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.