First let me say that to discount any sin or trying to define/argue what is sin and not sin can become a very slippery slope to legalism or itchy ear syndrome.  (In my opinion the scripture is pretty clear on what is sin, and can and does translate to present time. I am not here to argue what is sin and not sin though.)   Standing the gap is Christ.  Understanding that he is present in all things in the bible puts an important light on why he came and died for us.  What God finds detestable in the Old Testament, Jesus being fully God finds just as detestable.  But we have John 3:16  to help us understand that God in love understands it is impossible for us to escape what he finds detestable on our own.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I have been studying and reading a lot about condemnation.  Due to the popularity of John 3:16 verses 17-18 often gets left in the wake.  They point to the consequences of unbelief, and whose write it is to condemn in light of belief and unbelief.

John 3:17-18 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.  (Emphasis mine)

“For God”, sets it in His presence that we are already standing…

As imperfect people we are afraid of being condemned by other people for our own actions.  So if we are going to be condemned by them, well then others will be condemned by us.  The word condemned means to pass on sentence for something someone has done wrong or been found guilty of.  When it comes to sin whose right is that?

Often times you hear  “Love the sinner hate the sin”  But I find that phrase almost as condemning as anything.    I prefer to say, “I am no better than any other person,  I love them even though they are as imperfect as me.”

Mathew 7:3-5 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

When Jesus teaches about the plank in our eye, he is not talking about us judging sin or removing our own sin.  He is talking about our condemnation and sentencing of others, in light of our sin.  Why else would he present us with a list of who is worthy of his salvation? We have no authority to sentence anyone.  Christ want’s us to recognize that, like Paul says in Roman’s, all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

As an example. My ministry is growing as I reach further and further into the abortion battle. My prayers and thoughts often turn to the Dr who preforms the abortion. Following Christ is a matter of recognizing:
1. The DR is not my enemy. (Mathew 4:44-48)
2. The DR is just as worthy of God’s grace as I am.
What am I doing to affect his view of Grace?

Do I have an opinion on what is sin and not sin? Sure, any study of scripture gives you a fairly good idea what God approves of and doesn’t.  But it is His to approve of and not approve of…and it is His to condemn for our sin …NOT OURS!!!

By accepting Christ we are acquitted because of Christ’s  intervention at the Cross.  My prayer is that all people accept the free help of the wonderful counselor before we enter the court room…