The Plumbline

  If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. (I John 1:8-10) There are a whole lot of ways I show off my 'ignorance', but I don't want one of them to be that I think I am without sin - I am a sinner, yet redeemed from my sin! Admitting our sin is the only way to be free from it. If we admit our sinfulness, does that make us no longer sinners? We all have a human nature - there is always going to be a 'pull toward' sin in our lives as long as we are walking on this earth. Do we have to 'give into' that pull? No, because we have been given a new life in Christ Jesus - the desire might be ...

Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time. (James 2:12-13) It took me a long, long time to realize my 'talk' and 'walk' had to be the same - talking is much easier than walking! Walking is riddled with all kinds of potholes and 'unevenness', isn't it? We go up and down, in and out, running hot and cold. This whole 'business' of loving others as you love yourself seemed to be a little contradictory because 'self' gets us all into a lot of trouble at times, doesn't it? The reality is that we must learn to walk in grace. It begins by allowing grace to show us how to be kind to others when they don't deserve kindness - isn't that the way we would want them to treat us? We must not allow the harshness of 'immediate reactions' to come through, but how on earth do we do...

Just outside hospitals and stores, you often find a sloped ramp which assists those coming in from the parking lot with walkers and wheelchairs to gradually transition onto the sidewalk without much effort. This area is usually painted a bright neon yellow. Why? I think it is to call your attention to the ramp just in case you need the little bit of "extra help" making the transition, but it is also to call your attention to the "change in elevation" for those who are walking along with or without assistive devices. The neon color helps to draw the eye to the area - in hopes one will be conscious of the transition which is occurring in that spot. I wonder if God has any such "neon" warnings for us as we make transitions with him in the spiritual sense - navigating from one point to another? The neon color of the sidewalk does more than point out the path for the one walking, but it also marks the potential of falling for those who don't heed its ...