SAFE SIN

We are in danger of living a spineless, arrogant, self-centered and presumptuous life as Christians. Over-stated? Maybe, but I think not. We can be spineless, claiming to be believers, while unwilling to say that there are absolutes that God expects us to acknowledge and stand up for. That sin is sin, and as such has horrifying consequences and implications in our lives. Arrogant, knowing that we are right about what we believe and others fall so short of our enlightened doctrine or denomination. Self-centered and presumptuous, expecting the world, and even other Christians,  to be astounded and awed by our admirable and impressive  lives.  Of course we would never admit that any of that were true. We just live that way at times, legalistic and proud we're doing all the right things. We're not as different from the Pharisees as we would like to think, are we?
     All of this leads to so much of my appreciation for the writings of J.C. Ryle. He tells it like it is, and trusts God to lead you in sorting out how your own heart should respond. He says that... "a scriptural view of sin is one of the best antidotes to that vague, dim, misty, hazy view of theology that is so painfully current in the present age. (That current age was 1877, by the way!) ...Streams that once were narrow and deep have become wide and shallow, and what we have gained in outward show we have lost in quality.  ...it is entirely possible to live a careless, easy-going, half-worldly life, and yet at the same time to maintain evangelical principles and call ourselves evangelical people. (Ouch!)...I am convinced that the first step towards attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin."
     In contrast to his view, I fear we often treat sin as if it tolerable in small doses. We make it "safe" by discussing it intellectually, philosophically, theoretically, rubbing our chin with furrowed brow, shaking our head at how others allow it in their lives. We keep it at a safe distance from our hearts, instead of allowing it's presence to drive us humbly to our knees in repentance and sorrow. In short, we consider sin to be less sinful than God considers it to be, and are perfectly content to do so. And then we wonder why our faith seems irrelevant to some, anemic to others, and falls so short of the life-changing power that God intended it to have.
     The discussion of sin vs. holiness is a complete waste of time if there is no impact or change in our lives. My hope is that, as I re-read Ryles' book and share segments with you, it will impact my thinking and my actions as I more clearly see how God views these things, and that you will be encouraged in the same way.






                                                                                                                             

HOW UGLY IS UGLY?

You have to love automatic reflexes. I have discovered a way to make people roll their eyes. No, really. Just mention the word "sin". Talk about an old-fashioned word. If used in modern day conversation, at least 50% of your audience will tune you out. Of course it is not surprising that in a world of moral relevance, a word like sin, which is pretty absolute, has to be classified as a relic. (Absolutes can be so inconvenient!!)But whatever name you put on it, we see the results all around us. Murder, hatred, infidelity, greed, lust, and we all know that the list is endless. So for the sake of discussion let's just call it what God calls it...sin. If we admit that there is such a thing as sin, it requires us to take a look at our own soul, give up living any way we want, and even thinking about the possibility that there may be a God who requires something of us in response to that admission.

J.C. Ryle begins his book on holiness with a chapter on sin. If sin and holiness are opposite bookends, one makes no sense without the other. If we deny what he calls the "sinfulness of sin", we do two things. We minimize the destructive, horrifying impact it has on both our soul and our physical lives. And we dilute what holiness means, because we're really "not that bad". Lower the bar, and we don't miss it so badly. We don't want to admit how bad sin really is, largely because our hearts are "deceitful above all things". (Jer. 17:9) So we make excuses, justify our behavior, compare our actions and our lives with those who are "much worse" than we are. Sin isn't really all that ugly, is it? 

Ryle also says that "Sin will rarely present itself in it's true colors, saying I am your deadly enemy, and I want to ruin you forever in hell". Our society goes one step further, denying the existence of sin and of hell. How convenient! If we saw even a fragment of the horror of sin, we would see both why God calls us to holiness, and why he sent His son to make that possible. I continue to be astounded at my own behavior, not only in not pursuing holiness, but indeed turning my face away from God and towards those actions and attitudes that promise nothing but destruction and pain. The apostle Paul had it exactly right when he said in Romans 7 that "What I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do." (In fact the entire book of Romans contains many descriptions of both the nature and the results of sin. Phrases like: Their foolish hearts were darkened...They exchanged the truth of God for a lie...They invented ways of doing evil...the wages of sin is death...) 

Our pursuit of holiness should be in recognition that what God says about sin is true. That it will cause unimaginable harm to us, both spiritually and physically. That it is uglier, more grim, more horrific and more deadly than we can begin to imagine. Only then will the pursuit of holiness even begin to seem important to us.

Contemplations...

The week between Christmas and New Years is, as I suspect for many, a time that I try to stop and reflect on the old year and look ahead at the new. Looking back, the past year always has it's triumphs and it's hardships. That's just life. But as I get older, I am struck by the fact that my "New Years" are running out. There is a collision coming between my next heartbeat and my last breath. That might come today, or in 40 years, but it is indeed coming. As I thought about this, I pictured standing in eternity and looking back. Because I tend to look at my life as the many things I want to be and do, with eternity as a footnote. I should be looking at eternity as the reality, with my current life as a footnote. That is so difficult because this fleeting, temporary life is so close to my eyes that it blocks my vision.

My prayer for the New Year is that my goals would be less and less about losing weight, eating more healthy, accomplishing projects on the house, etc, etc, and more about clarity of sight regarding eternity.

One of the verses I have come to love is in Exodus 33:13.  "If I have found favor in your eyes, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you." Unless God softens my heart and changes me deep inside, I will not even desire to know Him. It is humbling to me, because I know that I don't deserve even that.

So happy New Years, and may it be one in which you join me in striving to see that eternity is what matters, and not a single thing that seems to be so important right now. Whether it be in joy or crushing pain, I serve a sovereign God that I can trust to be faithful.


Ken