10/1/2023
TOPIC: The cycles of sin
TEXT: Psalm 106: 43-48
INTRODUCTION: God was, is, and will always be faithful in all His transactions, and so will always be worthy of praise. The partners, Israel, or mankind, with whom God transacts covenants are however unfaithful by virtue of their fallen nature. To balance things out and to help us in this dilemma, writings of the ancients throw light on the historical perspectives highlighting causes and remedy of man’s disloyalty. The bible declares that “all scripture is God breathed, and profitable for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2Tim.3: 16-17). Our text tells us of the failings of God’s people and the consequences for being unfaithful to an ever faithful God whose mercies endures forever towards those that keep faith with His covenants. It tells of the cycles of sin enabled by distrust of the power of God due to lack of understanding that man must live by every word that proceeds from God. It represents the failings of man that is burdened with lack of discernment of the voice of God.
1.Causes of faithlessness: To get a clear understanding of faithlessness, we need to look at what faith is. It is simply trusting, even in the presence of doubt. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. From this definition therefore faithlessness is not having hope that God can do what we want and so take matters into our hands. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. The word of God is the standard working document of God and He assures all that if followed, He would do all He promised in the document. It follows that when hearing the word of God stops, faithlessness starts. God clearly instructed that we must continually have the word before us because without it we cannot live (Deut. 6:6-9,12, 15). Joshua was admonished to meditate in the word day and night and observe to do what it said to have prosperity and good success. Jesus also emphasized this in Matthew 4:4 that man is designed to live by the word of God. As the Israelites proceeded to the promised land, it was observed that they relaxed and did not pay heed to God’s word, thus disobeying His instructions. The second cause is the deviation from the dictates of the document which is iniquity. Iniquity is fueled by not hearing, understanding, and forgetting what the word commands. The text is careful to let us know that the cycle of sin was the result of rebellion and iniquity. As Israel interacted with other nations along the way and even in the promised land, they forgot God’s word and often resorted to idolatry which was forbidden by God. They did not destroy the nations God asked them to, but mingled and learnt their ways, served idols and it became a snare (Judg1:21,27,29,30, 31,33,35 ). They sacrificed their children to demons shedding innocent blood, polluting the land worship of Molech (Lev.18:21; Jer.7:31). They did not follow instructions because of love of ease, idleness, a deadly sin). In which area of life are you experiencing faithlessness? God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He never goes back on His word.
2. Consequence of faithlessness: The word of God is clear that the soul that sins shall die. Thus, in enforcing His word against iniquity, God often disciplined His people in various forms. The severity of their iniquity is most pronounced in the book of Judges where God from time to time because of His unfailing mercy, delivered them from their distresses. It offended God that these were His people and so gave them over to be devoured and ruled by other nations. This was for the purpose of discipline and repentance. In His mercy, God sent judges to deliver them many times but they always fell back into rebellion and this was a continual cycle. They had Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Jephthah, and finally by David. He had mercy on them and delivered them when they humbled themselves and cried to Him. He remembered His covenants and out of great love, He relented of His anger (Lev. 26:42) and cause them to be pitied by their oppressors. When a man’s way pleases the Lord, He makes the enemies to be at peace (2Ki.25:27-30; Dan.1:3-5; 2:49;3:30;6:28; Ezra1:4-6). Israel behaved as a harlot by being unfaithful to God. Ps.106:40-46summarize the approximately 300 years of Israel’s history that the Book of Judges records (Judg. 2:11-23). The Israelites sank lower and lower spiritually during those years. Eventually they were displaced from the land and scattered all over. It was God’s faithfulness to His covenant with them and His loyal love that led Him to have mercy on them repeatedly. When they cried out to Him He delivered them (Judg. 3:15; et al.).
2. Cure for faithlessness: As earlier stated, faithlessness starts with neglecting the word of God. Today, the word was made flesh and has come to dwell with us and as many as receive Him are given power to become sons of God. He is the author and finisher of faith and all we have to do is believe in His sacrifice on the cross and focus totally on Him in our Christian walk. This includes following His teachings and obeying His commands under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. Finally, we need to avoid following the counsel of the world or our own counsels that are contrary to the word of God. The word should constantly be allowed to transform us so that we avoid the cycle of sin.