Cultrually-Accepted Sins

The Problems

Christians are not under the Law of Moses, but the Law of Christ. Those who would deny that we are to walk according to the spirit and not in sin are leading you toward hell. Yet it seems to me that with enough bullying, many Christians simply gave up on standing against the sins that our culture encourages. There are whole churches that tolerate, excuse, and sometimes even support certain sins! We cannot stop all pretenders and liars from giving us a bad name, but the least we can do is to reinvigorate each other in the fight against the many sins we are surrounded with and tempted by, so that we might stand firm in the faith and be a light to the heathens.

Consider, are preachers and ordinary believers doing good by not speaking much about the worst sins in our culture? I suppose if all we want is church attendance, then we had better not speak out against sins that our institutions support. Yet church attendance does not save, so what we should want is true repentance. Therefore, what good is having people attend who are not prepared to hear the truth and repent?

Calling Others to Repent

'The truth hurts,' goes the saying, and we all know this is often the case, but in this nation, a multitude of Christians—especially young ones—act as though the truth is a secondary consideration. According to these people, if someone is already suffering somehow, or if speaking the truth would bring about tension or an argument, then the truth shouldn't be mentioned. We are meant to be at peace with all men, when possible (Romans 12:18), but it is often not possible. We must spread the Gospel (2 Timothy 4), and the Gospel is not just that God loves us and gave his only Son; it is that people must repent:

'From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."'(Matthew 4:17)

'[…] And repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.' (Luke 24:47)

'The time has come […] The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and hear the good news!' (Mark 1:15)

'I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.' (Luke 13:3 & 13:5)

'First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.' (Acts 26:20)

How are most people likely to respond to such reproves? A wise man who seeks God responds well, but not many are wise or seek God. Thus, our commission and our beliefs will inevitably cause conflict and persecution.

'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn "a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man's enemies will be the members of his own household."' (Matthew 10:34–36)

'Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.' (Mark 13:12–13)

Therefore, we will face troubles, especially when we call people to repentance, yet we must endure our trials.

Instructions and Encouragement

• Pracitce courage. Start speaking up when you normally would not. Start taking action.
• Try to get your pastor and small groups to talk about sins that are being overlooked.
• Learn how to explain how these sins are wrong well, both to Christians an non-Christians, if you can.
• Discard your selfish ambitions.

The following verses all contain important instructions.

'So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.' (Matthew 10:26–31)

'But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.' (1 Peter 3:14–16)

'For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.' (2 Peter 1:5–8)

'Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.' (1 Corinthians 9:19–23)

Sins the World Loves

Here is a list of sins which are common in our society (and even in churches) yet not acknowledged as wrong by significant portions of the population. In addition, many so-called Christians ignore these, support them, or play down their seriousness.

• Murder—abortion.
• Homosexuality.
• Selfish ambitions (fame, money, etc.).
• Covetousness
• Lust—porn, masturbation.
• Sex outside of marriage.
• Mutilation of children (breast removal, sterilisation with hormones, etc.).
• Early sexualisation of children.

What are we telling people to repent for if not abortion, transgenderism, etc.?! I will leave you with the following.

'You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!' (James 2:19)