Sin is Always Sin

Chuckle: A small boy drew a car with a man driving and a man and woman in the back. "That's God driving Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden," he explained.

Quote: "There is but one thing more dangerous than sin -- the murder of a man's sense of sin." --Pope John Paul II

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12 NIV). "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, . . ." (Romans 3:23 NIV). "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23 NIV).

You may have heard the saying, “A rose by any other name is still a rose.” Likewise, sin, no matter what we call it, is still sin. However, we live in a society where, for many, there are no absolutes when it comes to right and wrong. Right and wrong have become relative to the situation at hand. What is right for one person might not be right for another. If we take this view, then it's an easy transition to the notion that sin is not always sin -- not absolute -- the Ten Commandments are negotiable -- they become the ten suggestions.

The murder of unborn children has become an acceptable practice. We have become calloused and tolerant of adulterous lifestyles and relationships often glamorized and promoted by the entertainment media. Dishonesty has become acceptable as long as we don't get caught. Many do not see homosexuality as sin even though the Bible calls it a detestable sin (Leviticus 18:22 NLT) and an indecent perversion (Romans 1:27 NIV). But the definition of sin in God's Word is absolute and unchanging. The good news is that none of these and other sins are outside of God's grace, love and forgiveness. Let's look at three aspects of sin.

First: Sin is a condition. Because of Adam's original sin, we are all born with a sinful nature. "For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death" (Romans 7:5 NIV). We are all sinners because of who we are. The most moral and upright individuals and the most vile and despicable characters you know are equally in need of forgiveness and a Savior. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24 NIV).

Second: Sin is action. We are all sinners because of our sinful actions which show themselves in our rebellion against God and our disobedience of his commands. Sin is any attitude of indifference, unbelief, or disobedience to the will of God revealed in His Word -- whether this attitude expresses itself in thought, word, or deed. "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your life will produce these evil results (actions)"  (Galatians 5:19 NLT). Failing to do good can also be sin (James 4:17).

Third: All Christians sin. Even after we have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ, we l commit sins when we succumb to Satan's temptations. However, if we are genuinely born again, we will be miserable when we sin and will not want to continue to sin. But God has provided a way for us to be forgiven and cleansed when we do sin. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Sin is sin no matter what kind of spin we choose to put on it. Allowing God to give us a new nature is the only answer. Let's pray that God will give us the courage and will to confront sin firmly as Jesus did -- but in a loving, caring, and compassionate way -- so that people will be drawn to Christ by His love.

Love, Jerry & Dotse