Sin is everywhere. I was taught growing up that no sin is greater than another. That belief has slightly changed for me but not much. But, that will probably be the ongoing theme of this post.
What is on my mind is that very theme along with repentance. Actually trying to fix the sin. How did this whole thought process start so late at night? Well, I was on my Facebook reading and "Facebook stalking" other people. Yes. I have a problem. Anyway, I came across a discussion where someone mentioned how they hated how much profanity was used. One of the responses was that they needed to get over the profanity stuff because it will always be around. Which is true to an extent. They continue to say that no one should be pointing fingers or be looking down their nose at others for their sins unless they can look in a mirror, look themselves in the eye, and honestly say they don't sin. Are not all sins equal?
For some beliefs, yes, all sins are equal, and for other faiths no, not so much. For the purpose of this blog I will stick with the idea of "yes, all sins are equal." But, here is where the "but" part of my title comes in. Are all sins still equal when you KNOW you are sinning but you don't try to repent or fix the problem in the first place? I mean, isn't that true with any faith or religion? If you are let's say, lying, which I am sure that we are ALL guilty of, myself included, and you keep lying and lying, and you know its wrong but don't repent and just keep doing it, isn't that a worse sin than another person who lied once but repented of that sin? I know I am not God, and I am glad I am not going to be in his shoes when judgement day comes, but to me, it would seem a heck of a lot worse if someone was sinning and knew they were but kept doing it anyway, than someone who sinned once and repented.
Sin is defined very clearly in James, chapter 4. In verse 17 it states that "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." I don't think that could be any more clearly stated. I mean if we know its wrong, but we do it anyway. That's sin! I am not anymore perfect than the next person. I honestly struggle with saying the Lord's name in vain and other things. I am a sinner. But, I do know that I work very hard to repent of those said sins. I mean its like 1 John 1:8. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
So, if we deceive ourselves, and truth cannot be with us, how is God suppose to show ourselves through us? I do know of a couple people who really want God to show through him/her to help out a girlfriend, boyfriend, a close friend, to see the light of God to show how wonderful he really is. Well, how is God's light going to show through if we keep repeating the same sin over and over willingly and not trying to repent of that sin when they know they are doing it in the first place? For example, profanity. If the guy or girl swears. Drops F***, S***, D***, and many other four letter words out there all the time, and they make that language part of their every day vocabulary, how is the word of God and the Holy Spirit suppose to show themselves through that? The word of God cannot mix with that. It doesn't work. It seems to me that if they really want to show God through them to another person, they would have to repent of that sin. I am not saying they have to be perfect because no one is, but they at least have to try to repent of that sin. I looked up Repentance in my Bible Dictionary. This is what it said.
Repentance: The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, i.e. a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into condition or mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be NO PROGRESS in the things of the soul's salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin, and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God.
So, if we don't at least try to repent of those sins, like profanity, there will be no progress in the things of the soul's salvation. All accountable persons who are stained by sin, must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. I do understand that Jesus' atonement for our sins was amazing. I am so greatful for his atonement and what he did for us. He died for us and suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane so we could live with our Heavenly Father again. We are truly saved by Grace, BUT just because we are saved by grace does not mean we don't have to hold ourselves accountable for our sins. It is not just a free ride to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again. We have to repent of our sins. We have to try to live a Christ like life. No one is perfect and is going to have a perfect life, but we do have to at least try. This includes our language, or judgements, thoughts, sexuality. Because, just like it says in Proverbs chapter 28, verse 13 states, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." I can only imagine what would happen if for example I swore over and over. Dropped the F bomb and swore all the time. I know that what I am saying is wrong but I keep doing it anyway and I refuse to repent or I procrastinate the repentance process, I know Heavenly Father, like any father would be very upset.
I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father and everyone is a divine being and children of our loving Heavenly Father. Shouldn't we at least try to make him proud? Shouldn't we all be like children and try to learn from our mistakes and move on? We shouldn't just let those mistakes keep happening over and over again. We shouldn't use foul language and hateful words to try to get our points across. Let's choose our words carefully so that the Holy Spirit can actually reside with us and be with us so that God can ACTUALLY show himself through us.
Jesus Christ did tell the woman "Repent, and sin no more."
I testify that I am a divine daughter of my Heavenly Father and that he loves me so much for I am his child. And I know that just like any child, or any of my future children, that He wants me to learn and grow from my mistakes. And I know it hurts him when he sees me make the same mistakes over and over again. I have a testimony of repentance and how much it has changed my language and views. I use to have a mouth full of profanity. I have repented and still am repenting because repentance is a life long process and sometimes I do slip. But, when I have my language in check, I find that I am a more pleasant person to be around and I can have the Holy Spirit with me. I know that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, now I am just going to make sure I try to live the best life possible and repent of those sins. I say all of these things in the name if Jesus Christ. Amen.
