Thoughts on Sin

A friend of ours is going through a very difficult time as they deal with the consequences of some sin in their life. As my husband & I were discussing how to support and encourage them I have been reminded of a few truths that I thought it might help someone else to share.

1. My friend, Chad, tells his sons all the time to beware of the Enemy's snares. One of his most dangerous tricks is to switch roles from Enticer ("Come on. No one will know. This one time won't hurt. You deserve it. It's not that big of a deal.") to Accuser the moment things go bad ("You are disgusting. Look what you did. You hypocrite. How could God love you now?")

Here's a link to an excellent summary article about this concept by Chuck Lawless.

2. Grace is available to those who ask...but we must come humbly with real repentance in our hearts.

I am a big fan of Mumford & Sons music, largely because their lyrics are so thought-provoking. In one particular song, Roll Away Your Stone, they sing:

It seems as if all my bridges have been burned,
You say that’s exactly how this grace thing works
It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart,
But the welcome I receive at the restart.

I love the thought. It is so grace-filled! But as I have thought about it, I think it may be slightly flawed. In the story of the Prodigal Son it was not the party alone that changed his heart. I think the party moved him so because he was so shocked by it. The prodigal son knew how unworthy he was. He was walking home to beg his father to let him work as a servant. There was no pride, no excuses, no blame only sorrow, humility and repentance. With that as the state of his heart, the welcoming feast he received was impossible to believe. This unmerited favor and forgiveness is what changed the heart of the prodigal.

Honestly, this is where I struggle. I am at my most judgmental when trying to determine the state of another's heart. Are they really sorry? Did they learn their lesson? Have their consequences been severe enough? Are they changed?

My close friends refer to this ugly part of my sin nature as "the Equalizer." As a person who so readily claims to love grace, I have to surrender my love of justice first. Frankly, it is especially difficult as one who loves wisdom and detests foolishness and deception. I have such a hard time fully embracing all the aspects of God's character simultaneously. This sinful tendency is a thorn in my flesh reminding me constantly of my need for Him.

Lord, life on this Earth is hard. Thank you for not forsaking us or leaving us to do it alone. Help me to remember how easy it is for me to stumble when I try to make my own way. Help me see with your eyes---and love with your mercy. Amen.