Chief of sinners though I be ____________ is worst than me. It can be so easy for us as human beings and even as Christians to point the finger at others, as a way to soften our sinful actions by relegating a more critical condemnation on someone else. If the attention and cause for concern is deflected towards another person, then the focus or watchful eye is taken off of you or me. This is a strategy which is being used by a great number of people in our world, and without a doubt is also happening more closely right here in America.
This very day we are experiencing an ongoing state of moral digression in our American society. The reality of what is happening in our country directly deals with the fact that as we move farther away from God’s Word and the moral codes which it portrays the further our sense of morality slides downhill. There is a very evident correlation between these two points of interest.
Along with our straying from the Word of God as a nation there is another facture we need to consider when viewing our societies sicknesses. The understanding of responsibility and accountability have slowly been slipping away from what was once believed to be necessary expectations. Blaming someone else for our unacceptable actions, negative attitudes, and poor performances has become a normal practice by way to many people. If an individual makes a mistake, breaks a law, or causes harm to another person or their property, then they need to accept the responsibility and accountability for what you did! This is what God calls each of us to do and it is how we are to act as His people.
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 3:19-20, 22b-23, “Now we know that whatever the law says it speak to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world be held accountable to God. For by the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes the knowledge of sin.’ For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
Did you hear those words from Paul? We all have fallen short, we are all guilty of sinning, and we are all condemned: one no worst or better than another. Yet, we are also all forgiven by the saving work of Jesus. And as each of us take responsibility for our sins, accept accountability for them, and seek the Lord’s forgiveness for our sinful actions, then we can enjoy healing and we no longer have to hide our sins by highlighting another person’s faults. There is freedom in repentance and forgiveness and Lent is a great time to remember that. Pastor McCarty