17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
Does the teacher ever turn his great inside within. There are many Pastors and preachers who talk about sins but never take time to mend their own ways. There are Pastors who are proud to talk about sexual immorality in the world around them, but never turn that thought inward on their own lusts and desires. There are other preachers who focus on pride and arrogance but are often time boasting about not being like their neighbor.
Does the person who preaches against homosexuality, but keeps a mistress on the side hypocritical? Does the person who teaches their children not to curse or swear, but uses worse language when talking about their plow or lawnmower? Which is better to say something is wrong, or to act like something is wrong and say nothing? Maybe it is a better question left to experts. But the truth is we are all sinners and we need to speak out against sinful behavior. Yet, the truth is we are all sinners and can not fully keep even ourselves from sinful behavior.
St Paul would tell us not to act like we are better than our neighbor, but still call a sin a sin. I often time think of myself as prideful, when I confess that I am chief of sinners or the worst sinner of all. But even though I know my constant battle with sin, I am reminded that you likewise have a similar battle. We are all in the same boat together. Your sins maybe the same or different from mine, but they are still all sins.
Just as my sins are forgiven in the blood of Christ, your sins are forgiven in the blood of Christ. But this does not give us freedom to continue in these sins. If we are going to speak out against sins, we need to do our best to avoid them. We also still turn to the greatest sinner of all Jesus Christ who took our sins upon himself and died for them all. He took our sins upon himself so that we could live free of the guilt and punishment which our sins deserve.
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