Sharon Gilbert (10 Sep 2005)
"Not going on a "Sin Wagon""


Here are a few lines from a song by the Dixie Chicks
called "Sin Wagon". The sentiments expressed seem
pretty impudent but maybe they are representational of
the lukewarm attitudes of many Christians today
towards sin and God's forgiveness:

"When it's my turn to march up to glory
I'm gonna have one hell of a story
That's if he forgives me
Oh Lord Please forgive me
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Need a little bit more of that sweet salvation
They may take me
With my feet draggin'
But I'll fly away on a sin wagon"

For comparison here are some excerpts of
pronouncements Jesus made to the different churches
regarding sin, repentance and the conditions put on
His forgiveness (note that the consequences are
disastrous unless there is repentance, which is
turning away from the sin):

 Revelation 2
The Compromising Church
 
12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,
. . .14 But I have a few things against you, because
you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam,
who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the
children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols,
and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have
those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which
thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you
quickly and will fight against them with the sword of
My mouth. . .

The Corrupt Church
 
18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
'These things says the Son of God . . . I have a few
things against you, because you allow that woman
Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and
seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat
things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to
repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not
repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and
those who commit adultery with her into great
tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I
will kill her children with death, and all the
churches shall know that I am He who searches the
minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you
according to your works. . .

 Revelation 3
The Dead Church

1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God
and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have
a name that you are alive, but you are dead. . .3
Remember therefore how you have received and heard;
hold fast and repent. . . 5 He who overcomes shall be
clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his
name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his
name before My Father and before His angels. . .

The Lukewarm Church
 
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans
write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and
True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15
"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because
you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am
rich, have become wealthy, and have need of
nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked- 18 I counsel you to
buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be
rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed,
that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed;
and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore
be zealous and repent. . .