What is the greatest SIN of all? Is it one of the seven deadly sins?
lust, envy, anger, pride, sloth, gluttony, or greed?
Solomon stated that the Lord specifically regards "six things the Lord hates, and the seventh His soul detesteth." namely:
- A proud look.
- A lying tongue.
- Hands that shed innocent blood.
- A heart that devises wicked plots.
- Feet that are swift to run into mischief.
- A deceitful witness that uttereth lies.
- He that soweth discord among brethren.
Or perhaps the list of sins named by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:19-21, which include:
adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders,
drunkenness, revellings. "
All of the above mentioned sins put together do not match the sin of UNBELIEF, hear the words of the great Apostle John, "The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who refuses to
believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him"
(John 3:36).
William Bacon Stevens sums it up best when he gives this detailed account of the dangers of unbelief:
Unbelief is the crowning sin of the ungodly! And until Christ is
believed in, by a faith which "purifies the soul"--all other changes will be of
no avail.
We may correct this evil habit;
we may prune away that sin;
we may turn from debauchery to purity;
we may turn from profanity to reverence;
we may turn from covetousness to charity;
we may polish our characters until we shall appear beautiful to ourselves and others;
we may even have a sentimental regard for Christ, and experience a sort of respect for His ordinances, and join with external devotion in the praises of the sanctuary--
yet, build up these characters as high as we may, adorn them with every worldly ornament, set them off with every earthly virtue--unless Christ is formed in our hearts as the hope of glory--they are nothing "but white-washed sepulchers, which, indeed, appear beautiful outwardly--but within are full of dead bones and all uncleanness!"
On the other hand, no matter how evil may have been our former course, no matter what the turpitude of our character--though our sins are as black as midnight, and as numberless as the stars, and as vile as Hell itself; yet, if we now receive Christ into our hearts in the fullness of a faith that trusts in Him alone--all will be well! "Though your sins are like scarlet--I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson--I will make them as white as wool!" Isaiah 1:18
We may correct this evil habit;
we may prune away that sin;
we may turn from debauchery to purity;
we may turn from profanity to reverence;
we may turn from covetousness to charity;
we may polish our characters until we shall appear beautiful to ourselves and others;
we may even have a sentimental regard for Christ, and experience a sort of respect for His ordinances, and join with external devotion in the praises of the sanctuary--
yet, build up these characters as high as we may, adorn them with every worldly ornament, set them off with every earthly virtue--unless Christ is formed in our hearts as the hope of glory--they are nothing "but white-washed sepulchers, which, indeed, appear beautiful outwardly--but within are full of dead bones and all uncleanness!"
On the other hand, no matter how evil may have been our former course, no matter what the turpitude of our character--though our sins are as black as midnight, and as numberless as the stars, and as vile as Hell itself; yet, if we now receive Christ into our hearts in the fullness of a faith that trusts in Him alone--all will be well! "Though your sins are like scarlet--I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson--I will make them as white as wool!" Isaiah 1:18
Father help us to come to You in faith---realizing that, "without faith it is impossible to please You." Father help us to understand that the faith that pleases You comes to us as a gift from Your great grace and mercy, let this thought bring us to our knees in humble adoration of Your goodness and mercy. God help us to never fall into the danger of cleaning up the outside of the cup and platter while our hearts remain unchanged by the active renewing of Your Holy Spirit, AMEN
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