In the Book of James, the reader is challenged towards the end of the 5th chapter with a series of questions along with a ‘remedy’ to their pressing problems. I’m paraphrasing here, so I’d encourage you to read the passage in its full context (5:13-16)

Is anyone among you…suffering? Is anyone among you…sick? Here’s a suggestion- why not try confessing your sins to one another…and pray for one another…that you may be healed. In fact, you might even just call for the elders of your church assembly and let them pray over you, even anointing you with some oil in the name of the Lord. And guess what? That prayer offered in faith will raise you up. And if that person has committed sins, they will be forgiven, provided they confess and repent of them (implied).

In John’s gospel, we read about a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus came upon him, asked him if he wanted to be made well, and then healed his body instantly, where he was able to get up and walk. (John 5:1-9). It says so right there in the Bible.

Now the ‘religious order’ of that day was not pleased with this ‘incident’ and sought to kill Jesus, because Jesus had done this on the Sabbath (16). Him claiming that God was His Father did not go over well with them either (17-18).

But it’s the words of caution Jesus offered this man who was healed ‘immediately’ …that can be lost in the conversation, if not misunderstood or easily dismissed. When Jesus had later found him in the temple, He said to the man: “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” (14).

In Luke’s gospel, we are allowed to listen in to another conversation Jesus had with some folks who had shared the news of an unfortunate event that had transpired locally. Jesus turned and asked them: “Do you think these people (who suffered this way) were worse sinners than anyone else in that region? I tell you, ‘no’; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (13:1-3)

He wasn’t done yet. Jesus reminds them of another tragic event that unfolded involving the collapse of a tower that killed 18 people. Then Jesus asked the exact same question… again: “Do you think those people who were killed were worse sinners than all the other people who lived in that area? Again…I tell you, ‘no’; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (4-5).

His words…not mine.

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I’m not sure when the word ‘paradigm’ became a ‘buzz word’, but the first time I was made aware of it was in the late summer of 1994. I was finishing up my final year earning my educational degree and was about to start my full year of student teaching, over in Commerce, TX. It would be my first of many ‘Teacher In-service days’ (IYKYK) leading into the start of the 94-95 school year. The speaker that day was there to talk with the staff about the need for a ‘paradigm shift’, and he began with placing an image on the overhead screen that was similar to the one I used as my graphic here today.

We were asked whether we saw an older woman…or a younger woman in the picture. If you have never been privileged to tease your mind with this, I’ll give you a moment to do so. ;- )

In simple terms, a ‘paradigm’ is just a framework, or a set way of looking at and/or thinking about how we perceive, understand, and/or accomplish something. Perhaps you’ve heard the colored glasses metaphor, where if you slip on a pair of glasses with red lenses, then everything you look at appears red. You don’t question it, since it’s simply how you see reality. The red tint would be your ‘paradigm’.

If you read my message yesterday, can you imagine how challenging it would have been for those slaves, who were finally freed two years later after the emancipation…to change their paradigm, or their self-perception of seeing themselves as slaves; and now they were ‘free men’.

Friends…I’ve not spent the past 5 years trying to bring some ‘new teaching’ or revelation to any and all who call themselves a ‘Christian’. I just keep trying to point out from scripture that just maybe…many, if not most of us…have been in need of a serious ‘spiritual paradigm shift’ when it comes to the subject of ‘sin’. There’s a reason God makes the case that ‘His people…are destroyed for a lack of knowledge’ (Hosea 4:6)

I’ll be honest here: I get a tad uncomfortable when the term ‘identity’ is used in many teachings today in church settings, because there is a very fine line there that can spill over into more of a ‘positive thinking theology’; and this is not what I’m wanting to introduce to people. And I place the emphasis on ‘fine line’ which allows some room for us to ‘rethink’ how we’ve been taught all these years.

Do you see yourself as being a ‘saint who sins’? That…is unbiblical. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but playing the ‘I’m-a-Christian-and-Jesus-died-for-my-sins-card’ is not some spiritual hazmat suit that protects you from the consequences of sin.

Jesus came to set you free from your sins …as in completely free indeed (John 8:32-36; Rom. 6:15-22). He then tell us to ‘abide in Him’ (John 15:1-8) and if we truly are ….’abiding in Him’…we will ‘walk as He walked’ (1 John 2:6) and ‘no longer sin’ (1 John 3:6-9).

Now…I know I have to say this…but IF….IF…IF…you do stumble and sin….yes, you can find forgiveness with the Father through Jesus (1 John 2:1). But please, let’s not forget…’whoever is born of God no longer sins…and the wicked one cannot touch him’ (1 John 5:18). But if…you continue to live according to the flesh (nature)…you will die. (Rom. 8:13).