“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
An indication of what is the greatest sin is seen in its antithesis, or that which is opposite. In the book of Hebrew, we find that there is no way one can please God, or be right with Him, without faith, trusting in Him. We read in the letter to the Romans, that one can only be accepted and declared just or righteous before a holy God, by faith. It is not because of one’s works, for God’s work which He has provided for man’s salvation, is perfect and cannot be improved upon. Faith in God means utter trust in, and surrender to, Christ, believing in His work alone on Calvary as the only and perfect work by which sins are truly forgiven. So, what is this ultimate sin, according to which no one can come to God, much less be saved. It goes by several names…faithlessness, godlessness, or unbelief. The very extreme manifestation of this “ultimate sin” is what Scripture calls blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. What does this mean? It is one thing to doubt God, or to not have faith in God, to believe in Him, to be for a time godless and unrighteous. It is quite another to adopt the resolved, resentment-filled attitude of the rejection of God, the very attitude of Satan against God, that God cannot and will not forgive. God alone knows those who have forever rejected, refused, and renounced Him. However, His mercy is extended to all who will come to Him, regardless of past sins. The only soul who cannot be saved is the unwilling one. It is not the fault of God, but the resolute and determined will of man who chooses to defy and denounce God. The extreme attitude of rejecting God is the attributing of the works of God to Satan. and this by a deliberate refusal to believe the manifest power and glory of God. So then, the greatest sin is not found in the list that Paul presents as “the works of the flesh:” adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, and revelries.” (Gal. 5:19-21) These sins have as their cause, faithlessness and unbelief, specifically the lack of faith in God. Why? Only by faith can one receive the Spirit of God, and all that is good. How then can one have this faith which the world cannot give, and which our enemy, Satan, will oppose?
In Paul’s letter to the Roman believers, he writes a most wonderful truth. He speaks of the Lord who is “…rich unto ALL that call upon Him.” (10:12) He then goes on to write: “For whosever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (v. 13) Here we have the evidence of God’s working in a heart. The individual person is brought to the place where, by a conviction of his own need, he seeks God. Being also convicted of sins before God, and seeing but one remedy, he calls upon God. In that attitude of conscious “lostness” and helplessness, God hears his cry, giving grace to turn from his sins to God. God gives also power to believe, and receive not only forgiveness and cleansing from sin, but also the Spirit of Christ, to dwell in the heart. This glorious work is in answer to faith that is received from God.
Essential to faith is to hear the truths of the Gospel. These truths reveal the true nature of God. They also unveil God’s certain ways, in dealing with sinful men, so that they can be saved. God gives faith according to what He is. The gospel also provides the knowledge of the way to know God. It is the way of faith, a faith that He gives to the one who truly seeks Him. Hearing the sinner’s call, God gives power to believe.
Dear Father, Make us faith-filled today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.