Brought to you by the letter "S."

As parents, there were some words that we did not allow our kids to use.  For example, we never allowed anyone to yell, “Shut up!” (or say it quietly for that matter).  We also banned the word “stupid” as a description of people.  Things could be stupid.  We could do stupid things.  But people are not stupid.  There are several other “s” words that were also prohibited.  No doubt you can guess what those were.

If you read these Monday Morning Minutes regularly, you know I like to play with words.  When I present a message, I try to use words in a way that they will not only communicate a truth but do so in an impactful and memorable way.  If a word doesn’t exist, I’ll make one up.  Words are great fun.

We have a great list of “s” words which we celebrate in our faith:  “salvation,” “sanctified,” “sealed,” “sacrifice,” “shepherd,” and perhaps the greatest of them all, “Son of God.” (Yes, technically 3 words.  For bonus points, add “Shalom.”)

There is another “s” word, the avoidance of which causes us to exert great creative effort.  We will use euphemisms like, “oversight,” “mistake,” “lapse in judgement,” and “moment of weakness.”  That word is “sin.”  No one likes that word.  We will relabel it, redefine it, and recast it so we can avoid the stigma and shame it causes in our lives.

Even though Christ died on the cross to satisfy God’s holy standard, and even though we can be reconciled back to our Creator by the free gift of God’s grace if we receive it by faith, sin is still an ever-present reality in God’s created order.  Denial of our engagement in and culpability for sinful choices is further complicated by the humility and honesty that authentic repentance demands.  No wonder the Apostle Paul proclaimed, “I am a wretched being” (Romans 7:24).

Let’s not allow this reality to overwhelm us.  There is hope.  Here are some truths about this most despised “s” word to encourage, orient, and motivate us in our growing passion for God and His Kingdom.

1.  We all still sin.  If anyone denies this, they are lying.  We are all in this together. Forgiveness is always available (1 John 1:6-10).

2.  Reconciliation with God does not mean we are suddenly perfect.  It does mean there is an unbreakable bond between us and our Creator.  He is always willing to forgive.  His grace is always active (Romans 8).

3.  Sin demands repentance toward and dependence on God’s grace.  The inexhaustible grace of God is not a sin-facilitator (Romans 6:1-2) 

4.  There is no quick fix solution.  Anti-sin strategies must be intentional and require discipline (Ephesians 4:21-24; 1 Corinthians 9:26-27; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6;  Colossians 3).

5.  God is always at work in the hearts of His children (Philippians 1:3-6).

An often overlooked element in our “anti-sin” strategies is the role of the community of faith.  With a careful reading of both Ephesians 2 and Colossians 3, we will notice the “one another” statements.  Anti-sin strategies (aka, “holiness,” “godliness,” “maturity,” or “righteousness”) does not happen in a vacuum.  It happens in a context of trusting, interdependent relationships with other sin-strugglers.  Maybe we should start our weekly gatherings with, “Hi, I’m Graham, and I still struggle with sin.”

Words like “holiness” and “righteousness” are far too uncommon.  We prefer to talk about coping strategies.  Sin is not something we manage.  It is something we abandon.

I don’t want to leave you on a sour note - so take the time to slowly and carefully reflect on this truth (Romans 8:31-39):

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;  who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Who will separate us from the love of Christ?

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We will struggle.  But we will NEVER be separated from God’s love (and work).