A Matter of Degree
—Sins of excess
Some things are right in a limited measure, but wrong in excess. They become sinful when they are overdone. Not all things are like that. Some things remain absolutely right or wrong in any degree. But where there is a matter of degree, there may be a point where there is involvement in sin.
This judgment requires what Paul prayed for: "that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent" (Philippians 1:9-11 NKJV).
1 The Example of Solomon
Excessive Prosperity
- Gold and silver: Solomon accumulated enormous quantities of silver and gold (1Kings 10:14-21,27).
- Thousands of horses: Solomon's stock and trade in horses from Egypt was huge (1Kings 10:26,28-29).
- A thousand wives: Solomon had 700 wives, the daughters of foreign kings, and 300 concubines (1Kings 11:1-3).
Solomon (who inherited the throne and kingdom of his father David) was not wrong to have a reasonable amount of gold, to be married, and to control a large stable of horses with chariots and horsemen. He was king of a great nation after all. However there was a limit. God told all the kings of Israel not to multiply gold, wives, and horses to themselves (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). But Solomon did, and that was sinful.
When something good is multiplied, something bad may become involved. Solomon did no wrong trading in horses. However, to trade the more excessively, he chose to do business in Egypt, the land out of which God had brought his ancestors. God had forbidden any such return to Egypt (1Kings 10:26,28-29). Solomon transgressed this command of God.
The Scope of This Lesson
Solomon’s story defines what this lesson is about...
- Things which are not wrong in themselves,
- But become wrong when overdone,
- Because some sin becomes involved with that excess.
2 The Example of Peter
Excessive Force
Jesus was in the garden, accosted by a mob. He was betrayed by Judas. Jesus identified himself and asked the officials to take him, and let his disciples go.
Jesus used the power of his words to cause the delegation to draw back and fall to the ground. That was using a limited degree of force sufficient to obtain permission to let his disciples stay free. (John18:6)
Peter had other ideas: "Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 'Put your sword back in its sheath!' Jesus said to Peter. 'Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?'" (John 18:10-11 BSB).
Luke tells it this way: "Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, 'Lord, should we strike with our swords?' And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, 'No more of this!' And He touched the man’s ear and healed him" (Luke 22:49-51 BSB).
What We Learn
As we said, Jesus used limited force to support his disciples. What he did was right and had no sin involved in it. Peter, however, favoured the excessive measure of cutting off an official’s ear to start a deadly fight between the mob and the disciples.
Jesus implied to Peter that there was a grave error involved with fighting to save the Christ, however noble that brave act might seem. Its aim would be to save Jesus from dying for the sins of the world. How, then, would he be the Saviour?
The swords of the disciples would oppose the predetermined plan of God that his Son should be crucified, be buried, and rise again the third day. So Jesus healed the severed ear, submitted to arrest, and Peter put away his sword —because Jesus's time had come.
3 The Example of Thyatira
Excessive Longsuffering
In his message to the church at Thyatira, (Revelation 2:18-29), Jesus said, "These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first" (Revelation 2:18-19 NKJV).
The church at Thyatira was loving, patient, helpful, and tolerant. Our Lord commended the church for that. However, there was a serious problem...
The Problem at Thyatira
Jesus continued, "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you [tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and seduces My servants] to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent" (Revelation 2:20-21 NKJV [BSB] ).
The church at Thyatira was practising good things (love, tolerance, etc) but some were so expansive and inclusive in this that sin became involved. Jezebel’s behaviour and that of her "children" (her disciples) should not be tolerated. By being overly tolerant of Jezebel and her children, people were taking love to the extreme where it ceased to be true love and became indulgence.
So Jesus said, "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works." (Revelation 2:22-23 NKJV).
Jesus Solves the Problem
Jesus showed love and patience to Jezebel by giving her time to repent. However, she did not repent. Therefore Jesus condemned her, and her followers, to severe but appropriate punishment. Jesus did not practise a breadth of love that witheld due condemnation from those who refused to repent. Jesus witheld condemnation only from those who did repent within the period of grace given them.
Paul, by the way, understood this. He said, "Love suffers long and is kind... It does not rejoice in evil but rejoices in truth..." (1Corinthians 13:4-7).
In the end of his message Jesus said, "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come..." (Revelation 2:24-25 NKJV).