Foulness of Sin

Lent 2017 is well underway and for this post I thought sharing briefly on the foulness of sin. Recently, I came across these words from the nineteenth century Anglican bishop J.C. Ryle: "The very animals whose smell is most offensive to us have no idea that they are offensive, and are not offensive to one another. And man, fallen man, I believe can have just no idea what a vile thing sin is in the sight of God whose handiwork is absolutely perfect."

Ryle was writing on the subject of holiness, and the quote above comes from a section grappling with the matter of sin. What struck was the way he killed it on the true foulness or vileness of sin before a holy and righteous God contrasted to the way that fallen people more often than none go nose blind to our wretchedness. Sure, it is very easy to pray, “God, I thank You that I am not like other people” (Luke 18:11, NASB), but that somebody else. What we fail to see is the way our sin no matter how small is an offense to the one true God of the universe.

 We enter into the holy presence of the Trinity through the door of Jesus Christ (John 10:9). The Son of God enters into this world, gives his own life for the sake of his people, resurrects into glory, and those who believe have eternal life. Our own sin leaves us wretched foul smelly mess before a holy God, but the blood of Christ cleanses so that we can be righteous before God. The redeemed say, “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place” (2 Cor. 2:14, NASB). For this reason, we are to “walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Eph. 5:2, NASB).

Lent can be a wonderful season to consider the wretchedness of our sin, the goodness of the God who saves us from our sin, and the way to walk as demonstrated through the love of Christ to the world.

~ WGN