SIN

You and I are sinners. The wages of sin, the Bible tells us, are death. So we have a problem.

"For all have sinned, and all fall short of the glory of God," we read. This is not an ambiguous statement, so how do we respond? Christianity is based on the idea that Christ’s atoning act, and the belief in it and Him by His chosen people, provides the means for salvation. Through His grace we are drawn to Him, and will one day wear an unblemished white robe of righteousness… righteousness imputed to us upon Christ’s death.

There are a lot of theological nuances here, but it may serve us to focus on sin itself. Think of the smallest sin
you’ve committed this day. An angry thought, perhaps? A lusting stare? Be assured that either, even be they singular among a lifetime of good works, are independently sufficient to cut you off from salvation. If God judges even the smallest of sins this harshly, why do we treat them cavalierly? We are a people called to bring every thought captive to Christ. It goes without saying that our actions are held to this same standard.

Understand that sin, be it great or small, is an act of rebellion against God. Do not cave to the idea that culture defines what sin is. None of us can lead a completely sinless day, let alone life… but, as Paul says, should we then let sin abound merely because it is inevitable to those who live and breathe? No! You and I must learn to loathe our sins, to see them as the scourge upon Christ’s back. In so doing we demonstrate the repentance necessary for sanctification.