In moments of weakness, it is God’s strength that shines the brightest. A profound truth that led me to reflect on God’s divinity. At the beginning of creation, sin crept into the heart of man and shattered the intimate relationship between us and our Creator.
As humans, we are fallible, but as Christians, we are assured of our forgiveness through Jesus Christ’s redemptive work when we acknowledge our flawed frailties and imperfections.
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans 3:23–24 NLT
Sin weaves through every corner of our lives. At its core, sin remains a fundamental aspect of the human condition, shaping our thoughts, actions, and relationships. Imagine that our human existence is a tapestry, and sin is the thread. It is a reality we cannot escape. It lurks in the shadows of our hearts, whispering in the recesses of our minds.
“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” Romans 5:12 NLT
It was Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden that separated us from God. It was this disobedience that ensnared us and separated humanity from God’s perfect love. So, why do we do things we know we shouldn’t do? Even Paul the Apostle, a righteous man of God, wrestled with the proclivity to sin.
In Romans 7, Paul expresses the internal struggle between the desire to do what is right and the propensity to do what is wrong. He highlights the internal conflict between our inherent desire to do good and the sinful nature that resides within us. However, a sinful nature might be a part of who we are, but it doesn’t have to define us.
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do.” Romans 7:15 NIV
While no one is perfect and you might mess up from time-to-time, being flawed doesn’t mean you’re hopeless. Even though we are susceptible to temptation and prone to straying from the path of righteousness, God’s grace offers a beacon of hope to those who want it.
“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.” Romans 7:18 NLT
So, why does sin persist, and what does it mean for us as individuals and as a society?
What is sin?
Sin encompasses any action, thought, or attitude that falls short of moral perfection or righteousness. It is a transgression against God, and it’s a departure from the ideal.
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.” Galatians 5:19–21 NLT
If you are inclined to prioritize your own desires and interests over the well-being of others, and your arrogance and hubris inhibit your capacity to feel humility and empathy, then maybe it’s time for some honest self-reflection and a reevaluation of your priorities and attitudes. Let’s call sin what it is: selfish, prideful, deceitful, a destructive force of anger, and lustful.
Our desires to fulfill our own wants and ambitions while neglecting the well-being of others reflect a departure from God’s intention for us to love and serve one another. Christ’s selfless love is betrayed when we prioritize ourselves over others. Christ’s selfless love is betrayed when we prioritize ourselves over the will of God.
The Danger of Sin
Sin creates a barrier between you and God. It disrupts communion with him and has an extreme impact on your relationship with Him. Furthermore, sin enslaves you, trapping you in destructive patterns that lead to bondage and suffering. Sin breeds resentment and conflict and leads you away from God. This world is hard enough to navigate without having to add to the hurt and brokenness through destructive behavior that is costly to you and those around you.
“Listen, you foolish and senseless people, with eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. [22] Have you no respect for me? Why don’t you tremble in my presence? [23] But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me. [25] Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things.” Jeremiah 5:21–22; 23; 25 NLT
The temptation battle, should you give in, can lead to your spiritual death. The human heart, in its fallen state, might actually try to justify your sin. This is why Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that the human heart is desperately wicked. The allure of sin is deceptive because it disguises itself as pleasure. The birth of sinful action, especially when nurtured, will take you down a path of rebellion against God. When sin takes root and flourishes, our hearts are hardened. The cost is that you forfeit your Kingdom inheritance.
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 NIV
Why Do We Preach Repentance?
At the heart of the Christian faith is repentance. Recognize your sin, turn away from it, and turn to God with a contrite heart and humility, and you will be restored to him. Jesus himself proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 NIV
The difference between salvation and sanctification is that sanctification is ongoing. By confessing your sin, you rely on God’s grace and mercy. We must continue to examine our hearts. When you focus on your relationship with Jesus, you open yourself up to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, which enables you to grow in holiness and maturity.
There is no easy way to say this, but sin will inherently lead to your condemnation and eternal separation from God if you do not give thought to the seriousness of its implications. It is an affront to God’s righteousness and holiness. Romans 6:23 states, “the wages of sin is death,” a grave consequence if it is ultimately left unchecked.
To Those Who Live In Sin
“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.” Romans 8:6–8 NLT
Sin is explicitly condemned in Scripture due to its destructive nature and moral depravity. The work of your flesh diametrically opposes the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). Eternal separation from God should be a sobering reality, but the sad truth is that Jesus said many will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21–21).
I don’t want you to be part of the many, and that is why I write this. As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I share these words not out of judgment or condemnation but out of genuine concern for your spiritual well-being. I desire for you to experience the fullness of life and peace that come from surrendering to the leading of the Holy Spirit and walking in obedience to God’s will. May you heed this exhortation and choose the path that leads to life everlasting.
“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds, you are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NLT