In Defense of Sin
Steve Schrock
We go through life without a thought to sin. Oh we know about it. I’m sure at one point in time we heard it mentioned and we formed a concept about it as to what we think it means. And now days, if anyone even mentions the word “sin” our wall goes up and we immediately take offense.
“Who are you to judge me?”, “Before you get on me about sin, doesn’t the Bible say you aren’t supposed to judge others?”, or “You have no right to say anything to me! Only God can judge me!”
It seams that even more so in recent years, we have become so good at defending our sin that we can and do justify almost anything. Because, if I can form a valid defense or justifiable reason for my behavior, then I am not guilty because I didn’t do anything wrong. And if I didn’t do anything wrong then I didn’t sin. And if I didn’t sin, then I don’t need to be saved. Problem solved! Or is it?
And you would be correct to say that only God can judge you. But the issue with that is that He already has.
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.(John 3:18-20 NASB)
No one wants their deeds exposed. I know I don’t! And it is a fearful thing to be exposed. We don’t know what would happen if we were vulnerable and open enough to admit our guilt to someone. So what would happen if I were to be open with myself and before God?
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You. (Psalm 86:5 NASB)
And maybe through no fault of our own, I think a lot of us have a misunderstanding of the nature of God. We see this angry old man in the sky just waiting to throw us into hell if we are not perfect. But that is not the story. Is it a fearful thing to be vulnerable and open? Yes. But there is no reason to fear someone who freely offers forgiveness and restoration.
So the question begs, How bad do you want your healing? Are you tired of always feeling like to have to defend yourself?
Growth does not come without first being honest with yourself.
What is step 1 in recovery? We admit we are powerless and that our lives have become unmanageable.
If you want to take a journey to faith, and healing, and wholeness, this is where you start. Start by being honest with yourself and before your Creator.
3ministry 