Sin Doesn't Justify Itself
"Why not say -- as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say -- 'Let us do evil that good may result'? Their condemnation is deserved." -- Romans 3:8
Does the way something is done ever justify the good that could come from it? Is it okay to sin because our sin will cause God to look better? This was the argument in Paul's day and it's something that comes up in today's world, too.
There was the preacher who carried on an affair with a member of his congregation. His wife suffered in silence as church members whispered. Some even thought the church should keep him as a preacher because, despite his continuing sin, he was "a good preacher." So, he could teach others about God's laws but he couldn't -- or wouldn't -- attempt to live by those laws.
Don't get me wrong. We are all sinners. We all fail each and every day. But sin that is deliberate and continuing isn't okay. Did God look good? You tell me. The preacher sounded good but his actions told others believers can do anything because they're forgiven. That's not what God intends. He wants us to try and do good, then seek His forgiveness when we fail.
It's that old Robin Hood thing we have going on. We applaud the underdog who takes from the rich and gives to the poor. Except he was a thief. Did he use his spoils for good? Sure. But did that justify his actions?
Or what about the person who kills an abortion doctor to "stop the killing." Except that he just did what he accused the doctor of doing -- commit murder. He might say one murder is okay if it stops many others. But is murder ever okay? Not according to the Bible. Vengeance belongs to God, not man.
Others look at Christians from the outside before they ever look at the inside. What do they see? Do they see a good person who sometimes falls down? Or do they see a bad person trying to justify his actions? God deserves our best. Willful sin, no matter the excuse, is just wrong.
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