I prefer a storm window.

If the rain was blowing sideways and the thunder and lightning cracking right and left, would you prefer a storm window or a screen window as your protection?  I, for one, would pick the storm window.  It's solid and sure to keep the water out.  Well, guess what?  We're living in a storm of epic proportions, and most people seem to be content with a screen or no window at all.

The "news" of late has me feeling more than a bit distressed.  The world is singing the praises of sin from the mountaintops, and all too many "Christians" are poking holes in the Truth of the Bible to allow more and more sinful nature to become acceptable.  Sin is hiding under the disguise of "tolerance and acceptance," and God's Truth is being labeled as "hate and intolerance."  Believe me when I say that I can separate the person from their sin.  I don't hate the people that are being placed on pedestals.  I hate the behavior that is putting them there.  I hate that this crazy world that we live in worships the sin and condemns anyone who is brave enough to speak up and point it out.  

I had a dear relative that was gay.  No one ever sat me down and told me so, I just knew it instinctively.  He was a wonderful man, and I loved him, regardless of his lifestyle.  Yet, if asked to defend his lifestyle in order to avoid hurting his feelings, I would not have.  Sin is sin.  I loved him and never let his life choices affect that.  I didn't look down upon him, because I was no higher than he.  We are all sinful creatures.  He just chose to live a perpetually sinful life without any effort to repent and change his ways.  

There are far too many "Christians" today that jump on their soapboxes against sin and end up barking hate toward the persons sinning.  I have no patience for that.  I know it's a fine line.  How do you preach God's truth, which plainly states certain things as sin, without pointing judging fingers at the sinner?  It's difficult, and many end up hating the person.  I am ever aware of this and try my best to avoid that.  It's easier to point those judging fingers at a sin that we would NEVER commit ourselves.  But how about the "lesser" sins?  Wait!  There's no such thing, folks!  God doesn't rank sins in order of atrocity.  

If you're thinking you can't separate a person from their sin, consider someone with a different type of sin.  If your child became addicted to drugs, would you hate them or hate the drugs?  You'd hate the drugs, of course.  Try to see past the type of sin and remember that Jesus is a friend of sinners.  He loves us all, sinners that we are.  

Now, all of that being said, we do NOT have to love the sin in order to love the sinner.  I can still read God's word and recognize certain sin when I see it.  I do NOT have to hold you in high regard because of your willingness to wear your sin in public, unashamedly.  In fact, I should not herald you a hero just because you are willing to flaunt your sin in God's face. 

I will not take down my storm window to allow more sin to flow through the screen of today's world.  It's time to put on our armor, friends.  We are in a battle like none before, and it's life or death.  Now is not the time to be taking off your armor.  

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."   Ephesians 6:10&11