From The Pulpit: "Exceedingly Sinful"

By Rev Mike Scott, Pastor of Juniper Chapel Church

To begin, we must place this verse of Scripture within its proper context. The Apostle Paul is drawing a sharp contrast between the Law and grace. While he firmly believes that “by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16), he also acknowledges that the Law has a purpose. It serves to reveal sin and point us toward God's saving grace, made available through the shed blood of Christ on Calvary. Once that purpose is fulfilled, the Law is no longer needed for justification. In the verse under consideration, Paul affirms the value of the Law in exposing the true nature of sin—causing sin to appear “exceeding sinful.” This emphasizes just how vile and offensive sin is in the sight of a holy God, who detests all forms of unrighteousness. Yet, in His mercy, God made a way to deal with sin through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son.

Given how repugnant sin is to God, we may ask: why is there so much of it in the world today? Too often, sin is downplayed—viewed merely as a mistake or a character flaw. But we must learn to see it from Heaven’s perspective. Just as no one would drink poison for curiosity’s sake or nap in a den of rattlesnakes, we should avoid sin at all costs if we truly understand its deadly nature. In this message, we will explore three key aspects of sin: its origin, its ongoing influence, and its ultimate obliteration.

The Origin of Sin

Sin’s beginning traces back to the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve lived in innocence and perfection, walking in close fellowship with God. But when Satan, the tempter, entered the scene and enticed them with his lies, they disobeyed God’s direct command. God had clearly warned Adam, “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it... thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). This was the one divine law in a perfect world. Yet, like all of God’s laws, it was absolute.

Human nature has an unfortunate tendency to justify wrongdoing while condemning others. But God’s commands apply equally to all, and He expects every person to submit to His authority. As John reminds us, “His commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3)—they are given for our benefit.

God gave Adam and Eve the gift of free will, and they chose to use it in disobedience. The serpent sowed doubt by questioning God’s Word—“Yea, hath God said…?” (Genesis 3:1)—and then undermined God’s integrity—“Ye shall not surely die” (v. 4). He made disobedience look attractive, suggesting that eating the fruit would open their eyes and make them “as gods” (v. 5). Convinced by the lie, Eve took the fruit, ate it, and gave it to Adam, who did the same.

Once they sinned, the consequences were immediate. When God came calling—“Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9)—Adam and Eve tried to shift blame: Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. But God held each accountable. The woman would suffer pain in childbirth and be subject to her husband (Genesis 3:16); the man would toil in sorrow all his days (vv. 17, 19); and the serpent would crawl on its belly (v. 14). Thus began humanity’s tragic separation from God.

The Ongoing Power of Sin

The second sin recorded in Scripture is Cain’s murder of Abel. By Genesis 6, sin has so corrupted humanity that “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Today, sin still abounds, and two primary factors contribute to its persistence.

First, humanity's fallen nature—our spiritual inheritance from Adam and Eve—ensures that all people are born in sin. Scripture affirms this repeatedly. The psalmist says God “knoweth our frame… we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). Isaiah declares, “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Paul confesses, “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18). Even believers wrestle with temptation daily: “to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (v. 18).

Second, the world, the flesh, and the devil continue to lead people astray. God originally declared His creation “very good” (Genesis 1:31), but sin corrupted it. Now, Scripture portrays the world as hostile to God’s ways, urging believers not to love it or conform to it.

The flesh craves what is forbidden. Whether it be addictive substances, immoral desires, or unhealthy pleasures, the flesh must be disciplined. Paul urges believers to “put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh” (Romans 13:14) and to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). Peter exhorts us to “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).

At the core of all sin is Satan. From Eden onward, he has actively worked to oppose God’s purposes. He is a liar, a deceiver, and a destroyer. Though his influence is widespread, his reign will ultimately end when he is cast into the Lake of Fire.

The Obliteration of Sin

Though sin is powerful, it is not permanent. Scripture teaches that sin can be forgiven and its curse broken. But that forgiveness lies only with God. No amount of human effort or morality can erase even one sin. Salvation is entirely an act of divine grace. Because “God so loved the world,” He gave His only Son, and through Christ’s death, forgiveness is available to all who believe.

Grace and mercy, though similar, are distinct. Grace gives us what we don’t deserve—eternal life—while mercy withholds what we do deserve—eternal punishment. Through His love, mercy, and grace, God has provided the way to conquer sin.

That way is through the Cross. “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus, though sinless, bore our sins on the Cross. He died our death, paid our price, and suffered our punishment. Through “the washing of regeneration” (Titus 3:5), we are cleansed and justified by His blood. But salvation requires a response: we must confess, repent, and place our faith in Christ.

Conclusion

Sin is a real and deadly force in our world. Though many disregard God's standards in favor of personal desires, the Lord takes sin seriously. That’s why Jesus came—to save sinners. Those who place their faith in Him receive everlasting life. Those who reject Him remain under condemnation.

Today we have considered the origin, the persistence, and the obliteration of sin. We’ve seen how sin offends a holy God, how it entered and spread throughout the world, and how it is ultimately conquered through Christ. May we never forget the price of our redemption—and may we daily live in gratitude for the grace that saves.