The Problem of Sin in the Christian Life

Asa was a good king of the southern kingdom of Judah, who rooted out idolatry and defeated the million-strong army of Cush. In his later years, however, when the northern kingdom of Israel invaded, he sent treasure to the king of Aram and asked for his help instead of turning to God, and when disease struck his feet, he relied on physicians rather than on the Lord.

Yet Scripture still says of Asa that “his heart was wholly true all his days.” The sin of weakness that springs from human fear and the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit stand on quite different ground where forgiveness is concerned. Judas Iscariot went on committing small sins until his heart grew hard, and in the end he betrayed Jesus. Peter denied Jesus three times, but because his failure was a weakness born of fear, he repented, was restored, and went on to lay down his life as a martyr.

There are sins from which a person may still turn back, and there are sins beyond restoration, which deny God much as a child might disown a parent. Whoever thinks their own sin small and treats it lightly will find their heart led down a road from which there is no return. Christians must receive grace with reverent fear, and the moment sin comes to light, turn from it completely.