LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Worst Sin
In both the New Testament and the Old Testament there is one sin that stands out in a special way. However, this sin is not the one commonly thought to be the most serious. The outstanding sin in the Old Testament is failing to love God; in the New Testament, it is refusing to believe in the Lord.
When the Bible says that man is condemned and has become a sinner in the eyes of God, it does not mean that he has committed a bunch of sins of such and such characteristics. What the Scripture considers more serious is the problem that has arisen between man and God. The first commandment is to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind and strength. Therefore, to break this commandment is the chief sin.
Sin entered the world through a man. And what was that sin? Adam did not murder, nor did he fornicate, nor did he commit any of the sins of the world today. Adam did not believe that what God had given him was profitable. He began to doubt God's love. Then, after that sin, all the others followed.
In the New Testament we are told that he who believes has eternal life. Who, then, will perish? The Gospel reiterates that those who do not believe are the ones who will be condemned (Jn. 3:16, 18); they are the ones who fall under the wrath of God (Jn. 3:36). The Lord said that the Holy Spirit came to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (Jn. 16:8). Of what sin did He come to convict them? "Of sin, because they believe not on me" (Jn. 16:9).
The reason why man commits all kinds of sins is because he does not have a proper relationship with God. This is the whole problem. The relationship with God is restored when what he says is believed. Today God is giving testimony about his Son and, again, man is not believing it. The apostle John says, "He that believeth not God hath made him a liar, because he hath not believed the testimony that God hath borne concerning his Son". And he adds: "And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:10-12).
To doubt someone's word is to doubt the person himself. God is truthful, and that means that there is no contradiction between him and his word. If what he has said concerning his Son is not believed, then the offense is greater and that unbelief is the greatest sin, so grave that it is capable of sending man to hell.