Sin is Sin

You know, there has been a lot of debate socially this week about same sex marriage. The Supreme Court has two cases before them addressing the issue. This has caused a firestorm on Facebook and other sites. People are being attacked for their views regardless of which side of the issue they fall on.

That got me to thinking. Thinking is something I love to do anyway. But specifically it made me stop and think about my own views on the subject and why I feel the way do about it. I believe that you should have an opinion on pretty much about anything. I don't believe in your right to just force your opinion on someone else. But as much as I believe you should have an opinion, you should be able to support your opinion if asked. So here goes...

I personally am against same sex marriage. My view is based on my understanding of the Bible and what it teaches. The Bible calls homosexuality a sin. For me, that is enough. I really don't have to dig any deeper than that.

But there is more to it than that, and stick with me here.

Sin is sin. Lying, cheating, stealing, murder, gluttony, and adultery are also sins right along with homosexuality. We as Christians tend to want to beat people over the head with the Bible that we tote under our arms. We point an accusatory finger in the face of those that we feel are sinning, but fail to take the personal responsibility for the areas in our lives that are sin. What we fail to realize, despite what our finite human reasoning tells us, is that one sin is not worse than another. Lying is equally as damaging as pornography. Jealously coveting your neighbor's stuff is just as much sin as murdering someone. We put different levels and labels on our sins to justify in our minds that our behavior is okay, but your behavior is wrong.

So what's so wrong with sin anyway, other than the Bible instructing us not to sin?

Sin separates us from God. That's it.

God has created us to have a relationship with Him. Sin separates us from that relationship. Sin causes condemnation. Condemnation creates inner turmoil that pushes us farther away from that relationship with God. Adam found that out first hand in the Garden of Eden when he first sinned. Ever since then God has been working to restore that close relationship with each of us. The good news is that before the foundations of the world, Jesus was made a sacrifice for us. He took my sin and your sin, along with every sickness and disease to the cross. He paid the price, died, and rose again to restore our relationship with God.

My encouragement to you today is, don't beat people up for their sins. You have enough to do just managing yourself. Walk in Love today and allow the Holy Spirit to do His job. The Holy Spirit knows how to convict without condemning. Your job is to pray for those around you and walk in love towards everyone.

I leave you today with I Corinthians 13:4-8 (Amplified Translation)

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes not account of the evil don to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ready to believe the best of every person, it hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

It's Been A While...

So, I started this blog almost a year ago.  Nine months ago to be exact.  I had fabulous expectations of creating meaningful posts several times a week that would be read by a few and spread by those few to the masses.  After two posts and a few drafts the desire was still there but the follow through got up and went.

That seems to be the way life is, filled with good intentions but lacking on follow through.  We enjoy the idea process and thinking about what life would be like if we got up and did something new.  But when it comes time to for the doing we tend to make excuses.

I don't know about you, but I am good at excuses.

I would work out more if I wasn't so tired.  I could go for a run, but it's just too cold and if it isn't too cold, then it will probably be too hot.  Not to mention that I have the wrong type of shoes, and don't have matching work out clothes.  And have you seen me run, it's not exactly graceful.  What if I enjoy running and start to lose too much weight, what then?  I will have to go buy new clothes and I hate shopping for clothes.  So it's probably best if I just kick back in the recliner, finish my Coke and polish off the rest of the Doritos!

Part of the problem for me is that my natural slant in life is to see all the obstacles in the way of achieving success.  Seeing obstacles can be a gift or a detriment depending on how it is used.  I have been (and will likely be again) guilty of living on the detrimental side and using obstacles as reasons to not even try.  I'm even guilty of not just squashing my own dreams, but the dreams of those around me as well.  The image of my wife using her hands as pretend guns shooting ideas down as she shares with me comes to mind.  Sorry Babe.

The reality is that in many cases I am capable of seeing things that others miss.  And while I could use those things to deter others (or myself), I should take it as a gift to see what lies ahead so that a plan can be put in place to deal with these obstacles before they ever become an issue.  Sort of like viewing obstacles as opportunities.  That's what successful people do.  They don't look at life and see challenges, they see opportunities.  There is usually work involved in those opportunities, but that's another blog altogether.

Bottom line is this, if there is something that you feel like you should be doing, do it. Don't get caught up in the obstacles or the excuses.  Go for it, and once you do, stick with it.  You never know where you'll end up.