S.I.N.

No matter how you look at it, this topic is always something to avoid. Either someone is wayyy too heavy handed with the hell, fire, and brimstone or they cheapen the mess out grace and offer a million free passes. Or my favorite of all…they avoid the topic altogether. I, thankfully??, wasn’t given such an opportunity. Let me tell about the life changing “scene” that made it inherently clear sin was something I couldn’t avoid. 

About 12 years back, I was home watching the movie, 127 Hours. I was very curious about it because I knew it was based on a true story. A young man, living life to the fullest, most frequently enjoys bike riding and rock climbing. One day, while climbing, he slips. He falls…and a boulder comes with him! While I’m grateful he wasn’t crushed in the process, he does somehow manage to get his hand caught between a rock wall and that boulder. I’ll save you the details, except to say he “single handedly” did what he could to walk away with just a single hand. I’ll leave that there. Though that was one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen, the revelation I got was even crazier to me. I came to realize that the same way he separated himself from his hand (Sorry! That’s the details. Just sayin.) is what it’s like for us to separate ourselves from sin in our lives. I couldn’t unhear it, and now you can’t. You’re welcome. And with that frame, let us approach the topic at hand.

Understanding the Nature of Sin

So the first thing I feel needs to be done as we approach this topic is to actually really talk about it, and before we go anywhere we need to dispel a major myth. Buckle up! Here we go! *takes deep breath…Sin is more than just a single act of wrongdoing; it is a state of being that separates us from God. According to 1 John 3:4-10, everyone who sins breaks God’s law, and all sin is contrary to the law of God. However, Jesus came to take away our sins, and in Him, there is no sin. Therefore, anyone who lives in Him does not continue to sin. This distinction is crucial: committing a sin and living in sin are different. The former is a momentary lapse, while the latter is a habitual lifestyle that signifies a deeper disconnection from God. These are not the same.

The Bible provides clear examples of this difference. King David, despite his grievous sins, repented and sought God’s heart and didn’t have a continuation of issues concerning one particular sin. Moses, on the other hand (Yeah. That Moses), avoided an anger issue for 39…really 79 years that kept him from entering the promised land. Though he’s still in the Hall of Faith, it’s a major tell that in his faithfulness he was denied the one thing connected to what he was CALLED TO ACCOMPLISH in leading the people. If you can’t say amen…you know.

The Deceptive Nature of Pride

Now that that’s out the way, let’s focus on the basics of what sin actually is. There’s a Bible verse that lays out the basics well. Proverbs 21:4 states, "Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin." Pride manifests in various forms: haughtiness or considering oneself above others, a prideful heart which tends to boast in both one’s abilities and inabilities (people really aren’t trying to talk about that…I digress), and evil actions which are ultimately  resisting God’s transformative power. Pride deceives us into thinking we are self-sufficient, and it blinds us to our need for God’s grace.

Scripture repeatedly warns against pride. It leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18), breeds quarrels (Proverbs 13:10), and deceives the heart (Jeremiah 49:16). The antidote to pride is humility. James 4:6 says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Therefore, embracing humility allows us to receive God’s grace and fosters a genuine transformation in our hearts. If we don’t choose to do this, there’s only one other option: humiliation. They sound similar, but trust you choose which one and the former is much better than the latter.

The Complexity of Sin and Human Nature

Sin is multifaceted and deeply rooted in human nature. Romans 7:14-25 vividly describes the internal struggle against sin. Even the apostle Paul acknowledged his battle with sin, stating, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do." See that Paul said this. Paul. No, seriously!! Righteous, world changing, church planting, ⅔ of the whole New Testament writing Paul! Be encouraged by this. If he struggled, we may still be doing something right. But yeah. This passage indeed underscores the ongoing conflict between our sinful nature and our desire to live righteously. Stay the course.

Understanding this complexity also helps us avoid judgment and extend grace to others. We are all on a journey of sanctification, gradually becoming more like Christ. This process requires perseverance and community support. Surrounding ourselves with fellow believers who hold us accountable and encourage us is essential for spiritual growth. It’s not easy, but with all the resources He gives us it can be done.

Living a Righteous Life

Living a righteous life involves more than avoiding sin; it requires actively pursuing a relationship with God and loving others. 1 John 3:10 states, "Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God." Righteous living is marked by obedience to God’s commands and genuine love for others.

The Bible emphasizes that our actions should reflect our faith. It’s not enough to merely profess belief; our lives must demonstrate it. This involves daily choices to resist sin, seek God’s guidance, and show love and kindness to those around us. By doing so, we reflect the transformative power of Christ in our lives.

True transformation begins with understanding the nature of sin and recognizing our need for God’s grace and mercy. If you don’t start there, then please do yourself the favor of not passing go. We don’t have the cross without the understanding of grace and mercy for us. We have to have it for others. By confronting our pride, embracing humility, and committing to a life of righteousness, we can experience genuine spiritual growth. The journey of faith is ongoing, and we must support one another in our pursuit of living out God’s will. Let us strive to be like Jesus, reflecting His love and grace in all we do.

Stay the course. Championing you!!

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church