I guess I should start by saying, sorry. Forgive me for enraging self-righteous Christians who might stumble over this essay and actually read it.
God help me if I nudge anyone to suicide by confronting them with certain sins, which they are simply unable to overcome.
Some Christians point to themselves to show the unfaithful — even those who don’t ask — that Christ Jesus forgives them. He might not forgive other people, sure, because some sins are too grave; unforgivable. But their own sins, well, Jesus forgives them.
I watched a church-congregation change denominations because their members thought its leaders didn’t sufficiently punish a pastor who married his daughter to the woman she loved.
A leader of this congregation published a piece in a widely read magazine to claim that homosexuality was one of the worst sins anyone could commit. The leader got into it, into the details; it was scary to read.
The article scared me, at least. Let’s put it that way.
I don’t want to frighten anyone. My purpose is to challenge modern folks, who claim they are trying to imitate Christ, to soberly examine themselves and make winsome changes.
Why?
Well, I’m a sinner, church friends will tell you — I have a lot to work on, they say. I have a history of showing anger and being judgmental — unsuitable for anyone who claims to walk with Christ, right?
It’s comforting to know that Saint Peter got angry as did John the Baptist and other Bible heroes. Jesus is working on me; my temper seems to diminish as aging overtakes me.
Decades depending on Christ to keep my head above water has taught me that everyone seems to find themselves up-to-their-eyeballs in sin most every day. It takes a tremendous level of self-deception to even breathe sometimes.
Other Christians seem to believe they have overcome many of their basest sins and are serving Christ effectively. I don’t remember ever feeling that way; sometimes I wonder if I’m heaven-material.
Christ has strengthened me against youthful propensity for sexual-sin and temper-tantrums, true. Some might say I back-slide, but it’s been a while. Jesus has somehow made me better than I was, I think.
It’s true.
Some victories might be the result of aging and lowered levels of testosterone.
Who knows?
Am I deluded?
Has the Holy Spirit worked miracles in me?
It doesn’t exactly seem so. It feels like loss of whatever it was that once made me feel like a man. Maybe it’s medicines. Older folks like me, some anyway, take meds each day just to keep going.
For some strange perhaps misguided reason (sour-grapes?), I started asking questions with enthusiasm of clear conscience about activities of celebrity-style Christians. I asked: would Christian heroes of the Bible do things Christians do who live today inside the United States?
Here is a list of questions:
1 – Would John the Baptist play the stock market?
2 – Would Saint Stephen buy lottery tickets?
3- Would Saint Paul take children to the firing-range?
4- Would Saint Peter live in a gated community?
5 – Would Jesus drive a Cadillac or Tesla? Or take Uber?
6 – Would the disciples self-medicate with tranquilizers and anti-depressants?
7 – Would John, brother of Jesus, defend the Second Amendment, repeal Obama Care, build border walls, lower taxes on billionaires, or maybe defend politicians and preachers?
Readers might think of some other behaviors unique to the modern world. Are there really any good reasons to argue whether the seven peculiar behaviors in my list are sins? Isn’t it true that sin is not always easily described though it does seem pervasive; without help, humans fall, right?
Many who commit sin rationalize to keep themselves sane. Why not respect their process? Why not provide space for folks to grow spiritually and love Christ? No church does tolerance well — at least none I know. Mistakes get made. Some get hurt. Others feel betrayed.
Jesus patches things up, right? He finds ways to forgive, teach, love, and bind wounds. He makes holiness possible.
Jesus said he was the way, the truth, and life itself.
Does anyone have hope apart from the love of Christ crucified and unharmed?
Hope for what, exactly?
Billy Lee
Excellent article. I do think a Christian must constantly be on guard against self-righteousness, hypocrisy and judgment of others. However, one can become mired in one’s sinfulness which is part and parcel of being a human. I think that God doesn’t want us to take ourselves TOO seriously and to lighten up. The important thing is love and to do unto others as you would have them to unto you. Give life your best shot. I think your questions are good ones, except for the last one. I take mild offense at that one since I take an anti-depressant daily for my mental health.
A lesson I have learned that I will pass on to you and am sorry I didn’t know you hadn’t learned it is this —– The secret to a happy life is to not ask yourself a lot of heavy questions.