Are You Planting a Crooked Row?

Don't be fooled by sin.

Photo by Thanh Nguyễn from Pexels

The sower may mistake and sow his peas crookedly: the peas make no mistake, but will come up and show his line. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sin is a terrible thing.

Sin causes us to fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). The payment of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus was the offering for sin in our place (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Sin is the reason for all the pain, suffering, grief, and death in the world today - its consequences are real and tragic (Genesis 3:16-19).

Sin is also impossible to hide forever. Eventually, “your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

Sometimes we try to convince ourselves that we can control it - it won’t affect us the way it does other people. We are lying to ourselves. When sin grows up in our life, it produces death.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. (James 1:14-16)

Submitting to Jesus as Lord and Christ includes repenting of sin (Acts 2:38). To repent is to change our minds about sin. Repenting involves understanding how grave sin is and committing to leaving it behind.

Repentance means we understand where our sin will lead us if we continue down the path of sin.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Have you truly repented? Have you changed your thinking about sin? Or are you still planting a crooked row, hoping it comes up straight?

Don’t be deceived by sin. Turn to Jesus for forgiveness.

And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16)