The concept that all sins are equal is a common misconception in the Church. All sins are not equal. The remedy for all sins is equal. And, our acceptance of that remedy is always equal. There is no prescribed ‘penance’, so to speak. But sins themselves are not equal.

This is easily evidenced by the Old Testament. There are plenty of sins in the Old Testament which demanded physical death. And many which did not. Why would this be so unless some sins were weightier, in a sense, than others? Or, moreover, if all sins were equal, then what could be said about the ultimate sin of unbelief?  There must be a sense in which some sins are greater than others.

In Mark, Jesus tells a scribe of the greatest commandment. Mark 12:29-30:

Jesus answered, "The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

If there is such a thing as  the greatest commandment, then in would follow that the greatest sin would be to violate that commandment. And Jesus indirectly explains what that is.

Idolatry!

“The Lord is one”. In other words, there is one God. And we must love him with “all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength”. But the funny thing is, virtually all sins are a violation of this commandment.

I believe that if we strip away the outer layers of virtually any sin, we discover idolatry under almost all of them. We lie because our success or esteem is valued more highly than God. We steal because we value that thing more than God. See the trend?

While most people don’t take seriously the sin of idolatry—or just consider it strictly in the literal sense—I think we should recognize that any time we find greater value in something other than God, we violate God’s highest law. When we realize this, it should become a source to praise God even louder for his grace and patience with us. And, become a motivator to look for and embrace the sanctification God is working in each of his children.

In 1 Samuel, we find the story of David and Goliath. David, against all odds, took down the massive champion of the Philistines. After that, Saul took David for his own purposes, to lead his armies and grant him political success. God was clearly with David.

As David was returning with Saul from defeating the Philistines, the women of the city chanted a song that struck the wrong chord with Saul. They pit David’s success against Saul’s (1 Samuel 18:7). By this time, Saul already knew that God’s spirit had left him. In previous chapters he had sinned and Samuel pronounced a prophetic curse upon him that his throne would be taken from him and given to one “after God’s own heart”.

So when the women of the city chanted a their antagonistic words, Saul’s jealousy of David kicked in. He started looking for an opportunity to kill David.

Working in Saul’s court, David was in his presence often. And at times, Saul would have especially heated bouts with a ‘harmful spirit’ from the Lord and his violence would boil.

1 Samuel 18:10-11:

The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David evaded him twice.

Amongst Saul’s schemes to kill David secretly, there were also a number of times where Saul literally took a spear in his hand and attempted to kill him. Each time David escaped. Yet still, did not flee from Saul—in fact, he even marries Saul’s daughter.

I found this interesting. Maybe even convicting. I haven’t decided yet.

David was anointed by God, through Samuel, to become king. To take the throne from Saul. Yet, Saul remained in power and David in his employ. David sought to serve the Lord within his calling, even when those also anointed sought his harm.

In the Church of relationships, things get messy and often painful. The people who are called to serve with us are often the hands that deliver the most painful blows. Most of us respond by moving onto other ministries. Or moving out of ministry altogether. But I think we could glean from David’s story here that maybe we’re acting too hastily when we do that.

I know that I move quickly when I’m hurt. Usually in the name of ‘guarding’ myself. But perhaps that’s not right. Maybe, like David, we should ask whether we are called to be where we are, and if so, seek the Lord’s help to endure what may, at times, be difficult and hurtful relationships.

In a previous discourse, Paul had been rough with the Corinthians. He had revealed and called out their sin. They were broken by it and brought low. In his letter, Paul comments on their reaction.

2 Corinthians 7:8-9:

For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

Paul, though he had ‘hurt’ the Corinthians, felt no remorse for doing so because the ‘hurt’ they felt was only temporary and lead to their repentance from the sin which he called out. Which, in turn lead to their greater experience of God’s grace and greater joy therein. Not so much unlike the way that God disciplines us for our ultimate good—which often times hurts.

Though it’s absolutely crucial that we check our own hearts and motives in this, I think we should remember Paul’s conduct with the church in Corinth. There are some times that we withhold from our brothers and sisters what they need to hear because the issue may be sensitive. We may know that it will ‘rough them up’ a bit for it to be brought to conversation.

Yet, where the Gospel is concerned and clear, we should be willing to inflict ‘pain’ on those we love in order that they may have a better chance at Joy. Yet, we must keep close in mind, that if the heart isn’t right, this is null.

And, likewise, we should remember that when our brothers and sisters hurt us in the name of the Gospel, though it may be some time before we (or they) understand it, it leads to joy. When we are hurt by our brothers and sisters, we need to stay our anger and wait to see what God will produce from that pain.

Samuel has just set Saul up as king of the people. The people demanded it, even though God was their king. Still God allowed Samuel to appoint an earthly king to the people. When Samuel revealed to them their folly, they acknowledged their guilt, but still were stuck with Saul.

So, they asked that Samuel pray for them. This is how he responds.

1 Samuel 12:20-22:

"Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.

The Israelites had gotten themselves into a tight spot. Their sin had not left them condemned to death, but they still had to live with the very tangible consequences.

Samuel basically tells them, “You got yourself into hot water, now do the very best you can in the situation you’re in by continuing to serve the Lord.”

There is no question that, at times, our sin leaves us in a troubling spot. Perhaps in the midst of conflict or financial strain. Or, for some, even more severe consequences, like a child is conceived or a prison sentence is faced. But, like the Israelites in their consequences, we must realize that God is a God of grace. Although he will often let us live with our consequences, his grace is greater.

Our ongoing duty is to serve and follow the Lord. Whether we have sinned, or seen a victory over sin, we must continue to move foreword. Until we are glorified with Him, we can neither reach our goal, nor stop reaching for it.

And finally in 1 Samuel 12:23, Samuel adds:

“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you”

Now, of course we are not prophets to a nation of people like Samuel was. It may be too strong to say that it is a blatant sin to not pray. But for Samuel to call it a sin that he should stop praying for the people, highlights for us, among other things, the weight of the practice and discipline.

Though we fail, we should continue as if we had not failed, because the failure is already forgiven us. And crucial to that endeavor is that we would pray for success in our service to the Lord.

The topic of idols isn’t only an intellectual one. It’s not a topic to be studied, understood, then moved on from. It’s not a question of if you have idols between you and God. You do; we all do. The real question is what they are and whether or not they will be dethroned and replaced with the one true God.

This is Keller’s endeavor in his book Counterfeit Gods. To help us to understand and find our idols, and hopefully replace them. Though the latter is left mostly for us to figure out.

Counterfeit Gods isn’t Keller’s best work. But it’s better than most popular Christian literature.

Counterfeit Gods is short. Just under 200 pages including the epilogue, which is the first place Keller begins to give some practical advice to his readers. The first several chapters are divided up for each of the major idols that people set up in their lives. Sex, money, power, for example. Then, the remaining chapters are provided for the more abstract side of idolatry.

The book is written for everyone. It’s an easy read. Not overwhelming in style or concept. As usual, in nearly every chapter, Keller illustrates his point with biblical stories of idolatry (often from places you might not expect, such as Jonah), and stories from everyday people he’s known from his years of pastoral ministry.

I personally found this book challenging and inspiring. Most chapters were surprisingly relevant to my own life. Though I wouldn’t have considered myself an especially idolatrous person, more than once Keller pointed out my own hidden idols. Namely money and love, which both have a way of hiding themselves among our own nobler intentions. But, as Keller pointed out, most of us suffer from more abstract idols embedded in our culture.

I definitely recommend this book to most any Christian. If you approach the text with a humble heart and open mind, you’re almost sure to discover some things you didn’t expect to find. On Amazon you can find used copies for less than $10. You have little to lose and a lot to gain. Give it a read.

One of my favorite songs of all time is Simon & Garfunkel’s The Boxer. The final verse always stands out especially.

In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of ev’ry glove that layed him down
Or cut him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame
"I am leaving, I am leaving"
But the fighter still remains

I’ve always heard this lyric with Christian ears. In a sense, we are all fighters. Before Christ, our very life relies on it. The false gods we submit ourselves to are not gracious and they do not forgive. We fight for what we want, and desire. Yet after Christ, there is no need to fight. But before all of our service is given to Christ, we continue to do so. I continue to do so.

We carry the scars and wounds from our battles with us until one day we see how much they have marred our appearance and we cry out them, “I am leaving, I am leaving!”

But so many of us, so much of the time, are too afraid to truly leave them behind. And so, “the fighter[s] still remain”.

So, this week my video blog comes with an brief explanation as to why I’ve decided to recant my commitment to get in shape which I laid out last week. Embarrassing as it might be, it’s for the best, I think.

(Can’t see the video? Watch it on YouTube!)