Uncensored: Daring To Embrace The Entire BibleSample

Masking the Reality of Sin

When we censor the Scriptures for a feel-good faith—by masking the reality and severity of sin—there are several consequences. First, we won’t feel that we actually deserve hell. On the other hand, we will believe that we deserve health, wealth, and prosperity; that we are good people whose good deeds elicit rewards of material and bodily happiness. Or we believe that God is lucky to have us on His side.

Second, when we mask the reality and depth of our sin, God’s justice and judgment against sin “offend” us. We become embarrassed by those passages in Scripture that illustrate God’s divine wrath against sin, which offends our modern, man-centered sensitivities. When we read about horrific, even evil, stories in the Bible (see Judg. 19), we should reflect on the seriousness of sin. We should consider its destructive nature. But even those passages of man’s sin and God’s justice do not compare to the reality of the One who became sin for us on the cross and the divine justice He endured in our place.

Third, when we mask the reality of sin, we mask the need for a Savior. At the end of John Newton’s life, already well known for his hymn “Amazing Grace,” Newton said, “Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” When we understand the depth of our sin against a holy and righteous God, we more clearly see our need for Jesus. He didn’t wait until we had our act together or until we exhibited enough good deeds to merit His love. No, it was while we were still sinners, guilty of cosmic treason against God, that Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).

Rather than masking the reality of sin, which exalts man and insults Christ, let us confess it for what it is. Let us unashamedly declare its ugliness and destructive power so that the gospel of Jesus might be proclaimed from the rooftops as the good news of great joy for all the people.

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