Yes, some sins are worse

All sins matter. But not all sins are the same. Every sin is ultimately an offense against God, and so it requires nothing less than the sacrificial death of the sinless Son of God to make atonement for it. Still, while every sin is heinous, they are not all equally heinous. Some do more damage, and are worse for you and others. Angrily running over my mailbox is not as bad as angrily running over me. When Jesus said that to even look at a woman with lust is adultery, he wasn’t saying you might as well go ahead and do it. The sin in your heart is bad, but to add the act adds more sin. And Jesus talked about some committing greater sin. There’s a difference in degree, a difference in progression, and a difference in consequences. The person struggling with sin is leaving God’s table and eating the world’s food. The person who defiantly stays in the sin is having the devil over for dinner every night, with a permanent place at the table.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Jesus Changes Who You Are

People were waving palm branches as a sign of deliverance and victory as Jesus entered Jerusalem. But just five days later, when some realized he had a different agenda than theirs, they changed their minds about Jesus, and changed their cry from “Hosanna!” to “Crucify him!” And those palm branches turned into the cross.

What the people wanted was deliverance from the bondage of Rome. What the people needed was deliverance from the bondage of sin. They wanted political freedom and prosperity. But Jesus did not come to save us from our social situation. He came to save us from our sinful situation.

People want Jesus on their own terms. But you can’t dictate terms to Jesus. He is the conquering King, who dictates terms to you. And his terms are surrender! Jesus can save you, because he has conquered sin, death, and hell. And when you’re saved, it’s because he has conquered you! Yes, Jesus will take you as you are. But then he changes who you are!

 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Are People Better Off?

Are people better off having been with you? This is more than simply making sure that you don’t negatively affect people. This is also about positively affecting people. And that includes modeling repentance when you’ve done it wrong. Can people grow if they take your examples? Do you affect people in a godly way? This is not just about avoiding certain things around certain people. This is also about whether or not your life teaches others how to properly process, prioritize, and proportion actions, decisions, responses, and situations. 

In other words, does your life teach prudence? Does what you do model and teach others how to live a godly life? Teaching prudence is not teaching avoidance; it is teaching the timely and appropriate application of wisdom. Knowledge is what to do. Wisdom is how to do it. Prudence is when to do it. Even though we won’t do this perfectly, we can do this purposely. And that is how you help people learn to discern, and to repent, and to grow. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Facing Grief

Recently, I went on a painful journey. Me, my two brothers, my nephew, one of my uncles, and one of my cousins, went to West Virgina, to place the ashes of my mom and my dad up on a hill, where seven generations of our family are. This is what they wanted. And as much as I was grateful to fulfill their wishes, I was also full of grief.

Everyone must face grief. And avoiding it only postpones an inevitable meeting. Grief will eventually find you and you’ll have to face it. So, learning to face grief is important for your life.  

My parents were Christians. And so, I can face the waves of grief with more than sentiment and memories. I know I will see them again, and forever.  As 1 Thessalonians 4:13 says, we do grieve, but not as those with no hope. We grieve with hope. So, I can face grief with faith, and as Charles Spurgeon said, I can kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©