Cost of Sin

What is it with some Christians having an Old Testament view of the world? This idea that an eye for an eye is somehow creating justice for all parties involved seems crazy to me! As you all know (if you watch the news or are in touch with social media), there were two reporters recently shot by a former coworker. He felt mistreated by this news station. Maybe he was mistreated but we will save the debate of his reasons for another day. In my eyes, it is just another example of the moral degradation of our society.

Instead, I want to talk about something said about the female shot in this horrific ordeal. Here is the backstory… My brother had an old woman tell him that the female reporter deserved it because she was living in sin. Apparently, she lived with her boyfriend. Whoa. Big offense, right? Are there people that really believe this was God’s way of “dealing” with her sin? Give me a break. This view makes me so mad. To think that somehow she deserved this because of the life she was living absolutely blows my mind! Using this line of thinking, I wonder what sin Rob and I committed for our baby to die at 37.5 weeks gestation. A Charlotte pastor and his wife recently lost both of their children in a car accident. What sin did they commit to deserve this loss? This old woman’s comment left my brother in shock. I just wish she realized that her comments do more harm than good.

First of all, how can anyone judge another person’s life when we are ALL SINNERS!! This is what I call Old Testament thinking. We can all agree there are situations in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament, where God punishes His followers for not obeying his commandments. A great example if this is with the Israelites being lost in the wilderness for forty years. God withheld His promises from them for disobeying Him. However, in the New Testament God sends His son, Jesus to die on the cross to forgive us from our sins. Does anyone remember that story? I know it is really only thought about on Easter and maybe Christmas when someone points out that the reason for the season is Jesus. Sad but true. For proof, look at the commercialization of these holidays. As a family do you focus more on the gifts you are giving/receiving or the fact that our Savior was born? Nevertheless, Jesus is our judge and one day we will all answer to Him for the sins we have committed.

The fact is, we are all sinners by nature and we need Jesus! These reporters were shot because we live in a broken world. As Christians, we should be doing everything we can to reach out to all people. If someone you know is committing a sin then hug him or her a little harder. Accept them. Have compassion. Forgive them. Help lead them to Jesus by your example. That is why we are here!! We are God’s soldiers and our mission is to help set the captives free. Just don’t forget to repent for your sins while you are influencing others to live for Jesus.

“Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.” John 8:7

Thanks for reading!