David Bahn – Reflections – Page 330 – Light from the Word and through the lens

Not for his sake alone

March 7, 2014

Romans 4:13-25

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Some people are simply dense. In spite of themselves they’ll be so self-consumed that they miss someone who needs a smile or a word of encouragement. They are so oblivious that they fail to offer to help when others are struggling to complete a task. Most of us don’t do that on purpose. Yet we slip too easily into a focus on our own needs and live in service to the unholy trinity of Me, Myself, and I.

There is this little phrase in v. 23, speaking of Abraham and the gift to him of God’s righteousness. The phrase is not the one to which Paul refers: “It was counted to him.” That is a profoundly important phrase. It describes the manner in which Abraham was justified. He was incredibly blessed to have been counted righteous by God because of his faith. The simple truth is that we honor God when we believe his word. That is a call to faith. It is a great source of joy and favor because God’s word is a good word.

The little phrase for us are the words, “not written for his sake alone, but for ours also.” In other words, the reality of Abraham’s justification was a blessing for him, and a promise for us. We are to learn something from the manner of Abraham’s blessing. Those words are for our sake as well as Abraham’s sake. If that is the case, then certainly we must realize that these words are not only for our sake. They are for the sake of all people who believe in the God who sent his Son to die for our sins and be raised for our justification.

The unholy trinity needs to be brought down from its throne if we are to believe in God and embrace the promise that was given to Abraham. And if we embrace this truth for ourselves, then surely we must extend that same promise to our neighbor, or closest friend, our family members, and even our enemies.
True Religion

March 6, 2014

Romans 4:1-12

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

There is a somewhat potentially dangerous and more likely short-sighted way of distinguishing religion from faith. A friend of mine once said, “Religion is the way in which we try to manipulate God to get him on our side, while faith is living in the confidence that God loves us.” It should be obvious that seeking to manipulate God is foolish and misguided. But that is not the only definition of religion. James speaks of religion that is pure as one which takes care of widows and orphans and keeps oneself pure from the world’s corruption.

Here in Romans, however, Paul links religion and faith. He reminds us that Abraham was justified by faith. Paul is preparing to refute the claim to God’s favor based on outward obedience (circumcision) or ethnic identity (sons of Abraham). He makes the point that circumcision was a sign of identity that God had already bestowed. He was declared to be the father of many before he was circumcised.

In the same way we are declared righteous by God even before we believe, and certainly before we are baptized. Our faith receives the gift that God has already given. We may have great bona fides. We may be able to claim a great lineage of faith and faithful ancestors. But our greatest lineage is that of Abraham. And our religion ought always reflect God’s gift rather than our righteousness.
Braggadocio

March 5, 2014

Romans 3:27-31

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

A tidy and well-kept barn in southeast Missouri: This is not in Braggadocio!

Braggadocio is an unincorporated community in Pemiscot County, Missouri. It is located eight miles west of Caruthersville. The community was founded in 1847 and according to Robert L. Ramsay, was named for the vainglorious knight and horse thief Sir Braggadoccio, in Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene. Now we know the what, but I have no idea just why a locale would claim that name. Perhaps it was given by someone wishing to belittle the community and its residents. I do remember my dad talking about Braggadocio; we must have driven through it sometime when I was a young boy.

Braggadocio is also a word that describes something like which it sounds: the annoying or exaggerated talk of someone who is trying to sound very proud or brave. Bravado comes also to mind, as does the word bluster. Off-putting to be sure.

Why would anyone employ such talk? Why would anyone put themselves forward in a boastful manner? The answer: unrepentant sin. Whenever we chart our own course apart from the ways of God, and miss the mark of his holy calling, and on top of that refuse to acknowledge our failings and faults, we show the true nature of our hearts. Such is foolishness to be sure, but it is driven by a self-justifying, prideful, arrogance that springs from a heart that is thoroughly corrupted by sin.

You can say it all you want: It ain’t braggin’ if it’s true. But even if it is true (Muhammad Ali may have been the greatest fighter of his day), such talk does not spring from a heart humbled by the truth of God’s law and set free by the Good News of Jesus’ redemption. Those who know that God is the ultimate judge, and believe that he has provided the means for us to face eternity with hope and confidence by means of his own Son don’t need to brag. We simply need to worship and praise his holy name.
The Applause of Heaven – II

March 4, 2014

Romans 3:21-26

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Some of us need “atta-boys” more than others. Our love language is words of affirmation. We can go for days without hearing such words, working away harder and harder, and grow more and more resentful or less and less motivated. Then someone will come along and say something nice and encouraging, and everything looks up for us. Some, out of that severe need, will go to great lengths to gain the approval of others and their praise.

Our place before God, however, is dramatically different from even the kindest human welcome. Our place before him is secured in his gracious attitude and heart toward us. His justification of us is not dependent on our keeping of the law. We don’t obey our way into our place in his heart or kingdom. He loves us preemptively. He secures our place in his heart and kingdom unilaterally – apart from any performance on our part.

Yet God is not simply some mushy soft touch. He is no pushover. His demands for perfect faithfulness have not been set aside. They have been met. And then, in an overwhelming show of merciful lovingkindness, the One who met those demands of perfect faithfulness before God offered himself as a ransom. No wonder the heavenly Father called out at Jesus’ baptism, “This is my Son with whom I am well-pleased.” No wonder he repeated this praise on the mount of transfiguration, “This is my Son, listen to him.” No wonder Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God and given the name that is above every name. He alone deserves the praise of God.

Paul makes the point that all have sinned and fallen short of the “praise” (the ESV and most translations have “glory”) of God. That is certainly true no matter whether you translate the Greek “dosa” (from which we get the word doxology) as praise or glory. We cannot recommend ourselves to God nor attain or claim his glory. Nor do we properly expect his praise. We can rejoice, however, that for Jesus’ sake God has declared us righteous.

We have a place in God’s kingdom and heart through faith in Jesus Christ. That’s not about working our way into God’s favor, or finally doing enough to gain God’s praise. It is about acknowledging our sin and rejoicing in God’s favor for Jesus’ sake.
The power behind the silence

March 3, 2014

Romans 3:9-20

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
11     no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14     “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16     in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

I heard only small portion of the conversation between my wife and her seat mate on a recent flight. What I heard, however, (or more accurately, didn’t hear) was stunning to me. Silence. In the middle of the somewhat earnest conversation about children and family, there was suddenly no conversation. The silence was powerful evidence that Diane had struck a nerve and brought this woman to a place of sincere self-examination. There was no more argument. Although the conversation was very friendly (she was seeking help connecting with her son), the woman seemed defensive in the face of her own confusion and inability to influence her son in a good direction.

I later learned that Diane had simply asked, “What are you afraid of?” It was a powerful question in that moment and silenced the woman long enough perhaps for her to reflect rather than emote. I remember a similar occasion when I was brought to a powerful silence when asked a question I had to reflect on rather than offer an immediate answer or an excuse. It brought me to a place of humility and blessing. I didn’t need to figure out an answer. I needed to receive grace.

Paul writes that the law speaks to us so that “every mouth may be stopped…” Such silence is needed for the sake of our own eternal wellbeing. For if we go on and on, blithely excusing our behavior, justifying ourselves, and proving our point we will never enter into the place of true righteousness and justification. That is because we have no righteousness of our own. There is no excuse for our behavior. We cannot prove our point before God. We are accountable to God, and truly have nothing to say in our own defense.

That is true of us all: “None is righteous, no not one.” That ought to give us pause. That ought to silence us. And in that moment of silence the Good News of God may be heard in all its sweetness and joy. But if we are babbling on, offering excuses, defending our cause, blaming others we will miss it. We will be eternally lost. Is it time for you to “be still and know that [the Lord] is God”? (Psalm 46:10) Such silence brings the golden opportunity to seek the righteousness of God. That Good News is sweet in the ears of those who are silent before God.
Distinct Advantage

February 28, 2014

Romans 3:1-8

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with,the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,

“That you may be justified in your words,
and prevail when you are judged.”

5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

An old American Express commercial had the tag line: Membership has its privileges. That is also true in regard to membership in a country club: there are privileges. But what about a church? We have tried to make a point that membership in a church (the body of Christ) has its responsibilities rather than its privileges. Perhaps, however, we have overstated the case. Actually there are great privileges to be members of a church, the local and located body of Christ. We have the Word of God. We have the mutual conversation and consolation of the brothers and sisters in Christ. We have the sacraments. These are treasures and gifts from God.

Paul makes that point about the Jews, but for a different contrast. In his case, he is not contrasting privileges versus responsibilities. He is speaking of the reality he lifted up in 2:11, ” For God shows no partiality.” If that is the case, one could conclude that there are no advantages to being a Jew. Such is not the case. But as soon as Paul mentions just one advantage, he takes up a different argument. The charge is properly made against the Jews that they were unfaithful. But our unfaithfulness does not nullify God’s faithfulness. So even if the Jews who had the oracles of God – his very word through the Old Testament prophets and writers – but never fully followed them (cf. Romans 3:10-11, quoting from Psalm 14 & 53).

The charge is rightly laid at the feet of Christians today that we don’t do all we say others ought to do. We don’t walk the talk. But this is precisely why we preach the Gospel. The Gospel (Good News) is that God forgives sin; that we are justified before him by his grace for the sake of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Whenever anyone points to a church member’s poor witness or hypocrisy as the reason for their rejection of Christ, I want to say, “There’s always room for one more sinner in the church.” We are all sinners after all. Then comes the charge: You’re saying we should do more evil so that more good from God may come to us. Paul calls such an accusation slander, and will deal with it more fully in Romans 6. There is no excuse. No one but God is righteous. He will judge the world, and that includes you and me. If there is no Savior, or hope for salvation we are doomed. But it is our distinct privilege to call Jesus our Lord. He has redeemed us. We are his. Paul will make much of that in the verses to come. We must make the most of that every day.
Praise from God

February 27, 2014

Romans 2:25-29

For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Seems we have a choice in life: we can live for the momentary pleasure or for the long-term good. Most of us have learned over time that putting off the short-term gain in favor of the long-term pay-off yields a better benefit in the long run. So we save our money in anticipation of a vacation next summer. We work the whole week in anticipation of enjoying a weekend of leisure and recreation.

Somehow, however, the idea of foregoing the praise of man in anticipation of receiving the praise of God is a bit more challenging. We may believe that virtue is its own reward. We may even resist temptation to do wrong in favor of having a clear conscience. But when is the last time you actually thought of receiving the praise of God? I find it hard to imagine such a moment – even though I have some hopes of being vindicated for some actions I have taken over the years simply out of faithfulness toward God and in anticipation of his blessing.

Paul’s argument in these verses is all about faithfulness from the heart as opposed to mere outward obedience. Outward obedience brings a short-term gain. Men and women will express their delight in deeds well done and godly lifestyles. But if we’re obeying only for the praise of man we are not acting in faith. We have gained a short-term reward. Not only does God see the heart, he rewards those who obey from the heart – no matter what others see from the outside. This is no excuse for outwardly bad behavior in supposed faithfulness to God. God cannot be mocked. But it is a call to have our hearts cut and turn in repentance to God (cf. Acts 2:37-41!).

Max Lucado’s book, The Applause of God, comes to mind. In it he describes that which awaits the faithful on the Great Last Day when we enter into the presence of God:

You’ll be home soon… You may not have noticed it, but you are closer to home than ever before. Before you know it, your appointed arrival time will come… You’ll see faces that are waiting for you. You’ll hear your name spoken by those who love you. And, maybe, just maybe––in the back, behind the crowds––the One who would rather die than live without you will remove his pierced hands from his heavenly robe and . . . applaud (Max Lucado, The Applause of Heaven, [Dallas: Word, 1990], 189-90).

Those who hold to God’s promises in faith may look forward to such a moment. In the mean time we are called to live faithful lives from hearts that have been cut and who turn to Christ for healing.
Out on Bad Behavior

February 26, 2014

Romans 2:23-24

You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

The Facebook post/image comes to mind again (cf, Unintelligent Chaos). It shows a pierced and tattooed person with the words superimposed: Some of the most kind and accepting, loving and understanding people I’ve met are covered with tattoos and piercings. Some of the most judgmental and unloving people I’ve ever met go to church every Sunday. Why is it that the charge can ever be leveled against church-goers that they are hypocrites? What moves us to think and act as though we are in any way superior to anyone else?

These verses (and the larger context of 2:12-29 below) translate well to Christian and Non-Christian behaviors and relationships. We all too easily fall into the trap of presuming we have our act together when in fact we do not. How is it that we can worship in a church (Lutheran in my case) in which we confess our sins every Sunday, yet believe, act, and speak about others’ sins as though we have none? Simply put: this ought not to be true.

Paul has set out the nature of divine judgment in chapter 2: It is something that we all must face. It is based on truth (v. 2) and marked by righteousness (v. 5). It is according to works (v. 6), impartial in nature (v. 11), and executed through Christ (v. 16). Such judgment will bring agonizing ruin to all sinners (vv. 8, 9). (From The Reformation Study Bible) Now he turns to the manner in which the Jews show themselves guilty under the law. The situation he paints is hopeless, for even the righteous show themselves to be unrighteous. And the comparison between the Jews and Gentiles is that both groups express righteousness as well as sinful behavior. Later he will say, “For there is no distinction, all have sinned…” (Romans 3:23).

The sins Paul lists are particularly obvious to those who look on from outside. But what is worse is that the Jews want to hold themselves up before others while looking down on them. Their two-faced behavior is so vile that people curse God because of them. May it never be said of us that we bring such a poor witness that others turn us off and reject Christ. Unbelievers have plenty of reason to reject the truth of God’s word and his claim on them. Let’s not add another reason by means of our behavior!

Romans 2:12-29

For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Uh oh, or not?

February 25, 2014

Romans 2:1-11

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

A friend of mine offered an assessment of his mother’s new-found open-mindedness: “You can be closed-minded about your open-mindedness,” he said. If you’ve gone that far, it seems a bit like the pot calling the kettle black. “Am not!” “Are too!” “So are you!” On it goes…So in the midst of any line-drawing over issues of sexual identity, proclivity, or preference, the issues of gossip, obedience to parents, and boastfulness rightly come into play (ever been part of the cheer, “We’re #1!”?). Perhaps a story will help us understand the slippery slope we’re all on:

The Sunday school teacher was teaching her children the story of the publican and the Pharisee (cf. Luke 18:9-14). One was deeply repentant. The other was boastful in his own righteousness. The repentant publican went to his home justified, while the Pharisee did not. The teacher then said, “So let us all be thankful that we are not like that Pharisee.” And as we hear that story we are all thankful that we’re not like that Sunday school teacher. Ugh!

When our children used to fight, or try to blame one another for the mess they were all in, we would say, “Take care of yourself.” That’s good advice for us as well. We may need to step into a wayward person’s life and gently guide them back to the path of truth. But we must “look to ourselves” in the process less we fall into sin. I had thought that the sin which we might fall prey to would be that of the allure of the flesh in dealing with the erring brother or sister. Now I’m wondering whether it might be the temptation to become judgmental. That seems to be what Paul warns of here.

The call is clear in the end: believe in God and do good. For he shows no partiality and receives whoever comes to him in Christ in repentance and faith. Check out Romans 2:4 again. It’s a good reminder for us all – no matter on which list we find our pet sin.
Unintelligent Chaos

February 24, 2014

Romans 1:26-31

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Not too long ago a post appeared on Facebook showing a tattooed and pierced individual with an overlay of words stating: “Some of the most loving, accepting, and kind people I’ve met have been covered with tattoos and piercings. Some of the most judgmental and mean-spirited people I’ve met go to church every Sunday.” Perhaps it was an overstatement, but it should be so untrue of Christian people that it would cause us all to laugh. Sadly it doesn’t.

One church has such a strong stand against homosexuality that their members are seen as hate mongers and homophobic. Another church has such an open stance toward the issue that they are seen as standing for nothing. Arguments fly back and forth about gay rights and gay marriage, dividing families and churches alike. Even at the Winter Olympics at Sochi Russia the question became a front and center issue in the face of Russian President Putin’s strong anti-gay policies and stance.

So how do we speak to the issue of sexual identity and practice in a manner that upholds truth and holds out grace? Here we have the clear expression of the truth. There is little grace in these words. There is little expression of kindness or mercy. But be careful not to fall too far into the trap of self-righteous indignation against those who are sexually immoral – by any definition.

Look more closely, however, at the list of ills that Paul offers here! The list includes the likely suspects, railing against envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. Still other pretty bad ones: slanderers, haters of God, boastful, inventors of evil. But then there are some more supposedly innocuous sins: gossips, insolent, haughty, boastful, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless. What about these? Why would anyone put forward a particular sin when any one of these others make the list here, and Paul says of these as well, “…those who practice such things deserve to die?”

Sadly the unintelligent chaos of human sinfulness bleeds out all over the place. We need never apologize for calling sin sin. We need not become politically correct in an effort to please the world (We are to please God after all!). But if we are going to call homosexual behavior the product of a debased mind, we better be ready to call covetousness, gossip, disobedience to parents, and foolishness what they are as well: things deserving God’s judgment.

Lord have mercy on us all! For that is our only hope and salvation. May we be ever humble before God and one another as we acknowledge every sin and repent and believe the Good News of Jesus!