Sin Is Still There Lurking

Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (NASB)

Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

Devotional:

For some reason churches tend to put our pastors up on a high pedestal thinking that they are somehow perfect.  For example there is the senior pastor at my church.  He just has to be perfect.  After all he stands up in front the church four times over a weekend teaching us about God.  He has all the answers and he never makes a mistake.  He has to be perfect.  How many people have had similar thoughts about their pastor or any person that they have ever met or seen?  Then one day it happens.  They make a mistake and the next thing you know they come tumbling down from that very tall pedestal.  No wonder it hurts when they fall.  We placed them way up there all alone on display for everyone to see.  The problem is that only one man to ever live, and still lives, has ever been completely perfect.  The last time I checked I was not that person and neither is my pastor.  Oh I have no doubt he lives a Godly life.  I have no doubt that he strives for perfection just as we all do.

Our pastors just like us are human and have sin in their lives.  We should not be surprised when they do make a mistake.  We shouldn’t condemn them and throw them to the wolves because they didn’t measure up.  Here is a news flash, no one can.  Instead we need to show grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness.  After all we have sin in our lives and we want the same for ourselves.  All of us are struggling, or have struggled, with a stumbling block.  What sin in your life is preventing you from God’s grace and mercy?  What sin in your life is preventing you from performing God’s work to the fullest and best that you can?  What is hindering your work in Christ?  I have my own sins that keep coming back to haunt me.  Each time I have to repent and seek God’s grace.  I strive to overcome but sin is still there lurking…