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An Uncomfortable Conversation

 Romans 3:23 – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

            I love to watch the Andy Griffith Show. In Season 4, Episode 4 there is a scene with a visiting preacher. In a conversation about his sermon Andy says, “You hit the nail right on the head.” Barney then replies, “That is a subject you can’t talk enough about, sin.” 


The truth is this is not a subject we are comfortable with. We live in a time of great deception. People are confused. We celebrate what is wicked and perverse and call good evil and evil good. Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”


Perhaps we are not comfortable talking about sin because we don’t want to be condemning of other people or appear to be judgmental. Jesus gave us these instructions in Matthew 7:1-5, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. I am thankful the Holy Spirit does not condemn us but brings conviction so we can find forgiveness and cleansing for our sins through the blood of Jesus.


            Perhaps we are not comfortable talking about sin because we are fearful of being cancelled. We must be careful what we post on social media especially if it does not fit their narrative. We can be cancelled, our jobs and businesses can be lost, and it can adversely affect our families. We cannot allow the fear of man to keep us from preaching and teaching on devasting results of sin. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”


I believe we must have these conversations. We must warn those who are lost, without hope, and enslaved by sin that there is salvation, hope, and freedom in the Lord Jesus Christ. John 8:36 says, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”


These conversations must be done in love. This love does not affirm an individual in their sins but warns them of the consequences of sin. We have a misguided understanding of love in our society. Some falsely believe if we disagree with their choices or lifestyle that we automatically hate them. This is a lie that originated with the devil. In John 8:44 Jesus called him “a liar and the father of lies.”


I Peter 4:8 says, “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” God has not called us to be a condemning people, but a loving people. 


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