From early centuries, a list of Seven Deadly Sins (based on Proverbs 6:16-24) has been recognized in the Church. Writers from Dante to C.S. Lewis have discussed this list that includes pride, greed, envy, anger, lust, gluttony and sloth. Some works of contemporary art and media also deal with these issues. Some of them truly have become socially acceptable, even among believers.
"... let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us "(Hebrews 12:1, NIV).
We have a race to run; let’s not get bogged down by becoming entangled with socially accepted sin.
Different attitudes toward sin can usually be found among churches. Some so desperately want to emphasize the love of God that sin is never mentioned. In the same manner, some want to take the positive approach toward the Christian life, talking only about the benefits of believing. Others say simply that sin is sin and God forgives us, so why bother to even think about it.
We think about sin because Scripture speaks about it. Examining our understanding of sin—and our attitude toward it—increases our self-knowledge, an important step in spiritual growth.
The beauty of the Christian faith is that we have a means for dealing with sin when we become aware of it in our lives. Some people try to deal with sin by denying it even exists. They think if we don’t name sin, then we won’t have to deal with guilt. Others try to bury sin by some form of excessive living: drinking, drugs or overworking. Still others try to balance their sins with good works, hoping to tip the scales in the right direction.
But Jesus offers us the only means of truly dealing with sin, by confessing it and asking for His forgiveness:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness"(1 John 1:9, NIV).
This is what I tell Johnathan: Don't ask for forgiveness just because you think it will solve what you think went wrong. Ask for forgiveness when you Know exactly what you are need to be forgiven for and are really wanting to change. Changing the way we live can be hard but confessing and asking for forgiveness without a true repented heart will lead you back into what you were needing forgiveness in.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the sins that our in the Lord's house. I think with the changes in society, the church changes to meet the "standards" of the people. We forget the word of God doesn't change.
ReplyDeleteWe have to be vigilent in living by what the Word says, and not by what the world says.
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