Just as the two sets of dry measuring cups claimed to be equal, when compared to each other, there was a vast difference between their measurement. Both of the measuring cups claimed to hold 1/2 cup of whatever dry ingredient it contained (for those of you who may not know, 1/2 a cup is equivalent to 4 ounces dry weight); however, neither could be right. Too many times, we become fixated on what we perceive as shortcomings or lack of judgment in the lives of other Christians without real thought of what the correct measurement might or should be. We base our “measurement” of sin on what we think others should do as Christians.
I cannot tell you the number of times I have overheard or been a part of conversations that contain the phrase “and they claim to be a Christian…” At the time I was a part of those conversations what I should have been doing was not offering my two cents listening, but stopping the others involved and ask them to pray with me for the person who was the object of the conversation. I should have reached out for them, as Jesus did with the woman who had been brought to him by the scribes and pharisees (John 8:2-11). This woman had been caught in the act of adultery; Jesus rebuked her accusers by telling them, he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her (John 8:7).
Too many times we alter the meaning of the verse. I actually heard a local pastor whose message was broadcast over the radio say that what Jesus actually meant was that those without that sin could cast a stone; he further went on to preach on how the scribes and pharisees were as guilty of adultery as she was. The Bible does not make any further reference to these men and such an inference cannot be made with what is provided. Personally, I do not believe that Jesus put any sort of qualifier on it because we are all guilty of sin. There is not one of us who can even go one day without sin. Sin is sin; Paul wrote in the book of Romans that the wages of sin is death – there is no qualifier such as big sins or little sins. Each sin earns the same thing: for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
