Sin Against God Precedes Sin Against Others

What we do in word and deed toward others, we have already done in thought and desire before God. 
David after committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband killed said in Psalm 51:3, "Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, and done what is evil in Thy sight." David committed at least two major sins that caused major human pain, yet the painful sins against man are eclipsed in David's mind by sin against God. This is evidenced by David saying that these sins of murder and adultery were sins against God and God only. This means that all sin against others is primarily sin against God manifested in sins against others. 
There are many other passages that reveal the truth that all sin against others is sin against God - Leviticus 19:14 You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the LORD. (The reason a person would do such a cruel thing to a deaf or blind person from a biblical perspective is because they do not fear the Lord as He deserves) 
Romans 3:23 makes clear that all sin is defined as falling short of the glory of God. 
Hebrews 4:12 says that all sin is laid open and bare before the one whom we have to do. 
Nothing we do to one another is considered wrong unless God's law is broken.  The entire law is summed up in this way, "Love your neighbor as your self." 
Nothing we do to one another is wrong unless it is a transgression against God's law. 
Love for others is love for God.  If I love God I will love others. Therefore love for God precedes love for others.  Jesus took this love to a whole new level when he said, "As you have done it to the least of these my brethren you have done it to me" (Matt 25:40).
If we remember this in relating with our spouse and one another, we would have far less conflicts and sin toward one another. 
And, just to add a few more, in speaking of conflicts with one another, The book of James says in 4:4 that conflict with one another is adultery toward God! And Ephesians 4:29-30 makes it clear that when we speak unwholesomely toward one another, we sin against the Spirit and grieve Him. And Joseph, when tempted to go to bed with Potiphar's wife, says "How can I do this great evil (against Potiphar is the implication) and sin against God." (Genesis 39:9)
We can do nothing wrong to one another without it being against God.  We have already done in our heart before God in thoughts and desire, what we do in word and action toward others.
Jesus Christ died to forgive us our sin before God that often manifest itself in sins against others which is the source of all problems in marriage and relationships.  If you are humble enough to call what you do wrong in your marriage and relationships sin against God and deserving of eternal punishment, than you are able to receive this gift of forgiveness and enter the life-long process of learning to love God and others better through Jesus Christ.  
When tempted to sin against others, remember its sin against Jesus Christ.  Love Jesus by loving others - Jesus is always deserving of your love even when other do you wrong.

Comments

  1. What great thoughts to think on during the day. Thank you

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