A Test for the Brave
Divide a sheet of paper into 3 columns. Label one “Really Bad”, The second, “Not Too Bad”, and the third, “Could be Guilty”.
With that in front of you read Romans 1:21-32. Write each sin mentioned in the appropriate columns. “Could Be Guilty” is for those things that you might have done or do. Be honest! No one but you will see this list.
I bet you had very few listed in both column 1 and 3. How many were in both 2 and 3? We usually see ourselves as “pretty good” and not a lot of murderers will read this.
In our society, crimes are divided into Felonies and Misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are less serious offenses, bringing fines and community service hours. Felonies on the other hand, often bring jail or prison time and affect you for life. A felon can’t serve in the military, can’t vote, can’t possess a firearm. They have difficulty finding a place to live, getting a job, long probation, and often remain under the watchful eye of police.
Felonies are seen as major crimes. Misdemeanors as minor.
At times, I think Church folk do something similar with sin. We see some sins as major sins. Others as minor. Some with deep condemnation. Others with minor condemnation. Some with lifetime consequences. Some with short-term consequences.
I am not sure God sees things as Felonies and Misdemeanors.
That is a division we make in our minds, although the Bible does not make that division.
When the Bible makes list of sins it does not divide things up between what we consider serious and non-serious. It mixes them all together. In your list at the beginning, you divided the Biblical list of sin into serious and non-serious. God doesn’t do that. He sees them as all serious since they all harm his children.
What should we do? Repent. Not the “feel sorry” and go our way, but the Biblical way of “changing your thinking”! Stop seeing them as Misdemeanors and see them as Felonies. Then ask Jesus to help you change your life.
Now, Tear up this paper into little pieces and throw it away where no one can find it.