Seeing Our Own Sin

Why are we so prone to seeing others sins so clearly and our own sins so faintly? I've thought about this a lot. I used to not allow my mind to go there, because I didn't want to wrestle with the fact that I have sin in me. After all, I'm a saint. I'm holy. I go to church. I need everyone to think I'm a "good man." 

Basically put, I've deceived others into thinking I'm something that I'm really not.

That's a dark hole to be captured in, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that this is a hole that many Christians are embedded in, but don't want to admit it. We would all rather talk about, make fun of, label, rebuke, and post Facebook statuses and Tweets of other people's sins.

Why? Because it makes us feel better about ourself.

Humility is not popular. We would rather hear, "Be a better you" or "You know, deep down inside, you're really a good person." 

I'm tired of the lies. 

It's still a true statement that he that exalts himself will be brought low, but he that humbles himself will be exalted. 

I'm a pastor. I didn't walk into a room and sign up for this job, it just kinda follows me like a scent or something. So sure, this means I have the responsibility to teach the whole council of Scripture, including teaching against sin. It's just that I'm not naive. I know I deal with sin in my own life. I don't like it, I hate it in fact, but I have struggles with sin of my own.

It's taken me a while, but I now see that a key in pastoring isn't to act like you're the holiest man in the church. We feel the need to pretend to be holy when we want people to look to us rather than focus on Christ. That's just the truth. Pride takes over in so many situations.

Yeshua the Messiah is your hope. I'm not. Your pastor isn't. Your pastor is a sinner. If that surprises you, you've probably been fed the same crock of lies I was. In church nonetheless. 

It is freeing to admit and confess your sins and struggles. Holding them in and pretending they don't exist will kill you. It will eat you up slowly.

Daily confession and repentance is in order. 

I'm thinking we should help one another. This starts by recognizing that you, fellow saint, fellow believer in Messiah, have struggles just like your neighbor. They may be in different areas, but they are there. When you talk and deal with others, quit acting like you've "got the victory" and start being real. Recognize the sin in your own life that you battle. Work on it all together.

Point people to Yeshua, the perfect lamb. Stop trying to get people to stare at you.

References: Luke 5:8; 6:37; 7:6-7; 18:9-14