A sin by any other name is still a sin

This is football season, and we all know coaches are judged on their win-loss record.

I read an article recently about some trouble a high school coach was having with people in his community. Some people were demanding that he be fired because the team didn't have a winning record. According to the mother of one player, they objected to his demand that his players don't cheat, play dirty or try to take out an opposing player by hurting him.

Isn't it strange that a coach gets in trouble because he emphasizes fair play? Personally, I like a man like that.

The article said he's a Christian. He realizes that some coaches expect their players to do whatever they think they can get away with to win a game. The primary concern is to escape the eyes of the referees. But this coach wants his players to know that they are being observed by a much higher authority -- one who sees everything, including what the referees miss.

The Bible says in Second Chronicles that King Josiah "did what was right in the sight of the Lord." I'm sure many people criticized him bitterly for tearing down their idols, but that mattered little. Josiah was more concerned about doing what was right in the sight of the Lord.

Our society -- and, to be frank, the church is following suit -- is relabeling everything that the Bible reveals as sin. The new label promises that the contents are just fine, but the Bible hasn't changed and God hasn't changed. Sin is still sin, and it is unacceptable to our holy and ever observant God.

Today and every day, let's make it our aim to do what is right in the eyes of God. If you're always playing the game by the rules, you don't have to worry about the instant replay of the tape. God will help you, if you just let Him.

God bless you, and have a great day.

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Watson is pastor of the Bella Vista Assembly of God. The opinions expressed in this column don't necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.

Religion on 10/01/2014