“If my people… shall humble the­mselves…and turn from their wicked ways; then…” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

The last time the word sin was used in a presidential proclamation of the National Day of Prayer was by President Eisenhower in 1953 – and he was quoting Abraham Lincoln (1863)!  Does that not suggest that, as a nation, we have officially ‘ceased’ sinning some 60 years ago.  The ironic thing is that it would be easier for the average Christian to identify five sins found in a society that has ‘stopped sinning’ than to identify five sins in their own life.

Can I give you an example?  What happens at a men’s prayer meeting in your church?  Does prayer mostly confess the sins of the culture (homosexuality, abortion, etc) or the spiritual depravity of the men present?  When was the last time you mourned over your selfishness, your critical spirit, your unkind words, your impatience, your anger or even your anxiety?  Would you do better on a Bible trivia or sports trivia quiz?  Does God have you broken hearted over sin or does the Devil have you laughing over it on TV?

The problem in our verse above isn’t with society.  The problem isn’t the president or congress.  The problem isn’t the economy or present circumstances.  The problem isn’t the pastor or the deacons.  The problem is that you and I, dear Christian, do not clearly and continuously see ourselves as the problem.

Pastor Randy MacDonald, New Testament Baptist Church, Safford, AZ