Why Do People Sin?
Because it is easier than making a commitment to be faithful. We sometimes wonder about why people sin. When we consider the end result of sin and the final destiny of those who sin, we are perplexed as to why people choose to remain in sin than turn away from it and seek the salvation that comes from God.
Part of the problem is that most people who sin do not know they are sinning before God. They have not been taught the truth of God's word. Many have been filled with error and thus do not recognize God's ways as being the right ways. Sadly, there are many who have been taught the truth, but are not willing to give up their sins.
The Bible is full of the history of the people of God who continued in sin even though there was ample evidence that God was God and that He wanted something better for them. Everything God commanded was for the good of those who would obey. Blessings were promised to those who served the Lord God. Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26 both start out listing the blessings that God promised for faithfulness, and end the chapter with the promises of curses and punishment to try to get the children of God to act righteously before Him.
God is not willing that any perish but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Why? Because repentance is a quality that is driven by humility; which is necessary to come into the presence of God. It recognizes the greatness of God and the smallness of me. As we learn that we have caused God grief, we should feel bad about it and seek to make it right before God. In Acts 17:30-31 we read: "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead".
There are several places in the Old Testament where we read that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. Ezekiel 18:32 and in Ezekiel 33:11we read: "Say to them,' As I live!'; declares the LORD GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?"
You see that this fits in God's eternal purpose that He wants all men to be saved. That is why God sent the Son to this world. Man could not be saved without the Christ interceding for him. God has provided His grace in the form of Christ. Everything that goes to assist us in reaching heaven can literally be called the grace of God. The Christ, the church, the gospel, and the Holy Spirit who gave us the Bible. All of these are the grace or favor of God as He has provided them to us. Our duty is to accept the terms of God's grace and be obedient to His will. Because doing His commands will result in the same thing that doing His will did back in the Old Testament days. It will be for our good.
I do not know exactly how many times it is recorded, but the phrase "for your good, for our good" is repeated quite often. The phrase can be seen many times in Deuteronomy as God is giving His people instructions. Moses was responsible to teach the people the will of God and often told the people that it was for their good.
God never gave a command for the purpose to punish His people. However many people perceive that the commands of God prohibit them from having their fun and fulfilling their lusts. God still wanted them to be righteous so that they could live. God put in punitive measures, but only for the purpose of getting the people to see the error of their way and hopefully return to serving God. As the gospel was preached Paul told the Ephesian elders that he did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable" (Acts 20:20). Later Paul said that he did not shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Paul knew just how important the gospel was and he made it is goal to preach that gospel to everyone he could preach to.
As to our original question of why people sin, each person is going to have to answer that one. But they must realize that they will give an account on the day of judgment. They need to prepare themselves for the end of life and face their eternal destiny, because their destiny is determined by the choices they make. Everyone is faced with this as the Bible tells us that we are going to die, and then face our judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Are you ready to stand before God and face your sentence? If you are in sin, the answer is NO! However, if you turn away from sin and obey the gospel message and serve the Christ and God, you will become righteous and God will show His favor towards you on judgment day. Then you will spend eternity in heaven with God and Christ and all the righteous.
By Carey Scott

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