by Steve Hale
"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all ( James 2:10, NKJV).
Praise God for His mercy and kindness. James also said: "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment" ( James 2:13, NKJV). This does not mean that sin has lost its sting and power.
While we will be judged by the "law of liberty" ( James 2:12), that law still exposes the ugliness of sin. Those that reject the law of liberty in the guise of "openness" or "grace" will be surprised to hear brother James' pronouncement: "...guilty."
Politically correct "lingo" has replaced much plain Bible teaching. While we don't want to overreact to this, the fact is that if there is no guilt, there is no sin. If there is no sin, why did our Lord die?
Certainly, punishing good brethren and friends with pseudo-guilt is never acceptable. The mentality to "let 'em have it" may reflect more on the speaker than the audience. On the other hand, the Bible does speak on hell, heaven, sin, forgiveness, redemption, punishment, the lost, and the saved. How can we pretend to preach the gospel without broaching these most important subjects?
Charles Hodge succinctly explains:
"Neurotic guilt is not the gospel. 'Beating up on people' is not gospel preaching! Yes there is John 3:16...'God so loved the world.' There is also John 3:18...'The world was already condemned.' There is also John 3:36...'The wrath of God.' The Gospel begins with "Bad News." Man in sin is GUILTY, lost,
hell-bound. He cannot, of himself, save himself. The Gospel is that God provided the Lamb! Guilty people need a Savior, forgiveness. They don't need to be told, 'I'm OK -- You're OK!' We are not OK!" (Charles Hodge, "Guilty!!!", From The Banks Of Onion Creek.)
Sin and guilt are being replaced by "morally challenged." Adultery and fornication are called mere "trysts" or "indiscretions." Lying is now called misinformation" or "spin." Homosexuality is called "the gay lifestyle" or "sexual preference." Coveting is being replaced by "financially aggressive" or just good "business."
A baby prior to nine months, whose residence is still in the womb, is called a "fetus" in an attempt to remove the sting of abortion. Abortion is now called "pro-choice" while those that oppose it are called "anti-abortion activists" rather than "pro-life."
While it may seem these things are subtle, they are an attempt to soften the blow of sin and guilt. With this all out assault on morality from the world, the church cannot afford this new lingo. We must stand out from the world, and be its salt and light ( Matthew 5:13-16). To preserve and shine, we must call sin and guilt what they are, and not use the mirage of the new lingo. Sin, guilt, heaven, hell, judgment, saved, and lost are words we must start using again!