Sin is Sin

Tonight while I was working out, I came across the most amazing news story. A convenient store owner in his 40's was robbed. The robber who came in who was also around his 30's - 40's. He came in with a bat commanding the man to give him some food items. The shop owner pulled out a rifle and immediately the robber broke down in sobs, got to his knees, and asked for forgiveness. The robber explained that he had lost his job and was only trying to get some food for his family.The shop owner, instead of calling the police immediately, told the man to stay where he was. The owner walked behind the counter and came back around with $40, a loaf of bread, and some other food items. He gave it to the man after making him promise to never rob another place again. The story does not end here, what did the two men do next? They PRAYED together. The robber accepted the convenient store owner's faith and went on with his life. The owner told police if they did find the would-be robber, he would not prosecute him.

Now, the twist comes in the story when we find out that this shop owner was not a Christian. How wonderful and amazing it would have been if he was. No, he was a Muslim. I want to ask all of you, would you do that in a circumstance like that? This man exemplified absolutely EVERYTHING that Christ stands for!!! Christ pities those that we immediately would cast away. Instead, the shop owner showed grace, mercy, pity, love, and even provided for his needs. While looking for a verse that could connect to this story I came across Luke 18:9-14

Jesus is speaking about two different men uplifting prayers to God. The first is a Pharisee....

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men - robbers, evil doers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God have mercy on me, a sinner.'
I tell you this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God."


Think about what the Pharisee said, "I am not like other men - robbers, evil doers . . . " How true it is of us Christians to say such a thing as that!!! How often do we compare sins as greater or less than another. Every single sin comes down to two general concepts - selfishness and disobedience to God. Sins do not rank higher or lower in God's eyes. Disobedience is disobedience. It is easy to turn our noses down upon "sinners" in this world (when in reality we ALL are sinners and have fallen short of the Glory of God). I challenge you to think of people in your life who you view as "inferior" to you. If they threatened you, would you give them bread and milk to feed their needs? Or would you turn them away just like the inn owners who turned away Jesus' parents?



God Bless You All.

-Ashley-

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18:14