SIN SO SMALL WE DO NOT SEE IT

Victor M. Eskew

 

          Simply defined, sin is the transgression of the law of God.  This is the definition given by John in his first epistle.  “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law:  for sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4).  If most Christians were asked:  “Is sin evil?”  They would respond:  “Absolutely.”  They could produce a laundry list of evil actions that are classified as sin.  They might bring up the list produced by Paul in Galatians 5:19-21.  “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:  of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

          The above sins, and others, most Christians would not intentionally commit.  Sometimes, however, the Christian commits sin that is so small that he does not see it.  When a child does not carry out the directives of his/her parents that child has sinned against God.  To children, Paul writes:  “Children, obey your parents in the Lord:  for this is right” (Eph. 6:1).  Often children, and parents, act like the child’s disobedience is no big deal.  Refusing to clean one’s room, or, the failure to be in at one’s curfew seems like such a small thing.  In fact, it is so small that many do not see the sin that is in it.

          The workplace is another area where “small sins” are often committed by God’s children.  The New Testament often legislates about the master-servant relationship.  Ephesians 6:5-8 states;  “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as to the Lord, and not to men:  knowing that whatsoever good things any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”  This text is packed with instructions concerning God’s expectations of those who are employed by others.  Many, however, act as if God hasn’t said anything about job performance.  They go into work late.  They leave early.  They take long breaks several times a week.  They lie about sick days.  They play on their computers and spend large amounts of time on the phone.  They fail to get their assignments in on time.  They either overtly or covertly defy directives given by their employers.  Some view things like envelopes, stamps, pens, paper, and other supplies as their personal property.  When they do “work,” their work is done half-heartedly and not to perfection.  These things have become so commonplace in the workplace that many do not see the sin in these actions.  Even employers have grown so accustomed to them that they overlook the sinful actions of their employees.

          Within our spiritual lives we often commit sins so small we do not see them.  Bible study should be one action that is of high priority to ever child of God.  We have a plain command to study in II Timothy 2:15.  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  Yet, many Bibles are neglected by Christians day after day.  Christians act as if a failure to study is a light matter.  If they do not do it, “Oh well.”

          Visiting (James 1:27), prayer (I Thess. 5:17); personal evangelism (Mark 16:15-16), church attendance (Heb. 10:25), showing hospitality (Rom. 12:13), and even forgiveness (Eph. 4:23) are looked upon by many Christians as insignificant matters.  Christians fail to do these things and do not realize that sin is being committed.

          When the children of Israel overthrew the city of Jericho, the spoils of the city were dedicated to God (Josh. 7:18-19).  This city was a very large city, even by today’s standards.  One man within the nation of Israel saw a few items among the spoils that he desired.  The items are described as “a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight” (Josh. 7:21).  Out of all the spoils, these things were a meager portion.  Surely a few things would not really matter.  Such was not the case as far as God was concerned.  In the battle that followed the overthrow of Jericho, Israel was defeated.  Thirty-six Israelites were slain by the men of Ai.  When Joshua approached the Lord with the matter, he learned of the sin within the camp.  God’s words show that these little things were a big deal to Him.  “And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up, wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?  Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant with I commanded them:  for they have even take of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.  Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed:  neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing from among you” (Josh. 7:10-12).  Was Achan’s little sin a big thing?  Yes!  May God help us to see how big our little sins really are.