"If we claim, "We don't have any sin," we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." ~ 1 John 1:8
Sin is one of the most difficult and complex aspects of Christian living. It is too easy to fall into the trap of trivializing and justifying our sins (while usually judging others' sins) to the point that we do not feel the need to confess because "we really haven't been that bad". Conversely, we may also fall into the trap that our sins are so great, that we are so broken and unworthy that we can never be made whole again. Different theologies, denominations pastors and churches support each of these two beliefs. I find sin to be both much more complex and ironically much more simple- because inherent in sin is the paradox of Christian life. Unlike some theories, I do not believe there are minor or major sins (venieal or mortal). Sin is that which distracts, deters or separates us from God. As John's first letter acknowledges- we all sin. All of us. Neither Jesus or John talk about degrees of sin, rather it is an unfortunate result of the messiness of life. However, in the midst of our sin (our rejection or separation from God) we are offered unending forgiveness, love and grace. All of us. No matter whether you cussed at someone in traffic or are a mass murderer. We are all sinners and we are all children of God. Jesus shows us a way out of a life of sin, a life which proclaims unending forgiveness and grace even unto death on the cross. The promise of resurrection is the promise of grace which even death cannot keep from us.
Sin is one of the most difficult and complex aspects of Christian living. It is too easy to fall into the trap of trivializing and justifying our sins (while usually judging others' sins) to the point that we do not feel the need to confess because "we really haven't been that bad". Conversely, we may also fall into the trap that our sins are so great, that we are so broken and unworthy that we can never be made whole again. Different theologies, denominations pastors and churches support each of these two beliefs. I find sin to be both much more complex and ironically much more simple- because inherent in sin is the paradox of Christian life. Unlike some theories, I do not believe there are minor or major sins (venieal or mortal). Sin is that which distracts, deters or separates us from God. As John's first letter acknowledges- we all sin. All of us. Neither Jesus or John talk about degrees of sin, rather it is an unfortunate result of the messiness of life. However, in the midst of our sin (our rejection or separation from God) we are offered unending forgiveness, love and grace. All of us. No matter whether you cussed at someone in traffic or are a mass murderer. We are all sinners and we are all children of God. Jesus shows us a way out of a life of sin, a life which proclaims unending forgiveness and grace even unto death on the cross. The promise of resurrection is the promise of grace which even death cannot keep from us.
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