What is Sin?
I have enjoyed my activity the past two days, really this week. As a matter of fact I found myself feeling more normal as far as my level of energy. That is what I was thinking earlier in the day, as I worked in the yard and took care of some business in the office, but my mid-afternoon nap was helpful in managing my fatigue. At least it wasn’t a “crash” sort of feeling.
I had another meeting involving some HOA Board business. I believe I am finding that I’m more of a “crisis” leader. Recently our board president resigned and we had some residents concerned about the West Nile Virus issue, so it motivated me to step up and take more action than I have in the past. I have enjoyed making my contribution to address some of these current issues.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17
“Sin” is a word that is difficult to talk about. It is a difficult thing to admit and it is difficult to feel that it applies to me in a significant way. In other words we minimize it, rationalize it or justify it.
The Bible says a lot about sin. The Bible tells us “all have sinned…” (Romans 3:23) Hebrews 11:25 says that Moses choose affliction with the Children of Israel over the “pleasures of sin for a season” in Pharaoh’s household.
When it comes to understanding what sin is, often people will talk about violating the Ten Commandments. “Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.” 1 John 3:4
James says, “…desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:5)
But the simple, straightforward understanding of sin is found in James words, “not doing what you know is right.” Everyone has experienced remorse, regret or a prick of the conscious. The context of this statement is interesting. James is talking about not being proud of life and taking for granted what the future will hold.
“…you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” (James 4:15,16) I find that description, “you boast in your arrogance” amusing. It’s one thing to be arrogant, it is another to be proud of your arrogance. Perhaps that is why James says, “the Lord resists the proud…” (James 4:6)
The good news is that we have a “savior” for our “sin.” The answer is not in “trying harder,” it is in “trusting more.” I like the words of Titus 3:5 “…He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”
The assurance we have is found in 1 John 1:9 “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
“Confess” simply means to “agree with.” This is our “yes” to the Lord when we look at our life and allow His Spirit to search our hearts. It is as simple as, “Yes, Lord, I agree that I have sinned, forgive me and cleanse me.” When we do that our “faithful and just” God forgives and cleanses.
Confessing our sin brings us into relationship with Christ. Confessing our sin as Christ-followers enables us to maintain our fellowship with Christ. In liturgical churches, the worship service includes a time of “confession of sin.” That is probably a good thing. After all the old saying is, “confession is good for the soul.” And when it is well with your soul, it is well with your world.