It’s Easy to Look at Their Sin, but What About Mine?

 

We welcomed her through our door. She stayed the night – several nights. She was a stripper.

The fitness club crossed our paths and a tough spot in life necessitated her stay. I don’t remember the details all these years later, but there’s one conversation lingering with clarity.

 

“What’s your biggest weekend of the year?” I asked.

 

“You’d be surprised, but it’s when the ________________ (insert a major denomination here) come to town for their annual convention,” she offered.

A gulp hit hard. My eyes grew large.

“Really?” I choked out.

“Yes. The club is packed that weekend,” she replied matter-of-factly.

What? Christian men – leaders at that – are hitting the strip clubs when they come to town? Seriously?

Seriously.

And that was 20ish years ago. Who knows what the stats hold today. Maybe clubbing visits have gone down due to the ease of internet access. Maybe they’re at an all-time high due to the very same cause. I don’t know. Either way, there’s a fishy smell of sin in the air.

I could wag a finger. Oh, let’s be honest – twenty years ago I did. I waved, wagged, and wiggled my prim and prissy Christian finger up in the air at the whole group of club hoppers.

It didn’t do any good.

 

Rarely does a wagging finger do good.

 

After all, sin is sin, right? It separates.

However you shape it, all sin is dark, ugly, and mankind’s eviction notice from the garden of all things good. We’ve all eaten of its rotten fruit.

 

All sin is dark, ugly. It's mankind's eviction notice from the garden of all things good. Click To Tweet

 

Is gossiping or gathering judgement different from lust or fornication?

Is gluttony for food deemed a “lighter” sin than adultery?

Are white lies better than dark, sinister ones?

My flesh wants to cry, “Look how awful! What are these men thinking?”

 

 

for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; Rom. 3:23 WEB Click To Tweet

 

Truth cries, “Come, child. Look at your own heart…”

Mercy folds fingers in prayer, not in accusation.

Grace offers refreshment for all who will stand under its shower.

 

Grace offers refreshment for all who will stand under its shower. Click To Tweet

 

Sin is sin. None is okay. Thank God for the cleansing blood of Jesus.

We all fall short of the glory of God. We, whether finger-wagging Christian or slipping-behind-the-scenes-to-sneak-a -peek follower, have fallen short of a righteous and glorious God.

 

We need God Almighty. Today. Tomorrow. Always.

 

Do you want to grow closer to Jesus? I do.

Do you want to run the race well? Oh, I do.

If you’re nodding yes, like me, then finger-wagging must go.

 

There is 1 thing we must consider.

 

What about our own sin? Are our fingers folded in prayer versus wagging in the air?

 

Are our fingers folded in prayer versus wagging in the air? Click To Tweet

 

Fingers folded in prayer are ammunition against sin’s battle.

Below is a prayer Scripture offers. It’s perfect finger-folding opportunity.

Use it as you examine your own sin, grow in your faith, and leave finger wagging behind. I’ll be right beside you, doing the same.

 

Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way.  PS 139:23-24 WEB

Lord,

Search my heart. You see all. Test my thoughts. You know them before I do. Show me any wickedness warring within me. Lead me in the way of everlasting instead. Lead me in Your way. I will follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

These words skated onto a post draft here well before both Orlando shooting situations came to be.  🙁  My daughter and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Christina’s Grimmie’s murder. We loved her and her voice! And then, the next day, Orlando was hit again. This time murder rampaged the lives of many. As I sit here Monday morning, I think how ironic that clubbing is at the center of it all. But maybe it isn’t. Maybe it’s sin’s rampage and we’re best fitted on our knees, eyes focused on the Lord, praying for ourselves and all involved, offering compassion where opportunity offers, leaving wagging fingers behind. Join me in prayer for Orlando?

Grace and peace to you through our Savior, Jesus Christ. ~ Kristi

Linking with Kelly Balarie & Holly Barrett.