"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. ~ John 15:22
Have you ever seen people get belligerent just because they know you are a Christian, even if you have not yet said anything to them about sin? I have seen this several times. People that live for the world know they are sinning and they love it more than knowing the one who can redeem them. But they take it further because they will verbally attack you for no reason. I am not sure why they do this? Maybe it makes them feel better.
The Pharisees could not stand to be around Jesus I think for the very same reason. John MacArthur said in his commentary on verses John 15:22-24.
“They would have no sin. He did not mean that if He had not come, they would have been sinless. But, His coming incited the severest and most deadly sin, that of rejecting and rebelling against God and His truth. It was the decisive sin of rejection, the deliberate and fatal choice of darkness over light and death over life of which He spoke. He had done so many miracles and spoken innumerable words to prove He was Messiah and Son of God, but they were belligerent in their love of sin and rejection of the Savior.
I have also been around people who are living in sin and they are very nice people just rough around the edges and most of them will treat you well if you treat them well. I believe this is because they do not know the bible and therefore are not as convicted of sin. I said this to say that for those that know the bible and what it says are really trending in dangerous water. The bible says: How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:29-31
John MacArthur Commentary says: “This warning passage deals with the sin of apostasy, an intentional falling away, or defection. Apostates are those who move toward Christ, hear and understand His gospel, and are on the verge of saving belief, but then rebel and turn away. This warning against apostasy is one of the most serious warnings in all of Scripture.”
Well I know I will keep praying for them to repent and come to know the only one that can set them free and pay their sin debt. I am going to try instead of getting angry at them just take it that it is a plea for help.
Plow on, plow on…
David Campbell