I was reading the new issue of Relevant Magazine yesterday and stumbled upon an article written about “SIN” and why nobody talks about that three letter word anymore.
My interest was sparked when I saw the article because I know I’ve seen it happening slowly, but surely, but I wasn’t sure others have been seeing this shift. To tell you the truth people probably don’t talk about it, in fear of what others think or what others will end up doing once confronted about sin.
I mean that seems to be the usual reason we don’t follow through with what is right.
…right?
fear
My favorite quote from the article was,
” Widespread apathy toward sin reveals itself
in the lack of interest
in holiness. ”
True?
Not true?
What do you think about this quote?
Dude – I’m preaching on sin and holiness this Sunday out of Romans 6. I’ll be keeping an eye on this post and the comments…
🙂
This is absolutely true. It troubles me often and sticks like a burr in my soul. I’ve been thinking about ways of talking about sin that move beyond the format that has been rejected. (Not that I think the format is inherently wrong, the idea of stating absolutes isn’t actually a bad thing and we sometimes forget that for every “Blessed are the …” the silent compliment to each is “Cursed are those who …” if Jesus gives so many positive statements, the negatives are there by the sake of being in opposition to what He said we should be doing. So for my own part, and often failing, I have tried to incorporate this into the fiction I write or into blog posts when I honestly deal with myself, but on the whole, beyond what I can do, I worry. I worry because we have a tendency to make golden calves out of doubt and limitless grace, cheapening the Story, and rejecting the cross we were called to carry.
great response man. this has been heavy on the heart lately
Dude – I’m preaching on sin and holiness this Sunday out of Romans 6. I’ll be keeping an eye on this post and the comments…
🙂
This is absolutely true. It troubles me often and sticks like a burr in my soul. I’ve been thinking about ways of talking about sin that move beyond the format that has been rejected. (Not that I think the format is inherently wrong, the idea of stating absolutes isn’t actually a bad thing and we sometimes forget that for every “Blessed are the …” the silent compliment to each is “Cursed are those who …” if Jesus gives so many positive statements, the negatives are there by the sake of being in opposition to what He said we should be doing. So for my own part, and often failing, I have tried to incorporate this into the fiction I write or into blog posts when I honestly deal with myself, but on the whole, beyond what I can do, I worry. I worry because we have a tendency to make golden calves out of doubt and limitless grace, cheapening the Story, and rejecting the cross we were called to carry.
great response man. this has been heavy on the heart lately
I agree with Preston completely. I think the issue lies in the fact that our culture labels those who speak out against sin as bigots. All you have to do is read 1st Corinthians 6:9-10 to get a picture of what I’m talking about. Check out the NLT version of the passage: 9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”
We all know how people who speak out against these things, even those within “spiritual” circles, are treated after the fact.
I agree with Preston completely. I think the issue lies in the fact that our culture labels those who speak out against sin as bigots. All you have to do is read 1st Corinthians 6:9-10 to get a picture of what I’m talking about. Check out the NLT version of the passage: 9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”
We all know how people who speak out against these things, even those within “spiritual” circles, are treated after the fact.
Who gets to say what is a sin? Who gets to say what behavior is right or wrong? If God does, then we are the ones who have to adjust to him, not the other way around. We all sin or fall short of God’s requirements daily. We are accountable to him as individuals. The problem is that Christianity is being used as a political tactic to get votes. It should be up to the person both ways. If I as a gay person won’t engage in gay sex because I believe it is a sin, it shouldn’t affect another gay person who does. As long as each person has the right to be accountable to God and not forced to live a certain way by the Government. If a gay person or an unmarried person has sex outside of marriage, then that should be between that person and God.
Who gets to say what is a sin? Who gets to say what behavior is right or wrong? If God does, then we are the ones who have to adjust to him, not the other way around. We all sin or fall short of God’s requirements daily. We are accountable to him as individuals. The problem is that Christianity is being used as a political tactic to get votes. It should be up to the person both ways. If I as a gay person won’t engage in gay sex because I believe it is a sin, it shouldn’t affect another gay person who does. As long as each person has the right to be accountable to God and not forced to live a certain way by the Government. If a gay person or an unmarried person has sex outside of marriage, then that should be between that person and God.