Pastor's Ponderings, February 16, 2015

God Hates Sin No Matter Who Is Doing It

Recently, President Obama, at a prayer breakfast, reminded his audience of Jim Crow violence in America and the Crusades in the Middle East apparently conducted by Christians.  Before these references, the President had been referring to ISIS that has committed many unspeakable and sadistic acts of murder, torture, rape, and mayhem.  They proudly display their work on social media and many are flocking to join their evil ranks.

The Bible talks about the evil devil and how he is going about devouring people just like this terrorist group (1 Peter 5:8).  But God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel and criticized the leaders, the preachers of doing the same thing (Ezekiel 22:25-27)! Our society respects leaders of the church, business professionals, and politicians while demanding quite rightly that criminals be locked up.  But God calls sin, no matter who is performing it, simply sin (1 John 5:17). It does not matter who is doing it, it does not matter their title, position, status, or wealth--sin is sin.  Whenever we do wrong, we are of our Father the devil who comes to kill, still and destroy (John 8:44).

It does not matter if sin is done in the name of Jesus, whether bombing abortion clinics, conducting the Crusades, or the destruction of the Inquisition, all unrighteousness is sin.  

Let us remember that the Righteous Judge is observing us and while we look at the outward appearance, He is judging our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). 

1 Peter 5:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Ezekiel 22:25-27
New International Version (NIV)
25 There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her.
26 Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
27 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.

1 John 5:17
New International Version (NIV)

17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

John 8:44
New International Version (NIV)

44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 Samuel 16:7
New International Version (NIV)

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.