When I was growing up (some say I never have), the main thing "conservative Baptist" preachers preached against was divorce.
Divorce was the universe's worse sin.
Divorced people were spirited away from the mainstream of the church.
There were no "Singles Again" ministries.
The only thing that rivaled divorce in the hirarchy of sin was "unplanned" pregnancy.
Today, by contrast, I hear preaching about divorce, but it no longer holds the lofty position in the world of sin that it once did.
Correct me if I am wrong (I don't really mean that, by the way, 'cause I'm not wrong), but I think homosexuality and abortion have overcome divorce as the most exalted sins.
I don't hear too much about lying, very little about coveting, only a smattering about swearing, almost nothing about failing to honor mother and father.
When is the last time you heard preaching about putting God first in every aspect of your life? Have you heard much about graven images? What about resting? Have you been preached to about that?
Keep your ears open and see whether or not you are admonished not to murder people. Maybe this one seems too obvious.
Jesus had some thoughts about it though. He thought just thinking about it was about as bad as doing it.
The thing is, we tend to have a "sin of the decade." Something that is in vogue for the times.
One preacher preaches about this particular sin and others hear it and want to jump on the band wagon.
The Bible teaches that sin is sin. (Want chapter and verse? OK: Genesis 1:1 - Revelation 22:21)
Yeah, yeah. I know. Some sins are against the body. Some sins are listed first in lists.
But the wages of sin is death.
That's because, according to the Sermon on the Mount, the very thought of sin is enough to qualify as sin.
Sin is any thought, word or deed that is not in the very center of God's will.
One who insists on justifying homosexuality is no more or less lost than one who insists on justifying the stealing of a paper clip or driving over the speed limit (gotcha on that one, didn't I?).
The only solution for any of these or any other sin(s) is repentance and turning to Christ, trusting in His finished work at the cross of calvary and in His resurrection for eternal justification.
Do we really trust Him for paying our sin debt? Or do we just say that we trust Him?
Trust me...you should trust Him.
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21 comments:
Thank you so much for sharing that, Joe.
Thanks also for your encouraging comments today. I felt so much better after resting and I had one of the most wonderful days ever, because it was shared with friends and loved ones (and NOT coworkers!!)
I am going to link to your post. I hope that's ok.
Merry Christmas!
good word joe!
ps I need your help w nettie,
she may need deprogramming.
see her recent comment on my blog
Joe,
The world needs this kind of preaching! Sin is sin. BTW I trust you we need to trust Him.
In Christ,
brother John
You preach it, brother!
Yep, just heard about putting God first...Sunday...Pastor's sermon...oh, the resting thing was in there to, but Pastor does give leeway to poloce officers, nurses and the like!
I love that sin is sin is sin. Yikes! I don't mean that I love sin, but I mean that I like to say that all sin's are equal in God's eyes. People are always qualifying sins like they have degrees of badness! What a rude awaking their going to get when the get HOME!
Great Post!!! I cashed the check!!
I liked your definition. I was raised catholic (before becoming born-again) and taught that some sins were worse than others. The Bible does seem to suggest that sins against the body are the worst, but I've always though that sin is sin. In any case, Buon Natale (Merry Christmas) and happy new year! God bless!
Strange that sins should be exalted.
Merry Christmas!
Sin is Sin
Yep!
jeff: Excellent observation. I think the answer is that ALL sin, whether outward or inward has the same root and the same result.
Jesus' ragging on the Pharasees had to do with their hearts' attitudes toward God and the meaning of His law, which they totally twisted.
His problem with the non-leader types was the manifestation of their sin-state in their actions, witness the woman at the well.
Well said Joe
Joe,
I like your point that sin is anything, thought,word or deed that is outside the center of God's will. Good stuff!
sin is sin. i agree.
merry christmas, joe.
Sin is whatever seperates us from God.
Some sin does much more damage to other people (sexual sin in particular). Which would you rather have: An uncle who occasionally lies to you or an uncle who occassionaly sexually abuses you? Each is sin but one is typically far more destructive than the other.
As far as preaching about particular sins goes... As a pastor let me say this: I find that most guys preach about what they have personally conquorered or are personally struggling with.
Merry Christmas. And I'm wondering how you'll like my post today...
I once heard Charles Stanley give a good definition of sin. He said sin is acting with indifference to what God would want. I don't know what the theologians would say about that, but it helps me - I don't want to be indifferent to Him. In any matter, eh? Shades of sin, no!
Whatsoever is not of faith is sin and brother, trust me, I trust you when you say we better trust Him!
May God continue to bless you and your family during the Christmas season and in the year to come. ;-)
Yes, Sin is sin, but some sins do more damage to you and others around you. None of us are perfect, as Christ was, so we have to repent and depend on God's forgiveness.
Merry Christmas!
amen Joe, you said it!!!
Hi Joe
Cool Joe... your right on.
God Bless you
Have a Great Christmas
Love Your writings Joe
Thank You
And Merry Christmas, Joe!
Hi Joe,
Some know that sin is sin, but some need to ask what "is" is:)
Rose and I want to extend to you and Bonnie a very Merry Christmas!
brother John
That was amazing Joe. You rock my face off!
Don't murder, anyone!
Mike
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