I decided to "Dear Diary" blog inspired by a recent email conversation with a friend and my Pastor's sermon from Sunday.
Let's face it. Living in the Bible belt is trying downright annoying sometimes. As a child, it's easy to see the Bible as a bunch of contradictions. "God is love" but "Depart from me, I never knew you." As an adult I can see where it more clearly makes sense.
Thanks to my Baptist elementary upbringing, the first Bible verse I learned (yes-a verse for every letter in the alphabet) was Romans 3:23 "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." I didn't truly grasp this concept until later in life, but it means that even Mother Theresa sinned. *gasp*
This verse was also used this Sunday by Pastor Craig in his sermon about love. The Greek word for sin is ¢amartia or hamartia meaning to miss the mark in your relationship with God.
Not to get too boring (even though it utterly fascinates me), we're all familiar with the term "brotherly love" and even learned in elementary school that Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love. (Philia-Greek word) In Spanish there are two ways to say "I love you" depending your relationship with that person. Fast forward to boring English.....love, sin, etc. We often make our own definitions as they fit into our lives but the point is that sin is whatever puts a strain in our relationship with God. We, as imperfect human beings, tend to teeter on the edge of wanting to be accepted in the world but also wanting to be like our Creator, of whose image we were created.
I know that I have not been given authority to judge either but shame on these Christians who make Christianity to be a bunch of laws and regulations. God is not making a list and checking it twice. I do believe in eternal consequences and even though I try my best to live my life the way it should, I will have times where I struggle with unforgiveness. I will get angry and do or say things I regret. Big deal. The last time I checked I am still human.
I know how frustrating it has to be for God because as a parent I am constantly having to scold my children for the same "stupid" mistakes they make over and over. That's where God has patience for us because we are His children.
The bottom line is that I have learned to not let myself be overcome with guilt. Nor will I judge people for their lifestyle choices-that's God's job. Let's face it: drinking, smoking, cursing, etc. might not be what separates people from God. Sin does. Here in the Bible belt, there is so much controversy about what sends one to hell. I will not tell people how to live their lives as I expect them not to tell me how to live mine. I choose not to drink because of how my past experiences with alcohol inhibited--what I feel--was my true character. Smoking won't send one to hell but it's not a healthy habit I choose to do. I can't use inappropriate words anymore because I'm too afraid one will slip up in the classroom. (Imagine me in the headlines!) I binge eat sometimes and am a glutton but I don't think that will eternally separate me from my Maker.
These are my feelings. I am not perfect human. I sin. I fall down. Just like any relationship in my life I have to work at the most important one I have-with God.
