Truth or Consequences

By Brother R. Michel Lankford

In This Study:

- Whose Standards Should We Use?

- Why Our Individual Personal Dictionaries are Dangerous.

- What God SAYS that SIN IS

- What are the Consequences of Sin?

 

Whose Standards Should We Use?

One of the biggest problems with societies, and sometimes even churches is that all too often people like to tinker around with the Almighty Creator's definitions of key concepts and principle terms. As a result Yahweh's true intent for our lives often gets disfigured or even lost in the shuffle. The truth is that if we want to walk successfully with the Almighty, we must define our terms the way Yahweh defines them in His word. “For how can two walk together unless they are agreed,” (Amos 3:3).

Q: Who Will Judge the Living and the Dead?

A: We will all be Judged by Almighty God, (Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Ecclesiastes 12:12-14).

Q: What Standard of Measurement will God use to decide whether we have been right or wrong? Will God measure us in keeping with our own definitions desires and preferences? Or will God use HIS OWN Standards of right and wrong to judge us?

A: God will Judge us According to HIS Righteous Standards; (Hebrews 4:12-13; 1 Peter 1:17, 4:6; Psalm 119:137; Psalm 19:9).

 

Why Our Individual Personal Dictionaries are Dangerous:

 

Q: Since God will ultimately judge us according to HIS OWN righteous standards, is it really SAFE to continue to evaluate our own behaviors according to OUR own definitions desires and preferences?

That's WHY we are COMMANDED NOT to use OUR OWN standards in evaluating our lives. It’s dangerous:

A: Every person’s own way seems right in his own eyes. God clearly tells us NOT to lean on OUR own understanding; (Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 3:4-5; Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25; Proverbs 21:2; Hebrews 3:13; Proverbs 12:15).

As it is written: "Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (Proverbs 26:12, LEB).

FACT: It is a sin to manipulate or to change God’s standards to match our own personal preferences:

As it is written: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man!  Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, And the flame consumes the chaff, So their root will be as rottenness, And their blossom will ascend like dust; Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 5:20–24, NKJV)

KEY POINT: Did you catch the CRITICAL POINT that Almighty God spoke through the prophet Isaiah? Changing God’s Standards around to suit ourselves is the SAME as despising God! Did you also catch the idea that rejecting God’s Law is the same as despising God’s Word? That is how God defines DESPISING HIM. That’s beyond dangerous. That is suicide!

My own preferred definitions of sin and righteousness, about what is right or wrong are ultimately meaningless. Your own preferred definitions about sin and righteousness or what is right or wrong are ultimately also equally meaningless compared to Yahweh's. Since He is going to be the judge, HIS is the ONLY opinion that counts. When He judges me or you, He is not going to adjust His definitions of right and wrong to suit our personal preferences, regardless of how right we think or feel that we are. It's Yahweh's estimation that matters.

The bottom line is this: I will either submit to Yahweh and cooperate with Him to allow the Creator to change my heart, to change my mind, to change my beliefs, to change my attitudes, to change my desires, to change my behaviors and to change my lifestyle until they agree with what HE defines as being good and righteous; otherwise, I'm the one in the wrong and I'm inviting wrathful judgment.

Unless YAHWEH CHANGES ME to agree with what HE says is good, then I am doomed, because Yahweh is NOT going to change His virtues or His Decrees to agree with me. It's that simple. So I must be transformed until I come into agreement with Him (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Jeremiah 31:31-34). That's a critical concept that is almost completely lost in modern Christianity.

 

What Does God SAY that SIN IS?

 

The ultimate question is not what you consider being sin, or what does Michel Lankford consider to be sin. The real question is what Yahweh Almighty Creator of the universe considers a particular thing to be sin; because HIS is the only opinion that matters.

-  Sin is missing the mark of Yahweh’s Highest Standards- (e.g. Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). The key Greek words: HARMATIA (Greek Strong’s #266) - which is to miss the bull's-eye or to miss the mark of Yahweh's best standards. (E.g. Romans 6:23)

-  Sin is breaking, violating or doing the opposite of Yahweh’s Laws, Commandments and Instructions (e.g. 1 John 3:4; Hosea 8:1; Daniel 9:11; James 1:25; James 2:12) ANOMIA (Lawlessness - Greek Strong’s #'s 458-459 Literally meaning to walk outside or in violation of or to transgress Yahweh's Law which He gave to Moses. (E.g 1 John 3:4).

• Greek Strong’s # 458-459 –(ANOMIA Lawlessness IS SIN)

• The condition of  being without Law
• Being ignorant of the Law
• Violating/ Breaking the Law
• Having contempt for the Law
• "To be destitute or in violation of the Mosaic or Jewish Law“ A.KA. Illegality; iniquity; to break, transgress or walk in violation of the Law- (see also 1 John 3:4)

(See Thayer's and Strong's Lexicons)

-  Sin is anything done outside of Yahweh’s definition of Love (e.g. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Matthew 22:36-40; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Leviticus 19:34). Since God’s Word IS TRUTH, (John 17:17); and True Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;” (1 Corinthians 13:6); then, whether we like it or not, if we are not rejoicing in the standards spelled out by God’s Word in the Law and in the prophets, then we are NOT TRULY BEING LOVING, according to how Yahweh Almighty has already defined what it means to LOVE.

-  Sin is anything done outside of faith in Yahweh (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 14:23b)-‘Whatever does not come from faith is sin.’

-  Sin is anything done outside of obeying Yahweh and outside of obeying Messiah, who Himself also Obeyed Yahweh (e.g. Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10; John 5:19; 8:31-32; John 14:15, 21, 23; John 15:10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 5:1-3).

-  Sin is anything done outside of purposefully and intentionally glorifying Yahweh (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17-23)

-  Sin is any time that I know what Yahweh considers to be good, and I choose not to do it, or I choose to do something else instead of what Yahweh has taught me to be what He considers good (James 4:17; cf. Isaiah 5:20-24)

 

The Real Consequences of Sin

 

• Sin breaks Fellowship with God and our fellow human beings. It makes those relationships infinitely more difficult  (Exodus 33:3 Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2; Psalm 95:7-11; Proverbs 15:8-9, 29; Matthew 5:21-26).

• Sin hardens our heart so we cannot hear God anymore. That's why God has to give us a totally new heart when we are born again. (Matthew 13:4, 19; Ezekiel 36:25-26; Deuteronomy 30:6)

• Sin leads to captivity, slavery and bondage. Sin leads us captive into deception (Hebrews 3:13; Isaiah 44:20; Matthew 8:31-34; Romans 6:16; 7:11; 7:14; 7:25; Ephesians 4:22).

• Sin leads to death (1 Chronicles 10:13; Proverbs 11:19; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 5:12; James 1:13-15; Romans 6:23).

• Sin leads to Eternal Separation from God (Matthew 25:41; Matthew 13:42; Matthew 24:41; Matthew 25:30;  Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:8).

Missing God's highest standards is called sin, and just as God is serious about not tampering with His definitions of key principles and concepts, He is equally serious about making sure that people do not misrepresent the real consequences of missing God's true standards.

Sin is real and the consequences of missing the mark of God's standards is equally real, and extremely severe. That is why it's so extremely critical to overcome and destroy sin out of our lives, before it destroys us. If we do not keep the serious consequences of our sin in mind, we won't be in much of a hurry to get rid of it, and the consequences will be unfathomably detrimental.

Here's the key that Christians often neglect: At least FOUR times throughout the Gospels, Yeshua the Messiah Himself specifically said that those who choose a lifestyle of HARMATIA and ANOMIA will be cut off, and WILL NOT' be allowed to remain in Yahweh's Everlasting Kingdom, it's not my opinion. It's what MESSIAH has said: (Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 13:41-42; Matthew 24:12-13; John 8:34-36; cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Titus 2:11-15). We will either repent and will progressively leave lawlessness behind us, or we will not be allowed to remain in Yahweh's Kingdom. It's that simple.

 

As it is written:

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.” (John 17:17, NKJV)

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your Law is truth.” (Psalm 119:142, NKJV)

You are near, O Lord, And all Your Commandments are truth.” (Psalm 119:151, NKJV)

The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” (Psalm 119:160, NKJV)

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you, life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;” (Deuteronomy 30:19, NKJV) :

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”” (2 Timothy 2:19, NKJV).

 

Prayer

Yahweh, have mercy upon me and save me through Your love and through Messiah. I acknowledge my sin before you. I acknowledge that only Your standards are ultimately true and right. I have transgressed Your Laws Commandments and Instructions. I have often and thoroughly missed the mark of Your Highest and Best Desires. Please forgive me. Mercifully transform me, re-create me and fill me to overflowing with what YOU call good, righteous, honorable and pleasing. Help me to ever more fully submit to You and cooperate with You, to turn away from what YOU consider to be sin, and to agree with and choose what You consider to be truly good. Help me to persevere in cooperating with you as You accomplish this true work of grace in my life, and grant that I may truly overcome, and reach Your Everlasting Rest, and Eternal Joy. Amen.