Topics: Consequences; Disobedience; Environmentalism; Example; Godliness; Grace; Holiness; Integrity; Morality; Rebellion; Self-control; Sin; Temptation; Vices; Victorious Living; Weakness
References: Proverbs 20:9; 28:13; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17; James 1:13–15; 1 John 1:8–9
Global warming seems to be on everyone’s mind. Scientists are running tests in their laboratories. Political candidates are dreaming up “green” policies. The heavyweights of Hollywood are filming public service announcements and organizing benefit concerts.
Now even you can do your part in fighting global warming. Have you heard about the “carbon footprints” we all supposedly leave behind us? Stop at the site www.carbonfootprint.com and learn how these “footprints” are “a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced.” In other words, by the fuel we burn on the way to work and the hair products we use, we each leave a “footprint” in the wide, growing path of global destruction.
You can even figure out how big your personal carbon footprint is. Fill out the online form, which asks for estimates of natural gas usage, wattage settings, and the mileage of your car over the past year, and you’re well on your way to figuring out just how much “damage” you are doing throughout your day. Take heart, though—the site goes on to offer a litany of suggestions for lifestyle change.
This really gets me thinking about a more inconvenient truth—sin. For every act of rebellion—every vicious word, every selfish act, every unhealthy state of mind—we press our footprint on the wide, growing path of spiritual destruction. By just one misstep, the world will never quite be the same again—and not for the better.
The good news, of course, is that we can leave another kind of print. With every act of redemption—every kind word, every selfless act, a healthy state of mind—we can deepen the personal footprint of the One who walked before us, ushering in his new kingdom with him. By just one sure step, the world will never quite be the same again.
—Brian Lowery, “The Inconvenient Truth of Sin,” PreachingToday.com