Pushing the Limits of Sin

How often do you find yourself guilty of “pushing the limits” of sin in your life? Out-of-control human nature motivates each of us to see just how far we can go—how much we can get away with in this life. Our world is in a mess today because the limits have been pushed beyond the extremes.

The Bible clearly warns that eventually “your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). Sooner or later, the effects for sinful choices will come in, oftentimes very hard, and payment will be required either in this life or the one yet to follow.

Consider one such incident addressed in the Bible. The story is recorded in 2 Kings 5. The prophet, Elisha, had been summoned to pray for healing for a foreign military commander by the name of Naaman who had a contagious skin disease.

Having carried out his mission, God healed the commander who then attempted to pay Elisha for his services. Elisha refused and left. But greed within Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, overcame him and he ran back to Naaman and lied in order to receive the payment Elisha had refused.

When Gehazi caught back up with Elisha, the Bible says: “Elisha questioned him, ‘Wasn’t my spirit there when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to accept money and clothes, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves?’” (Numbers 5:26 HCSB).

Then the hammer came down as Gehazi’s punishment was meted out for his sin. Elisha said: “‘Naaman’s skin disease will cling to you and your descendants forever.’ So Gehazi went out from his presence diseased-white as snow” (v. 27). Note that the punishment Gehazi received for his sin was multiplied across his family for generations to come. This still happens today.

We are living in a generation of individuals who have been brought up lacking any fear of repercussions for the choices they make. The philosophical teaching of moral relativity has pervaded our society creating an America filled with irresponsible individuals who blame everyone else for their problems and what they do and have become.

These lies have created the dilemma America finds itself in today. We are witnessing extremely elevated crime levels in our cities, horrendous acts being perpetrated against our little children, heinous sex acts and crimes being carried out across our high school and college campuses, and public school teachers sexually preying on their young students—to name only a few. We are living in a crisis situation!

Paul addressed each of us in Romans 14 in regards to humanity’s willingness to push the limits of sin. He warned everyone with these words: “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” (vv. 10-12).

A day of reckoning is surely coming. Payment will soon be processed before the throne of Jesus Christ for the willfully sinful acts that are not covered by the blood of Jesus. You must recognize your responsibility and accountability that will one day fall upon you.

Repent and turn from your wicked sinfulness. Turn to Jesus and accept His forgiveness and will to live a life pleasing unto God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ!

Scripture Reading: “Then I saw a great white throne and One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. Then the sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead; all were judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15 HCSB).

Prayer: Father in heaven, I look at my life and my actions and I realize how often I push the limits. I recognize that much too often I allow my sinfulness to take control of my life leading me deeper into sin and further away from my fellowship with You. Please forgive me and help me to live within the bounds of life You have set for me. Help me to follow after You and to live according to Your Word. I love You and thank You for always being there for me…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!