Broaden Discourses about Sin

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. ~ Romans 3:23

Far too often, discourses about sin are too one-dimensional: they are almost always negative.  If you really understand sin fully as it is disclosed in the bible, you will recognize that you would not be here today if it was not for sin.  Because of the Original Sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, it allowed them to be able to produce other human beings, which inevitably led to the human beings who produced you.  In no way am I trying to make sin sexy—it’s not!  What I’m arguing, however, is there are some meaningful and positive things about sin that are useful.

Sinful acts give us examples of what we should not be doing.  Knowing what not to do is very crucial to living a life committed to God.  Sin comes to give us understanding about what it is that God wants us not to do.  Sin helps to inform us about what is not like God and what it really means to be holy.  Many people try to act like they have always been saved. As the aforementioned epigraph illuminates, everyone was born a sinner, and many of those people pretending to be so holy are some of the greatest sinners.

Let’s get real about sin.  When we engage in comprehensive and serious discussions about sin, we can see sin as providing opportunities for us to find ways to prevent it.  Additionally, serious discourses about sin allow us to develop innovative ways and strategies for reaching sinners.  If we are always approaching sin from such indignant dispositions, then we will only continue to turn people away from accepting Jesus into their hearts.  True Christians are to win souls for Christ—not push people away from Christ.  When you are walking around like you are so high and mighty, don’t forget that you were once a sinner too, and had it not been for the grace of God you would still be a sinner—so don’t get it twisted.

At many churches, especially at many Black churches, it’s real popular to see who can speak the harshest about sin and sinners.  As Christians, we are supposed to dislike sin but not sinners.  It seems like many people have a difficult time separating their hate for sin from the people who are committing the sins.  In all things that we do, the bible informs us that we should do them with love.  The bible lets us know that it is love that saved us and it is that same love that will draw people to Christ.

One of the greatest opportunities for you to expand the discourses about sin is during Sunday School.  I encourage you to challenge members of your church during Sunday School about the complexities of sin that are often just overlooked as a result of the desire to appear so holy.  You can engage in thorough and intelligent conversations about some of the positive aspects of sin and still be saved—it’s called having intellectual discourses.  Let’s be more intelligent in our discourses about sin.

Deuces,

Tony                 

What is

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? ~ Proverbs 20:6

You can’t take away what already is.  When I find myself in the midst of justifying my friendship with the man that graces this blog with me, I am always baffled.  Yes, Antonio and I exercise arrogance in our friendship because that is the type of love that we have for each other, but never have we withheld how we feel about the challenges we face, nor have we EVER masked the deeper issues we have with each other with an attack, passive aggressive statements, or public humiliation.  We just state how we feel and continuously encourage each other’s endeavors.  I adore when people try to steam roll our friendship because it inspires post like these.  I have found that our friendship is something that people envy, loathe, and desire all together.  Trying to glean an understanding of what is leaves most angry, upset, and confused in trying to understand why we passionately advocate for each other.  Our friendship is an intimate association of familiarity and companionship (no we are not, nor have we, or will we ever sleep together).

One of the most important things that I will never force is a friendship.  Relationships should be built and sustained naturally and as in any thing that is natural, you will have flaws and imperfections, but when embraced there is a beautiful evolution that can be everlasting like God’s love.  The self problems of some individuals can and have spilled over into their personal friendships and a serious amount of self-reflection must occur before the loneliness of having no real, purposeful, loving friendships occur.  Sadly, it is a direct reflection of weak minded people and I don’t contribute to things or people that take away from, instead of, adding to positive reinforcement.  When my connection with Antonio and other friends rustles the feathers of some so much so that they have to seek the most minute tactics to bother me in some form, it makes me laugh from the inside out.  Why? Because they couldn’t be more obvious *laughing*. If something about my character bothers anyone just that bad, they should know to feel free in speaking to me at any time.  I will never try to out do others when it comes the core of my friendships with gift giving, titles, attire, career choices, or relationship.  How does one pass judgment on a friendship that is powerful and loving, but be completely blind to the fact of the negative energy and hurtful actions that they have bestowed in the friendships that are claimed to be near and dear to their heart…just saying?   

Antonio and I don’t have to censor our friendship PERIOD, however, the same cannot be said for others. I am receptive to constructive criticism, but I am disgusted by underlined messages: masking what one wants to say, but never stating it.  I take delight knowing that I can affect many by just being truly with no veil, no mask, no co-signer who I am.  Don’t be so upset about the closeness, genuineness, and passion of another’s friendship that YOU fail in adding building blocks or completely demolishing your own.  Antonio and I will never conform to another’s blueprint of what our friendship is and will continually be: rare, layered, and candid.  Our friendship is victorious and we celebrate it every day by just being. Simply because it’s what is.  I want to leave you with this status that I borrowed from one of my Facebook friends, (K.A.):

When you know your value, you don't have to beg people to be your friend or mate, to spend time with you or to love you. Be confident in who GOD made you to be. Everybody can't afford the luxury of your friendship.

Who has been afforded the luxury of your friendship?  What, if any, backlash have you all received because of how close you are?

Deuces, 

San