I was just thinking about kids and their perception of right and wrong. I’m specifically referring to times when their parents tell them not to do something. It would be quite rare for a child to think, “Mom and/or Dad said not to do that, so I just won’t do it.” Instead they’ll ask, “Aw, Why not?” They’re not really wanting a logical and reasonable explanation or rationale. They instead hope to wear Mom and Dad down so they will give in, or to give Mom and Dad the opportunity to realize that they don’t have a good reason, and so change their mind. Then when the parents stick to their guns, the kids will often show some sign of disappointment. In their immaturity, they can’t seem to comprehend the dangers of certain activities. Johnny can’t understand why Mom thinks it’s too dangerous to jump off the roof with a sheet for a parachute.
In the grand scheme of eternity, our lives here on earth are our childhood. Some of us never grow up. And given the opportunity some of us would still jump off a roof with a sheet as a parachute just to find out what we missed out on during our childhood. But at some point in the process of growing up we should begin to understand that there are things we just shouldn’t do because someone might get hurt; physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. We go ahead and do them anyway. We come up with excuses for why we should do them.
God, our Father, tells us that there are certain things that we should not do, and that there are thing we should do. Yet we think we can get away with doing what we want to do. We presume He’s not watching anyway. Or we assume He’ll just let it slide unless someone actually does get hurt. And when someone does get hurt our response so often is, “Oops. I goofed.” Our response should be, “Father forgive me for I have sinned.” And not only when someone gets hurt, but we should seek forgiveness for sins when we realize we have done something contrary to God’s will.
Different people have their own definition of sin. Some limit sin to only those actions that cause harm to someone unless done in retaliation for harm someone has done them. Then it is justified. Others will have a mile-long list of do’s and don’ts for their definition of sin. To some, sin is anything from which we derive pleasure. Romans 14:23 says “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin”. And as clear as that sounds, I’ve heard contradictory perspectives on that phrase, without much regard to its context. My simple take on that is this: If you think it might be sin, you’d better not do it. For you cannot do it in faith if you believe it might be sin. We are justified by faith, and doing acts of faith is much better than doing sinful acts to prove your faith in God’s grace and mercy. Instead, It’s His kindness that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
Tracy Henness
