THE BESETTING SIN

The Besetting Sin

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1. "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” Matt. 5:17
2. "But go and learn what this means: `I DESIRE COMPASSION, [I.e. more than] AND NOT SACRIFICE, ' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Matt. 9:13
3. "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matt. 10:34
4. "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him." John 5:43

          The prior verses deal with His mission (1) to establish the law of love. Many were (2) endlessly performing sacrifices to cover endless sin in their lives. He came to this earth to separate the (3) true from the false, even in families. He was well aware of the Anti-Christ that would be accepted with open arms (4) because his law was not established on love, but a disregard for God, because he welcomed sacrifice, and men could buy into him due to their hatred for God, living a life of unbelief promoting sin with their lack of belief in the true God which promotes the sin that has so easily beset Adam, Israel, and men today. Not having God involved in their decision making. Not consulting the Creator with their brand of religion being as close as they want concerning  a relationship with God. They prefer to keep God on the sidelines caring for issues without His input.

          Notice that sin is in the singular (the). This sin has a context that the writer has established in the letter. The besetting sin, that which so easily entangles us, according to the context, is merely that of unbelief and doubt. This letter to the Hebrews in the prior chapters are saturated with Jews who refused to believe. There were those who did believe but failed to live long enough to receive the promises the OT had made. They are awaiting a better resurrection as well as an eternal body as we do. They died in faith that they would see those promises exactly fulfilled. This chapter starts with a statement of conclusion {therefore}.

          Christ did  not come into this world to have men claiming to be following Christ, being called Christian, and keep on sinning the same sin or sins over and over again, calling it a besetting sin. “I just can’t seem to quit performing this sin.”See article entitled "GRACE AND SECURITY."

          The writer of this letter knew the ultimate passion of Christ’s heart was the establishment of the law of God, and the creation in men of a character of holiness which should issue in a conduct of righteousness. He did not come into the world to persuade God to excuse men who are moral failures. He came into the world to establish the law, to stand in the midst of human history as the severest of all moral teachers, embodying the highest ideal of law, and at all costs insisting on obedience thereto. The modern day church has lost this mission of Christ.

          In the ultimate triumph of Christ, when He shall see the travail of His soul and be satisfied, and in those who have been ransomed and redeemed shall find the fulfillment of His highest purpose, He will not lead into the larger life a great host of men and women crippled and incapable, without spiritual power, and defective in moral character that just couldn’t stop performing certain sins. When His work is done in His own, He will present them to His Father without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, absolutely perfect, with the perfection of His own holiness of character and righteousness of conduct. They will be ready to enter their mansion in the Father’s city (house) and from that city rule and reign with Him. For those not achieving this movement towards perfection need to rethink their salvation. Grace leads to victory over sin Rom. 6:14.