How do you feel today? I mean physically for starter? As for me, I am a little bit "off." Scratchy throat, stuffy nose, nothing major, and I can pass for healthy. Inside I know differently. Maybe it's a cold or allergies. If you see me today, you probably won't notice. But before I noticed anything at all, God knew. He sees us better from the outside in, and the inside out, and He cares about every detail.
How about your heart and your spirit? How are your "feelers" as my Aunt Bobbie used to call them? Are you feeling pretty good about yourself? Today it doesn't take much to feel superior spiritually and morally. Like if you compared yourself to the resigned director of the CIA. . .wow, or the military leaders accused of fooling around...I would say things are really a "bit off" up there in Washington. Well, that sure makes us feel good, doesn't it? Shame on them! I haven't cheated on my spouse or lied to an investigating committee in Congress or even gone on national television with "misleading" information. Nope, none of the above. My sins are pretty small, and those guys up there, well, that is what we expect, right?
Recently, in my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) class the topic of sin came up. Let's say, others' sin which is easier for us than our own. Like when Noah got drunk. Yes, the same spiritual leader who the Lord found righteous among a whole world of A-1 sinners. The one who had faith to obey God when God told him He was going to flood the earth even though no one had ever seen rain! He built an ark while everyone mocked him, for a year! God saved this righteous man, his family and animals to repopulate the earth. God delivered Noah and the first thing Noah did after over a year on the ark was build an altar and praise God. This faithful man was a giant hero of the Bible! (One note about God's Word: heroes' lives are never sugar-coated. The men and women are described as real and human and sinners just like us.) So in spite of his faith, Noah fell into sin. It took him a little while to get there, since he had to plant some seeds, grow some grapes, ferment the fruit and make wine. When he was done, Noah overindulged!
Sometimes after a great victory it is the time to watch out! So Noah's sin of drunkenness caused him to pass out naked in his tent. Could have ended there, but the really bad part came next. One of Noah's sons, Ham, found his drunken Dad, laughed at him, mocked him and tried to get his brothers to join in...bad son. The other two brothers refused and actually covered their father, showing kindness and compassion. Later they were rewarded, as Japheth became the originator of the Gentile world and the other son, Shem, became the father of the Israelite line. Ham's descendants are still causing trouble today, worshipping idols and trying to destroy Israel.
The key for us in this story is how we respond to others' sins. Do we gloat or gossip? Snicker or feel superior? I'm guilty. It is convicting to see sin as God does (at least, to try). The true measure of a Christian's character is how he responds to another's sin. So if we observe someone who is a little "off" in his behavior, we should try to help, cover his sin, not spread the news, and pray for him to be restored and "sober up."
"Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day is out." Galatians 6:1-2.
The Message Bible
Pray:
Father, help us to see sin as You see it. Give us a restoring heart and shut our mouths to gossip about others' sin. Let us be witnesses of Your forgiveness in our own lives through Your power.
Amen
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