The Devastating Cost of Sin Carried Out

This is my response to a post on a  Pastor’s page ( his response was he was saddened for his “dismissal “) to his response about the news on Carl Lentz being fired from his position.

-Forgive me and I say this with much respect - You are saddened to hear of his “dismissal “?!  

Why not call it what it is . I’m saddened that he committed an adulterous relationship . 

Aren’t you? 

I’m saddened that another marriage has been dreadfully violated. I’m saddened that another man of God ,   fell to the temptations of the flesh . Pride is very subtle. 

James 1:4-16

“14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by HIS OWN DESIRE . 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.”

I’m saddened for his children. I’m saddened for his wife and what this has done to her. I’m saddened for the thousands of church members who attended services under his leadership. I’m saddened for his lack of wisdom! I’m saddened that many  have no problem making lite of sin. The book of  Timothy , the teaching of leadership in the church, says in 5:20-“

Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.” 

Now we try to cover up sin instead of rebuking it and exposing it. You’re saddened for his dismissal. Really? Pray that this family will hold together under the weight of such destruction. There is an enemy and he prowls around seeking whom he may devour. No one is exempt. Pray that this brother will see his sin for what it is , Jesus Christ is the standard. Not our own imaginations. Which none of us can live up to . Thank God for his mercy & grace ? YES! Pray, That he will be broken to the point of true repentance. That forgiveness from family & members will eventually come. That the consequences of his leadership over his FAMILY first will not be devastating. This is what sin does. And when we as God’s people partake of it , the cost is great. There is a lack of the Fear of the Lord in the church today. We are responsible for our actions. Yes, there is forgiveness but May we never make lite of the sin that so easily , deftly, cleverly clings to & entangles us. (Hebrews 12:1) When we consider something that we know to be sinful in God’s eyes and we DESIRE it May we also consider what our sins have done  to our Savior. It put him on a cross,  a Roman cross! Isaiah 52:14 says” he was marred beyond human likeness!”. He no longer looked human when they got done with him! This should be enough to keep a check on our hearts. May the fear of the Lord reign in each of us! ( here’s a link if you would like to know the reality of Jesus being crucified on a cross https://redeeminggod.com/crucifixion-physical-suffering-jesus/?utm_source=Emails+on+the+Death+and+Resurrection+of+Jesus&utm_campaign=86be9ef76f-The_Death_and_Resurrection_of_Jesus_emails2&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4dcb77c531-86be9ef76f-78105578&mc_cid=86be9ef76f&mc_eid=8f2ab00180 . The cost of my sin was great! The wages of sin is death. Jesus Christ died , he received my wages. Let us not make lite of sin. 

Lord, have mercy on us all. 

(Photo credit to C.S Lewis Institute)