The Forgiveness of Sins

I could spend the entire message just giving evidences of the way our society minimizes sin.

Some give the excuse of genetic disposition. "This is the way I am built. What else can you expect?"

Others use the excuse of environmental influence. "I am the result of my social conditioning."

We exchange the word "sin" for "addiction" or "dysfunction."

All these notions are helpful in understanding our human condition. I too engage in the debate as to how much of our addictive and dysfunctional behaviors are genetically and/or environmentally motivated.

I would be the first to warn myself not to demonize Hugh Hefner, Heidi Fleiss, Ingrid Bergman, even the recently captured Saddam Hussein, or anyone else who deviates from God's standards. They too are human beings, loved by God. I too am a sinner in need of God's grace.

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But I think it is clear to see the truth of these words: "We have gone from 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God' to 'clients in the palm of a satisfied therapist.'"

Second, the Bible says anyone who genuinely believes he is not a sinner is self-deceived.

Mark Twain once said, "Man is the only animal that blushes or needs to."

The Bible says, "For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . . " (Romans 3:23). It goes on to say, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). The Bible also says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:8-10).

Today is not the first or the last time that I will preach on sin. I researched this week the many sources dealing with The Apostles' Creed that sent me off in any number of directions in terms of endeavoring to define sin. We could spend the entire morning listening to the various Hebrew and Greek words for sin. I have done this in the past and will do this in the future. Each one has a slightly different nuance in regard to whether the sin was intentional, accidental, one of omission or commission, a specific act or some subtle attitude.

Instead, let me share with you my endeavor to reduce all my years of study and reflection on this to two fairly simple statements, synthesizing the Old and New Testament teaching about sin.

If there is anything I do, or attitude I have, that disobeys God, breaks His heart and hurts others and/or myself, that is sin. If there is anything I leave undone, in action and/or attitude, that I could reasonably do that would bring joy to God, others and myself, that is sin.