Jack’s Winning Words 2/14/18
“Don’t judge someone because they sin differently than you.”  (Unknown)  Last week I read: that the Church needs to get over telling people how bad they are (all have sinned and fallen short) and concentrate on explaining the “grace of God.”  We continue to be caught up in seeing a gradation of sin (some are worse than others).  There’s a biblical word, propitiation, which the Church needs to define, so all may know that there’s a simple way to reach the Pearly Gates.    ;-)  Jack

FROM NW:  Your blog posts provide most of my inspiration and I always learn something from them.====JACK:  Then they accomplish what I intend them to accomplish...sometimes with a light touch , too...like using Pearly Gates instead of Heaven.

FROM PT:  Blessed Ash Wednesday to you, Jack! The issue with that first quote about the church needing to get over telling people how bad they are, as you well know, is that we wouldn’t need the gospel and God’s grace then. Jesus said “I’ve not come to call the righteous but sinners…” No sin = no need for the Cross = no Jesus! We’re using Willimon’s book “Sinning Like A Christian” this Lent, and he says “It is a sure sign of a compromised church -  a church that has retired from doing battle with the principalities and powers, a church without prophets – when one finds a church that has ceased dealing with sin.”  As you read in that comment you quoted, I believe many churches and preachers like Joel Osteen and others have already ceased dealing with sin and put out a message that we’re basically good, wholesome people. Maybe that’s why churches are declining??? As you mention, we need to talk about God’s offer of forgiveness in Christ after we are honest about our true nature as sinful people who have fallen short of the glory of God!!  Thanks again for your ministry of encouragement!!!===JACK:  Thanks for your comments.  They show that you got the point that I was trying to make.

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  that’s why i like episcopal church. never once have i been lectured abt sin from the pulpit.====JACK:  What is your definition of sin?====LIZ:  i don’t think a person can sin unless they know what they’re doing is wrong...====JACK:  ...and, how do they know unless someone explains it to them?

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  Let those without sin be the first to throw stones====JACK:  It seems to me that "the confessional" is not such a big thing for Catholics anymore.  How about at your congregation?====SHIRL:  Lots of things have changed. Our priest is very good at understanding modem times====JACK:  No confessional booths at your church?  In the Lutheran Church our worship begins with the congregation joining in the "confession."  God's forgiveness is announced for all who believe.====SHIRL:  Yes we have the confessional booths and also one night with many priests who hear individual confessions in private all around the ⛪ k

FROM TOM WITH WINGS:  Happy Valentines Day Jack.  Today's winning words rings so true!  Similar to Jesus' telling us to remove the rock from our own eye before remove the pebble from someone else's eye!  Hope you are well.  All the best and have a nice day.====JACK:  The ashes of Ash Wednesday are a reminder that, in the end, we each must stand before God.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Not having gradation of sins is difficult, as some sins DO seem, worse than others. But we are told sin is sin, and ALL have fallen short, so in God's eyes we would be sinners!  Therefore the need for forgiveness and Grace! I Like the WW admonition, "not judging others for "different sinning" than mine. :-) Something to ponder, as your words usually are. Thus, we usher in Lenten season! Happy Hearts day, by the way. We who have lost our mates can still be valentines to kids, g.kids, etc. etc. Love makes the world go round.====JACK:  Seeing some sins as worse than others (or, not as bad as others) is something akin to believing that salvation comes by the good deeds that are done during a lifetime.  I see nothing wrong with having a eulogy at a funeral, but the danger is in giving the impression that "good works" are the key to heaven.  Sometimes theology gets so complicated.  Do you remember the words of a hymn..."If our faith were but more simple, we would take him at his word, and our life would be all sunshine in the glory of the Lord" (or something like that).====OAKS:  Yes, that is the last verse of "There's a Wideness In God's Mercy: If our Love were but more simple, We should take him at his word; And our lives would be all
sunshine, in the sweetness of our Lord!"  •    Yet another school shooting, with 17 innocent lives
taken. I see taking a life as a "worse sin" than many others. Can't help it! !!====JACK:  It's easier to talk about sin in the abstract, not in the concrete.