Hi
Please receive today’s Holy Nougat It’s a serious chew.
“Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.” 1 Timothy 5:24 NLT
Hmmm
The thing is, ultimately – ALL sin is sin. Whether visible or hidden away. The temptation might come to judge others differently; as with murder, sexual sin and some acts of violence. And it makes sense. They hurt in the here and now (and for some of us, makes us feel better about our actions/situation), but we also have to weigh the long term impact.
A parent/teacher castigates a child; diminishing the person’s dignity and worth in the process. It might seem acceptable even, especially when compared to the physical abuse which crushes body (and soul). But what of the afterwards? What about the long term impact on the child’s psyche who later becomes a troubled adult?
A home owner is the model citizen in the community; but gets evicted on the grounds of foreclosure. Upon final departure, the evictee trashes the place beyond recognition; substantially reducing the aesthetics and monetary value of the building. Yup. Just as wrong in God’s eyes.
A friend/co-worker/church member begins spreading hostile rumors about another; destroying reputations and confidences in the process. Rumors; not fact. Sometimes the impact is far more dangerous than one can ever imagine.
And yet, God calls us to love the friend and the stranger; the saints and the sinner; our neighbor as we do love ourselves. For, if we act in love, God’s love that is, we run the risk of making life better for one person – ourself – if no one else. And more importantly, we run the risk of obeying God and impacting another as we move to sin less.
Can’t speak for the other, let’s instead live for Christ.
Good morning
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In and for Christ’s love
