There is a strong temptation for all people everywhere to be one issue people. Christians are not immune to this! One issue Christians come in a variety of forms. To use an immediate example, I’m sure that some of you who read my devotional yesterday care deeply about the sexual issues that Christians are challenged with today. Perhaps some of you joyfully agreed with every word I wrote. On the other hand, I’m sure that others were not so happy about my conclusions.

My point is not to praise or shame one group of people over another, but to ask those of either camp if the issue of sexual ethics has become your one issue? Allow me to reaffirm that Scripture teaches sexual ethics because sexuality is God’s idea! It’s His design. However, sexual sin is not the only sin God abhors. Paul reveals to us that God not only gave people up to their lusts, but also “to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done” saying:

“They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness, malice. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”
Romans 1:28-30

…and this is a non-exhaustive list! Read what Paul writes next:

 

“Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”
Romans 1:32

Do you see here how ungodliness and unrighteousness spread? First, we have what we need to know that what we’re doing is wrong, and that the consequence of our sin is death. However, we continue to practice these sins and then encourage others to do the same!

We are not called to be one issue Christians, addressing the single topic we care to talk about (especially if it means we can point at “them” and not at ourselves). No, we must address every sin against God and our neighbor—and proclaim the gospel. All who transgress the law of God are unrighteous before Him (1 Corinthians. 6:9-10). Therefore, let us remember and be transformed by the gospel that was once proclaimed to us as well (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Are there some sins you like to denounce more than others?
  • Are there sins that we tend to overlook or gloss over?
  • What would it look like if we humbly considered the plank in our own eyes before denouncing the spec in our neighbor’s?

Church Reading Plan: Job 22; 1 Corinthians 9