Why Sin Cannot Save You
Sin is the natural state of every soul born in the flesh. It is the domain in which all men dwell. Because of its dominion over humanity, it cannot be denied that sin is lord of the mind, the heart, and the flesh of natural man.
Sin is a wicked taskmaster which ensnares different people in different ways. The allure of sin is closely followed by the addiction to sin. The promise of sin is pleasure.
When people suffer the ravages of sin, invariably, sin is there to help with a coping mechanism. Of course, the coping method or device further harms the user.
Left to himself, man will suffer in delusion and confusion. His end is the same as every other man (Heb 9:27). As the wages of his disobedience to God, every man dies in the body (Rom 6:23). Most are never aware of the desperate state of their souls.
The state of spiritual death is every person’s inheritance from the first man, Adam (Rom 5:12–21). The human soul, tainted by original sin, is dead to God (Eph 2:1). By nature, all are conceived as children of wrath (Eph 2:2-3). There is guilt, by association to the federal head of all mankind.
Being dead to God, guilty sinners suffer, and they quest for an unspoken end, as did their father, Adam. Under enticement of sin, men lust to be gods (Gen 3:5). They believe that salvation from their misery in this life is attained by gaining more of this world — be it, money, material possessions, human knowledge, power and control, etc.
The foretaste of eternal hell is experienced in every strife, loss, failure, corruption, lie, etc. The darkened mind is only a precursor to outer darkness. The tears of hurt and loss only foreshadow endless weeping and gnashing of teeth. The heated torments of human strife vanguard the fiery torments that foment forever.
Some expedite their transition to their eternal home, thinking they, too, are coping by suicide. In reality, they are proverbially moving from the frying pan into the fire. This is the zenith of deception. It is the ultimate expression of “playing God.”
It must be stated with utmost simplicity, “Sin is not your savior.” Gluttony cannot deliver. Alcohol does not free you. Pornography will not emancipate you. Drugs do not liberate you. Prosperity has salvaged no one. Sports recovers zero glory. Control redeems not even one.
The Bible is clear, there is only one Savior of spiritually dead sinners (1 Tim 2:5). It is our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us (the church) that He might redeem us (the church) from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession (the church — 1 Peter 2:9), zealous for good works (Titus 2:13–14).
It is a further deception of sin to deceive those inclined toward Jesus Christ. By twisting the Scriptures, sinners present a gospel of simple works, “Man, make your decision,” or “Woman, make your choice.” They are enticed in the flesh to take control of a salvation that is not theirs to control. It is a popular, false gospel that removes the sovereignty of God, as the sole agent of salvific choice.
The will of sinful man is sinful. Those who are dead in sin are not capable decision makers. They should never be presented with an option that imagines salvation belonging to them and their human will. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome, “So then, it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy (Rom 9:16).”
God chose in eternity, a people in which He would display His grace, and to whom He would make His glory known (Rom 9:23). He sent His eternal Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 3:16), to display His holiness, His power, His wisdom, and His glory. Christ Jesus’ perfect life of obedience to the Law of God was followed by His flawless sacrificial offering of Himself — the just for the unjust (1 Pet 3:18). Jesus, our Good Shepherd (Jn 10), laid down His life for His own sheep (Jn 10:11, 15). He chose a bride for Himself (Eph 5:22–33), a gift from the Father — a people of His own, who worship and adore Him.
How are these things known? They are revealed, by God, to those He has chosen to reveal them, although His truth is not hidden from anyone. Still, people are spiritually blind by the adversary and promulgater of sin (Jn 8:44; 2 Cor 4:4). It requires the Word and the Spirit to bring the knowledge of God and His salvation.
Unless God the Father and God the Son send the Holy Spirit to regenerate and abide in the soul (heart and mind) of a person, there is no salvation. A person cannot manipulate God. Man cannot change the eternal decree of God, nor can he tamper with the will of God in saving some, but not all. Nothing is left to chance or luck. God’s salvation of His chosen people is a sure salvation. He loses no one, in His work of choosing, redeeming, and gathering His beloved from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rev 5:9; 7:9).
Is this the Gospel you embrace? Or, have you fallen prey to the wiles of the devil and his insidious promotion of humanism, free will decisionalism, and easy believism? If the latter, repent by His grace, if it has been granted, and believe in the sovereign God of sovereign grace, who does all the work of salvation, and to whom all glory is ascribed.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 11, 2022
