7-8-24<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sin. It might have different names (or euphemisms or disguises) but it is something \u2013 a challenge, a problem, an incipient cancer \u2013 about which all humans are aware. All peoples in all ages in all ways have dealt with it; almost always censoriously, of course, because our core instincts have recognition of right and wrong. When societies stray from these inherent beliefs \u2013 and rules that follow \u2013 they deteriorate. And fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A corrupted respect for sin\u2019s effects has not prevented entire cultures from occasionally \u2013 in fact, more than occasionally \u2013 dismissing its dangers, lying to themselves. We see it in history. We see it today. We see it in our midst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s \u201chuman nature.\u201d People of both the Christian and non-Christian traditions, societies calling themselves religious, and even aggressively pagan or secular cultures, fall prey to sinfulness. Usually they nominally are opposed to what we call sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, you know, you can be against things like boredom and forgetfulness and even cancer, too, but these things visit us all anyway. I frequently parry arguments from secularists and agnostics and atheists about sin (and other aspects of reality like fatal diseases or natural disasters or school shootings) \u2013 variations of \u201cHow can a loving God permit such things?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I always remind myself that people who complain in such fashion are (even subconsciously) not arguing that there is<\/em> no God; they are, in effect, confessing an inability to understand His ways. One of many answers, of course, is that God could have created a world of robots with no free will; where there would be no reason to challenge and be challenged, to \u201cadvance\u201d and better oneself; where impulses of love and charity would be needless. Boring?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a larger sense, a world where there is no such thing as sin would be a world where forgiveness, redemption, and salvation would be unknown qualities; where songs like \u201cAmazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound\u201d would be useless and confusing; where the desire to embrace joy would be, well, superfluous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is all academic, if not rhetorical, because such a world does not exist. In the meantime \u2013 excuse me while I thank God \u2013 uncountable lives through history have been ennobled by artistic expression that praises God; music that exalts God; charity that serves God. Ah, how about all the hatred and killings and wars in the name of religion, those secularists and agnostics and atheists ask. Thank you for the distinctions, I reply: they have been in the names of religion, not God \u2013 two very different sources of love and hate. Now go to your rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So\u2026 there is the problem of sin. And sin is not yielded to, by definition, except by temptation. In the 1970s the TV comedian Flip Wilson made people howl with laughter when one of his characters would scream, \u201cThe devil made me do it!\u201d Humor\u2019s foundation is a sense of recognition, and in this case it is not true that the devil makes us do anything. We can recognize that the devil may tempt (one of his job descriptions) but cannot make<\/em> us do anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recognition comes with acknowledging that we blame the devil \u2013 or a thousand other \u201ctempters\u201d \u2013 but seldom ourselves. \u201cEverybody does it.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s no big thing.\u201d \u201cWho does it hurt?\u201d and so forth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That part of the Lord\u2019s Prayer, \u201cLead us not into temptation,\u201d has always stumped me somewhat. The Bible assures us elsewhere that God will never tempt us beyond that which we cannot endure (I Corinthians 10:13) and outside what is common to mankind. So, right before petitioning God to deliver from evil, why suppose that God would<\/em> \u201clead us\u201d into temptation; and therefore pray to be delivered from that situation? In the meantime \u2013 please give us \u201cdaily bread\u201d and forgive us our trespasses… <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes; why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking very personally, I regard Biblical conundrums like this not as flaws nor contradictions nor spiritual \u201cgotchas.\u201d There are some points \u2013 for instance, when the Rapture will take place \u2013 where I think God wants us to think and pray and think and pray some more, to keep us on our toes. Thinking and praying about sinning<\/em>, it is useful to note that in one sense the entire Bible is a family album of sinners. Take a look \u2013 murderers; cheats; whores; adulterers; liars; betrayers\u2026 and those are just the heroes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Well\u2026 take heart, sinners. That fact is a message that you are not alone. More importantly, do not enter the realms of self-condemnation. Do not hide your faces from God. Do not act like all is lost \u2013 least of all, that YOU are \u201clost\u201d without hope. God hates sin, but loves the sinner. And He loves repentance and redemption most of all.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the Bible\u2019s great sinners (don\u2019t be surprised at the list), Job learned humility and obedience; Jonah learned grace; Abraham learned to be willing to sacrifice; Moses learned responsibility; David learned about confession and the need for forgiveness; Elijah learned to seek Heavenly guidance; Peter learned what the Holy Spirit could provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 all these people \u2013 every one a sinner \u2013 and so many names in the Bible, we properly regard as saints. And they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And we can be on that honor-roll, too. We were all sinners; and all may be redeemed. Remember that Christ died for us\u2026 \u201cwhile we were yet sinners.\u201d The sweetest thing in life, as we interact with friends, even strangers, is to greet and be greeted as \u201cformer sinner!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n God, our loving Father, does not lead us into temptation. In fact\u2026 neither does the devil. We lead ourselves; we yield because, basically, we want to; nothing compels us. We can resist \u2013 and when we need a little help, that\u2019s why the Holy Spirit was sent. One of His Biblical names is The Helper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No temptation, no sin, is greater than the great One who lives in our hearts. Lead yourself not into temptation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n