A familiar Biblical story, you know what I'm talking about. Even avowed atheists and the most dreadful of human refuse…
Wait.
What did I just say?
Human refuse?
No. I said, the most dreadful of human refuse.
You see, we have degrees of human refuse just as we do in actual garbage. A person wouldn't mind putting their hand in a pile of dry goods garbage (people call them recyclables), but ask them to put their hand into a slimy, month old, rancid vat of grease refuse and they might just take a step or two back. Yes, we have degrees of refuse in reality and degrees of what we consider human refuse. It's rather easy to figure out the recyclables from the more seedy side of actual garbage- we even have different bins for the two. It's not so easy to determine human refuse though.
Let's try to separate the human refuse for a moment into two bins, recyclable or non-recyclable (meaning no further use other than decaying is attributed to this pile).
I'm going to list a few of the many types of human refuse that may or may not exist depending upon your personal opinion of refuse.
1. Murderers
2. Rapists
3. Child Molesters
By the way the order of the refuse does not reflect their actual standing from greatest to least offensive.
4. Animal Abusers/Molesters
5. Thieves
6. Adulterers
7. Fornicators (any sex outside of marriage)
8. Mixed Fabric Wearers
9. Beard Shavers (no not your electric razor but the hand that wields that razor)
10. Deceivers (Liars)
11. Parent Haters
12. Human Torturers (Sadists)
13. Transgenders, Homosexuals, Lesbians (LGBTQ)
14. Wife beaters (Husband beaters)
15. Coveters of others possessions.
16. Lusting after anyone you're not married to (no actual touching just a lot of fantasizing)
17…. You know, I'd better stop here because this list could go on and on and on.
Did any of those things on the list make you chuckle, shake your head, narrow your eyes, furrow your brows? Did you find yourself among that garbage pile?
Hah! We all know about those lists that go around where you're supposed to number which of them you've done or which you haven't.
Where is your number on the human refuse list? No don't tell me I don't need to know.
What I do know beyond a SINGLE doubt is that there isn't a single human being alive (of accountable age knowing right from wrong - yes, even youngsters, you don't have to be 16 or 18 or 21 for this to apply) that hasn't sinned. No, not a SINGLE human hasn't sinned.
So, now we have to sort that pile up there of just a few pieces of human refuse into Recyclables and Non-Recyclables. Go ahead, you do it.
Recyclable - Liar
Okay, I can understand that.
Recyclable- Coveter
Yeah, they didn't really do anything that bad, only thought about stuff.
Recyclable- Mixed Fabric Wearer
Hey, who doesn't do this?
Recyclable - Murderer
Wait, what?!
Recyclable- Torturer
Am I nuts?
Recyclable- Child Abuser
I have to be crazy now, don't I?
Recyclable- I'll save you reading time - all 16 things listed above are in the Recyclable Pile.
Now you really know I’m a lunatic, right?
Did any of you notice this little writing of mine started out differently? I didn't start out talking about human refuse I started by mentioning a familiar Biblical story but never got to the part where I told you which story that was. We all recall the story of the Adulteress- caught in the act (yes, in the act) who was dragged before Jesus as the men gathered around her to put her to death. If you aren't familiar with it and need a refresher or an introduction to the story here it is, take a moment to read it or skip on down past it if you'd like.
Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Joh 8:1-11
There, now you know that story it's been in movies and in books, talked about in sermons a plenty.
That woman was guilty beyond a doubt of a heinous crime (yes, heinous, though today it's a very, very common crime we now accept as a part of the many evils called good (or acceptable evil) and we certainly don't put anyone to death over it, at least not in the USA.)
That woman was to be put to death legally by the law and what did Jesus do? He wrote on the ground in the dirt. Everyone speculates about what He wrote. I'll do it too. He began writing down the various sins that those in the crowd of men around him had committed which were worthy of death and he started at the oldest. He didn't have to name names, just their specific sin and I believe He had them recognize vividly in their memories the very thing he wrote down. The eldest didn't leave immediately, but as Jesus continued to write, he turned and walked away. First him, then another and another until not a single accuser remained there. Just imagine the discussion they all had together later- or maybe not, maybe their embarrassment prevented such a discussion. Most likely they simply never spoke about it again. They certainly didn't haul Jesus off as one who broke the law in not agreeing to have the very guilty woman stoned. Who knows? What we do know is the woman, the GUILTY woman, was set free and was told by Jesus not to sin again.
Ah, there is one crux of the matter- not to sin again. If you have to account for even your thoughts about lusting after another- suffice it to say a lot of people would be guilty of adultery over and over and over and over again- even those who never touched a married person in the flesh.
Sin no more.
Here we have a crime worthy of death with a sentence commuted and no jail time necessary, not even an ankle bracelet for probation to be served.
All those listed as human refuse above from the greatest piece of garbage to the least, are worthy of death.
Wait, what? Yep. A sin is a sin is a sin is a sin. Sin is worthy of death, and it doesn't have to be the granddaddy of all sins to warrant that penalty. The wages of sin is death.
But…
…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So…
HOW DARE WE THROW STONES! HOW DARE I THROW STONES! HOW DARE YOU THROW STONES!
Jesus wasn't about the stone throwing, Jesus was about forgiveness, seventy times seven times forgiving over and over and over! Yet here we are throwing stones left and right at those we deem human refuse!
Oh, no, you say you wouldn't dare throw a stone! You're a forgiving, loving person and yet you turn your back on those you deem sinners! You do it all the time! Are you in the prison ministry visiting with the worst of the worst or are you just glad that garbage is locked up and no longer able to harm anyone or, do anything against the law? Are you praying for the murderer or cheering his death penalty sentence? Would I think differently if it were one of my own who were murdered? My grandfather was murdered! I have a choice to hate his murderer, his very name is seared into my brain and has been since I was seven years old. For a long time I did hate him, but if I continue to hate this man I've never even met who took the life of my grandfather (a grandfather I can still remember going fishing with and catching my first fish), then I am not following Jesus' command.
What command is that? And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
I have to forgive those who have sinned against me in anyway. No, my grandfather's murderer did not personally sin against me, but his sin against my family member affected me.
Do I throw that stone at him? Or is Jesus writing in the dirt upon the ground something that will make me realize I have no right to do so?
None of us have a right to do so, ever.
When we throw those stones of condemnation we are condemning ourselves.
Well, that brings us to another matter- how do you handle living around people who are lovers of sin, or people who we perceive are lovers of sin?
Guess what. You are living around them every single day of your life! You are one of them yourself and others are living around you!
Wait, you don't love any sin. Well, praise God! You still sin and are in need of forgiveness.
As for living with/around/near others who you consider blatant sinners, you want to take a stand to show, hey, you don't want to be caught up in their sinful lives. You know, those thieves, druggies, perverts. But think about it, if you LOVE a single person who has been an adulterer or a fornicator, guess what? You are caught up in their sinful lives. But, but, but.. You mean those who are flaunting their sinful ways not hiding them under a blanket of acceptability. You mean those who aren't remorseful for their sins.
Hold on! Is that fornicator who is having their third baby out of wedlock that you just went to the baby shower for, and invited over for a family dinner, and gave them birthday presents… very remorseful?
THEY ARE SINNERS JUST AS SINFUL AS THOSE YOU SHUN AS BLATANT SINNERS!
What kind of sinners are on your acceptable sinner list?
Those you put in your recycle bins? Who are they? Who are those on your non-recyclable list? Why are they non-recyclable? WHY?! WHY?! You shun them! You regulate them to the garbage bins and want nothing to do with them. They flaunt and like their sins… well guess what? That fornicator is flaunting and liking their sins too! Only you've chosen to call their sin good.
We must LOVE all, and LEAVE the condemnation of any kind to God in allowing Him to be the ultimate judge.
That immigrant, that LBGTQ family member, that believer of abortion, those who want equality in all aspects of life… they are loved by JESUS and can find forgiveness for any sin in their lives, not just the ones we point at. We ALL Have sinned and fall short of the glory of God! It's up to the HOLY SPIRIT to convict our hearts toward repentance. WE are to LOVE. We are to put down the stones in our hands.
Jesus told the disciples they were to spread the gospel far and wide and if they came to a place which rejected the gospel, the good news of salvation through Christ, then they were to have nothing more to do with them. They weren't to kill them! They weren't to evict them! They weren't to actively hate them! They were to leave them alone and leave them to God.
1Co 7:13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
If we associate with those who believe not, if our situation is such that we cannot leave those who don't believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, we are not to leave them. We KEEP believing and pray they'll believe too.
So, yeah, don't go actively hanging around those who hate you. Present the gospel and if you are not welcomed, leave. Don't stop loving and praying for those who hate Jesus, just don't hang around them if you are able to not hang around them. If they are family members then don't shun them but continue to love Jesus and reveal the love of Jesus as long as they are willing to be around you as you love Jesus.
Jesus was all about LOVING our enemies. Leave the judging to God the Father.
If the fornicator, habitual liar, petty thief, coveting, gossiping, family members are not regulated to the trash bin, then don't regulate those you believe are the greater sinners to the trash bin, they are all worthy to be trash, not recyclable on the same level, OR they are all worthy to be recyclable.
I would rather be condemned for LOVING sinners of all walks of life, in all manner of sins, than to be condemned for HATING sinners of all walks of life and in all manner of sins. I can hate the sin, I cannot hate the sinner.
People when they realize you are a Christian generally know how you believe as a Christian, if they aren't telling you to get lost, then revealing the love of Christ in your love for them is Christ's way.
Christians need to LIVE Christ, not condemn others as if we had a say in their eternal fate. We aren't getting pats on the back from Christ Himself if we hate them. Which apostle racked up points for blatantly hating people that hated him? Beaten, whipped near to death… they still loved their enemies, they still did good to those who hated them, but they didn't stay where they were not welcomed. Only by staying with those they deemed sinners could they share the love of God. Some repented and also believed, but many didn't, and the Apostles didn't stay to ram their religion down their throats- they left.
We must love where we are welcomed, and not force ourselves on where we are not welcomed. You don't know if that person you've condemned and said they can't love Christ if they live like a sinner, is closer to God than you are-- you are a sinner too. All your secret little sins of coveting, back biting, etc. all those lesser sins we overlook are sins worthy of death. You need to be forgiven, I DAILY NEED FORGIVENESS, and all are worthy to be forgiven. If we reject the Holy Spirit guiding us to forgiveness, then we've rejected God- but ONLY God knows who does that, not us! We are NOT GOD we can't condemn someone's eternal life, not ever!
We can recognize sin- sins in our lives and sins in other's lives- but we do not place the final sentence on any one!
Be condemned for LOVING people who are sinners (like yourself) rather than for HATING people who are sinners (like yourself). That condemnation of a blatant sinner could be the very sin that condemns you in your secret sins.
Grieve over those who do not want to know the love of God, the love of the Savior and the love of the Holy Spirit. Do not condemn them.
Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psa 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
