The Sin Box...

The sin box.....I don't recall where exactly the story comes from.....maybe a church skit or a pastors story...if you're in my family you've probably heard it!! The jist goes.....a person is stuck in sin....ie the "sin box" ..... and cannot "get out." All the hoity toity Christians walk by and won't reach down to help the person get out of the sin box.....they basically turn up their noses and walk on by the person in the sin box. As a young christian when I first heard the story I used to think.....aww, how can you not help the sinner?? Now years and years later....I've grown a lot and have a different perspective. First off, sin is sin and we DO have a right....an obligation to call it so....that thought has never changed for me over the years. What has changed is my perspective of the one in sin and my understanding of free will. In the sin box story...the implication is that a "true" Christian would reach right down into that sin box and lift the person right on out!!! Well, that's a nice little fairytale.... but out here in the real world, it doesn't work that way often. I've seen it time and time again. The person has to first WANT to come out of their sin!! They must reach up towards you and hoist them selves out along with your support! If they don't , then you cannot help them....you cannot lift them all by your self...you can almost never force your will on another adult with positive results...they must be willing....see if they don't want to come out- and you reach down in there after them....then most times they're just going to yank YOU down in there too ...the weight of them and their sin is too great....that is why I firmly believe we are not to hang out with sin- we are to walk among sinners but not participate in their sin...have you ever been in a pool and asked someone to help you out, only to yank them in to the pool laughing as they are caught off guard practically drowning?? I think that's what happens with the sinner who really doesn't want to repent. They want to take YOU down too!!! It is so sad. I think we're fooling ourselves when we participate in a sin thinking that if we're there....we'll be a positive influence on the person (clubbing and partying are two good examples of this) This year in the family so many very terrible things have happened....it is so very hard to explain it all to the kids.....some of it we shelter them from.....but most of it has to be dealt with openly because we see the people involved ....so explanations are needed. Our God is great and mighty... and I know all things are worked out for good for those who love Him.....it's just hard waiting and watching it all unfold ...the time goes so quickly now.......I know God knows what He is doing....so I'll follow His lead. So what do we do for those deep in sin? Serve and love them as best as we can and PRAY with long suffering because at any moment (in God's timing not ours) they may turn from their sin and towards God...... Until their last breath.....they still have opportunity for change. Show the person God's love as best as you can. Thankfully , there are certain aspects of God's personality that we are told NOT to imitate.....judgement is for Him alone....vengeance is the Lord's also....Our God may clearly state in His word that He is a Jealous God (of our worship) but know where are we told to be jealous nor are we to smite people (bring death or ruin to them)....those all may be part of God's nature ....but only HE has the sovreign right to act in authority in those relms. Do you ever get homesick for Eden? I read that phrase in a book one time and it's really stuck with me over the years.....homesick for Eden.....that's how I feel as a Christian in the world not of.....a yearning for a time when things will all be good and right and just....the way it was meant to be....the way it should be....a yearning to feel at home.....finally home. I don't understand all the things going on around me at this time but I don't have to....that's God's job.....and slowly but surely He is teaching me to trust Him in all things. He has taught me that I cannot force a sinner to repentance....only He can call them up from it or give them over to a reprobate mind.....I cannot save anyone.....they must choose it for themselves...I can only tell them of Jesus...then trust , hope and pray that they would follow. I am expecting GREAT and MIGHTY things for the future....I know and feel that this will be so and that brings me comfort and JOY!! Here's a quick video kind of like my story....the man couldn't get out UNTILL Jesus asked him and he said YES!!!