The Little Things Matter

With some of the warmer weather we have had, I have noticed a resurgence of bugs. Not too many, but enough to be an issue. I try to wash the windows when I get gas, but sometimes there is quite a few days in between fillings. One or two don’t seem too bad, but they keep adding on to each other. I still can see ok, but then if it rains, the windshield wipers make a real mess of things. We could say the same thing about littering. If only one person did it, it would be a little unsightly, but passable. However, if everyone did just a little, or I did a little quite often, it would definitely add up. When it comes to sin, we like to categorize them as big or little sins. Killing someone is a big sin and telling a white lie is a little sin or maybe not a sin at all. That is not what the Bible says! “The wages of sin are death”. It doesn’t specify the type or severity of sin. Jesus didn’t die just for the "big" sins, but for all sins. Why is this such a big deal? Because very few people started off with despicable actions. It usually started with sin that seemed harmless. Trouble is, when sin is left unchecked, whether we feel it is big or small, it grows and causes greater damage. In 1 John 1:8-10, we are told, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” If we don’t acknowledge that sin, we deceive ourselves and God’s truth does not reside in us. If we claim we have not sinned, we deny God’s word, make Him out to be a liar, and basically declare that Jesus' death on the cross was not necessary. In the middle of those verses, we are told that if we confess our sins, acknowledge our failures, and turn back (repent) to God, not only doesn’t He hold that sin against us, but He removes all unrighteousness from us. Too often we get wrapped up with trying to categorize levels of sin rather than see the damage that sin does. We try to justify that sin or make it easier to accept than to see the death and destruction that lays in its path. We can never un-sin or put lipstick on it to make it seem more acceptable. We can only believe and confess. Father, help us to grieve even the “little” sins and to admit our part. In Your mercy, forgive our sins and set us free. Amen