The law of floatation states that when a piece of object is denser than the fluid around it, the object would not be able to displace its weight in the fluid, which seeks to force it to sink. Scientifically, the law of floatation comes into effect when the weight of a floating object becomes equal to the weight of fluid displaced. Weight of fluid displaced is the weight of the fluid volume increase due to the floating object.
Any change in the density of either the fluid or the floating object affects the buoyancy of the object. Such changes occur when another fluid is added to the fluid in which the object is expected to float or dissolve a substance in it or alter the floating object by mixing it with another object. To restore the ability of the object to float in the fluid again, these alterations that interfere with the buoyancy of the object must be taken away.
As I reflect on this scientific principle, I realize that it is relevant in our quest to dealing and overcoming sin.
In the book of Hebrews, the Bible cautions believers to take away every weight that interferes with their motion: “….lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1, WEB). In Romans 6:23, we are urged to deal with sin, because its result or wages is death or destruction. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (ESV).
These two verses convey an idea of “spiritual law of floatation.” The understanding here is that, sin can cause a person to sink from the grace and glory of God to an unpleasant situation. When one remains in sin, they suffer the consequences of it because they would not enjoy the treasures of God as the Apostle Paul notes in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (ESV).
Once a person keeps sinning, their entire life becomes depraved, unless they repent of their sins and are prepared to obey Christ and His basic Word. It should be re-echoed that sin is a weight and it causes a person to sink from God’s grace to disgrace and dishonour. Every person is a potential beneficiary of God’s grace and glory, but sin hinders the sinner from enjoying that honour – it estranges a person’s relationship with God, their maker.
The law of floatation teaches us that for an object to float in a fluid, the average density of the object should be less than the density of the fluid that displaces the object. Similarly, it is plausible to state that every Christian should strive for righteousness in Christ as they denounce every element of sin in their lives to avoid being weighed down by the density of sin.
Sadly, some people have already been weighed down by the density of sin and they keep sinking deeper and deeper. They may be making every effort on their own to be afloat in God’s glory, but are ignorant of the fact that the density of their sin is having a toll on their lives – to reverse this trend, they need to repent of their sin. No matter how the experience of a captain of a ship may be, he may not be able to sail or displace the ship on water if he disregards the laws of flotation; for instance, if he allows even some of the water to significantly enter the ship, the ship will eventually sink. Similarly, there is no alternative in circumventing the way of sin, other than repentance in Christ and abiding in Him (John 15:1-10).
The crux of our discussion is that we should not struggle by maneuvering our ways in ungodliness while at the same time deceiving ourselves that we are winning the battle with sin and ungodliness. The Bible says, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13, ESV). This means that people who conceal their sins without confessing and denouncing them do great disservice to themselves.
Addressing sin from another perspective, the Bible says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7, NIV). The question that comes to the fore is: What are you sowing into your life? Is it godliness (which includes obedience to God’s Word and the fear of God) or ungodliness (such as evil thoughts, lies, wickedness, sexual immorality, hypocrisy, and pride)?
With great humility, David the king realizing his ungodliness, confesses this way: “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you” (Psalm 69:5, ESV). David could say this because he was fully aware that nothing about his life was hidden from God. Every thought and step of humankind are laid bare before God so any person who thinks he or she is “smart” in ungodliness, wickedness and all sorts of evil practices is rather deceiving himself or herself. The best way to go is to realize that God knows about any hidden sin and be ready to denounce that sin.
In conclusion, my decision to choose the law of flotation in dealing with the consequences of sin in our discussion resonates very well with the admonishing of the Apostle John in his first epistle: “I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
He assures every person who sins against the Lord that it is not too late to repent, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ESV). The wages of sin or the density of sin makes a person sink into eternal damnation, but the greatest assurance is that Jesus is ready to forgive the sins of every person who denounces his or her sin, no matter the gravity of the person’s sin.
Indeed, it is only by yielding to the Holy Spirit, that the sin nature, which causes us to sink, is crucified so we can float in the glory of God; for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ sets us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-17).
By Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh (Area Head, Sefwi-Bekwai)