Romans 1:32
knowing the judgment of God, that those who commit such
things are worthy of death, not only do the same but have pleasure in those who
do them.
It is a serious responsibility for Christians to be a light to
the world and guide men on the path of righteousness. Today, we address a grave
matter that has been tugging at the heartstrings of our spiritual community. It
concerns the practice of affirming or celebrating sin, which is indeed a sin in itself.
God, in His infinite wisdom and love, gave us His
commandments, not to restrict our freedom, but to provide a roadmap for us to
live in the world, to be the light in the darkness, and to maintain the
sanctity of our souls - pure, as He intended. "Your word is a lamp to
my feet and a light to my path," says Psalm 119:105. These
commandments are clear and leave no room for interpretation with sin.
Sin, as we know, is any act or thought that separates us
from God. It is the intentional disregard and violation of God's law. When we
sin, we damage our relationship with our Creator, causing a spiritual rift that
only repentance can heal. However, affirming sin, endorsing it, or turning a
blind eye to it, is a sin of equal, if not greater, magnitude.
In the Epistle of James, we read, "So whoever knows
the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" (James
4:17). This verse speaks directly to the heart of our discourse today. Knowing
what is right and not standing up for it is a sin. When we affirm sin, we are
perpetuating its existence, feeding its power, and consciously choosing to
distance ourselves from the love and grace of God.
God's Word is unyielding in its stance on sin. In the book
of Isaiah, the Lord declares, "Woe to those who call evil good and good
evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for
sweet and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20). By affirming sin, we are
distorting God's divine order, and this, dear brethren, is a transgression
against His holy commandments.
We are all susceptible to sin, for we are human. We are born
into sin and must be born again from our wicked ways. Being born again means striving to uphold the Commandments
and be an obedient child of God, seek repentance when we stumble, and extend the
hand of correction, in love, to our brethren who stray. It is not for us to
judge, but to guide, not to condemn, but to enlighten.
Let us remember the story of the woman caught in adultery in
the book of John. Jesus did not condemn her, but admonished her to "sin
no more." He did not affirm her sin; He affirmed her capacity to
change and live a life free from sin, as is the perfect will of God.
Therefore, let us approach this matter with humility and love, bearing in mind the words of Galatians 6:1, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." We are called to gently correct, not to endorse sin. We show our love for sinners by rebuking their sins, lest they face worse punishment.
God is love, and He does not operate as the world defines love, but in doing the best for others. As a loving parent corrects their children because it is best for them, not because they want it: Hebrews 12:11 reminds us: Now no chastening seems to be joyous for the present, but grevious; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are exercised by it.
As we continue our journey of faith, let us pray for the
wisdom to discern right from wrong and the courage to stand against sin's
affirmation. Let us remember that to affirm sin is to deny God's Word, thus
leading us to sin ourselves. May the Lord guide our hearts and strengthen our
resolve to walk in His righteousness, embracing His grace, and rejecting the
affirmation of sin.