The Essential JesusSample

Not Just the Bad Guys

PRAY: Heavenly Father, help me understand more about the sin problem as I read your Word today.

READ: Psalm 14:1-7

REFLECT: Years ago, my wife and I made friends with a couple who wouldn't attend church. They were committed to their marriage, were loving parents, and were involved in the community, but they were firm in their resistance to organized religion. Why? They didn't want to damage their son's self-esteem by exposing him to any talk about sin.

It would be nice if sin only affected the "bad guys" of the world, those who deny God (v. 1) and aggressively pursue an evil agenda (v. 4). No doubt it does; we only have to read the daily news to see evidence of that. David says sin also affects the "good guys." We've all "turned aside," and we're all "corrupt." No one is good, "not even one" (v.3).

That may seem harsh or negative at first, especially for those who identify themselves with the "good guys." If sin affects everyone, as David states, it's not healthy to deny its hold on us. It's why a good church is so important. Like a hospital, it doesn't give us the problem; it helps us diagnose and deal with it.

It's important not to let our understanding of sin cause us to misunderstand God. It's true that he hates sin, but it's not true that he enjoys catching people in their sins, as so many seem to think. His desire for us is just the opposite. He's actively looking for those seeking a deeper relationship with him (v.2).

David ends his psalm with a prayer for a savior. "Oh, that salvation would come out to Zion!" (v. 7). God answered that prayer centuries later when he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to restore all people from captivity to sin. That's reason to rejoice and be glad!

APPLY: How do you picture God? What do you want most from him?

PRAY: Dear God, despite all my inconsistencies, I desire a deeper relationship with you. Help me understand you better and experience you more.