May 23
WHAT IS SIN?
-Do you know what sin is? Are you still trying to figure out what is a sin and what is not? Do you approach
your every word, thought, and action by checking to see whether or not it is on the "sin list"? Do you have a "sin list"?
What is on it? Here is a typical "sin list" from the realm of Evangelical Christianity:
-DANCING
SPEEDING
ALCOHOL
TARDINESS
CERTAIN CLOTHES SUING
GAMBLING
OVER-EATING
BEING STINGY ADULTERY
SMOKING
DRUG ABUSE
TAX CHEATING OVER-SPENDING
REMARRIAGE NOT VOTING
HOMOSEXUALITY CURSING
IMMORALITY GOSSIPING
R RATED MOVIES STEALING
PREMARITAL SEX LAZINESS
-So … Is this the "sin list" that we should go by? Is this what sin is? NO! As a matter of fact, NONE
OF THESE THINGS ARE SIN! This particular list ( or any other list ) happens to be the RESULT OF SIN, BUT NOT SIN ITSELF! Most
of what people call sin is not sin, but the symptoms ( or results ) of sin. These symptoms point to THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.
They are actually not the problem itself. In fact, a list of dos and don’ts has never been the solution to man’s
problem. Man’s problem is SIN! In actuality, it is a SIN NATURE that he is born with.
-So … What is sin? The word "sin" comes from the Greek word "hamartia", which means: to miss the mark,
and to miss the true goal and scope of life (and so not to share in the prize). SIN IS NOT A LIST OF DOS AND DON’TS!
It is a missing of the mark of the very nature and character of God. Sin is not what we do or don’t do. IT IS WHAT WE
ARE!!!
-Due to Adam’s transgression we are all born with a nature that can do nothing but come short of the glory
of God. Romans 3:23 states, … that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God … This idea of sinning
and coming short of the glory of God is not one or many specific acts of sin, but rather it is a nature that we operate out
of. IT IS THE SIN NATURE. IT IS WHO WE ARE OUTSIDE OF CHRIST. The good news is to be found in 2nd Corinthians 5:17,
which states, … Therefore if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things
are become new …
-Outside of Christ we miss the mark of God’s nature. We are a sinner. In Christ we press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We become a new creature. We no longer depend on our nature, but
we now place our faith in Christ, becoming partakers of God’s divine nature. We leave the defeated realm of sin, and
step into the unlimited realm of salvation.
-THANK YOU JESUS for coming to save us from missing the mark of God!
-YOU HAVE SAVED US FROM SIN!-
