"But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God has passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:21-26 (NKJV)
Why do you think sin is such a difficult topic for Christians today? Why is it that every time sin comes up in a conversation, judgement and hatred shortly follow and lead to the typical "speck in your brother's eye before the plank in your own" argument? (Matt. 7:3-4 Even most non-believers know these verses.) Why do we almost immediately become defensive about our sin, even in the counsel of Godly men and women? Don't we all sin? Doesn't God view all sin as equally bad? Aren't all believers covered by the same amount of grace? Then why do I have so much trouble addressing sin in the same way that Jesus did?
The Bible tells me that sin is bad, and the world says that because I sin, I am bad. I don't want to be bad, so I cover up my badness by pointing out how much worse your sin is than mine (Matt. 7:3-4). Jesus knew this is the way the Enemy would divide even the Church, so that we would focus so much on sin that we miss out on grace and forgiveness. The unfortunate part is that in order to receive the freedom that comes with the grace of God, I have to, in fact, acknowledge my sin and repent (turn away and put my focus back on God).
I'm called to make disciples of the nations (Matt. 28:19), but that has always seemed to lead me to discussing sin. If that discussion were to come across as judgmental and crass, then I probably just built a wall between a soul and Jesus Christ. Too often I've found myself lacking in this area.
Then one afternoon, as I was reading the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), I realized why I couldn't reveal sin without judgment. To Jesus, it was never about a sinner, it was about a child of God. Jesus began his conversations truly invested in a person, not his or her faults. He presented His life through relationship. When Jesus addressed this woman, He began by breaking down the boundaries the world had used to separate them. (In this case, race. Jews didn't associate with Samaritans.) Despite the disciples disapproval, He treated her as equal, building a personal relationship, and she began to trust Him, even as they later discussed her sin. He said exactly what she needed to hear to steer her toward salvation. She began to see her own life and the changes that needed to be made for her to have real joy. Even though Jesus was sinless and He could have judged her, He never condemned her. He showed her the gift of grace with His truth, leading to healthy conviction. Because of that, He was not only able to meet her where she was, but He used her to reach the city.
My job is not to point to sin, but to point to grace. God hates sin but not sinners. My battle is not with the sinner. With him or her, I am an equal, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But through grace, freedom from sin is possible. My job is to show them Jesus and plant a seed, and then teach them how to cultivate that seed with the Word and relationship. The Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.
Father, help me to know what to say and when to say it to grow Your Kingdom. Judgment is reserved for Your throne, so help me to show people Jesus and know when to stay out of the way and let You move. Thank You for the forgiveness of sin. I know that I do not deserve it, nor have I earned it, but it is by Your grace that I can be free. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Why do you think sin is such a difficult topic for Christians today? Why is it that every time sin comes up in a conversation, judgement and hatred shortly follow and lead to the typical "speck in your brother's eye before the plank in your own" argument? (Matt. 7:3-4 Even most non-believers know these verses.) Why do we almost immediately become defensive about our sin, even in the counsel of Godly men and women? Don't we all sin? Doesn't God view all sin as equally bad? Aren't all believers covered by the same amount of grace? Then why do I have so much trouble addressing sin in the same way that Jesus did?
The Bible tells me that sin is bad, and the world says that because I sin, I am bad. I don't want to be bad, so I cover up my badness by pointing out how much worse your sin is than mine (Matt. 7:3-4). Jesus knew this is the way the Enemy would divide even the Church, so that we would focus so much on sin that we miss out on grace and forgiveness. The unfortunate part is that in order to receive the freedom that comes with the grace of God, I have to, in fact, acknowledge my sin and repent (turn away and put my focus back on God).
I'm called to make disciples of the nations (Matt. 28:19), but that has always seemed to lead me to discussing sin. If that discussion were to come across as judgmental and crass, then I probably just built a wall between a soul and Jesus Christ. Too often I've found myself lacking in this area.
Then one afternoon, as I was reading the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), I realized why I couldn't reveal sin without judgment. To Jesus, it was never about a sinner, it was about a child of God. Jesus began his conversations truly invested in a person, not his or her faults. He presented His life through relationship. When Jesus addressed this woman, He began by breaking down the boundaries the world had used to separate them. (In this case, race. Jews didn't associate with Samaritans.) Despite the disciples disapproval, He treated her as equal, building a personal relationship, and she began to trust Him, even as they later discussed her sin. He said exactly what she needed to hear to steer her toward salvation. She began to see her own life and the changes that needed to be made for her to have real joy. Even though Jesus was sinless and He could have judged her, He never condemned her. He showed her the gift of grace with His truth, leading to healthy conviction. Because of that, He was not only able to meet her where she was, but He used her to reach the city.
My job is not to point to sin, but to point to grace. God hates sin but not sinners. My battle is not with the sinner. With him or her, I am an equal, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But through grace, freedom from sin is possible. My job is to show them Jesus and plant a seed, and then teach them how to cultivate that seed with the Word and relationship. The Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.
Father, help me to know what to say and when to say it to grow Your Kingdom. Judgment is reserved for Your throne, so help me to show people Jesus and know when to stay out of the way and let You move. Thank You for the forgiveness of sin. I know that I do not deserve it, nor have I earned it, but it is by Your grace that I can be free. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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