The S Word

We all sin. To avoid using the "s" word, we may call it by other less penetrating names; politically correct names. But sin by any other name remains what it is, sin. It is not uncommon for man to blame external causes and conditions for our troubles and sicknesses, while all the time the real trouble is sin.

One of the greatest problems we face today is that of controlling the absurd, the insane in human nature which tend to defy complete control. We observe this in acts of violence, extreme aggression, mass hysteria, and mob brutality. As capital crime violence mount, we seem to think severe legal penalties will eradicate or tame the problems. So we strengthen our police force, lengthen regulations, and extend jail sentences. But there is something peculiar under the sun. Even after we have tightened up, the results are still the same.

Who can deny that our world is suffering from a severe spiritual illness? We are living in the midst of economic paralysis and social disorder. Underneath the surface, there is sin: the sin of greed, power, contempt for human beings, and the denial of brotherhood. Our spiritual sickness can only be cured by a spiritual restoration. Peace treaties have not worked for long in the past and we have no reason to believe they will be any more effective in the future. There must be an agreement with God, with the moral and spiritual realities. We have sinned. We have made alcohol more important than blood, shoes more important than people, national prestige more important than human welfare and personal agendas more important than childrens' rights.

I submit, we are dealing with something that cannot be permanently changed. We are dealing with sin. Guess what? Jails are not big enough to contain sin. There are neither enough nor powerful enough arsenals in the world to kill sin. The demons running our streets cannot be controlled by the supreme court judges or any other judge. The pathology running rampart among us cannot be controlled by police with pistols on their hip.

Sin within is manifested without; it darkens human life and saddens human history. Until we learn the unique gift of God in Jesus Christ, there will always be restlessness. Until we recognize who Jesus is, we will not be able to cure the threat. Someone once said that if we fail to retreat from sin, we will advance in it. Sin is an offense against an infinite God and will have immeasurable consequences, unless we turn to God for strength to resist.

Yet, deep within ourselves, we know that the god we have deluded ourselves into believing in is not the true God. Sometimes in the quiet of the night or in the midst of prayer, we know that we have caricatured God. Regardless of how we live, in the deepest recess of our minds, we know that what we sow, we do reap. We know that whatever kind of bread we cast upon the waters will return to us. We know that there is an unbending moral law which men and nations of men do not ultimately escape. We know that God's justice and wrath and condemnation move increasingly upon our soft and sin accommodating ways. We see our excuses, rationalizations, and alibis for what they are: sin cover-ups. In these fleeting moments, we remember our wasted hours, our cowardice and our deafness to human pain-and we know that judgment day is real and that every day is judgment day, even today.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: A Grief Healing Workbook, will be available soon.

---

Remote Viewing and the Body-Mind Connection

One of the biggest myths to evolve in the growing... Read More

Abandon Religion

Why Abandon Religion?It is so commonly believed today that religion... Read More

Significant Examples of the Mother Who Influenced My Life

As Mother's day is upon us, Iam moved to express... Read More

From Spiritual Cry Baby to Bold Seeker of Truth

Ever notice how people dread discussing... Read More

First Things First-- Balancing Your Priorities!

I'm not sure Paul had the Japanese culture in mind... Read More

The World Revolves Around Me

Lately I have become aware of a new truth that... Read More

Discover Who You Are And Why You Are Here

You are a Creative Worker:God carries on creative work through... Read More

Snowflakes

The human race had their beginning, and I had mine... Read More

Word Sculptures of a Mystical Experience

The Mystical Experience"The mysteries of life become lucid ? and... Read More

Practical Stress Management -- 7 Spiritual Solutions

Stress is amazingly persistent, even seductive. We get used to... Read More

Improving Your Spiritual Life (for Christians)

70% of people who send me feedback at http://www.insideoutmusic.net tell... Read More

How To Change Your Attitudes

What type of person grabs your attention and motivates you?... Read More

There is Power in Believing

I once read a story about a Catholic priest who... Read More

God?s Message to You

As I sat down today to write this article, I... Read More

Do Not Believe In God

God poetry is one of my favorite genres, although I... Read More

Ten Suggestions For The Overscheduled Child

Ever wonder what happened to the family dinner hour? Or... Read More

Picture This (Part One)

Picture this state of existence in your mind by closing... Read More

Angels on Assignment

Recently it has come to my attention people are noticing... Read More

If You Want Healing Step Out of the Boat

Did you happen to see the made-for-tv movie, "Jesus," that... Read More

Servants of the Antichrist

The "Left Behind" series is inspiring, in that it makes... Read More

A Testimony of an Ex-Mormon

Mormons like to give testimonies. Unlike Mormon testimonies, I will... Read More

Two Simple Ways To Get Anything You Want

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More

Should Christians Drink Alcohol?

Tea-totalling Texans? Them's fightin' words!I live in a small Texas... Read More

All One; All Different -- Addressing Spiritual Reductionism

"We're one, but we are not the same."-Bono, U2Once I... Read More

Do You Experience God?

Connor, a man in his late 40's, has achieved everything... Read More

Not Upon My Convictions but Upon the Blood of Jesus

"He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written... Read More

Talk About Purpose

What better example than Jesus' life to explain about having... Read More

Footprints and Monuments - Slow Down

Every month I usually sit down and write an article... Read More

New Age Spirituality

New Age Spirituality is all about getting back your power.... Read More

Anam Cara - Watching The River Flow

I love rivers. I have for many years lived away... Read More

Jesus Christ: One Can Reach God Only Through Him - Is this Statement Correct?

Catch the express or the super fast bullet train. If... Read More

Lectio Divina -- Reading the Bible for Spiritual Growth

Lectio divina is a very useful and practical discipline for... Read More

Terrorists Again - 14 Prayers to Protect Your Family

In the last 2 weeks or so, I have been... Read More