“Once we recognize the
universality of sin, we stop trying to convince ourselves that we are good
people; we stop trying to compute who is better than whom; and we fall
helplessly at the feet of a loving Savior who graciously gives hope meaning, purpose,
and peace.” –Mark R. McMinn
“Let him who is without sin among
you be the first to throw a stone at her.” –Jesus
How many of you have cast a stone
today? I know a few, but out of respect, I will not name them. It is no wonder
so many people turn away from the physical church. We are judgmental and
self-righteous. We arrogantly quantify and qualify sin until we have alphabetically
categorized it. Anger? Everyone can justify that, especially if someone wrongs
you. A lie is okay as long as your intentions are good, right? And pride? It’s
called self-confidence. And then everyone knows that sexual sin is the worst!
What has become of the church?
What happened to the collectivistic nature of sin? When God was dealing with
the Israelites, if a few sinned they all suffered. Doesn’t that say something
about the responsibility we have to our fellow believers to rescue them from
sinful behavior? We cannot rescue them from sin, but we can give them love and
encouragement and stand beside them and help them fight the battles of
temptation. And when they do sin, should we stand back in judgment, condemning
them with our self-righteousness? No! Do we let rage fill our hearts even if
the person’s sin has wounded us deeply? No! Or are you the only person who has
never harmed another human being through your actions? If so, then I guess you
have the right to your anger and condemnation. However, the only person who
truly never harmed another human being died to save us from condemnation. I
doubt you are holier than that.
People, when will you realize
that your self-righteousness is turning people away from a loving, forgiving
God who sees us all the same? Benedict of Nursia stated it best in his seventh
step of humility: “The seventh step of humility is when we declare with our
tongue and believe in our inmost soul that we are the lowliest and vilest of
all, humbling ourselves and saying with the Psalmist, ‘But I am a worm, and I
am the reproach of all, the outcast of the people.’” That means all of us! You are no better than the
murderer, the child abuser, the pedophile, the thief. God is holy and you are
not. You can never live up to His standard. You will always fall short, which
means you are condemned no matter what you do. However, God sent His son to
save us from our sinful condition. And your self-righteousness is repelling the
very people Jesus came to save.
My oldest son did something most
will find vile, including me. However, I know I am just as vile because I am a
sinner. At the time he needs the church the most, it has abandoned him because of
the nature of his sin. Now, more than ever he is sick and needs the great
Physician to heal his brokenness. Yet the people whom God works through have
turned their backs on him. The very people who said, “We will always love you
and be here for you,” left as soon as it got too hard and ugly. Sin is ugly—yours
as well as mine—none of it is pretty. Jesus lived in our filth after knowing
the glory of heaven. You don’t think that was difficult? But He knew He was
here to heal the sick and broken. He didn’t sit in the synagogue and say, “Oh,
I’ll pray for you,” or “Oh, I’ll send money or goods to those in need.” No, he
rolled up his sleeves and loved in very practical ways. He did not abandon us.
I know we will live with this the
rest of our lives, and I also know God is working through it. I know there are
people who have never experienced the full revelation of grace and therefore,
cannot give it. However, watch out. You will reach a point in life when you
will need the grace you are not willing to give. Just know, I will still give
it to you and so will God.
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