Eons ago I belonged to a paramilitary organization called the Medical Cadet Corps. In the summers we met at Grand Rapids, Michigan to play soldier for a few weeks. Don’t ask why. Having the esteemed rank of captain made me responsible for several platoons and needless to say I was jealous for their excellent performance and decorum. One hot July afternoon we scheduled a full dress five mile march through the downtown streets of Grand Rapids. Everyone looked magnificent until we were about a mile into the march and then it happened. Several young men had filled their canteens with A&W root beer instead of water. It does not take much imagination to know what their uniforms looked like while marching with a shaking canteen. Someone the night before had made an unauthorized visit out of camp.
Sometimes it is difficult to ferret out disobedience and sometimes it stares you in the face. Actually it is never difficult for God because He does see everything. But for humans it can be much more challenging and usually is none of our business. On occasion we find ourselves in the midst of a witch-hunt; the results of which rarely ever have a positive result. If the sin is blatant and brings harm and disgrace to a community occasionally it must be dealt with. However, most of the time when we think we must act we end up causing yet another layer of harm, often worse than the original offense.
Sin has its own rewards. Actually that is why it is sin. If it doesn’t then God is not displeased and neither should we be. So often what upsets us isn’t sin at all but merely a violation of some exacerbated social norm.
Written by Roger Bothwell on April 26, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org