The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin

John 1:1-5 (suggested further reading: Philippians 2:5-11)


These wonderful verses appear to contain much in them, without controversy, which is above our reason, but there is nothing contrary to it. There is much that we cannot explain and must be content humbly to believe. Let us, however, never forget that there are plain practical consequences flowing from the passage which we can never grasp too firmly, or know too well.


Would we know, for one thing, the exceeding sinfulness of sin? Let us often read these first five verses of John's Gospel. Let us mark what kind of being the Redeemer of mankind must needs be, in order to provide eternal redemption for sinners. If no one less than the eternal God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, could take away the sin of the world, sin must be a far more abominable thing in the sight of God than most men suppose. The right measure of sin's sinfulness is the dignity of him who came into the world to save sinners. If Christ is so great, then sin must indeed be sinful!


Would we know, for another thing, the strength of a true Christian's foundation for hope? Let us often read these first five verses of John's Gospel. Let us mark that the Saviour in whom the believer is bid to trust is nothing less than the eternal God, one able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father by Him. He that was "with God" and "was God" is also "Emmanuel, God with us". Let us thank God that our help is laid on one that is mighty (Psalm 89:19). In ourselves we are great sinners. But in Jesus Christ we have a great Saviour. He is a strong foundation stone, able to bear the weight of a world's sin. He that believeth on Him shall not be confounded (1 Peter 2:6).


For Meditation:


Only a man could die as a substitute for men, but only God could die as a substitute for millions of men. Therefore Christ, as God and man, is the Saviour we need.


~J. C. Ryle~