When I Decide that Sin Isn’t Sin

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the

knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left. . .”

Hebrews 10:26 (NIV)

It was one of those moments that, years later, still makes me shake my head and smile. Noah and Lola, both 4 years old, were having a heavy conversation over a lunch of mac ‘n cheese and chocolate milk.

“Noah, when I’m 10, I’m going to see an R-rated movie,” Lola informed him.

Noah immediately answered. “You can’t see an R-rated movie. If you do you will go to “hail,” Lola.”

But she shook her head “Yes I CAN see an R-rated movie. I won’t go to “hail” if I do.” Noah totally disagreed. “Yes, you will, Lola. You will go straight to “hail” if you see one.”

The conversation went back and forth for several minutes.

Finally Lola sighed and held up both her hands. “Okay, fine. I’ll go see an R-rated movie and then after it’s over, I’ll ask God to forgive me.” Mercy.

Obviously, at 4 years of age, Lola had no concept of Hebrews 10:26 but evidently she had heard a conversation somewhere about doing something you know you should not be doing and THEN asking God to forgive you.

So what does it mean to “deliberately keep on sinning”? I believe it comes down to this: knowing the clear commands of Scripture but choosing to ignore them and do what we want to do instead. Not confessing but continuing our sin; not battling against it but willingly surrendering to it day after day.

For example, do we focus on loving money to the point that every day is filled with how to obtain more and more wealth? We are told in I Timothy 6:10 that the love of money only leads to all kinds of evil. We know that and yet we continue holding it up as our god. “But we all need money to live!” we declare as we try to justify our sin.

Or perhaps we are in a sexual relationship outside of our marriage. We know that we are clearly warned in I Corinthians 6:18 to run from sexual immorality and yet we ignore the word of God and continue sinning. “It’s okay because we love each other” or “we are engaged and getting married anyway” we rationalize our sin.

Before you say “Yes, but no one is perfect! We all sin!” I completely agree. We all mess up and as Christians we know our trust and faith are in the only One who died for us and who promises forgiveness when we confess our sins to Him.

But when we intentionally sin, knowing God’s word is opposite of what we are doing, we are rejecting the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for each of us.  

Jesus became the Ultimate Sacrifice for our sins with His death on the cross. Resolve today, not to deliberately keep on sinning but to deliberately keep on turning to Him for forgiveness and renewal.  

Father, thank you for your grace and forgiveness. I do not want to ever deliberately sin against you. Help me to stay in your word to seek truth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Can you recall a time in your life when you knew you were deliberately sinning but you didn’t care or repent?

Application

• Journal anything in your life that you think might be “deliberate sin.” Read through the Word and write Scripture verses that speak to each entry. Ask the Lord to forgive you and help you begin anew by His grace and mercy.

Power Verses

• Hebrews 10:26 (NIV) “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left. . .”

• II Peter 2:21 (NIV) “It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.”

• Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God . . .”

• James 4:17 (NIV) “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”

• I John 1:9 (NIV) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 

A Hair-Raising Experience

“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t

be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Matthew 10:30-31 (NIV)

I knew when I was a little girl that I was not blessed with a full head of hair like my sisters. For one thing, it was obvious when I looked in a mirror. But until I was about 10 years old, I thought it was somehow the fault of my mother’s attempt to tame my hair.

 I had even considered that when God was creating me, He called out “Hair!” but one of the angels thought He said “Nair!” and dumped a bottle of the instant hair remover in my genes. And then I saw some pictures of me at about 2 years of age.

“How in the world could you cut my hair like that?” I demanded of my mother. “I look weird.” She immediately shook her head. “It wasn’t me. You didn’t have any hair until you were five years old.”

Perhaps that will help you to understand why, at first, I was not overly impressed with the Scripture in Matthew 10 about God knowing how many hairs I had on my head. I remember thinking “How big a deal is that if you have hair like mine?” But further inspection reveals so much more about what Jesus meant.

On average, there are over 100,000 strands of hair on a young adult. Each individual hair lasts for two to six years before it falls out and another begins to grow and take its place. There is no way I could figure out a system to correctly count the number of hairs on my head – or any one else’s for that matter. What a tedious, time-consuming job that would be!

But is that all Jesus was saying? That He was divinely capable of doing a head – err – hair count? Not at all. I believe that Jesus is using a visual picture to show us just how much we are loved.

First, He is emphasizing to us that He has knowledge of all things, no matter how insignificant they may seem to the world around us.

Secondly, He is subtly reminding us that He is our Creator and knows exactly how we are made – from our heads to our hearts to our toes – because He designed us!

Do you get it? If He cares enough to want to know everything about us, it is because He is crazy mad in love with you and you and you and me! And for that very reason He will watch over us, His priceless creation, each and every day.

I am never going to have hair like a model but I am always going to have a Father who values every hair on my head because of His great love for me.   

Father, Thank you for reminding me in today’s Scripture that you know everything about me, your creation, and that you love me more than I can ever imagine. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Have you ever felt like you weren’t worth very much to the Lord?

• What person or situation caused you to feel that way?

Application

• Write today’s Scripture on a note card and place it with your combs and brushes as a reminder of God’s love for you.

• Each time you brush your hair, silently thank the Lord for loving you enough to watch over each detail of your life.

Power Verses

• Matthew 10:30-31 (NIV) “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

• Luke 12:7 (NIV) “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

• Psalm 121:3 (NIV) “He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber…”

• Isaiah 43:1 (NIV) “But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’”

• John 10:3 (NIV) “The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

Was That A Putdown?

"The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself:

God, I thank you that I am not like other men - robbers, evildoers,

adulterers - or even like this tax collector."

Luke 18:11 (NIV)

            There is an “unspoken” rule when working out at the gym: never come in and take over any equipment without asking the people already working out if they are using it.

            That really is just common courtesy. Some people combine two or three machines at a time when exercising, making it necessary to adjust a workout routine around them.

            That was why, when I walked into the gym, I stretched and then asked a guy who was working out which machines he was currently using. His reaction made me smile – at first.

            He looked at my muscles compared to his (David vs Goliath) and laughed “Oh, you and I won’t be using the same machines, I guarantee you” and turned around, smiling.  As he moved away, he – perhaps unintentionally – flexed his arms in what seemed to be a “see why we do not compare?” movement.

            After I smiled and started my workout routine, I ran several responses through my mind: “I had shoulder surgery a year ago and I am just getting back into shape.” Or “They call me small but mighty” to “I just didn’t want my workout to interfere with yours” but I remained silent. Why?

            Because I was embarrassed. I work out 6 to 7 days a week and, for me, they are tough workouts. I am committed to what I do. No, I don’t look like him (and would never want to) but those few words made me feel like the workout I did was unimportant and inferior compared to his.

            Today’s Scripture involves a Pharisee who thought fairly highly of himself. He compared his prayer time to that of a tax collector who had also come into the temple to pray. His prayer was not “have mercy on me” as the tax collector had prayed but rather “thank you that I am not like other men.” What a putdown to the tax collector! “Yes, you may be at the temple to pray BUT you don’t compare to me!”

            As I worked out, I found myself wondering if, as a Christian, I sometimes treat people with superiority and righteousness.  Someone tells me “I was so glad I could find time to read my Bible twice this week!” Do I praise them or do I respond with “Well, I read mine every day, without fail.”

            When someone shares “I finally got up the nerve to share Jesus with my neighbor!” what is my response? “How wonderful!!” or do I think “Nice, but I do that all the time.”

            To be honest, I have no idea if that “Goliath” at the gym was comparing his muscles to mine and laughing at me or if he was simply answering my question. My perception might have been wrong.

            But his reaction to my question really served as a wake up call to me about my attitude as a Christian toward others and how I respond when they share their successes. May I never utter one putdown but always remember to build up!

            Father, I have no right to act in any way superior to those around me. Please forgive me for those times I put someone down, simply because I thought I was better than they. I pray the words from my heart will be filled with mercy and grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

* When someone shares with you, is your first response praise and encouragement? Or do you try to top what they have to say with your actions?

Application

* When someone shares their success, listen carefully and focus on what they are saying. Then encourage and praise them.

* Push to the back of your mind those things you have succeeded in and do not share them at this time. Remember the focus is on them and not on you.Your success is not more important than theirs.

Power Verses 

 Luke 18:11 (NIV) “The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.”

·      Matthew 7:1 (NIV) “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

      Romans 2:1 (NIV) “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”

  

·     Proverbs 16:23 (NIV) “A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.”

·     James 4:6 (NIV) “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

Agenda of Compassion

“…I was a stranger and you invited me in.

I needed clothes and you clothed me.

I was sick and you looked after me…”

Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV)

You think you’ve had a bad day? Remember the poor guy in Luke 10:30-37? The one who was beaten, stripped naked and left for dead by robbers? Now that would definitely be a bummer of a day. But what happened next was perhaps even worse.

Three men came by and saw him. Two couldn’t get away fast enough. We are not told why they “passed by on the other side” but are only left to wonder what could have been more important than the needs of this badly beaten man on the ground.

But the third man? Totally different reaction. Not only did he see the terrible situation but he acted. Out of duty? Not at all . . . out of compassion. He immediately bandaged the man’s wounds, took him to be cared for by an innkeeper, and paid for it out of his own pocket.

 He even went further: he told the innkeeper that when he returned, he would reimburse him for any extra expenses above what he had already given him. In other words, his compassion for this total stranger didn’t stop once the immediate need had been met. It continued on and on.

He could have said to the beaten man “I see that you have a bit of a problem here. Let me check my IPhone to see what I have scheduled and then I’ll call my secretary to try to pencil you in on my agenda next Tuesday…say 10:00? I promise to get back with you…oh, and I’ll be praying!”

But instead, he saw the need, he felt compassion, he took care of the need.

Matthew 25:35-36 is glaring in comparison to my attitude and actions when I see a need at times. And I am ashamed. A car is stopped alongside the road on my way to church. Maybe I don’t hurriedly “pass by on the other side” but I rationalize that I am a female so it might be dangerous for me to stop so I drive on.

“I was stopped beside the road today and you saw me but you looked the other way and drove on.” - Jesus

The person ahead of me in the checkout line is digging unsuccessfully for the money she needs for her purchases. Do I step up, without judging, and help? Or do I switch all my items to another line and go on?

“My bank account was low because of the medical bills for my children and you ignored my need and walked away.” - Jesus

The thing is, I truly want to be like that Good Samaritan because I long to be like Jesus. That will never happen until I see others as He sees them: with compassion, mercy and love and until I understand that when I take care of people around me, I am honoring Jesus.  

            So from this moment on, I will do my best to look around me with compassion, mercy and love as I take care of every need that I can.

            I repeat: I want to be like the Good Samaritan because I long to be like Jesus. What about you?

Lord, I want to be like you. I want more than anything to have your heart of compassion. Please show me what is keeping me from looking through your eyes at those around me and taking care of their needs as you did. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Have you ever seen a need that required immediate attention?

• Did you stop and meet that need? Why or why not?

Application

• When you see someone with a sign that indicates they need food or money, immediately ask the Lord for wisdom to direct what action you should take to help.

• Volunteer to work regularly in a shelter for those less fortunate.

Power Verses

• Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV) “…I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. . .”

• Luke 10:36-37 (NIV) “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

• Colossians 3:12 (NIV) “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

• I Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

• Luke 6:46 (NIV) “Why do you call  me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I  say?”

Judge Not... Even When it's Hot!

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."                                                                  Luke 6:37 (NIV)      For some reason I have the unenviable ability to pass judgment on people and situations and get caught with my foot in my mouth time and time again. Let me give you just one example.      A few summers ago, I was driving on the highway to my home from a city about 30 miles away. My little brown station wagon with no air conditioning resented the 100 degree plus weather even more than I did. My three friends (or at least they WERE my friends before this trip) liked the heat even less.       Suddenly my car began to cough and spurt and choke - similar to what WE were doing in the heat. I couldn't keep myself from groaning with dismay as I managed to guide the now silent machine with steam seeping from its hood to the side of the highway.      None of us knew anything about cars, so we stood beside the station wagon with the hood up, glaring at the engine as if we expected it to apologize for its behavior, fix itself immediately, and hum on command. Traffic ignored us for several minutes and continued to zip by.      Suddenly I realized what I should have been doing when the problem first occurred: I prayed. "Lord, please send us somebody who knows something about cars!" I whispered.      It could not have been more than one minute later that my friends and I heard an engine reduce its speed and turned to see a guy and girl on a motorcycle pass us, slow down (as if having second thoughts) and finally come to a stop several feet ahead of us on the side of the highway.      My excitement turned to instant disappointment as the young man on the motorcycle took off his helmet and turned to face us. A dirty, red bandana tied back blonde, matted, sweaty hair that appeared to have no lasting relationship with scissors or water.      Tattoos of someone named "Cheryl" were evident from east to west and the look was complimented by leather arm bands accented with silver spikes. In my mind he resembled someone from a bad movie entitled "The Hippie Who Conquered Outer Space."      I was confused. God must be hard of hearing! "Hey," I prayed silently. "I asked for somebody who knows something about cars - NOT someone who looks like he came from Mars!" As he walked toward us, the young man smiled slowly and asked, "Need some help?"      We all stared for a moment and finally I volunteered, "Well, yes, but I don't think YOU can help us. We need someone who is familiar with cars."      He just smiled that easy smile again and said, "Well, I'm not sure about the "familiar" part but I AM an auto mechanic. Will that do?" as he tightened a part here and adjusted a switch there and the car jumped to life.      Forgive me, Lord for being judgmental! Please keep working on me. I think I have a long way to go!      Father, forgive my arrogance for trying to tell you how to answer my prayer. Forgive me when you send me exactly what I need but I am so judgmental that I don't recognize your answer to my situation. Help me to look at people around me with your eyes of love and compassion. In Jesus' Name, Amen.                                                  R.A.P. it up . . . Reflect  Is there a friend who you need to ask to forgive you for judgmental comments you have made about her? Has being judgmental become a habit that you might not really want to break? Go to a Scripturally strong friend and ask her to hold you accountable for your conversations and comments. Application Ask the Lord to show you areas in your life where you are judgmental. Think back over the last few days and honestly examine conversations you have had with friends. Were your comments judgmental? Practice counting to 10 before speaking while you mentally examine the comments you are about to make. Are they judgmental? Power Verses  Galatians 2:6 (NIV) "As for those who seemed to be important - whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance - those men added nothing to my message."  Matthew 12:36 (NIV) "But I tell you that men will have too give account for every careless word they have spoken." Romans 14:10 (NIV) "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Orr why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat." Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."