Saddened and Warned
Most of us learned of Governor Sanford’s personal failure this week with a deep sense of sorrow, both for his family and for once again seeing the cause of Christ ridiculed as one of our own succumbed to temptation. Yet, I trust that we were also warned in our spirit of similar temptation and dangers that confront us as well.
Most of us learned of Governor Sanford’s personal failure this week with a deep sense of sorrow, both for his family and for once again seeing the cause of Christ ridiculed as one of our own succumbed to temptation. Yet, I trust that we were also warned in our spirit of similar temptation and dangers that confront us as well. Jesus taught His disciples to pray daily “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Jesus above all understood that the battle is not simply against flesh and blood, but waged by our Enemy in the heavenlies. He is against us and seeks to destroy personal lives and families.
In many ways we tolerate a graduated view of sin, judging some to be more lethal than others. While the scripture does warn of the unique damage of sexual sin we need to remember than every sin violates our relationship with God and leads us into greater self-deception.
A friend of mine, after deep repentance and finding forgiveness for a sin such as the Governor’s, made this succinct statement,“sin makes you stupid.” This person went on to say that they could remember the day in which their heart turned away from following God and the end result was personal disaster. We see that same disaster all around us.
The apostle John calls us in I John 1 to acknowledge that we ourselves have sinned, confess our sins and take the cleansing offered by Jesus sacrifice. “Big” sins (according to our scale) don’t just happen, but follow the “little” sins of neglect, apathy, and coldness of heart. It is tempting to judge the Governor with a wag of head and tongue and fail to let his sorrow be a warning to keep short accounts with God in our own lives.
Indeed, if the greatest commandment is to love God and then to love others, daily we violate that command by apathy and self centeredness. Indeed let us “take heed” lest we fall as well.
Gwynne Johnson
Gwynne Johnson currently serves on the Board of Entrust, Inc., an international education and training mission where she authored the Entrust curriculum, Developing a Discerning Heart. She recently served as Co-Chair of the training project, Christian Women in Partnership, Russia and as Senior Director of Women's Ministry at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. Gwynne has a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. She currently lives in Huntsville, Texas with her husband of 58 years, Don. She works part-time in her daughter and granddaughter's bakery "The Best Box Ever," where she gets paid in cookies.
One Comment
Carol
Saddened and Warned
“A Graduated view of sin” captures the concept so well. I’m picturing a liquid measuring cup with all the markings on the side, people comparing the contents of their cups where less is more.