We often respond to sin much like this game. We carry around with us these mental scale boards in our head and we often judge the severity of the sin simply by how far up the scale the sin climbs. Did it ring the bell or not?
If the sin doesn’t appear to harm anyone, then it doesn’t travel very far up the scale and we sometimes ignore it. No harm done. But if the sin does extensive damage, it travels up our scale board and rings our bell.
ding ding ding!
We love to rank sin. Sometimes we do it and we are not even aware we are doing it. This one is forgivable. This one is not. This one rings our bell. That one does not.
We tend to forget, that God doesn’t weigh sin in our lives like this. The sin that barely moves up the scale disgusts him just as much as the sin that shoots to the top of the scale.
What about you? Do you tend to forgive or not forgive someone by the severity of their sin?
Think not of the sinner, or of the greatness of his sin, but think of the greatness of the Savior!”
~ Charles Spurgeon
Hi Eileen – what a lovely quote. And I agree with you, there are some things that we think we can justify. But in the sight of the Lord, a sin is a sin. Great post and great reminder to see things God's way.
God bless
Tracy
This is so true, both for those who trust Jesus and those who do not. The "ring the bell" game is a good illustration of our misguided thinking. Thanks for the thought-provoking post.
Pam at http://www.2encourage.blogspot.com
Great post. Sin is sin, period. Whether it is eating too much until we are sick or stealing. Sin is sin. I pray I am always able to forgive regardless of the sin.
"The sin that barely moves up the scale disgusts him just as much as the sin that shoots to the top of the scale." This is a truth that is often overlooked. My little white lie is as worthy of death as murder. Sin is sin. But God forgives me and expects me to forgive others. Great word!
Great analogy, and a poignant example of how we try to fit God's plans for us into our own limited parameters. Sin is sin, and we need to work diligently to keep sight of that.
Great post!
Have a Blessed Day!
guilty…there are times when reading words like these and they remind me of the daily struggle of my flesh and spirit…always waging war! yes..His ultimate plan…the Savior..Jesus!
xo
So very, very true Eileen! Both in terms of how we judge others' sin, and our own. Confession is indeed good for the soul, but as you said, I think we often tend to forget or downplay the "little", non-bell-ringing sins in our life when we go into confession. And then we can't stop there. Confession in only the beginning. Repentance must follow. David had it going on in this area. He is our example of true, heart-felt confession and repentance. After all, he WAS the man after God's own heart. Thanks for the reminder Eileen! I needed it!!