04/20/19 Open Sin

READING: Judges 18-19, Luke 13:22-14:14  

We saw the same sin in Sodom in Genesis 19. In fact, the story sounds strikingly similar to that account of Lot. In today’s reading, it’s an older man who welcomes a guest into his home—and the men of his city exhibit the same sexual desires of the men of Sodom: “While they were enjoying themselves, all of a sudden, wicked men of the city surrounded the house and beat on the door. They said to the old man who was the owner of the house, ‘Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him!’”(Judg 19:22).

What strikes me in this text is the blatant nature of the men’s sin. There was no hiding their wrong. There were no social mores that necessitated they “sneak around.” No, instead, the men made their desires clear: “We want to have sex with them!” Apparently, there was no apparent shame in their actions, and they were unafraid to let their sin be known. It was deliberate, intentional – the men publicly sought sex with the stranger in their midst.

It’s easy (and right) to condemn the men in the city, but we need to consider our own lives and culture at the same time. Would it be fair to say that much of our country  lives with abandon, recognizing little as “sin” and almost bragging about their wrong? They are unashamed to live as they wish—and only God can change their heart.

In fact, our hearts, too, would be wicked were it not for the overwhelming and intervening grace of God.

PRAYER: “God, break me over my sin—and make we grieve when I commit it.”

TOMORROW’S READING: Review and catch-up day  

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