But for a Moment
“Sin survives in this ark, and in my heart.”
Last week, our family engaged in what is becoming a tradition when we traveled to see Sight & Sound’s production of Noah. It was a terrific show! If you have a chance to take in one of their shows, it will be well worth your time, as they do a wonderful job of storytelling and communicating biblical truths.
There were several moments during the retelling of the very familiar story I was struck by the surprising parallels of Noah’s story to yours and mine, including:
- Noah’s need for obedience even when he was short on understanding
- The critical importance of family-instilled values in a world gone astray
- God’s radical mercy showed to Noah and his family
But it was that line—“Sin survives in this ark, and in my heart”—that has most remained with me in the days since.
It is a truth God acknowledged when he responded to Noah’s offering immediately after the flood receded: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood” (Gen. 8:21).
God had gone to great lengths to rid the earth of the brazen evil that had run rampant. He sent a flood to destroy all but just a few select remnant in Noah’s family. All but those who were aboard the ark were destroyed because of their wicked ways.
And yet, sin survived. How? Within the human hearts aboard the ark. Sin survived because every earthly human being harbors an evil inclination in our hearts. We are born into sin, and we pass that dark tendency on to each new generation.
It is sobering in a very real way, but it would be inappropriate to not follow this realization closely with the wondrous reality that God’s mercy completely overwhelms that inclination of your human heart.
Sin may have a temporary foothold in your human heart, but your God made sure that hold is but for a moment. He loves you so deeply that He made a way for the power of that sin in your heart to be completely conquered!
There is a moment in the production when Noah’s sons ask how the sin in their heart will be conquered. I have to believe this was a very real conversation, because the very same chapter in which God makes a post-flood covenant with Noah reveals how Noah and his family were immediately pulled back into sin. It is so pervasive, and Noah’s family must have grappled with how they would possibly overcome the curse of sin.
Oh, but Jesus!
You have the amazing blessing of living after the revelation of the way God made for overcoming sin. You live with the knowledge of the Son of God who came to Earth, lived a perfect life, took on and died for your sins, and paved the way for you to escape the sin that survives in your heart!
So this week, when you face the inescapable truth that sin is once again rising up in your heart, respond with the deep assurance that sin’s jurisdiction in your heart and life is only temporary! Noah may have had to grapple with how his sin would be overcome, but you do not! You know that your sin has already been conquered by the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11)!
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.