A Common Denominator

What has always been easy for us to see is the sin of our neighbor.  And, what has always been hard for us to see is the sin which common sense tells us to claim as our own.  Jesus warned us about the danger when He spoke those words we know as the Sermon on the Mount and said to His disciples, "Judge not..."  (Matthew 7:1)  It is a plain and simple word.  There are no exceptions and no personal exemptions granted to anyone simply because of their level of spirituality.   

It would seem that we would realize that our own sin is enough for us to handle without trying to handle the sin which is surely obvious in the life of another.  The letter Paul wrote to the Roman church is one which reminds us all that one of the things we have in common with every other person who wears the clothing of humanity is sin.  In the fifth chapter of that letter it is apparent that it is a blight on the soul of each and every one of us.  It may be that the sin which touches one life is different than that which touches another, it may be that it bears a different name, but the last name remains sin.  

Paul's words in that same chapter speak to the reality that sin is one of those things which connects us to everyone who has lived before us, lives as we live, and who will live after we are gone.  Sin speaks of the most painful and destructive part of our humanity, but fortunately, God does not leave us in our sin, but has provided a way out through "one man's act of righteousness..."  (Romans 5:18). Thanks be to God for the gift of His Son, our Deliverer from sin and death.