The "S" Word

Sin. There I said it. It's a dirty little three-letter word. We're afraid to say the “S” word too much in the church. We are willing to talk about the things weren't not supposed to do and the things Jesus taught us to do as his disciples. But, don't say the "S" word.

You're a sinner! It's okay. I'm a sinner too! That's a tough pill to swallow if we can’t talk about the “S” word.

But, we have to accept that we are sinners. In fact, we should boldly proclaim that we are sinners. If we call ourselves Christians, we must be sinners and, at one time or another, admitted so. After all, the church, as some wise church ladies recently reminded me, is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints (attributed to L.L. Nash).

"We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God visited to redeem. We receive [God's] poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with [God], may then pour ourselves out for others." - Elisabeth Elliot

Elliot points out the importance of facing sin. Once we see our sin, we are able to see the broken, war torn world we live in. Once we accept that we are sinners, we see our need for repentance. Once we have repent of our sins, we can accept the gracious gift of forgiveness which sets us free to be change agents for God’s coming kingdom.

May you live to heal the world that God died to redeem,
Rev. Tracy