How Should We Respond to Sin?
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How much do you hate sin? That may seem like an odd question to ask yourself, but it’s an important one. It’s a question that too few Christians consider today. We exist in a culture that has established rights and wrongs, which every culture does, but ours, in particular, has lost moral clarity in recent decades. A once-Christian nation has given way to a secular society. Ideas that were considered sinful, or at the very least, fell into some gray area, are now tolerated and encouraged.
If today you consider yourself a Christian but also think and act like the world, you should reevaluate your faith. Only God can see into your heart, but based on Scripture, we can say with confidence that Jesus was in the world but not of it. We see this time and again through how people hated him and eventually killed him. If you aren’t threatened by our culture, which promotes abortion, transgenderism, and racism, then how are you with Christ? How can you claim to hate sin?
I’ve certainly been guilty of imagining Jesus as a peace-loving hippie who is a pacifist in every regard. Now, I understand that Jesus has an aggressive side towards sin. God shows anger and jealousy. The Bible is full of violence. What these truths should reveal to us is that our lives are not meant to be peaceful in every single way. We won’t get along with everyone we meet, nor should we. Oftentimes, following Christ means turning against people we would otherwise attach ourselves to, even those in our households.
With that in mind, here are a few ways we should respond to the sin in others and ourselves as we struggle with modern society:
Judgment
To judge is to discern between good and evil, or in other words, form an opinion. Everyone who has the ability to reason practices judgment and discernment every day. We decide between what to wear, what to eat, what to talk about, and about right and wrong. As believers, we should find the courage to voice our opinions when it comes to the sins of our brothers and sisters.
Call Christians Out
Other believers, along with ourselves, need to be called out for inconsistencies, shortcomings, and sin. We can’t always expect people to change on their own. Not everyone is self-aware, and even those who are can’t see all of their misdeeds. Don’t be afraid to call sin for what it is. Holding back is a sin within itself.
Repent
With fewer believers in the culture today, being accepted by the majority would feel nice. Then, we would feel less isolated on the job, in the community, and everywhere else. However, this is a fallen world, one that will pass away. God and salvation, on the other hand, are true, good, and will last forever. If we live by the world’s standard, then we live according to sin. We prevent ourselves from finding that everlasting life. Don’t let anyone stop you from following Him with all of your heart. Repent and seek to be more like Jesus daily. Encourage others to do the same.
If we hate sin, then ignoring it isn’t possible. Scripture makes clear the consequences of sin and how we can escape its clutches. Day by day, we get to make that choice. We certainly can’t peer into someone’s heart, nor can we change them, but as Christians, we should strive to serve others by helping them become better. Likewise, we’ll be growing as well, lessening the hold over us Satan is constantly seeking.
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