The Infectiousness of Sin

"Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you."  2 Corinthians 6:17

An infection can spread very quickly throughout the body.

A few years back, I went to bed well and fine, and was awakened early in the morning with a C. difficile infection that came close to taking my life.  I never even knew I had a problem.  

Sin is a lot like that.  Sometimes we never even realize there's a problem.

By the time we realize there is a problem, the infection has often spread far beyond control.  The only way to gain control is to quarantine. But that only stops the spread.  It doesn't deal with the infection.

When sin permeates and invades the entire body of Christ, much like we see happening in the American church today, the consequences are even more devastating.  Those who sound the alarm are often belittled and berated like the prophets of old.  And the church continues on in its sin—choosing to ignore the problem.  It's too uncomfortable for them.  They don't want to be seen as radical.

But wait, wasn't Jesus radical?

Didn't He call us to be His disciples?

Doesn't that mean we are to be radical, too?

Radically obedient to God.

Radically courageous.

Radically humble.

Radically loving.

Radically joyful.

Radically peaceful.

Radically patient.

Radically kind.

Radically good.

Radically faithful.

Radically gentle.

Radically self-controlled.

How can we learn to be and do all of these things when the very place we are to practice them, His Church, is sick and infected with the culture?

Romans 12:2 tells us, "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

And James 1:27 reminds us, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

The cure for the infectiousness of sin in your life, my life, and the American church is humility, prayer, repentance, and seeking the face of God.

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

I want to be a part of the cure.  Don't you?

Goodnight, Runners.