You're a sinner!!

That's a tough statement to hear, isn't it?  I remember the first time I heard that in church, that we're all sinners.  I remember looking at the people around me, thinking, he can't be talking to me?!  Truthfully, my inner monologue went something like this, "Me?  What the hell?  Who are you to judge me? Screw you!"  Yea, not very flattering, but sometimes, honesty isn't always all that flattering.  But, I'm fairly certain that we've all had inner monologues we're not always proud of.  That's one of the many things that makes us all sinners.

It took me a while, but I finally began to realize, I was offended because I didn't want to look within myself.  No one ever wants to admit the ugly they have within.  The problem is, we all have the "ugly within" ~ even the nicest people we know.  Most don't want to admit it.  It is, after all, a tough pill to swallow.  Admit that we have faults?  Admit that there are times we think negatively about our fellow man?  Admit that we gossip?  Admit that we've used the Lord's name in vain?  The list of man's sins goes on and on.

Unlike our judicial system, the Lord views all sins equally putting no one sin greater then another.  In other words, in the Lord's eyes, if you murder someone or if you stole a pencil from the local dime store, guess what ~ level playing field in the Lord's eyes.  Tough to hear, isn't it?  It's difficult, as Christians, to remember that.  We live in a society run by a judicial system that says just the opposite.  Please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that someone that goes on a shooting rampage should be treated like someone who stole a candy bar from the local dime store.  The judicial system is in place to protect us.  However, as Christians, it's our responsibility to practice forgiveness and love one another, regardless of the sin.  Again, not always an easy pill to swallow.

My husband and I were having a discussion about all of the legal reports that are published in the local papers and the amount of gossip and rumors that those can cause.  We've all seen them, right?  The traffic reports, finance reports and the court reports.  Sadly, these things are often the basis of gossip and rumors.  "Did you see so-and-so filed bankruptcy?"  "Did you see so-and-so didn't pay their property taxes?"  "Did you see so-and-so was pulled over for drinking and driving?"  The list goes on and on. 

During the course of the conversation, I wondered, what prompts people to read those things anyway?  My husbands response, "I read them because they make me feel better about myself."  And that's when it hit me:  He's exactly right.  He didn't mean to give me the answer I was looking for, he was just being completely honest.  This is why people read these things, and worse yet, why they turn that and other things into gossip and rumors:  it diverts their attention from their selves and their own "ugly within".  It's how we are as a society in general.  We focus on what others are doing wrong, because it makes us feel better about ourselves.  As though their sins are more severe then ours. 

Some of you may not agree with that, which to me, only further proves my theory.  And that's ok.  I love you anyway.  Am I perfect?  Not by a long shot.  I don't even pretend to be.  I know what my sins are, do you know what yours are?

As we approach 2011, I have a challenge for everyone (including myself).  When you read these things, or you hear gossip or rumors, rather then feeding the "rumor fire", pray for them.  Pray for the person who's gossiping, pray they they find peace within themselves.  Pray for the person the gossip is about.  We don't know each others stories, or what puts us in particular situations.  When someone approaches you and says, "did you hear about so-and-so", consider these prayer requests.

In the end, there is one who can judge us, and that is the Lord himself.  We are all sinners saved by His grace.  Lets focus on admitting and correcting our own sins, this is truly how we'll lead others to Christ.  By example.

God, you know my foolishness. My sins aren’t hidden from you.  Psalms 69:5