The Sin That So Easily Entangles . . .

Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB
“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

“… and the sin which so easily entangles us …” The writer of Hebrews is addressing Christians when he states this reality, that I for one can vouch for. And he uses the word “entangles”, which has the connotation of getting caught up in, almost like a net, while we are in this pursuit of following Jesus.

The other day it crossed my mind, why our bodies have to die. The truth of the matter is, that even though we are Christians and born again, these bodies we live in, are still corruptible, “we” still sin. Sometimes unintentionally, sometimes intentionally, but it happens, to each and everyone of us, without exception, because if we didn’t, our bodies would not have to die, and they do.

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 KJV
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” Notice the word “then”.

And what do we as Christians get “entangled” in? Well you name it and it’s been done. The spectrum is wide. But there is another statement in the Hebrews quote above that also is vitally important and it reads; “looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith…” The originator and perfecter, exactly, God in the flesh, doing for us, what we in and of ourselves in the flesh, cannot ever perfectly do, even as Christians, while we are yet in these fleshly bodies.

I am convinced that many times, not all, but many times, when we sin, we aren’t even aware of it. Think motives, pride, pertaining to “self”. And then there are the times that we are “aware”, sometimes before the fact and sometimes after. That’s because Christ is being formed in us, we are complete in Him now, but we are not complete in ourselves now, while we are still in these bodies, that is to come.

Romans 5:15 NASB comes to mind:
“But the gracious gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many.”

And God has our current easily entangled sins covered because He tells us that if we confess our sins, and continue in the course that He has set before us, He is faithful and righteous and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Note the word “all”. (1 John 1:9 refers)

I don’t know about you but I view some of my sins in degrees. There are small ones that I readily confess and sometimes bigger ones that I also confess. I believe God forgives me for the smaller sins but I sometimes have a hard time with a bigger one, where I have really blown it. That is where there is shame involved, where I have a hard time comprehending why I did, what I did. There is a sensitivity that grows over time, where sin is involved, and I am brought face to face with the self that still lives within me. I know why this body has to die.

Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!