With and Without Sin
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
1 John 1: 8-10 [NIV]
Denial is a terrible thing. I once recall a friend saying that he couldn't reconcile that a God of love would reject some of the people he knew who were "really nice people" but also didn't believe in God. This is a tough conversation to have, but the fact is that none of can claim to be without sin, however "nice" we appear in public.
At times I feel like a cardboard saint, a good outward appearance can hide the true nature of self. Sin is a daily struggle. We know we are not without sin, and we might as well be honest about that. There is no point in coming across as "holier than thou" as God doesn't rank sinners the same way we are tempted to do, according to degrees of sin. God hates all sin, and Jesus spent a lot of time with those that were "most sick", the outcasts, prostitutes, lepers, tax collectors… Those who gave Jesus a hard time perhaps appeared to be "better people" but Jesus showed them that they loved less because they were forgiven less. Those with the hardest hearts perhaps didn't feel the need for confession and repentance as they were blind to the sin Jesus could see so easily.
Let us not be modern-day Pharisees who look down on others – rather let us confess, repent and seek forgiveness daily.
Dave MacLellan
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