Articles
If They Sin Against You
If They Sin Against You
2 Chron. 6:12-42 records the prayer that Solomon said at the dedication of the temple. Towards the end of that prayer he petitioned God concerning the situation of Israel sinning against God. This was based upon the knowledge of Israel's history up to that time - they had been unfaithful as a people. There were individuals that were faithful. There were short periods of time in which the nation was faithful to the covenant. However much of the time the people were unfaithful to God.
Solomon states "IF they sin against you -- for there is no one who does not sin.." (vs. 36). The bible makes this statement several times (cp. 1 John 1:8; James 3:2; Eccl. 7:20). Hence "if we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:10). Such is a statement of fact and not a declaration of what has to happen. People sin. All people sin. This does not say that they HAVE to sin. Similarly, Paul states that 'all HAVE sinned' (Rom. 3:23). NOW what?
First there is the reaction of God. "… and you are angry with them". Sin brings the wrath of God. Jack Cottrell stated: "God is ALWAYS and ONLY angry at man's sin". It is SIN that triggers this response with God. Sin ALWAYS brings about this response. It is attested to many times in the history of Israel. Such response comes from the holiness and righteousness of God against sin.
With the anger of God comes consequences for man. "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:7-8). The consequence of sin is to be separated from God. (Isa. 59:1-2; Ezek. 18:20; Romans 6:23). For Israel it also included being cast out of their land that God had given them.
This is not a hopeless situation for there is mercy and forgiveness with God. Such mercy and forgiveness is not without conditions. Thus Solomon continues: "yet if they turn their heart …. And repent and plead… saying 'We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,' if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart… and pray" (vs. 37-38). This has always been the conditions for sinners. They must repent (Acts 17:30; 8:22; 2 Peter 3:9). They must repent with all their heart and mind. Such repentance is a 'turning' back to God and away from their sin. This is to be accompanied by a confession of those sins, an acknowledgment of the wrong doing (cp. 1 John 1:8-9).
This is one of the clearest passages that outlines how God interacts with man. Such was the case under the Old Covenant and such continues to be the case under the New Covenant. We today have the blood of Jesus to cleanse our sins. We have the promise of God to forgive through the offering of Christ. We have the conditions of repenting with our whole heart, confessing our sins, and praying to God for forgiveness. Concerning such forgiveness John stated that "God is faithful to forgive". God keeps His word. God does what He says He will do. Praise God for his faithfulness, mercy, and forgiveness.
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered" (Romans 4:7).
