“Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later” (1 Timothy 5:24; NKJV).
Some sins are visible. They are open, known to all. Other sins are unknown. They are committed in private, known to none save One. If I can see your sins…
GOD can see them. Be not deceived, “there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13; NKJV). Nothing escapes His holy eyes. He sees your public sins. He sees your private sins. He sees. Consider carefully 2 Corinthians 5:9-11.
Your brethren can see them. The brethren at Corinth could see the sin of their brother (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). If you are not walking in the Spirit, you are walking in the flesh. If you are not being led by the Spirit, you are being led by the flesh. If you are not living in the Spirit, you are living in the flesh. The sins of the flesh are evident. They are apparent. They are seen. Consider Galatians 5:16-26.
Little ones can see them. Little children are attentive, curious, and impressionable. Consider these words of Jesus: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea…Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones…” (Matthew 18:6, 10; NKJV). With Jesus, there are no excuses. Whatever you must do to avoid sinning, whatever you must do to avoid causing another to sin, do it. Consider carefully Matthew 18:7-9.
Lost souls can see them. Not even the pagans living in Corinth would have participated in the sin of the brother under discussion in 1 Corinthians 5 (See verse 1). When we sin publicly we fail to “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15; NKJV). Instead of lost souls seeing our good works and glorifying our Father in Heaven, we give them the opportunity to blaspheme. Consider carefully 2 Samuel 12:1-14.
Hear the conclusion! That brother in Corinth, he was moved with godly sorrow. He confessed his sin. He repented. GOD forgave him. So did his brethren. Don’t let your sins follow you to judgment. Be forgiven of them now!
Jason
