Daddy always told me that I should not look for trouble. He said it would find me if I weren’t careful. But today, I am looking for trouble. Specifically, I am searching for sin. I am not looking to commit sin, but I am curious if sin still exists because, from what I hear lately, it has been eradicated. Like smallpox, society has mounted an effort to destroy sin. Seemingly, the world has been successful.
Lying is no longer sinful. It is now described as “advertising” or “politics.” Sexual sin is now “an alternative lifestyle” and is presented as one choice among many. Murder is a “woman’s right.” Greed is “success.” Immorality is opinion. Sin is no longer part of the conversation.
This is troubling because God still speaks of sin. Jesus’ blood still lingers beneath the old rugged cross because of sin. Just because society has banned sin, it does not mean that God’s word has suddenly fallen silent. It has not.
Sin occurs anytime we violate the glory of God. It happens when we transgress God’s will. We sin when we do not reflect his beauty to the world around us. Defined in such broad terms, it is not surprising that we often sin (Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 15:34, 1 John 1:8). When we understand the extraordinary purity of God, we begin to see just how far we miss the mark. We are not God. We are nowhere near the virtue of God. Thankfully, God extended himself to us in Jesus Christ who reconciles us to himself (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Colossians 1:20-22).
But how can a man be reconciled when he rejects the very premise of sin?
Our world wants to be comforted. Society seeks affirmation that all is well. The Bible speaks of people who have “itching ears” (2 Timothy 3:3-5), who conspire against the good word preached by God’s people (2 Chronicles 24:20-22; Jeremiah 18:18), and who desire soft words of comfort and not condemnation. Sadly, many teachers have bowed to society’s demands and no longer preach truth but instead offer words of ease to a people in need. It is as if a man with undiagnosed cancer visits his physician and is told that all is well. He is comforted all the way to his grave! We ask the world, do you want comfort or truth? Cure or complacency?
Is there any truth in the world for you? Can good and evil be distinguished? Where would you draw the line? Does anything go?
