Playing the "Sorry!" Card

Praise God for the sense of conscience He has given mankind! Praise Him that there are still sins that seem "gross" even by the world's standards! Even though we are wrapped up in our own sin, the "worst" among us still have some piece of ungodliness that they would rather be strung up than be caught partaking in. Perhaps more Christians have these than we would like to admit.

The truth of the matter is, should we all be forced to wear a patch or brightly coloured letter to represent our sins, first we would never have to worry about the appearance of our clothing because we would be covered completely with those markings along with the sashes upon sashes to bear the remainder of them. Second , should we be able to see those symbols we would loose sight of the figure beneath them and the person they are. For the Christian who they are because these sins have been forgiven and for those who remain entangled, who they could be when the love of God removes the taint they leave.

I was speaking to a sister-in-Christ the other evening about a particular sin in which a family member is involved and she called that sin "gross." I thought to myself "Yes, but why?" Why is this sin more "gross" than mine or yours? It's not. Scripture bears no evidence that any one particular sin is worse than another. There are references to the unforgivable rejecting of the Holy Spirit however no measure by which we may gauge individual sins.

God hates sin. That is the measure we are given. There are lists of sins that God hates and lists of people defined by sin who will not inherit the kingdom of God but are these things hated more by God than other sins that didn't make those particular lists. No. God hates sin.

The challenge then is to hate sin just as much as God does. Beginning first with the sin that is within myself and then with that which is evident in the brethren and lastly that which is in the world closest to me. God showed us how to do this through the Law. The quote "Be killing sin or it will be killing you" rings very true in this. But it's hard. I like my sin some days and therefore it is very difficult to take the two-edged sword to its pulsing neck and cut off its evil head. I want to talk it out of taking action and maybe give it a day or two to change its ways, become a better and less offensive sin. But God hates sin in every form and so should I.

Come to think of it the first part of the challenge could be considered the hardest. Because it is dealing with my own sins, the ones that I cling too, those in which I have a vested interest. It's like getting your player knocked off the board with a "Sorry!" card. It hurts. It's much easier to hurt someone else because you don't love them as much. (no matter what you may say or feel) You don't have the same vested interest in their sins. So it's easier to take their game pieces away.

However the reason it's the hardest is because we are not God. God has this ability that no one does, not even Superman or Wolverine. God hates sin perfectly, but not only that, He loves the sinner perfectly too. He knows that the defeat of sin within them is the best effect of His love that can be provided.

So there is a new challenge which is just as difficult, to love the the sinner just as much as God does. This is easy when we are the sinner in question. We don't need help loving ourselves. We need help loving those "gross" sinners and even those "not-so-gross" sinners. The great thing in our need is that God who provides the grace and love that we need is faithful to meet that need in others as well. And even to do so through us who are called to exercise love and grace in His name. Wow, no pressure.

So, to wrap up this little sermon to myself I shall say...

Never forget the love of Christ to you so that you may show the sove of Christ to all others. You have been forgiven much therefore forgive much.

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, ’til life’s storm is past;
Safe into the haven guide; receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, I helpless, hang on Thee;
Leave, oh leave me not alone, support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head, in the shadow of Thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, are all I want, here more than all I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; for all eternity

Charles Wesley