A Few Thoughts about Habakkuk

There is much violence today. The stories of abuse—financial, physical, marital, pastoral, etc. are increasing daily. Attitudes are worse. People yell and scream at each other of different opinions. There is road rage. The traits of sympathy and empathy are diminishing in the public forum. Government leaders are becoming more callous in many countries. Businesspeople make money more important than safety. The Scripture is becoming more true daily. 2 Timothy 3:1-6 NLT You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires.

Habakkuk noted this in Judah shortly before God’s judgment. The Defender’s Study Bible notes: He was evidently a contemporary of Jeremiah, in the closing years of Judah’s partial independence before the Babylonian exile. He clearly predicted the imminent Babylonian invasion and captivity (Hab_1:5-11). His ministry was probably in the turbulent years just following good king Josiah’s death.

Habakkuk was concerned about God’s apparent indifference to the violence of society. Habakkuk 1:2-4 NLT How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. 3 Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. 4 The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.

Yahweh responds that judgment is coming in Habakkuk 1:5-11. We see God’s patience. He wants repentance. He wants people to comprehend that their own ways lead to destruction, but God’s ways lead to life. Romans 2:4-6 NLT Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? 5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.

The revelation of punishment coming shortly strikes fear into the prophet that the Jews will be annihilated, so he complains of this in Habakkuk 1:12-2:1.

Yahweh then reinforces that wealth cannot save from God’s wrath, nor any human effort—philosophy, technology, science, experts, etc.

What can save is faith. Faith is believing God. It is obeying God’s call to repent and live according to His ways. This salvation is forgiveness of sins yet has the effect of improvement in society. Habakkuk 2:4 NRSV  Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.

Yahweh then informs the prophet that even though he is utilizing Babylon to punish Judea, He will punish Babylon for their sins as well.

Yahweh is in His holy Temple (the heavenly Temple) and is ready to save. Those coming should be quiet and rest. Idols are useless, they can do nothing. They cannot teach, see, move, or save. Habakkuk 2:19-20 NLT What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside. 20 But the LORD is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.

Habakkuk then, in chapter 3, writes and sings a song as a prayer.

• He praises God for His being and character. Habakkuk 3:1-4

• He notes God’s righteousness in punishment. Habakkuk 3:5-12, 14-16

• He notes God’s salvation for those who call out, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). Habakkuk 3:13

• He then rejoices that even though he (the prophet) suffers, he recognizes God’s goodness and salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-19.

We learn

• God punishes sin.

• God makes opportunity for all to repent, believe, and ask for mercy.

• God’s people grieve at the evil in society.

• Humans are evil. See Romans 1:18-32.

• God gives grace to believers to remain steadfast and faithful. See Isaiah 25:8-10, Revelation 21:4, Psalm 94:19, and 2 Corinthians 1:4-6.

A Few Thoughts about Habakkuk

Habakkuk, Sin, Evil in society, Punishment for sin, Comfort for believers

21 Feb 21 by Len

A Few Thoughts About Exposing Sin

1 Corinthians 5:1-7 WEL It is commonly reported that there is sexual sin among you, and such sexual sin as is not even mentioned among the Gentiles that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud of this? You should have mourned instead, so that he who has done this deed might be removed from you. 3 For truly I—while absent in the body but present in spirit—have already judged, as if I were present, he who has been committing this. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together along with my spirit and the power of the Lord Jesus Christ 5 To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your rejoicing [in this] is not right. Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Therefore, cleanse out this old leaven that you may be a fresh lump of dough, since you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us.

Sometimes named and sometimes not named

B1 Named

C1 Achan (See Joshua 7:10-26).

C2 King David (See 2 Samuel 12:1-14).

C3 Ananias and Sapphira (See Acts 5:1-11)

C4 Hymenaeus and Philetus (See 2 Timothy 2:16-18).

B2 Unnamed (These are people whom the writer knew. There were some that the writer probably did not know as in Proverbs 7:6-23, which I interpret as Solomon did see a young man, etc.).

C1 The prophet who confronted Jeroboam about his sin (See 1 Kings 13:11-34).

C2 The man who married his step-mother (See 1 Corinthians 5:1-7).

God knows our sin: Psalm 90:8 NLT You spread out our sins before you—our secret sins—and you see them all.

God wants people to repent, so He exposes their sins and convicts/convinces them.

B1 All to repent: 2 Peter 3:9 EMTV The Lord does not delay concerning His promise, as some reckon slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

B2 Convicts of sin: John 16:8-9 EMTV And when He comes, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me.

B3 The light exposes: John 3:19-21 EMTV And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness more than the light, because their works were evil. For everyone that does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.

It’s important to know that are not to use exposure of sin

B1 Unless it is for the well being of the person (so privately or 2 witnesses).

B2 Unless it is to protect the innocent, maligned, or abused, etc.

B3 Unless it is to preach the Gospel.

Exposure needs to be

B1 Done in truth

B2 Done with good motives

B3 Done with the thought that we might be guilty of the same sin

B4 Done according to God’s standard, not a church standard or a personal standard.

B5 Done in wisdom, love, and holiness.

B6 Done after prayer.

B7 Done in gentleness.

B8 Done with an approach of humility.

Some verses

B1 Ecclesiastes 12:14 NRSV For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

B2 Luke 12:2-3 NRSV Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

B3 Jeremiah 2:22 NRSV Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, says the Lord GOD.

B4 Hosea 7:2 NRSV But they do not consider that I remember all their wickedness. Now their deeds surround them, they are before my face.

B5 Romans 8:3-4 AMPC For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice], [Leviticus 7:37] 4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit].

B6 Jesus exposes sin

C1 John 15:22 NRSV If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

C2 To Nicodemus: John 3:10-12 NRSV Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

C3 Samaritan women: John 4:16-17 NRSV Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." 17 The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband';

C4 Woman caught in adultery: John 8:10-11 NRSV Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, sir." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.

C5 Invalid man: John 5:14 NRSV Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you."

B7 Jesus’s motive: John 3:17-18 NRSV Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Some articles

B1 Sin of Abuse Exposed by the Light of Christ — Sermon by Ps Crippen

B2 5 Ways Christians Should Judge

B3 Jesus’ Sayings on Sin

B4 The Importance of Truth

A Few Thoughts About Adam Not Dying When He Sinned

Why didn’t Adam die instantly when he sinned?

Genesis 2:16-17 ESV And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

The human race would have become extinct.

The devil would have won in his battle against God.

There would be no need of Messiah.

Adam did die:

B1 Physically:

C1 Promised: Genesis 3:19 NIV By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.

C2 Fulfilled: Genesis 5:5 ESV Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.

B2 Spiritually:

C1 Adam did, so will we: Colossians 2:13 NIV When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

C2 All people do because of the sin nature we inherited from Adam: 1 Corinthians 15:22 NIV For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

B3 Verse describing both: Romans 6:23 NIV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Personally, I believe we were created for fellowship with God and to serve Him forever. Adam lost both. If God hadn’t intervened as Messiah, our Passover Lamb, there would be no hope, no life, no fellowship, and no opportunity to serve God.

God knew this would happen. He was not surprised, shocked, caught unaware, etc.

He had a plan.

God’s decisions and plans are in perfect wisdom, love, and holiness.

1 Peter 3:18 ESV For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1 John 2:2 WEL He himself is the propitiation [appeasing and reconciling sacrifice] for our sins and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

John 3:16-17 WEL For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that anyone believing in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Those who believe now have fellowship with God restored and serve Him forever.

C1 1 John 1:3 NIV We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

C2 Romans 12:11 NIV Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

C3 John 12:26 NIV Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

A Few Thoughts About Sin

Sin defined

B1 Unrighteousness: 1 John 5:17 WEB All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.

C1 Unrighteousness is the Greek word ἀδικία adikía. It means violating a standard. The Bible standard is God’s laws, rules, decisions, character, etc. Anything deviating from that standard is unrighteousness.

C2 OT passage: Leviticus 24:22 NASB 'There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the LORD your God.

C3 NT passage: Matthew 7:2 NLT For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

C4 NT passage: Philippians 3:16 YLT but to what we have come—by the same rule walk, the same thing think;

B2 Breaking God’s law: 1 John 3:4 GNB Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God's law, because sin is a breaking of the law.

B3 Negligence, etc. of God’s law: James 4:17 NLT Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

B4 Unbelief: Romans 11:23 GW If Jewish people do not continue in their unbelief, they will be grafted onto the tree again, because God is able to do that.

B5 Foolish schemes: Proverbs 24:9 GNB Any scheme a fool thinks up is sinful. People hate a person who has nothing but scorn for others.

B6 Despite: Proverbs 14:21 NIV It is a sin to despise one's neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

C1 The Hebrew word is בּוּז bûwz. It means to look with contempt and treat contempt someone for their looks, socioeconomic status, physical features, where they live, etc. It does not include despising murders, rapists, abusers, etc. God hates murders, rapists, abusers, etc.: Psalms 11:5 GW The LORD tests righteous people, but he hates wicked people and the ones who love violence.

C2 Proverbs 1:7 NLT Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

B7 There is danger in talking too much: Proverbs 10:19 GNB The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.

The basis of all sin is unbelief.

B1 Abraham believed God for which God counted Abraham as righteous: Galatians 3:6 NLT In the same way, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith."

B2 Unbelief has serious consequences: Hebrews 3:19 NLT So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

B3 Rejection, that is, unbelief destroys: Jude 1:5 ESV Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

B4 Disbelief brings God’s wrath: John 3:36 WEL “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, but he who refuses to believe the Son will not see life, on the contrary the fierce anger of God remains on him.”

God’s standard is this summary: Luke 10:27 NLT The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

The set of all God’s rules/laws is the Ten Commandments: Exodus 20

The subset of the Ten Commandments are the individual commandments. Each subset includes every sin possible. Example: Exodus 20:16 BSB You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Every type of lie, everything false, deceptive, false pretenses, etc. would be in this category. Consider this article to think about: 8 Different Types of Lies People Tell.

Results of sin:

B1 God’s anger

C1 Colossians 3:5-8 GW Therefore, put to death whatever is worldly in you: your sexual sin, perversion, passion, lust, and greed (which is the same thing as worshiping wealth). 6 It is because of these sins that God's anger comes on those who refuse to obey him. 7 You used to live that kind of sinful life. 8 Also get rid of your anger, hot tempers, hatred, cursing, obscene language, and all similar sins.

C2 Romans 1:18 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

B2 Death

C1 Affects: Spiritual, Physical, and Eternal

C2 The penalty for even one sin is death. God gives the death penalty for all sins, even if it is only one. James 2:10 GNB Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all.

C4 Romans 6:20-21 GW When you were slaves to sin, you were free from doing what God approves of. 21 What did you gain by doing those things? You're ashamed of what you used to do because it ended in death.

C5 Romans 6:23 GW The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.

B3 No peace: Isaiah 57:21 GW There is no peace for the wicked," says my God.

Source of sin:

The sin nature is on the whole human race. The sin nature is essentially me first, my wants, my ideas, my ways, etc.:

C1 Consider the pride of Babylon: Isaiah 47:8-10 NRSV Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children"— 9 both these things shall come upon you in a moment, in one day: the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments. 10 You felt secure in your wickedness; you said, "No one sees me." Your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me." [Emphasis is mine]

C2 And Nebuchadnezzar: Daniel 4:30 NRSV and the king said, "Is this not magnificent Babylon, which I have built as a royal capital by my mighty power and for my glorious majesty?"

Remedy for sin

B1 Sin must be punished. A sinner receives the death penalty. So, all must die.

B2 But, if a substitute is willing, that person can take the place of a sinner.

C1 He/she must be sinless, or else they die for their own sin.

C2 He/she must be willing, that is, a volunteer.

C3 He/she must be a human. A sheep or steer cannot substitute, because for human sins, a human must be punished.

C4 There is only one—Jesus, the Messiah who meets this criteria. He has always been Messiah, is Messiah, and will always be Messiah.

D1 He is sinless: 1 Peter 2:22 GNB He committed no sin, and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips.

D2 He is willing: Matthew 26:42 GNB Once more Jesus went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cup of suffering cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done."

D3 He is human:

E1 Hebrews 10:5 NIV Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;

E2 1 Timothy 2:5 GW There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humans-a human, Christ Jesus.

C5 Jesus is the Passover Lamb: 1 Corinthians 5:7 GNB You must remove the old yeast of sin so that you will be entirely pure. Then you will be like a new batch of dough without any yeast, as indeed I know you actually are. For our Passover Festival is ready, now that Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

B3 We must believe the Gospel and place our faith and trust into Jesus Christ alone.

C1 Illustrated by Jesus teaching about the arrogant Pharisee and the despised tax collector in Luke 18:9-14.

C2 The Pharisee trusted in what he did.

C3 The tax collector believed and did 3 things:

D1 He believed and was convicted that he was a sinner. He must have repented from thinking that he was not a sinner to confessing that he was.

D2 He knew God alone could forgive sin. He calls on God’s name.

D3 He confessed that he was a sinner.

D4 He knew he had to ask for this salvation (call on the name of the Lord). For only God can forgive sins.

D5 THE Judge, Jesus Christ, pronounced him justified.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain

1

And can it be that I should gain

An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain?

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

2

’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!

Who can explore His strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

To sound the depths of love Divine!

’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

3

He left His Father’s throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace;

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free;

For, O my God, it found out me.

’Tis mercy all, immense and free;

For, O my God, it found out me.

4

Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

5

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness Divine,

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

A Few Thoughts About Subconscious Sin—Part 2

Types of sins

B1 Of ignorance, that is, did not know or did not pay attention, but either way, it was not subconscious. Leviticus 5:17 NLT Suppose you sin by violating one of the LORD's commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin.

B2 Willfully: Psalm 19:13 NIV Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

B3 Secret sins are those sins we are aware but wish for no one else to know: Psalm 90:8 NLT You spread out our sins before you—our secret sins—and you see them all.

Types of confidence that are not pride, nor sinful

B1 My wife pointed out this verse to me: Hebrews 13:18 CSB Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.

C1 The word convinced is the Greek word πείθω peíthō. It means persuade, be persuaded, and to trust, have confidence, be confident.

C2 Adam Clarke comments on this verse: We are persuaded that we have a conscience that not only acquits us of all fraud and sinister design, but assures us that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have laboured to promote the welfare of you and of all mankind.

B2 1 Thessalonians 2:10 NIV You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.

B3 God commands us to boast: Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT This is what the LORD says: "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken! (see 2 Corinthians 10:17)

B4 Galatians 6:14 NLT As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died.

Is pride the root of all evil?

B1 Some think so

B2 Love of money is one root of evil. This would be covetousness. 1 Timothy 6:10 PickNT because the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil; in their greediness some have been led away from the faith and have impaled themselves on many distresses.

B3 Would the 10 Commandments be a guide to 10 roots of evil? I don’t know.

B4 Pride is not listed.

B5 Pride is disapproved by God.

C1 Proverbs 8:13 NLT All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.

C2 Meekness is approved by God. Meekness is best defined by stating the opposite (the antonym) arrogance.

B6 Sin appears to come from 3 sources: 1 John 2:16 NIV For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

C1 Sinful desires of the flesh: Galatians 5:19-20 NLT When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,

C2 Sinful desires of the eyes. Much is said about the eyes. Consider this one verse: 2 Peter 2:14 NET Their eyes, full of adultery, never stop sinning; they entice unstable people. They have trained their hearts for greed, these cursed children!

C3 Sinful pride of life: Luke 8:14 NLT The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.

C4 There is God’s worldview and lifestyle (labeled as “spirit”) and the opposite (labeled as “world”).

D1 John 1:12-13 NLT But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn--not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

D2 John 8:44 NLT For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

C5 Matthew 15:18-20 NKJV But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

The rooting out of sin

B1 By God, the perfect physician, who works on the sin nature that every human has (except the Lord Jesus who never sinned).

B2 Is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is called sanctification. Sanctification is a separation from what is evil (as defined by any other standard) to what is holy (as defined by God’s standard).

C1 Proverbs 20:27 NLT The LORD's light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.

C2 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

C3 2 Thessalonians 2:13 CSB But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

B3 Is God’s will for us. He wants us to be sanctified: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 CSB But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

B4 By giving our body, soul, and spirit to God and His ways: Romans 6:19 LEB (I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.) For just as you presented your members as slaves to immorality and lawlessness, leading to lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification.

B5 Romans 6:22 CSB But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification​—and the outcome is eternal life!

B6 We cannot be sinless in this life. God’s people are to be blameless. 1 Corinthians 1:8 NET He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Christian life

B1 We are justified, this is a complete sanctification. We have a new heart (core of our being), a new creation, this new heart is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

B2 We are being sanctified, this is progressive sanctification. God works, chastens, leads, etc. us through life to be more Christlike is our desires, thoughts, words, and deeds. 2 Peter 3:18 NET But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day.

B3 We will be glorified, this also is a complete sanctification. This happens for most Christians when we die and go to be with the Lord. Some Christians will be alive at the Rapture and will ascend to the Lord to never sin again.

Self-made righteousness

B1 It can’t be done

B2 Ecclesiastes 7:16 ESV Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

C1 John Wesley writes on this verse: Be not - This verse and the next have a manifest reference to Ecc 7:15, being two inferences drawn from the two clauses of the observation. Solomon here speaks in the person of an ungodly man, who takes occasion to dissuade men from righteousness, because of the danger which attends it. Therefore, saith he, take heed of strictness, zeal, and forwardness in religion. And the next verse contains an antidote to this suggestion; yea, rather saith he, be not wicked or foolish overmuch; for that will not preserve thee, as thou mayest imagine, but will occasion and hasten thy ruin.

C2 Adam Clarke: In other words, and in modern language, “There is no need of all this watching, fasting, praying, self-denial, etc., you carry things to extremes. Why should you wish to be reputed singular and precise?”

C3 It seems best to understand this passage as teaching to avoid extremes. People cannot be sinless in this life. As others have written, we are not to be like Pharisees who were overstrict in following ceremonial law and neglecting moral law.

D1 Proverbs 25:16 BSB If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.

D2 Matthew 9:14 NRSV Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?"

D3 Romans 10:3 NRSV For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God's righteousness.

C4 We are NOT to rely on our own efforts to righteousness and lose sight of God’s grace.

B3 God’s grace is greater than ourselves.

C1 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NRSV Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

C2 Hebrews 4:15 GNB Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin.

Titus 2:11-14 NLT For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Rejoice in God’s forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Rest in His love for us.

Remain in His promises.

A Few Thoughts About Subconscious Sin—Part 1

Examples:

B1 Sermon I heard recently. Speaking about pride, the preacher mentioned, “If you have pride in your life, God will resist you. Right? Didn’t we just read that? (1 Peter 5:5—editor) We receive power from God, when we humble ourselves and that is called grace. Okay, so that’s why it is really, really important. Look back at your Bibles, if you still got it. Proverbs 16:18: Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall...back into that old sin that you used to get victory over. Right? Yup. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Haughty spirit before failure. Haughty spirit before falling back into sin. A haughty spirit before, quote, a relapse. Pride goes before it every time. The problem is we don’t see it. We don’t recognize it. Why? A lot of the time it is subconscious. It’s arrogance we don’t know we have. In fact, let me just put it to you this way. You can live by very humble means. You can have a plain Jane home and not have a whole lot and content to have little but still be arrogant and just not know it.”

My comments:

C1 Later he speaks of sin coming from arrogance referring to King Saul’s sins in 1 Samuel 15. YET, the Holy Spirit makes it plain through Samuel that Saul’s sin is disobedience, not pride. Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32:24-26) would have been a better example, but even there the Holy Spirit showed Hezekiah that his sin was pride.

C2 Pride is wrong. It is spoken against by God. But subconscious pride that we do not know we have and will be punished for it?

B2 Job 1:4-5

And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day…

Of course, we confess overt acts of sin, and also secret sins, directly we are aware of them. But our unconscious sins are vastly more numerous than our conscious ones, just as the elevations beneath the ocean waves are much more numerous than those which rear themselves above the breakers as islets. For every one sin you know of, there are perhaps ten of which you are ignorant.

1. Let us understand how unconscious sins come into existence. Old habits assert themselves, in the heat of life, without our noticing them, as a man may unconsciously give a nervous twitch. Besides, our sensibilities are blunt, and permit sins to pass for want of knowing better, as a clerk in a bank may pass a counterfeit banknote for want of longer experience. Moreover, our standard is too low; we measure ourselves against our fellows, and not against the requirements of God. Then, too, though we may resist temptation, we can hardly do it without getting some stain.

2. Let us learn when unconscious sins are most to be dreaded. During times of feasting and holiday. Because we then give less time to devotion. Because we relax our self-watch. Because we are thrown into light and frivolous company. Job was always anxious after such times, and said, "It may be."

3. Let us see how to deal with unconscious sins. They are sins. They will interrupt our communion. They will work a deadly injury to our spiritual life; for hidden disease is even more perilous than that which shows itself. They must be brought beneath the cleansing blood of Jesus. We need to ask many times each day, Lord Jesus, keep me cleansed from all conscious and unconscious sin.

(F. B. Meyer, B. A.)

Definitions

B1 Subconscious

C1 Relating to thoughts and feelings that exist in the mind and influence your behavior although you are not aware of them. (Source)

C2 Acting or existing without one's awareness (Source)

C3 The Hindu concept of subconscious:

D1 First Quote (Source): Hindu Concepts of the Subconscious Mind

Before the well-known French psychologists Charcot and Janet recognized the existence of the subconscious state of mind the west was interested only in the conscious state of mind. Later Freud, Jung and others concluded that the larger portion of the mind is like the submerged portion of an iceberg. It is unknown to us. But Hindu psychology, long before the birth of Christ, was aware of the subconscious or unconscious state of mind. Panatanjali explained this unconscious state of mind as a storehouse of all past thoughts or samskaras.

These samskaras have the ability to generate tendencies in the conscious plane of the mind. Borrowing a mathematical term, if we call each of these samskaras a vector then the resultant effect of all these will be seen as tendencies in the conscious mind. In the words of Swami Vivekenanda:

Every work that we do, every moment of he day, every thought we think, leaves an impression on the mind-stuff [the internal organ or antahkarana], and even when such impressions are not obvious on the surface they are sufficiently strong to work beneath the surface, man's character is determined by the sum total of these impressions.

D2 Second (Source):

The conscious mind and the subconscious mind, sometimes also called the unconscious mind. The conscious mind is the “awake-mind” - which is only used when we are awake. The subconscious mind goes on working 24 hours of every day. It is not a physical entity, and thus not located anywhere in the physical body. It cannot be seen with the naked eye. It cannot be measured, it cannot be weighed and it cannot be taken apart for scientific research and study. 

D3 Cleansing the subconscious is done by meditation and visualization.

B2 Conscious

C1 Conscious

D1 Conscious (AWAKE)—awake, aware of what is happening around you, and able to think: She’s out of surgery but not fully conscious yet.

D2 Conscious adjective (NOTICING)—noticing the existence of something: People have become much more conscious of the need to exercise regularly.

D3 Conscious adjective (INTENTIONAL)—determined and intentional: Was it a conscious decision to break up the group, or did it just happen?

D4 Conscious adjective (AWARE)—being especially aware of or worried about something: Consumers aren’t as conscious of prices as they were last year. (Source)

C2 Conscious—aware; capable of thought or will: a conscious decision; cognizant: She was conscious of the stranger standing close to her. (Source)

The evil conclusions of subconscious/unconscious sin

B1 Fear of sinning without knowing it

B2 Every morning, we wake up and wonder how many times I sinned subconsciously. Every evening before sleep, we lay in bed and wonder how many times I sinned subconsciously. We become anxious and self-conscious what we are doing and thinking. “I must ask forgiveness or God will be angry.”

B3 At the time of dying will we be able to ask forgiveness of subconscious/unconscious sins? When our awareness is fading as we get even closer to dying, will we still sin and not ask for forgiveness?

B4 The babies that die before birth (stillborn) or before the age of accountability have no opportunity to ask forgiveness.

B5 We might as well give up the faith, for there is no hope. We are founded on pride and always proud. If pride is not conscious, then it is unconscious (subconscious). If we think we are not proud, we are. If we think we are proud, then we will be proud when we repent. According to the preacher mentioned at the beginning, God resists us. Evidently, we are proud and always proud either with conscious pride or subconscious pride. Psalm 5:5 NLT Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil.

B6 If an addict relapses, he is doing an old habit, so she/he is proud.

B7 Do you see F. B. Meyer’s comment? Even if something is done due to lacking experience, it is sin. Besides, our sensibilities are blunt, and permit sins to pass for want of knowing better, as a clerk in a bank may pass a counterfeit banknote for want of longer experience.

B8 Something is very, very wrong in this view.

B9 God have mercy; this belief is so wrong.

B10 There is no joy in forgiveness in this view, because we always sin, because we are continuously proud. On the other hand, the Psalmist rejoices at his forgiveness: Psalm 32:1-2 NIV Of David. A maskil. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Definition of sin

B1 The King of the Universe, Jesus Christ, has laws. Sin is breaking His law, disobeying law, etc.

B2 Neglecting to do what we know is right is sin. James 4:17 GW Whoever knows what is right but doesn't do it is sinning.

B3 These laws are summarized in 10 sets that cover all sins.

C1 No other Gods

C2 No idols

C3 No blasphemy

C4 Special day for rest and worship

C5 Honor parents

C6 No murder

C7 No adultery

C8 No stealing

C9 No false witness

C10 No coveting

B4 Sin can be committed in thoughts, desires, words, and/or deeds.

B5 Sin is punished: James 2:10 NLT For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws.

B6 Death is the sentence: Romans 6:23 NLT For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

B7 What is needed for something to be a sin?

C1 A standard. God is the standard.

D1 For the nation of Israel, it is the 613 Laws of the Old Testament.

D2 For the church (believers, not an organization) it is the approximate 1,000 rules in the New Testament. (Note, I do not know anything about that website, so beware. The list itself is from Dake’s Study Bible. Dake has some heretical belief).

D3 Both sets of laws are consistent with the 10 commandments. All types of lying or false witness are sin, for example.

C2 Sin requires an immoral action, sufficient knowledge, and sufficient consent. To the extent that it keeps us legitimately concerned about the welfare of ourselves or others, it is not an immoral action to worry. Even in cases of needless worry, most worriers do not purposely worry despite knowledge that they should not. Indeed, in some cases, excessive, compulsive worry may be a symptom of a legitimate illness, and therefore not a sin.(Source)

C3 Not doing what is right: James 4:17 NLT Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

C4 Sin can be in thoughts, desires, words, and/or deeds.