What's the value of your sin?

So…first thing this morning, I saw a cartoon pic that had some men beating up another man who was lying on the ground, wearing a rainbow shirt and he was bleeding. The caption was…”If you’re using your Bible to hurt people, you’re using it wrong.”


I happen to agree with this statement. The Bible is our guide…our manual to living a Godly life. It’s not meant to be used to hurt others.


Is it up to us to point out everyone else’s sin? Or is it our job to examine ourselves for our own sin?

 I have found that it’s very easy to point out someone else’s sin, but that’s not my job. My job is to work out my own salvation…examine myself for sin in my own life. I ask God daily to show me if there is any sin in my life. I like to keep a blank page. I would have to say that a weak point for me is when I’m driving. I sometimes become angry…anger is an emotion that even God has…but my goal is that when I have anger, I don’t want to sin. But when I do sin, I realize it immediately and ask for forgiveness. It’s my job to allow the Holy Spirit to convict me of wrongdoing. I am uber aware of when I sin and I believe that’s because I keep a close walk with the Holy Spirit, who convicts me when I get it wrong. Philippians 2:12

 All too often in the Body of Christ, sins are given value. Is murder more of a sin than lying, cheating or gossiping? No, it isn’t. Sin is sin and the Bible clearly states what sin is whether it is lying, cheating, gluttony, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, abuse…sexual, physical, emotional or verbal, etc. Who are we to beat others up because we don’t like their sin more than we don’t like our own?


It’s time to have a look in the mirror…examine ourselves…and decide to live the life that God created us to live. When we look in that mirror, do we see ourselves…or do we see Jesus in our reflection? James 1:19-26


Jesus is the Light of the world and if we are Christ followers, we are the Light of the world as well. Let the Light of Jesus flow through you to all who see you. It’s the Light and Love of Jesus that will change the world, not us beating others up. Any and all who come to Jesus for salvation are subject to changing their lives to be more like Him…that’s a given. Let’s let the Holy Spirit do His job and let’s focus on ourselves, not others, to become all that He created us to be.

Being transparent with people is...

Being transparent with people is the best way to have relationships.  If we’re honest with others about our own challenges in life, it can be a definite encouragement to others.  But being transparent can be a challenge in itself.  I have found that many folks don’t want to be transparent.  So many folks don’t want others to see their flaws…but we all have flaws…there’s no getting around it!  No need to pretend that you don’t...and no need to pretend that you have it all figured out, either!

 

When we overcome a flaw, being transparent with others allows us to share how the Lord has helped us to overcome and it encourages others that may be dealing with the same issue.  It also gives us a chance to share the things that we’ve overcome…giving us confidence.    

 

The trouble is judgment that can come from others when you’re being transparent.  From my own experience I have found that there are always those who want to tell me how to fix my issue, rather than listen to what I am saying…and usually they’re the folks who don’t like to be transparent.  I have learned to just blow it off or let it roll off like water off a duck’s back.  Now…that’s easily said here, but honestly, it has taken some time for me to get to that place…and depending on the subject, I still struggle with it from time to time. 

 

Remember that we’re all going through this thing called life.  We all have only 24 hours in a day and we all breathe the same air.  No one is more special than anyone else.  We all have challenges to overcome…some more than others...so don’t judge.  Be transparent with yourself and others.  You’ll find that the more transparent you become, usually the more transparent others around you will become as well.

 

Keep Jesus on the throne of your heart and remember that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about you.  It only matters what God thinks about you…and He loves you more than any word can express.