Sin

A few weeks ago I was invited to join an online forum for spiritual writers. Because of who invited me I accepted the offer.

My first encounter with the group was a discussion, or I could say argument, about the homosexual issue. One side was defending all people to have the right to do as they pleased, and the other side spoke against the practice of same sex unions as sin. The statement that made me take note was that sin is what we ourselves decide to call sin.

I have tried my best to stay out of conversations such as these unless God nudges me or pushes hard for me to speak up for Him. At these times I want desperately to remember that God loves all sinners enough to go the full distance to bring them back into right relationship with Him.I want to lovingly speak the truth from God's word. I do not want to twist it, nor do I want to use it as a weapon for my own purposes. It is not an easy prospect.

My first thought was that sin is not determined by men (or women). It is against God first and affects people. Joseph, in Genesis 39:9, when Potiphar's wife approached him inappropriately, countered her by saying about his master, "He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (ESV) It would seem the betrayal would be against Potiphar, but Joseph recognized that sin is against God.

We all know, deep down, what is right and what is wrong according to God. We often try to choose our own way, our own law to go by, but to do so is defiance against the Creator and Judge over us.

Sin. It is not ours to decide. Our legalization of any choices in which we want to engage, can never be okay as long as God says differently. From my understanding His word remains firm on sin. That is why He sent a Savior. We need Him!

Savior and Judge of all sin, You are Holy. You are Pure. You are Immutable. Forgive us our many sins, including those which we try to hide behind our legalizations. Thank You for making a way for us to be set free from the oppression of sin. Open our hearts to Your ways. Reveal the truth to us. Protect us from the deceiver and our own deceptive hearts. Free us!

"It Takes"

This past Sunday my Grandlady, Paige, followed Jesus into the baptismal waters. It was not an easy trip for her to make. She faced opposition and disappointment before taking her final step announcing what her heart believed. She has given her heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that her sins will be forgiven and that He will help her to grow more like Him every day. It was a wonderful celebration with the angels and those who love Jesus!

My husband, Patrick, and I had the privilege of spending some time with Paige, and her sister Brooke, the night before the baptism. We had dinner and enjoyed a movie together. As we fixed dinner, Paige confided in me that she was a bit scared about the baptism. I asked her if it was because of the crowd at church, and of course she said, "No." She told me then that she was worried that it (the baptism) wouldn't "Take." I stopped and looked at her asking if she had not already made the choice for Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. She replied quickly and with assurance that "Yes" she had. I told her that if that was the case then it already "Took" because Jesus was already in her heart. She was only taking her first step of obedience in following her Lord when she went under the water. The conversation quickly changed to the movie "Anne of Green Gables" that she had watched the night before.

When I make big decisions that take me in a new direction, I also wonder if it is going to "Take." Will my decision turn out to be right? Will things work out like I want them to work out? Will I really be going in the right direction? Yes, I too sometimes wonder if my decision to be a disciple of Christ has "taken," especially when I fight the hard battles within me. The battles are the enemy's effort meant to make me doubt, but Jesus has already won the victory for me on the cross.

Like Paige, I need to remember the truth. The battle for my heart has already been won! We have made the choice to let His victory "Take" in our lives.

Jesus, Lord and Savior, You have died, been buried and rose again so that we all can have victory! Forgive us for doubting Your gift of freedom from the eternal bondage of sin. Thank You for reminding us in our baptism that we have put our faith, our trust, and our lives in You who are faithful, strong and the Giver of grace. Teach us daily to walk in your ways even if we do not understand. I am happy to have my Grandlady, Paige as a sister in Christ! You are Good!