Have you noticed that lately people are uncomfortable with the word “sin”? Sadly, many pastors are loathe to use that word as well. We find other words to use instead. Words like “I made a mistake.” Or “I messed up.” Or here is one: “I made a bad decision.”
One thing I have learned over the years is that “Sin is sin.” No matter what you call it or how one tries to cover it up, sin is still sin. The Greek word is hamartia and is not necessarily tied to religion because it simply means “to fail” or “to miss the mark.” When I would talk to young people about their decision to follow Jesus, and even now when I speak to adults, I compare the word sin to a pole vaulter who runs down the runway, plants his pole, but either falls short or knocks the pole of its hooks. Try as we may, we will all fall short. Romans 3:23 is very clear that “All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” All means ALL.
The truthful part of this is that all of us are included but we sure do a bang up job of trying to cover it up or to pretend we are not included. As I said earlier, talking about sin is not very “contemporary.” Neither are words like “lost” or “condemnation” or “the wages of sin is death” and others. We are too sophisticated for those types of words.
Tragically we are falling in line with the whole draw of sin: covering up and pretending. Sin offers a lot but delivers little. How often have you or someone you know been drawn into sin and before you/they realize it a trap has been sprung. We find ourselves so deep it is hard to get out. The alcoholic or drug addict or porn addict or (fill in the blank) never started out by saying, “I think will become an addict today.” No. It all starts out so innocent. A little taste here. A little taste there. A look here. A look there. A numbing here. A numbing there. You get the picture. Before we know it we are hooked. That is the draw of sin.
Here is the reality: God is holy. We are not. God is perfect. We are not. Every breach of that perfection is called sin and we are all guilty. The tragedy is when sin is no longer sin to us. We develop a crustiness over our heart and find ourselves in grave danger when that becomes us. Let’s get back to basics. Let’s all take stock of our hearts and see what lies there. The psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Ps. 119:11). A little later in that same chapter he writes, “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” (v.37). ‘Nuff said.
Father, create in me a pure heart, and clean hands. I know Father that nothing is hidden from your eyes, so teach me the areas of my heart that I am not giving you full access to. Teach me not to fool myself in believing that I am trusting you with my whole heart, when I am still in denial of what I am keeping hidden. Lord, only You can see into my heart, teach me to give You my whole heart. 1Tim1:17
I can only say Amen to your prayers Gail.
Sorry to be late to the party today, Bill, but I had to go for a fasting test this morning so that made me fall behind on my blog reading. We need to call sin out for what it is and ask God’s forgiveness when we fall short of His perfection, which is all the time. Excusing our sin is nothing more than putting lipstick on a pig – it’s still a pig!
Blessings!
No problem being late Martha. Been there done that myself. I hope the lab results are good ones. And you are right about calling sin out for what it is. Can’t sugar coat it.
Bill,
I haven’t written anything in a very long time. Today you truly have written a really on the mark message in what you have shared. I believe it is from the deepest part of your ♥️ The world at this time is so far away from Abba Father, even one’s who go to church. It is really sad. Time is short for some people and they have no clue. They don’t think there is a heaven or hell. Some have found out too late. Please keep writing and reaching out to peoples ♥️ before it is too late ⏰
Charlotte it is so good to hear from you! I hope you are still receiving the weekly Midweek Message. As for what you wrote here: I couldn’t agree with you more. Some people assume they have all the time in the world. Sad they will miss the most important time of all-knowing Jesus and eternity with Him. Thanks again for the comment and for the encouraging words.
I have said often that by not calling a sin a sin we deceive ourselves and others and rob us all of the gift of forgiveness through Jesus.
Very true Pam. Deceiving ourselves leads down a road we simply don’t want to go down. No forgiveness is heartbreaking for those who watch and know.
At the end of the day (and this life) it doesn’t matter what I call it, what matters is Who has paid for it and whether or not I have chosen to accept the exchange. My life for His blood. The question that I think gets missed is: What am I doing with my purchased freedom?
Very true Ryan. Sin found its remedy at the cross. Once we know that what will we do?