Just Because We Can’t See It Doesn’t Mean It’s Not There

Sin is real. The evidence of sin is all around us — both in the natural and moral realms. According to God’s word, as a consequence of Adam’s sin, the earth itself was condemned (Gen. 3:17–19).

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now (Rom. 8:20–22).

The manifestation of sin in the moral realm may be denied, but the reality of sin is everywhere — “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Tim. 3:1–5; also read Rom. 1:18–32).

Consider sin to be like an undiagnosed disease. It may be that we are not aware that we are suffering, but eventually — as a consequence of it not being diagnosed and addressed — we begin to show signs of suffering. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. How many of us have watched friends and loved ones die because they were not aware they were suffering from something like cancer — and then when it was finally detected, it was too late? Again, sin is like that, except that we’re not talking about losing our bodies, but losing the undying part of ourselves, our souls, forever (2 Thess. 1:6–10;  Luke 12:4–7).

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . . Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rom. 3:23; 5:12). “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins” (Ecc. 7:20).

So what are we to do? What can we do?

And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:23–26).

The power of God in saving souls is not simply in His overlooking that we have sinned against Him. If He did this, He would be unjust:

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:21–26).

Here’s the thing — God’s nature is compared to light (1 John 1:5;  John 1:4–9; 8:12;  Heb. 12:28–29). And the point the word of God makes is that there’s no darkness in Him at all! So how can He justify sinners? “My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. This is how we know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments. One who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:1–4).

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him (Rom. 5:6–9).

The apostle Paul was commanded not to wait but to “Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16). “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:3–5; cp. John 3:3–7; Php. 3:8–11).

Just because we can’t see sin, doesn’t mean it’s not there. It will manifest itself (1 Tim. 5:24). But once there, only obedience to God’s command of faith and baptism (Rom. 4—6) can remove it completely and eternally! God be praised for His love!