DUMBING DOWN SIN
We live in a time where God’s love is focused on almost to the exclusion of His holiness. Perhaps that is because we focus on our happiness more than His holiness. God’s grace, mercy, love, patience and forgiveness are wonderful, very important topics and not to be underestimated. But perhaps sometimes we should be just as focused on His and our holiness, which means keeping from sin. We are well trained as to what to do after we sin, but maybe we should put more emphasis on keeping from sin in the first place.
Jonathan Edwards said, “Any sin is more or less heinous depending upon the honor and majesty of the one whom we had offended. Since God is of infinite honor, infinite majesty, and infinite holiness, the slightest sin is of infinite consequence. The slightest sin is nothing less than cosmic treason when we realize against whom we have sinned.”
Instead of looking at sin as to how it affects us we should look at how it affects God. What does He think of my sin? Picture Jesus on the cross – that’s what He thinks of it! If we would think of Jesus paying for that sin on the cross perhaps we wouldn’t take it so lightly. I emphasize this to the pastors and wives who come to each conference, and while doing so I remind myself as well. I need it as much as they do!
1 Peter 14-16 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Habakkuk 1:12-12 Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, Lord, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.
Do you sometimes take a light view to sin in yourself or others? Are there certain sins that you tend to overlook as not too bad? Is there any sin in your life you try to ‘dumb down’ so it doesn’t seem offensive?
Pray and ask God to help you see sin from His eyes. Confess any sins that haven’t been confessed and ask God to help you live a holy life.