ODJ: acceptable sins
December 20, 2009
And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? (v.3).
READ: Matthew 7:1-5
Recently, I read the story of a husband and wife who walked out of a movie theater partway through the film Milk. Both were disgusted after seeing actor Sean Penn, portraying former homosexual politician Harvey Milk, kiss another man. So they approached the box office attendant and demanded a refund. The attendant suggested they swap their tickets for a film that was about to start—The Changeling. He warned them, though, that it featured scenes of a serial killer axing children to death. The wife thought for a moment, then turned to her husband and said, “That sounds OK.”
I don’t know if the couple were Christians who felt that a public stand against homosexuality was required, or simply conservative folks who found the storyline of Milk to be distasteful. Either way, their actions reflect the hypocrisy that too many of us live out. Enraged by some sins, we turn a blind eye to others—a homosexual kiss onscreen is an outrage; a film enacting violence against children is “OK.”
Unknowingly, many believers in Jesus have adopted a list of “acceptable” and “unacceptable” sins. We are quick to declare that homosexuals, adulterers, and idolaters will not enter the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9), but fail to see that neither will the greedy (v.10)—which probably describes many of us. We may be prone to complaining and arguing, while not acknowledging that it’s wrong to do so (Philippians 2:14). Few of us will talk about the sin of gluttony as we line up at the restaurant buffet bar (Proverbs 23:20). And when we worry, we fail to see it as a lack of trust in God (Matthew 6:25-34).
The apostle Peter encouraged his flock to get rid of all evil behavior, including hypocrisy (1 Peter 2:1). May Jesus open our eyes to see the “acceptable” sins that we’re failing to see, even as we rage against the “unacceptable” sins of others. —Sheridan Voysey
What sins are you tempted to treat as acceptable? What sin is the Holy Spirit prompting you to confess today?
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it-
RSS Feed
Related
ODJ: adrenaline for the soul
April 21, 2011 At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (vv.10-11). READ: Philippians 2:5-11 Using contemporary language, while attempting to capture the depth and vitality of the original words [...]
ODJ: we’ve got answers
January 4, 2011 True wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are His (12:13). READ: Job 11:1-20 While in college, I volunteered at a center that provided emergency housing assistance. One winter day, a distraught woman called to complain about her negligent landlord. She couldn’t stay in her rental home because of severe [...]
ODJ: no kill shelter
November 1, 2009 Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do (v.12). READ: Matthew 9:9-13 Dogtown, the focus of a television show by the same title, is part of a 33,000-acre animal sanctuary in southern Utah. It’s a “no kill shelter” where dogs that might otherwise be put down, find hope. A devoted staff of trainers, [...]
ODJ: hallowed be Your name
August 3, 2010 Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy (v.9). READ: Matthew 6:9-13 In a discipleship class, the participants were asked to monitor their prayer requests in a prayer journal. The purpose was to keep track of things they would present to God. By doing so, they were encouraged to pray [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米