The Shunning of Sin

I love to read Christian fiction. I thank the Lord for Christian authors who use their talents to write great stories that always point the reader to the character of God and the plan of salvation.

I just finished a book by Beverly Lewis about an Amish community and the practice of shunning someone who did not follow the strict rules of the Amish order.

This book caused me to think about this practice of  shunning.  I do not propose shunning people, but should we not shun sin?

We have an Adult Super Center in our community. I drive by it several times a day as I go to work. I have noticed a large increase in the number of cars there each time I pass. I mentioned to my husband that there were seven cars there at 4:00 p.m. when I passed. Today, I heard a man on the Christian radio station speaking about these Adult Centers in our communities going totally unopposed by churches or any other group in the community. He discussed the negative impact of these Adult Centers in our community and yet they stand unopposed.

My question now is, when did we stop shunning sin?  When did we give it a new and acceptable name? When did we become so stagnate in our walk with the Lord that we are no longer burdened by sin? If we as Christians do not take a stand, who will? When did I begin to think that my responsibility is only to count cars and complain to my husband about an issue such as the Adult Super Center?

Not only do we not shun sin, we have come to find it humorous and invite it into our homes as entertainment. What situation comedy is not designed around a lifestyle that is sinful? What movie, book or magazine does not glamorize sin?  Lust, greed, covertness, idolatry, sexual sins, adultery, divorce, alternative lifestyles, profanity, murder are tickets to fame and wealth. We now give honor and prominence to people who flaunt their sins publicly. We certainly do not shun them; they have become our culture’s heroes.

The Bible is clear about sin. It gives strong warning about allowing sin into our hearts and lives. Perhaps the problem is our ability to discern sin among the bright lights of glamour and fame. What will come of our next generation of young people who have not been taught about sin and its consequences? When did we allow Charlie Sheen, Snookie, Paris Hilton, and Lindsey Lohan to become the role models for our youth? When did we allow them to come into our homes as invited guests with their sins glamorized?

Take a look at the TV offering in your newspaper.  A few top choices are  Jail, Teen Moms, Divorce Wars, Hoarders, Selling New York, Bridezilla, Intervention, Girls Gone Wild, Desperate Housewives, Jersey Shores, American Greed, New York Housewives and that is just the short list.

The Amish community would shun people for not following the rules of their church. Shouldn’t we as Christians shun the sins that are so against God’s laws?  God paid a tremendous price for our sin. We minimize that price by allowing sin to creep in our hearts and lives with little or no response. The cross with the blood of Jesus was a high price for the sin of man. I never want to minimize the price that was paid by giving sin a place in my heart.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.