SIN IN REAL – PART 1

Bible Verse: But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen. Isaiah 59:2, CSB

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 59:1-20

If you didn’t grow up in the church culture, there is a very good chance you don’t hear the word “sin” used too much in your day-to-day life. However, maybe a Christian tried to share Jesus with you at some point in life, and you kept hearing the word sin used again and again in their little presentation… yet you’re still confused. Or maybe you did grow up in the church, and all you heard was sin, sin, sin!

Over the years, I have had the privilege to travel across this country and speak at Bible colleges to teach and train young ministry leaders. I often do an exercise where I ask Christians to explain the gospel without using Christian terms that most unchurched people wouldn’t understand. I am often surprised at how many leaders have a hard time explaining sin without using the word “sin.” It does make me wonder: is “sin” a word we know how to use but don’t really know what it means?

To go back to the basics, there are generally two ways to look at sin biblically.

One way to look at sin is “missing the mark” or ‘falling.” Every single one of us falls short of the glory of God. No matter how hard we try to be perfect, righteous or “sinless,” we will all unintentionally miss the mark and break God’s laws. Sin is what we’re born into. Blame Adam and Eve for that one.

The other way to look at sin is rebellion, which is when we make the intentional choice not to follow God and his laws. It’s when we choose to do things like hate, lie or commit adultery, although we know it’s wrong and not good for us.

When it comes to sin, whether or not it’s intentional or unintentional, sin separates us from God. As we move forward in the week, I encourage you to write down a list of ways you miss the mark or rebel against God’s laws, so you can become more aware of your actions.