Category Archives: Sin

Why Is There Evil & Suffering?

Posted on by
Reply

That Is A Hard Question!

Some of the most difficult questions I’ve ever had to answer begin with “why”—Why did my baby die? Why does a loving God allow suffering? Why is there hunger and starvation in the world? Why does God allow terrorist killers like ISIS to exist; and, why does He allow them to kill Christians? Why do sex trafficking, human trafficking & slavery exist if God is in control? Why earthquakes, tsunami’s, hurricanes & tornadoes if God is love?

There Are No Easy Answers!

First, I’ll not try to pretend that there’s an easy answer to these questions! I’ll try not to offer the usual “pat answers” & smugly look the other way! I would ask you to open your Bible to Romans 8 as I intend to reference it through this post. In v.20, the Apostle Paul makes a difficult observation: “For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it…” That seems like an obvious reference to Adam & Eve’s “Fall” in the garden! He’s saying that our present suffering, in part, is the result of God’s judicial act against Adam’s disobedience.

Adam’s Apple

There’s an old Hungarian proverb that says: “Adam ate the apple and our teeth still ache.” It means that because of Adam’s “headship” over the human race, his sinful deed was passed down through our human nature. His “headship” also carries the idea that we all sinned “in” Adam; or, if given the same opportunity, we all would have sinned just like he did. So, that’s where all the “futility”, the groaning; and, the corruption began. God followed through on His threat that, “…the soul that sins shall die.”

Hope In The Suffering

Though it sounds bleak, v.20 finishes out with these words, “…in the hope that the creation would be set free from the bondage of corruption.” In other words, pain and suffering will not continue forever! There’s a day coming when ALL of creation—including those who put their faith in Christ to save them—will be redeemed from this world’s “futility”!

The Justice Of God

God’s act was just and righteous; and, it carried with it a purpose. After their sin, God removed Adam & Eve from the Garden of Eden, Genesis says, so they would not eat of the “Tree of Life” and be eternally separated from Him. He, therefore, placed the curse on creation “…in the hope…” that it would reveal, to us, our brokenness & depravity; and, set us free from our bondage to sin. So, when our “why” questions are directed at God—almost like an accusation—they’re misplaced! We need to stand in front of a mirror, when we ask “why”; and, humbly admit: “All the pain & suffering in the world is because of my sin ‘in Adam.’ All the ‘suffering’, all the ‘natural disasters’, all the ‘futility’ is my fault!” Our “hope” is ultimately not in this world; but, in the Resurrected Christ who will one day resurrect our broken bodies in Glory! Hallelujah!

No Sexually Immoral-Conclusion:

Posted on by
Reply

A List Of Deadly Sins

God includes homosexuality as just one sin on a list of deadly sins—“Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.  And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Is Our Focus Wrong?

Look at the other sins God condemns with homosexuality—“sexual immorality” (That’s heterosexual sin!), “idolaters”, “adulterers” (Have you ever lusted after someone you’re not married to? Jesus calls that “adultery”!), “thieves”, “greedy”, “drunkards”, “verbally abusive” (I think we’ve all been guilty of that!) and “swindlers.” So, why do so many of us focus on just one of those sins? Why aren’t we equally as aggressive calling out everyone else on this list? All sin is deadly!

The Power Of The Gospel Produces Change

But, Paul makes the point, in v.11, that the power of the Gospel can change every sinner’s life— “…some of you USED to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified…” Some in the Corinthian Church USED to practice homosexuality…USED to be adulterers, thieves, drunkards, etc. But, no longer! They’ve become “new creatures” by the sanctifying power of the indwelling Holy Spirit!

We’re All Broken

Don’t ever give up on a loved one practicing homosexuality! Love them just like you’d love anyone else trapped by sin! I once held animosity toward anyone living a homosexual lifestyle. God helped me overcome those feelings by rehearsing with me how equally repulsive He found all my particular sins! I am as broken & depraved as anyone involved in homosexual sin! I take no delight that my sins are somehow less repulsive to God! My personal battle with sin continues & will continue until God gives me a resurrected body like Jesus’! God! Help us to speak the truth IN LOVE into this conversation! God loves every sinner! And, He calls them out to repentance & new life in Christ!

In Summary

I came across a quote that’s been attributed to Jonathon Parnell. It summarizes very effectively the point I’ve attempted to make in the last 4 posts related to the subject of homosexuality: “We don’t hate those who embrace homosexuality, we love them enough to not just collapse under the societal pressure. We speak the truth in love into this confusion, saying, simultaneously, ‘That’s wrong’ and ‘I love you.’ We’re not the left; we say, this is wrong. And we’re not the right; we say, you’re loved. We speak good news, with those sweetest, deepest, most glorious words of the cross — the same words that God spoke to us — ‘You’re wrong, and you’re loved.’”

(NOTE: This was the final segment of a 4-part series, posted in this blog site, on the subject of “Homosexuality”)

No Sexually Immoral-Part III

Posted on by
Reply

This Is What You Used To Be Like

In Paul’s letter to Corinth, he writes:  “Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.  And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Make no mistake, God’s inspired Word condemns the homosexual lifestyle along with all other forms of sexual sin! But, don’t make it a bigger sin than God does! Despite attempts to “explain away” this text, there is not one passage of Scripture anywhere that indicates that God has changed His mind about homosexual behavior.

Sin Defined

And, let me just expand on that a little bit—because He ALONE is God, He has the right to declare “sin” to be whatever He determines it to be. He alone is the divine lawgiver! If He declared it “sin” to drive a pink car than sin it is! If He declared it “sin” to be a football fan than sin it would be! God has created everything with a divine order. Because of our sin & rebellion, in the garden, our natural bent from conception is self-will and rebellion (Psalm 51:5).

God Is Not A “Kill Joy”

It’s futile to fight against Him (Psalm 2). We can try & play God with our life! We can rebel against Him by practicing a homosexual lifestyle, or, any of the other 8 sins mentioned here; but, we’re not gonna win! The only acceptable response to God is the “unconditional surrender” of our will & all our ways to Him—Not grudgingly! God is not the big “kill joy” in the sky! His commandments are for our good! He is benevolent & “well-intended” toward us! And, everyone who submits to His will & to His way find ultimate joy in their obedience—despite the difficulty overcoming addictive behaviors! “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome”—1 John 5:3

The Key Word

It’s the “practice” of homosexual behavior that is damning! God does not eternally condemn a sexually immoral “act”. He’s not condemning to hell anyone who’s ever been guilty of idolatry, adultery, homosexual behavior; or, anyone who’s ever stolen, been greedy, drunk or verbally abusive! Or, NONE of us could be saved! The condemnation is for “practicing” a “lifestyle” that God condemns! An unwillingness to confess it as sin—to agree with God about it! —1 Cor. 6:9-11

Come Back Next Week: When we conclude this series on “Sexually Immoral”

 

Biggie Sins vs Little Sins

Posted on by
Reply

Are Some Sins Worse Than Others?

Is it worse to commit adultery or to worship an idol? Is it worse to covet our neighbor’s car or to tell a big fat lie? Is it worse to steal a pack of gum or to murder our spouse? We all have an opinion about which is worse! That’s because we’re usually pretty good at noticing other people’s sins; but, not quite so good at seeing our own! I know I’m that way—I’m looking for grace when I do something stupid out driving; but, man, I reign down judgment when someone else does something stupid driving in front of me. That’s how most “unbelievers” view Christians in this country! And, it’s killing our opportunities to make disciples!

How Does The World Look At Most Christians?

Jesus said the world knows “we are Christians by our love.” But “unbelievers” in America have come to regard Christians as spiritual thugs & judgmental haters who pick-n-choose their pet sins to harp on! The image most non-Christians have of Christians is not a picture of the “gospel”—the “good news” that Jesus saves everyone who is broken over their sin. Rather, we’re often seen as people who cast stones @ the “BIG SINS” of others; and, pretend our “little sins” aren’t as significant. This has to stop!

All Sin Is Deadly

We have to begin to take responsibility for ALL SIN because ALL SIN IS DEADLY! The prophet Isaiah painted sin with a broad brush when he wrote, “Your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen” (Isaiah 59:2) James wrote: “For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all” (James 2:10) Because we’ve ALL SINNED, we’re ALL GUILTY! Whatever “size” our sin—a “biggie” or a “little” one—we must repent of it & trust Jesus’ atoning work on the cross or it will kill us! Imagine how much more effective God will make our relationships, with unbelievers, when we just love them like “fellow beggars” looking for food!