GET BEHIND ME SATAN

Somewhat in line with my post on anthropology, I've been back and forth over a couple of issues, but the one that's sticking in my head is sin. I've always kind of thought of sin as the alternative to good. You can a) do what's right or b) not do what's right. I'm rethinking that. Sin isn't something separate, something on it's own, it's more of a perversion of what is right. Sin is always a twisting of what God originally intended.



Culturally, we demand freedom & independence. It's in our national DNA. It has been pounded into our heads that John Wayne had it right, we need to be tough enough to do everything ourselves, because we can't really trust anyone. Nationally, it works, but personally, it stinks. We can't really grow as individuals or develop as families unless we trust one another. Relationships require trust, and trust doesn't work real well with the brand of independence we have grown.



We have taken something that's good (the ability to stand on your own) and turned into something dangerous (the inability to trust). The white orchid turned blue. And there are a thousand more instances of this. It's important to understand that the nature of sin is to satisfy now. It's easier, right now, to not open yourself to trust because there's always the chance of pain. It's easier to eat the fruit than to learn through experience. It's easier to take the kingdoms of the world without dying on the cross. But the easy way is not the right way. Perseverance in the right is what we have been called to, not twisting what we have for our own desires.

Christ calls us to brief lives of suffering for an eternal rest and happiness with Him. Sin offers short times of happiness and eternal suffering and damnation. Would you like your orchid white or blue?