Dealing With Sin (Pt 6)

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In dealing with sin we first look back, remembering the pain and consequences of sin in our lives and the lives of those around us. We then look down, recognizing, acknowledging and taking full responsibility for the offensiveness of our sin. Then we look out. Looking out means separating ourselves from sin (Ezr 9:10-12). In verses 10-11 Ezra reflects on the truth that God had commanded his people to be separate from the wickedness of the world. The were to separate themselves from the impurity, abominations, and uncleanness of the world. They were not to give their daughters in marriage to the pagan men around them. They were not to take their daughters in marriage for their sons or themselves. They were not to seek the peace or prosperity of pagan nations.

There is always a tension between being separate from sin and being a friend of sinners. Jesus did both. He ate with sinners and was called a friend of sinners, yet he never excused sin nor practiced sin. 1Corinthians 15:33 reminds us not to be deceived, “Bad company ruins good morals.” The passage, which is actually dealing with the issue of the resurrection, goes on to say in verse 34, “Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.” So how do we keep this tension between not being corrupted by “bad company,” but being a friend to sinners? Jude gives us this counsel in verses 17-23:
But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”  It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.  But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,  keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.  And have mercy on those who doubt;  save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

If someone is drowning in a pool you don’t just jump in and try to save them. Why not? First, “a conscious drowning victim is most likely panicking. It is amazing the strength a panicked person will have. In their swinging and struggling you are likely to get knocked out.” Second, “the victim’s fight for survival may make you a victim. When a person is drowning, he often does not recognize that you are trying to help him. The victim will use any and all means to propel his body to the surface, which may mean pushing you down to push themselves up.”[1] There is a way to save a drowning person, but you need to make sure that you don’t drown in the process of trying to save them.

Similarly there is a way to connect with a broken world to influence them for Christ, be we do need to be careful that we do not get sucked into their brokenness. As believers we are called to, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation” (Mk 16:15). This cannot be done without some connection to the world we are called to go into and proclaim the gospel to. On the other hand, we must be careful not to adopt the values, practices, or beliefs of a very broken world. May we learn to navigate this delicate balance as Jesus did. May the world see Jesus in us.

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