"This Is Fine"
EPISODE 58
Run from the Burning Building of Sin
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What would you do if your house was on fire? We'd probably grab our kids and get out of the house! Spiritually speaking, many find themselves in the blazing inferno of their sin-filled lives. Though, instead of running to safety, they quietly sit at the kitchen table and enjoy a cup of coffee. "This is fine," they say.
Satan's always trying to minimize the results of sin, making it look better than it is. He disguises it and wraps it up in a cute little bow for us. He's been hiding the terrible effects of sin from us since the beginning, as he told Eve, "... You will not surely die ..." (Gen. 3:4-5).
Let's look at three ways we convince ourselves that things are "fine," when they aren't at all.
I Didn't Know
Many who followed Jesus to his crucifixion didn't fully understand why they were there or what they were supporting. Later on, Peter says, "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ... Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:17-19). While they "acted in ignorance," Peter still labeled these actions as "sins," which they needed to repent of.
We may ignore our failures and shortcomings, but God won't ignore them. So let's prayerfully take stock of our lives, and see ourselves as clearly as God sees us.
It Didn't Hurt Anyone
Sometimes we justify our sins by looking at their impact on others. Even if they hurt no one, there's always a cost when we choose evil — a price that you are paying! As Isaiah said, "... your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear" (Isa. 59:2).
Some sins damage other people, but all sin destroys our relationship with God. Let's treat our bodies like God's temple, driving out evil to focus on his righteousness (1 Cor. 6:18-20).
I Didn't Get Caught
When the cop pulls you over for speeding, are you sorry that you violated the law, or sorry you got caught? Often in our walk with God, we forget that he's always watching (Heb. 4:13). He will bring to light all the things we think are hidden. As David said, "For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence" (Psalm 90:7-8).
So let's look around and see the dangerous situation we're in when we practice sin. And let's get out of that burning building before it's eternally too late!
