In preparation for Holy Week, I sensed the need for a tool to help us in our meditations on the greatness of our sin that required and led to the greatness of His sacrifice. Very easy to overlook or take for granted the greatness of His salvation and deliverance from the greatness of our sin and lostness.
I. With respect to the understanding
A. Blindness
We were spiritually blind a. Isa. 42:6,7 “a light….. to open blind eyes” b. Rev. 3:17 “…and you do not know that you are …blind…” c. II Cor. 4:4 “..the god of this world has blinded the minds…”
2. We were in darkness
a. Prov. 4:19 “the way of the wicked is like darkness….”
b. Eph. 4:18 “being darkened in their understanding”
c. Col. 1:13 “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness…”
B. Defilement and futility
We were defiled Titus 1:15 “..their mind and conscience are defiled.” 2. We were futile Romans 1:21 “…they became futile in their speculations..” Eph. 4:17 “..in the futility of their mind, 3. We were helpless Romans 5:6 "....we were still helpless,.." 4. We were ungodly Romans 5:6 "...for the ungodly."
II. With respect to our flesh
A. Indulging without restraint
The lusts of our flesh was our life
a. Eph. 2:3 “..lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the…”
b. Eph. 4:19 “..over to sensuality..of every kind of impurity..”
c. Col. 1:21 "....engaged in evil deeds,"
III. With respect to our wills
A. Enmity with God
Rom. 5:10 "...we were enemies..." 2. Rom. 8:7 “the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God…” 3. Col. 1:21 "...formerly alienated and hostile in mind..." 4. Jas. 4:4 “..friendship with the world is hostility toward God..” 5. Jude 1:11 “…and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”
B. Hatred of God
Rom. 1:30 “haters of God” 2. John 7:7 “..but it hates Me because I testify of it that its deeds…” 3. John 15:18,23,24 “..you know that it has hated Me….”
C. Hardness of heart
Matt. 19:8 “Because of your hardness of heart Moses….” 2. Eph. 4:18 “ because of the hardness of their heart;”
D. Aversion/Reluctance/Obstinance
John 5:40 “and you were unwilling to come to Me so that you..”
Rev. 2:21 “…she does not want to repent of her immorality.”
Deut. 31:27 “For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck”
Acts 7:51 “You men who are stiff-necked….”
Rom. 10:21 “..Stretched out My hand to a ..obstinate people”
Titus 1:16 “..being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed”
E. Bondage & Spiritual Death
Jer. 13:23 “….who are accustomed to doing evil”
John 8:34 “..everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” 3. Romans 5:8 "...sinners" 4. Eph. 2:1 "...dead in your trespasses and sins,"
Principles:
If the evil one brings up your sins, it is to condemn you (Rom. 8:1)
If the Holy Spirit brings up your sins, it is to cleanse and free you (I Jn. 1:9; Gal. 5:1)
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