I've Avoided the Subject... Until Now.

The title is dead-on. This blog post is about sin. I'm no expert on the theology mumbo-jumbo of sin (did I really just type that?) Anyway, don't read too much into the specifics of this post. But it's real. So real! So while it's a subject I've avoided at nearly every turn, bump and pothole I have witnessed or personally experienced... it's not going to go away; therefore, I'll make my point.   

Since I can remember, I've had a phrase I repeat... to myself, my friends and my family. It goes something like this... "Everything you do, affects someone else." I'm not sure where I picked that up from. Maybe off the side of the road?! But when I read this quote tonight, it puts the more harsh reality into my mantra:

"It's a hard truth that our sins almost NEVER affect only us. And that sin, even when we sincerely repent, still carries earthly consequences both for us and others. Just ask the child of divorced and warring parents, the family of a white-collar criminal, or, well, you get the picture..."

Sin isn't biased--it doesn't pick a certain group of people. Sin hurts others. Sin hurts ourselves. Sin carries difficult, negative consequences. Sin breaks up families and relationships. Sin is just as much about inaction as action. Sin affects everyone. Even God. Even Jesus. We are all affected by the sometimes harsh realities of the decisions people, especially the one's we love, make. Even when we repent. It's there. That makes it real, too.

I struggle with that. Because I wish sin wasn't a big deal. I wish my sin wasn't a big deal. Yep! Such a human-thing to say. It's hard for me to fully comprehend my loving, gracious, grace-giving God would see the dirt on my hands and in my heart. And on those hands and in those hearts around me. And He is... He is ALL of those things.

Growing up I saw other church denominations focus on the concept and realities of sin as an intricate part of their beliefs. In my church, we talked a lot more about g-r-a-c-e and a-c-c-e-p-t-a-n-c-e and being l-o-v-e-d by God... every. single. one. of. us!! So, I hated talking about it. It was too tough. Now, now... I can clearly see that it's a part of every one's Faith! We are all hurt by and guilty of sin. 

But sin is not the end all - be all.