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Author: Jerry Bridges

Book: Christianity

Year of Release: 2007

"O Lord you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord."

Psalm 139: 1-4

When our d-group leader announced that we’d be studying this book, I thought to myself ‘how ironic, even absurd, this book sounds!’ The title alone is a paradox. Being Christians, when and in what circumstances are sins ever viewed as respectable?

The author started the book with a poignant reminder of what sin is. Simply stated, sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). Whether committed deliberately or unconsciously, sin is choosing what the flesh desires over what the Spirit does, and this book highlights some of those sins we unknowingly commit or regard as excusable. Strictly speaking, respectable sins are sins we know are offensive to God, yet from a human point of view may be written off as forgivable or even acceptable.

Sins like pride, conceit, discontent, and irritability can be so easily disguised or rationalized as we go through the daily grind of life. However, the author reminds us that no matter how much you try to conceal it or insist that what you did was ok, the bottom line is – You know that it’s still a sin. There are obviously different degrees to this but whether you committed adultery or said a white lie, whether you committed murder or gossiped about another person, we are reminded that sin is sin. Just because you don’t think you committed a blatant offense against someone doesn’t mean you are better off than anyone else. Mind you, being judgmental is another sin that most of us who profess to be Christians are guilty of but are either unaware of it, in denial of it, or even defiant about it most of the time.

The author clearly reminds us that sinning is a constant battle we face and constantly resisting the temptation to sin as an act of obedience to God is something we have to pursue with vigilance – Every day, every minute, every second. This is a heart issue and this book has helped me realize that no matter how much I try to rationalize my subtle offenses, He is omnipotent and sees all that I think of, say and do before I even conceive a particular thought.

Lastly, it is humbling to be reminded that no matter how much we sin, there is assurance that He loves us and is willing to forgive us each time we come to Him and repent. While He lovingly teaches us important life lessons by letting us experience the consequences of our actions, He does not count our sins against us for He will never be against us. Nothing can ever separate us from His love. The key is to be constantly aware that we were sinners in dire need of the gospel and redemption through Jesus Christ and now as His followers we are compelled to resist sin even more when we realize the Father’s unfathomable mercy and love.

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