lovers of their own selves instead of preferring one another.
Although there are times where God respects some while rejecting others, God’s acceptance of one and rejection of another is never a baseless respect.
The land cannot continually endure the stress of producing the same crops without some time of rest for renewal. Man is no different.
God is a jealous God, yet that jealousy is only manifested when men provoke the Lord because of their unfaithfulness. Men can provoke the Lord through various means, but ultimately, they all unite in the fact that they place something or someone else ahead of the Lord. The Lord does not want the leftovers of man’s time, love, money, and strength (Malachi 1:7-9). Instead, He wants the first and greatest of man’s possessions. Anything less is idolatrous and offensive to the God who gave man everything he has. Each man must make a daily evaluation of his life to insure that he is doing nothing to provoke the Lord to jealousy.
Peter knew that the Gentiles were no longer to be considered unclean (Acts 10:9-16), and he demonstrated this by eating with them. However, when some prominent Jews arrived, Peter “withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.” He knew better but allowed fear to cause him to rebel against the clear teachings of the Lord. As such, Peter “was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11), and Paul had to rebuke him. It is one thing for a man to sin against the Lord through ignorance, but Peter knowingly, purposely, and openly violated God’s word. In like manner, believers today must bear the blame and the shame when they sin against the clear teachings of scripture.
The world would have us believe that riches belong to those of greatest sophistication while poverty tends to induce violence. However, the truth testifies otherwise. In Micah 6:12, the Bible speaks of a time when the rich were “full of violence.” In like manner, Amos spoke of those who would “store up violence and robbery in their palaces” (Amos 3:10). Asaph spoke of “the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3) and that “violence covereth them as a garment” (Psalm 73:6). Riches do not remove a man’s desire for violence. In fact, riches often promote a man’s hunger for it. Many have suggested that poverty lies at the root of much of the violence in the world; however, the scriptures teach otherwise.
Man has corrupted the simplicity of salvation. Some say entrance to heaven is based upon following some set of creeds, joining a church, being baptized, or expressing some heartless prayer. Others have suggested that God will put each man’s good works in a balance with his bad works, and so long as the good outweighs the bad, man will find entrance into heaven. Still others suggest there is any number of ways to gain entrance into heaven. How can man possibly wade his way through the confusion and be certain that heaven will be his future destination? To a great extent, this was the question that the Philippian jailor posed to the apostle Paul. Paul boldly answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Paul told the jailor the truth and then prophesied that the family would follow his lead in salvation.
The brethren have become notorious about speaking of one another, not always in the best light. Frequently, the individual’s reputation who is the subject of the conversation dictates the tone of the conversation. We have several examples of the brethren speaking of Timothy. Thankfully, each instance involved a report of praise. If someone chose to speak evil of Timothy, the conversation would have had to revolve around some sort of baseless accusation. According to the Bible’s testimony of Timothy, he had a wonderful reputation among believers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul likewise gave a good report of Timothy when he said, “I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. . . . But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel” (Philippians 2:20-22). Every Christian should live in such a way that any evil report would be baseless and rejected by those who know you best.
