Herd Immunity
By Jim Huskins
McDowell County
Herd Immunity?
In 1973, noted psychologist, Karl Menninger, predicted that the concept of “sin” would disappear from our culture. His book, Whatever Became of Sin?, suggests that all “wrongdoing” would eventually be excused as a disorder, illness, or preexisting condition. Some claim that his motivation for the book was to warn the public of the dangers of this trend. Other aspects of his work, however, suggest that Menninger was in favor of the disassociation of action and consequence.
Regardless of his intent, Menninger’s forecast has materialized. One of the most disturbing trends in modern Church doctrine is the notion that sin is no longer a big deal. Professor of religion, Paula Fredriksen more recently affirms Menninger’s prognosis. In her book, Sin: The Early History of an Idea, Fredriksen says, “Each era defines sin based on its own critical assumptions.” She also states that, “Current American culture downplays the whole idea of personal responsibility.”
Many believers are convinced that once they “give their heart to Jesus,” they can do whatever they like with their bodies. They view “salvation by grace through faith” as an inoculation against the divinely directed consequences of sinful behavior. If the Bible is true, this is a dangerous path, and we should take a more circumspect approach.
Throughout the Bible, God rewards obedience with blessings and disobedience with curses. Consider these passages from the Apostolic writings: Matthew 7:21 says that our salvation is contingent on us “doing the will of the Father.” Romans 1:18 says that God rewards ungodliness and unrighteousness with wrath. Romans 1:28-32 teaches that those who practice unrighteousness deserve to die. Galatians 5:16-21 presents a list of sinful behaviors and concludes that such people will not inherit God’s Kingdom. Hebrews 10:26 says, “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” 1 John 3:9 says that no one born of God makes a practice of sinning. Revelation 20:11-15 is one of many passages which proclaim that everyone will be judged based on what we do in this life.
Satan wants us to think that we can sin with impunity. He cunningly suggests that God has changed and no longer cares about sin. The evidence that his evil plan has succeeded is found in almost every corner of the modern Church. Those who believe that the first seventy-five percent of the Bible is irrelevant are most susceptible to this lie. The Law, the Prophets, and the Writings insist that sin is abhorrent to Thrice-Holy God.
Our culture defines sin according to subjective “critical assumptions.” God’s Word says that sin is breaking His law. (1 John 3:4) Many believers reject His instructions for living because they are reluctant to give up the popular pagan holidays. In like manner, others turn a deaf ear to Jesus’ insistence that the Law will be in full effect for as long as heaven and earth remain. They know intuitively that acknowledging God’s insistence on holy living is synonymous with forfeiting their imagined license to sin without consequence. The Bible contains several passages which detail God’s response to both obedience and disobedience. One of the most compelling is Leviticus Chapter 26.
Verse 3 of that chapter predicates our covenant responsibilities by saying, “If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them.” What follows is a powerful list of blessings: abundant food, peace, freedom from fear, protection from dangerous beasts and from war. The list goes on to include dominance over enemies and divine fertility. Verse 12 presents the most important blessing, “I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.”
Verse 14 introduces a terrifying list of curses with these words, “But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments….” These consequences include panic, debilitating fever, and heartache. The disobedient will watch enemies consume their crops. They will be struck down by invading armies, ruled by people who hate them, and live in such terror that they take flight even when no one pursues them. Persistent disobedience will compound the curses by a factor of seven. Rain will cease, the earth will not produce crops, and trees will not grow fruit. Children and livestock will be slaughtered by wild beasts. The ultimate curse is being abandoned by God and ejected from one’s place on earth. Most of us think that death is the worst thing that can happen. Those who insist on disobeying God will eventually face situations which are far worse than death.
Some counter my claim that believers must conduct themselves in righteous obedience by quoting Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” These folks assume that being “in Christ” merely involves going forward at some Church meeting or repeating some prayer or accepting believer’s baptism. First John 2:3-4 says that the only proof of our relationship with Christ is that we consistently obey His teaching. In John 14:15, Jesus says: “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
The notion that Christians are exempt from God’s standards of righteousness is a Biblical absurdity. God never changed. He is still holy. He still cannot abide the presence of sin. Sin is still so horrible that forgiveness could only have been bought with Jesus’ precious blood. God still rewards obedience and punishes disobedience. We will all be judged based on what we have done in this life.
We face a stark choice. Our culture insists that sin no longer matters. Many Christians are in full agreement. They believe that no one bears responsibility for their actions. On the other hand, Jesus and most Bible authors—including Paul—proclaim that those who make no effort to live in righteousness will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Each of us will eventually face judgment. On that day, which perspective is more likely to be vindicated?
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Jim & Beverly Huskins are members of Obedient Heart Fellowship in McDowell County. Beginning July 2, 2022 Obedient Heart Fellowship will meet at 10:00 Each Sabbath (Seventh Day) at 3023 US 221 N. Marion, NC. 10:00 A.M. Call 828-460-7913 for info.
You can read more good Christian news from Jim HERE.
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