I recently saw a quote that made me stop
and think for a moment. It was by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Don’t judge me because I
sin differently than you.” Often in Christian circles it is not the fact that
one sins that causes the problem but that the sin is not on the socially
acceptable list.
In Proverbs we are given a list of sins
that God hates. This list is not the only one in scripture nor is it exhaustive
but it shows how God’s list of sins is all inclusive Proverbs 6:16-19 There are
six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty
eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush
into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up
conflict in the community.
In this list God includes lying and murder,
pride and gossip. In today’s society lying, gossip, pride are all socially
acceptable sins. We don’t think twice about the pastor who has filed bankruptcy
or the elder who clearly has a problem with gluttony but woe to the woman who has
been caught shoplifting. We roll our eyes at the church sponsored ”bible study”
that is really just a weekly gossip and grip session. But we ostracize the man
who has a sexual addiction.
We have pitched our tents in the land of
acceptable sins. We feel good here. The land is a little higher than others to
make it easier to look down our noses. We feel secure in this land. The
boundaries are clearly marked and we
know that as long as we stay within those we will be accepted in Christian
society. The problem with finding security here is we are living in a cesspool.
A sewage swamp of sin is not a clean or
pleasant smelling place. But, we think, everyone else looks and smells just
like me so it must be OK. Sure when we compare ourselves to those around us we
may look and smell equal or a little better. But comparing ourselves to others
is what got us in the land in the first place. Our standards should be set
based on the behaviors that God finds
acceptable.
In God’s list there are no acceptable sins. He does not see big
sins or little sins he just sees the horrific acts that sent his Son to the
cross. You see, even if all you ever did
was tell one lie your entire life it would be enough to send you into the
eternal torment and darkness of hell. One socially acceptable lie equals a
eternity separated from God. One time when we choose food over God or we murmur
about our coworker. One time is all it takes.
But, God so loved the world that he gave
his One and Only Son. One time is all it took for Jesus to pay the price for
all of our sins. All the sins of the past and all the sins of the future.
Nothing is too big for the blood of Jesus to cover. It has already been
covered.
Pull up your tent, break down camp and
leave the land of socially acceptable sins. Pitch your tent in the land of Grace.
The air is clear and the ground secure. All are welcome. There are no
boundaries to worry about. No list of rules to make you acceptable. You are
accepted because your are covered in grace. You are loved by the one who gave
his life to cover your sins.
Welcome Friend!
