Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture
The broader issue is that God hates double standards. When we hold someone else to a higher standard than we are willing to obey, then we are violating this principle. This is what Jesus was talking about in the opening verses of Matthew chapter 7.
It is easy to get our knickers in a twist over current events. It is easy to get caught up in the rhetoric of whichever political party seems to better fit our predisposition.. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and wonder if things will ever stabilize or get better.
I believe it was Martin Luther who said, “go and sin boldly.” The point is not that we are to intentionally sin, but that we cannot allow fear of sin to inhibit us from living life.
John 8 teaches us that the memory of our own sins should be a sufficient deterrent against judgment of others. If it is not, we better start remembering before we start casting stones.
Rumble strips on the road assist us in arriving at our destination and keep us out of the ditch. Scripture provides warnings that function as spiritual rumble strips. One is found in Galatians 5 and is the subject of this post.
Perhaps the story of Achan in the book of Joshua makes us uncomfortable because we share in this sin. It is only by grace that we do not end up under a heap of stones.
Certain new theologians dispute original sin, which is the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved.
Christians are to be followers of the Truth. Truth dispels shame and as a result, shame should not be a part of any church culture.