“Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”–John 8:42–44
The world tells people they are okay just as they are, and sadly there are many churches echoing this message. The clear denunciation of sin and the fearless demand for repentance that characterized the preaching of the prophets and apostles has been replaced with a soothing message of acceptance. But while this message is popular, it is also deadly, for it leaves people complacent regarding sin.
The reality is that all of us were born with a sinful nature. David wrote, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). The way we are is not acceptable to God because our natural inclination is to follow the selfish desires exhibited by Satan. We sin because we want to sin—it is our nature. It is considered horribly offensive to tell people that they are children of the devil. When Jesus said it, His hearers were so provoked that they tried to kill Him.
Every person born into the world since Adam has been a sinner by nature and by choice. The only hope to break free of the bondage of sin is a new nature that comes when we put our faith in Christ as our Saviour. While it may be easier in the moment to let those around you, who do not know the Lord believe their sin doesn’t matter, the most loving thing you can do is tell them of a Saviour who offers to give them true freedom.(Paul Chappell)
