Sin is not something we like to think about, much less talk about it. As the world ages and humanity adds generation upon generation, sin has become something talked about less and less. Talk of sin leaves us feeling uncomfortable and goes against our ideal of what makes us happy. Ultimately, if we are completely honest, we believe that life is all about me and what I want. Even our moments of sacrifice are often “me” driven. (If I am completely honest, I clean up the kitchen because it makes me feel better to have a clean kitchen, not because it is better for my family.) Lately, I have been reflecting on what sin really means to us and our reactions to it. The truth of sin and how we twist it to fit our narrative. 

The up-and-coming Christian generation has surprised us with their reaction to sin and their willingness to ignore it or accept it. It has become increasingly clear that they are willing to smudge the truth about sin in lieu of compassion and relationships. An interesting phenomenon as I look back at past generations who staunchly stood for truth no matter how uncompassionate they appeared and how many relationships they severed. It would seem the pendulum has swung from one extreme to the other. 

Let’s examine one example from past church history – how unwed mothers were compelled to come forward to confess their sin before their bulging bellies spoke the truth. I ask the simple question, “Why?”. Where was the male culprit in the equation and why wasn’t he up there admitting his guilt in the situation? Why was the solution to quickly marry them off regardless of whether or not they were suitable for each other? Why was there an entire generation of unwed mothers shipped off to homes designed just for them? Why were they ignored and treated as subhuman when they gave birth only to have their babies whisked away for a “proper family” to raise? The stark truth is it made us feel better. That kind of sin was too obvious for our taste and so to prove to the unbelieving world and other Christians that we believe what the Bible says about sin, this course of action was taken. (Sadly, I wonder how many secretly had abortions to avoid what they knew was coming from their church body? Only God knows and holds those babies close to His heart. Another topic for another time but one worthy of addressing. Why weren’t the “bad” girls supported for choosing life?)

Why wasn’t the gossiper, the glutton, the deceiver, the narcissist, or the complainer prompted to go before the church to confess their sin? Because we are comfortable with those sins and frankly dabble in them more often than not. The beginning of Matthew 7 starts out with some pointed words regarding our judgment of others’ sins. In Matthew 7:3-5, Jesus reveals the heart of every human ever born. We all have the same agenda: me. Even when it comes to sin. It’s a whole lot more comfortable and gratifying to point out someone else’s “heinous sin”, all the while ignoring our own. Jesus hits the nail on the head when he says, “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.”  

Ouch! We should all feel a twinge of guilt over those verses because none of us are immune to being hypocritical. It’s a role we play quite well, unfortunately. 

This brings us to today where biology professors are being fired for teaching that sex is determined by the x and y chromosome, newscasters are being fired for refusing to focus exclusively on Pride Month stories regardless of their newsworthiness or not, and sports stars are ostracized when they choose not to wear a rainbow. Why? Because in the minds of the unbelieving world, this “sin” trumps all others. We are quick to judge, but should we be? Have we forgotten the blots on our own church history when certain sins were made a public outcry while others were swept under the rug? The generation that staunchly stands for truth at all costs and the generation that advocates compassion and relationships above all else must meld these together. Jesus did all of it! He stood staunchly for truth with the utmost compassion and valued the relationships He had with believers and unbelievers alike. We would do well to listen to each other, perhaps we are not too far off from the right way, compassionately bringing the truth into all of our relationships. Jesus will help us if we only ask (Matthew 7:7-8).