There is a word that causes some to shutter, others to scoff and some to close their eyes and point an accusing finger. It is less than three letters long and describes a part of each of us. That word is sin. As long as we are unclear about sin we are unclear about its impact on our life and our living. We all live in a glass house when it comes to sin. Where you live is important.

Good Versus Bad

We may think that we are “good people”. We have a mental list of the things that good people do. Even if we do some things that we have on our list under the category of ”bad people” we tend to maintain ourselves on the list of “good people”, excusing our actions while we hold others strictly on the list of bad people.

We frequently use our standards to prosecute, judge and convict others of the same things that we have done to others, while expunging our own mind of an unlovely offense.

There are even times when we just put our hands in the air and admit aloud, “I’m the bad one in the family.” Or “I’m bad, but at least I own up to what I do.”

All the while we point fingers at others and ask “Why are they doing that?” Or “Why did they allow that to happen?” Much time is spent critiquing the behavior of others and labeling them along with their actions.

We divide ourselves by gender roles, skin color, socioeconomics, neighborhoods, professions, education levels, relationship status, and age, we have an excess of ways to divide ourselves. We readily count the sins of others. We are quick to categorize people into either the good or the bad based on our opinion of their acts.

Sin becomes a matter of opinion. An opinion based on one’s personal view through a farsighted magnifying lens. How often do we scrutinize our own actions looking to root out sin? How often do we search ourselves for the presence of goodness?

We are to examine ourselves. How are we to examine ourselves?

Let’s go to the word of God and see some of what He has to say about sin. Our physical and spiritual house is to be in order, God’s order. We are to increase in the knowledge of God. Where you live is important.

Sin

In the word of God, sin is a clearly delineated act. The word sin is mentioned throughout the Bible beginning in Genesis and ending in first John. God tells us what sin is, how we can avoid sin and how our sins are covered.

We are also clearly told where we stand with personal sin. In 1 John 1:8 it reads, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (KJV)

The word sin used in that passage comes from the Greek word meaning missing the mark or coming short of. Sort of like using a measure to identify something and comparing against that measure. When we are measured to the righteousness of God we miss the mark. We, on our own do not measure up.

As a designer makes a sample garment, then once that sample is made to specifications the rest of the line of garments are compared to the sample to see if they measure up. God, our Creator has a measure. His measure comes from His perfection and righteousness. None of us, without Him can come close to the physical measure He shared with us in the person of Jesus the Christ. He is our model, our measure of perfection.

Each of us needs to understand that none of us is righteous but God. Only because of the sacrifice of His only begotten Son we can become righteous.

Our intricate bodies were made with precision, masterfully. When we operate and meet the specifications in the sample, (or the mark) we fulfil the need for which we were designed. His purpose and our purpose align when we measure up to the mark.

When we practice missing the mark, we misbehave. When we fail to conduct ourselves as designed we are engaged in misconduct. We miss the mark!  It is important where we live. Do we walk in the light or practice sin? There is some sin, missing the mark, which is unto death. The penalty for sin has been paid for us, yet we get to choose to accept it or reject it.

We get to choose to serve God. We get to choose to do His will.

Throwing Stones

The Bible instructs us to choose righteousness in many ways. There is an account found in John Chapter eight which tells us something about throwing stones. There is much to be gained from the study of this story. Jesus is again teaching those that are Pharisees and Sadducees. Both groups prided themselves on being vessels of the law and its application. Each group was known to challenge Jesus on how the letter of the law was to be applied.

In the middle of His teaching in the temple they brought before Jesus a woman said to be caught in the act of adultery. This was a capital crime, which carried the punishment of stoning unto death. Jesus was then asked what shall be done about this woman, for the Law of Moses commands her stoning.

Imagine, if you will, this woman was caught “in the very act” (KJV) of engaging in some intimacy with someone other than her own husband. I have no doubt that she was lugged to the temple partially nude, and treated like less than a lady. There she was before all of these men, knowing that they intended to humiliate and possibly kill her brutally.

Jesus the Christ acted as if He did not hear them. He began to write on the ground with His finger. They continued to press with the question regarding the fate of the woman. Then He stated, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”  Then all of those within earshot, beginning with the oldest, left the temple leaving only Jesus and the woman.

The word does not tell us what was written on the ground. I surmise that Jesus reminded those men of their own sins in a very personal way. They were convicted within themselves to see the error of their behavior as they pressed the sin of this woman on Jesus to handle her misconduct.

However, in the absence of any accusers the woman, acknowledged Jesus as Lord and was told to go and sin no more, for He would not condemn her either.

One key lesson I obtain from this situation is that when we take a self-righteous stance, and choose to persecute others by throwing stones thinking we are without sin, God may in his mercy, remind us we can make a better choice. Either way He will show us the light. Where you live is important. Apparently all of the accusers lived in glass houses.

Whatever Jesus chose to keep between He and them, when exposed caused them to withdraw their condemnation towards this woman.

Yes, she missed the mark. Somehow it seems that they may have too. Did they repent from their actions and move on? Did they simply move on? Did they proceed to walk in the light as followers of Jesus? Where you live is important.

When we are finger pointers God takes His finger and writes on our conscience to convict us. We then have a chance to stop, repent, go and sin no more. Often we don’t respond as the woman did. We continue, pressing past the voice of God.  Sin is part of all of us. We all miss the mark.

When we decide to cast a stone at someone else, even those caught in the very act, we must remember that we live in a glass house, fully transparent to God. When we choose to make a public spectacle of the sin of others we may have stones thrown at us too. The woman realized she missed the mark and chose (from what we can tell) to walk in the light.

I have heard it said, “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” Where you live is important. You do know that you live in a glass house, right?

Take Inventory and Take Action!

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”