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PAGE 52
The Sin We Tolerate
Justin Young
Crystal Durham
Good News
The fact that over one-third
of the United States adult
population
is
considered
overweight or obese is frightening
and sobering to consider. We
have a serious problemwith food
abuse and addiction in America;
a problem that few Christians are
willing to acknowledge, much less
talk about. Despite the fact the
Bible address the sin of gluttony
specifically more than once, as
well as overindulgence and excess
at length, when is the last time
you heard a pastor even touch on
the subject in the course of his
sermon?
The forgivable sin
All things considered, is
overeating really that big of a
deal? When compared to “real”
sins such as pornography, drug
abuse, alcoholism, and adultery, it
seems like an anthill next to the
mountains. Come on, it’s food,
not crack cocaine, right?
Consider this. For most of us,
the use of a mind-altering
substance like cocaine does not
even cross our minds. But what if
it did? Socially, religiously and
morally, the decision to use and
abuse illegal drugs would likely
cause
drastic
upheaval.
Employment, money, spouses,
friends and a healthy body and
mind could all be lost.
Yet, while none of us would
stand idly by while a friend or
loved one destroyed their life with
drugs, alcohol or sex addiction,
most of us are guilty of watching
in silence as others slowly kill
themselves through destructive
eating habits and lack of concern
for the health of their physical
bodies. And, to make matters
worse, many of us are the
offenders ourselves; showing
gross negligence when it comes to
caring for the bodies God has
entrusted us with.
A better way
When it comes to Christians
considering the environment,
caring for our bodies, or
demonstrating
stewardship
over anything that we can see
and touch in the here and now,
an “it’s all gonna burn anyhow”
attitude shows a deep lack of
gospel
understanding.
Christians have been invited to
join God on a mission of the
renewal of all things that will
culminate at the return of Christ
(Matthew 19:28, Romans 8:18-
25).
We see the character of
God displayed in this area
through the healing miracles
Jesus performed during his
earthly ministry. Jesus touched
bodies corrupted by the effects
of sin and restored them to the
clean, whole and original design
of their Creator. In the same
way, the Bible tells us that Jesus
will return the earth and all that
is in it to its original
uncorrupted design at the end
of days.
God invites and empowers
us to care for and steward our
bodies according to his original
design. A lifestyle of eating
healthy food, consuming sensible
portions and exercising is not
LIFE
July 2013 46
Broward - Good News Edition