More than a Label

A childhood friend of mine once told me she didn't like to be "labeled". I've thought about her statement often over the past year and am reminded of the discussion that followed. It didn't end as well as I would have liked and I've often wondered what, if anything, I could have said differently for a more positive outcome.

None of us like to be labeled. Alcoholic, gossiper, addict, liar, adulterer, thief, homosexual...If you were to create a label for us, all of these words could be put under one and that would be "sinner".

We are truly all children of God in a broad sense of the word. When He first created man and woman they were without sin but were given the choice of life or death. Unfortunately they chose death and since that time our chosen image has been in direct conflict with our created image, which has caused us to stray far from what God originally intended for us as His "children". Gossip, lying, homosexuality, adultery, the list can go on forever, there's nothing new. All of these things came into existence when sin entered the world through disobedience and, might I add, I'm just as big of a sinner as anyone.

Science has proven that some people are genetically predisposed to certain traits whether that is diabetes, heart conditions or cancer. That doesn't mean you will have that condition it just means you may be more prone to have it. The jury is still out on this so to speak - but perhaps it is possible alcoholism, drug addiction and homosexuality fall into the predisposed category as well; however, that's not how God originally meant it to be. These things are just a result of that disobedient choice made in the garden long ago and we've been reaping the consequences of it ever since.

I believe we must fight against those things that will kill the soul (gossip, addictions, lying) just as aggressively as we fight against those that kill the body (cancer, heart disease, obesity) the difference is those that kill the soul will also separate us from God eternally, which makes it even more urgent to overcome them. God wants our hearts here on earth and our souls in eternity. The enemy doesn't care if he has our hearts or not. Our love can be focused on whatever we want: money, high esteem, stuff...he doesn't care as long as he keeps our souls. That's what the Bible is for, it shows us how to keep the enemy from getting our souls.

In my Christian growth there's been some scriptures I've had to work to understand but most things, such as Romans 1 and I Corinthians 6, is pretty in my face plain (and did you notice that Paul lumps all "sins" together?). Envy, strife, deceit, whisperers, backbiters are all listed with those "big sins" like sexual immorality. That means that only by the grace of God will any of us get into Heaven - but thank God He has provided that grace and He will help me work through my times when I want to backbite or I do become envious or might have a desire to commit adultery. He will help me overcome those sinful tendencies because, more than anything in the world, He wants me to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

I can't imagine allowing my son to suffer and die for anyone...period. If I did sacrifice him for someone else I certainly can't imagine how I would react it that person rejected or belittled the sacrifice making excuses for continuing on their path to destruction! At times we all make those excuses. Repentance is a decision each individual must make. That's why Romans is there for us. We must read it for ourselves - not a friend's interpretation or a preacher's interpretation or anyone else's interpretation because, ultimately, God has to reveal it to us individually (and He will if we will seek Him with all pretense put aside). One day, whether we believe it or not, each of us will face The One who gave His only Son so that we could be redeemed.

As Christians we must preach the word in love but we must preach it. There's no need to be judgmental, critical or spiteful because once faced with The Truth it's up to each individual to receive or reject it. It's every persons heart and soul at risk individually and once they hear the Word only they will be held accountable for what they do with it.

"It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement." Hebrews 9:27

Hmmmm....I think it's time for me to have a heart check!

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