Whatever is Godly

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

I was challenged recently with this verse. After realizing how often we forget it, and conveniently do the opposite, I was greatly convicted with thoughts such as:

"How can Christians (myself included) look past violence and immorality when it is displayed on the television screen and in music?"

"How come, when we are concerned with avoiding the physical actions of immorality and sin, we like to ignore the thoughts that are accompanied with it?"

I think I speak for the majority when I say that we aren't nearly as concerned with the subject of sin as we need to be. We aren't nearly as separated from the world as we should be in order to recognize how rampantly we allow (and enjoy) things that are not pleasing to God.

"What's the harm?" We might ask. "Everyone's watching that. Sure, there's language, but I hear it all the time already. It's not going to affect me."

Whether you think it's affecting you or not, it is. It affects your thoughts, your actions, your behavior. You name it: everything.

Mostly it decreases the our awareness of the seriousness of sin.

Sin is serious. Every one of us are sinners, we have disobeyed the holy, perfect, true, and faithful God of the universe. (Check out our article about sin.)

We should not be entertained by the sins for which Christ died.  - John F. MacArthur

I know I forget the severity of sin and I'm willing to guess that you do, too. Most of all, I forget the seriousness of the punishment of sin... As well as the high price already paid for it. 

A Substitute has appeared in space and time, appointed by God Himself, to bear the weight and burden of our transgressions, to make expiation for our guilt, and to propitiate the wrath on our behalf. This is the Gospel.   - R.C. Sproul

When we become children of God, there is a change in thought, behavior, and words. The blood of Christ cleansed every spot and blemish. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) Salvation and change go hand in hand. So we should be different. 

To be conformed to Jesus, we must first begin to think as Jesus did. We need the 'mind of Christ.' We need to value the things He values and despise the things He despises. We need to have the same priorities He has. We need to consider weighty the things He considers weighty.   - R.C. Sproul

I don't know where the line is drawn between good and bad and I applaud the devil for making it so difficult to differentiate. Here are a couple of challenges I've found helpful:

- How would you feel if Jesus took on flesh again and was sitting with you while you were watching/listening/thinking/wearing this? (Well, sorry to break it to you, He's already there, we've just forgotten that, too :P )

- Think of the Christian model you admire the most. It could be your pastor, a Bible teacher, or a godly friend. Would they watch/wear/listen to this?

When I apply these to a situation I may find myself, too often the answer is an uncomfortable no to both of these questions. Why not try applying it to yourself?

Friend, even for a Christian, sin is inexcusable. Christ didn't die so we could still sin in good conscience and be immediately forgiven of it, but that we would be cleansed from passed (and future) sins, our conscience burdened and guilty in our frail humanity before Him.

Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life... We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. (Romans 6:1-7)

When we forget the seriousness of sin, we forget the majesty of God and the greatness of the gift He gave in the form of His Son to rescue us from that sin we are constantly committing. 

A right view of sin requires a right view of God. 

Not until we take God seriously will we ever take sin seriously.   - R.C. Sproul

I pray this is a challenge to you. It is so easy to forget how serious the 'little' sins are, so easy to completely forget that a lot of our daily habits are not pleasing to God. Admonish believers, as the apostle Paul did, to "live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way..." (Colossians 1:10) 

<3 Berea

Note: **There is a whole other side of personal sin that is mentioned in the form of a "stumbling block" in scripture (Check out 1 Corinthians 8 for the greatest details). I chose not to address that in this post, but Lord willing and, in His strength and wisdom, perhaps a post will appear addressing this topic in the future :) **