Luke 13:1-5 (ESV)

13 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Jesus used two current events to refute a teaching that the religious leaders in Israel taught the people.  The deception was that the more a person sins the more the suffer because of their sins.  The level of suffering was what people used to know where they stood with God.  This is a horrible lie.

People love to fall into this comparison trap.  We judge ourselves based on the standard of another individual.  We do this because it makes us look better.  “At least Im not like that guy!”.  In reality, God doesn’t judge us by comparing ourselves to other human beings but rather God judges us based on how we compare to Him!  None of us are going to come out looking good in this scenario.

Sin is NOT connected to suffering.  How many people have you ever seen SUFFER by doing the RIGHT thing and not the wrong?  To God, sin is sin is sin.  The amount of sin that we commit doesn’t matter.  What does matter is our awareness of our own sin.

Application:
If you’ve ever said, “No one is perfect”, you have just condemned yourself.  You are confessing that a certain level of perfection exists and no human being has ever or will ever achieve it.

As you continue to repent, as God to help you become MORE aware of the presence of God in your life but also the presence of unchecked sin.  Be open to God and allow Him to clean out your house.  And more importantly, stop comparing your faults to another.  We ALL have failed short of God’s standard of perfection (Romans 3:23).  Own up ti your sins and that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.  Do this and watch God give you a sense of purpose, even in the midst of pain and suffering.