Is sin still wrong?
When did it become ok to say sin is ok? I understand that sin has always been a problem, but at least in our past we recognized it as a problem. How have we fallen so far? How have we lost sight of God's standards so completely?
Please don't hear me hating anybody. That isn't my heart. But, I'm only 34 years old and I can't even begin to count the number of people I've known who have not only been trapped by one sin or another, but have surrendered to it completely in the vain belief that it's somehow not really wrong. It's the same lie that's been tripping us up since the very first sin: "You shall not die. You shall be like God."
The truth is that some things are sin, no matter how we feel about it. Some things are sin, no matter if they are "natural" or not. Some things are sin because God sets the standard for holiness and perfection.
I have personally known people who have surrendered to the following sins, and each time it has broken my heart. My prayer is for their restoration (though I've lost contact with most of them), which begins with the recognition that these things are wrong. They are not wrong just because I disagree with their actions or because I don't love these people, but simply because God created us for something better. The sins I've seen trap people include:
There are others, of course. These are just the ones I can personally place a face with. Some of these things don't appeal to me in the least, and never have. But, there are others I understand. Some of them have played a part in my own story, even in my own life. Some of them have trapped me, and I've had to find freedom in God.
I know the power of the lie. I know what it feels like to convince myself that something isn't really wrong because I don't want it to be wrong! It's so easy to justify, so easy to make excuses, so easy to compare myself to so-and-so. But so-and-so isn't the right comparison!
David says in Psalm 51, "Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge." (verse 4)
Do you see it? My sin is against God! He is the standard. It doesn't matter who I compare myself to or how hard I work to convince myself that some sin isn't really wrong. God, who made me, decides what is right or wrong for me to do. It's His prerogative to do so, and mine to conform to the standard He sets for me. He makes this standard clear in His Scriptures.
So, I have a choice. Do I accept His standard, recognize my failure, and turn to Him for grace and mercy? Or, do I continue to rebel, forcing myself to believe the unbelievable, that somehow I can will the unalterable God of the Universe to change His mind about right and wrong based on my preferences.
Is my question today, "How can I go on in sin?" or is it "What do I need to confess?"
Please don't hear me hating anybody. That isn't my heart. But, I'm only 34 years old and I can't even begin to count the number of people I've known who have not only been trapped by one sin or another, but have surrendered to it completely in the vain belief that it's somehow not really wrong. It's the same lie that's been tripping us up since the very first sin: "You shall not die. You shall be like God."
The truth is that some things are sin, no matter how we feel about it. Some things are sin, no matter if they are "natural" or not. Some things are sin because God sets the standard for holiness and perfection.
I have personally known people who have surrendered to the following sins, and each time it has broken my heart. My prayer is for their restoration (though I've lost contact with most of them), which begins with the recognition that these things are wrong. They are not wrong just because I disagree with their actions or because I don't love these people, but simply because God created us for something better. The sins I've seen trap people include:
Hatred, Bigotry, Homosexuality, Gluttony, Sloth, Anger, Adultery, Fornication, Pride, Rebellion, Abuse, Lust, Pornography, Judgmentalism, Legalism, Sexism, Elitism, Self Pity, Drug Abuse, Violence, Materialism...
There are others, of course. These are just the ones I can personally place a face with. Some of these things don't appeal to me in the least, and never have. But, there are others I understand. Some of them have played a part in my own story, even in my own life. Some of them have trapped me, and I've had to find freedom in God.
I know the power of the lie. I know what it feels like to convince myself that something isn't really wrong because I don't want it to be wrong! It's so easy to justify, so easy to make excuses, so easy to compare myself to so-and-so. But so-and-so isn't the right comparison!
David says in Psalm 51, "Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge." (verse 4)
Do you see it? My sin is against God! He is the standard. It doesn't matter who I compare myself to or how hard I work to convince myself that some sin isn't really wrong. God, who made me, decides what is right or wrong for me to do. It's His prerogative to do so, and mine to conform to the standard He sets for me. He makes this standard clear in His Scriptures.
So, I have a choice. Do I accept His standard, recognize my failure, and turn to Him for grace and mercy? Or, do I continue to rebel, forcing myself to believe the unbelievable, that somehow I can will the unalterable God of the Universe to change His mind about right and wrong based on my preferences.
Is my question today, "How can I go on in sin?" or is it "What do I need to confess?"
Comments
I've noticed that so many people don't even know what's wrong anymore. They don't remember the 10 commandments.
I guess I (we) can only pray for a greater sense of God's standard balanced with His grace.