He Sins, She Sins, You Sin, I Sin

What if a book was published, Dr. Suess-style, that depicted our family or that of our church? It could be quite humorous to have the images of our day-to-day sins portrayed with a comical slant. “He pushed me, that's easy to see. I stepped on a tack, so I pushed him back!" or “You have nice shoes in many blue hues. I want some too, I do, I do!” 

After a dozen or so pages highlighting the antics of our lives’ less-than-complimentary moments of vengeance, greed and more the book would come to a clever end. The moral of the story would likely bring us to the Golden Rule. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

Unfortunately, we don’t have to go far to witness mankind’s natural bent toward evil. It is in us and around us every single day. Solomon even declared it in his prayer of dedication for the temple.“For there is no one who does not sin.” Whew! At least we’re in this together - even though the tendency to point out offending sin ebbs and flows from one extreme to the other.

When our focus is outward, we only see the pain created in our lives as a direct result of the sin in the lives of others. When we focus inward, we can easily be consumed and left numb by the repetitive failures found in our own lives. The harsh reality of both is true. Others sin and that affects our lives – directly or indirectly – as does our own sin. What we do, or fail to do, affects us and sends a ripple effect through the lives of those we love, work with and worship beside of.

If only we’d all be quick to admit our guilt. If we'd quickly ask for forgiveness and move on with life - even to the point of individually and corporately having the courage to confess that, “We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly.” Instead, the evil nature born into us is tempted to entertain thoughts of God's retribution on the guilty party. Or, on our gentler-spirited days, we may simply want our offender to admit their guilt both to God and us. We cry out for justice, for deliverance from our pain and the discord that lies between us. Sin hurts.

Sin hurts us. Sin hurts others. Sin hurts the heart of God.

In Solomon’s wisdom, he seeks the repentance and restoration of his people when he prays - “If they turn back to You with all their heart and soul. Then from heaven, Your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their pleas, and uphold their cause. And forgive Your people, who have sinned against You.” To turn back with all their heart and soul. The king is seeking not only repentance, forgiveness and restoration, but a true regeneration. A new beginning. A fresh start!

We can all go through the motions of repentance – and with true sincerity in the moment. It is not terribly hard to say the words, “I’m sorry,” but it is much harder to then live a truly repentant and transformed life. We can pray for and influence those around us toward repentance and forgiveness, but we can’t make a change for them. Thankfully, we do have the freedom to choose humility, seeking God's forgiveness - and possibly that of others we've offended. True transformation can once again begin through regeneration of our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. I sin and you sin, but it’s never too late to keep growing more and more like Jesus!

“May your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by His decrees and obey His commands.”

Note: Scriptures taken from the prayers of Solomon as recorded in 1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 6