Justifying sin...

Do we justify sin or do we speak out and stand against it?

I was conversing with an associate on my job and he disclosed some information with me about his past and how even in what seemed to be a good situation he found himself trying to find a way to justify a wrong that was occuring. He said that while in college he was involved with a lady -both of them of the same faith in Jesus Christ- and together they were a spiritual "powerhouse" on campus. He believed that they were desitined to be and that she was who he would spend the rest of his life with. In so believing, and having developed "feelings" for this young lady, he found reason (or conjured up reason) as to why it was permissible to have premarital sex; the basic idea being "we're getting married anyway...might as well". In retrospect, as he relayed the story to me, he said he didn't know what he was thinking to try to justify his actions at that time.

I thought to myself (and said to him) it's a dangerous thing to try to justify sin. It's an even more dangerous state to be in. I believe that at the point where we begin to turn a blind eye to sin, then we need to do an internal inspection. Basically, we need to "examine ourselves as to whether we be in the faith". I think once we start trying to justify sin, then we are IN SIN and therefore in enmity with God. I told him I wouldn't even try to begin to explain it or understand it because I didn't want to sound like it was condoning it. But what I do understand is that this is nothing new. The apostle Paul write in romans chapter 7 particularly about this Christian struggle. He says, in verses 19 -21 that (19) "the good that I would [do] I do not: but the evil which I would not [do], that I do. (20) Now if I, do that [which I know] I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."(21) I find then a law that, when I would do good, evil is present with me." In verses 22-23, Paul goes on further to explain that there is a war going on in his (our) members. He speaks for himself (as it relates to ALL of us Christians) that although he delights himself in doing the will of God -that is, being in Christ, his mindset is to do the will of Christ- that there is on the other hand that sinful nature in him (because we are all born IN SIN and shaped in iniquity) that fights him to do to do wrong. In verse 24 Paul poses the question "who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" He then answers the question in the beginning of verse 25 and says "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord".
Now, by no means am I perfect. The bible clearly states in Romans chapter 3 that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" but it also states that those who were bought with a price ( through the blood (death) of Jesus) are freed from the law of sin, therefore not slaves thereto. By accepting Christ into our lives, we died when He died on the cross FOR OUR SINS, therefore are DEAD TO SIN living no longer therein. Know that Jesus is the way! In following Him and being lead by His spirit, we do mind the things of the Spirit (read the note "Who Shall Enter?") and put off the works of the flesh (sin). Let Jesus be your savior.