Day 62 "To Sin, Or Not To Sin. That Is The Question."

Who would have thought that we could take from Shakespeare a methodology that could prevent or reduce our capacity to sin?

In his infamous line- "To be or not to be"- we are faced with the question whether life is worth living and going forward or whether there is too much misery to suffer through life and that we would be better off ending it by taking one's own life. Unfortunately, for many of us, the number of suicides committed each year testifies to the great pain and futility that many people have come to experience in their lifetime. My heart aches for those who felt that taking their lives was their last and only option remaining! Oh, how I wish that they had had the opportunity for someone to extend to them the hope and grace found through the love of Jesus Christ and had been able to shift their mindset from despair to a future that saw hope and possibility.

For the living, we, too, face a difficult and challenging question: "To sin or not to sin." Though not as extreme as the first question, the implications to which this question incorporates are huge, immeasurable, and costly. Think for a moment of all the hardships in this world caused by man, what is the common factor in all of it? Is it not putting one's interest before the interest and well-being of others? And before we depart to enter into an relative argument as to what "sin" really is, let us suffice it to define sin as an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. Okay, so what is divine law? I contend and believe that divine law is to love.

To the question asked of Jesus, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus responded, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40

"then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:2-3

"The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does not harm to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13:9-10

And now I shall show you the most excellent way..."Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

If one were to place the interest and well-being of others before one's own, then what sin would one still commit? The question, "to sin or not to sin", remains an illusive and distant question for most of us, for to invite such a question and embark upon the answer is to take into consideration the ramification and consequences of our actions, which we as human beings find difficult to do since we are more impulsive in nature. But here is a question worth considering:

"What benefit did you reap at the time from the things you are now ashamed of?" Romans 6:21

We all have regrets. We all have acted foolishly and selfishly at one time or another. And as long as our focus is upon ourselves, our needs and our own desires, we will continue to manifest negative repercussions to the world around us.

But there is a much better way- the road traveled in love. To ascertain its value, I ask you to consider what sin you would commit if your actions were based on love? It is more difficult to screw up on your own when you seek to do what is in the best interest of others.

Therefore, to take a moment before you act and quickly engage the question, "To sin or not to sin," might enable you to confront some of the possible consequences that may unfold

as a result of what you are about to do. It might just change your course of action and prevent another regret from taking place in the future. Though I risk sounding parental, I prefer to be heard and encouraging and supportive.

"that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." Romans 1:12

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds," Hebrews 10:24

What you do has significant implications for this world and for the next.

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"To love or not to love?" That is the real question.

In his love, see you tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)