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The Truth about “Safe Sin”
Marvin L. Weir
According to the name I scribbled on the page the two quotes that follow are from the pen of Mike Jackson. He says: “I like coming up with oxymoron's. These are expressions or statements which are apparently self-contradictory but make a point nonetheless. Some examples are: “cruel kindness,” “heavy lightness.” And some on the lighter note include: “clean dirt,” and “tough love.” As a rule these words just don’t go together. Well, today I shall add another one to the list—“safe sin.” Please let me explain. These are “good” sins (there is another one). Acceptable sins—sins that are laughed about! If put to a vote, these would be removed from the list of sins altogether.”
It is obvious that the world in which we live would like nothing better than to vote certain “sins” out of the realm of sinfulness! Our government evidently decided long ago that it would become the expert on sin, and now it informs us all about the so-called social ills of society. The psychologists and sociologists have influenced most folks more than the Bible, thus, now sin has become a disorder, a disease, a fault of one’s own heredity, etc. Never mind that the inspired Word of God says in 1 John 3:4 that sin is “lawlessness” (ASV) or “transgression of the law” (KJV)! It does not matter with most that they must ignore the fact that the Bible says that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). And, since some one or some thing can always be conveniently blamed for one’s acts and condition, it would be unthinkable to think that “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Eze. 18:20). Since, according to worldly wisdom on human behavior, changes must continually occur in the way folks think and act, it would be a total surprise to learn that the Bible states: “For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89). In other words, sin has always been just that, sin—and always will be! Nothing that man can do or say will change this biblical truth. At the great Day of Judgment, every soul will be reminded that Christ compassionately warned: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
The world has indeed done a number on most people’s thinking. How many people do you know who simply smile upon hearing a filthy joke? What about one eagerly listening to another tell of their sinful encounter? How often do you hear of someone referring to a person’s sinful action as “cute?” Or, one may exclaim, “It’s just the way that boys/girls are today.” Another boldly declares, “We are living in the 2000s, not the 30s or 40s.” Someone else says, “Society has changed,” as if such an explanation makes sin acceptable today. The wisdom of the world would have one believe that the passage of time changes everything. Such is the devil’s lie, and there is no truth in what Satan says (John 8:44). God never changes (Mal. 3:6), and His words/truths will never “pass away” (Mark 13:31).
From the beginning of time sin has been the problem of mankind (Gen. 3:1-19, 22-24). It is sin that separates one from God. Isaiah recorded, “Behold, Jehovah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear” (59:1-2). Sin will not change, and neither will the truth that sin separates one from God! People who commit the sins that this world has deemed to be normal and acceptable behavior, glamorous and exciting, will one day learn “that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21).
Listen carefully—no matter what one chooses to believe, there is no such thing as “safe sin!” The high price of sin is the devil’s best kept secret! Sin is always costly, but the devil will attempt to disguise the high price that one will pay for sinful living. Yes, one can live in sin! The apostle Paul notes, “Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things” (Col. 3:5-7).
One will do well to never forget that God’s Word is true (John 17:17). God’s Word also “abideth for ever” (1 Pet. 1:25). Jesus Christ, the one who came to save the world (Luke 19:10), will at His next coming judge the world (Rom. 2:16). At that great day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that “Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phi. 2:10-11).
Keep in mind there is no “safe sin,” and all will one day not be accountable to worldly wisdom, but all will “give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Pet. 4:5).
Copied from The Beacon, Bellview Church of Christ, Pensacola Florida
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Lula
McMahon died late Wednesday evening at Hospice in
Hudson. We extend our deepest sympathy to loved ones and friends
of the McMahon family. Remember the Philpot, Smith, and Manczak
families in your prayers as well. Services for Lula will be
held this afternoon at 2:00 at Grace Memorial Gardens Funeral
Home on US 19 in Hudson. 
We appreciate so very much all who were involved in our plumbing emergency this past week. So many of you answered the call to come and help lift and carry out from the flood waters, and then to lift and carry it all back in again. We appreciate Scott West’s company for their rapid response to extract the water (some 200 gallons) and the drying-out process; as well as Tim Holladay and his staff at State Farm for their assistance in the claim process.
We are meeting every Monday, now until after the banquet. We made good progress last week. For those who like to paint, please dress appropriately tomorrow. Others will be working on skits and props.