And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
(Romans 1:28-32 ESV, bold added)

Occasionally I am asked why I allow people to sing and play in my program when they are “in sin.” I thought I’d tell you why it’s good to have them up there. Note, I’m talking about people who aren’t saved… just people who deal with sin… like sleeping with their boyfriend/girlfriend or tell half truths. (Also, not saying I wouldn’t use a lost person…)

First we need to establish that God sees all sin the same. ”For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” (James 2:10 ESV)

So I had read Romans 1 the other day and thought (as I think we all do) “he’s really sticking it to those sinners!”

Then I read this…

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
(Romans 2:1 ESV, bold added)

Then I went back and read the list of sins again… and I saw things that I’m pretty sure we ALL do. I’m not talking about the stuff we take major issues with (cause we think we’re the Holy Spirit.) I’m talking about wishing you had your neighbor’s car, and bragging on a new phone, and telling a useless but humorous joke, and sharing news that’s not for you to share.

So in part, we allow people to be involved who aren’t perfect because I’m not perfect. Romans goes on to tell us later (which is another blog to come) that we are designed to be imperfect. So, by holding people to my standard of living to be involved (or accepted) I tell God to go ahead and hold me against His standard of living… leaving me in nothing but condemnation.

People aren’t perfect… and new covenant worship isn’t old covenant worship… and my people are Levites… and they don’t die when they pick up the Ark wrong.

SO! We let people be involved because God let’s people be involved and that’s good enough for me.