Isaiah 53:6b
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Without the Cross, we would never know just how abominable sin is before God. At the Cross we see that sin is so damnable and that nothing but the blood of God’s own Son could wash it away (Isa 1:18; 1Co 6:11).
You cannot look at the Cross of Christ and still take sin lightly. You cannot consider the high penalty our Saviour paid at Calvary and still wallow in iniquity. You can’t remember what the Lord has done and remain in your sins.
When you’re tempted to downplay the gravity of sin, remember how Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Think about how the earth was plunged into darkness for three hours as the Father turned His back on His beloved Son, upon whose body the full weight of the sins and curses of the entire human race then rested (see Mat 27:45-46).
Beloved, the Cross is ample proof that sin is a serious matter in the sight of God. That God had to pay the ultimate penalty for sin on our behalf means we cannot toy with it. We cannot use the grace of God as a license to sin! Rather, we have a zero tolerance for every form of iniquity. We don’t debate, justify or rename transgression. Rather, we dread sin, shun the wrong and live right.
Don’t harbour any form of sin in your heart, beloved. As soon as you become aware of any sinful thought, confess it promptly (1 John 1:9). Lay aside every weight and sin–every lie, lust, pride, fear, anger, bitterness, envy, strife, filth, hate, disobedience, dishonesty, idolatry, hypocrisy and every form of rebellion against God–without delay (see Hebrews 12:1). Cling to the old rugged Cross!
Pastor Josh