by Perry Hall<\/p>\n
People celebrate when others recount how they overcame their sins, even using them as examples of good – and they should. However, people often shun those when they first repent of their sins (except when being baptized!). Shameful. It is true that overcoming sins, whether sexual, alcoholic, or even the more socially acceptable ones, does indeed need joy and happiness. So do those who first repent. Think of the “Prodigal Son”. When did they celebrate? (Luke 15).<\/p>\n
This incongruity got me thinking – what is the difference between those who have overcome and those who are just beginning? Are we celebrating someone’s success, their personal strength, and the finished product? If so, when are any of us finished products (Philippians 3:12)? Celebrate the beginning, because that is celebrating God’s grace, and it takes great personal strength granted from God to admit sin. Which is easier, to admit what we have distanced ourselves from, or to admit we need help now? Celebrate God’s grace then and now. Make those who are just beginning as welcome as those who are our “heroes”. Celebrate repentance.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Perry Hall People celebrate when others recount how they overcame their sins, even using them as examples of good – and they should. However, people often shun those when they first repent of their sins (except when being baptized!). Shameful. It is true that overcoming sins, whether sexual, alcoholic, or even the more socially…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[50],"class_list":["post-88580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-repentance"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":68755,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/for-eis-the-remission-of-sins\/","url_meta":{"origin":88580,"position":0},"title":"For (eis) the Remission of Sins","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 7, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Terry Wane Benton It is argued by some that \"for\" the remission of sins, as used in Acts 2:38, should be understood to mean \"because of\" the remission of sins you already have. They say it is like we use the term when saying, \"Take some ibuprofen for your\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":31326,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-it-a-sin-to-celebrate-the-new-year\/","url_meta":{"origin":88580,"position":1},"title":"Is it a sin to celebrate the New Year?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 11, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Is it wrong to celebrate January 1st as being New Year's day? I recently saw a video stating that January 1st isn't New Year's day and the video goes as far as to imply that the whole global community celebrating January 1st as New Year's is sinning. If this\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":70001,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/forgiveness-without-repentance\/","url_meta":{"origin":88580,"position":2},"title":"Forgiveness Without Repentance?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 1, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Mike Johnson via Seeking Things Above The Bible emphasizes the importance of forgiving those who sin against us. In fact, failing to do so is very frightening because, in Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus taught, \"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":31577,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-christians-celebrate-christmas-at-all\/","url_meta":{"origin":88580,"position":3},"title":"Should Christians celebrate Christmas at all?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 2, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hi, Thanks for taking up the time to answer all our questions. Forgive me if my English doesn't seem correct since it isn't my first language, but should we Christians even celebrate Christmas at all? 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