“’Rabbi,’ His disciples asked Him, ‘Why was this man born blind? Was it because of His own sins or His parents’ sins?’” (John 9:2 NLT)
Too often when we see someone in a debilitating condition or circumstance, we’re quick to assume there’s sin lurking somewhere. And the truth is, there is, but it may not be what we’re thinking. The context of the above conversation, is the disciples saw a blind man, attributed the blindness to sin, and wanted to find the culprit whose sin caused it. How like us!
The truth is, every sickness, from the common cold to the worst disease is the result of sin. Had sin never entered the picture we’d all be running around naked and unashamed, in perfect health, living in perfect harmony with God and one another – just like it will be in heaven one day (though I’m not sure about the naked part 😊).
As a rule, we don’t typically think: “Oh, I’ve got cancer, heart disease, or any other physical, mental, emotional condition, what sin did I commit to cause this?” So, why are we so quick to jump to conclusions when we see someone else’s issues? Could it be it takes the heat off us? Maybe we’re giving a sigh of relief because that other person is dealing with something with which we’re glad we don’t have to deal?
Jesus wasn’t implying in any way that sin wasn’t at the root of this man’s blindness, and neither was he suggesting that the man and his parents were without sin. His point was that even though our lives are filled with obstacles we’d never choose for ourselves, they all hold the potential of being platforms upon which the Lord can put His glory, power, and splendor on display.
Sin is an evil with which we all must deal on a moment-by-moment basis, but as long as the enemy can keep our focus on “them,” we don’t have to face the sin issue in our own heart and mind. That’s why I love Burk Parsons’ words: “I want to hate my sins more than I hate the sins of others who sin differently than I do.”
How many times I’ve thought or said: “I’d NEVER do that!” only to fall prey to the same lie or the same sin myself. We see drug addicts, murderers, rapists, child molesters – the list is literally endless, and we cringe when we see someone who sins in ways that we haven’t yet sinned. We’re so quick to condemn them, completely bypassing the condemnation our own sin demands.
If you tie a rope to two places, the points could be an inch or a thousand miles apart. How many times do you need to cut the rope to break the connection? Only one, right? That’s how sin works. You only have to sin once to break your connection between you and God. We’re sinners because we sin – in thought, attitude, or action.
Ideally, once we come into relationship with the Lord Jesus, our reliance upon Him lessens the desire and numbers of times we sin, but the truth remains that we are sinners saved by grace. Sin will be an issue for every human being as long as we’re on this planet. Does that mean we just yield to its every demand, believing we have no control?
Paul reminds us in Romans 6:1-2: “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” The longer I live the more I hate my sin and, ideally, the more compassion I can show others who are staggering under the weight of theirs. May the Lord’s mercy flow through us to one another as we fight this devilish enemy together.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 