Sin comes in a multitude of shapes and sizes. For some of us that sin is worn on the outside, apparent to everyone around us, while others seem to have perfected the art of appearance-- but that is beside my point.
Extra piercings and tattoos are disrespectful to our God given bodies, but how much more disrespectful is it to discredit a son or daughter of God because they chose to decorate that way? Now, don’t get the wrong idea, I am not condoning that behavior, I still firmly believe that it is wrong. But since when is it okay to condemn someone for that? Our friends, our brothers and sisters who made those decisions don’t need to be shunned or exiled from our society. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” and who are we to even start picking up rocks? Not only is it rude, but we would be missing out on the company of some amazing people and condemning ourselves in the process. While we may not embrace the actions, we can and should embrace the people. They are good people and oftentimes have good desires. How can we claim to be Christian without being willing to love those that have wandered? Every person needs love, and if a friend happens to be doing things they know they shouldn’t, it is not the time to retract that love for them, but to increase it.
Maybe the old phrase “love the sinner hate the sin” isn’t so cliché after all.
We live in a confusing world. The “straight and narrow path” earned the name for a reason; compared to the offers of the world, the path seems small. It is easily lost if you take your eyes off of it. The distractions of the world are flashy and frequent; all too often we forget who we are and where we are going when all the confusion of the world suffocates us. Society bombards all of us with information, with bone skinny models and bulky body builders. Those on popular television seem to have the glory of the world handled while they participate in all sorts of immoral behaviors. With these subliminal messages every, can we really wonder why it affects so many in our society? Why it affects those we love so deeply?
There is a better option and there are better role models. But they are quieter than the world’s and don’t demand the attention that the famous do. The world tries to drown those noble people out as “boring” or “lame”. Because the world tried so very hard to cover them up, it becomes a quest to find those examples who hold true to moral values. We need to learn to look past a person’s exterior and really look at them and try to understand who they really are. Every person wants to be loved and wants someone to appreciate them and their efforts. Some of our friends know what they need to do, but are struggling with the “higher law”. Perhaps those things that you find them lacking in are hard for them but easy for you because they are so thoroughly engrained into your mindset. In Acts 15:28 Peter said “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things”; My mom brought this scripture to my attention and then asked [paraphrased]: How often do we lay unnecessary burdens on our brothers and sisters because of the standards that we hold for ourselves?
Do you remember the last time that you decided that you were going to change something, that you were going to try harder, or get rid of a bad habit? Perhaps even start a new good habit? Have you ever been shot down by someone that you shared that goal with? And do you remember that sinking feeling? Even if they were “just kidding”, it still hurt didn’t it? And would if they weren’t kidding? What it if they legitimately didn’t believe that you could do it? How deep would that wound go? How far would it penetrate? How long would that ache?
Knowing how much that little moment hurts, how often do we crush another’s dreams of improvement with our sly remarks and backhanded scoffs? We are all children of God, no matter what walk of life we are in. The Atonement is infinite for a reason. Through it Christ reaches out his arms of mercy to every single person. He loves them and he died for them. Who are we to discount what God has glorified? How can we dig up what Christ has buried?
Let us be Christian people.
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